Angau Memorial Hospital (file image) Photo: RNZI
Papua New Guinea
Power outages in Papua New Guinea is affecting Angau Memorial General Hospital in Lae, Morobe province, the regional hospital's chief executive says.
The National newspaper reports Dr Kipas Binga saying the power was off for more than 20 hours last weekend.
He said five people died in that time, but he could not say they were all directly due to the power outage.
Dr Binga said three of those deaths were expected, while the other two were quite sick and machine-dependant.
The blackouts led to a technical fault, and Australia is helping with the repair.
Dr Binga said the hospital was struggling to find money to pay for generator fuel.
Papua New Guinea
A prominent leader in the North Waghi district of the Jiwaka province is appealing to landowners to refrain from selling land to outsiders following violent unrest near Banz town.
The Post Courier reports the plea from Mokon Mombol follows fighting between southern highlanders and Banz landowners which erupted after the alleged killing of an elderly woman.
The once-thriving Banz market is now deserted due to the violence.
Mombol wants to restore peace and stability to the area.
Tonga
Tonga's meteorological service says tropical cyclone activity for the country is forecast to peak in the first three months of next year.
The government agency has released its outlook for the upcoming season, starting next month.
It says it expects Tonga to be affected by one to two tropical cyclones, which counts as normal cyclone season activity.
There is a moderate to high risk of the country being hit by at least one severe cyclone.
The agency is also forecasting average to above average rainfall for the next three months.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands meteorological service says people need to stay vigilant even though there's a reduced risk of cyclones this season.
The South Pacific cyclone season starts November 1st and lasts until the end of April.
Cook Islands News reports it is likely zero to one cyclones will pass through the nation's waters this year.
Meteorological Service director Maara Vaiimene said it was important to be cautious, because even one cyclone can cause significant damage.
Vanuatu
One of the Pacific's leading climate voices says he is sick and tired of his country being used as a dumping ground for second-hand vehicles.
Vanuatu minister for environment and climate change Ralph Regenvanu supports law changes aimed at enforcing strict emission standards on imported vehicles to reduce pollution and non-compliance in Vanuatu.
The Daily Post reports Mr Regenvanu saying the country needs to stop importing high-polluting vehicles.
He said second-hand vehicles like Hyundai buses are breaking down on the roadside due to a lack of vehicle standards and missing parts.
Regenvanu is among those who supported law changes for motor vehicle standards which have been passed by parliament.
Fiji
Fisheries Minister Alitia Bainivalu says two-thirds of fish being consumed contain microplastics.
Local media report Bainivalu highlighting the research in her effort to ban single-use plastics.
Bainivalu said it was from a recent study from the Environment Ministry that also looked at 184 fish from 21 species.
It found three-quarters (74 percent) of the fish were contaminated with microplastics.
Bainivalu said a significant number of Fijians eat fish so more must be done to protect ocean life and people's health.
While research on health impacts of microplastic is just beginning, Stanford Medicine published research in January this year, suggests that microplastic particles are found in multiple organs and tissues including the brain, heart, placenta, and breast milk.
Fiji
Fiji is reviewing the laws that govern the recording of births, deaths and marriages, and other life events, for the first time in half a century.
The Pacific Community (SPC) says the reform aims to modernise outdated systems and strengthen rights and identity.
Ministry of Justice permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca said 71 percent of births and 88 percent of deaths are currently recorded in Fiji.
She said from opening a bank account to enrolling a child in school, casting a vote, or applying for a passport - everything starts with having the right documents.
Samoa
The Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry has proposed that the government lower the minimum investment threshold for Samoa's Citizenship by Investment programme, from four-million-tala to two-million in its draft policy framework.
The Samoa Observer reports the government is reviewing its Citizenship by Investment program, which allows foreigners to gain citizenship through investment in approved industries.
The group, which represents businesses and private sector organisations in the private sector, says the current requirements make Samoa less competitive compared to other countries with similar schemes.
Tuvalu
Tuvalu has thanked the government of New Zealand for its support towards a new undersea cable activated Friday.
The Vaka Communications Cable, laid in December 2024, has been turned on following a ceremony and a blessing.
The cable joins Tuvalu to the multinational Bulikula system, connecting Guam, the Northern Marianas, Hawaii, Fiji and French Polynesia.
Tuvalu's government says the cable represents "a major leap forward" in its ambition to become a digital nation. (Tuvalu is first nation in world to make its citizenship digital so Tuvaluans will always have a passport even when their land goes underwater)
New Zealand has chipped into the project, alongside Australia, Japan, Taiwan and the US.
Palau
Palau's government is a step closer to adopting cybersecurity laws aimed at strengthening online security and data protection.
The Island Times reports the bill, known as the Cybersecurity Act, has been approved by the country's Senate.
It is now due to go to the lower part of Congress, the House of Delegates.
The bill is being touted as Palau's first comprehensive national framework for cybersecurity.
It seeks to centralise and formalise security measures around public digital infrastructure and confidential digital data.
Lawmakers say the proposed laws are a response to the country's expanding digital network and infrastructure which requires greater online security.
They also hope that, if passed, the act will build public trust in online systems and enhance the nation's capacity to manage cyber threats.
Guam
Various agencies have been searching the waters in Pago Bay in Guam where a fisherman who was reported missing early Monday morning.
Local media reports the search has been conducted by the Guam Fire Department, US Coast Guard and the Police Department.
The fire department have also conducted dive operations.
