Photo: 123RF
Fiji - baby
A one-year old-boy has been crushed and killed by a falling coconut tree in central Fiji.
The Fiji Times reported the child and his mother were outside their Davuilevu Housing home on Sunday when an old tree collapsed.
He was rushed to the Nakasi Health Centre, but pronounced dead on arrival.
Samoa - gun
Samoa Police are starting a gun amnesty to allow people to hand in their illegal weapons without fear of prosecution.
The Samoa Observer reported this will run from 1 August to 30 September.
Deputy Police Commissioner Papali'i Monalisa Tiai-Keti said if discovered during routine police operations, illegal weapons will be subject to legal consequences.
The last amnesty in 2021 saw the removal of 198 illegal firearms from circulation.
American Samoa - airport upgrade
Fitiuta Airport in American Samoa has been given a grant of US$2 million from the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration.
Talanei News reported the money will go towards the pavement on the runway to improve safety.
It's the third round of grants given out by the US department.
A total of US$374 million has been awarded to 46 states and American Samoa.
Tonga - earthquake
The US Geological Survey has reported a magnitude 6 earthquake off the coast of Tonga early on Tuesday morning.
The Survey said the quake was 73 kilometres south-south-east of Pangai, and 10 kilometres deep.
It struck just after 2am, Tonga time.
The US Geological Survey rated it as 'green', which means a low likelihood of casulaties and damage.
Pacific - appointment
Noan Pakop from Papua New Guinea has been appointed as director-general of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Secretariat.
Pakop will succeed the current director-general Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen, who has led the FFA Secretariat since 2018.
Tupou-Roosen said Pakop brings more than 30 years of experience in fisheries management.
He currently serves as the special advisor for the National Fisheries Authority of Papua New Guinea, and is expected to assume office as the FFA director-general in November.