Photo: Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga
Tonga - mental health
Tonga has launched a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services program, with the project having an initial focus on the mental wellbeing of children and adolescents in the aftermath of the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai eruption and tsunami.
Its launch was timed to mark World Mental Health Day.
Health Ministry chief executive Dr Reynold 'Ofanoa said the program marked the start of a crucial journey to improve mental health services in Tonga.
It is set to kick off in December and be based in villages that were heavily impacted by the disaster.
It aims to collect information on the aftermath of the event on communities, including various schools in Tongatapu, 'Eua, and Ha'apai.
Papua New Guinea - sexual assault
In Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Province, 17 sexual offences have been lodged with the Alotau Criminal Investigation Division in the last five months.
Local media reports the cases include rape, incest, indecent exposure, and abuse of trust.
Three suspects have been arrested and charged.
Milne Bay Police Commander Acting Chief inspector, Benjamin Kua, said reported sexual harm is on the rise in the province.
West Papua - food
West Papuan leaders and Human Rights monitors are concerned if the Indonesian military takes control of food security programs, it will increase the risk of human rights violations.
Jubi News reported Indonesian Human Rights Watch Deputy Director Ardi Manto Adiputra believes involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces in managing matters of food security is inappropriate and could lead to an escalation in violence against civilians.
Meanwhile, Merauke church leader Cornelis Manu said a number of Indonesian soldiers are already guarding rice fields in the Wogekel and Wanam villages in Ilwayab district, Merauke regency, which has made residents feel uncomfortable and frightened.
Niue
Niue diaspora, ambassadors from France, the United States and Fiji, and the head of Tokelau, or Ulu o Tokelau, Faipule Petelo Alapati Tavite, have arrived in Niue for self-governance celebrations.
Niue marks 50 years of self governance in free association with New Zealand on the 19th.
For the Ulu o Tokelau, the visit holds special significance.
He attended Niue High School from 1985 to 1990.
While Niue and Tokelau have not yet formalised diplomatic relations, a Niue government spokesperson says they are looking into it.
Solomon Islands - casssava
China is considering investing in Solomon Islands' biggest cassava producer, SAPE Farm, in North Guadalcanal.
A team from China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recently visited the farm, which is owned by the Solomons' Health Minister, Dr Paulson Bosawai Popora.
SAPE Farm is developing a processing facility for cassava.
According to the SIBC, the Chinese team and SAPE farm talked about potential areas of collaboration, such as building staff capacity, technical support, and research to boost productivity.
Guam - abortion
The US Supreme Court has denied the Guam auditor-general's request to reinstate an abortion ban.
Without access, those facing an unwanted or crisis pregnancy would have had three choices: carry to term, travel thousands of miles for an abortion with potential legal risks, or face criminal charges for seeking abortion-related care.
The US Supreme Court would not weigh in on the appeal to revive the legislation banning abortion that has been blocked in Guam since 1990.
Attorney General Douglas Moylan asked the justices to undo the island court's ruling that said new laws made by the legislature cancelled out the 1990 abortion ban.
A federal court had already stopped this ban before it was ever put into action. But following the US Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, Moylan wanted the ban to be allowed.
In response, Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said it's time to put this issue to rest, and is thankful that essential healthcare services for abortion care will continue to be available in the community.