Russian flag swapped out for Ukraine's flag in CNMI
The Russian flag on a landmark in Saipan, in the Northern Marianas, has been replaced with a Ukrainian flag.
Saipan Representative Christina Sablan spearheaded the move to replace the flag on the flag memorial as a sign of the island people's solidarity with Ukraine, which Russia invaded earlier this year.
Representative Sablan said she also learned there is a small community of Ukrainians living in the CNMI.
"Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, and after the US became involved in sending military and humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine, she said she became aware that the Russian flag was still flying at the memorial site in San Jose."
Sablan said other local governments around the nation have raised the Ukrainian flag as a gesture of solidarity and support.
US offers financial support to PNG
The United States has given Papua New Guinea $US3.1 million to help the survivors and those displaced by the violence that wracked the country during the recent elections.
The Post Courier reports the money is earmarked for essential humanitarian programmes in Enga, Hela, and Southern Highlands Provinces.
Nearly 90,000 people are thought to have been displaced by the violence which escalated in May in a countdown to the poll in July.
The UN Development Program's resident co-ordinator in PNG Themba Kalua told the paper that women and children are most affected by the violence.
It is estimated 70 percent of women and girls were raped, kidnapped, or faced sorcery-related accusations and violence.
Medical supplies and food, fuel, and other essentials have yet to reach the affected areas because of the continuing violence.
The UNDP is running an international appeal and Kalua also thanked Australia and the UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs for the help they have provided.
He said they have about 30 percent of the funding that is needed.
Pacific nations endorse G20 Bali Guidelines
Pacific Island countries have endorsed the G20 Bali Guidelines, calling for closer attention to the region's issues.
Representing the Pacific at the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting, Fiji tourism minister Faiyaz Koya said global tourism will rebuild through the efforts of strong cooperation and shared responsibility.
Koya told the meeting the five pillars of the Bali Guidelines provided a strong comeback for the world economy through an equal playing field of opportunity.
The meeting was held in Bali, Indonesia, and discussed the future of global tourism under the G20 theme of 'recover together, recover stronger.'
"The recovery of only 20 countries isn't a recovery at all. The strongest possible comeback for the world economy is only ensured by ensuring that all countries are on an equal playing field of opportunity," Koya added.
PNG authorities seek to extradite a man from Australian on fraud allegations
Authorities in Papua New Guinea are looking to domestic and international law enforcement counterparts to assist with deporting an alleged offender from Australia.
Two Australian-based men are alleged to be the masterminds behind an AU$113 million fraud, perpetrated against a group of approximately 147,000 landowners in PNG.
The funds were intended to compensate the landowners for the environmental impact of the Ok Tedi mine.
PNG authorities started the process to extradite one man in March, shortly after a PNG court issued a number of warrants for his arrest.
With the court date rapidly approaching, PNG authorities have now turned to their domestic and international counterparts as the last resort.
The second man, who is an Australian citizen, has been committed to stand trial for a range of offences related to the fraud, with the date set for mid-October this year.
Samoa court sentences man for raping step-daughter
A Supreme Court Justice in Samoa has again raised concern over the prevalence of sexual offending within families of young girls.
Justice Niavā Mata Tuatagaloa was speaking this week during the sentencing of a 33-year-old man, who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing his 15-year-old stepdaughter, who is now pregnant.
The man was sentenced to 5 years in jail at Tanumalala Prison after Justice Niavā took 8 years as a starting point given the aggravating factors of the offence.
She deducted time for an early guilty plea and written testimonial in support of the defendant.
Justice Niava said these sexual acts occurred not far from where the mother and other children or siblings of the young victim were sleeping.
She said young girls are preyed upon by their own fathers, brothers, cousins, and other male relatives who abuse their position of trust.
"The negative impact of such an offence is a violation of our core values and beliefs, and encompasses all other aggravating factors as noted by the Prosecution in their submissions," Niavā said
Both the prosecution and defence had recommended a 6-year starting point.
Police in American Samoa raid home of former cop
Armed police officers in American Samoa raided the home of a former police officer during a drug bust.
American Samoa police headquarters Photo: Supplied
Samoa News reports that a huge quantity of methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia, was discovered when armed Vice and Narcotics officers executed a search warrant at the home in the village of Aua.
No weapons were found during the raid.
The newspaper reports that five people, including the former police officer and owner of the house, were arrested at the scene.
At least three of them will face criminal charges.
New broadcaster for Manu Samoa
New Zealand's Spark Sport platform will be the new broadcaster of Manu Samoa 15s rugby matches, thanks to a three-year partnership between the service and Lakapi Samoa.
It kicks off on Spark Sport with Manu Samoa against Italy on November 5th.
Spark Sport is only available for fans in New Zealand.
Following World Rugby's changes to international eligibility rules last year, teams like Manu Samoa could also see a talent injection from former All Blacks who were previously barred from transferring to their heritage country's union.