A police landcruiser patrols the streets of the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
Papua New Guinea - Fugitives shot
Papua New Guinea's police commissioner says two fugitives who had led a criminal gang in East New Britain Province - which terrorised local villages - have been shot and killed by police.
Nineteen of their associates have been detained.
The two men, who had previously absconded from the Kerevat Correctional Services Institution, were shot at Vunadidir following a high-speed car chase and a confrontation with police who were seeking to effect arrest warrants.
Commissioner David Manning said the two men had been wanted following their earlier escape from custody, and for a range of serious violent offences that involved murder, rape, looting and other acts of violence.
Fiji - Rabuka criticised
A Pacific anti-nuclear organisation has condemned the Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's backing of Japan's plans release over one million tonnes of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
On Thursday, Mr Rabuka announced he was "satisfied" with Japan's commitment to satisfy the wishes of Pacific island states, as conveyed to Japan by the Pacific Island forum chair.
He says he has read the International Atomic Energy Agency's report and encouraged others to do the same.
However, Alliance for Future Generation is urging Mr Rabuka to reconsider his stance and take a stronger position in advocating for the implementation of alternative, safe, and sustainable solutions for the Fukushima nuclear wastewater.
CNMI and Guam - Manpower woes
The US territories of the Northern Marianas and Guam are looking at a visa to solve their manpower woes.
Saipan Chamber of Commerce board of director Alex Sablan says the 'One Marianas workers visa' was broached during a recent meeting with staff from the office of Guam Delegate James Moylan.
Lack of construction workers is affecting both territories.
Alex Sablan also presented the hardships the CNMI has gone through the past couple of years for the powers-that-be in Washington, DC to hopefully consider a One Marianas worker visa proposal.
Tonga - Busy week for China's Peace Ark
Thousands of Tongans have sought medical help from the Chinese Naval Medical ship, the Peace Ark.
Nearly 7000 people were received by staff, on the ship or in clinics set up on shore, for treatment and consults in the six days the ship was in port.
39 people had surgery on the ship.
Tonga's Minister of Health, Dr. Saia Piukala, said it is a record that an average of 1000 people visited the ship each day it was in port.
Papua New Guinea - Census set for 2024
Papua New Guinea is planning to conduct its national census in June next year - four years since it was originally scheduled to be carried out.
The Post Courier reports this was confirmed by National Statistician John Igitoi last week.
Mr Igitoi said $K150 million Kina is required for the count which will also be digitised for the first time.
The government said the delay in conducting the census was mainly due to the pandemic and funding constraints.
The lack of updated census data was a sticking point for the 2022 election with the PNG National Research Institute saying it affects fair political representation and distribution of resources.
The country's last census was held in 2010.
In Sports News
Hulita Veve of Tonga pass to Uneeq Palavi during the Netball World Cup 2023 Pool A match between Tonga and Zimbabwe at CTICC Court 2 on July 30, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
Netball World Cup
Tonga has dropped one place in the World Netball ranking after they lost to Malawi in the 7th and 8th position play-off at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa on Sunday night.
Malawi won the clash 64-54 to overtake the Tala, who had beaten them in Australia during the PacificAust Netball Championship in March.
The Tongan Tala were ranked 7th going into the world cup.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Pearls netball team have finished in 11th place at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
They beat Trinidad and Tobago 71-37 in the playoffs on Saturday night.
The Pearls played a total of seven matches and won two.
They had finished 14th at the last World Cup in Liverpool.
Australia beat England 61- 45 to claim the Netball World Cup crown.
And Jamaica beat New Zealand 52-45 in the bronze medal playoff.
Samoa - Rugby World Cup team named
Chris Vui and Michael Ala'alatoa have been named co-captains of the Manu Samoa squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
This was announced by Samoa Rugby Union Chairman Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi in Apia on Sunday.
The two were part of the 33 member squad named.
Vui has been a long time member of Manu Samoa while Ala'alatoa led the team to victory over Tonga on Saturday.
Manu Samoa will play warm up matches against the UK Barbarians and Ireland before they go to the World Cup.
Vanuatu - FIFA boss opens facility
On Friday, FIFA's boss opened a football facility in Vanuatu in honour of Pele the man regarded as the world's greatest-ever footballer.
Gianni Infantino unveiled the King Pelé Football Field in Port Vila, to make Vanuatu the first Oceania nation to follow his suggestion to honour the late Brazilian legend, who died last December.
Mr Infantino also led a ceremony at a pitch named in honour of the late ni-Vanuatu former OFC Vice-President Johnny Tinsly Lulu.
Meanwhile, the Teouma Academy has been renamed the Brian Kaltak Academy after the A League-winning Central Coast Mariners defender.
To cap a busy day, legends of the national side from the past three decades played Mr Infantino's FIFA Legends team in an exhibition match.