Photo: AFP
Pacific/China - trade
China and a group of South Pacific island countries could start talks this year toward their first formal trade agreement - but negotiations could take years.
The South China Morning Post reported this is according to an official from a regional network of nations.
But director of programmes and initiatives with the secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum Zarak Khan said the idea of a trade deal is in its "embryonic stage".
He said feasibility studies have been carried out and forum members "are interested in getting more preferential market access for South Pacific goods".
But he said they need to know what kind of appetite exists for this from China's side.
Samoa - RSE
Electoral districts in Samoa are set to screen applicants for the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme as part of changes proposed by a Cabinet sub-committee.
Acting Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster told the Samoan Parliament the new process will go into effect next month.
The committee's chairperson Niuava Eti Malolo advised that the ministry thoroughly consider the selection of seasonal workers to ensure that everyone in the country had an equal opportunity to apply.
The committee has also recommended that the Ministry considers a code of conduct for seasonal workers.
Toeolesulusulu said Cabinet is "still reviewing processes of this scheme" to address the various concerns raised over the years.
Tonga - assistance
Tonga is contributing $T100,000 ($NZ63,694) to help Vanuatu respond to the destructive cyclones which hit the country two weeks ago.
In a statement, the government said it is also assisting Tongan students studying in Vanuatu by providing additional allowances to cope with any extra expenses.
The government said it had received financial assistance from the Vanuatu government following the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai events in 2022 and the Tongan diaspora in Vanuatu also remitted financial assistance channelled through the finance ministry following the eruption.
Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands and other Micronesian countries are set to face problems with their cargo services for the foreseeable future.
This is after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed to RNZ Pacific via a statement on Friday that Asia Pacific Airlines remains suspended for allowing unqualified pilots to fly their planes.
The US government agency said it has been actively engaged with Asia Pacific Airlines to help them reach compliance and resume safe operations as soon as possible.
But the FAA did not provide a timeline on when it expected the issue would be resolved.
RNZ has contacted the Marshall Islands government for comment.
New Caledonia - sharks
The swimming beaches in New Caledonia's capital Noumea have been closed for the rest of the year because of a spate of shark attacks.
The decision was announced by the city's mayor Sonia Lagarde after a month of incidents, including the fatal mauling of a swimmer.
The order still allows for boating activities in the area but people are advised that they are at their own risk.
Authorities said more than 40 sharks were killed near the beaches in the past month, 23 of them in the past week.
The closure has stunned accommodation providers, raising the prospect of the government of the Southern Province giving financial support.
New Caledonia - newspaper
New Caledonia's only newspaper has folded after the commercial court accepted the publishing company's request for its liquidation.
The court had deferred its decision by a day after an injunction by the public prosecutor who wanted to see if there was still a possibility to rescue Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes.
The prosecutor had argued that it was worth preserving the Nouvelles as a tool of pluralism and freedom of expression.
However, there has been no interest in taking over the lossmaking enterprise.
The paper was launched in 1971 and owned by the French Hersant group until 2013 when it was sold to New Caledonia's Melchior Group.
Faced with losses, the paper became an online only publication at the end of last year but has now closed, with more than 100 poeple leaving their jobs.
The final edition of Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes appeared last Thursday
Northern Marianas
Twenty-eight police officers in the Northern Marianas have been placed on administrative duties for allegedly claiming excessive overtime.
It comes as the Department of Public Safety looks into overtime hours.
Last year, investigators found that the department requested approval for more than 11,000 hours of overtime in just one fortnight in the December pay period.
One officer had reportedly clocked up over 200 hours of overtime in a single, two-week pay period.
