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Samoa - dengue
Samoa's Ministry of Health has announced 18 new cases of dengue-like illness from 13-19 May.
It is a drop from the 62 cases of dengue-like-illness recorded from 6-12 May, with 36 of those laboratory-confirmed.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said although the trend shows a decrease, they advise people to still practice preventative measures.
They said stagnant water sources - which mosquitos use as breeding sites - should be removed, clothing that minimises mosquito bites should be worn, and repellents should be used.
The health ministry declared a dengue outbreak on 19 April.
Solomon Islands - funding
Australia's deputy prime minister has announced funding for border management and a birthing and health centre in Solomon Islands.
Richard Marles announced about US$2.1 million to deliver a new border management system, through a Pacific trilateral partnership between Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomons.
He also announced the commencement of main works for the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, for which Australia is contributing over US$30m.
Pacific - police
Australia is set to launch a plan worth more than US$500 million which will give it major oversight of policing in the Pacific region.
TVNZ reports Australian officials are in Fiji working on the Pacific Policing Initiative.
Pillar one of this project is launching a dedicated unit of Australian and Pacific Islands officers - giving them up to a year's specialised training for rapid deployment to any regional emergency.
The second part is setting up centres of excellence across the Pacific and boosting them with cash and support; while the third will be a coordination hub in Brisbane, which will include seconded Pacific Islands police officers.
Fiji - fossil fuel
Fiji's Opposition leader has urged Australia to slow its fossil fuel output.
Inia Seruiratu said Fiji should be raising concerns about some of Australia's decisions such as its ongoing production of fossil fuel and its labour laws.
Responding to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's statement on the Vuvale Partnership with Australia, Seruiratu highlighted the need for Fiji to discuss these concerning issues with its Trans-Tasman partner.
The Fiji Times reported Seruiratu saying Australia is a big contributor to fossil fuel exports.
"It cannot be denied.
"While we are benefitting from the partnership with Australia at the same time, as true friends speaking not only on behalf of Fiji but for the Pacific, we need to tell them that they need to slow down on fossil fuel.
"That is key to our survival."
Tonga - Starlink
The Tonga government is considering issuing Starlink a licence to offer broadband internet.
Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni says Starlink has applied for a licence to operate in Tonga.
According to Matangi Tonga people who live in areas with poor internet coverage are using Starlink connections as a solution to run their business internet and to communicate with family and friends.
But Huakavameiliku said using Starlink is illegal in Tonga as it is not a registered provider.
