Pacific news in brief for 27 May
Photo:
123RF
Dengue fever cases in Tonga have reached 793, as of an update on Monday.
Tonga's Ministry of Health said 417 of the cases are from Tongatapu and 310 from Vava'u.
Three people were in Vaiola hospital in stable condition.
People are urged to continue cleaning up mosquito breeding sites around homes and schools.
Three police officers have been arrested in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, after a woman was shot and killed at Waigani market.
NBC
reported a weapon was discharged during a police operation to deal with illegal activities by some vendors at the market.
Commissioner of Police, David Manning said the three police personnel are the subject of a criminal investigation.
"From the briefing provided to me, it appears the police officer who discharged the weapon, had not intended to shoot this young lady, but that is not the point. A woman is dead because a gun was fired.
"I call on all members of the community to remain calm, while this matter is investigated, to allow justice to be served."
Commissioner Manning said following the incident, he is instructing a review of police procedures and the use of warning shots.
Solomon Islands Police have arrested an 18-year-old male in relation to the murder of a 29-year-old woman in Guadalcanal Plains at the weekend.
Police said the deceased was alone washing at a well.
Supervising Provincial Police Commander Guadalcanal Province Superintendent Edwin Sevoa appealed to those involved to stay calm while police investigate.
Ten members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) have taken part in Operation Tui Moana, a two-week operation targeting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Nine vessels of interest were listed, including one confirmed apprehension for suspected IUU fishing activities.
FFA officer in charge of the fisheries operations division Jason Raubani said the operation's success highlights the continued strong regional cooperation that is in place, and the commitment to protecting the rights of agency members and their valuable tuna resources.
He said follow-up investigations are already underway.
Papua New Guinea police have told a parliamentary committee that there is little chance that unlicensed guns in the Highlands can be retrieved before the 2027 general election.
Assistant police commissioner of operations Julius Tasion told the committee that police had tried to retrieve the unlicensed guns, but were resisted by locals.
He said the norms have changed and when someone becomes a leader at the village level, they have weapons to defend their land or village.
The National
reported that Chief Superintendent Kyle Saltmarsh, chief of staff to the police commissioner, saying the normalisation of guns and ammunition in the country remained a challenge for the police.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck south of Tonga late Sunday night, prompting initial concerns but ultimately resulting in no tsunami threat to the island nation.
Local media reported the tremor occurred at 11.49pm local time, with its epicentre 180 kilometres south of 'Eua and 204 kilometres south of Tongatapu.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Liquor store hit by students drinking less
A North Dunedin liquor store owner says his business has been hit by students consuming less alcohol. Leith Liquorland was up before a district licensing committee yesterday for an application to renew its off-licence. The application faced objections from police, Ministry of Health delegate Anthony Whipp, and Bede Crestani, the father of University of Otago student Sophia Crestani who died at a Dunedin flat party in 2019, over its proposed trading hours. The store is licensed to sell alcohol between 9am and 10pm, seven days a week, but the objectors wanted that to be reduced to 9pm. During the hearing, committee chairman Colin Weatherall said while he understood the need for the committee to focus on issues relating to alcohol harm, he felt there needed to be a wider discussion about issues such as drug-related harm. Leith Liquorland owner Chris Hart agreed. "It's a huge frustration as a retailer. "Five years ago, I didn't know what MDMA was." When the ODT later asked him to clarify his "frustration", Mr Hart said it was a frustration "that all these things get brought into the same conversation when they're totally different". Alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Steve Jones said the changing drug landscape was outside the remit of the committee's decision-making, but needed to be mentioned. "I think as a collective, the agencies and the licensed premises community, building awareness around the impact of drugs and providing education is the way forward." Mr Hart agreed and pointed to research that showed young people were drinking less. Asked whether the decline in young people drinking had led to a decline in sales, Mr Hart said this was the case. In his opening statement, Mr Hart told the committee he was a "safety first" retailer who cared about the community and viewed his liquor licence "as a privilege, not a right". He said he was a proactive retailer who took measures to minimise harm, such as not selling single-serve alcohol, and taking steps to remove all Nitro 1.5 litre drinks from the premises a few years ago due to health concerns. He said "75%" of alcohol at the store was sold in cans as opposed to glass bottles, while the staff had regular refresher training about their responsibilities. Asked about the potential for more harm if the store was open for longer, Mr Hart said he dealt with "more refusals" between 4pm and 7pm than he did from 9pm to 10pm. Serious incidents were dealt with, but "nine times out 10" these people did not cause much trouble after they were warned or refused entry. He did not operate every night until 10pm, he said. Mr Crestani told the committee recent emergency department data showed higher presentation numbers when off-licences were open for longer. He asked for a closing time of 9pm, but also said there needed to be a national approach to such issues, and more of a level playing field. "What I've seen in the applicant's document is that he is a good operator." Sgt Jones said there were "high levels of trust and confidence in the applicant". However, he said the area he operated in had "high vulnerability". The broader community had made it clear they had issues with broken glass, Sgt Jones said. He also focused on the proposed operating hours and hinted at the prevalence of alcohol-fuelled poor behaviour after 9pm. The committee reserved its decision.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
More than alcohol the issue — owner
Leith Liquorland. PHOTO: ODT FILES A North Dunedin liquor store owner says his business has been hit by students consuming less alcohol. Leith Liquorland was up before a district licensing committee yesterday for an application to renew its off-licence. The application faced objections from police, Ministry of Health delegate Anthony Whipp, and Bede Crestani, the father of University of Otago student Sophia Crestani who died at a Dunedin flat party in 2019, over its proposed trading hours. The store is licensed to sell alcohol between 9am and 10pm, seven days a week, but the objectors wanted that to be reduced to 9pm. Chris Hart. PHOTO: ODT FILES During the hearing, committee chairman Colin Weatherall said while he understood the need for the committee to focus on issues relating to alcohol harm, he felt there needed to be a wider discussion about issues such as drug-related harm. Leith Liquorland owner Chris Hart agreed. "It's a huge frustration as a retailer. "Five years ago, I didn't know what MDMA was." When the ODT later asked him to clarify his "frustration", Mr Hart said it was a frustration "that all these things get brought into the same conversation when they're totally different". Alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Steve Jones said the changing drug landscape was outside the remit of the committee's decision-making, but needed to be mentioned. "I think as a collective, the agencies and the licensed premises community, building awareness around the impact of drugs and providing education is the way forward." Mr Hart agreed and pointed to research that showed young people were drinking less. Asked whether the decline in young people drinking had led to a decline in sales, Mr Hart said this was the case. In his opening statement, Mr Hart told the committee he was a "safety first" retailer who cared about the community and viewed his liquor licence "as a privilege, not a right". He said he was a proactive retailer who took measures to minimise harm, such as not selling single-serve alcohol, and taking steps to remove all Nitro 1.5 litre drinks from the premises a few years ago due to health concerns. He said "75%" of alcohol at the store was sold in cans as opposed to glass bottles, while the staff had regular refresher training about their responsibilities. Asked about the potential for more harm if the store was open for longer, Mr Hart said he dealt with "more refusals" between 4pm and 7pm than he did from 9pm to 10pm. Serious incidents were dealt with, but "nine times out 10" these people did not cause much trouble after they were warned or refused entry. He did not operate every night until 10pm, he said. Mr Crestani told the committee recent emergency department data showed higher presentation numbers when off-licences were open for longer. He asked for a closing time of 9pm, but also said there needed to be a national approach to such issues, and more of a level playing field. "What I've seen in the applicant's document is that he is a good operator." Sgt Jones said there were "high levels of trust and confidence in the applicant". However, he said the area he operated in had "high vulnerability". The broader community had made it clear they had issues with broken glass, Sgt Jones said. He also focused on the proposed operating hours and hinted at the prevalence of alcohol-fuelled poor behaviour after 9pm. The committee reserved its decision.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 18 June
Last year, the late Kiingi Tuheitia and Cook Islands Kaumaiti Nui Toa Ariki signed a treaty that seeks to grant more protections for whales. Photo: Supplied: Operation Cetaces Tonga's princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho is backing other Pacific leaders to grant whales legal personhood. Last year, the late Kiingi Tuheitia and Cook Islands Kaumaiti Nui Toa Ariki signed He Whakaputanga Moana, a treaty that seeks to grant more protections for whales. The University of Auckland's Dr Justin Sorbion said the treaty is a win for the Pacific. However, he told Pacific Waves it would not stop harmful activity against whales. "So just the fact that you are saying that whales have a legal personality, that's not going to stop the problem," he said. "But especially for the present generations - and the future generations - it shows that they have legal standing." Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro Australia's bid to host the COP31 climate summit came up during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to Fiji. During the trip, Albanese and Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka reaffirmed their commitment to the advancement of the Vuvale Partnership. Albanese said the pair discussed the significant impact of climate change internationally and particularly in the Pacific region, and Australia's COP31 bid in partnership with the Pacific. This year's COP30 will be hosted by Belem, Brazil. Two executives of a Papua New Guinea Government-owned company are being sought by police for allegedly paying 2.4 million kina in unauthorised security arrangements. NBC reported that NiuSky Pacific Limited's acting managing director Graham Blythe and the board chair, Robin Kawat, are wanted by police. Police assistant commissioner, Benjamin Turi, said both men have evaded police efforts to bring them in for questioning over alleged payments made to 23 regular police officers and 13 police impersonators in 2023 and 2024. He told NBC News the warrant of arrest is already out, and they expect both men to comply and come forward to police, or they will use force to bring them in. Police say the two NiuSky executives authorised the payments for security services to the state-owned air navigation service provider without legal clearance or proper engagement procedures. Community leaders and civil society organisations are urging Solomon Islands citizens to get involved in public consultations on the Mineral Resources Bill. The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation said the bill could significantly reshape how mining operations are approved, monitored, and enforced. The legislation would give the national government broader authority over mineral resources, impacting land rights, the environment, and the community's role in decision-making. Organisations such as the Development Services Exchange, Apunepara Ha'amwa'ora Natural Resources Association, and the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination, want everyone to join in the public submission process. They say the bill would conflict with the Constitution and the international obligations the Solomons has. The Chiefs of Army of New Zealand and Australia have combined for a joint visit to Timor-Leste. Topics of discussion included shared security priorities, a number of upcoming exercises and planned cooperation. There were also 'positive discussions' around assisting Timor Leste's defence forces to be able to realise a key ambition - to further contribute to United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world. Australia's Chief of Army lieutenant-general Simon Stuart said Timor-Leste is an important security partner to both Australia and New Zealand.
