Ousted Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman is mounting a legal challenge. Photo: Kelvin Anthony/RNZ Pacific
Vanuatu - legal
The Supreme Court in Vanuatu will decide today if there is a case to answer in a legal challenge being mounted by the ousted former Vanuatu prime minister Sato Kilman.
The challenge is against last week's motion-of-no-confidence which removed him from power and saw the election of Charlot Salwai.
The basis of his case is that Salwai's leadership challenge was unlawful, because he did not secure the required absolute majority of 27 signatures in depositing the motion-of-no-confidence.
If successful, and bearing in mind the right of appeal for prime minister Salwai, the court challenge could invalidate the status of the current government and throw the country into more political instability.
Since the national general election in 2020, Vanuatu has had four prime ministers, one of whom dissolved Parliament triggering a snap national election in 2022.
Papua New Guinea - forex
Papua New Guinea fuel supplier Puma Energy says it has received a promise from the Bank of PNG (BPNG) that it will provide sufficient foreign exchange to allow it to meet demand during October and November.
Puma Energy has again announced rationing is needed, as it strives to ensure it has enough fuel on hand to meet emergency needs, and for hospitals and power generation.
The National newspaper quotes managing director, Hulala Tokome, saying there is a large overdue demand that remains outstanding, so forcing the company to ration stocks as it waits for the BPNG to intervene.
Bougainville - banana
A community leader in Bougainville is pleading with banana boat operators not to risk their lives on the open sea.
The small, open, outboard-motor powered vessels are the main craft around the coasts of Papua New Guinea, but when operated a significant distance off shore, disasters regularly occur.
The vice chair of the Kokopau Urban Community Government, Michael Kathoa, told New Dawn FM those banana boat owners who risk their lives transporting betel nut to East and West New Britain need to think safety first before attempting such dangerous trips across open seas.
He said he wants to discourage such trips because of the risk and threat to lives.
Kathoa said the people can still make money by selling locally, or by using the commercial ships that travel between Buka and Rabaul.
The Solomon Islands government has officially unveiled the country's second international airport at Munda in the Western Province.
Initially built by the Japanese in 1942, the munda airstrip was taken over by the Americans in 1943 and in post-war years was used as a domestic airport.
The airstrip was extended and upgraded by New Zealand to meet the standards for an "emergency alternate" international runway between 2011 and 2020 at a cost of around NZ$17 million.
This week's unveiling of the Munda Airport Improvement Project which included the building of an international air terminal and further upgrades to the runway was funded by the World Bank and the Solomon Islands Government at a cost of US$23.06m.
The project contractors were China Harbor Engineering Company and the China Civil Engineering Company.
The national airline is advertising flights from Brisbane to Munda on its website will be starting from the 28th of October with tickets priced at AUD$539 one way.
Cook Islands - rescue
Two Aitutakian fishermen lost at sea in the Cook Islands were rescued over 20km away from land on Friday local time, with no GPS and out of reach of VHF Radio or mobile networks.
The two had gone fishing in the morning when the weather turned sour and strong winds and five meter swells quickly dragged them out of sight of land.
A family member grew concerned when they stopped responding to calls at midday and alerted authorities.
Local fishermen came together to launch a search mission, estimating where they could be, based off last known locations and the direction of the wind and swells.
The missing vessel was spotted just as it started to get dark. Rere Mataiti was part of the rescue effort.
The two fishermen aged in their mid 50s and early 20s made it back to land at 10pm that evening much to the relief of their family and friends.
Tonga - drugs
Tonga police arrested four men on Monday this week for allegedly distributing illicit drugs.
The four were arrested in a raid at Tu'atakilangi on Tongatapu.
Police say they had metamphetamine, cannabis, drug utensils and a large amount of cash in their possession.
Tonga police deputy commissioner Tevita Vailea has thanked the public for the role it played in the arrests.
