PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from December 2008

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from December 2008

Pacific parliamentarians happy with EU talks.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- Pacific parliamentarians say they have made progress after last week's trade negotiations with the European Union (EU) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), reports Radio Australia. The European Union had...

ACP countries fear Europe may abandon aid pledges in wake of crisis.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- - A meeting of European Union parliamentarians and their counterparts in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries has called on European and other developed countries not to let the global...

We will not curtail media freedom: Fiji interim government.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fiji s interim Government has assured that there are no plans to curtail media freedom in the Pacific nation, reports Fiji Live . At the 10th Attorney Generals Conference in Sigatoka, deputy Information...

Pacific delegation tour Victoria farms ahead of workers Pilot scheme.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 SYDNEY (Pacnews) ----- A delegation of Ministers and senior bureaucrats from four Pacific Island nations are touring the Murray Valley in Victoria, in the lead up to the new Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme, ABC news...

PIAF announces launch of legal & human rights booklet to mark World Aids Day 2008.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ---- 01 December is World AIDS Day To mark this occasion, the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) will simultaneously launch its new booklet HIV & Your Rights in the Pacific Islands in three different...

South Africa hit gold in Dubai.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 DUBAI (Pacnews) ------ South Africa overcame England in a dramatic final to win the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens 19-12 and get their 2008/09 IRB Sevens World Series campaign off to the perfect start. The Boks travel home...

Edgar Davids joins Oceania All Stars for Galaxy match.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) ---- One of the worlds greatest living footballers, Edgar Davids, has been announced to join the Oceania All Stars to play in the exhibition match against the LA Galaxy next Saturday (6 December) at Mt Smart...

ACP countries blast Kaputin.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- African and Caribbean leaders attending the 16th African, Carribean Pacific and European Union (ACP-EU) meeting in Port Moresby have left the shores of Papua New Guinea (PNG) very disappointed. ...

PNGs riches lure international investors.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- International investors are flocking into Sydney to hear the latest about Papua New Guineas (PNG) mining and petroleum rich prospects, reports Post Courier. Major companies from a range of...

Big fraud investigations in Wallis and Futuna.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 MATAUTU (Pacnews) ---- Several business leaders in Wallis and Futuna are being investigated for allegedly defrauding the French government of nearly US$5million, reports Radio New Zealand International. Eight people are at...

Taiwan, Cook Islands cooperating on uncovering illegal fishing activities.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 TAIPEI (Pacnews) ---- Taiwan and the Cook Islands have activated a mechanism to help uncover illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, the Fisheries Agency said, reports Taipei Times. Cook Islands...

WTO negotiating texts prepared.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 GENEVA (Pacnews) ------ The chairmen of two key negotiating groups in the Doha world trade round talks will update their texts this week in anticipation of a ministerial meeting in December, diplomats have said, reports...

Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day Dr Peter Piot Executive Director of UNAIDS.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- This 20th World AIDS Day provides opportunities for both celebration and concern. Celebration because worldwide, fewer people are being infected with HIV and fewer people are dying from AIDS. Finally,...

Fiji poses challenge to region.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 NADI (Pacnews) ---- Australian High Commissioner to Fiji James Batley says one of the main challenges facing the Pacific region is the challenge to its basic values posed by Fijis current circumstances., reports Fiji Live. ...

PNG LNG hopes to ride out credit crisis.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 SYDNEY (Pacnews) ----- Papua New Guineas (PNG) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project remains on track to secure its funding despite the impact of the global financial crisis, the project's main developer says. The ExxonMobil...

Pacific airlines may be some time from passing on drop in fuel costs.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The chief executive of a regional tourism organisation in the Pacific says it will be some time before consumers see the benefits of the drop in fuel prices, reports Radio New Zealand International. ...

New Caledonias FLNKS gears up for 2009 polls.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 NOUMEA (Pacnews) ----- New Caledonias pro-independence FLNKS movement says it wants to speak with one voice as it gears up for next years general election, Radio New Zealand International reports . The movement, which is...

Launch of PIAF publication timely says UNAIDS Pacific.
December 1, 2008... 01 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- UNAIDS Pacific Coordinator, Stuart Watson has welcomed the launch of the HIV &Your Rights in the Pacific Islands publication by the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) throughout the region today- World...

Doubts over EU sugar subsidy for Fiji.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The European Union (EU) says Fij's refusal to hold elections next year means it will miss out on sugar subsidies for another year, reports Radio Australia. Yesterday, four EU parliamentarians completed a...

Remittance fees for Pacific islanders set to be reduced.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) ----- Pacific Islanders living in New Zealand are paying millions of dollars in bank fees when they send money back home, but that could be about to change, thanks to a new system using ATM machines and...

Declining fish numbers worry in Pacific.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ---- Fishing for money is causing a significant decrease in the volume and size of fish and shellfish catches, a University of the South Pacific (USP) expert has warned, reports Samoa Observer. Dr. Joeli...

US authorities reject Samoa Ministers plea to be allowed to return to Samoa while on bail.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 MISSOURI (Pacnews) ---- United States prosecutors have opposed Samoa MP Hans Joachim Keils motion to be allowed to leave the US to reside in Samoa while his court case is pending., reports Radio New Zealand International. ...

UN opens fifth Joint Presence Office in FSM.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 POHNPEI (Pacnews) ----On Monday (01 Dec ) the 5th Joint Presence of three United Nations agencies (UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF) has been launched in the Federated Sates of Micronesia, as part of a long term strategy by the UN to...

More talk of no confidence motions in Vanuatu.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- Vanuatus speaker of parliament, George Wells, has announced that a new motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister made by 11 Opposition MPs is not in order. The Vanuatu Daily Post...

PNG is good choice for investment: Sir Michael.
December 2, 2008... 02 NOVEMBER 2008 SYDNEY (Pacnews) ----- Papua New Guineas (PNG) Prime minister Sir Michael Somare has invited delegates attending the 10th PNG Chamber of Mining and Petroleum Investment conference to come to Papua New Guinea to see first-hand...

Solomons releases 2009 budget.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- A surplus and a reduction in debt are two stand out features of Solomon Islands latest budget handed down yesterday. The 2009 budget tabled by the finance minister, Snyder Rini, is more than $US575...

Fiji court rejects Sinha's bail.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Bail was refused for alleged fraudster Shalendra Sinha after he admitted travelling overseas on a false passport, reports Fiji Times online. In a ruling by the High Court in Suva today, Justice Daniel...

Norfolk Islands chief minister rejects Australian Government claims.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 NORFOLK (Pacnews) ----- Norfolk Islands chief minister has rejected Australian Government claims the self-governing territory is in danger of becoming a failed state, reports Radio New Zealand International. Home Affairs...

Treat HIV pandemic seriously in PNG :Parkop.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Papua New Guineas (PNG) National capital District Governor Powes Parkop said the AIDS pandemic in PNG should be taken seriously with a state of emergency in place to ensure the efforts to reduce the...

Michel Sidib appointed UNAIDS Executive Director.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 GENEVA (Pacnews) ------ On World AIDS Day the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Mr Michel Sidib as the next Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). ...

Australian Government pledges $150,000 towards Pacific HIV/AIDS fight.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ---- The Australian Government has committed $150,000 (US$95,000) to help 10 Asia Pacific countries in the fight against HIV/AIDS, reports ABC News . Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of World Aids Day,...

Tongas PSA wants ministers 125 percent pay hike revisited.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- Tongas Public Servants Association (PSA) has called on the Privy Council to abandon plans to increase cabinet ministers salaries by 125 percent, reports Radio New Zealand International. The Tongan...

Fijis growth sources set for major hit.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Westpac Banks Sydney-based chief economist has warned that Fijis major sources of growth will take a major hit as a result of the global economic crisis, reports Fiji Live. He made the comment while...

Bougainville election outcome too hard to tip, says commentator.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 BUKA (Pacnews) ---- An Australian academic with long links to the autonomous Papua New Guinea (PNG) province of Bougainville says its impossible to say who might win the presidency in the two-week poll starting on Saturday. ...

New Zealand Government to monitor whaling.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- The New Zealand Government is to send a New Zealand Air Force Orion to keep tabs on Japanese whalers this season, reports NZPA. Last Thursday Greenpeace called on the Government to say how it...

Pacific Islands HIV and STI Response Fund First Round of the PRSIP Support Grants Funding Stream.
December 2, 2008... 02 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), on behalf of the Pacific Islands HIV and STI Response Fund Committee, wishes to announce that the first round of the PRSIP Support Grants Funding Stream is now...

Climate change hits Pacific region food security: FAO.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 MILAN (Pacnews)----- Ocean warming, frequent tropical cyclones, floods and droughts are likely to have a devastating impact on food security in Pacific island countries, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation...

Fiji election office to go high-tech.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fijis Elections Office is preparing to look into the possibility of adopting a high-tech method in trying to redraw the electoral boundaries as required by the interim Government's electoral reform policy....

Solomon Islands Police condemn attack on officers.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- Solomon Islands Police chiefs in Solomon Islands said they are angry and disappointed by Monday nights unprovoked attack on police that has left seven officers injured. The Acting Commissioner of the...

FSM bill seeks reservation of four seats for female lawmakers.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 PHONEPEI (Pacnews) --- A bill has been introduced in the Federated States of Micronesia Congress which will reserve four seats for female lawmakers, reports Radio New Zealand International. The bill is sponsored by Speaker...

Former Taiwan Presidents office denies he carried funds to Palau in 2006.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 TAIPEI (Pacnews) ---- Former Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's office denied yesterday he carried funds on Air Force One during an official visit to the Pacific nation of Palau in September 2006, reports Taiwan Times. The...

Papua New Guinea NGOs sceptical on new timber legality scheme.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- A timber legality scheme announced yesterday by Rimbunan Hijau (RH) and the Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Association (PNGFIA) was met with scepticism by Greenpeace and two leading PNG...

Pacific yellowfin haul faces 30 percent cut.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 TOKYO (Pacnews) ----- A regional commission for ocean resources management has proposed to Japan and other members that the catch of yellowfin tuna in the Central and Western Pacific be cut by 30 percent, officials said,...

Global crisis will worsen Fiji situation: RBF.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fijis Central Bank says the countrys current weak economic fundamentals will be exacerbated by the global financial crisis, reports Fiji Live. It has warned that the financial crisis will affect Fiji...

Claims of illegal logging in PNG false, says FIA boss.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Claims by Greenpeace and other NGOs of illegal logging in Papua New Guinea can now be put to rest, the PNG Forest Industries Association (PNGFIA) said, reports The National. PNGFIA executive...

Independent Tonga TV station plans to sue army for damage to studios.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- An independent television station in Tonga is planning to sue the army for compensation for the damage soldiers have caused in their studios, reports Radio New Zealand International. The OBN...

Australia launches report on violence against women in Melanesia.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The Australian Governments Minister Counsellor for Pacific Development Cooperation, Ms Judith Robinson, today launched in Fiji the report of a major study, Violence against Women in Melanesia and East Timor....

Solomon Islands facing shortage of lawyers.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- Solomon Islands has a shortage of lawyers and Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua says this will persist until 2010, reports Solomon Star. Dr Sikua was responding to the Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare...

Fiji military breached human rights: Activist.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fijis military and interim Government has breach human rights for the people of Fiji not once but on numerous occasions, says a human rights defender, reports Fiji Times online. Fiji Womens Crisis Centre...

Niue consumer tax stalled again.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 ALOFI (Pacnews) ---- Niues controversial consumer tax has been stalled for the second time in a year, reports Radio New Zealand International. The Niue Consumption Tax bill, which was introduced in the Assembly by Premier...

New Zealand allows Fiji Under-20 football team to transit through Auckland.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- The New Zealand Immigration has relaxed its rules and allowed the Fiji under-20 Football team to transit through Auckland on its way to Tahiti for the Oceania World Cup Qualifying tournament, reports...

Type 4 dengue fever cases on the rise in New Caledonia.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 NOUMEA (Pacnews) ---- The number of reported cases of serotype 4 dengue fever in New Caledonia continues to rise in the northern part of the main island of the French Pacific territory, Oceania Flash reports. A first type...

Come clean on merger, union tells Qantas.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 SYDNEY (Pacnews) ---- The Australian Transport Workers Union is calling on Qantas management to guarantee the jobs and employment conditions of Qantas workers in the event of a potential merger with British Airways. ABC...

Sustainable land management techniques focus of workshop in Vanuatu.
December 3, 2008... 03 DECEMBER 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- An inception workshop on Capacity Building and Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management (SLM) in Vanuatu is currently underway at the Le Lagon in Port Vila. The purpose of the workshop is to...

PNG gas project bigger and best ever in the region.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 SYDNEY (Pacnews) --- The gas project that could double the wealth of Papua New Guinea is better than any other venture of its type in the region, an investment banker says, reports Post Courier. Ross Kelly, a senior...

Australian PM to release National Security Statement.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ----- Climate change and failed Pacific states are expected to be the focus of a broad National Security Statement likely to be made this week by the Australian government, reports Radio Australia. The...

WHO calls on Fiji to strengthen health system.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) --- The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Fiji's health system needs to improve, for crucial vaccines to be delivered to all parts of the country, Radio Australia reports. Fiji-based paediatrician from...

Solomon Islands Government take measures to ensure sustainability in security.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- Solomon Islands finance minister Snyder Rini has said in Parliament that Solomon Islands cannot indefinitely rely on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI)to ensure security, SIBC...

President elect Obama asked to back small businesses in military contracts in Guam.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 HAGATNA (Pacnews) ---- U.S. lawmakers, including Guam delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo, have asked President-elect Barack Obama to support small businesses that bid for military contracts, reports Saipan Tribune. Ms...

Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future is theme of CHOGM 2009.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 LONDON (Pacnews) --- Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, on 27 November 2008 announced the theme for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting...

U.S to maintain sanctions on Fiji.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 20008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The new United States ambassador to Fiji says his countrys sanctions on the interim regime will not be lifted, reports Radio Australia. Ambassador Steven McGann, who took up the position in October,...

Fiji regime wants jail for newspaper bosses.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fijis interim Government has asked the court to jail the publishers and editors of two of the countrys daily newspapers for six months each and impose a fine of $1 million (US$539,000) over their publication...

New air service between Solomon Islands and Bougainville.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- An Australian-based airline has partnered with a local company to provide a new air service between Solomon Islands and Bougainville, reports Solomon Star. Convair entered the deal with local company...

Palau President-elect says outgoing government needs to pay its bills.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 KOROR (Pacnews) ---- Palau President-elect Johnson Toribiong says the outgoing Remengesau administration should not use a special loan fund to pay off US$2 million in delinquent utility charges. Palaus finance minister...

French Polynesia president accused of nuclear test inaction.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ---- The French Polynesian opposition has accused President Gaston Tong Sang of inaction during a two-week official visit to France. Tahiti Presse reports the opposition, led by Gaston Flosse and Oscar...

Pacific Islands Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group on the Situation in Fiji.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The Pacific Islands Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group held its thirty-fourth meeting at the Forum Secretariat Headquarters in Suva on 4 December 2008, attended by senior officials from Australia, Federated...

NZ ,Pacific sign global treaty banning cluster bombs.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 OSLO (Pacnews) ---- New Zealand and five other Pacific islands countries yesterday in Oslo, Norway. became the latest signatories to the international convention on cluster munitions. Scoop NZ reports a total of 92...

Development concerns remain over EPAs, as Pacific ACP representatives.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- Pacific representatives from the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries have reiterated their concern over the implications for development in signing trade deals with the European Union (EU)....

US, Kiribati landmark maritime security deal to benefit Pacific.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 TARAWA (Pacnews) ------ The United States Government says a maritime surveillance agreement with Kiribati will benefit the US as well as the Pacific island nation, reports Radio Australia. The agreement allows U.S patrol...

Niue monthly shipping service expected to resume.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 ALOFI (Pacnews) ----- The head of Niues Chamber of Commerce says the islands business community is relieved the government has decided to resume a monthly shipping service, reports Radio New Zealand International. Sonya...

Pacific Blue flies to Solomons.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- The airline that joined forces with the Samoan Government to form the hugely successful Polynesian Blue Airline has secured another Pacific destination, reports Samoa Observer. Virgin Blue-owned...

PACREIP provide technical and financial support to Forum Island Countries trade & Private sector development.
December 4, 2008... 04 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- The Pacific Regional Economic Integration Programme (PACREIP) funded by the European Union and coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has provided invaluable technical and financial support to...

Vanuatu Supreme Court orders parliament to sit again to debate motion against PM.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- Vanuatus Supreme Court has ruled that parliament must sit next Tuesday to debate another motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister Edward Natapei, reports Radio New Zealand International. ...

People living with HIV dumped in rural villages.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- Rural areas in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are becoming dumping grounds for people living with HIV/AIDS who were neglected by relatives after contracting the virus in urban centres, Bulolo MP and member...

Samoan lawyer to head Pacific foundation.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) ----- A Samoan lawyer has been named the Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand-based Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF), reports Samoa Observer. Ms Markerita (Meg) Poutasi begins her new job in...

FSM gender development programme hopes bill will trigger discussions.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 PHONEPEI (Pacnewss) ----- The head of Federated States of Micronesias (FSM) gender development programme says a bill designating seats for women will trigger discussion about womens rights at the very least. FSM has no...

PNG nurses threaten strike action.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- The Papua New Guinea Nurses Association (PNGNA) has requested the Industrial Registrars Office to arrange with the PNG Electoral Commission to facilitate a secret ballot by 31 December for a possible...

Annual Pacific Human Rights Awards to honour individuals.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- To mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, four courageous individuals from across the Pacific Island region will tonight be honoured with this years RRRT/ SPC...

Nothing has changed in Fiji since military coup in 2006: Ousted PM.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Two years since the December 5, 2006, military coup, the people of Fiji are still mourning the loss of parliamentary democracy, says ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase, reports The Fiji Times. ...

Pacific making good progress in disaster risk reduction.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER KUALA LUMPUR (Pacnews) ---- --Pacific countries at risk of disasters like cyclones and tsunamis are making good progress in Disaster Risk Reduction, reports Bermada. Samoa, which is extremely vulnerable to tropical cyclones and...

PNG to complete seasonal workers scheme deal with Australia next April.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- All arrangements for the Papua New Guinea (PNG) seasonal workers scheme to Australia have to be completed by April next year before the first lot of fruit pickers are engaged hopefully later in...

Australian PM outlines national security plans.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ---- Australias prime minister, Kevin Rudd, has made a first national security statement to parliament, which he says will shape the government's long-term strategic policy, reports Radio Australia. The...

UN Joint Presence launched in Palau.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 KOROR (Pacnews) ----- In a move to strengthen its operational presence in the North Pacific, the UN has launched a Joint Presence office in Palau. The launch comes as a sign of strengthened partnership and renewed...

PNG Attorney general receive death threat.
December 5, 2008... 05 DECEMBER 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Papua New Guineas ( PNG) Attorney general and justice minister, Dr Allan Marats life has been threatened, reports Post Courier. In a letter addressed to him purportedly by ex-soldiers from Mamose...