Oceania

9 rugby league players have been handed long bans form fields after a brawl broke out during a clash in Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition in Lae; 3 officials got 12 months suspension and the two clubs involved were fined over $6000

One person has died and several others were stabbed in Hamilton city centre in a “disorder incident” at nighttime; Alexandra St between Collingwood and Hood Sts in the 7th largest town in NZ remained cordoned off in the morning

The second death of a child due to dengue fever has led authorities to extend school closures: all Early Childhood Education programs and Primary School classes for years 1 to 7 will be suspended until 25 July in a number of districts

The Samoa United Party, led by caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa, officially launched its election manifesto, confirming 26 candidates for the upcoming general election

First National Employment Policy and Action Plan has been validated by the Government to transform local employment landscape; developed with the International Labour Organization support, it outlines a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable employment

The pervasive levels of violence in Papua New Guinea have become the priority of the Institute of National Affairs: executive director Paul Barker said that alongside increasing the number of police, the wider community must be taken in

A MoU to expand the use of cargo through Nauru Airlines' Central Pacific route has been signed together with Palau and Marshall Islands to solve logistical, economic and geographic challenges faced by all of these small nations

Two landmark air carrier cooperation agreements involving Nauru Airlines were signed during the Micronesian Islands Forum in Majuro, one with Air Marshall Islands and one expanded use of Nauru Airlines cargo services with Palau, FSM, Marshall Islands

Two air carrier cooperation agreements were signed during the Micronesian Islands Forum in Majuro this week, with one specifically between Air Marshall Islands and Nauru Airlines

About eight people die daily in the Solomons as a result of the increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Disease related sickness; the figure was issued by one of the country’s top surgeon Dr Chester Kuma

Publisher Stuff has announced it will close around 15 community newspapers, including its 'historic' Auckland free press: the digital wave continues to wash through the industry that sees a number of well-known newspapers set to close in the next weeks