A public debate in Tonga's Parliament in May rejected a suggestion that the death penalty be used to deter drug offenders. Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
New Caledonia - airport
Nouméa International Airport is set to reopen Monday, the High Commission of the Republic, representing the French state in New Caledonia, has announced.
The airport has been closed since mid-May due to conflict, but commercial flights resumed earlier this month on a limited basis.
On Sunday, franceinfo reported that gendarmes had been regularly cleaning the main road to the airport for a week, ensuring the roadblocks are not rebuilt after their passage.
The High Commision has also changed the hours of the overnight curfew, to run from 8pm to 6am.
New Caledonia - health
Around 300 health professionals in New Caledonia have launched an appeal to authorities to sort out the ongoing crisis for the sake of their patients.
The appeal is called "Our health in danger".
It is backed by doctors, caregivers, nurses, dentists, psychologists, surgeons, midwives, physiotherapists, speech therapists and patient associations, who have written a letter outlining their concerns.
They said the New Caledonian health system "is getting bogged down" and they need action for the sake of their patients.
Fiji - government
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has hinted at the possibility of establishing a Government of National Unity - which if it happens - would be a monumental change in Fiji's current political scene.
This would involve absorbing opposition MPs from the FijiFirst Party into government should the party's internal crisis result in it being deregistered at the end of this month.
Responding to questions, Rabuka also asserted that current issues within FijiFirst would not have any impact on the parliamentary proceedings leading up to the National Budget announcement on 28 June.
Local media is reporting Rabuka saying he felt sad for FijiFirst with the date for issues to be resolved looming or the very real prospect of the party ceasing to exist.
When asked if he would consider forming a government of national unity, Rabuka said this was a "very strong possibility".
Tonga - penalty
Several international human rights organisations have expressed grave concern over recent discussions in Tonga's Parliament suggesting the extension of the death penalty to drug-related offences.
The joint statement was issued by Amnesty International, and the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, among others.
A public debate in Tonga's Parliament in May rejected a suggestion that the death penalty be used to deter drug offenders.
But the group says even the suggestion the country may be considering extending the death penalty to drug-related offences is concerning.
RNZ Pacific Tonga correspondent Kalafi Moala said the death penalty remains on the law books in Tonga, but has not been applied for more than 40 years.
Kiribati - anti-corruption
Kiribati's Public Service Office has had training workshops focusing on anti-corruption and investigation processes.
The training was delivered by New Zealand's Serious Fraud Office in partnership with the Public Service Fale.
Kiribati's Public Service Office had asked for training for their teams who lead fraud and corruption investigations.
Serious Fraud Office director Karen Chang said New Zealand has an important role to play as a partner in the Pacific region by supporting initiatives that lift capability and build resilience.
Papua New Guinea - fraud
Five former staff at Papua New Guinea Directories Ltd, a subsidiary of Telikom, have pleaded guilty to multi million dollar fraud.
They were in court at Waigani on Thursday this week.
The Post-Courier reported the five issued invoices to customers but directed payments to their personal bank accounts over more than two years.
More than US$850,000 was stolen ($3.4 million kina).
PNG Directories produces the Yellow Pages for PNG.