Tackling marine debris

PACEWS – “IT starts with you,” those were the words from Afroz Shah, the UN Environment 2016 Champion of the Earth Award for Inspiration and Action, as he addressed the opening of the Sixth International Marine Debris Conference (6IMDC) in San Diego this week. Each year at least eight million pieces of plastic makes its…

MSG ministers end PNG talks

THE 21st Melanesian Spearhead Group Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) concluded in Port Moresby on Tuesday with a number of decisions to be considered by Leaders, who will convene today for their Retreat. Key amongst the decisions are the reform of the MSG Secretariat, its Corporate Plan 2018-2020 and the Work Programme and Budget for 2018.…

USP launches golden jubilee celebrations

The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) 50th Anniversary was officially launched by His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, Chancellor of USP and President of the Republic of Fiji at the Laucala Campus on Monday – 5 February 2018. During the launch, Professor Rajesh Chandra Vice-Chancellor and President of USP extended a special…

Airlines code-share to continue

The Papua New Guinea Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) plans to allow Air Niugini to continue its partnership with Air Vanuatu and Solomon Airlines in their respective code-sharing arrangements. The commission has proposed that this should continue for three years. The code-share services will be provided under flights operated by Air Niugini. The code-share…

Warnings as Vanuatu volcanoes rumble

RNZI: Authorities in Vanuatu say four out of six volcanoes throughout the island group have increased recorded activity. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department is warning tourists and aviation centres of the drastic change in activity. Meteorologist Esline Bule said the background noise and gas levels on the volcanic island of Ambrym were very significant.…

West Papua petition vote to go to UN

PACNEWS: WEST Papuan independence campaigners are set to petition the United Nations, with signatures of people inside the Indonesian province, when the General Assembly sits later this month. They’ve said obtaining the endorsements came at great risk to all involved. The journey to New York went via Geneva in late August when a British team…