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Regional
24th December
Booze ban
Ahead of the Christmas weekend, some provinces in Papua New Guinea have introduced liquor bans in the hope of curbing the violence that stems from binge drinking. The Post Courier reports that both Morobe and...
Pacific News: Cooks goodies box delay
The annual Cook Islands Christmas Box project will bring donated goods to families in the islands later than expected. Due to Covid-19 delays and lack of funds, some boxes won’t arrive until after Christmas to some families. The annual project sends food, various goods and presents to more than 1000 families across the islands of...
Australia ready to work with elected gov’t in Fiji -Albanese
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia welcomes the democratic process that has taken place in Fiji and stands ready to work with whoever forms the new government, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday, adding that the process has been orderly. “Fiji will remain an important partner of Australia and I look forward to working with the...
23rd December
NZ Foreign Minister encourages all Fijian parties to allow constitutional process to play out
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta on Thursday said she was aware of the situation unfolding in Fiji and encouraged all parties to allow the constitution process to play out. “We are aware of the statement from Fiji’s Police Commissioner. We encourage all parties to allow the constitutional process to play out,”...
22nd December
China, Australia ministers meet as trading partners seek to restore ties
BEIJING/SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong met her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing on Wednesday, following messages between their leaders, as the major trading partners seek to stabilise and reset frosty diplomatic relations. Ties between Australia and its top trading partner have deteriorated in recent years, with China imposing sanctions on Australian exports...
EU’s 2021 greenhouse emissions fell 22% from 2008 peak
(Reuters) – European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) level in 2021 fell by 22% from a peak hit in 2008, the bloc’s statistic Office said on Wednesday. Its latest annual analysis, which excludes an expected rebound in emissions this year, found the top five emitters of the 27 EU member states – Germany, France, Italy,...
21st December
Fiji parliament delays sitting to elect prime minister
By Kirsty Needham and Lucy Craymer SYDNEY (Reuters) – Fiji’s parliament has delayed its first sitting, where it had been expected a new prime minister would be sworn in to the Pacific islands nation for the first time in 16 years. People’s Alliance leader Sitiveni Rabuka is expected to become prime minister, after three parties...
Shot at PR in Aust
MIGRANT workers arriving in Australia will have a chance to secure permanent residency in that country, says Australian Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor. He mentioned this possible pathway during an address at the International Labour Organisation’s 17th Asia Pacific Regional Meeting in Singapore recently. This will be of great interest here in Fiji...
Australia seeks to resolve China trade woes as foreign minister heads to Beijing
SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Tuesday she will push China to lift trade sanctions, but tempered expectations of any immediate breakthrough ahead of a meeting with her Chinese counterpart as Canberra looks to mend strained diplomatic ties. Wong is expected to meet Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday, the first visit...
Scientists freeze Great Barrier Reef coral in world-first trial
TOWNSVILLE, Australia (Reuters) – Scientists working on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have successfully trialled a new method for freezing and storing coral larvae they say could eventually help rewild reefs threatened by climate change. Scientists are scrambling to protect coral reefs as rising ocean temperatures destabilise delicate ecosystems. The Great Barrier Reef has suffered four...
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd appointed ambassador to U.S
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been appointed Australia’s next ambassador to the United States at a time when both countries are deepening security cooperation in response to a rising China. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Rudd one of the world’s most sought-after experts on China and said he would bring significant...
Rainforest-rich nations ensure COP15 deal on nature sticks
MONTREAL (Reuters) -A United Nations summit approved on Monday a landmark global deal to protect nature and direct billions of dollars toward conservation but objections from key African nations, home to large tracts of tropical rainforest, held up its final passage. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, reflecting the joint leadership of China and Canada, is...
20th December
Australian stock exchange’s blockchain failure burns market trust
SYDNEY (Reuters) – In a Sydney hotel conference room in May, Tim Hogben, the head of securities and payments for ASX Ltd, which runs the Australian stock exchange, told traders, share registry operators and clearing house representatives what they were hoping to hear. A rebuild of the exchange’s aging software using blockchain-based technology was largely...
