PC Online Tidbits

Depositors in New England are pushing back against their bank's investments, specifically protesting its support for companies involved in building U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers. This movement began with a significant withdrawal of $1 million in a single day, with further withdrawals planned until the bank alters its investment strategy. The article also touches upon the broader issue of financial institutions' control over depositors' money and the potential for ethical conflicts. Meanwhile, a report from Fiji underscores the serious transnational threat posed by drug trafficking from the Pacific region to Australia and New Zealand. Evidence points to connections with Mexican cartels and Australian criminal networks, with former members of the Fiji Defense Forces implicated and labeled "enemies of the state." Fijian authorities intercepted substantial amounts of methamphetamines and cocaine in 2024, reportedly linked to Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and a known Australian criminal network. The article raises concerns about whether Papua New Guinea (PNG) is already on this criminal radar. Finally, the piece questions PNG's long-term dependence on foreign aid, particularly from Australia, which has historically supported its budget. Despite a negligible reduction in aid share in the recent Australian budget, the article ponders if PNG will ever achieve financial independence after nearly 50 years, suggesting that addressing its own budget deficit is a necessary first step.

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