King Tupou VI receives Tonga's new Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, after presenting the Royal Warrant of Appointment for the PM at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday 28 December 2021. Sovaleni was elected as PM by the new parliament, following Tonga's November 18 general election. Photo: Pesi Fonua / Matangi Tonga Online
Tonga - PM back in House
Tonga's prime minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni will attend Monday's house sitting, according to his office.
The prime minister returned last week from New Zealand where he had medical treatment, and also carried out official duties.
Matangi Tonga Online reports he has not resigned his defense portfolio, after the King withdrew his confidence and consent to the appointment two weeks ago.
The prime minister has been absent from the Legislative Assembly for over three months.
Samoa - medication
The US Embassy in Apia has delivered 100 treatment courses of the antiviral medication Paxlovid to the Ministry of Health of Samoa.
The embassy's Charge d'Affaires said the US is engaging with its international partners to build an effort aimed at ending the Covid-19 pandemic.
Paxlovid is prescribed to help keep Covid patients out of hospital.
Japan/Pacific Fukushima - panel
The Pacific Islands Forum is set to scrap its independent panel of nuclear experts.
Five scientists were employed by the Forum to analyse data provided by Japan, ahead of the release of treated nuclear water from the defunct Fukushima power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Secretary-general Henry Puna said the panel have "done a fantastic job" but with the release now underway they were not needed.
"I think given where we are now, in terms of the IAEA presence on the ground and the discharge having gone ahead, I think the need for the panel of experts has now expired."
The release is forecast to take 30 to 40 years to complete.
Samoa - charged
An MP in Samoa has been charged with one count of fabricating evidence, and one count of conspiracy to defeat the course of justice.
Fepuleai Faimata Sua, MP for Salega number 1, was stripped of his associate minister of police portfolio by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa for travelling to American Samoa without an entry permit.
He later claimed his trip to Pago Pago was to look for a former policeman involved in a hit-and-run investigation.
The Police Commissioner told the Samoa Observer these latest charges are related to the case of Sam Sua and an unsolved hit-and-run which killed an NUS student in 2021.
He said it is also the result of a complaint lodged by HRPP MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.
Fepueai is scheduled to appear before the Court on 27 February.
American Samoa - membership
American Samoa has met with the Pacific Islands Forum deputy secretary-general in an effort to advance its application for Associate Membership.
In a statement, the government of American Samoa said its intention is to become a full member in the future.
Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna said talanoa on the topic is welcome.
American Samoa's application will be considered in August at this year's Forum leaders meeting in Tonga.
Pacific/NZ - AUKUS
The secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum is reluctant to say too much about New Zealand's interest in joining pillar two of AUKUS.
New Zealand is considering joining pillar two of the agreement, a non-nuclear option, but critics have said this could be seen as Aotearoa essentially agreeing with Australia acquiring nucelar-powered submarines.
Henry Puna told the media "it's a bit too early to make any comment".
However, he did say that both New Zealand and Australia are 'big members' of the Forum.
He said whatever they do has an impact on the region.
"Can I ask that once the New Zealand government position becomes very clear, then it'll be a chance for the region to sit down and examine what implications there may be, in terms of the collective regional position on nuclear issues."
Fiji - drugs
Fiji police recorded a 94 percent increase in illicit drug cases as 169 cases were registered in January - compared to 87 for the same period last year.
Fiji Police said 40 cases were associated with methamphetamine while the remaining 129 cases were linked to the unlawful possession or cultivation of marijuana.
Of the 169 cases, 153 pertained to the unlawful possession of illicit drugs, 15 cases related to the unlawful cultivation and one case of unlawful importation of drugs.
Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew said fighting and curbing the illicit drug trade needs a collaborative approach, as community support is vital to the success of police drug operations.