A cargo ship sails through the Panama Canal, in Panama City, 13 June 2024. Photo: AP
Pacific - shipping
Pacific island nations continue to call for a mandatory universal levy on carbon emissions from shipping and an equitable transition towards decarbonisation.
The group known as 'the 6 Pac plus' made the call during the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting in London.
Marshall Islands' Minister Hilton Kendall told the committee the oceans are the Marshallese lifeline.
She said a universal emissions levy will ensure polluters pay their fair share, while providing helping those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Pacific/US - nuclear
Pacific nations should be free to make their own decisions on their positions on nuclear weapons, the United States Ambassador to New Zealand says
The remarks come in response to an ex-Donald Trump adviser, John Bolton, claiming New Zealand is at risk if it continues its hard ban on nuclear technology.
New Zealand banned nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships from entering New Zealand waters in the 1980s.
Full defence cooperation was reestablished with the US in 2012, but New Zealand's nuclear-free policy remained.
Ambassador Tom Udall said it is up to individual countries to decide.
CHOGM - media
Pacific media watchdogs say tight restrictions at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa
is a sign the government wants to control and avoid bad press.
The Pacific Islands News Association and the Pacific Freedom Forum have sent a joint letter to Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa asking for restrictions on journlaists to be lifted.
PINA's newly elected president Kalafi Moala said he was concerned about censorship of the host and visiting broadcasters, which are largely government owned.
Moala said local and foreign journalists have also been banned from some meetings at the upcoming summit, which begins in just under two weeks.
CHOGM - declaration
Commonwealth members are expected to adopt their first ever Commonwealth Ocean Declaration at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
Pristine Seas Pacific Ocean Policy Senior Director, Kevin Chand, said while the declaration isn't legally binding, it will allow states to work together on ocean protection and collaborate on the implementation of treaties.
Also on the CHOGM agenda is a panel discussion for Pacific states to showcase the work they are doing in their own backyards on ocean protection is on the agenda with Samoa's prime minister in the line up.
CHOGM - police
Thirty-five Fiji police officers have attended diplomacy training ahead of being deployed to Samoa to assist with security for CHOGM.
Assistant commissioner of police (operations), Livai Driu, told the staff they may be going as Fiji police officers, but while in Samoa, they are representing the Samoan government and Samoa Police Service.
Superintendent of Police, Rakesh Chand, will be the contingent commander consisting of an admin officer, a Sergeant Major, forensic experts, intelligence and transnational crime personnel, personal protection officers and motorcyclists.
Fiji - rape
Fiji police are investigating an alleged gang rape of a male student at a boy's school.
Assistant commissioner of police (operations), Livai Driu, said the victim and suspects are aged between 14 and 17.
Driu said three teenagers have been interviewed in relation to a recent incident in the boarding school's dormitory.
He said the investigation is ongoing but charges are likely to be made soon.
Papua New Guinea - track
A Papua New Guinea government minister has revealed that the closure of the Kokoda Track is being held up by confusion over which agency is responsible for it.
The track was shut down last month with some landowners claiming they haven't been receiving promised payments for operating the track.
The Tourism Minister, Belden Namah, said it is being handled by Provincial and Local Affairs when it should come under the Tourism Promotion Authority.
However, he has met with the aggrieved landowners.
The National newspaper reported him saying he would write to the prime minister to have him move responsibility for the Track to his Tourism Promotion Authority.
Papua New Guinea - immunisation
Health workers in Papua New Guinea are concerned about "very low" immunisation rates in Madang province.
The National reported, Madang Provincial Health Authority director, Dr Martin Daimen, is urging parents and caregivers to take their kids to the nearest clinic for vaccines for preventable diseases.
He said children under five are at greater risk of getting measles, whooping cough and polio.
Dr Daimen said vaccine coverage has been low over the years due to lack of manpower, transport issues, inconsistent financing, airstrip closures and the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said coverage for the pentavalent vaccine which protects against five potential killers - (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hib, and Hepatitis B) stands at around 26-percent.
The push now is to bump that to 90-percent coverage.
Vanuatu - disasters
The Vanuatu government is working to tailor civil defence information to suit the needs of their remote communities.
The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards department has set up six new provincial community climate centres with three more sites planned.
The department's training and outreach officer, Wiliam Bae Worworkon, said it is important to tailor information for rural communities including by translating it into their respective dialects.
In June this year, the World Risk Report ranked Vanuatu the most at-risk country for natural disasters.
Vanuatu - teachers
The Vanuatu government says teachers, suspended over strike action, can ask to be re-instated.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat, who is acting Education Minister, said these teachers could submit letters asking for the Teaching Service Commission to consider reinstating them.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported Napuat saying it is everyone's concern that children return to the classroom with examinations approaching.
The acting minister also promised that teachers' salaries are addressed every payday from now on, depending on the verifications being undertaken.
Pacific/Maori - housing
A researcher is seeking better solutions for Maori and Pacific families to live in healthy, sustainable and affordable homes.
Dr Karamia Muller, who is the co-director of the Maori and Pacific Housing Research Centre in Auckland, said that the needs and aspirations for Maori and Pacific housing are often overlooked.
Speaking on Pacific Waves, Dr Muller said gentrification has impacted Pacific families greatly.
