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…

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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….

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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France injects funds to New Caledonia

by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer The French government is introducing a new financial aid package of approximately €130 million to support New Caledonia’s economy. This funding aims to provide urgent assistance to prevent critical services, such as the main electricity provider ENERCAL and social services, from facing imminent collapse, according to a release from the…

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