Tribal clash in PNG over land leaves 18 dead
Police in Papua New Guinea say a fight between two tribes over a piece land has left 18 people dead.
Enga police commander acting Supt Ephenes Nili told The National newspaper that the violence also destroyed 20 homes in Tsak Valley.
He said police and soldiers have been deployed into the area and have set up camp between the two tribes.
He said the situation is tense but the personnel are monitoring the two tribes.
Tributes paid to Bougainville MP Sam Akoitai
Tributes are pouring in for the Central Bougainville MP Sam Akoitai who died last week.
Former Papua New Guinea prime minister, People's National Congress Party (PNC) leader Peter O'Neill, said he was "hardworking and an exceptionally dedicated servant."
Central Bougainville MP Sam Akoitai Photo: Photo courtesy of NRI media
Akoitai was first elected to Parliament in 1997.
Mr O'Neill said his contributions towards a peaceful and stable Bougainville are well documented and acknowledged.
Bougainville President Ishamael Toroama said Akoitai was committed to peace-building on Bougainville.
He said he played an enormous role in the return of peace and normalcy after the Bougainville crisis (and) was instrumental in the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001.
"I pay tribute to a great Bougainvillean leader who committed his life to serving the people of Bougainville which he did so until he passed from this life," Toroama said.
North Bougainville MP William Nakin said Akoitai always led like a true leader.
Fijians remember exiled academic
More than 100 people gathered in Fiji on Thursday to remember the late Professor Brij Lal who died in exile in Australia on Christmas Day.
The Suva event was organised by the National Federation Party.
NFP leader Biman Prasad said Professor Lal was a man who had "contributed in no small measure to Fiji and shaped its development in the 20th Century."
He said the former academic was someone whose heart had Fiji emblazoned on it.
Heavy rain alert issued for Fiji
A heavy rain alert has been issued across Fiji by the country's meteorological service.
A trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain is approaching Fiji from the west and is expected to affect the country from Friday.
Fiji Met said there will be occasional rain, heavy at times and thunderstorms over most places.
Possible impacts include flash flooding of low lying and flood prone areas.
The weather office also said there were risks of flooding of small rivers, creeks and crossings, and landslides with continuous rainfall over the weekend.
Pitcairn Island will open for business in 2022
Pitcairn Island will reopen to visitors in 2022 after nearly two years of total Covid-19 lockdown of the island.
The Pitcairn Islands Study Center, in a statement, said that Covid-19 free Pitcairn Island will resume welcoming cruise ships, yachts and other international visitors from 31 March 2022.
Pitcairn's highest point: 360 degree view of South Pacific Ocean, 2012. Photo: Graham Wragg
Lockdown has been economically devastating to the Pitcairn people since practically all their income has come from cruise ship visits, individual visitors who stay in island homes for a fee, and the on-island sale of a wide variety of home-made crafts.
Pitcairn's supply ship, the MV Silver Supporter, will operate three direct services between Tauranga, New Zealand, and Pitcairn Island from April 2022 through to August 2022.