West Papua - drought
The Indonesian government is sending aid to remote areas of eastern Papua, where thousands of people are facing hunger due to severe drought.
Reuters reports six people have died since June in the mountainous Puncak district in Central Papua due to a snowy season that was immediately followed by a prolonged dry season that affected crops.
The authorities said access to the region was hampered by difficult terrain and threats posed by armed separatists.
The chief of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said they would send food, milk and other aid to the region on Wednesday.
Melanesia - festival
The 8th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival or MACFEST will be held in Fiji in three year's time.
Fiji's Minister of iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, announced the festival would be held in 2026 in Fiji at the end of this year's edition in Vanuatu.
He praised the people and Government of Vanuatu, saying despite the many challenges the country had endured with cyclones and earthquakes, with a true Melanesian spirit, the nation had accepted the challenge of hosting a memorable event.
This year, the festival's theme was "Rebuilding my Melanesian for common identity," highlighting the importance of Pacific regionalism, and cooperation within Melanesia.
Cultural performances at MACFEST 2023 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Photo: Twitter.com / @MsgSecretariat
Solomon Islands - commemoration
The US ambassador to Australia has arrived in Honiara to commemorate the rescue of a former president - her father, John F Kennedy.
The US Embassy in Canberra said Caroline Kennedy will be travelling to Western Province to retrace Lieutenant John F. Kennedy's steps.
Commanded by the then-Lieutenant, the PT-109 torpedo boat was struck by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri in the early hours of August 2, 1943 while patrolling Blackett Strait.
The 11 survivors abandoned the sinking boat and swam ashore on what is now called Kennedy Island and then rescued.
Samoa - residence
Samoa's quota of people to register for permanent residence in New Zealand has increased to 1,650 a year.
Immigration New Zealand says the increase will make up for the unused places when the Samoa quota was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to covid.
It says those unused places will be reallocated across over the years 2022-2025 with an additional 550 places available each year.
The new policy is in effect during the 2023 quota draw, which is now opened for registration until August 31.
West Papua - heatwave
A district head in Central Papua says six people, including a newborn baby, have died from heat-related causes in Puncak.
The Malay news agency Bernama reports three deaths were reported in Agandugume and another three in Lambewi.
Local media reports Willem Wandik saying the districts have faced extreme weather since May, and a lack of clean water causes dehydration and consumption of contaminated water leads to diarrohea.
Wandik has declared an Emergency Response Status until August 7.
As of July 25, the Social Affairs Ministry had sent 14 tonnes of food and supplies to the districts via a military helicopter.
Football - trial for Fijians
Two female Fijian footballers are trialling for an American club that includes Brazilian legend Marta on its books.
Sofi Diyolowai and Cema Nasau have been showing their skills with US National Women's Soccer League club Orlando Pride.
The Florida club also has another Brazilian star, Adriana, on its roster.
Former Fiji National women's coach Lisa Cole contacted Orlando Pride to arrange the trial.
Naziah Ali Krishna from the Fiji FA helped identify Diyolowai and Nasau as players with great potential.
"It's a great opportunity for our girls to be able to go on trial with a huge club like Orlando Pride where legends like Marta play. To be able to access the same facilities and training as some of the best in the world is an opportunity that I think personally would be something they will remember for the rest of their lives. With the help of OFC and Fiji Football we've worked to get their visas, flights and expenses covered. Orlando Pride has provided their accommodation," Ali Krishna said.
Rugby - Fiji
The Flying Fijians head coach will use this weekend's game against Japan to give squad members who haven't played in the Pacific Nations Cup so far a chance to prove themselves.
Fiji leads the competition after wins over Tonga and Manu Samoa.
Simon Raiwalui said they look forward to meeting Japan in Tokyo in their third Test in three weeks as they gear up for the World Cup in October.
Rugby - Tongan star
'Ikale Tahi rugby team captain Sonatane Takulua has become the first player to reach 50 Tests for Tonga.
He reached the landmark against Japan in Osaka last Saturday.
Takulua is also the third highest points-scorer for Tonga with 254 points, behind Kurt Morath with 340 points and Pierre Hola who notched 322 points during his career.
The veteran halfback will lead Tonga again on Saturday against Manu Samoa at Apia Park.
