Bryan Kramer. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
PNG - politics
A Papua New Guinea politician, former cabinet minister, Bryan Kramer, has been found guilty of seven allegations of misconduct in office.
NBC reports he was found not guilty of another five allegations.
A Leadership Tribunal has been enquiring into Kramer's actions since August last year, at which stage he was suspended from his role as Minister of Labour and Immigration.
At that time he called the allegations unsubstantiated and vexatious
The Tribunal found Kramer guilty of scandalising the judiciary by posting articles on his Facebook account and insinuating a conflict of interest with Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika.
Vanuatu/Papua
The Vanuatu Free West Papua Association has raised concerns that Vanuatu police officers are to undergo peacekeeping training in Indonesia.
The association said Vanuatu can send its police for training to one of the Melanesian group countries of the Pacific Forum countries instead of to a nation whose military has been killing native West Papuans.
The Vanuatu Police Commissioner, Robson Iavro, said the first ten officers to be deployed as UN peace keepers will undergo training in Indonesia in May.
French Polynesia - minister's visit
The French Minister for Overseas Territories has announced he will visit French Polynesia in May.
Jean-Francois Carenco announced this during his visit at the famous Paris International Agriculture Show where many overseas territories showcased their products.
Carenco said his visit will have a special session which will look at the agricultural sector of the territory.
This will be his first visit since his appointment.
French Polynesia - green projects
The government of French Polynesia has signed a funding deal for more than $US62 million for several green energy projects over the next four years.
The fund was part of 27 engagements promised by French President Emmanuel Macron during his trip to the territory in 2021.
The French High Commissioner, Eric Spitz, told La Premiere the fund will be aimed at subsidising costs.
New Caledonia - sharks
The Noumea City Council has ended its shark culling campaign after a deadly attack in New Caledonia.
A total of 17 bull and tiger sharks have been euthanised; the only non-protected species of shark in the southern region.
The City Council said beaches around Noumea will be shut until March 3.
Cook Islands - dogs
The Cook Islands police shot 343 dogs in 2022, after dog control became a renewed priority with the country's borders re-open.
A police spokesperson said the number of dogs being put down was high in 2022 after letting dog control lapse.
The spokesperson says almost half were put down as a result of public complaints, which included dogs attacking people or livestock.
However, Cook Islands News reports SPCA president David Pokia, saying non-dangerous dogs were being targeted by Police.
PNG - Somare tribute
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has approved the building of a monument of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare at the University of Papua New Guinea.
The National reports Marape saying the monument would symbolise what the nation's founding fathers stood for, and the legacy of Sir Michael who was driving the move for independence.
The momument was suggested by the university students' representative council, which started fundraising last year.
Niue - goods
Japan has stepped in to solve a problem in Niue's goods distribution system.
The Japanese Ambassador to Niue, Tatsushi Nishioka, said he discovered on a trip to the island in August last year that the lack of a forklift truck was hampering the unloading of commodities at Alofi Port.
He said his government has agreed to grant assistance of $US181,000 to buy a forklift.
