An aerial view of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Photo: Supplied/ MSchlauch - public domain
Papua New Guinea - Refugees evicted
The Australian government maintains it's not responsible for dozens of refugees in Papua New Guinea who have been kicked out of their housing.
An Asylum Seeker Resource Centre spokesperson said there are 70 refugees affected across nine properties in Port Moresby.
Some of the refugees have been evicted because the PNG government has not paid the property owners.
One Pakistani asylum seeker, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he was afraid for his family's safety.
AAP reported the Australia Home Affairs department maintained this was a matter for the PNG government.
While the refugees were transferred from the former Australian-run detention on Manus Island it said the PNG Government took over full and independent management of the remaining refugees last year.
New Caledonia - Nickel sector in crisis
New Caledonia's nickel industry faces sombre days as one of its three mining sites, Koniambo Nickel, in the Northern province, is threatened by its main shareholder.
Glencore intends to stop financing the plant's operations by the end of February 2024 if a "new financing solution" isn't identified by then.
The French government's finance ministry recently released an alarming report of New Caledonia's nickel industry, stressing the need for a major reform of the sector for all three plants there.
France was ready to finance investments for such reform, but a clear roadmap had to be defined first.
Northern Marianas - Govt passes Budget 2024
The Northern Marianas Government has passed its national budget for the 2024 financial year.
The territory's Governor Arnold Palacios signed off on the budget worth over $114 million US dollars.
The Marianas Variety reported the budget estimates over $163 million in projected revenue.
However, Governor Palacios was critical of the bill.
Following the signing, Mr Palacios told the legislature that certain provisions in the budget bill were "very concerning".
He said the budget does not meaningfully address funding shortfalls of critical programs and services.
Samoa - Police arrest suspect in hit-and-run
A 38-year-old man has been arrested and charged by Samoa Police in connection with a hit-and-run incident at Vailoa last month that led to the death of a woman who was a Chinese national.
The Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed the suspect has been charged with negligent driving causing death through information provided by members of the public.
The man will remain in custody until he appears in the Supreme Court on October 16th.
The authorities used CCTV footage obtained from nearby businesses and eyewitness accounts of the incident to assist them in their search for the suspects.
Solomon Islands - Arson suspects arrested
Solomon Islands police have arrested two suspects after a school building was burned down in Malaita Province.
The first suspect is already in Auki Correctional facilities waiting for his trial while a new arrest was done last week.
Provincial Police Commander of Malaita Province Lelie Kili said the second suspect is a teacher by profession who is alleged to have planned the burning of the classroom.
Superintendent Kili said police are looking at laying a charge of inciting under section 21 of the Penal Code.
Northern Marianas - Loss of nurses
A Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation spokesperson says it will see the loss of 28 nurses over the next 6-to-8 months, due to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' "touchback" provision.
Under the rule, foreign workers with CNMI-Only transitional work visas must leave the Northern Marianas for at least 30 days after two renewals of their CW-1 visa classification, before their employers can apply for their renewals.
Healthcare Corporation spokesperson Lee Tenorio said similar to many other organizations, the corporation is dealing with the effects of the touchback situation.
He said they have been preparing for the anticipated exodus of nurses by recruiting from the local community and abroad.
Fiji - Fiji military chief against corporal punishment
Fiji's military head commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai has voiced his support for his Prime Minister's stance against legalising corporal punishment in schools.
FBC News reports Major General Kalouniwai opposing a recent call by the Fijian Teachers' Association to allow corporate punishment.
Major General Kalouniwai suggested the military could help discipline children by enforcing a cadet program in all schools.
