Voters from Vava'u queue to enter the outer islands polling place, in the capital Nuku'alofa today, 18 November 2021. Tonga's General Election for 17 People's Representative seats in the Tonga Legislative Assembly. Photo: Mary Lyn Fonua
Tonga
At least five petitions relating to the results of Tonga's general election have been filed in court.
RNZ Pacific understands the petitions relate to bribery allegations.
The country's acting supervisor of elections says the electoral commission is named as a party in one of the petitions and is preparing its response for the court process.
The election took place on 20 November.
No challenges over the voting process or count were filed with the Electoral Commission.
Fiji
Fiji is among a list of 75 countries for which the US will suspend the issuance of migration visas, from 21 January.
A leaked State Department memo said the government is targetting nationalities more likely to require public assistance while living in the US.
The suspension does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourism or business.
Other countries on the list include Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia.
The US is also reportedly concerned about human trafficking in Fiji.
Papua New Guinea
In a cabinet restructure, Papua New Guinea's prime minister James Marape has brought three MPs into the National Executive Council.
Dr Kobby Bomareo from Marape's Pangu Pati has been appointed Minister for Housing.
Solen Loifa from Our Pati has been appointed Minister for Mining, and the Liberal Party's Sir John Pundari is the new Minister for Police.
Sir John, who is a former deputy prime minister, takes over the Police portfolio from Peter Tsiamalili Jr who now becomes the Minister for Works and Highways.
Marape said the cabinet changes are part of a broader strengthening of government as PNG moves from its first 50 years into its most important development phase and a national reset.
He said the next 20 years will define PNG as a country.
Samoa/American Samoa
Samoa prime minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt is in American Sāmoa as the US territory prepares to sign an agreement with Google for a new underwater cable.
A spokesperson from the American Sāmoa Government says representatives from the tech company are also due to meet with Laauli while in Pago Pago.
The details of the cable, 'Le Vasa', will reportedly be revealed at a special luncheon this week.
The chief executive of ASTCA - a local telecommunications company - has previously told media it would be a backup to the Hawaiki cable.
The government spokesperson said the territory is looking forward to enhanced connectivity in the region.
