All in the family - Pacific Islands Forum leaders pose for a photograph at a special retreat to chart the way forward for regional unity. Denarau, Fiji 24 February 2023 Photo: Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific - PIF
The Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, says the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit is likely to take place in October or November.
Brown, who is also the Forum chair, told Cook Islands News proposed dates will be sent to member nations and then a final date will be decided on.
Brown told the newspaper the government was working with accommodation providers to host the delegates.
The Cook Islands last held the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit in 2012.
PNG - politics
The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape, wants to add another six MPs to his cabinet.
He said he wants "more hands on deck" to cope with the country's soaring population.
Parliament is sitting from today and changes to allow for more cabinet positions will be included in amendments to the Prime Minister and National Executive Council Act.
Governor General Sir Bob Dadae is also be sworn in today, to begin his second term.
Meanwhile, two new MPs are soon to take their seats in the autonomous parliament in Bougainville.
Didimus Napto replaces his father, Charry Napto, who disappeared, along with his wife and another son, while travelling to the atolls in July 2021.
In Haku constituency former public servant Patrick Koles has won the seat in a by-election.
Samoa - flu
Samoa's Ministry of Health will introduce flu vaccines from next year as health authorities continue to monitor a rise in respiratory infections.
The Samoa Observer reports the Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma, saying the rise in flu cases is a concern, despite the illness not being as deadly as covid-19.
According to the Ministry's surveillance report, influenza-like Illness remains at the top of the Ministry's surveillance with a total 1,668 cases reported between February 20 and 26.
Wallis and Futuna - economy
Wallis and Futuna will receive help from the French government for various projects.
The Minister of Overseas Territories Jean-Francois Carenco paid a visit to the territory off the back of a tour of New Caledonia with French Interior Minister Delegate Gerald Darmanin.
The social help fund will increase social benefit funds for aged care and people with disabilities.
Meanwhile, the quay of Leava on Futuna Island, which is an essential docking post for the island's fuel and cargo supplies, will be repaired and upgraded.
Papua - MSG
A delegation from the Free West Papua movement is in Vanuatu to accelerate its push to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
The five-men delegation is led by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua secretary Rex Rumakiek.
Rumakiek said they are expecting that West Papua will become a full member of the MSG when the sub-regional grouping meets later this year.
He said they are confident because Vanuatu, which holds the MSG chair's role, is vocal on the issue of West Papua.
Fiji - health
In Fiji, there has been a surge in leptospirosis cases in the province of Macuata and Bua in the Northern Division.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease with symptoms including high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice and abdominal pain.
It is spread through the urine of infected animals, which can contaminate water or moist soil for weeks to months.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services said between January 1 and February 26, there were 171 cases.
Samoa - Commonwealth
The annual Commonwealth Day service in London welcomed a speech from the Samoan prime minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa.
Fiame spoke as the future Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth.
The service was held at Westminster Abbey and hosted by King Charles III and the Queen Consort.
The next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held in Apia in 2024.
Marianas - tourism
Tourists from China are now welcome back in the Northern Marianas, following the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer requiring a negative covid test for those travelling from China to the United States.
This gives the Northern Marianas back access one of its largest tourist markets.
