Pope Leo makes beloved ‘doctor of the poor’ Venezuela’s first saint

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

The Pukpuk Mutual Defense Agreement: Security or Polarization?

Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) will soon be bound by a mutual defense obligation, requiring each to come to the other’s aid in the event of an attack. The two nations have recently drafted a major security agreement known as the Pukpuk...

Dubizzle Group postpones IPO

Dubizzle Group said on Wednesday it has decided to postpone its plans for an initial public offering (IPO), without giving a reason for the move. The postponement comes barely 10 days after the company announced its intention to float and one day...

Cook Islands PM Brown welcomes United States’ increasing engagements in the Pacific

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has welcomed the United States’ increasing involvement in the Pacific. Brown, who is also the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, made the comments in the U.S-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue in Port...

The bear and the bot farm: Countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa

Summary Russia has made significant inroads in Africa—particularly in Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic and Mali—deploying military operations that, while limited in scope, are often devastating for local civilian populations. At the same...

PNG Lewa's Anthea Murray is building athletes for global competition

As strength and conditioning coach for Papua New Guinea's national women's cricket side, the Lewas, Anthea Murray's swimming background has helped inform much of the training she passes on to athletes. "Swimming taught me discipline, structure and...

Woodford Folk Festival announces huge 2025/26 line-up

Australia’s largest gathering of music, art and ideas, Woodford Folk Festival, has unveiled its 38th edition program and announced tickets are now on sale. Running from 27 December 2025 to 1 January 2026, the six-day festival will transform...

Gitex is the ideal platform for making sense of a rapidly changing world

As the global system continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, artificial intelligence and other technologies have emerged as central forces driving this transformation. This was vividly demonstrated at the annual Gitex Global held in Dubai...

Moses added to PM’s XIII squad after double injury blow

Parramatta Eels and New South Wales Blues star Mitchell Moses will get some much-needed game time after becoming a late addition to the PM's XIII squad to clash with a Papua New Guinea side in Port Moresby on Sunday. Originally, only Keaon...

Urgent Action Needed To Protect Coconuts

Press Release – PGRSC Pacific users will discuss solutions to challenges faced across the region as well as learn new tools and skillsets, with technologies like GIS and Remote Sensing already transforming fields from agriculture to disaster...

Motupore: National treasure in peril

AS Papua New Guinea celebrates its 50th independence anniversary, the nation is reminded of its rich history and cultural heritage. Among the many significant landmarks that dot the country’s landscape, one stands out for its historical and...

Former Satanic Priest Among Seven Elevated to Sainthood by Pope

Pope Leo XIV canonized seven religious figures in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, October 19, with bells ringing out as an estimated 70,000 people witnessed the historic ceremony. The diverse group included martyrs, missionaries, and founders of...

Hot gospel of waves and wood

Tom Wegener There are many things to like about Tom Wegener, but for me, near the top of the list is the contagion of enthusiasm he lets loose on a room when he is truly, deeply, madly excited about an idea. Such was the case when the councillor,...

Australian Defence force to start recruiting PNG citizens

Australian and Papua New Guinea soldiers will start working together on a recruitment pathway to enable Papua New Guineans to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). “Developing a recruitment pathway from Papua New Guinea into the Australian...

AUSTRALIAN-SUPPORTED TRAINING FOR WOMEN RESEARCHERS COMING TO LAE 

A capacity building and networking program for women researchers will be held in Lae in November 2025, supported by the Australian Government. The capacity building program will strengthen the skills of women researchers in Lae, and across Papua...

Cruise ships show South Korea’s struggle to host global leaders at Apec

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping are set to meet in South Korea this month at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, drawing the world’s attention to the small city of Gyeongju, where some delegates are...

The linguist they can’t shut up

Nicholas Evans was wading out to a boat moored in the shallow Gulf of Carpentaria, off the northern coast of Australia, when he felt what he thought was a baby shark nipping at his heels. The “nips” were actually bullets hitting the sea either...

Seabourn Highlights After-Dark Experiences for 2026

Seabourn is shining a spotlight on noctourism—the travel trend of exploring destinations after dark—as the line prepares for its 2026 sailing season. From witnessing the Northern Lights in the Arctic to attending a concert among the ruins of...

Cruise ships show South Korea’s struggle to host global leaders

DONALD Trump and Xi Jinping are set to meet in South Korea this month at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, drawing the world’s attention to the small city of Gyeongju, where some delegates are grappling with how to get there and...

Travel to Chile for the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting

Department of Defence The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, is travelling to Chile for the 2025 South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). SPDMM provides a forum for regional defence ministers to enhance...