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Samoa - dengue
Samoa's Ministry of Health says more than 9000 cases of dengue fever have been clinically diaognosed in the country since January.
As of 17 August, 9571 clinically diagnosed cases have been confirmed, of which 3070 are lab confirmed.
Six people have died.
Schools are closed this week in Samoa, the fourth consecutive week for ECE (early childhood education) and primary schools.
Education and Culture Ministry chief executive A'eau Christopher Hazelman said the school term calendar is set to change due to prolonged dengue-related closures.
Papua New Guinea - fighting
Papua New Guinea's commissioner of police says five people have been murdered in fighting between two tribes in Enga Province.
The Post-Courier reported Commission David Manning saying local leaders have to take responsibility.
He said this becomes a police issue when community grievances are not addressed by community leadership, leading to fighting and death.
Fiji - politics
Lynda Tabuya - Fiji's new Minister for Information - is asking political parties to judge her by her work.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka dumped Tabuya as the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection after a private video showing her dancing naked was shared online.
Tabuya has been criticised since Rabuka handed her his Information portfolio and restored her to Cabinet earlier this month.
She told fijivillage.com Straight Talk that she is determined to rebuild trust and ensure the government communicates better with people.
She has promised regular press briefings and equal media access.
Fiji - ambulances
The head of Fiji's police has issued a warning to ambulance drivers about misusing their sirens and flashing lights.
A video went viral in February of an ambulance trying to rush through a pedestrian crossing.
Police commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said a traffic officer in Nasinu had put his arm up to let students cross, when an ambulance turned on its siren and lights and tried to drive through the crossing.
The traffic officer stopped the ambulance and found a relative of the driver getting a ride in the back.
Tudravu said it was the second time the ambulance had been caught in the act, to avoid being stuck in traffic.
