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Tonga - budget
Tonga's current 17 Peoples' Representatives in parliament will each have TOP $100,000 (approx. NZ$69,000) in constituency funds to spend ahead of the November general election.
This was approved in parliament on 19 June as part of the Community Road Maintenance Fund.
Matangi Tonga reports this is part of the record TOP $992.8 million national budget Tonga's Legislative Assembly has unanimously approved for the 2025/26 financial year.
The budget includes TOP $749m in cash spending and TOP $244m in donor support, with a deficit of just over TOP $29m paid for through government bonds.
Fiji - Middle East
Fiji's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is maintaining active communication with Fijian nationals residing in Qatar and Israel.
The Fijian government said this is happening through the Fiji Embassy in Abu Dhabi accredited to Doha, Qatar, and the Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations.
The ministry also assured the families and relatives of Fijians in Qatar and Israel that they stand ready to provide support.
A 24/7 Operations Cell is in place to track real-time developments and situation reports.
Solomon Islands - population
There are concerns in Guadalcanal Province in Solomon Islands at soaring population levels.
The Guadalcanal population is growing at 3.2 percent, higher than the national rate of 2.7 percent.
The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reported the rapidly growing population presents a significant challenge with Premier Willie Atu's government having to provide education and health services for all.
The higher growth rate is at least partly due to people from other provinces migrating to Honiara for work, education and business opportunities.
Vanuatu - disaster response
Vanuatu is taking steps to strengthen its disaster and health emergency response, completing its first-ever national evaluation backed by the World Health Organization.
The Joint External Evaluation involved health, disaster and planning agencies working together to identify gaps and improve coordination across sectors.
World Health Organisation Vanuatu country liaison officer Dr Revite Kirition said the evaluations begin with self assesments.
Vanuatu has been through back-to-back cyclones, an earthquake, and disease outbreaks in recent years.
Vanuatu is the eigth country to join the Joint External Evaluation - the first was the Federated States of Micronesia in 2002 and the most recent Cook Island in May this year.
Health Director General Russel Tamata said the review highlights the need for stronger laws and better coordination across sectors.
Officials say the next step is building a national emergency plan and training more frontline workers.
Papua New Guinea - explosives
Military personnel from across the world have been working in Papua New Guinea's East New Britain to eliminate explosive ordnances from World War II.
The explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operators were locating, identifying and planning the disposal of the bombs.
The soldiers involved came from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the United States and the United Kingdom for Operation Render Safe.
This operation has been targeting explosive remnants for over 20 years.
More than 25,000 people have been injured or killed in PNG by explosive ordnances since the war.
A New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson said over 2800 items of explosive remnants and unexploded ordnance have been found.
