Photo: AFP / Sebastian Kaulitzki / Science Photo Library
Samoa - dengue
Samoa's Ministry of Health is doing a survey of people's knowledge of, and attitudes to, dengue fever.
The nation has declared an outbreak of the mosquito-borne illness, with 250 lab-recorded cases from November last year to 21 April.
The ministry said the survey, supported by Unicef, is to gather information on knowledge, attitudes and practices related to dengue fever.
It said the information will help to inform ongoing community engagement efforts for dengue.
Samoa - disabilities
The manager of an advocacy group in Samoa wants people with disabilities included in the design stages of new road projects.
Mataafa Faatino Utumapu from Nuanua O Le Alofa (NOLA) made the call at the Accessibility Audit, conducted by representatives of the World Bank and the Land Transport Authority.
Mata'afa said Samoa is committed to ensuring measures are in place to allow people with disabilities the right to access the physical environment, information and communication, public places and facilities, on an equal basis.
The Samoa Observer reports World Bank consultant, Phillip Jordan, expressed his openness to recommendations from persons with disabilities to help design accessible roads, bridges, and footpaths.
Fiji - fishing
Fiji's Trade Minister says he is going to look for investors interested in the country's fishing industry.
FBC News reported Manoa Kamikamica, who is also a deputy prime minister, wants to see a stop on foreigners fishing and taking stocks out of Fiji.
He has questioned why the country is surrendering fishing stocks to other countries.
He said Fiji and the Pacific have not really benefited from its tuna stock, and negotiations on tuna subsidies has not progressed, as some World Trade Organisation members did not support it.
Kamikamica said Fiji is working alongside neighbouring Australia and New Zealand to try and create some rationality in the highly subsidised industrial environment.
Fiji - HIV/AIDS
Fiji's assistant minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna, has met with UNAIDS staff on the epidemic in the country.
The Fiji government said the discussions focused on the epidemic status of HIV/AIDS in Fiji, its relation to the prevalent drug issue that nation faces, and possible means to assist the battle against the epidemic.
Tubuna reiterated the need for a whole of government approach in tackling HIV and AIDS and other related social issues.
Guam - program
The government of Guam has launched a Hotel Associate Youth Apprenticeship Program.
It aims to provide high school students with hands-on training to pursue careers in the hotel sector.
RNz Pacific's Guam correspondent Naina Rao said the programme was designed to equip high school students ages 16 and up with skills and experience for a future in the hospitality industry.
The employer-driven apprenticeship program is a collaboration between the Guam Department of Labour and Guam Community College (GCC).
Students must have completed a year in G-C-C's hospitality and tourism management program, to join the programme.
Department of Labour director David Dell'Isola is looking to expand the programme into other industries as well.
"We train them, and they earn and learn at the same time. So when they graduate, they could go right into those jobs as skilled workers," he said.
Palau - tourists
Palau's visitor numbers this year are expected to reach 63 percent of 2019's numbers.
Forty-five percent of the pre-pandemic numbers were recorded last year.
The Island Times reports visitor numbers in the first quarter of this year doubled compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank forecast Palau's gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 6.5 percent in 2025, due to tourism recovery and public infrastructure projects.
President Surangel Whipps Jr, in his fourth state of the republic address, was optimistic about the economic future, saying times were tough now but the outlook was looking good.
Pacific - survey
Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand is launching a survey of women business leaders in the Pacific.
The organisation said the survey will reach women and businesses of all sizes in the region, from Papua New Guinea to Fiji, to Micronesia and French Polynesia.
Pacific Trade Invest trade commissioner Glynis Miller said women-led businesses in the Blue Pacific are pivotal cornerstones in local communities.
She said they would like to know how to design programmes to help them.