Photo: befunky.com
Papua New Guinea - murder
A district hospital in Enga Province was shut down after the murder of two patients.
Local media reported that five armed men had entered the hospital through a back door and shot the victims, who were receiving treatment for wounds from a tribal fight.
Kompiam District administrator James Timil told the Post-Courier that everyone was traumatised, and the district had not seen anything like this before.
He said there were over 30 patients in the ward, many of whom went into shock after the shooting.
Nauru - deportees
Three violent offenders are being deported from Australia after Nauru granted long-term visas in a controversial deal.
Human rights activists have slammed the deal as "Trumpian".
AAP reported that Nauru approached the federal government in a bid to strike a deal to take released immigration detainees, known as the NZYQ cohort, off Australia's hands.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed 30-year visas have been issued to three members of the group whom he says failed the "character test".
He said they will be put on a plane and sent to Nauru as soon as arrangements are able to be made.
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre chief executive Kon Karapanagiotidis compared the deportation regime to US President Donald Trump's forcible deportation of migrants to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
All three are violent offenders, with one convicted of murder.
Fiji - trade
Bananas are being flagged as Fiji's next major export commodity, in light of ongoing challenges in the sugar industry.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told local media it is time to explore alternative agricultural exports.
He said bananas, along with yams and pineapples, could provide viable alternatives.
Rabuka said transitioning to organic certification could make Fiji's agricultural exports more competitive globally.
Papua New Guinea - art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is set to feature a collection of artworks from East Sepik in Papua New Guinea.
Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko has given the government's commitment to support the display as part of celebrations for PNG's 50th anniversary of independence.
The Post-Courier reported Shiva Burgos, the international representative for Arts and Culture with the PNG National Cultural Commission, said the exhibition is a collaboration between East Sepik's Mariwai Project and the Commission.
She said it aims to engage museums and cultural institutions worldwide.
PIF - oceans
Taiwan has signed an agreement with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to support the efforts of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) around ocean governance.
Representative to Fiji Joseph Chow and PIF deputy secretary-general Esala Nayasi signed the deal in Sydney.
TheTaipei Times reported the agreement stipulates that Taiwan would furnish more than US$1 million to support OPOC projects aimed at boosting ocean governance, youth participation in ocean affairs, and ocean education.
Cook Islands - Christianity
A special select committee is reviewing submissions on a proposed constitutional amendment to declare the Cook Islands a Christian state.
Cook Islands News reported submissions from religious and other organisations have been presented at a select committee.
The Special Select Committee on Religious Organisations was formed in December last year following debate in Parliament around the establishment of the country's first mosque.
