China's Foreign Minister expected to visit Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands government is expecting official confirmation on Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's visit to the Pacific Island this week.
RNZ Pacific understands officials in Honiara are preparing for Mr Wang's arrival when the two countries will formally sign off on the controversial security pact.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a press conference in Beijing on 8 November. Photo: REUTERS
Mr Wang's high-level visit to the region will also include a trip to Fiji.
China is reportedly negotiating security deals with two more Pacific nations following a pact with Solomon Islands to "further increase its clout" in the region.
The Financial Times reports a US intelligence official said Beijing is in talks with Kiribati and at least one more Pacific nation over an agreement that would cover much of the same ground as that with Honiara.
According to one US official, China had set its sights on Kiribati for some time and "had on-and-off discussions on this, not just for months but for years."
But Kiribati's foreign affairs secretary Michael Foon has denied his government is in "discussions on a security agreement with any partner."
Leader of the opposition Tessie Eria Lambourne said she's not aware of the talks but the country's rapidly changing relationship with China is worrying locals.
French Polynesia records more Covid cases
Another 18 Covid-19 cases have been recorded in French Polynesia in the last 48-hour reporting period as the pandemic lingers.
The number of active cases is now 42.
The health authorities say there are no Covid-19 patients left in the hospital.
The death toll of the pandemic is 648, with most fatalities registered during last year's outbreak with the Delta variant.
Vaccinations have continued and more than 81 percent of those 12 years and older have had two jabs.
Travel restrictions have been eased and most pre-pandemic air links have been restarted.
Tongan football referee included in World Cup football finals in Qatar
Tevita Makasini of Tonga has been named one of three Oceania match officials for the World Cup football finals in Qatar later this year.
Makasini is one of three whistlers from Oceania to go to the Middle East - the others are Matthew Conger and Mark Rule of New Zealand.
Conger is one of 36 referees selected, while both Makasini and Rule are among the 69 assistant referees heading to Qatar.
The World Cup takes place from November 21 to December 18.
Rapa Nui will re-open in August
Chile's government has announced that Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, will re-open for tourists on 1 August.
The destination was closed off in March 2020 because of the outbreak of Covid-19.
The original reopening date was February, but the spread of the Omicron variant delayed the plans.
Easter Island is served by one weekly flight, but from August there will be three a week.
PNG Hunters form a partnership with new Dolphins NRL franchise
The PNG Hunters have formed a partnership with the new Dolphins NRL franchise that will include participation in a full NRL pre-season for four young Papua New Guinean players.
The partnership is in alignment with the Hunters' strategic plan to develop more Papua New Guinean players into the NRL competition by 2025.
Under the agreement, four Hunters' players will attend a full pre-season with the Queensland-based Dolphins NRL squad, starting in 2023.
Of those four players, two will be selected by the Dolphins to stay on and train with their NRL squad for the remainder of the season.
Hunters' CEO Scott Barker said it's a huge opportunity to develop the talents of local players to NRL levels.
Samoa finish fourth in Toulouse
Samoa's Sevens have finished 4th in Toulouse after falling to host nation France, 17-12 in an extra time 3rd place playoff.
Samoa Global News reports the French have been in great form this weekend and they launched wave after wave of attack, catapulted by Samoa conceding four penalties in the first four minutes.
The French took a 7-0 halftime lead.
The young all-local Manu 7s side has moved Samoa up by 5 places on the HSCB World Series standings from 15th to 10th after Toulouse.
Samoa will go on to London for the next leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series, their fourth tournament since returning to the circuit.