Due to political by-election of Lagaip open, Wabag the provincial capital of Enga is put into a chaotic and a standstill situation. Photo: Facebook.com/Paul Kanda
Papua New Guinea - fighting
Wapenamanda and Wabag districts in Enga province in Papua New Guinea have been declared fighting zones amid continuing tribal fighting.
The Post Courier reports the Provincial Peace and Good Order Committee has imposed a one-month lockdown to contain tribal conflicts and the law and order situation in both districts.
The latest fighting has delayed the completion of a by-election in the Lagaip seat - a vote which was held after violence caused last year's poll during the national election to be declared failed.
The lockdown means curfew and travel restrictions are being applied within Wabag town and within the declared fighting zones of both districts.
The curfew applies in Wabag from 10pm to 6am daily. The lockdown allows for the security forces to stop and search all vehicles and private property in the hunt for weapons.
Enga has been beset by violence for some time and this has delayed a return to mining at the huge Porgera gold mine.
Vanuatu/China - donation
China has donated about US$225,000 in new equipment to Vanuatu's Police Force.
It includes one set of electronic forensic equipment, a 16 seater bus and training gear.
China's Port Vila ambassador Li Minggang said specialists will be sent to Vanuatu to train the police force on operating the new equipment.
He said this year marks the fifth anniversary of China's and Vanuatu's comprehensive strategic partnership.
Police Commissioner Robson Iavro said the donation followed a trip he made to China earlier this year.
Iavro said the forensic equipment will allow the police force to search laptops and mobile phones for cyber crimes.
Fiji - alliance
Fiji's Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance wants to collaborate with key government agencies to build resilience in the sector following Covid-19.
It is aiming to do so in a way that actively involves the indigenous Fijian communities, ensuring both economic growth and environmental preservation.
VITA's have learned lessons from the disruptions of the pandemic, cyclones, and floods.
The alliance said it wants to harness the adaptability and strength that is inherent in indigenous partnerships.
CNMI - tourism
Visitor arrivals to the Northern Marianas grew by 80 percent to 19,731 visitors in October 2023, compared to October last year, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority.
However, the islands' tourism body said the October figure is still 43 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels of October 2019, when arrivals reached 34,670 visitors.
Visitors during October 2019 were mainly from Korea and China.
This October only seven percent of all visitors were from China, underscoring the need to further expand the Marianas' source market mix to increase arrival numbers and revenue generation.
Most visitors from China are now free independent travellers transiting via Seoul and Tokyo to the Marianas.
Samoa/Japan - agreement
The Japan government development agency has signed a five-year agreement with Samoa's Electric Power Corporation to increase its capability to undergo energy transition.
The agreement is part of an initiative known as 'The Project for Energy Transition in the Pacific Island Countries'.
The primary goal of the project for Samoa is to promote energy transition and decarbonisation in the energy sector.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency also supports other Pacific Power Association members such as Fiji, Tuvalu, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
NZ/Pacific
Climate advocates are vowing to hold the incoming New Zealand government accountable in order to protect the Pacific Ocean and its marine life.
New Zealand has been in support of a new global target to protect 30-percent of our ocean by 2030.
However, under a National-led government New Zealand plans to lift the ban on oil and gas exploration - a major concern for many organisations championing the environment.
Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, the chief executive of World Wide Nature Fund says we cannot go backwards.
Fiji - gender
A group of women are breaking down gender divivions in Fijian homes, one week at a time.
The Fijian Women's Crisis Centre (FWCC) visits rural communities to teach women about their rights, Fijian law and domestic violence.
FWCC coordinator and activist Shamima Ali told RNZ Pacific it is a tough but important job.
The team have recently returned from a visit in Bua, where they worked with 50 women.
Tonga - arrest
Tonga police say they arrested a 41 year old man on monday on multiple charges of assault and theft.
Last week the man tied and robbed an Asian woman in a hotel in Nuku'alofa.
While searching for the man, based on CCTV footage from the hotel, police received reports of a robbery at Small Industries in Ma'ufanga.
There, they say the same man had threatened an Asian male with a knife and taken his laden delivery truck.
The suspect was tracked to a residence in Halaleva where he was allegedly found to have five packs of methamphetamine and a drug utensil in his possession.
He will stay remanded until his appearance in court.