Melanesian Spearhead Group flags flown in Noumea. Photo: RNZI
Vanuatu - MSG
Vanuatu's deputy prime minister says this week's Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders' Summit has been postponed.
The Daily Post reported Jothan Napat, who is also Foreign Affairs Minister, saying they have received a confirmation from the government of Solomon Islands, noting they have a clash with their Parliament sitting.
Napat said Vanuatu has a busy agenda in July and they are looking at organising the meeting in August.
Napat said the application for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua becoming a full member will be discussed in a retreat by the MSG Prime Ministers before any adoption.
Fiji - media
The Fiji Media Association says Fiji's former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has acted in "distasteful, unbecoming, and unacceptable" ways towards local media during his trial.
Bainimarama was allegedy abusive towards journalists outside the Suva courthouse and used derogatory terms.
The FMA said the comments were highly offensive.
It said journalists, photographers, and videographers are doing important work informing the public, and threats of violence against them are unacceptable.
West Papua - new projects
Five infrastructure projects have been introduced in the Manokwari District of West Papua.
This includes the expansion of two roads, construction of the Pepera 1969 bridge, development of the Sanggeng Modern Market, and arrangement of the Borarsi public open space.
Antara reported Indonesian vice president Ma'ruf Amin saying the government would start work on these projects this year.
Marianas - Mawar
The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has given more support to the Northern Marianas in the wake of Typhoon Mawar in May.
Last month, President Joe Biden issued a presidential major disaster declaration for the territory, which supported emergency protective measures and other direct federal assistance.
The Pacific Island Times reported this was amended on July 10 to include more support.
For Rota this includes debris removal, and for Rota, Saipan and Tinian, it includes permanent work activities - such as restoration of roads, water control facilities, buildings, equipment, and parks.
Samoa - police
Samoa Police and Corrections Services officers are receiving close personal protection training ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next year.
The Australian federal police are delivering the first phase of the training to assist Samoa police with its ongoing development and preparations leading up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
The training is being coordinated through the Samoa Australia Police Partnership.
Fiji - lawyer
The Suva High Court has set aside the case against prominent Fiji lawyer Richard Naidu.
FBC News reported the judge ruled that no conviction was to be recorded and the charge be dismissed.
Naidu had initially been found guilty of contempt and scandalising the court last November.
It followed his comments in a Facebook post after a judicial officer misspelled the word 'injunction' as 'injection'.
Naidu, while relieved, still plans to seek further clarification on the case.
Football - women's world cup
The head of football's governing body FIFA, Giovanni Infantino, made a quick stopover in French Polynesia on Monday ahead of the Women's Football World Cup which starts on Thursday.
Polynesia 1 reported it was the first time for a sitting president of the sports governing body visit French Polynesia and "has expressed his desire to support French Polynesia".
Infantino attended the opening of the 2023 Island Festival, which returns after a three-year hiatus.
The week-long Island Festival, organised by the Tahitian Football Federation, brings together the five archipelagos and nearly 1200 participants across the islands.
Football - Krishna
Fiji footballer Roy Krishna will remain in the Indian Super League after signing with Odisha FC.
The national team captain featured for Bengaluru FC last season.
Krishna has also played for ATK - now the Mohun Bagan Super Giants.
Odisha FC said Krishna's understanding of the league's dynamics and goal-scoring prowess could make the difference between a good season and a great one for the club, Fiji Live reported.
Netball - Tonga
Tongan netball player Kelea Iongi has signed with the Wellington-based Central Pulse to play in the ANZ Premiership.
Iongi was formerly with the New South Wales Swift and has been a regular for the Tongan Tala netball team.
She is in the Tala squad preparing to travel to the Netball World Cup in South Africa.
Badminton - Marianas
Northern Marianas Badminton Association will be sending 2022 Mini Games silver medalist Janelle Pangilinan to Denmark to attend the Badminton World Federation Female Coach Mentoring Program.
Pangilinan, who is also a director of the local association, will be in Denmark courtesy of collaboration between the five continental members of the world body and the Olympic Solidarity.
It aims to develop female coaches and encourage them to join the growing pool of well-trained and experienced coaches across the globe.
