The Latest Breaking News from PNG

Man 'drove to Qld to pick up drugs that never arrived'

Osman El-Houli has been accused of driving from Melbourne to Queensland to pick up drugs that never arrived after a plane loaded with cocaine crashed in PNG.

AAP · May 22, 2023

Papua New Guinea, US sign defence and maritime pact

Blinken says defence and maritime surveillance pact was signed by both countries ‘as equals and sovereign partners’.

Al Jazeera · May 22, 2023

U.S., Papua New Guinea sign defence pact at Pacific summit

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a defence cooperation pact signed with Papua New Guinea on Monday would expand the Pacific island nation's capabilities and make it easier for the U.S. military to train with its forces.

Reuters · May 21, 2023

Biden calls Papua leader Marape after cancelling meeting

U.S. President Joe Biden telephoned his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape on Thursday after cancelling a historic meeting in the Pacific islands nation to tell him Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in his place, the two leaders said.

Reuters · May 18, 2023

Former A-League club owner Don Matheson becomes centre of international police investigation

The former owner of the Northern Queensland Fury football club, Don Matheson, is now at the centre of a joint investigation between Papua New Guinea police, Interpol, and Australian authorities.

ABC News · May 17, 2023

With China looming, Biden plans new Pacific islands summit after PNG no-show

U.S. President Joe Biden will arrange another summit of Pacific island leaders this year after the disappointment caused by his cancellation of a visit to Papua New Guinea due to the domestic debt ceiling crisis, his national security adviser said on Wednesday.

Reuters · May 17, 2023

The cancelled Quad summit is a win for China and a self-inflicted blow to the US’s Pacific standing

Joe Biden’s decision to pull out of visits to Australia and PNG will reflect poorly on the US amid growing competition for influence in the region

The Guardian - AU · May 17, 2023

Disappointment in Papua New Guinea after Biden cancels first visit by a US leader

After six months of preparation in Port Moresby, the President cut short his trip in order to focus on debt limit talks in Washington

The Guardian - AU · May 17, 2023

ABC presenter Hilda Wayne on the heartbreak of covering tribal violence in her homeland of PNG

Tribal fighting has long been a persistent and devastating part of life in the PNG highlands – but the introduction of high-powered weapons, money and politics has taken things to a destructive new level. ABC presenter Hilda Wayne visited the highlands to speak to those affected.

ABC News · May 16, 2023

US defence pact to strengthen military, police -PNG leader

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said that the United States had been a "silent" security partner to his nation but that a defence cooperation pact to be signed when Joe Biden arrives Monday will see Washington "stepping out".

Reuters · May 16, 2023