Regional

The Dutch government last week announced the world’s first tax which specifically targets saturated fats in efforts to fight cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Under the tax, the price for foods like butter, cheese and pork fat experienced price rises from 45 cents to 70  cents. The tax…

The objective of the observance is to raise awareness how people are taking action to reduce their risk to disasters. In 2011, the observance takes place with the framework of the “Step Up for Disaster Risk Reduction” campaign, and its theme is “Making Children and Young People Partners for Disaste…

Taylor praised the Centrer for Excellence in Management and Humanitarian Assistance, a U.S. Department of Defense organization, for organizing a disaster and emergency workshop in Port Moresby on Sept 22-23. “The common sense, practical training will enable PNG authorities to save hundreds if not t…

This comes after the French high commissioner, Richard Didier, rejected claims that Paris had stopped a French Development Bank loan which Temaru said is needed to be able to pay the public service at the end of the month. Contradicting Didier publicly, Temaru has refused to meet him, which in turn…

Anefal noted that the cabinet is nearly complete, with only the directorship of the state education department remaining vacant. Attending the ceremony were the other cabinet members: Attorney General Mike Nigrey, Director of Administrative Services Maria Laaw, Director of Planning and Budget Kensl…

The training was intended for new justices and it took place in Papua New Guinea. The topics covered in the training ranged from judicial life, judicial management, criminal hearing, civil disputes and alternative dispute resolution, and special cases  involving people with special needs, juveniles…

The tiny Pacific nation is in a state of emergency with its government estimating residents have just days of drinkable water left. UNICEF representative Dr. Isiye Ndombi, says it is working closely with other U.N. agencies to do what it can. “We have some supplies here in Fiji. One of the supplies…

That changed recently after the shocking case of a woman who was repeatedly abused by her policeman husband sparked uproar. The case of Joy Wartovo prompted Papua New Guineans to turn to social media, a recent phenomenon in PNG, to express their outrage and demand police action. The mother of two w…

Julius Joey Sapelalut, directing attorney of the Public Defender Office’ Albert T. Welly, director of the National Election Office; Haser Hainrick, director of the  National Public Auditor’s Office’ Francis Itimai, secretary of the Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure; Dr.…

This, he says, is to give time for a review of the impact of a higher minimum wage on American Samoa. Togiola says the request was made last month to a U.S. congressional committee hearing. He said it was a concern that the U.S. Government Accountability Office continues to downplay the minimum wag…