William Timaka, left, with Attorney-General Kiel Loughman taking oath on 14 July 2023. Photo: Supplied
Vanuatu - minister
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau has appointed a new Minister of Lands.
William Timakata, MP for the Shepherds constituency, replaces Sato Kilman, who was fired by Kalsakau on May 26 of this year.
RNZ Pacific correspondent in Vanuatu said Timakata recently defected from Bob Loughman's Vanua'aku Party to join Kalsakau's coalition government, claiming that the move followed a request by his electors.
Timakata said he's still part of the Vanua'aku Party despite being in Kalsakau's government but Loughman said his party has principles and Timakata is no longer a member of the party.
Cook Islands - NCDs
Cook Islands' Ministry of Health says the number of deaths attributed to non-communicable diseases - or NCDs - increased from April 2022 to March 2023.
The ministry said cardiovascular diseases was the leading cause of NCD-related deaths in the country, accounting for 15 from January to March of this year.
Diabetes had the highest number of new cases compared to other NCDs, with 40 people being diagnosed from January to March.
Tonga - by-election
In Tonga, Kapeli Lanumata, who is a member of the Democatic Party, PTOA, - appears to have won the Tongatapu No. 10 seat in a by-election.
After the counting of 12 of the 13 opolling stations, he had 852 votes - a lead of 239 on second placed Matani Nifofa.
The win is likely to bring a vote of no confidence in the government with the opposition numbers boosted by the result.
Tongatapu No. 10 became vacant with the death in April of former prime minister Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa.
New Caledonia - indpendence
The French Senate Law Commission says the start of tri-party negotiations between pro-independence and anti-independence groups of New Caledonia and the French state "must not be delayed any longer".
This is because the Commission wants an agreement drawn up before the next provincial elections in May 2024, AFP reported.
The objective is to break the impasse resulting from the 2021 referendum on self-determination.
French president Emmanuel Macron is due to travel to New Caledonia at the end of July.
Hockey5s Oceania Cup
Fiji's women face New Zealand today in the semi-finals of the Hockey5s Oceania Cup in Australia.
Fiji finished third of seven teams after the round-robin stage.
Papua New Guinea, who finished fourth, just ahead of Tonga, face table-toppers Australia in the other semi-final.
In the men's event, Fiji also face New Zealand, while Solomon Islands are up against Australia.
Finishing in the top three at the end of the tournament gives qualification for the Hockey5s World Cup in Oman in January 2024.
Twenty-20 qualifier
Cricket Papua New Guinea will host the East Asia Pacific Twenty-20 World Cup qualifier from July 22-29 in Port Moresby.
PNG's national side, the Barramundis, will be fighting to gain direct entry to the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies against the Phillipines, Vanuatu and Japan.
Tournament director Lakani Oala said this was the first time they are hosting a T20 World Cup qualifier and they have worked hard to meet the standards of the International Cricket Council.
PNG had qualified for the Twenty-20 World Cup in 2021, and are also the current Pacific Games defending champions.
Fijiana captain joins Waikato
Fijiana Drua captain Bitila Tawake has signed with Waikato Rugby for this year's Farah Palmer Cup.
The 24-year-old front-rower will joins Drua teammate Jade Coates at the New Zealand provincial club.
A number of Black Ferns feature in the Greg Smith coached outfit including Renee Holmes, Kennedy Simon and Esther Tilo-Faiaoga.
Tawake is also expected to gain expertise alongside fellow prop and Black Fern Tanya Kalounivale.
Waikato take on the Bay of Plenty Volacanix in the first round this Saturday at Rotorua International Stadium.