PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from August 2008

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from August 2008

Top SPC official found dead.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fiji police have confirmed the deputy director general of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Falani Aukuso, committed suicide at his home in Suva yesterday morning. Police spokesman, Atunaisa...

Tonga declared holiday for King Coronation.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 NUKU'ALOFA (Pacnews) ---- Today has been declared a public holiday in Tonga to celebrate the historical coronation of King George V. Thousands of Tongans and invited dignitaries witnessed the solemn hour long ceremony at the...

NZ fellowship marks Coronation.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has announced a fellowship to foster leadership in Tonga. The Prime Ministers Tonga Coronation Fellowship would be awarded annually to a Tongan citizen. ...

Commonwealth chief to tour Asia-Pacific.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 LONDON (Pacnews) --- The secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma, is to make his first official tour of the Asia-Pacific region next month, his office has said. The Indian career diplomat, who took office as...

Rudd to announce guest worker programme.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) --- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to tell a Pacific Leaders Forum next month of a pilot plan to allow guest workers into Australia. . Pacific nations have long called for Australia...

Tuvaluan overstayer to be deported.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) --- A drink-driver who reversed into a policewoman, inflicting serious injuries, is an illegal overstayer whose nephew is a police officer, Dominion Post reports. The woman officer suffered a broken pelvis...

Gold bars bound for Indonesia.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Police in Papua New Guinea have suggested that some of the gold bars stolen from Metals Refining Operations Ltd in Port Moresby had found their way to Vanimo, Sandaun province, en route to Indonesia,...

Tonga crowned new King.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 NUKU ALOFA (Pacnews) ------ Tongas King George Tupou V was today crowned in an elaborate Christian ceremony as the 23rd monarch to rule the island Kingdom. King Georgesat on a large golden throne in front of around 1,000...

FSM mourns thepassing of former Vice President Ismael.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 POHNPEI (Pacnews) ---- The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is mourning the untimely death of its former vice-president, Hiroshi Ismael. Mr Ismael passed awayyesterday morning at his house in Kosrae. ...

Rare Vanuatu art goes on show.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 SYDNEY (Pacnews) --- A rare art collection from a remote island in Vanuatu is creating a buzz in the art world, ABC Online reported. The pieces - including wooden figures, masks and a four-metre wooden drum - have never...

Fiji delegation makes impact in all categories.
August 1, 2008... By Matelita Ragogo. The Fijian delegation stamped its mark in all eight of the 13 categories it participated in, setting the standard for the next big regional arts meeting, the Melanesian Arts Festival. Fiji Arts Council director...

Abal rues protocol blunder.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guineas foreign minister, Sam Abal has publicly apologised to Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane and Lady Matane for the protocol blunder they encountered in New Zealand this week. Mr...

Casino plans stir debate in French Polynesia.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 PAPEETE (Pacnews) --- There is renewed debate in French Polynesia over legalising gambling after a member of the former royal family, Joinville Pomare, proposed setting up a casino run by the indigenous people, Radio New Zealand...

Cruise ship passengers offered discount.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) --- Passengers on a cruise ship hit by severe stormy weather are to be offered reduced tickets for a future trip in the wake of their South Pacific ordeal, Otago Daily Times reports. The Pacific Sun, which...

New Zealand Defence Force personnel to give medical support to Papua New Guinea.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- Eight New Zealand Defence Force personnel are to join the United States Nursing Ship (USNS) MERCY to provide medical support to the people of Papua New Guinea. Over the next three weeks, two Royal New...

Back to show culture in Canada.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUSUT 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Eastern Highlands Governor Malcom Kela-Smith will lead traditional dancers to Canada after they were deported last month, The National reports. They left Goroka yesterday for Vancouver the port of...

Japan Air Lines adds Palau charter flights.
August 1, 2008... 01 AUGUST 2008 KOROR (Pacnews) --- Japan Air Lines will begin charter flights from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Palau in October. The Palau Horizon reports that the new flights will be in addition to a charter service that currently serves...

UK admits servicemen exposed to radiation.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST 2008 LONDON (Pacnews) ----British defence force chiefs have admitted servicemen were exposed to dangerous radiation levels during nuclear tests in Australia and the South Pacific in the 1950s, New Zealand Herald reports. But a...

SPC pays tribute to deputy director general: Dr Rodgers.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST 2008 NUKULOFA (Pacnews) ------ The Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Dr Jimmie Rogers says the sudden demise of deputy director general Falani Aukuso is a great loss for the region. Fiji police...

King Coronation will move Tonga forward.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ------ The head of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Dr Jimmie Rodgers says the crowning of Tongas King George Tupou V marks a new beginning for the island kingdom. The last monarchy in...

Unskilled workers to work in Taiwan.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST HONIARA (Pacnews) -----Unskilled workers from Solomon Islands could soon be working in Taiwan under a new labour scheme between the two countries. Radio Australia reports that the Taiwanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, George...

Fijian bra program sparks charity debate ABC Online.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) -----A charity programme sending bras to women in developing nations has provoked debate about what is appropriate assistance, ABC Online reports. The Uplift Fiji project has sent out more than 40,000...

First Pacific Meeting House at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.
August 4, 2008... Monday 4 August 2008, Mexico City As one of the largest cities in the world prepares to host the XVII International AIDS Conference, a small team from the Pacific is setting up a Pacific Meeting House within the global village of the...

Bougainville mining is years away BCL says.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- The long-awaited return of mining to Bougainville Island in Papua New. Guinea, which once hosted the world's fourth-largest copper mine, could be several years away, says Bougainville Copper (BCL)...

Proposed Peoples Charter up for discussion in Fiji.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- The draft Peoples Charter proposed by Fijis interim regime will be launched in Suva today when the National Council for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) convenes its fifth meeting. A spokesman for the NCBBF...

French Polynesia senate nomination causes dissent within Union For Democracy.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST 2008 PAPEETE (Pacnews) --- There is dissent within French Polynesias opposition Union For Democracy after a 34-year-old lawyer, Richard Tuheiava was chosen as its candidate for the French senate election in September, Radio New...

Kauona denies takeover bid.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) -- Former leader of the so called Bougainville Revolutionary Army, Sam Kauona has denied media reports claiming a possible takeover of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG). Mr Kauona told...

Possible nuclear leak in the Pacific - Greenpeace.
August 4, 2008... 04 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Greenpeace today expressed concern over reports of a nuclear-powered submarine leaking radioactivity in the Pacific Ocean. Media reports suggest the USS Houston, an American Los Angeles class nuclear...

British royal receive Solomon Islands medal.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- The Duke of Gloucester has been awarded the Star of Solomon Islands. The medal is in recognition for distinguished support and recognition of Solomon Islands as an independent country. SIBC News...

Corruption widespread due to weak laws, says Marat.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) Justice Minister Dr Allan Marat has said that the opportunity for corruption in Papua New Guinea has been widespread because of weak laws and regulations, The National reports. Dr Marat expressed this...

Tuvaluans call on western world to engage and grasp impact of climate change on everyone.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- An Australian environmentalist says the people of Tuvalu want Australians and the rest of the western world to engage and understand the nature of climate change and the impact it will have on their nine...

Pacific NGO claims Australian officials are trying to bully island countries into trade deals.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- A Pacific NGO has accused Australia of bullying Island countries as it tries to fast track the revamped Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations or PACER PLUS. The Pacific Network on...

Vanuatu finance body criticises tax probe support.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- Vanuatu's finance industry has again criticised the government's decision to support a major Australian investigation into tax evasion. Our Pacific Correspondent Campbell Cooney reports last week...

Rudd heading across the Tasman.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 AUCKALD (Pacnews) --- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will visit Auckland later this month to take part in a Trans Tasman climate change conference, Television New Zealand reports. The visit on 19 August will be Rudd's...

Vanuatu must hand over evidence to Australia in tax probe.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- An attempt to stop evidence gathered in a tax evasion investigation being sent back to the authorities in Australia has been thwarted by the Court of Appeal in Vanuatu. The evidence was gathered by...

French Polynesia's new armed forces commander takes office.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 PAPE'ETE (Pacnews) --- French Polynesia's new armed forces commander has taken office in the capital Pape'ete, only days after the French government confirmed French Polynesia would be most affected by a planned downsizing of the...

Australian PM impressed with work on the Kokoda.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Australian governor-general Michael Jeffery has thanked Papua New Guinea for ensuring that the integrity of the Kokoda Track remained unimpaired, The National reports. Major-Gen Jeffery, who is...

SPC celebrates the contribution of the late Falani Aukuso.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Hundreds of families and friends of the late Falani Aukuso, the deputy secretary general of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) gathered at the Nabua headquarters of the regional organisation to...

Peoples Charter recommends 12 principles it hopes will end the coup culture in Fiji.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- The draft Peoples Charter for Change has recommended 12 key principles it hopes will end Fijis coup culture. Chief amongst the 12 principles is the removal of political, economic and social conditions for...

Court bars NEC.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guineas National Executive Council (NEC) was yesterday restrained from taking any steps to abolish the position of Chief Secretary to Government, report The National. The new twist comes...

NZ First complaints to be probed.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- New Zealands speaker of parliament, Margaret Wilson has referred complaints about donations to NZ First leader Winston Peters' legal fund from billionaire Owen Glenn to the powerful privileges committee,...

Thursdays Solomons protest march called off.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- A march reported to have been planned for Thursday in Solomon Islands, a day before a planned motion of no-confidence, is unlikely to go ahead. The march, said to have been planned by a group calling...

Effects of climate change in Tuvalu.
August 5, 2008... 05 AUGUST 2008 MELBOURNE (Pacnews) --- Australians are being urged to sit up and take notice of a Pacific nation on its doorstep that is literally sinking. Tiny Tuvalu, made up of nine low-lying reef islands and coral atolls is the nation...

Acting forum secretary general among three applicants for SG post.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- The acting secretary general of the Pacific Island Forum Feleti Teo is among the three candidates that applied for the post of Forum secretary general. Forum Chair and Tongan Prime Minister, Dr...

Businesses brace for more tough times as fuel.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --------- Fijis business community has warned that the effects of today's major fuel price increase, the sixth time this year.will ultimately be felt by customers, reports The Fiji Times. The Prices and Income...

Guam buildup would need 12,000 foreign workers, 5,000 NMI residents.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ------ About 12,000 guest workers and an estimated 5,000 CNMI residents are needed for the upcoming U.S. military buildup in Guam, according to a visiting U.S. military official, reports Saipan Tribune. ...

NZ leads way into doldrums.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- New Zealand appears likely to become the first Western country to slip into recession this year. The New Zealand Treasury yesterday said it believed that the economy had contracted for the second...

UN says HIV spreads by Pacific women selling sex for food.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 MEXICO (Pacnews) ------ United Nations officials say poor women in the Pacific selling sex for food scraps are helping to spread HIV/AIDS, reports Radio New Zealand International. Delegates to a major AIDS conference in...

New Zealand inch closer to top spot.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 DUBLIN (Pacnews) ----- New Zealands return to winning ways with a 39-10 defeat of Australia in their Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup encounter at Eden Park on Saturday sees the All Blacks close once more to within a rating point of...

Child mortality rates a continuing challenge for Pacific states.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ------Child mortality rates are lagging in a number of Pacific Island states according to a just released UNICEF report, reports Scoop NZ. The State of Asia-Pacifics Children 2008 examines the latest...

PNG banks threatened to withdraw.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- Papua New Guineas (PNG) two leading banks have threatened to withdraw their services if the movie-like robberies continue, reports Post Courier. The stance, spearheaded by Bank South Pacific...

China, Philippines top sources of human trafficking victims.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ------ Human trafficking exists in the CNMI, and China and the Philippines are the countries with the highest source of victims, reports Marianas Variety. This was according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric...

Ban lifted on New Zealand tomatoes and capsicum.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ------ Local importers of New Zealand vegetables are breathing sighs of relief at the lifting of a quarantine ban a few days ago, on kiwi tomatoes and capsicums to Samoa, reports Samoalive. The head of the...

Parliament the pulse of democracy: Secretary-General.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 KUALA LUMPUR (Pacnews) ------ Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said parliaments and parliamentarians are at the heart of the democratic process. It is where the heart of democracy beats, nourishing the entire...

Maori disappearing from electoral roll.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- A Maori population on the move is creating headaches for New Zealand authorities as thousands of electoral enrolment forms are returned unopened, decimating numbers on the roll in the lead-up to this...

RAMSI congratulates Cook Islands support.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ The Australian led-Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has congratulated Cook Islands on the occasion of its national day. RAMSI Deputy Special Coordinator, Dr Jonathan Austin...

Experts Gather For Key Fisheries Meet.
August 6, 2008... 06 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------More than 100 participants from the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) are expected to arrive in Papua New Guineas capital, Port Moresby this week for a two-week conference. ...

Interim Government attempt to end coup cycle unreasonable: Ousted Fiji PM.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 (Pacnews) ------- Fijis ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has described as unreasonable the attempt by the interim Government in the draft Peoples Charter to end the coup cycle. The Charter released yesterday by the...

'Ice remains leading drug threat in Micronesia'.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ------- Methamphetamine hydrochloride or ice remains the leading drug threat in Micronesia, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent, reports Saipan Tribune. DEA special agent Dan Holcolm...

Hopes for regional expansion of UN Food and Agriculture programme.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ------ Its hoped a United Nations Food and Agriculture (FAO) project in Vanuatu aimed at drying the root crop cassava to mill it into flour will be extended in the region, reports Radio New Zealand International....

Cook Islands PM says irony in NZ link.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ------ Forty-three years ago, the Cook Islands chose to embark on a voyage of statehood, which had already been shaped by years of deepening ties with New Zealand, said Cook Islands prime minister Jim Marurai...

Australia seeks Pacific support in return for labour scheme.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ----- Australia has indicated it will expect a commitment to its development aims from Pacific nations which want to be part of an unskilled seasonal worker scheme, which is under consideration by Canberra,...

PNG Banks shut down.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- Fears of another bank robbery in Papua New Guinea (PNG) forced major commercial banks Bank South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (PNG) Ltd and Westpac Bank PNG Ltd to shut down...

Solomon Islands favour PNGs integrity law.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) -------- A Solomon Islands Government delegation in Papua New Guinea (PNG) this week has expressed satisfaction over its meetings with PNG authorities on the laws governing political parties and candidates,...

BP South-West Pacific Limited looks for buyers.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ BP South-West Pacific Limited is investigating the possible sale of its assets and operations in the South West Pacific, reports The Fiji Times. Company general manager Matt Elliott said they had not...

UN encourages development of Pacific Cassava crop.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ------ The UNs Food and Agriculture Organisation says growing more cassava could help the food and energy security of developing Pacific countries facing soaring food and fuel prices, reports Radio New Zealand...

ADF praises volunteer soldiers.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ------- The Australian Defence Force says volunteer soldiers are playing a crucial role in overseas peace-keeping missions, reports Radio Australia. A group of 40 Army Reservists will arrive in the northern...

Solomons PM says he can survive no-confidence motion.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------- Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua says he has the numbers to defeat Friday's no-confidence motion. Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare said Dr Sikua's government has not performed since...

Exercise media freedom with care: PM.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------ Media freedom is everyones freedom, but it is a freedom that must be exercised with lots of responsibility, Papua New Guineas (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said, reports Post Courier. ...

Look at solar, wind power, Samoa urged.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ------- The United States of America has urged Samoa to consider alternative ways of producing energy at a time when the cost of fuel and electricity continue to rise, reports Samoa Observer. Outgoing US...

West Papua cholera death toll approaches 150.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 IRIAN JAYA (Pacnews) ------- A Human Rights Organisation says nearly 150 people have died and many more are affected by a cholera outbreak in the Indonesias West Papua region, reports Radio New Zealand International. There...

Dispute erupts over Cook Islands sports complex.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ------ A dispute has broken out over land earmarked in the Cook Islands for a $US4.4 million sports complex, which is being funded by China. Radio Australia reports the sport complex will host next year's...

Pacific NGO leaders in New Zealand for PIANGO council meeting & Civil Society Forum.
August 7, 2008... 07 AUGUST 2008 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) --------The Sixth Triennial Council Meeting of the Pacific Islands Association of Non Government Organisations (PIANGO) is set to kick off in Aoteroa this weekend. The meeting, to run for two days from 10-11...

Australia, NZ to assist guest workers send remittances.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ------ Australia is combining with New Zealand to try and make it easier for guest workers from eight Pacific island nations to get their money back to their island homes while they are working overseas. ...

Australian to push for trade deal at islands summit.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ------- The Australian Government will use a Pacific Islands summit to push for open trade to help promote economic growth in some of the world's smallest countries, foreign minister Stephen Smith has said. ...

Nauru accepts $29m aid package.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ------- Nauru has signed an agreement with Australia to receive $29 million (US$26 million) in development assistance for this financial year, reports ABC online. Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith...

Forum welcomes ongoing engagement with Pacific civil society.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------- The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is committed to continued engagement withcivil society, as mandated by Forum Leaders. This comes as Pacific Islands Association of Non Government Organisations...

Vanuatu diplomatic ties with China strong: President.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 BEIJING (Pacnews) ------ Vanuatus President Kalkot Mataskelekele says diplomatic ties with China remains strong. The relationship between Vanuatu and China is very good, stable and friendly. My view is that this relationship...

Forum leaders expected to seek new approaches to ensuring elections in Fiji.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------- The acting secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Feleti Teo, says when Pacific leaders meet later this month in Niue they will be looking for new ways to ensure Fiji quickly returns to democracy,...

No immunity for Samoan Police officer: Attorney general.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ Solomon Islands attorney general says immunity will not be granted to the Samoan police officer allegedly involved in the death of Hilda Ilabae if police find that the RAMSI officer was off duty, reports...

Charter reforms to be complete in 2020.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) -------Reforms proposed in the draft Peoples Charter will be implemented over the next two to 12 years, according to its co-architect John Samy, the head of the secretariat for the National Council for Building a...

Islands to compete to send guest workers.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 MELBOURNE (Pacnews) ------ Pacific island nations will have to compete to take part in any Australian trial guest worker scheme. And the Australian Government has hinted that any pilot programme may be aborted if the...

Tonga gets heart disease prevention recognition.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ------ A U.S.-based health communication network has named Tonga as the 2008 recipient of a heart disease award after reviewing programs in 14 nations, reports Pacific Magazine. ProCor announced that the...

Nine candidates to compete in congressional poll.
August 8, 2008... 08 AUGUST 2008 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ----- Nine candidates are to compete in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI) first congressional election, reports Radio Australia. The commonwealth is the last American jurisdiction to get a...