BPNG to discontinue private sector cheques in December
The Bank of PNG will discontinue the use of private sector cheques by 31 December 2023. The National Payments Council (NPC), chaired by the acting Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), has announced that
Eight jailed for cocaine washed up on Tongan beach
Eight Tongans in Vava’u were sentenced to between three years to 13.5 years’ imprisonment for their opportunistic roles in handling blocks of cocaine from a large shipment, found washed up on ‘Otualea Beach
Four dead, 17 injured in PNG earthquake
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake which hit East Sepik’s Chambri Lakes at around 4am Monday reportedly killed four people, injured 17 and destroyed more than 300 homes, according to Papua New Guinea police. Provincial police
Cop28 host UAE tried to weaken global shipping climate ambition
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) tried to weaken global shipping’s climate target last week, sparking fears that it will lack ambition as host of the Cop28 climate summit. According to four sources in the room, the UAE
Cook Islands pressing ahead with environment policy
It’s a document which received applause from Cook Islands environmentalists and school students alike when it was launched last week. The Cook Islands National Environment Policy 2022-32 is an attempt to ‘escalate
PNG assesses damage after powerful earthquake
Disaster relief workers in Papua New Guinea were assessing the extent of damage in a remote region Monday following a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Some buildings and homes were destroyed near the quake’s
More Pacific NRL stars opt to play for their homelands
With this year’s National Rugby League (NRL) season now up and running, the prevalence of Pacific players in the tournament is again obvious to see. All NRL teams now feature stars with Pacific heritage –
Barrick finalises deal to restart PNG gold mine
Barrick Gold Corp is set to restart operations at one of its biggest gold mines after inking a deal with Papua New Guinea’s government over its shuttered mine in the southwest Pacific island nation. The world’s
BSP ‘has standing’ in tax case in PNG
The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has ruled that the Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP) has standing to pursue a case challenging the constitutionality of the “additional company tax”. A five-man
Tourism is a vital sector of Vanuatu’s economy: Seremaiah
Vanuatu’s Minister of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business, Matai Seremaiah, has welcomed the reinstatement of Virgin Australia Airline’s scheduled services to Vanuatu after its last flight on 15
Vanuatu reviews immigration and labour policies
Vanuatu’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) is undertaking a comprehensive review of immigration and labour policies and legislation to create a system that is attractive to investors and benefits the private
