UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during an interview at the United Nations headquarters ahead of the COP28 meeting in New York. Photo: ANDREA RENAULT / AFP
Papua New Guinea - visit
Prime Minister James Marape says United Nations secretary-general António Guterres will address the PNG parliament during his visit next month.
Marape told local media this is the first time that a UN boss has visited PNG.
He said it is not just a fly-in, fly-out visit, but a four-day stay - something quite unprecedented for the Secretary-General in any single location globally.
Guterres will arrive on 2 September and depart on 5 September.
He will address parliament on 3 September.
Vanuatu - earthquake
Earthquake response heroes in Vanuatu have been acknowledged on World Humanitarian Day.
On 17 December last year, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Port Vila.
At least 14 people died and hundreds were injured.
Humanitarian workers and those who died while in service have been recognised in a special service.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of the mounting dangers facing aid workers worldwide.
He said humanitarian workers are the last lifeline for more than 300 million people caught in conflict or disaster.
Vanuatu has been ranked as the single most disaster-prone place in the Pacific.
Fiji
The legality of convicted former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama's pension has been argued during a special sitting in the Suva High Court.
Radio Tarana reported that the 20 percent paycut for the government's top politicians during COVID-19 was still in effect when Bainimarama resigned as opposition leader in March 2023.
Officials have confirmed there was confusion about whether his pension should be based on his reduced pay or his full retirement salary.
Justice Daniel Goundar gave both sides 21 days to file closing arguments.
Papua New Guinea - economy
The Papua New Guinea Treasurer, Ian Ling-Stuckey, admits the country is not doing well economically.
PNG has begun to celebrate its past as it prepares for its 50th Jubilee on 16 September.
A book, compiled by academics at the University of PNG and the Australian National University, titled 'Struggle, Reform, Boom and Bust', details PNG's economic history since independence in 1975.
In launching the book in Port Moresby, Ling-Stuckey said when the book points out living standards in PNG have not advanced, it is being too generous.
Ling-Stuckey said average living standards are only about half what they were at independence, which he said is a real wake-up call.
Fiji/India - hospital
India is supporting a grant-in-aid-funded 100-bed cardiology hospital in Fiji.
The Fiji government said the project will be formalised through the signing of a memorandum of understanding during prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka's visit to the country this week.
Rabuka confirmed that land registration for the project has been completed.
The Fiji government said the leaders also welcomed the signing of several other MOUs, including one between the Fiji Development Bank and India's National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, to enhance collaboration in rural development, agricultural financing and financial inclusion.
Solomon Islands
Two fishermen have been rescued in Solomon Islands after a mechanical issue with their outboard motor forced them to spend three days adrift.
The Solomon Star newspaper reported the pair are from Keara village on Rannoga Island in the Western Province.
Their relatives told the paper they had been fishing off of Gizo Island on Thursday morning when their 15-horsepower outboard motor engine broke down in open seas.
They said they drifted helplessly with the wind carrying them northwest towards Marovo and New Georgia.
The two men only had a small supply of food and water and quickly ran out of.
On Saturday the men managed to flag down a passing boat by using a mirror to reflect sunlight and attract attention.
Northern Marianas - flights
Two South Korean air-carriers have suspended flights to Saipan, dealing a major blow to the Northern Marianas' fragile tourism industry.
Jeju Air will halt its nightly service from Seoul between 8-30 September because of weak ticket sales and low fares.
It's also weighing up further suspension in October.
T'way has already suspended daily flights for several other periods.
The Marianas Visitors Authority said the issue reflects a broader crisis, with more cuts expected unless immediate support is provided.
