Cook Islands parliament. Photo: Cook Islands government
Fiji - scheme
Thousands of applications to Australia's PALM seasonal worker scheme are backlogged at the Fiji National Employment Center.
Speaking on the FBC TV 'Saqamoli Matters' show, Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh said he believes applications dating back to mid-2021 are still in the pipeline for processing.
He said there are around 30,000 to 40,000 applications waiting.
Singh said the National Employment Center has made it its priority to process the pending applications.
Papua New Guinea - shot
A Papua New Guinea soldier has allegedly been shot dead by police in Tari in Hela Province.
The National reports the governor of Hela, Philip Undialu, saying a group of soldiers had been drinking when they were confronted by police following a complaint.
A shootout resulted in which the soldier was hit.
Undialu passed on condolences to the soldier's family and called for the hierarchy of both the disciplinary forces to take the lead in addressing the issues between police and the army immediately.
West Papua - forces
A presidential candidate in Indonesia has promised to strengthen security forces in West Papua if he is elected.
Indonesians go to the polls in February next year.
Kompas.com reports Prabowo Subianto, a former army general and renowned hardliner, saying during a presidential debate that the conflict in Papua was complicated by the separatist movement and foreign interference.
Subianto claims there are forces which want Indonesia to split apart and disintegrate.
The news website quotes him saying that resolving human rights in Papua remains his top priority.
"The indigenous Papuan people, who are often the victims of violence by separatist groups, must be protected," he said.
Subianto is promising to strengthen the security forces and economic development to solve problems in Papua.
Cook Islands - cannabis
Medicinal cannabis can now be imported into the Cook Islands after the Narcotics and Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill 2023 was passed.
Cook Islands News reports the removal of cannabis on the list of prohibited narcotics was supported by both the Government and opposition.
More than 60 percent of the country voted in favour of medicinal cannabis in a non-binding referendum held last year.
The bill allows cannabis to be imported provided it is being prescribed by an overseas medical practitioner.
Cook Islands - parliament
Cook Islands Parliament has approved 42 sitting days for 2024, after sitting for 24 days this year.
It follows Prime Minister Mark Brown on Wednesday tabling a Bill which allows MPs to proxy vote.
Speaking to Cook Islands News, leader of the Opposition Tina Browne said the 24 days this year was still an improvement from the eight days average annually over the past 10 years.
She said 42 Parliament sitting days will be a record for the Cook Islands.
Pacific - atolls
A new study by the University of Auckland argues coral atolls could out-grow sea level rise.
The paper says the atoll islands are naturally growing at a pace of several millimetres a year by accreting sediment, enough to outpace most sea level rise predictions.
Lead author Sebastian Steibl said the atolls are far from doomed.
He said restoring atoll island ecosystems is a proven conservation action that can improve the health of the surrounding coral reef habitat.
Fiji - assistance
Fiji is to receive US$2.8 million dollars in security assistance from Japan.
The "Official Security Assistance" grant aid was signed in Suva between Fiji Immigration Minister Filimoni Vosarogo and Japan Embassy representative Tanaka Kenichiro.
Kenichiro said at the signing ceremony, the financial assistance will provide equipment, support infrastructure development, strengthen security capacity and improve defence capability.
"Japan recognises Fiji's unique and strategic position in the Pacific region. Fiji is considered as a major power in the region that occupies an important place as well as a key player in the region."
Samoa - crash
Four Samoan men killed in a fiery car crash - while in Australia for seasonal work - have been returned to their families.
Samoa Observer reports their remains were returned to Faleolo International Airport on Sunday 17 December.
Reports from Australia said their rental car veered off the road and crashed into a tree before bursting into flames.
No other vehicle was involved.
Hawaii - homelessness
A federal report shows Hawaii has the highest percentage of people experiencing chronic homelessness out of the 50 United States.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report was released on 15 December.
Hawaii also had the third highest rate of homeless youth staying in unsheltered locations.
Hawaii News Now reports the annual snapshot shows soaring housing costs and the ending of pandemic aid led to a record number of people living in shelters, temporary housing and unsheltered settings.
Homeless advocates say solutions require multiple approaches, including housing and stabilization centers that help transition people.
Health and Homelessness Committee chair Della Au Belatti said the legislature had agreed to in concept and recognized the need for behavioral crisis centers but did not fund it.