PNG women flee witchcraft accusations

So many women in Papua New Guinea have fled their villages because of allegations of witchcraft that it’s creating a refugee problem. That’s according to Ruth Kissam, youth coordinator for the Western Highlands provincial government. The case of four women in the Hewa language area of Enga province hit the headlines last week, when it…

Four Tahiti parties to be deregistered

RNZI: Official records in French Polynesia show that four political parties have ceased to be recognised because of a lack of accountability. The parties in question have lost their status because they failed to submit audited accounts. Among them are the Aia Api party of Emile Vernaudon, who played key roles in local politics and…

Neighbours brace for cyclones

NEIGHBOURING Fiji is bracing for a possibility of two tropical cyclones predicted to hit the Island nation between the November to April cyclone season with one possibly reaching category three. And there is a high probability that these cyclones will pass close to, or over, the northern and eastern parts of Fiji. This has been…

PSDI: 2014 a year of achievement

ADVANCES in the business environment in several Pacific Island countries mark 2014 as a year of achievement for the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), says a recently launched report the progress of the regional technical assistance facility. PSDI, which focuses on improving the business environment by promoting investment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and easing constraints to…

Sustainable economic development vital

SUSTAINABLE economic development in the region is vital to address social needs ranging from health and education, to environmental and cultural protection, says a report released by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative. In its seventh progress report for July 2013 — June 2014, PSDI said this could not occur without resources generated by private…

PNG aims for balance budget

Papua New Guinea Government has handed down yet again another historic budget – a record K16.2 billion (US$6.19b) in comparison with three previous biggest budgets of US$5.7b in 2014, US$4.9b in 2013, and US$4.01b in 2012. The 2015 Budget has been framed against a backdrop of moderate, albeit strengthening global economic growth and continued domestic…