Photo: Photo Illustration / Nik Dirga
Cook Islands - plastic
Cook Islands has banned plastic shopping bags, with retailers facing a fine of up to NZ$20,000 for supplying them.
This provision, alongside others, was passed in Parliament last week as part of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Act.
The Act also includes substances that generate "unnecessary waste or waste that is difficult to dispose of in the Cook Islands".
This includes plastic straws and cocktail stirrers, plastic plates and plastic and polystyrene cups, including plastic-lined coffee cups.
The Cook Islands News reported that stores have welcomed the prohibition on plastic shopping bags and are committed to abiding by the new Act.
Fiji - abuse
Save the Children Fiji CEO Shairana Ali says she will not accept the ongoing abuse of children.
Ali has condemned what she calls a "horrific" increase in incest cases in Fiji based on data released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Fiji Times reported an increase in recorded incest cases in June, with 30 counts of sexual offences filed in the High Courts in the month.
Thirteen out of 14 victims were children under the age of 18.
Ali said this is not just a statistic but children who are being brutalized, violated, and failed by the very people who should protect them.
If you are in Fiji you can contact the Fiji National Domestic Violence Helpline on 1560 for 24/7, free and confidential support.
Solomon Islands - reshuffle
A Solomon Islands MP who dealt with large Vietnamese businesses behind the Prime Minister's back will remain in Cabinet.
Jaimie Vokia faced a two-week disciplinary process and has been moved to the Housing Ministry.
In June, the Prime Minister's chief of staff allegedly "coerced" Minister Jamie Vokia into traveling to Vietnam to meet with multinational consulting firm SI Group, with which he has a connection.
There, they signed an agreement to establish a Special Economic Zone, which would give SI Group and their clients tax exemptions and other special privileges.
Shortly after, Prime Minister Manele announced he had zero knowledge of the deal, sacked his chief of staff, and put Minister Vokia under a disciplinary process.
Manele said his decision to keep Vokia in Cabinet reflects a commitment to stability.
Vokia is the sole member of Parliament for the Kadere Party, part of a coalition government with a 28-seat majority in a 50-seat Parliament.
Cook Islands - pests
Atiu, a Pa Enua (outer island), is ramping up efforts to control invasive species.
African tulip trees, rats, feral cats and wild pigs have been found to be major threats to the island's ecosystems - damaging forests, affecting water sources and placing additional stress on local communities already vulnerable to climate change.
National Environment Service officer, Enua Wichman, told Cook Islands News wild pigs alone, through rooting, wallowing, and defecation, are causing erosion and water turbidity.
The animals are also impacting taro plantations - a key staple and cultural crop - leading to lower yields and income loss for families.
To support local efforts, SPREP has provided tools and equipment including rat traps, cage traps, herbicides and safety gear.
