A LEADER FOR THE PACIFIC TO BE PROUD OF
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is Islands Businesses’ 2019 Pacific Person of the Year. Just over two years since she took office, events in New Zealand and in her own personal life have catapulted her on to
Recent changes to the Kina facility rate: Are they working?
It has been three months since the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) adjusted the Kina Facility Rate (KFR) for the first time in more than six years. The KFR is intended to serve as the interest rate at which funds can
2050 STRATEGY FOR THE BLUE PACIFIC CONTINENT: A SEA CHANGE?
The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, at their meeting in Funafuti, Tuvalu, last August, endorsed the development of a ‘2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.’ Leaders thus tasked
Massacre, memory and music
Yudha Korwa was just 17 years old when he was attacked by Indonesian soldiers during the Biak massacre on 6 July 1998. “A soldier used a big gun and hit me hard on the head. I saw them kick my friend,”
Taiwan trials mega changes as China watches
As the world’s first transgender government minister, Audrey Tang is probably resigned to the different kind of reactions she receives when she meets strangers. Like last month when a group of international
Nauru 19 survivors jailed
The Supreme Court in Nauru has handed down jail terms to a group of men and one woman—including former politicians— in connection with a political protest that turned violent four years ago. Details of the sentences
THE TONE FOR A ‘JUST AND TRANSPARENT’ USP IS VANISHING
I was impressed by the words of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, during the USP’s Emalus Campus graduation ceremony in Port Vila when he said: “Continue to live by the values of your University in all that
DEACTIVATION OF MOBILE PHONES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA IMMINENT
The Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has this week declined to answer questions asked of it regarding the SIM card registration regulation of 2016. The direct impact of this court hearing is that
