Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — There is relief in Tonga after gale force winds and heavy rains caused severe flooding in the capital Nuku'alofa at the weekend.

People were forced to evacuate their homes due to the heavy down pour.

Tonga Met Service said that while flood waters have subsided, the massive storm toppled power lines.

Tongatapu resident Salote Sisifa said the sun is out and it is business as usual.

Local media report more than two and a half times the average rainfall for October drenched the capital.

A strong wind warning for Vava'u, Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua has been cancelled.

FALEOLO’S NEW TERMINAL

Samoa's prime minister opened a new terminal and apron at Faleolo International Airport on October 17.

The project was completed last month, with a total cost of approximately $25 million tala.

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said the new terminal and apron facilities represent a significant investment in infrastructure, reflecting their commitment to driving socio-economic development and opening opportunities for the multitude of industries in Samoa.

She said the terminal and apron will accommodate passengers and small aircraft from various locations across the region, including Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, Niue, and the Cook Islands, as well as inter-island services.

It will provide increased parking capacity for aircraft.

The prime minister said the project enhances the status of Samoa as a regional hub for travel, trade, and tourism.

"The terminal is not just a transit point but a testament to Samoa's commitment to building a vibrant and accessible destination."

AIR VANUATU RETURNED TO GOVT

Air Vanuatu will exit voluntary liquidation, with the carrier to be returned to the control of the Vanuatu government.

Australian Aviation reported under a Deed of Compromise, approved by the country's Supreme Court, all shares in Air Vanuatu will be turned over to the government-owned company AV3 and the airline handed back to its management.

Liquidator Morgan Kelly said the implementation of the Deed of Compromise maximizes the return to creditors and presents an opportunity for the Air Vanuatu business to continue, saving jobs and providing vital aviation services for Vanuatu

Air Vanuatu has resumed some domestic services.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING BUST

One person has been arrested and a victim has been taken in by law enforcement officers in a human trafficking bust.

Last week, local media reported that the survivor is being supported and work is underway to send them to their home country.

The accused trafficker has been remanded in police custody.

This follows the US State Department raising concerns about Tonga's lack of a prevention plan to combat all forms of trafficking and support and protect victims.

Tonga has since launched its first action plan to combat human trafficking.

ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING

Solomon Islands Police have arrested a man suspected of attempting to kidnap children across a number of schools in Honiara.

Local media reported, the man, believed to be a member of a group, had been taken to the Central Police Station where he had been questioned.

A large crowd has gathered outside the station.

News of the suspected kidnapping has forced schools in Honiara to send their students home and closed early for the day.

PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS

Six Vanuatu police officers are heading to South Sudan for peacekeeping efforts.

The head of the UN division and international cooperation Sylvain Kalsakau says four officers should be sent to South Sudan and two to Abyei - on the border between South Sudan and Sudan - for around two to three years.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported Vanuatu peacekeeping missions were put on hold several years ago due to an incident that Mr Kalsakau says will not be repeated.

The incident related to mission conduct by ni-Vanuatu personnel.

PACIFIC HEALTH

A New World Health Organization report has found, despite health gains, urgent action needed to meet health-related Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific Region.

The Western Pacific now has the highest life expectancy among WHO's six regions, rising from 72 years in 2000 to around 77.4 years in 2021.

Despite this progress, the Region is still grappling with critical challenges and is off-track in achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Non-communicable diseases are also on the rise.

ARTS PASIFIKA AWARDS 2024

The recipients of Creative New Zealand's annual Arts Pasifika Awards 2024 were celebrated at a ceremony in Wellington on October 16.

The awards celebrate excellence in Pacific arts across multiple disciplines and genres and have been offered since 1996 via public nominations.

Opera singer Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono was awarded the Iosefa Enari Memorial Award in recognition of his growing reputation as a tenor.

The other 2024 recipients were Tusiata Avia, the Signature Choir, Max Stowers and Falefatu Carreras-Enari, Edith Amituana'i, Leafa Wilson and Sione Monū.

PACIFIC CLIMATE

South Australia has launched a bid to host a major UN climate conference in 2026 in Adelaide.

The Guardian reported Premier Peter Malinauskas saying it would draw more than 30,000 people and could be worth US$330 million to the state.

Australia is vying with Turkey to host the year-ending climate summit known as COP31, with a decision expected next month at this year's conference in Azerbaijan.

The Albanese government's existing bid is that it would co-host the event with Pacific nations.

CHINA CONSIDERS INVESTING IN CASSSAVA

China is considering investing in Solomon Islands' biggest cassava producer, SAPE Farm, in North Guadalcanal.

A team from China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recently visited the farm, which is owned by the Solomons' Health Minister, Dr Paulson Bosawai Popora.

SAPE Farm is developing a processing facility for cassava.

According to the SIBC, the Chinese team and SAPE farm talked about potential areas of collaboration, such as building staff capacity, technical support, and research to boost productivity.