This screen grab from AFPTV video footage taken on January 10, 2024 shows people carrying items as crowds leave shops with looted goods amid a state of unrest in Port Moresby. Photo: AFP
Papau New Guinea - youth
In the wake of the rioting in Papua New Guinea's cities, the Prime Minister James Marape has tasked four ministries with drafting a plan to address youth issues.
Much of the blame for the violence and looting has been directed at youth.
The ministries have been asked to come up with a plan by the end of the month.
Marape said the country has to actively address the growing numbers of young unemployed youth.
PNG's soaring population is also one of the youngest in the region.
The National newspaper reported the aim is to create pathways for youth development, directing young men and women into areas such as small businesses, agriculture and the renewable sector.
The National Research Institute has suggested the creation of a compulsory youth service corps which would provide young people with work skills.
Samoa - meth
Samoa's Minister of Police Faualo Harry Schuster has rejected the notion methamphetamine is manufactured locally.
The country's police commissioner said last month they did not have evidence that meth can be produced in Samoa but it was still a possibility.
Faualo said data collected by the police shows hard drugs are not on the rise, and he believes it is being imported as opposed to being manufactured locally.
But he said the street value has increased.
Australia/Solomon Islands - budget
Australia is injecting AU$4 million into its 2024 Solomon Islands aid budget.
In a statement, the Australian High Commission said the money will be set aside for health, education, and this years elections.
This is on top of the existing AU$25 which had already been set aside for the 2024 elections.
Australia's Acting High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Andrew Schloeffel, met with Caretaker Finance Minister Harry Kuma last after the financial agreement was paid to Solomon Islands government.
Solomon Islands - election
Police in Solomon Islands have started a conference in preparation for this year's election.
Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Mostyn Mongau said the forum is very important for the police because it is where all matters pertaining to the joint election and operational plans will be discussed and finalised.
The election is set to be held on 17 April.
Solomon Islands - rice
The Solomon Islands government has cleared the way for China to establish a demonstration farm to show the merits of rice growing.
The Solomons Ministry of Rural Development and Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences have signed a memorandum of understanding focussing on what they call 'rural vitalization' throughout the country.
Permanent secretary Dr Samson Viulu said the demonstration farm will be used to develop Solomon Islands rice production on a large commercial scale and reduce the nation's reliance on imports.
Niue - cancer
A New Zealand health team is in Niue in an effort to find ways to improve cancer services.
They are visiting six Polynesian countries, to learn how cancer treatment and palliative care can be improved.
The Niue Broadcasting Corporation reports the team will then compile all the information and present it to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Auckland University School for Population Health head Professor Jude McCool said raising awareness for early detection and screening is priority while in Niue.
Professor McCool, who is also one of the co-directors for the Centre for Pacific and Global Health, alongside Sir Collin Tukuitonga and Dr Roannie Ng Shiu, said she wants to understand what is already working in Niue and where there are gaps.
Samoa - pig
Many residents of a village in Samoa have been avoiding going out at night for fear of being attacked by a pig that has hospitalised three men.
The Samoa Observer reports the large pig terrorised the village on the outskirts of Apia.
Filipo Sosaiete, 32, told the newspaper he feared he would not survive after suffering serious injuries to his lower body.
Many people now claim the pig was possessed and rumours of superstition have become rife within the village.
The Japan Government has provided ten Toyota Land Cruisers to Samoa Police.
At a handover ceremony on 2 February, Japan said it was proud to give this support through its Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects.
It said this programme is about fostering human security and working together towards a safer and more secure future for all the people of Samoa.
The vehicles are valued at around US$354,000.
Palau - resume
The United States is set to resume a long-suspended Peace Corps programme in Palau in 2025.
Peace Corps said it would start sending volunteers back to the island following an agreement reached between the agency's director and Palau's president.
Peace Corps director Carol Spahn said volunteers will live and work side-by-side with community partners to improve childhood literacy and math and science skills, along with teaching English as a foreign language.
Peace Corps officials hope this won't be the only Pacific nation to be benefit from congressional funding.