Tuvalu – treaty
Tuvalu will sign a treaty with
Taiwan later this week.
Prime Minister Feleti Teo is
in Taiwan on a state visit and has met with Taiwanese
foreign minister Lin Chia-Lung.
Tuvalu government
media reported the signing of the Kaitasi Treaty is set for
later this week.
It said this agreement is set to
further cement and elevate the partnership between Tuvalu
and Taiwan, and reflects the shared commitment to
cooperation, sustainable development, and mutual
support.
Vanuatu – law
New Zealand says it’s
working to understand the impacts of a law change in Vanuatu
relating to foreign national security advisors.
The
new law restricts the stationing of such advisors to neutral
areas and embassies, and requires them to obtain ministerial
authorisation before accessing government
premises.
New Zealand’s foreign ministry says the
country has police and Defence Force staff working in close
collaboration with Vanuatu agencies, at the request of the
Government of Vanuatu.
It says it will work to
understand the impacts of the amendment, which are not yet
known.
MFAT says any concerns would be raised in
private with Vanuatu, out of respect for the longstanding
partnership between the two countries.
Fiji –
leptospirosis
The Ministry of Health is reminding
people to heed leptospirosis advice during the current wet
season.
Leptospirosis spreads through the urine of
infected animals.
The Health Ministry advises people
to avoid swimming or wading in water that might be
contaminated, especially after a heavy rainfall or flood,
and children should not play in muddy water or
puddles.
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
Symptoms of the disease include fever,
headache, redness of the eyes, and nausea and
vomiting.
Pacific – nuclear
Pacific civil
society groups are calling for a halt to future nuclear
testing by the US.
In a statement, the Pacific Network
on Globalisation condemns reports that US President Donald
Trump wants nuclear weapons testing to resume.
They
argued the move is a blatant disregard for the Pacific’s
long-standing calls to end nuclear harm and risks,
reigniting and normalising a global arms race.
Earlier
this year, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine explained
how Marshallese people still face the impacts of US nuclear
weapons testing seven decades after the last bomb was
detonated.
Vanuatu – chemotherapy
Prime
Minister Jotham Napat says the country will begin offering
chemotherapy next year.
The Vanuatu Daily News
reported Minister of Health, John Qetu saying a
memorandum of understanding has been signed with Pacific
Medical Services and Vaidam Health, two entities that will
help establish new medical services in Vanuatu.
Napat
said there are still many areas in the health sector that
require upgrading, and providing cancer treatment locally is
a major step in this direction.
He said as part of the
initiative, a private company from Fiji will be setting up
chemotherapy treatment services in Vanuatu next
year.
Pacific – dialogue
The heads of public
service from 16 Pacific nations are in Suva for a regional
dialogue.
Fiji’s government said FONO 2025 brings
together 70 delegates to explore improving leadership,
digital transformation, ethical governance, and inclusive
workplaces.
Public Service Fale deputy commissioner
Tania Ott said cooperation and shared learning are essential
to strengthening public services across the
region.
New Zealand’s public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
