Photo: RNZ / Jogai Bhatt
Kiribati - community
Children from New Zealand's Kiribati community enjoyed a day of basketball as they got together to celebrate their culture in Southland.
Stuff reported the event was part of several Kiribati Language Week, and there were also plans for other activities during the week, including a food market, traditional indoor games, and drama on the different dialects and connotations of the language across the islands.
Southland Kiribati Community and Youth project co-ordinator Tauea Teweti said many of the young people at the sports day were born in New Zealand, and the aim was to connect them with their culture, beliefs and traditions.
Cook Islands - China
China's Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs Qian Bo will visit the Cook Islands tomorrow (Thursday local time).
Qian will stay until Saturday local time and meet with the associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tingika Elikana, and the secretary of Foreign Affairs, Tepaeru Herrmann.
Qian will also visit select government and business representatives.
Qian was appointed Special Envoy to the Pacific Islands in February this year.
Pacific/China - wastewater
China has condemned the International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA, for approving Japan's plan to discharge treated nuclear wastewater into the sea.
China's embassy in Tonga says due to the IAEA's 'limited mandate', it failed to review its own justification principle.
It comes just a day after IAEA Director General Raphael Grossi met with Pacific leaders in the Cook Islands.
Grossi rejected the claims.
"But if it was not if in conformity with international safety standards, we would have said so. And of course, Japan or any other country, country X Y or Z, it could decide to do it anyway. But would it be possible in the face of an IAEA advice that it is not."
Last week, China's government extended a ban on Japanese food imports.
Fiji - police
The Fiji government has boosted its police force by adding 100 new recruits to the streets.
Fiji's home affairs minister Pio Tikoduadua said he recognised recent concerns raised by the public.
He said the public could rightfully expect their communities to be safe.
He said the government has made a substantial investment to address these concerns.
He is confident in the governmment's ability to address safety concerns in the country and the public deserved to know their concerns were taken seriously.
Tukaduadua added community involvement was also important, and encouraged people to be vigilant and promptly report suspicious activity.
Samoa - allowances
Samoa's Cabinet has approved a total of $8.4 million tālā - about $US3 million - to finance allowances for doctors and nurses.
This includes a new base salary which formalises the merger of the National Health Services and the Ministry of Health, which started in 2018.
The Samoa Observer reported Cabinet had also allocated money to fund overtime claims for permanent staff, doctors and nurses.
Additionally there was funding to provide allowances for contractors who do not qualify for overtime.
American Samoa - reopen
Daycare centres are set to reopen tomorrow in American Samoa, after closing last month to curb the spread of RSV.
This was announced by Director of Human and Social Services Muavaefaatasi John Suisala who said liuetenant governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale approved the reopening based on the latest recommendation from the Department of Health and the hospital.
The closure, which started June 14, was initially planned for two weeks but was extended.
Director Muavaefa'atasi reiterated the reminders issued by medical professionals to continue practicing hygiene measures.
Kiribati - illegal fishing
The Japan Coast Guard has provided its Kiribati counterpart with support to crack down on illegal fishing boats.
The Japan Broadcasting Corporation reported Japan sent three officers for the support program and it involved training on how to conduct on-board inspections and how to approach and climb aboard a ship using a small boat.
Kiribati has around 40 coast guard personnel and one patrol boat.
It is exploring effective ways to crack down on a growing number of illegal fishing boats operating around the country known for its rich fishery resources.
A Japan Coast Guard official said the Kiribati side sought martial arts techniques for use during crackdowns.
