Fiji Rugby Union will not resume domestic competition
The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has announced it will not resume domestic competition this year, and is planning for an early kick-off in 2022.
Fiji Rugby CEO John O'Connor greets players. Photo: Fiji Corrections Service
Its CEO John O'Connor said after thorough consultation and careful consideration, it decided to cancel all the domestic competition for 2021
He said this is despite receiving the approval and Certification for their 'Safe Return to Training and to Play' last Friday.
O'Connor said it's impossible to commence and complete any form of domestic competition safely this year.
He said the FRU plan to kick off their competition early next year in March and have urged Unions to focus on their off-season training and prepare accordingly.
"The FRU also urged all Affiliate Unions to update the vaccination status of everyone involved in their respective Unions, and ensure there is a process to cater for the upkeep of this vaccination data and also have process to ensure full compliance to all Covid-19 restrictions before they commence any competitions." he said.
John O'Connor said the FRU are planning to host the final tournament of the Super 7s Series in November and will it confirm the details in due course.
Samoa approves flights to American Samoa
Samoa's National Emergency Operations Committee has approved flights from Samoa to American Samoa starting today.
Faleolo aiport, Immigration Photo: Supplied
However the flights will only bring travellers from Samoa to the territory, and return to Samoa empty.
This is until the Covid 19 strain for the three confirmed coronavirus cases in the territory are known.
Samoa's Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, said it is still not clear what the covid variant is.
Flights from Samoa were suspended last week, affecting travellers for both Samoa Airway and Talofa Airways.
NZ increases funding for Pacific Island aviation safety and security
New Zealand has upped its funding for Pacific Island aviation safety and security to $US6.3 million over the next five years.
Jonathan Kings Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
The money goes to the Pacific Aviation Safety Office, or PASO, which is headquartered in Vanuatu.
The funding provides PASO's 10 Pacific Island member states with continued strategic capacity support to improve their international aviation safety and security compliance.
Deputy secretary of Foreign Affairs in New Zealand, Jonathan Kings, said improving Pacific aviation safety and security means better connectivity for Pacific people, enabling sustainable regional economic development and prosperity.
New Zealand's previous support for PASO was a three year arrangement worth $US3.1 million.
Vanuatu authorities run a Covid-19 simulation exercise
The Covid-19 simulation saw the most populated areas of the capital, Port Vila, Fresh Water and the main market, placed in lock down.
Photo: RNZ / Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor
Dr Bazil Leodoro said one the reason for Friday's simulation was to see how to control the movement, and the reaction of people in real time.
He said the main vector of the transmission of the virus is the movement of people.
"People in Vanuatu live in a close community, so they must be ready to change their habit, if there is a break out of covid in Port Vila."
A three day lockdown is planned for October 21, and it is expected that during the lockdown that institutions such as schools and churches will be closed.
Friday's event involved the staff at the Department of Health, Vila Central Hospital, Vanuatu Red Cross, Vanuatu Police Force, chiefs and other stakeholders.
New CNMI chief of staff is a former Guam senator
The former Guam senator William Castro is now the chief of the staff for the CNMI Office of the Governor.
CNMI's Governor Ralph Torres said Castro is exceedingly qualified, and he looks forward to having him serve the community as his chief of staff.
Castro has extensive public service experience within the Government of Guam, having served as Director of the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, the central planning authority of GovGuam, and as a cabinet official and senior advisor to Guam's Governor Eddie Calvo.
Castro replaced Angel Demapan, who stepped down from the chief of staff post after he successfully ran for a House of Representatives seat a year ago.
