West Papua rally

WELLINGTON – Green MPs and members of the public will protest outside the Indonesian Embassy following the death of teenager Owen Pekei last week, who was displaying the West Papuan independence flag when he was killed. The rally will launch a formal parliamentary petition from West Papua solidarity groups.

Diabetes crisis

WELLINGTON – The Pacific’s problems with diabetes have reached crisis point, according to a United States healthcare researcher. Professor Stephen McGarvey has been studying type 2 diabetes in American Samoa and Samoa. Professor McGarvey said once someone develops diabetes type 2 they would continue to be a burden on the health system.

Resignation push

PORT VILA – Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation general manager Fred Vurobaravu says he will happily resign only if he receives a written demand from the Prime Minister. Mr Vurobaravu confirmed he was advised by the government’s public relations officer, Hilaire Bule, of the Prime Minister’s request to resign.

Woman in top job

NUKU’ALOFA – The first woman elected as a district officer on the Tongan island of ‘Eua says people are starting to realise that development cannot advance without the input of women. In the recent local body elections, Sisifa Fili was voted in as ‘Eua Motu’a District officer, covering six villages.

Military exercise

NUKU’ALOFA – A New Zealand-led multinational military exercise, Tropic Twilight, will be held in Tonga’s Ha’apai group of islands. It will include personnel from the United States, China and France. As part of the exercise, Pangai and two villages of Lotofoa and Faleloa will benefit from community work.

2017 deadline

PORT MORESBY – Indonesia has been given a 2017 deadline to address press freedom violations in its Papua province. The call from the regional media watchdog Pacific Freedom Forum came as Indonesia was earmarked to host the International Press Freedom Day event in May next year.

Tensions high

KIMBE – Tensions are high in the Papua New Guinea town of Kimbe after a series of tribal clashes in the West New Britain town. Animosity between two ethnic groups from outside the province has been growing since a teacher was killed in 2014.

Solomons Bill

HONIARA – Legislation is being proposed in the Solomon Islands to address outstanding issues from the ethnic conflict of more than a decade ago. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said a Reparation Bill, would be tabled in parliament later this year.