PNG's Minister for Forestry, Walter Schnaubelt was the first Papua New Guinea citizen to volunteer to receive the Sinopharm vaccine against Covid-19, after its launch on Tuesday, 13 July, Port Moresby General Hospital. Photo: PNG Health Department
More Covid-19 vaccines approved in PNG
The Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for use against Covid-19 have been given the green light for use in Papua New Guinea.
The nation has been utilising Astra-Zeneca and Sinopharm vaccines already - with many expiring later this month.
The Minister for Health, Jelta Wong told the Post-Courier that people can have confidence - these vaccines have both been approved by the World Health Organisation.
He said vaccines were not new to PNG where most of the people have been vaccinated against childhood diseases.
Push for new president of New Caledonia's congress
New Caledonia's Caledonia Together Party says it would like the party's Annie Qaeze be elected president of the Congress next week.
The bid rivals the one of Virginie Ruffenach who says she has the backing of the main anti-independence party Future With Confidence.
Caledonia Together says however its candidate will have a better chance to build the support needed to reject independence from France in the December referendum.
The Congress presidency is renewed annually and for the past two years, the position has been held by the veteran pro-independence politician Roch Wamytan.
Earlier this month, the presidency of the government went to pro-independence politician Louis Mapou for the first time since the Noumea Accord introduced the collegial government system.
Wallis and Futuna declared Covid-free
The authorities in Wallis and Futuna have declared that the territory is again Covid-free.
The last infection was recorded in late April after a strict lockdown was imposed in early March when a first case in the community began spreading rapidly.
Within weeks more than 400 people caught the virus and seven died.
A rapid vaccination drive inoculated about half the population, but the other half declined the offer.
Primary schools were the last to reopen after being closed for more than three months.
Masks must still be worn in enclosed public spaces which won't allow social distancing, on school buses and at the airport as well as on the quays.
Micronesian president to meet with US officials to talk regional security
The Federated States of Micronesia President David Panuelo is to meet with US officials in Hawaii to discuss regional security.
According to Island Times, the meeting comes as the US administration of Joe Biden ponders defence strategies amid what it sees as growing threats from China.
With a compact in free association with the US, the FSM is considered to be a strategically important part of the U.S. strategy to shut off China's expansion.
The FSM government says the high-level defense talks are crucial for ensuring the nation's security.
The talks are to be held at the Indo-Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii, although details on what date are not publicised.
Meanwhile the FSM government said Panuelo planned to invite President Biden to open the next in-person gathering of the Pacific Island Conference of Leaders
He said it would provide the US leader with an opportunity to engage the region.
Owner of Niue broadband service wants accountability for antenna attack
The owner of the Kaniu broadband service in Niue wants to see the people who wrecked his antenna face consequences for their actions.
Emani Lui said that at Queen's Birthday weekend some people, using an air rifle, shot at the antenna, hitting it four times.
He said the piece of machinery was wrecked and it meant Kaniu was off-line for major part of the island for about 12 hours.
Lui said he had been told by police people at a party had been shooting on their own property, but the antenna was behind their supposed target.
"It's not something that should be taken lightly because this is the type of equipment that has this public interest for the people of Niue.
"We have never had any problems like this ever, since we have been running these operations," he said.
"All of the locals understand that looking after the equipment also serves the our purpose for them."
Koniambo nickel plant in New Caledonia's north plans to resume operations
The Koniambo nickel plant in New Caledonia's north plans to resume operations today after suspending work because of protests.
The site has been blockaded for nearly two weeks by a group claiming to be representing indigenous Kanak chiefs.
The protest action prompted the plant's operators last week to halt production, but it now says it wants to resume work.
Those blocking the site say the company's tendering process aims to sideline local businesses.
The plant, which is a joint venture between the Northern Province's SMSP and multinational Glencore-Xstrata, has suffered a series of technical problems this year.
Glencore is expected to inject another $US250 million into the plant this year.