Kanak independence supporters wave flags of the Socialist Kanak National Liberation Front (FLNKS) after the referendum on independence on the French South Pacific territory of New Caledonia in Noumea on October 4, 2020. (Photo by Theo Rouby / AFP) Photo: AFP or licensors
New Caledonia - letter
In New Caledonia the leaders of several independence parties have released a joint letter calling on the international community to support their efforts "to put an end to the recolonisation of Kanaky-New Caledonia" by France.
The letter is signed by five political groupings including the largest pro-independence Kanak party, the Caledonian Union.
It has been released ahead of a planned visit to New Caledonia in November by France's overseas minister Gerald Darmanin, but also ahead of the Pacific Islands Leaders' summit which is taking place in the Cook Islands next week.
The letter outlines concerns in three key areas, the disputed third independence referendum which was boycotted by pro-independence indigenous voters, a proposal to open up restricted electoral rolls in the territory and the announcement of an increased military presence in New Caledonia.
While the signatories to the letter are unlikely to meet with Darmanin, at least two other pro-independece parties have signalled their willingness to continue dialogue with Paris on the future political status of New Caledonia.
Papua New Guinea - trial
A Papua New Guinea judge has ordered that a man detained for nearly five years without a trial must be given his day in court.
Sam Kissi, 37, from the Rai Coast in Madang Province was charged in 2018 with sexually abusing teenage girls and with depriving people of their liberty.
He made a human rights application over the delay in going to trial and Justice David Cannings has ordered the public solicitor and public prosecutor to start the trial as soon as possible.
The National newspaper reports Kissi had been through the Committal Court in 2020 but Justice Cannings said after that point there should not have been any delay beyond nine months, without the state prosecutor giving good reason.
He said the delay of four years and 11 months was extraordinary with no explanation given by the state.
Solomon Islands - vote
Solomon Islands opposition leader Matthew Wale claims the prime minister belittled Solomon Islanders when he suggested they did not vote in people because of their policies.
Manasseh Sogavare was speaking at a school event and answering a question from a student about why the 2023 election had been delayed.
Wale said the prime minister's dismissal of Solomon Islanders' capacity to make informed voting decisions is disgraceful and irresponsible.
He said if it is in fact true then it's a situation that demands transformation, not acceptance and exploitation to further the government's ends.
Vanuatu - seasonal work
A recognised seasonal employer says Vanuatu workers are on their way to New Zealand despite cyclone Lola.
Grower James Dicey employs over 50 workers from Vanuatu, and was waiting for the final 20 to arrive.
Last week he was unsure if the workers would be able to make it.
He said nearly all have now managed to get on flights, just a little later than planned, because unlike past cyclones the runway wasn't damaged.
Dicey said some have left badly damaged villages and they're keen to start sending money home.
Samoa - drugs
Samoa's Police Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo is confident that a new bilateral agreement forged with law enforcement in American Samoa will help identify how drugs are imported into Samoa.
Auapa'au confirmed that the ministry does not have any new leads in identifying the gateway of illicit drugs into the country.
The commissioner told Samoa Observer that he was confident that the bilateral partnership will assist each other in identifying where these illicit drugs originate from.
As the Chair of the Pacific Transnational Crime Network, Auapa'au said it has been identified that the drugs discovered by some of Pacific countries and territories are brought in from South America down to New Zealand and Australia.
He said offers for a kilo of meth is estimated at US$127,000
He said illicit drug trafficking continues to cause law enforcement problems.
Guam - abortion
Guam's Supreme Court has ruled that an anti-abortion law in the territory has no effect despite a recent US federal court ruling allowing Guam the right to enforce it.
The Guam Daily Post reports the anti-abortion law has been dormant since its enactment in 1990 because US federal law protected abortion rights at the time.
The court ruled that subsequent enactments had repealed the law by implication.
The decision came about when the territory's Governor Lou Gurrerro asked the court to determine whether the law was enforcable.
