Sue Ahearn

3 weeks ago | benarnews.org | Sue Ahearn |Stefan Armbruster

A landmark court conviction in Papua New Guinea related to the murder of a mother-of-five accused of sorcery is being hailed as a major victory in the fight to stop such attacks and murders. For the first time, a court has found a person guilty of accusing someone of sorcery under legislation, known as the Glasman Act, which was passed by the PNG Parliament in 2022.

Nov 19, 2024 | benarnews.org | Sue Ahearn

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have marched on parliament in the capital Wellington on Tuesday to protest at a proposed law that seeks to alter the country’s constitutional foundations. Opponents of the contentious bill, which has sparked widespread anger, say it would reinterpret New Zealand’s 184-year-old founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, and dilute Indigenous Maori rights.

Oct 9, 2024 | theaustraliatoday.com.au | Stefan Armbruster |Sue Ahearn

By Stefan Armbruster and Sue AhearnContaining any oil spill from a fuel-laden New Zealand navy ship that sank on Sunday just off-shore from Samoa’s most populated island has been declared a priority by both governments. All 75 personnel aboard the HMNZS Manawanui were rescued after it ran aground on Saturday night before it caught fire and sank the next morning. The 20-year-old survey ship lies at an unknown depth off the south-west coast of Upolu, the island where the capital Apia is located.

Oct 7, 2024 | benarnews.org | Stefan Armbruster |Sue Ahearn

Containing any oil spill from a fuel-laden New Zealand navy ship sunk on Sunday just off-shore from Samoa’s most populated island has been declared a priority by both governments. All 75 personnel aboard the HMNZS Manawanui were rescued after it ran aground on Saturday night before it caught fire and sank the next morning. The 20-year-old survey ship lies at an unknown depth off the south-west coast of Upolu, the island where the capital Apia is located.

Sep 26, 2024 | rfa.org | Mar-Vic Cagurangan |Sue Ahearn

Australia and New Zealand are seeking an explanation from China about its test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific. Both countries said they were concerned by any action that was destabilizing and raised the risk of miscalculation in the Pacific. New Zealand said Australia would join it in discussing the launch and sharing views with Pacific Island Forum representatives at the United Nations General Assembly this week.