Last year, nearly 2000 child abuse cases were recorded in Fiji, according to Save the Children. Photo: File
Papua New Guinea - relief
Relief supplies have arrived into Papua New Guinea's West New Britain from East New Britain and other places in the wake of this week's eruption of Mt Ulawun.
The Post Courier reports the PNG government has allocated US$2.6 million for the relief effort.
The government has asked international partners such as Australia, US and China to help.
Ten care centres are being operated for the more than 14,000 people moved from near the base of the mountain.
Papua New Guinea - roads
Parliamentarians in Papua New Guinea have been told that more than $US7 billion is being allocated to improve the country's roads over the next 15 years.
Works and Highway Minister Solan Mirisim told MPs the money for the Connect PNG programme will be allocated in three five-year tranches.
The National newspaper reports some of the work is already underway, while some is still being considered by the Procurement Commission.
Papua New Guinea - unpaid
PNG Power is owed $US26 million for unpaid energy, from 87 government agencies.
The Post Courier reports PNG Power is going to force them to pay up promptly.
This has been revealed as the government puts the finishing touches on its 2024 Budget.
The newspaper said these government businesses are set to lose their credit facility with PNG Power and will receive disconnection notices.
PNG Power itself is struggling to generate the revenue it needs to maintain its services.
Fiji - child abuse
Save the Children Fiji chief executive says there's a need for consistency in work to prevent child abuse, so the matter becomes less prevalent.
Last year nearly 2000 child abuse cases were recorded, but the true number is suspected to be much higher.
Fiji marked the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect day at the weekend with events in the Western and Central divisions.
Save the Children's Shairana Ali said the day aimed to empower communities to take action.
"The laws and policies are there but I think the key gap at the moment is ensuring that policies are implemented and that services are available for children as well and getting those things really consistently delivered," she said.
Samoa - sacked
Samoa's associate minister of police has been sacked by Samoa's Cabinet.
This follows the minister's recent trip to American Samoa using his diplomatic passport, without an entry permit or an 'okay to board' permit to enter the territory.
It's alleged the local immigration office detained him, and he was later released.
Immigration officers, who are not allowed to speak to the media, confirmed this with KVZK News.
Police Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo spoke to KVZK News from Samoa, confirming the incident in American Samoa led to the minister's removal.
Pacific - deep sea mining
With COP28 on the horizon, climate advocates want Pacific leaders to unite on a deep sea mining moratorium.
The Pacific remains divided on the issue of deep sea mining as the Cook Islands continues to spearhead exploration despite criticism from environmental groups.
Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) regional coordinator Lagi Seru said it is important to press pause until more research is available.
"Our position is clear," he said, adding "We need a moratorium on deep sea mining we are strongly urging leaders to take a precautionary approach on this issue".
"Lets not rush [deep sea mining]. It is going to have ramifications on our community we don't know what the impact will be."
Pacific/Australia - cyber
The Australian government is setting up a roving team of cyber experts to help Pacific Island nations deal with growing online threats.
The team will include experts from the private sector and specialists from intelligence agencies like the Australian Signals Directorate.
Monash University Professor and cyber security expert, Carsten Rudolph welcomed the news.
But he says long-term, it will be necessary to support countries in the Pacific region to establish their own sovereign cyber security capabilities.
Last year, Australian experts helped Vanuatu deal with a ransomware attack that crippled many of its government departments.
Pacific/Australia - report
A new report by the World Bank and Australian National University says labour mobility schemes have had a net positive impact on Pacific nations.
More than 2000 workers and 4000 households in Kiribati, Tonga, and Vanuatu were interviewed in the study.
The report said most workers are very satisfied with their experience in host countries.
It said the schemes were widely perceived as beneficial by both participating and non-participating households.
However, it said issues relating to earning expectations, and transparency over salary deductions, needed to be addressed.
Niue - summit
The Premier of Niue Dalton Tagelagi says the People's Republic of China paid $80,000 of the $96,000 total to send their delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit in Rarotonga.
TV Niue reports that the figure was revealed following questioning from MP O'love Jacobsen.
In response, Premier Tagelagi informed the Fono Ekepule (parliament) that $50,000 dollars of that money was for a chartered Air Rarotonga flight and $13,000 paid for accommodation.
American Samoa - drugs
The American Samoa government is clamping down on drug and alcohol use by its staff.
It is implementing a new round of random drug testing of employees from 1 December through to the end of January next year.
The government said its aim was to foster a workplace and community environment that is free from the compromising influence of drugs and alcohol.
The Department of Human Resources will undertake the drug testing regime.
