Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele Photo: Pacific Islands Forum
Solomon Islands - vote
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is set to face a no-confidence vote in parliament.
In-Depth Solomons reports notice of the motion, which will be moved by Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo, was filed in parliament on Thurssday.
According to parliamentary standing orders, the motion will sit before parliament for seven clear days before it can be tabled for debate.
Vanuatu - motion
Legal counsel representing Vanuatu's president has argued the motion to remove Nikenike Vurobaravu is legally invalid, or a nullity.
A copy of this response was obtained by theVanuatu Daily Post.
Lawyer Mark Hurley argues the motion fails to comply with some of the requirements stipulated in the Constitution of Vanuatu.
Last month, 19 MPs from the former Opposition signed the motion to remove the president, and it was ruled that it met all constitutional requirements.
A hearing is set down for Tuesday next week.
Tonga - flu
Tonga has restricted imports of raw poultry meat due to bird flu in supplier nations.
Matangi Tonga reports New Zealand, Australia, and the US are Tonga's main sources of chicken, turkey, and duck meat.
A less severe strain of bird flu, H7N6, was confirmed in New Zealand's South Island almost a week ago.
Fiji - bill
Fiji has passed a Childcare and Protection Bill and a child justice bill in parliament.
Assistant Minister for Women and Children Sashi Kiran said crimes against children increased by 39 percent for the month of October, state broadcaster FBC reported.
The bill makes reporting of abuse mandatory for childcare service and daycare providers, hostels, health professionals, teachers, police, and counsellors.
Kiran said this bill provides for the care of children that are orphaned, or abandoned, as well as those living on the streets.
UNICEF Pacific said it will continue to work closely with the government to ensure full and effective implementation of the new legislation.
Niue - reunited
A New Zealand father and his children will finally be reunited with their wife and mother in Auckland after weeks trying to fly out of Niue.
Air New Zealand's reducing its capacity in October meant a flight out of Niue once a week instead of twice.
Flights booked up for over a month leaving many waitlisted passengers stranded.
BCN News spoke to father of two Craig Ryburn who has finally secured flights out this Friday, to try and make it back to New Zealand for his father-in-law's funeral.
Ryburn said at one point they were considering sailing home.
The head of Pacific operations for Air NZ Brent Roxburch told BCN News flights across its entire network have been affected by supply chain issues, but two flights to and from Niue have been added over the Christmas/New Year period.
Cook Islands - resign
The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority has announced the resignation of commissioner Alex Herman.
Cook Islands News reported she took the position in 2020 and her tenure has included granting five-year exploration licences to three companies.
They will be allowed to mine if the companies prove deep sea mining can happen without causing serious environmental harm.
Herman is leaving to take a role at the Pacific Community.
Papua New Guinea - medal
The Papua New government is to award a special King's commemorative medal to 3000 people during the country's 50th Golden Jubilee next year.
The Governor General Sir Bob Dadae announced the initiative on Monday, according to NBC's report.
Sir Bob said King Charles III approved the medal to honor and recognise Papua New Guineans who have made significant contributions to the country over the past 50 years.
He said it will be a round gold-plated design, featuring the King on on one side and the royal cypher on the other.
Papua New Guinea - dead
A former Papua New Guinea cabinet minister and union leader, Michael Malabag, died last week.
He was an MP through to 2017 after entering politics in 2012.
In 2015, he was made Health Minister, backing a major amendment to the Public Health Act, which made universal free health care a reality.
His then party leader, former prime minister Peter O'Neill, said Mr Malabag will be fondly remembered for his staunch support of workers' rights and will go down in history as one of the truly great leaders of the union movement in PNG.
The Fiji Pearls (black kit) fell 54-47 to the Malawi Queens in their opening match on the Gold Coast. Photo: Netball Australia
Netball - Fiji
Netball Fiji has confirmed they will keep discussing the proposed Pacific Series with Netball New Zealand.
President Ruby Ann Sorovaki said they asked Netball NZ if they could cancel the series and work on a future date to host.
She said they are still working on possible funding and team preparations.
Sorovaki said they want to be well prepared to cater for the expectations of the series.
Netball NZ had proposed the series for January 2025, in place of the annual series with England and Australia.
Soccer - Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands will have two teams in the Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Minister's Cup in Honiara from 9-12 December.
This was confirmed during the official draw for the tournament last weekend at the National Stadium, The Solomon Star reported.
This year, the Cup will feature Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and hosts Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands will field their senior national team and the Under-23 side.
Both teams are in Group A, alongside PNG, while New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu make up Group B.
The two teams face each other in the opening Group A match at the Lawson Tama Stadium on 9 December, while Vanuatu and New Caledonia meet for the first Group B match on the same day.
Matches will also be played at the new National Stadium in Honiara, with the Solomons defending their title this year.
