Photo: Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific - women
More than 100 delegates from across the Pacific have met in an effort to collaborate on ending violence against women and girls.
They met as part of the Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Prevention Summit.
Research shows that two out of three women in the Pacific have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.
The Pacific Community's principal strategic lead for gender, Mereseini Rakuita, said it is one of the highest recorded rates of violence against women and girls globally.
A spokesperson for the Forum said it had completed regional consultations on the revitalisation of the Pacific Leaders' Gender Equality Declaration.
This included contributions from faith based organisations, government officials and sports experts on ways to advance Regional Commitment on Gender Equality.
Tonga - Pacific Community
A new Polynesia Regional Office has been opened by the Pacific Community in Tonga.
The Nuku'alofa-based office will serve as the centre for Pacific Community operations in Polynesia.
Tonga's Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni expressed his gratitude to the regional organisation.
During his speech at the opening ceremony of the Office in Nuku'alofa, Hu'akavameiliku called it a milestone.
Fiji - labour shortage
A restaurant sign has been raised in the Fiji Cabinet as an illustration of a critical labour shortage.
Fiji's deputy prime minister took the photo of the sign, which stated the business was only serving six out of 20 tables because there was "not enough staff".
Manoa Kamikamica said businesses in Fiji were struggling to keep their heads above water as hundreds of skilled workers were leaving the country for lucrative jobs overseas.
The Fiji Times reports the issue led the government to inject funding into competence-based training in the hope of addressing the skills gap issue.
Statistics from the Finance Ministry revealed at the National Economic Summit last week showed 22,000 people moved abroad last year, with 16,000 on work permits.
PNG - Biden visit
Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner David Manning said security preparations are underway for the planned visits of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and the US President Joe Biden, next month.
Manning said while details cannot be disclosed, these are two very important visits and measures are being taken to ensure the visits are successful.
Narendra Modi will be in the country for a two-day visit for the Forum for the India-Pacific Islands Cooperation, while Joe Biden will be making a three-hour stop-over enroute to Australia for the Quad Leaders' Meeting.
Manning said there would also be 18 Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby.
PNG - by-elections
Papua New Guinea's Electoral commissioner says the State is yet to pay the $US3 million needed to hold three by-elections.
The National reports there are open seats in Enga's Lagaip, East Sepik's Wewak and North Bougainville.
Simon Sinai said they initially set tentative dates, including the date for the issue of writs, on April 27.
But he said this could not happen because finance and treasury departments had not responded to budget submissions to conduct the by-elections.
Sinai said the people in the three electorates were being denied their constitutional right to be represented in Parliament.
Solomon Islands/ Vanuatu - aviation
Solomon Airlines has announced it will commence operating a flight between Port Vila and Auckland for Air Vanuatu.
Starting June 5, the service will depart Port Vila to Auckland on Mondays with return services from Auckland to Port Vila operating on Tuesdays.
The Solomon Times reports this complements Air Vanuatu's existing Wednesday and Saturday services.
The new schedule also enables easy travel from Honiara to Auckland via Port Vila, effectively re-engaging Solomon Airlines' re-entry to New Zealand.
Tourism Solomons has welcomed the extra flight, saying it opens new opportunities for Kiwi travellers.
Fiji - Luxembourg
A grant scheme funded by the Luxembourg Government has been launched in Fiji.
Known as the Luxembourg-Fiji Drua Innovation Small Grant Scheme, it offers small grants of around $US30,000 towards advancing efforts in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Fiji's Assistant Minister for the Prime Minister's Office, Sakuisa Tubuna, said the initiative supports Fijian efforts to make the country more climate resillient.
