Strong earthquake rattles Papua New Guinea, but there is no tsunami alert or reports of damage

MELBOURNE, Australia — A strong magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on Monday, authorities said, but there was no tsunami alert or immediate reports of damage. The quake struck the South Pacific Island nation 110 kilometers (68 miles) southeast of the West New Britain provincial capital Kimbe at a depth of 68 kilometers (42 … Read more

Pope will travel to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore in longest trip of papacy

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis will visit Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Singapore in September, the Vatican announced Friday, confirming the longest trip of Francis’ papacy that is sure to test his health, stamina and mobility. The Vatican confirmed the Sept. 2-13 visit, saying the 87-year-old pope would visit Jakarta, Indonesia; Port Moresby … Read more

Papua New Guinea Massacre: What to Know

At least 49 combatants as well as an unconfirmed number of bystanders died in a tribal dispute in the restive and remote Highlands region of Papua New Guinea, Australian media reported. The latest outbreak of violence happened in Wapenamanda town in Enga Province, some 346 mi. northwest of the seaside capital of Port Moresby in … Read more

At least 53 men massacred in Papua New Guinea tribal violence, police tell Australian media

MELBOURNE, Australia — At least 53 men were massacred in a major escalation of tribal violence in Papua New Guinea, Australian media reported Monday. A tribe, their allies and mercenaries were on their way to attack a neighboring tribe when they were ambushed Sunday in Enga province in the South Pacific nation’s remote highlands, Royal … Read more

Australian girl swings large snake in the air to save her pet guinea pig

An Australian schoolgirl has found fame after CCTV footage in her Queensland home recorded her heroic efforts to save her pet guinea pig, MaxiBon, from the jaws of a wild snake — by grabbing the snake by its tail and swinging it around. Rosie Wightman, 12, is seen in the silent video footage cleaning out … Read more

Papua New Guinea Volcano Spews Smoke and Ash Miles Into Sky

CANBERRA, Australia — The eruption of Papua New Guinea’s tallest volcano subsided Tuesday, but thick ash still billowed into the sky and coated roofs and palm trees nearby. One of the South Pacific nation’s most active volcanoes, Mount Ulawun erupted on Monday afternoon, spewing ash as high as 15 kilometers (50,000 feet). The alert level … Read more

Eruption of Papua New Guinea volcano subsides, though thick ash is billowing 3 miles into the sky

CANBERRA, Australia — The eruption of Papua New Guinea’s tallest volcano subsided Tuesday, but thick ash still billowed into the sky and coated roofs and palm trees nearby. One of the South Pacific nation’s most active volcanoes, Mount Ulawun erupted on Monday afternoon, spewing ash as high as 15 kilometers (50,000 feet). The alert level … Read more

US to signal new safety pact with Papua New Guinea amid competitors with China

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — America is scheduled to signal a brand new safety pact with Papua New Guinea on Monday because it continues to compete with China for affect within the Pacific. Papua New Guinea’s location simply north of Australia makes it strategically important. It was the positioning of fierce battles throughout World … Read more