Photo: 123rf
Cook Islands - cannabis
Law legalising medicinal cannabis in Cook Islands is set to come into effect this month.
As Cook Islands News reported, patients will need prescriptions, and drugs will need to be imported from New Zealand or Australia.
The Ministry of Health's Narcotics and Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2023 is set to be implemented on May 13, pending Cabinet approval next week.
Rarotonga medicinal cannabis campaigner Steven Boggs said it's a major breakthrough for Cook Islands patients.
American Samoa - mining
American Samoa Economic Development Authority executive director believes there could be 10 billion tons of valuable metals on the territory's seafloor.
John Wasko told the Pacific Island Times seabed resources will significantly change the geopolitical relationship of Pacific nations with industrial and military powers.
He said joint US military commands are assessing the possibility of making American Samoa the Asia-Pacific hub for mineral receiving and refining.
In November last year, the Economic Development Authority entered into a memorandum of understanding with California-based mining company Impossible Metals, to collaborate on extracting and processing the minerals.
Palau - travel
A new non-stop flight service between Australia and Palau is being launched with the support of both countries' governments.
The Palau Paradise Express, operated by Nauru Airlines, will fly between Brisbane and Palau's commercial centre Koror, with the first flight to take place this month.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the service in a joint statement, saying it would help create new opportunities for regional tourism and trade.
"Together we are committed to achieving a stronger, more connected Pacific region through sustainable tourism, trade, and business links," they said.
The new route complements the Island Hopper flights between Brisbane, Nauru, Tarawa, Majuro, Pohnpei and Koror.
Nauru Airlines will operate the flight until 31 October, with eligible Australian, Pacific and Asian airlines invited to participate in a limited tender to operate the route through to October 2025.
Solomon Islands - meetng
The newly elected Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, has met with his Papua New Guinea's deputy PM John Rosso in Honiara.
As Indepth Solomons reported, Rosso flew in from Papua New Guinea for a brief visit to convey congratulatory wishes on behalf of PNG's Prime Minister, James Marape, and the people of Papua New Guinea.
Rosso emphasised the deep-rooted connections between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, highlighting their shared Melanesian heritage and longstanding relations.
Samoa - health
Brigham Young University in Utah has donated a container of medical supplies to the National University of Samoa.
The contents were worth around $45,000 tala.
It included lab coats, gauze and dressing materials, first aid supplies, pillows, wheel chairs, and a walker.
The National University of Samoa said this donation was made possible through a Brigham Young University Alzeimers Research project, as well as some generous good Samaritans in Provo, Utah.
Climate - fund
The board of the climate loss and damage fund is set to pick its host nation in July.
Interested hosts have until early June to throw their hats in the ring - Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas and the Philippines have already done so.
Climate Home reported the 26-member board held its first three-day meeting in Abu Dhabi last week.
Selecting the host country for the board is a priority because only then will it be able to take up legal responsibility and enter into formal arrangements with the World Bank.
Governments have asked the World Bank to host the loss and damage fund "on an interim basis" and it has until mid-June to confirm.
After sorting through all of its procedural matters, the board will start addressing issues such as how to disburse money and how to fill its coffers with more cash.
So far, it has garnered about US$660 million in pledges.
While board members hope to have the fund's structure in place by COP29 this November, it is not expected to start handing out money until 2025.
