PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from February 2008

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from February 2008

Temaru cabinet resigns.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ------ French Polynesian President Oscar Temaru Tahiti is hard pressed to name a new cabinet following the sudden resignation of his cabinet yesterday. Speaking to PACNEWS in the Tahitian capital of...

RAMSI mission bogged for years.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ---- The Australian-led, four-year intervention in the Solomon Islands is in danger of becoming mired for years by a failure to tackle widespread economic problems, according to an independent review, reports...

NZ, Samoa conclude bilateral talks for Samoa WTO accession.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- New Zealand and Samoa have concluded talks on major outstanding issues in Samoa's World Trade Organization (WTO) bilateral accession negotiation, New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff announced on...

Legal team not welcome: Regime.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fijis Interim Government has told the world legal fraternity that it is not welcome to visit Fiji now because their presence will undermine the independence of judges hearing high-profile cases in the...

NZ PM won't sign condolence book.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said that former Indonesian president Suharto's human rights record was appalling and she would not sign a condolence book for him, . I haven't signed a...

Call for change of Naurus status.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ------ An Australian academic has called for a change to Naurus status. A senior fellow at Australias Center for Independent Studies, Helen Hughes said Nauru cannot stand on its own feet and that it could...

PNG soldiers protest.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------ Papua New Guinea (PNG) Defence Force soldiers yesterday marched to the Defence headquarters in Murray Barracks, protesting over promised pay adjustment and leave travel arrangements. The...

Taiwan shoring up Pacific allies.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Taiwan has made a gift to the Solomon Islands of $A155,000 to coincide with Vice-President Annette Lu's visit on her Pacific allies tour, Sydney Morning Herald reports. Ms Lu and 49 senior...

Governor Fitial disappointed with US Senate panels action.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ----- Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Governor Benigno R. Fitial is disappointed to hear that the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has endorsed the passage of the CNMI...

New CEO for Air Vanuatu.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- Vanuatus national carrier has appointed a new chief executive officer following the departure of Terry Kerr from the role. The Daily Post newspaper reports that Air Vanuatus current Strategic and...

Bainimarama unsure of election date.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Fijis military chief and interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama says only God will decide when the elections will be held in the Pacific nation, Radio Fiji News reports. Responding to...

Australian questioned in Vanuatu over fraud allegations.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ------ An Australian man has been questioned on the Pacific nation of Vanuatu over his alleged involvement in a US$10 billion investment scam, ABC Radio reports. Trevor Frank Bettet is among three...

Air Niugini planes to avoid volcano-hit airspace.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------ Papua New Guineas (PNG) national carrier Air Niugini are prohibited from flying in known volcanic ash-contaminated airspace, says the airline. Responding to concerns by the International...

Maori and Pacific women still slow to join cancer screening.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) ------ More women in New Zealand are getting screened for cervical cancer following a public push for new enrolments, reports NZ Herald . But despite a 4 per cent gain in registrations to the National...

Samoa confident about seasonal scheme.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ------ Samoan Government is confident the three Samoan seasonal workers sent home a few weeks ago for misbehaving wont reflect on others in New Zealand, reports Radio New Zealand International. Hundreds of...

Whalers move in for the kill.
February 1, 2008... 01 FEBRUARY 2008 TOKYO (Pacnews) ------ Japanese vessels killed a group of whales yesterday as the Australian foreign minister, Stephen Smith, held talks on the issue with his Japanese counterpart, Masahiko Komura, in Tokyo. A...

McMullan hints at closer Pacific ties.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- Pacific islanders are keen to engage with a new federal government which is not "just sitting in Australia and sending cheques, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Bob McMullan says. ...

French Polynesias ministers return a day after resigning.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ------ All but one of French Polynesias Government ministers who resigned have a day later been reappointed to the same portfolios, Radio New Zealand International reports. The ministers had quit in...

Aid money buys new Samoan police station.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ------ Two federal government MPs have opened a new Australian-funded police station in Samoa during a goodwill tour of the Pacific designed to repair damaged relations in the region, Sydney Morning Herald...

Claims RAMSI too narrowly focused in its development mission in the Solomons.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ------ An Australian academic says the Regional Assistance Mission To Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has failed in Solomon islands, because it is too narrowly focused in its development mission, Radio New Zealand...

Australia should pay more to aid climate change victims, say aid group.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 SYDNEY (Pacnews) ------ Aids groups have criticised the level of Australia's commitment to help Pacific island nations fight the impact of climate change, Radio Australia reports. The Australian Government has agreed to...

New Australian-funded tech college opens in Apia.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ----- More than 50 students have begun classes at the new Australia-Pacific Technical College in Samoa, Radio Australia reports. Students from Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Kiribati and Papua New...

PM Sikua reaffirms ties with Taiwan.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ Solomon Islands Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua vows to keep fighting for Taiwan's re-entry into the United Nations ( UN) despite mounting opposition from China, reports Solomon Star. Dr Sikua last...

Fiji poll chief appointment delayed.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ The planned appointment of Fijis new Supervisor of Elections later this month is most unlikely to occur. This was due to the delay in the appointment of the members of the Constitutional Offices...

Vice president wraps up tour in the Pacific.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 TAIPEI (Pacnews) ------- Taiwans Vice President Annette Lu returned to Taiwan from a tour of three of Taiwan's six diplomatic allies in the South Pacific -- the Marshall Islands, Nauru and the Solomon Islands, reports China...

Winners announced in French Polynesia of Fifth International Pacific Documentary Film Festival.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 PAPEETE (Pacnews) -------- The winners of the Fifth International Pacific Documentary Film Festival have been announced in French Polynesia, reports Radio New Zealand International . The Grand Prize went to The Gift...

Faleomavaega in New Zealand for visa programme review.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 AUKLAND (Pacnews) ------ American Samoa Congressman Faleomavaega Eni is in New Zealand for several meetings, including a visit to the U.S. Consulate in Auckland for an update on the pilot visa programme for Samoa. Speaking...

CNMI fails to tap US$54.7M in CIP funds.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ------- The cash-strapped Commonwealth Government has over US$50 million in grant funds that it has left sitting with the U.S. Government, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Saipan Tribune...

Australia considers Nauru aid following asylum-seeker centre closure.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 YAREN (Pacnews) ------ Australia's parliamentary secretary for Pacific Affairs says his government will consider Nauru's request for a new aid deal following the closure of the asylum seeker processing centre. The Nauruan...

Five dead in PNG tribal clash.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------- A tribal clash in Papua New Guinea ( PNG) has left five people dead and several more seriously injured, ABC online reports. Tribal fights are common practice in the PNG Highlands, but this...

Niue delays GST introduction.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 ALOFI (Pacnews) ------ Niue has delayed introducing a controversial goods and services tax until after elections due in April, reports Radio New Zealand International. The bill, introducing the tax and cuts to income tax,...

Vanuatu PMs staffer sacked over meeting with foreigners linked to alleged scam.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ------ Vanuatus Government remains tightlipped on how it became involved with three foreigners questioned by police over their alleged involvement in a US$10 billion investment scam, Radio New Zealand...

NZ Government under fire for supporting military regime.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ------- The New Zealand Government has been criticised for doing business in military-ruled Myanmar, although it opposes Fijis military-led regime. New Zealands National Foreign Affairs spokesman Murray...

RAMSI hit out at independent review report.
February 4, 2008... 04 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- RAMSIs acting special coordinator Dr Jonathan Austin says a report on the economic development of Solomon Islands fails to understand RAMSIs role, SIBC reports. He said the Australian lead Regional...

Australian cleared over alleged Vanuatu scam.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ------- An Australian man has been cleared of involvement in an alleged investment scam authorities believe was aimed at Vanuatu's government. Australian man Trevor Frank Bettet was questioned over the...

Economy to grow 7% this year : BPNG.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------- The Central Bank is predicting that the Papua New Guinea (PNG) economy will grow by about 7 percent this year following 6.2 percent growth in 2007 and 2.6 percent in 2006. In its monetary...

Australian Government delegation off to Kiribati.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 TARAWA (Pacnews) ------- Kiribati is the next step in an Australian Government visit to the Pacific. Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan and Parliamentary secretary for Pacific...

Fiji police chief denies coup plot letter.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ Fiji Police Commissioner Commodore Esala Teleni has denied any knowledge of a letter from an officer claiming he and his deputy were planning a coup against the military Commander and interim Prime...

Palau should eye fish farming.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 KOROR (Pacnews) ----- Palau should consider fish farming as a thriving business venture; this is according Dr. Ming-Je Tang, Vice President of the National Taiwan University, Marianas Variety reports. Dr Tang in an...

American Samoa told more increases in minimum wage would be disastrous.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) ------ The American Samoa Government and business officials have told a legislative hearing that a second 50 cent increase in the minimum wage would be disastrous for the territorys economy. Radio New...

New Caledonia nickel mine to start production.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 NOUMEA (Pacnews) ------ Management at New Caledonia's Southern Goro Nickel project says the mine is nearly ready to start production. The mine has been five years in the making and was one of the largest of its kind in the...

Australian Government to decide labour mobility scheme this year.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ------ The Australian Government will make a decision this year on whether they can move toward introducing a new labour mobility scheme to the Pacific, reports Matangi Tonga. This was revealed by...

Sogavare says report on RAMSI is genuine.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare says the independent report into RAMSI is a genuine analysis on the operation of the Australian-led mission, reports Solomon Star. The report by...

Ousted PM doubt regime wants elections.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ Ousted Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase today told a public forum he doubts the interim Government has the political will and commitment to hold elections next year, reports Fiji Live. With only...

PNG Minister speaks against bribery.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------ A Papua New Guinea ( PNG) Government minister has revealed that he had been offered three bribes in his first five months in office by three different foreign companies of which he refused. If...

Tsunami help will cost $45 million, says PM.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ The Tsunami/earthquake rehabilitation programmes in the Western and Choiseul Provinces in Solomon Islands will cost $45 million (US$6 million), reports Solomon Star. Solomon Islands Prime Minister...

Australian ships training in Pacific.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ------ More than 20 Australian Navy ships have begun a six week training programme off Australia's east coast., reports Radio Australia. The annual fleet concentration period exercise will also involve...

ANZ mulls super regional bank.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------ ANZ Banking Group plans to create a super regional bank within the next five years that will require significant investment in countries throughout the Pacific region, reports The National. It...

Niue hotel project labelled pre-Forum rush job.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 ALOFI (Pacnews) ----- A US$10 million hotel and golf project in Niue is being criticised as a rush job as the government is to host the Pacific Islands Forum this year, reports Radio New Zealand International . The hotel...

Samoa tourist numbers continue rise.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ------ Samoas Hotel Association says more tourists visited the country last year compared with the year before, Radio New Zealand International reports. New Zealand continues to be Samoas top market with more...

Senior PNG policeman led violent raid.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------- A senior Papua New Guinea (PNG) police officer has been stood down for allegedly leading a gang attack on a female first cousin he alleges used sorcery to try to kill him. Investigations have...

Samoa drive switch opposition seeks outside support.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ----- A group against switching the side of the road people drive on in Samoa is appealing to Samoans in New Zealand to support its cause, Radio New Zealand International reports. Samoas controversial switch...

American Samoa Democrats have Super Tuesday role.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) ------ They can't vote for United States (U.S ) president in the general election, but American Samoa Democrats have a modest role on Super Tuesday in choosing their party's nominee, Associated Press...

Experts Assist in National Capacity Assessment of the Solomon Islands Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System.
February 5, 2008... 05 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA ( Pacnews) ------ In conjunction with key Solomon Islands personnel, a team of experts from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau), the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and Emergency...

Last refugees bid farewell to Nauru.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 YAREN (Pacnews) ------- Twenty one Sri Lankan refugees will be on their way to Australia today, leaving the controversial Nauru detention camps finally empty, reports The Age. The group, who are the last of 82 Sri Lankan...

March election unlikely: Ex-Fiji poll chief.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Fijis former Supervisor of Elections Semesa Karavaki believes that the interim Government may not be able to hold elections by March next year as planned, reports Fiji Live. We are currently in an...

Mining survey to begin off Tonga in May.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ------ A Canadian firm has won approval to begin exploring the deep sea-bed off Tonga for high grade copper, gold, zinc and silver deposits, in what could become one of Tonga's biggest mining operations. ...

NZ travellers return to Fiji.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ------ A New Zealand Government survey says an 11-month long snub of Fiji by New Zealand travellers was made up for in the final month of last year, Radio Australia reports. Statistics New Zealand said...

Nauru Government says beggar state tag is wrong.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 YAREN (Pacnews) ------ The Nauru Government has strongly rejected claims by a veteran academic that the small island nation has become a beggar state and needs to negotiate closer links with Australia, reports Radio New Zealand...

Obama understands needs of small island nations, says Senators sister.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 HONOLULU (Pacnews) -------The sister of US democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barrack Obama, believes hes the only candidate who understands the needs of small island nations, like American Samoa, reports Radio New...

Australian Government to look to the Pacific to meet labour demands.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ------ An Australian National University demographer has suggested the Federal Government look to the Pacific Islands to help meet future demand for low skilled workers, reports ABC News . Professor...

Fiji Police probe 3 over 50 million bank draft.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ Fijis Police Anti-Money Laundering Unit is investigating three people alleged to have deposited a counterfeit draft of 50 million (US$73 million) at a Suva bank on January 23, this year, reports Fiji Live....

World Bank calls for Agriculture focus inn PNG.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------ The World Bank has urged Papua New Guineas (PNG) development partners to ask themselves whether the Somare governments National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) and available resources is...

2009 election is on, says Bainimarama.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------- Fijis interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama says the March, 2009 General Election will go ahead despite critics doubting his Governments commitment. His comments came after ousted...

Vanuatu records 19 percent increase in tourist arrivals.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---------Vanuatu has recorded a 19 percent increase in tourist arrivals last year compared to the year before, reports Radio New Zealand International. The country has become more accessible as there are...

Operation set to quell the increased use of ice in PNG.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------- A dangerous and illegal drug known only to be used in overseas countries was increasingly used in Papua New Guinea last year, reports Post Courier . The drug, which is nicknamed Ice for...

NZ proud to help a neighbour: Dr Austin.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) -----RAMSI Acting Special Coordinator, Dr Jonathan Austin, said New Zealand is privileged to play its part in working together with the region to help a neighbour, Solomon Star reports. On the occasion...

Drive policy changes worry Samoa car rental companies.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 APIA (Pacnews) ------ Members of Samoas Car Rental Association say they are still trying to figure out what to do with hundreds of unwanted left hand drive cars if they became obsolete, reports Radio New Zealand International....

PMs not guilty stand.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua will maintain his not guilty plea to drink driving charges, his lawyer says, Solomon Star reports. Earlier a magistrate suggested Dr Sikua reconsiders...

Call for more transparency in planned Cooks ship purchase.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ---- The Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce has called for more transparency in a government plan to send a team to Norway to buy an interisland cargo ship, reports Radio New Zealand International. The...

Clinton Wins American Samoa Caucus.
February 6, 2008... 06 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) ----- -- Hillary Clinton has won the smallest contest of Super Tuesday in American Samoa, reports ABC. A record 285 caucus-goers voted in a hotel in Pago Pago, American Samoa. They gave Clinton 163 votes...

Guam braces for peaceful invasion of U.S. troops.
February 6, 2008... Reports from Washington Post. Pentagon picks remote island as the platform for rapid responses. 06 FEBRUARY 2008 HAGATNA (Pacnews) ------People on this faraway island a U.S. territory 7,824 miles west of Los Angeles delight in...

Pacific Solution' to end on Friday.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 CANBERRA (Pacnews) -----Australia's controversial Pacific Solution will effectively end on Friday when the last asylum seeker leaves the offshore processing centre on Nauru, operators say. The detention camp on the tiny...

Solomon Islands Police Commissioner told to resign by prime minister.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Jahir Khan has reportedly been told to resign by the countrys Prime Minister, reports Radio New Zealand International. In a letter to the Commissioner of...

Business tycoon appears in court.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ Businessman and former chairman of the Post Fiji Limited board of directors, Mahendra Motibhai Patel appeared in court yesterday facing two counts of abuse of office, reports The Fiji Times. He was...

Solomon Islands opposes Forum Fisheries Agency amalgamation.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ Solomon Islands Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua says the Pacific nation remains opposed to the idea of amalgamating the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) with other regional institutions. Dr Sikua made...

Tonga civil society group plan to educate prospective MPs on political reform ideas.
February 7, 2008... 07 JANUARY 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ------- The Tonga Civil Society Forum is planning a series of meetings for prospective MPs to raise their understanding about the political reforms due to be debated by the next government, reports Radio New...

Let ex-coup convicts contest poll: ousted PM.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ Fijis ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase says the supporters of the 2000 coup who have served their time should be forgiven and allowed to contest the upcoming general elections, reports Fiji Live. ...

Congress to revisit minimum wage hike.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) ------- The U.S. Congress will hold hearings on the minimum wage later this month. The House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs is conducting a hearing in American Samoa on 22 Friday, Feb. 2008. The field...

Canadian mining company says its operations will benefit Tonga.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ------- The Canadian mining company, Nautilus Minerals, says its new mining operation in Tonga will bring many benefits to the Kingdom. Nautilus Minerals has won the right to search the deep sea off...

Damage reports from cyclone Gene in Vanuatu received.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2007 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ------- The Disaster Management Office in Vanuatu says cyclone Gene caused damage to Futuna island in the countrys south but spared other nearby islands. The cyclone hit Fiji first and seven people were...

WTO chooses Australian as chairman.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 BRUSSELS (Pacnews) ------- Australia's ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Bruce Gosper, will take over as chairman of its policy-making general council for the coming year, Sydney Morning Herald reports. ...

Solomons Police Commissioner Khan resigns.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Jahir Khan has resigned amid mounting pressure from the government to remove him, reports Radio New Zealand International. Earlier this week Prime Minister Derek...

1,000 people in Vanuatu affected by Gene devastation.
February 7, 2008... 07 FEBRUARY 2008 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- About a thousand people on Vanuatus Futuna island are believed to be affected after cyclone Gene damaged crops and food gardens, Radio New Zealand International.reports. The Vanuatu Disaster...