RED CROSS – As Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam, Tropical Storm Bavi and Cyclone Nathan make their way across the Pacific, the Red Cross is working with both communities and local authorities to prepare for what could become an unprecedented relief response. “Cyclone Pam on its own has the capacity to do immense damage, but now…
REUTERS – The first aid teams to reach Vanuatu reported widespread devastation on Sunday as authorities declared a state of emergency after a “monster” cyclone tore through the Pacific island nation. With winds of more than 300kmh, Cyclone Pam razed homes, smashed boats and washed away roads and bridges as it struck late on Friday…
A PROPOSAL for the five Melanesian provinces of Indonesia to become a united member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is well advanced. Under the proposal, those five provinces would represent the nation of Indonesia at the MSG. A three-day consultative meeting of the five provincial governors and the national government has just ended in…
RNZI: Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister says there’s never been a better time to invest in the country, RNZI reports. Peter O’Neill made the comment at an Australia PNG Business Council event in Sydney where he highlighted opportunities in areas outside the resources sector. He outlined government plans to expand the agricultural sector through private…
Fiji Times – EXILED West Papuan pro-independence leader Benny Wenda is hoping Fiji will support his movement’s bid for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group. He said becoming a member of the MSG would provide the platform the indigenous West Papuans needed to raise issues such as the alleged atrocities by Indonesian security forces against…
THE Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has commended two fisheries project planned for Rabaul, in East New Britain, saying they will have vast economic benefits. Justin Ilakini, based with the FFA in Honiara, said that last week in Kokopo during a validation workshop for East New Britain fisheries five-year development plan 2015-21. He said…
The National – ANZ PNG chief executive officer Mark Baker says the visibility for female employees in the banking industry is important for them to advance in their profession. ANZ celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day yesterday with the theme “Make it happen”. Baker said as a global bank, ANZ recognised the importance of diversity…
Fiji Times – THE Bank of South Pacific (BSP) has announced special financing for women who want to buy cars this month. In recognition of International Women’s Day this month, the bank said any woman who applied for a car loan with BSP would have the establishment fee on the loan waived. BSP country manager…
Two universities in Papua New Guinea will share resources and physical infrastructure to achieve the government’s call for quality of higher education and more access to higher education. Divine Word University and the PNG University of Technology signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the Madang Campus of DWU to kick off this partnership. The…
Fiji Times – VODAFONE Fiji has been ranked the fastest provider of broadband speeds in the Pacific region, beating top mobile providers Vodafone New Zealand, Optus and Telstra in Australia. According to global leader in broadband speed testing, Ookla, Fiji was second to M1 Singapore in the Asia Pacific. The results were based on the…