Why is Delta out of control in PNG?

Blog
Elizabeth Kopel - 25 Nov 2021

Why is Delta out of control in PNG?

The Papua New Guinea Government needs to take decisive action to stop the spread of COVID-19, Elizabeth Kopel writes. A recent Delta variant outbreak is having devastating impact on Papua New Guinea (PNG). Whilst governments around the globe have struggled to manage the variant, this outbreak has been made worse by low compliance with COVID-19…

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New Caledonia’s thirty-year referendum process may fall at the final hurdle

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Denise Fisher - 22 Nov 2021

New Caledonia’s thirty-year referendum process may fall at the final hurdle

France’s decision to maintain a December date for New Caledonia’s third independence referendum undermines the legitimacy of this decisive vote, Denise Fisher writes. France is going ahead with the 12 December 2021 date for New Caledonia’s final referendum vote, despite the opposition of the mainly Indigenous independence parties. This undermines the legitimacy of the final step in…

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COVID-19 – the Pacific response: 19 November

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Admin - 19 Nov 2021

COVID-19 – the Pacific response: 19 November

Our fortnightly update on COVID-19 in the Pacific Fiji has taken the first step in reopening its international borders, and Papua New Guinea has seen a reduction in new official case numbers. Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s COVID-19 outbreak has improved slightly since the last update, with the country recording 812 cases in the past week,…

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Challenges for Tonga as Election Looms

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Kalafi Moala - 16 Nov 2021

Challenges for Tonga as Election Looms

As Tongans lose faith in the major parties, the country’s election will likely see a rise in new independent members of parliament, Kalafi Moala writes. Tonga goes to the polls on 18 November to elect 26 members of parliament. Seventeen ‘people’s representatives’ will be elected by over 60,000 registered voters, while nine ‘nobles’ representatives’ will…

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Tonga’s Drug Problem Draws Royal Attention

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Henry Ivarature - 10 Nov 2021

Tonga’s Drug Problem Draws Royal Attention

The Kingdom of Tonga’s drug crisis requires a strong national and regional response, Henry Ivarature writes. After months of news headlines, Tonga’s King Tupou VI recently addressed a national symposium on illicit drugs in early October. “Our beloved country is no longer free of drugs. This is not just a problem for the police… This is a…

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Climate Change Threat to Livelihood is a National Concern

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Esther Nuria - 8 Nov 2021

Climate Change Threat to Livelihood is a National Concern

Climate change is a threat to the livelihood of village people living in coastal areas of Solomon Islands. Esther Nuria highlights one example locals say the government should take seriously. For the people of Walande, in Small Malaita, the present village built on the mainland is their fourth settlement since their ancestors settled there generations…

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