New Caledonia bush fires
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer New Caledonia is currently facing a series of bushfires, particularly in the northwestern part of Grande Terre, leading local firefighters to suspect arson. Since early September, efforts have been underway to manage multiple fires in the northern area, particularly around the small towns of Koumac, Pouembout, and Kaala-Gomen in the…
US Navy launches gender neutral sub
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer USS New Jersey, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine designed from the keel up to accommodate both male and female crew members has entered service with the US Navy. The silent service has been men-only since its inception in the early 1900s, until the Pentagon began allowing women on board subs in…
New Caledonian delegation to visit Paris
by Jake Sanders, Editor A bipartisan group from New Caledonia is scheduled to travel to Paris next week. French media reports that they will engage with significant officials, including the presidents of both parliamentary chambers. Their visit will take place from September 23 to October 4 and will feature four Members of Parliament from New…
US hikes tariffs on Chinese goods
by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer Washington has finalized tariff hikes on billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese imports, US trade representative Katherine Tai announced on Friday. The new levies will notably affect goods such as electric vehicles and semiconductors. The tariff hikes were first announced by the White House in May of this year, but the…
Pope’s support requested by Bougainville independence leaders
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has formally requested support from the Vatican in its quest for political independence from Papua New Guinea. ABG President Ishmael Toroama presented a letter advocating for Pope Francis’s assistance to Bishop Darius Kaluza of the Bougainville Catholic Diocese during the Pope’s recent visit to PNG….
Vanuatu books for kids project launched
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Children in Vanuatu will soon see themselves represented in literature, with new books likely addressing themes of climate change and natural disasters. A hundred new titles will be crafted by local authors, resulting in over 8,000 copies that will be distributed to children in remote areas. The initiative, named ‘Library…
King’s Samoa visit to focus on environment
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Details of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s upcoming trip to Samoa next month have been unveiled. This visit coincides with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, marking the King’s first attendance as Head of the Commonwealth. Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa announced last week that all 56…
PINA celebrates 50 years
“The narrative of PINA reflects the evolution of Pacific media over the past 50 years, marking the transition to a more structured media landscape that encompasses various organizations, including radio,” states veteran Tongan journalist Kalafi Moala. Moala, alongside former Australian diplomat and journalist Marsali McKinnon, is co-authoring a book detailing the history of the Pacific…
Pope Francis urges Catholics in Papua New Guinea to share the Gospel with those on the margins of society.
Pope Francis with our Associate Editor, Ed Castro in Vatican City by Edgardo Castro Pope Francis urged Catholics in Papua New Guinea on Saturday to persist in their mission of sharing the Gospel with the country’s most marginalized and remote communities. During his visit to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Port Moresby on…
Pope Francis calls end to tribal violence & Bougainville resolution in PNG
by Jake Sanders, Editor Pope Francis urged for improved treatment of workers in Papua New Guinea, an archipelago of around 600 islands in the Southwestern Pacific that has attracted significant interest from international companies for its gas, gold, and other resources. During a speech to the nation’s political leaders, he passionately called for an end…
