PNG monkeypox warning, Tokelau leaders meet again, and honour for Tahiti MP.

Health expert's monkeypox warning for PNG

Papua New Guinea's deputy controller for the Covid-19 response, Daoni Esorom, said the country is at a high risk of monkeypox and people need to be vigilant.

The National reports that Dr Esorom's caution comes after the World Health Organisation declared the spread of monkeypox a "public health emergency of international concern."

Dr Esorom said PNG has to be ready to respond to the virus while also contending with covid.

He said PNG needs to develop a country strategy on the virus, along with a case definition to enable health workers to indentify the condition and work with partners to ensure PNG has the laboratory equipment and skills to diagnose monkeypox.

Tokelau fono meets once again

Tokelau's General Fono opened with prayers in Nukunonu on Wednesday morning.

It's the first time in more than a year that elders from Tokelau's three atolls have met.

Finalising capital development projects and the passing of the 2022/2023 budget are on the agenda.

RNZ Pacific's Tokelau correspondent Elena Pasilio said it is significant to have everyone meet face-to-face after so long, with the last General fono held over Zoom.

"Today they opened the meeting with a flag raising and a prayer.

"There is a Zoom link where the New Zealand Government is joining from. They are discussing the budget today and I do know that on Friday they are launching a school website."

Brotherson first Pacific MP to lead overseas territories in French Assembly

A pro-independence French Polynesian member of the French National Assembly has been elected as the head of the Assembly's 54-strong overseas delegation.

Moetai Brotherson, of the opposition Tavini Huiraatira party, sits with the leftist Nupes coalition.

He was elected in the first round of voting and will replace Olivier Serva.

Brotherson is the first politician from a French Pacific territory to lead the Assembly's overseas representatives.

He was first elected to the Assembly in Paris in 2017 and returned for a second term last month when the Tavini candidates won French Polynesia's three seats.

Ardern to visit Samoa

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is to visit Samoa next week.

Her visit will mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, at the time that Samoa was establishing its independence from New Zealand.

The Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has confirmed the visit, saying it will be Ardern's first visit since the FAST government came to power a year ago.

Ardern will be accompanied by members of her Cabinet and will meet with Samoan Cabinet Ministers.

Mitchell certain to become next Olympic committees head

Fijian administrator Robin Mitchell is set to be elected President of the Association of National Olympic Committees - or ANOC - unopposed.

Dr Mitchell has been acting ANOC President since Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah was charged with forgery in Switzerland in 2018.

A new permanent ANOC President is due to be elected at the ANOC General Assembly in Seoul in October, and Mitchell is the sole contender.

He is also President of the Oceania National Olympic Committee.

Samoa journalist gets international role

The Journalists Association of Samoa has been appointed to the Council of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Earlier this year the Association known as by its acronym JAWS nominated veteran Samoan journalist Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson to the IFJ Gender Council and she was subsequently appointed to the Council as the only Pacific island journalist.

Association president Lagi Keresoma said the presence of JAWS through one of its members on the Federation's Gender Council is a milestone for Samoa and also a broader recognition for Pacific women journalists.

The Gender Council has 37 representatives from journalists' unions and associations around the world.

Lagipoiva says the work of the IFJ Gender Council is extremely important given the issues faced by women journalists globally.

Venus win football cup for third time in three years

AS Vénus have won Tahiti's Coupe de Polynésie for the third year in a row after beating AS Dragon 2-0.

Roonui Tehau's powerful long-range strike opened the scoring at Stade Pater before Teaonui Tehau chested home from a yard out just before half-time.

Both teams ended with 10 men after red cards were dished out for one player apiece.

The result is particularly hard for Dragon which a week earlier lost out on the Ligue 1 title on the final day.

The cup win qualifies Vénus to French football's domestic cup, the Coupe de France, where they will enter in the seventh round in November.

Samoan Head of State appointment extended

The Samoan Cabinet has extended the appointment of Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II as Head of State until the next sitting of Parliament.

Prime Minister Fiane Naomi Mata'afa says Parliament will decide at the next sitting on August 23 whether Tuimalealiifano gets another five-year term.

Tuimalealiifano took office on July 21, 2017 taking over from Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi after he served two terms.

Samoa's previous Human Rights Protection Party government introduced a constitutional amendment limiting the Head of State's time in office to two five-year terms.