New Zealand 20 dollar notes featuring the image of Queen Elizabeth II. Photo: 123RF
Pacific - Umbrella Facility
The Australian and New Zealand governments have given more money to the World Bank's work in the Pacific, with a combined contribution of more than $US90 million.
The PNG and the Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility will be in place until at least 2031.
It is supported through a commitment of $US73.6 million from the Australian Government and $US20.8 million from New Zealand.
The World Bank said these commitments are expected to grow to a combined estimated $US200 million by 2031 as projects grow.
The agreement will support work related to Tonga's ongoing recovery from last year's volcanic eruption and tsunami; support for the expansion of Papua New Guinea's engagement in regional labour mobility programmes; and work in Solomon Islands to improve basic infrastructure through the country's biggest youth employment project.
Fiji/Indonesia
Indonesia has donated nearly $US8 million to the Fiji government to be used for education and for handling the covid pandemic.
Antara news agency reported the money is for the period from 2019 to 2024.
Fiji is Indonesia's trade partner, and in 2022, Indonesia's exports to Fiji reached more than $US40 million.
Indonesian Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati said she expected the trade activity and bilateral investment between Indonesia and Fiji could be strengthened further, to mutually support the two countries' economic recovery.
Vanuatu - climate justice
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has visited Vanuatu recently to address climate justice and climate action for the Pacific.
Her visit came as the country continues to recover from the devastating twin cyclones, Judy and Kevin, which hit in March.
During her meetings with Vanuatu officials, the Secretary-General was briefed on the health impacts of the cyclones, which have caused waterborne diseases to surge among the population.
Scotland emphasised the Commonwealth's commitment to help Vanuatu to recover from the disaster.
Hawaii - Fire Knife competition
The prestigious Fire Knife competition is taking place in Hawaii until May 11.
The 30th Annual World Fire Knife Competition features fire dancers from Samoa, Hawaii, the United States and French Polynesia.
Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa issued a statement commending the event for promoting Samoan culture.
Hawaiian Cyson Kapa'a won the intermediate divison, with Haukea Moua of Tahiti second.
Hawaii had a one-two-three in the junior division.
The men's and women's World Wild Knife Competition begins on Wednesday, local time.
PNG - crime
One of several men who tried to rob a female motorist in Papua New Guinea died after being shot.
PNG Police said a lone officer came across the unfolding robbery and reportedly shot the gunman, who was taken to the Port Moresby General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Chief superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said the woman was driving when several men sprung from the roadside, brandishing homemade guns and knives.
About the same time, a police vehicle arrived, causing them to scatter in panic.
Tonga - house fire
An 82-year-old woman and her five-year-old granddaughter have died in a house fire in Tonga.
Tonga Police said they received a report of a house fire in Tafoa around 4am on Saturday.
The Tonga Fire & Emergency Services and Tonga Police attended the scene.
Investigators from both services are working together to determine the cause of the fire.
PNG - China trade
Papua New Guinea's trade minister says the country is set to have a trade commission in China.
This is according to International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru.
The Post Courier reported Maru saying one of the major priorities is to attract investment into PNG's special economic zones, and also in free trade negotiations with various countries starting with China and Indonesia.
He said Shanghai trade commission ranks as priority, as China is offering to buy all their liquefied natural gas and other resource products, fish, logs and other goods as well.
Samoa - schools/measles
Schools in Samoa are reopening on Monday local time after being closed to students for a week.
The Samoan government extended the school holidays to help control an influenza outbreak which began about two months ago and to raise the measles vaccination rate.
Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma said it was always the plan to reopen schools if the number of influenza cases decreased, which they have.
All children are to wear masks, practice proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and maintain social distancing rules.
According to the Ministry of Health, there have more than 2400 hospital admissions since the outbreak began.
New Caledonia - smelter spillage
The alert has been lifted in New Caledonia after the SLN nickel smelter reported a fuel spillage on Friday.
The company said about a litre of fuel ended up in a drainage pipe as a result of recent heavy rain.
An incident report is expected to be filed with the office of industries, mines and energy within the next two weeks.
It was the second time in two weeks the maritime emergency plan was activated because of spillages at the SLN plant in Noumea.
Last month, about 6,000 litres was accidentally discharged because of a broken pipe, but while most of it was contained, an estimated 40 litres seeped into the sea.
Tonga - health
A group of New Zealand cardiac experts will perform Tonga's first pacemaker surgeries this month.
A team from the Pasifika Medical Association made up of two cardio physiologists, a cardiologist and a cardiac nurse, were expected to perform several heart surgeries on Tongans who otherwise would have had to travel overseas.
New Zealand media reported the medical team leader Dr Fiona Riddell saying the group would be based out of Vaiola Hospital in Nuku'alofa.
She said they have identified 36 patients with a pacemaker who required annual check-ups with specialised pacemaker equipment, and they would look to locate more, including older cases, once on the ground.
Frech Polynesia - new assembly
French Polynesia's newly elected assembly will meet for the first time later this week to elect a new assembly president and a new president for a five-year term.
Last month, the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira won 38 of the assembly's 57 seats, defeating the Tapura Huiraatuira, which had also won 38 seats in the previous elections in 2018.
On Thursday, the Tavini's Antony Geros is expected to become the assembly president for the third time after holding the post briefly twice nearly 20 years ago.
On Friday, the assembly is expected to choose the Tavini's Moetai Brotherson as the next president.
The outgoing president Edouard Fritch, who held the office for nine years, will be a candidate along with the A Here Ia Porinetia's Nicole Sanquer.
Brotherson's complete government line-up is expected to be announced in a week, after him last week naming four people for ministerial roles.
