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Pacific News In Brief For 9 January
Fiji - rape
Fiji's public prosecutions office reported multiple sexual offences involving youth in December.
The Fiji Times reported there were 12 people charged with 26 counts of sexual offences including rape, attempted rape, abduction with intent to commit rape, indecent assault and sexual assault.
A 16-year-old boy was charged with the rape of his 13-year-old relative and a 15-year-old boy was charged with raping a 10-year-old girl.
The office reported that eight of the 11 victims were under the age of 18, and all bar one were female.
Meanwhile, parents in Fiji are being warned that forcing children to beg exposes them to expoloitation, abuse and harm.
The Fiji Sun reported the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection has issued a stern reminder that the practice is illegal in Fiji.
Pacific - travel
From Thursday, many Pacific island nationals wanting to visit the United Kingdom will have to get an electronic travel authority.
A fee of £10 - about US$12 depending on the exchange rate - will buy security clearance and permission to travel.
The countries requiring an ETA include Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.
A visa will still not be required to enter the UK for up to six months.
The move follows Britain's exit from the European Union, as a result of which it has resumed control of its international borders.
Samoa - swearing in
Three members of Samoa's Council of Deputies have been sworn in this week at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Convention Centre.
They include the former head of state Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the current head of state Malietoa Moli II Malietoa, and Le Laulu Tiatia Mapesone Mapusua.
The Samoa Observer reported Tui Atua spoke on behalf of the appointees and thanked the government for entrusting them with their appointments.
Marshall Islands - ministerial appointment
The Marshall Islands has a new Minister of Education, Sports and Training.
The Marshall Islands Journal reported Parliament member Gerald Zackios, who was sworn into the role earlier this month, replaces Joe Bejang, who resigned in December to focus on private matters.
Minister Zackios was a Cabinet minister during Kessai Note's two terms as president in the early 2000s, including as foreign minister.
He was the Marshall Islands' ambassador to the United States prior to winning his election bid in 2023 to return to Nitijela.
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