Hundreds of women and children have been displaced and there were reports of food shortages after five days of brutal fighting which broke out on Wednesday last week between rival clans living near the Porgera gold mine. Photo: Supplied
Papua New Guinea - peace
Papua New Guinea's prime minister James Marape has issued an impassioned plea for peace in Enga, the province taking part in peace talks following tribal fighting.
Police have confirmed more than 30 people have been killed and dozens more were injured in the violence near the Porgera gold mine.
The National reported the Police Commissioner is now on the ground meeting with local leaders.
A local state of emergency is in force.
Reports from the public of drugs being traded at the market prompted the raid. Photo: Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services
Samoa - drugs
A village mayor in Samoa says traditional customs should play a part in the fight against illegal drugs.
Faleatiu mayor Matagi Tufanua Pati said his village has collaborated with the Ministry of Police and Prisons, implementing curfews and monitoring the comings and goings of individuals to detect and prevent drug-related activities.
He has called for a united and comprehensive approach to address the troubling rise in illicit drug use across Samoa.
He said leaders of families and communities must also take a proactive role - educating their children, enforcing village bylaws and supporting government efforts to address this issue effectively.
Fiji - children
Children have been found sniffing glue behind a supermarket in Nausori Town by police.
Fijivillage.com reported the kids were taken home to their parents.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Livai Driu is calling on parents and guardians to better supervise their children.
He said he is working with relevant agencies in an effort to address the root causes of why children opt not to stay at home and loiter in the streets.
Samoa - court
Samoa's Supreme Court sentenced a Malie resident to more than three years in jail after he was found guilty of a hit-and-run incident at Vailoa causing the death of a Chinese national.
The Samoa Observer reported following a trial, Gafa Siona Tauafao was found guilty of negligent driving causing death.
Before trial, he pleaded guilty to failing to stop to ascertain whether he had injured a person and driving an unregistered vehicle.
The deceased was a 47-year-old woman from Ululoloa and China.
Supreme Court Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke noted the victim had failed to pay attention as she crossed the road and she should equally have seen the car from afar approaching her, but that was not relevant to his assessment of the defendant's culpability.
Papua New Guinea - economy
East Sepik Governor Allan Bird says Papua New Guinea's economy has not grown since 2019 and will continue to shrink.
Local media reported Bird told Parliament the Prime Minister James Marape has been using GDP numbers that paint a shiny picture of a gloomy economy.
Bird said World Bank indicators show PNG's nominal GDP has not increased and has dropped by nine per cent.
Vanuatu - skills
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Vanuatu Government have signed a grant agreement of almost US$16.5 million towards skill development.
ADB director general for the Pacific, Leah Gutierrez, said this project is a response to Vanuatu's urgent need for skilled workers.
The ADB said the grant will help bolster resilience by expanding and enhancing training opportunities at the Vanuatu Institute of Technology, including introducing new courses.
The Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific contributing US$3 million and administered by the ADB, bringing the project cost total to US$19.44 million.
Nauru - New Zealand
The New Zealand government says it is not up to them to comment on Nauru's new electoral rules, despite supporting its electoral commission to uphold democracy.
Nauru's aspiring electoral candidates have to apply to contest next year's national election 12 months in advance.
Failing to apply by this date could result in fines up to A$5000 or two years in prison.
A spokesperson for New Zealand's Foreign Minister told RNZ Pacific in a statement it was not New Zealand's place to comment on other countries' electoral rules and processes.
At the same time, they say New Zealand supports Pacific countries strengthening democracy by partnering with Australia and the United Nations Development Programme to support the Nauru Parliament and Electoral Commission's work on political governance.
Niue - website
The Niue government has unveiled its new website in celebration of 50 years of self-governance.
Niue achieved self-governance from New Zealand in 1974.
This year Premier Dalton Tagelegi became Prime Minister after a new law changed the leader's title.
Prime Minister Tagelegi said Niue's new website features the island's history and the members of their Assembly, as well as news updates.