Pacific Islands Forum Education leaders, senior government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, policymakers, students, and educators will meet at the 1st Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) on 20–22 March 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, to discuss key education challenges within the region and how the region is progressing towards the goals of the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) and 2030 Agenda. The Conference, with the theme ‘Empowering Education for Pacific People,” also seeks to mobilize resources to address some of the Pacific’s most pressing education challenges due to the impact of globalization and the Covid-19 pandemic. The discussions…
Author: PNG Haus Bung
Carmel Sepuloni has been named as New Zealand’s deputy prime minister. Sepuloni first entered Parliament after the 2008 general election as a List member, becoming New Zealand’s first MP of Tongan descent. She is the MP for Kelston and has been New Zealand’s Minister for Social Development since 2017. She is also Minister for ACC and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage. She was also previously the Minister for Disability Issues, but last year passed that portfolio to colleague Poto Williams. Born and raised in Waitara, Taranaki, Sepuloni moved to Auckland in 1996. She graduated from the Auckland College of Education…
With Round 1 now only just over a month away, Brisbane Broncos forward Corey Jensen said he was looking forward to the challenge of facing off against defending premiers the Penrith Panthers to launch the club’s 2023 season. “Oh, it’s a great challenge … they are definitely the benchmark side for the last two-three years now; (but) our focus all pre-season has been on getting better at what we need to get better at and that’s defensively, and we’ve worked really hard with that, and come Round 1, we’ll have a good understanding of where we are at as a…
Foreign exchange turnover growth was driven by both increased BPNG interventions and higher receipts from commodity exports. According to the 2022 BSP Quarter 4 Pacific Economic and Market Insights Report, foreign exchange (FX) market turnover for 2022 increased by 17.3% compared to the prior year. BSP Group General Manager for Treasury Mr. Rohan George said, “FX turnover in 2022 was supported by strong commodity prices, in particular Oil, Copper, Palm Oil, and Coffee. These firmer commodity prices assisted to offset the lost FX inflows from the closure of the Porgera gold mine.” “BPNG intervention in the FX market in the…
Peru has closed its famous tourist site Machu Picchu indefinitely over the ongoing protests against the country’s new president. The government said it closed the site, and the Inca trail hike leading up to it, to protect tourists and citizens. Hundreds of people who were stuck for hours at the foot of the 15th Century Inca citadel have now been rescued. The violent protests, which have seen dozens of people killed, began when Peru’s previous leader was ousted. Rail services to Machu Picchu were suspended on Thursday after some train tracks were damaged, allegedly by protesters. It left 418 people…
Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko MP, has tasked the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) responsible for revising Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Policy White Paper, to conduct an independent review of past revision endeavours to establish a modern direction for international diplomacy. “This priority objective for the EPG will become the basis of the Foreign Policy White Paper to clearly reflect the sovereignty of Papua New Guinea and how the Government will coordinate its Regional and International Engagements moving into the future,” said Minister Tkatchenko. In an official press conference today, Minister Tkatchenko introduced the EPG Members that comprises of Sir…
Prime Minister James Marape has presented a total of K28 million in cheques to Enga Province. During his official two-day visit to Enga Province, last Friday (20/01/23), PM Marape made these cheque presentations, to the Wapenamande MP, Hon. Miki Karok and the Enga Governor, Sir Peter Ipatas, in Wapenamanda. The Prime Minister was warmly welcomed and hosted by Wapenamanda Open MP and Vice Minister for Works and Highways Hon.Miki Kaeok, where the PM Marape presented the cheques, totalling up to K28 million. K5 million was presented to start work on the newly proposed Wapenamanda-Lower Lai-Baiyer road while another K5 million…
“Avengers” star Jeremy Renner says he broke more than 30 bones in the New Year’s Day snowplow accident that sent him to the hospital for more than two weeks. Renner, who plays superhero archer Hawkeye in the Marvel movie and TV “Universe,” posted a photo on Instagram with a caption that read: “Morning workouts, resolutions all changed this particular new years …. Spawned from tragedy for my entire family, and quickly focused into uniting actionable love I want to thank EVERYONE for their messages and thoughtfulness for my family and I …. Much love and appreciation to you all. These 30 plus broken…
If you’re finding it hard to see the stars in the sky where you live — you’re not alone. Data collected by citizen scientists around the world over the past 12 years shows that the night sky is disappearing due to rapid increases in light pollution. The data, reported in the journal Science, indicates the change in visibility reported is equivalent to an average increase in sky brightness of 9.6 percent per year. “The rate at which people are reporting that they see fewer stars was shockingly fast,” said Christopher Kyba, who led the study. Connie Walker, an astronomer and founding…
Boroko Police in the nation’s capital Port Moresby have arrested and charged 25 people for illegal street vending in a public place and they are now detained in the cells awaiting their court appearances. According to the Officer in Charge of Boroko Support unit Senior Constable Petrus Mund, the 25 people were street vending around the Stop and Shop area, the Tabari bus stop, and near the banks which are not designated areas for vending. Most of those who were arrested and charged were selling betel nut, while a few were selling other items. NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika, said…