Deadly homebrew session with ethanol in PNG
Police in Papua New Guinea say six people died and more than 150 are in hospital in Eastern Highlands province after drinking a Methanol Ethanol mix
The newspaper The National reports that the people involved had a drinking session after Ethanol was siphoned from leaked drums at the Coffee Institute Corporation.
Authorities are concerned that the ethanol has been distributed to many villages, while Kainantu Hospital is reportedly overwhelmed.
Small plane crash in Papua kills three
A small cargo airplane has crashed in West Papua's central highlands, killing all three people aboard.
Indonesian media report that the Twin Otter 300 plane was lost about 50 minutes after takeoff from Nabire enroute to Intan Jaya district.
It crashed in cloudy conditions in the Wabu Mountain area of Intan Jaya where an aerial search located the wreckage.
Search and rescue authorities say bad weather conditions and steep terrain have impeded the recovery of the bodies.
Guam's covid-19 death toll rises to 171
Guam's covid-19 death toll has risen to 171 after a 65 year-old woman died at the Guam Regional Medical City yesterday.
Covid-19 testing underway in Guam. Photo: Governor Lou Leon Guerrero
The Joint Information Center said the woman was not vaccinated and was reported to have had multiple underlying health conditions.
Currently, 73 people are in hospital with the virus.
The center said it continues to see triple-digit new cases of Covid-19 on a daily basis which is partly because more people are getting tested.
NZ position on nuke vessels in waters unchanged, says Ardern
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said New Zealand's position on the prohibition of nuclear powered vessels in its waters remains unchanged.
Her comment follows the announcement of a security pact between the UK, the US and Australia to share advanced technologies including nuclear-powered submarine capabilities.
Photo: Pool / NZME
Ms Ardern said the pact "in no way" changes New Zealand's security and intelligence ties with these three countries.
She said New Zealand is first and foremost a nation of the Pacific which views foreign policy developments through the lens of what is in the best interest of the region.
Samoa's MV Nafanua 2 Police Patrol boat has been salvaged
The MV Nafanua 2 Police Patrol boat, which has been grounded on reef at Savaii for nearly a month, has been salvaged.
The vessel is now docked at Salelologa wharf as salvage crew prepare it for towing to Australia for repairs later this week.
A team of Australian salvage experts had travelled to Samoa to assist with the operation and will tow the stricken vessel on their return.
The vessel went aground during a trip to the big island to ferry police reinforcements to a political rally organised by the Human Rights Protection Party.
The officer-in-charge of the Nafanua 2, Superintendent Taito Sefo Hunt, has been suspended from duty pending an investigation into the incident.
He also faces five disciplinary charges of misconduct as a result.
American Samoa budget signed into law
American Samoa's Lieutenant governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale. Photo: Fili Sagapolutele
Talauega informed Fono leaders that the final approval and signature was made on September 13th following a review by the Governor's Office.
Several lawmakers are concerned about whether the government will be able to collected the project local revenues for the new fiscal year, following a decrease of collection last year.