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PIF - Labour mobility issues up for discussion
A Pacific Islands Forum spokesperson said labour mobility issues were high on the agenda at this week's meeting of Pacific ACP Trade Ministers and Forum Trade Ministers meetings.
Governance and engagement director Sione Tekiteki said the trade issues facing Pacific leaders are challenging and require a shift from a 'business-as-usual' approach.
He said Pacific trade will no doubt probably be an issue discussed at the PIF leaders' meeting in the Cook Islands approaches.
PNG - Cybersecurity lab plans
Plans are underway for a forensic cybersecurity lab to be built in Papua New Guinea.
The National newspaper reports Crimes Assistant Commissioner Hodges Ette saying the facility will assist police with surveillance and to collect digital evidence from various sources.
The lab will cost more than US$54 million.
The centre will also have biological features and machines which will help experts investigate crimes for court trials.
Assistant Commissioner Ette says they are looking at the possibility of partners assisting in the build.
Samoa - Businesses travel to France
The UK is supporting Samoan businesses in a trade mission to France during the Rugby World Cup.
The International Trade Centre and the United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme were sponsoring four Samoan companies.
The products include beauty products, juice, fragrances and oils.
On the sidelines of the final Rugby World Cup group match between Samoa and England, the Trade Partnerships Programme was to host a series of business-to-business meetings, inviting the four Samoan businesses to showcase their products to UK buyers from various distribution and retail companies.
Samoa - Researcher enters tattoo debate
A Samoa PhD candidate and researcher has suggested a solution to concerns about traditional tattooing.
Last week, a top traditional Samoan Tufuga or tattooist, Su'a Suluape Petelo, said it was wrong for fa'afafine to wear the 'malu' and for women to wear the traditional male 'pe'a'.
Researcher Agapetos Aia-Fa'aleava said traditional tattooists should come up with a specific design for fa'afafine who want to wear the 'malu'.
She has also asked questions on who has the right to the malu, as debate continues about protecting the sacredness of the traditional Samoan tattoo.
Pacific - Young leaders meet on equity and human rights
Young leaders from around the Pacific are in Samoa for a workshop focusing on equality and human rights.
Foreign and Trade CEO Peseta Noumea Simi welcomed the 35 delegates in an opening ceremony on Thursday.
Simi said the meeting is an opportunity for emerging leaders to discuss regional priorities.
"As young pacific leaders, you are the architects of the present, capable of paving the way for a more just and equitable future.
"It's about intentionally creating spaces where diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated."
The forum, organised by the US Government, was to end on Friday.
Solomon Islands - Opposition pleased with education consultation
The Solomon Islands Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has commended the Ministry of Education's commitment to consultation.
Mr Wale had earlier raised concerns about teacher welfare, and said the new Education Bill would not fix the issues.
While acknowledging the existing gaps within the bill that he said the Government must still rectify, Mr Wale described the Ministry's consultation process as the standard for other ministries to follow.