People walk past a COP28 logo ahead of the United Nations climate summit in Dubai on 28 November 28, 2023. Photo: JEWEL SAMAD / AFP
Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services says they have picked up an increase in flu-like illnesses.
Enhanced surveillance has been done daily during the Pacific Games.
The National Referral Hospital laboratory has identified circulation of respiratory viruses such as influenza and Covid-19.
Acting Incidence Controller Dr Gregory Jilini said the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and their partners are working together to ensure the situation is managed and under control.
Papua New Guinea - agreement
Papua New Guinea's prime minister is set to sign a security agreement with Australia.
Business Standard reports PNG prime minister James Marape's office saying he will travel to Canberra on Thursday.
In a statement, the PM said the arrangement is in the best interest of Papua New Guinea and also for Australia and its regional security interests.
The Australian security agreement was delayed after backlash from some opposition MPs to a defence deal with the United States in May.
Minister of State Justin Tkatchenko said defence and internal policing are a major part of the security agreement with Australia, while respecting PNG sovereignty.
Also included is assisting farmers to meet Australia's stringent biosecurity rules and boosting biometric technology for airports.
He said the agreement includes an option for Australian police to work directly for the PNG police on contract.
COP28 - education
A project to brace the education sector against climate change impacts has been introduced at COP28.
Called the 'BRACE' project, it aims to construct climate-resilient schools, with an initial focus on Cambodia, South Sudan and Tonga as pilot countries.
US$70 million has been earmarked for it.
Tongan prime minister, Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni introduced it at COP28 and emphasised the imminent risk of disrupted education for nearly one billion children due to climate change.
Tonga's measures include resilient school facilities and integrated climate education.
Vanuatu - delegation
The deputy head of Vanuatu's COP28 delegation has defended the country sending a large group to the talks.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reports the deputy head of the Vanuatu delegation Esline Bule estimated the cost of sending one high government dignitary, like a minister, to the UN climate talks was around 5 million vatu - around US$40,000.
The rest of the delegates or negotiators can cost up to 1.5 million vatu each.
Bule said the majority of the delegates' costs was partly funded by the government and UN agencies, including other donor partners.
She said it was important for people to understand the millions being spent on delegates' participation every year at COP is worth it.
Vanuatu can significantly benefit from side events where delegates can advocate, find new donor partners and develop projects, she said.
Fiji/Tuvalu - collaboration
Fiji and Tuvalu have signed an memorandum of understanding for greater collaboration.
Fiji's government did not specify the areas covered in its announcement of the MOU, but stated that it covered a variety of bilateral and international topics.
Tuvaluan Prime Minister Kausea Natano and his counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka signed the MOU in Dubai where both are attending COP28.
Northern Marianas - inmates
The Northern Marianas Department of Corrections is looking at housing some of Guam's inmates in Saipan, in a bid to maximise space and raise revenue.
The Marianas' prison facility on the island has a little over 200 prisoners, but its capacity is for as much as 500, while the Guam corrections facilities are overcrowded.
Marianas Department of Corrections commissioner Anthony Torres said if it agrees to house, for example, 100 prisoners from Guam at $120 per day, that would easily translate to $4.3 million a year.
Torres said if an agreement does push through with the Guam Department of Corrections, they will insist to be given the option to handpick the inmates they would house.
Hawaii - airlines
Alaska Airlines is set to acquire Hawaiian Airlines, but it will be some time before passengers see any changes.
Hawaii News Now reports the chief executive and president of Hawaiian Airlines Peter Ingram sought to reassure customers that there will be no changes for now, as the merger deal is expected to take 12 to 18 months to get all required approvals.
He also said Hawaiian Air will retain its Hawaii brand and Honolulu hub, and the deal will offer customers access to a wider range of destinations - 138 in all.
Ingram said until the merger is finalised the two airlines will operate independently.
New Zealand/Cook Islands - policies
An Avaiki Nui or Cook Island Maori historian says New Zealand National party policies are killing his people.
Tinokura Auru Tairea, who is a staunch advocate for the preservation of indigenous knowledge, is outraged at the new government's proposal to scrap the country's world-leading law to ban smoking.
He said in his view, that is not a move a government who is serious about improving health outcomes would do.
