"State of Emergency Declared in Papua New Guinea Capital After Deadly Riots"

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape declared a two-week state of emergency in the capital, Port Moresby, following widespread looting that left at least 15 dead. The violence erupted after hundreds of police officers, soldiers, and public servants protested over a pay dispute, leading to shops being looted and warehouses set alight. Marape stated that the city was "under stress and duress," and more than 1,000 security personnel were on standby to intervene. The unrest has also been reported in the country's second-biggest city of Lae, with tensions rising amid high unemployment and increased living costs.