Jamaica to break links with Queen, says Prime Minister Simpson Miller

Jamaica's new Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has said she intends to make the island a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth as the head of state.

By Patrick Levo

Serious concerns have been expressed about the ‘modus operandi’ of the Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby.

Public anger was raised against the private hospital after yet another avoidable death caused allegedly by the hospital’s uncompromising policy of “cash before treatment”.

By Luana Paniu

A senior Government officer signed SABL approvals without the knowledge of the Minister for Lands and Physical Planning, the Commission of Inquiry in SABLs heard yesterday.

The CoI Commissioners while questioning the officer were frustrated to learn that approvals were granted without due processes being followed.

From LNG Watch Papua New Guinea*

In 2011 Oxfam launched their LNG Impact Listening Project. In the words of Oxfam, the project's aim is to “understand people’s experiences and views of the impacts of the PNG LNG Project, and how they are responding to these impacts” (p.2). The listening project has focused on four villages affected by the LNG operation in Central Province; Lea lea, Papa, Boera and Porebada. A welcomed emphasis is given to the voice of women.

By Luana Paniu

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABL’s) has revealed that there are hundreds more SABL’s beside the 75 cases now currently before them.

According to Chief Commissioner John Numapo about one million hectares of land under the SABL had suddenly ‘popped up’ throughout the five months that the inquiry had been conducting investigations into these matters.

By Luana Paniu

All necessary requirements for the granting of a Special Agriculture and Business Lease (SABL) to the Baina Agro Forestry project may hold political interest, according to the Commission of Inquiry last week.

During questioning of former Central Provincial Lands Manager, Cliff Boutau, the inquiry discovered the discrepancies with this particular SABL proved that plans had already been underway for Oil Palm development under the SABL on portion 29C Milinch Kase and Fourmil Buna for the term of 45 years.

Environmentalists in Papua New Guinea have raised concerns about foreign companies investing in controversial land leases, reports ABC Radio.



In the latest investment, Hong Kong logging firm Pacific Plywood has joined forces with China's largest state owned timber company, Longjiang Forest Industry Group.



The investors plan to develop a 628 square kilometre lease in the East Sepik Province. 

The companies say the region has more than 2.5 million cubic metres of timber. 



No information pertaining to the Inquiry into Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL) in Vanimo have been made available to the media since its proceedings last month, reports the Post Courier

It has been revealed that two boxes, containing the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recordings made during the hearing had in fact been diverted by Air Niugini from Vanimo to Wewak’s Boram Airport where it was off loaded and remained in the Cargo office for two weeks.

IRIN – A Service of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Unchecked population growth is fast proving an additional source of conflict in Papua New Guinea (PNG), a country with a history of clan violence and clashes over land, experts say. 

“Without doubt, rapid population growth is adding to the risk of conflict,” Max Kep, director of the PNG’s national Office of Urbanization, told IRIN, noting that various types of conflict are fuelled by limited resources, including a shortage of land. 

By Doug Hendrie

The violence in PNG this week is the eruption of long simmering tensions, says Martyn Namorong. Doug Hendrie talks to the fearless political blogger who sells betel nut by day and tackles the country's corrupt ruling classes by night.

Martyn Namorong is angry.