Kyle Evans

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Kyle Evans

Close to 2000 bombs from World War Two have been cleared from Papua New Guinea following a 10-day operation in East New Britain. A taskforce made up of soldiers from Australia, PNG, Japan, the US, France and Canada spent 11 days in danger zones around Rabaul and Kokopo. It is one of the first international-led clean-up efforts since the end of the conflict. The operation came after a 1000-pound torpedo was found in the province in 2023.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Kyle Evans

Fiji is the Pacific region's biggest tourism destination, but when COVID-19 hit and the world locked down tourists stopped coming. That was Brent Hill's first taste of his new job as Fiji's Tourism chief. However four years on, Fijis tourism industry has bounced back to new heights with more than a million tourists visiting in 2024.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Kyle Evans

In World War 2 depth charges were widely used in the Pacific. They were explosive barrels used to destroy submarines by sinking deep below the surface before detonating. However sometimes the ships carrying them got destroyed first. That was the case with Japnese shipwreck Helmet Wreck in Palau, which sunk with 469 depth charges on board. Now 80 years on they have finally been removed following a massive seven year project carried out by the Japan Mine Action Service.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Kyle Evans

As Australia and Papua New Guinea negotiate a security treaty that could see Papua New Guinea soldiers serving in the Australian Defence Force, one key question is over citizenship. Experts say citizenship would be prevented to avoid brain drain and potential pay gaps between Australian and Pacific recruits.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Adel Fruean |Kyle Evans

One of the Pacific's only female leaders has lost her grip on power, triggering an early election in Samoa, after failing to pass the national budget in the country's parliament. Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa conceded defeat on the floor of parliament on Tuesday morning after her government's budget was voted down 34-16. "The necessary processes have been completed and parliament's decision is clear," she said.