Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Cook Islands extends its current Covid-19 alert level
The Cook Islands has extended its Covid-19 alert level 2 for another two weeks.
The alert level was enacted in response to New Zealand's outbreak two weeks ago and suspended the travel bubble between the two countries.
The Cooks remains Covid free, but testing which intensified under Alert Level 2 continues with the pause on all international passenger arrivals.
While Air New Zealand flights have been flying into Rarotonga in the past two weeks, they haven't carried any inbound passengers.
Since 16 August 3060 passengers have returned to New Zealand from the Cook Islands.
Meanwhile, a new Ministerial Order that takes effect from midnight allows for gatherings of over 100 people, however those attending must tag-in or manually register their attendance.
Fiji govt believes it can resume international travel this year
The Fiji Government believes the country will be able to resume international travel at the beginning of November.
Fiji media has reported the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama saying the new timeline for re-opening borders is November 1st.
Mr Bainimarama is basing this on Qantas's announced plan to resume international flights in December, as well as the progress being made on vaccines.
He said it will be achieved if Fiji sticks to the plan.
Fiji has more than 19-thousand active Covid-19 cases in isolation and the death toll according to figures released on Monday is 489.
The Minister for Tourism, Faiyaz Koya, said the goal posts have been brought forward thanks to the success of the vaccination campaign.
The FBC reports Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill saying international airlines have recognised Fiji's vaccination efforts.
"Qantas and Australians wouldn't be coming to Fiji, and saying they're going to come here unless they saw out vaccination numbers," Brent Hill said.
There have been two new arrests in Tonga in relation to the cocaine seized in Vava'u last month.
This takes the total number of arrests to 21.
Tonga Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Halatoa Taufa has told local media that a 49-year-old man and his 23-year-old wife were arrested at Ta'anea, Vava'u on August 23.
They remained in police custody charged with engaging with others in the supply of illicit drugs.
Last month, an estimated 14 kilograms worth of cocaine packets washed up on Vava'u beaches, prompting a big search operation.
Of the 21 arrested so far, three are from Tongatapu and the rest from Vava'u.
The Police investigation continues.
Hats in the ring for Bougainville Atolls seat
Ten people are lining up to try and win the Atolls seat in the autonomous Bougainville Parliament.
The seat became vacant after the sudden death of the then Health Minister, Raymond Masono, in late June.
Those standing include Mr Masono's son, Absolum, who could join his sister, Amanda, in the parliament.
Another candidate is a former cabinet member Taehu Keli Pais.
A former chief secretary who ran for president last year, Colonel Thomas Raivet, is having another go while Bernard Tunim, who used to head the Carterets Community government, is also standing.
The election will be held over two weeks in October.
Jury trials in the High Court of American Samoa resume
Jury trials in the High Court of American Samoa resume today after they were suspended last year because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Samoa News reports that the first jury trial is for a female business owner who is accused of violating local drug laws and was arrested in 2018.
She has been out on bail waiting trial.
Many defendants are awaiting trial in jail, unable to post bail.
Public Defender, Michael White, saod a lot of those individuals are awaiting jury trials.