By Harriet Smith, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Melanesia program
- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the cost of damage caused by this week's 7.8-magnitude earthquake in the nation's South Island, which killed two people, may reach over a billion dollars. New Zealand is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates meet.
- The Australian Government has announced a deal with the United States to resettle refugees from Manus Island and Nauru. If the agreement survives the transition to the Trump presidency, it appears the Manus Island detention centre will close, but the centre on Nauru will remain open. Refugees have had mixed reactions to the deal.
- Donald Trump's election win has sparked fears among Pacific leaders that his scepticism about climate change will see the US withdraw its support for the Green Climate Fund, established to help nations affected by warming temperatures.
- As COP22 climate change talks continue in Morocco, Fiji appears set to co-chair COP23 with host nation Germany.
- Papua New Guinea’s 2017 budget was handed down earlier this month. Stephen Howes assesses PNG’s dire fiscal situation in the wake of weak global commodity prices.
- PNG’s Eco-Forestry Forum has welcomed a move by the government to raise a tax on log exports.
- The role of churches in addressing sorcery-related violence in PNG is being explored by the Constitution and Law Reform Commission in partnership with the Untied National Population Fund.
- Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is under pressure after being removed from his own political party, but claims he still has the support of parliamentary caucus.
- The Nauruan government has withdrawn a proposed law that would have legalised abortions for refugees and asylum seekers.
- Palau’s President, Tommy Remengesau Jr, has been narrowly re-elected after defeating his brother-in-law, calling the election his toughest ever on both a political and personal level.
- The Women’s Under-20 FIFA World Cup being hosted in PNG has been well received, and is expected to help empower women and girls. Local fans have been able to watch the matches in “Fan Zones” outside stadiums.
