Papua New Guinea

An estimated 2,000 people remain buried under tonnes of rubble, with continuing instability hampering recovery efforts.

After initial estimates put the toll at 500, the PNG government now says it fears as many as 2,000 people have been buried, and has asked for help.

Six villages have been devastated by a massive slip in a remote area of Papua New Guinea. Aid agencies and first responders are on their way to assist.

There is no tsunami warning at this stage.

The broadband satellite provider still isn’t welcome in some countries, but is slowly gaining widespread acceptance.

The pilot and two Digicel contractors landed at a telecommunications site where they were taken at gunpoint during a scheduled stop near Mt Sisa.

Chinese-born Mei Lin is alleged to be at the center of a transnational crime syndicate.

Mei ‘Gigi’ Lin, 41—whom the AFP alleges went by the name ‘Make it Rain’—has longstanding and complex connections with influential figures in Papua New Guinea.

Stanis Hulahau, former PNG chief migration officer, denies any knowledge of the $10,000 payment, or the visa, but has subsequently resigned.

This year has seen riots, looting and government instability in PNG. Beijing is potentially taking advantage of this climate to increase its influence.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape addressed the Australian federal Parliament on Feb. 8.

As concerns mount about Beijing’s push into the Pacific, the visit of PNG PM James Marape further cements growing security ties between the two countries.

This comes just one month after PNG signed a $200 million ‘historic’ deal with Australia.

“We have seen an unprecedented level of strife in our city, something that has never happened before in the history of our city.”

The deal will allow PNG to recruit Australian police officers to serve in the PNG police force as the Pacific island grapples with domestic security issues.