Politician jailed for murder
A local body politician in Papua New Guinea has been jailed for 30 years for shooting a student to death two years ago.
Sent Koip, a ward councillor in Jiwaka, was sentenced in Port Moresby by the Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika.
The judge told Koip he had abused his responsibility by shooting the student instead of addressing any concerns at an appropriate forum.
Koip had claimed the student was disturbing one of his tenants.
Meanwhile, the National newspaper reports the University of PNG has announced that the student would posthumously graduate.
He was in the final month of his degree at the time of the shooting in 2019.
Cooks culture festival kicks off
Te Maeva Nui - the Cook Islands celebration of culture - is kicking off in Auckland on Friday night.
It's a focal point in the calendars of many New Zealand-based Cook Islanders, helping them to maintain their language, heritage and culture.
.. Photo: Supplied
Te Maeva Nui is being held for the second time in Auckland, and over two days will showcase Cook Islands' culture, arts and cuisine.
The event features dance, food and arts and includes more than 1,000 performers, with more than 7,000 attendees expected.
A pearl farmer has flown especially from Rarotonga to sell jewellery hoping to tap into the international market.
Festival Director Duane Wichman-Evans said it was a fantastic opportunity to bring family, friends, villages and community together to embrace and uplift their culture in Aotearoa.
Samoa court warns about witness tampering
Samoa's Supreme Court has warned against witness tampering at the hearing of election petitions for an electoral constituency.
The Samoa Observer reports Justice Vui Clarence Nelson saying the court had been advised that some people were leaving the courtroom and telling witnesses outside what was being said by witnesses inside.
He noted it is an offence to attempt to pervert the course of justice and anyone caught interfering with witnesses will be charged.
FAST candidate, Veletaloola Fuimaono Avauli is challenging the election victory of the HRPP's Fuimaono Teo Samuelu.
He faces accusations of eight counts of bribery and treating but he has also accused the petitioner of five counts of corrupt practices.
The hearing continues.
Surge in PNG covid cases
Papua New Guinea has recorded 57 new Covid-19 cases in the latest figures, increasing the total number of cases to 17,581.
That compares to five new cases and one death in the previous 24 hours.
Morobe province recorded the largest numbers of new cases with 49.
The death toll in PNG remains at 192.
Tragic accidents in Fiji
Fiji police are investigating the deaths of two toddlers following separate incidents in their homes.
Police said another child is in hospital.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, said a one-year-old child died after sitting on a hot pot at home last Sunday.
In a separate incident, a one-year old girl was found dead in a bucket of water last weekend.
She was rushed to the hospital where she was resuscitated but died hours later.
Mr Tudravu also said a one-year-old boy was in hospital after sustaining burns when a cup of hot water fell on him.
He said police are investigating claims of negligence in all three cases.