Belden Namah in parliament. 7 June 2023 Photo: Facebook / NBC News PNG
Papua New Guinea - violent attack
Papua New Guinea's Art and Culture Minister Belden Namah has condemned a violent attack on an Australian mother and her teenage daughter on a Carnival cruise ship.
Local media report that one of them was stabbed in an attempt to steal their belongings in Rabaul, East New Britain last month.
The cruise operator is concerned about passenger safety and is looking at suspending visits to PNG.
Authorities are still working to bring the perpetrator to justice.
New Caledonia - death threats
Seven people are set to appear before a New Caledonia court in April 2025 following death threats made against the New Caledonian anti-independence politicians Nicolas Metzdorf and his family.
Local media report that the group drafted a document proclaiming "their sovereignty" over the family's properties in Poya after civil unrest kicked-off in May this year.
In a video broadcast on social media, the signatories allegedly made death threats saying, "I sign with my totem" and "Happy or not happy, he will die like a dog".
Seven people were taken into custody on Friday.
The defendants say they had no intention of attacking the Metzdorf family and that their message was aimed at the spirits.
Cook Islands - nuclear agency
The Cook Islands has officially joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Foreign Affairs and Immigration secretary Tepaeru Herrmann told local media that the Cook Islands has tried to elevate Pacific engagement with the UN agency in the past year.
Prime Minister Mark Brown hosted the IAEA secretary general in Cook Islands last year ahead of the Fukushima wastewater release, following opposition in the region and calls for dialogue.
Samoa - plastic pollution
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights Marcos Orellana says Samoa is facing a surging plastic tide.
Orellana is calling for an immediate ban on paraquat and glyphosate.
Local media report that during his official visit, he warned that, while the country is taking measures to ban some plastics, including plastic bags, plastic straws, and styrofoam, it cannot keep up with growing amounts of plastic waste.
Fiji - diplomatic cooperation
Fiji and Japan have signed a tourism memorandum of cooperation that will support initiatives that provide technical expertise, training, capacity building, and resource-sharing between the two nations.
Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka said the deal will ensure they share resources, knowledge, and best practices that will help overcome challenges in the tourism sector.
Following the signing, a bilateral meeting was held on the upcoming EXPO2025 Osaka, and how Fiji intends to promote its country as a tourism, trade and investment destination.
Nauru - diplomatic relations
The United Nations permanent representatives of Nauru and Benin have signed an agreement for diplomatic relations on behalf of their governments.
Benin is a country in Western Africa, next to Nigeria.
In a statement, the Nauru government said the two countries want to strengthen friendly relations and develop mutual cooperation.
