Photo: Aleksandr Shyripa
Papua New Guinea - drugs
Papua New Guinea's deputy police commissioner Donald Yamasombi says the country is sitting on a dangerous stockpile of illegal drugs - as much as three tonnes.
The Post-Courier reported Yamasombi warning international cartels see PNG as a convenient gateway into regional markets.
He said the danger is not only in the trafficking networks, but in the risk of drugs entering local communities.
Yamasombi said PNG is strategically located, 30 minutes from the Australian coastline.
Vanuatu - cough
The Vanuatu health authority says unvaccinated children at risk as a whooping cough outbreak hits Erromango Island in Tafea and Efate in Shefa.
The Ministry of Health has reported 179 cases from those areas.
All communities are asked to stay on alert and get their vaccinations up to date.
The Ministry warned that cases are increasing and spreading to more islands.
Northern Mariana Islands - disaster
National partners from the mainland United States are helping the Northern Marianas strengthen disaster recovery.
When typhoons batter the Marianas, recovery often stretches years beyond the headlines.
Families patch roofs with tarpaulin, neighbours share generators, island leaders navigate a maze of federal aid, and high school and college students go to class in temporary fabric structures.
Disaster recovery experts told local CNMI authorities that they do not have to face the next storm alone.
They say there is support available from the likes of the US National Low-Income Housing Coalition and Emergency Legal Responders.
Pacific - women
Women leaders, youth advocates, and parliamentarians from across the Pacific are in Fiji, in an effort to address what's been described as a persistent gender gap in political representation.
In Fiji alone, female parliamentry representation dropped from 20 per cent in 2018, to 10.9 per cent four years later.
The Women's Leadership Regional Intergenerational Dialogue brings together women and youth from across the region to share their experiences, reflect on progress, and find solutions to improve women's participation in politics.
Alison Davidian from UN women Fiji said the Pacific is not short of female leaders, but what is missing are the systems, political will and accountability to ensure women's leadership is recognised.
Fiji - scam
Fiji police are warning people about a scam phone message purporting to be the Commissioner of Police.
The Criminal Investigations Department is investigating the circulation of Viber messages claiming to be the Commissioner of Police requesting assistance for the funding of various small projects.
Police are warning people not to share any personal information via messaging platforms to anyone claiming to be an official of either a private or public organisation.
Vanuatu - police
The Vanuatu Police Force has reminded the public that it is a serious offence attack, obstruct, or injure police officers who are performing their duties.
This comes after two police officers were stabbed while responding to a call last week.
The Force said police officers serve under the mandate of the people, and violence against them is violence against the safety and security of all citizens.
One person has been arrested following the attack on the officers.
Tuvalu - appointment
Reverend Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani has been reappointed as Tuvalu's Governor-General for another year.
He took his oath of office on Tuesday.
The ceremony was administered by Acting Chief Justice Sir John Muria and attended by Prime Minister Feleti Teo, secretary to government Dr Tufoua Panapa, and officials from the Attorney-General's Office and the Office of the Judiciary.
