Widespread strike possible in New Caledonia
Unions in New Caledonia have threatened to go on strike next week over pay.
All major unions say they want an across-the-board pay increase of six percent in the private sector as of January 1.
They said it is clear that nothing has worked out to limit the impact of inflation.
They said there has been no breakthrough despite their desire for dialogue and the efforts of the working groups initiated by the government.
The strike could start on Monday.
Last week, private medical practices were closed for two days in an action by doctors to express their concern about the future of the healthcare sector.
Fast food restaurant staff hospitalised
Photo: 123RF
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration "is looking into" an incident in American Samoa, where the Carl's Jr restaurant closed after employees were reportedly affected by unidentified fumes.
Local media reported last week eight Carl's Jr employees were possibly affected by unidentified fumes at its restaurant and were taken to hospital, with six later cleared to go home while two remained at the hospital for observation.
Carl's Jr manager Phil Love said there was no evidence of any gas leak that would have caused the incident and no customers were affected.
Ex-Minister says PNG-Australia relationship needs to change
A former Australia cabinet minister says it is time for Papua New Guinea to move away from being an aid recipient to become an equal partner with Australia.
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop was speaking at the PNG Mining and Petroleum Conference in Sydney.
She told delegates that economic independence cannot be achieved it there is a reliance on foreign aid.
The National newspaper reports Bishop saying this could only be achieved through investments and a strong government foundation.
She praised the PNG plan for special economic zones and said she can see Australia partnering with PNG to promote tourism in the country.
Australia/US increasing military cooperation
Australia and the United States have vowed to increase military cooperation amid rising Chinese presence in Pacific, terming it a "force for stability".
The announcement was made after the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles met their US ministerial counterparts.
It is the first Australia/US ministerial consultation meeting since the Labor government took office earlier this year.
The ministers said increased cooperation would result in a rotational presence of US forces in Australia.
Emergency covid restrictions end in American Samoa
American Samoa has ended Covid-19 Emergency Declaration restrictions, but the governor has called on residents and visitors to comply with health
advisories.
The emergency declaration was first made in March 2020 which included restrictions on entry into the territory.
The declarations were continued by the current Lemanu Mauga Administration, and more restrictions were placed on local residents as the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed on February 21 this year.
A Government statement said a total of 8,264 Covid cases have been recorded in the territory, with 8,229 recovered.
Mining company gets lease extension
The Canadian miner and developer for Kainantu gold mine in PNG, K92 Ltd, has been granted an extension on its mining lease for another 10 years.
The Post Courier reports K92 Mining chief executive officer John Lewins saying K92 applied for the extension ahead of schedule in early 2022 because the company is looking at a major expansion.
He said they now have a mining licence up to 2034, and the board has approved a multi-million-US-dollar expansion.
Tongan gains grant for power network upgrade
The Asian Development Bank has given Tonga a grant of $US7.2 million to help fund the Nuku'alofa Network Upgrade Project.
This upgrade is part of the goverment's plan to cut climate vulnerability and technical power losses on the capital's electricity network.
The grants come from the Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility which finances renewable energy projects in 11 small Pacific developing countries.
ADB energy specialist Woo Yul Lee said the project would upgrade the aged and inefficient electricity network in Tonga's capital to overcome the effects of extreme weather and disasters.
ADB loan for PNG state-owned enterprises
The Asian Development Bank is providing a $US250 million dollar loan to help Papua New Guinea's state-owned enterprises improve their service.
The programme, also aided by New Zealand and Australia, supports PNG's efforts to improve the operational performance and financial sustainability of the SOEs and strengthen service delivery.
An ADB financial specialist, Mathew Rees, said the programme had already strengthened the legislative and policy frameworks for SOEs, enhanced governance and transparency, and improved their financial state, in areas such as energy, water supply, and aviation.