PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from February 2009

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from February 2009

US court dismisses Pacific nuclear test lawsuits.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 MAJURO (Pacnews) A panel of US appeal judges Friday dismissed a claim to enforce a billion-dollar compensation settlement for islanders from two former Pacific nuclear test sites, an attorney for the islanders said, reports...

Pacific Island nations seek more returns from Tuna.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 MAJURO (Pacnews) -----A group of Pacific island nations that control a large portion of the worlds tuna fisheries are set to try to win a bigger share of the US$3 billion regional industry, an official said, reports AFP. ...

PM Rudd soothes strained relations.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ---- - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed more than New Zealand counterpart John Key's cast when he flew to Port Moresby for the Pacific Forum summit, reports NZ Herald . He confirmed his...

Australian fruit growers furious at Pacific seasonal workers delay.
February 2, 2009... 02 JANUARY 2009 SYDNEY (Pacnews) ----- Fruit and vegetable growers are worried that further delays in the Pacific Islands seasonal labour scheme will mean they will not get help in time to pick this season's crop . The scheme originally...

Fiji Taxi flag fall to drop by 50c.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- The Fiji taxi fare flag fall tariff will drop by 50 cents (US27c) from 05 February due to the reduction in the price of imported fuel, reports Fiji Live. As a result, taxi metres will begin at $1(US54c)...

Tuvalu and development partners sign cooperation agreement to improve aid effectiveness.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) -----The Government of Tuvalu and its development partners have signed an agreement to apply the principles of the Paris Declaration for Aid Effectiveness and the Accra Action Agenda to foster more effective...

Nadal beats Federer to win Australian Open.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 MELBOURNE (Pacnews) ----Rafael Nadal held off Roger Federer in another momentum-swinging, five-set final to win the Australian Open on Sunday, keeping the Grand Slam singles record safe for now. After coming through the...

MSG to discuss Fiji political situation.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- Vanuatu Government officials in Port Vila have confirmed that leaders of the five nations of Melanesia will soon arrange a special meeting for their leaders to discuss the current situation of one of...

Solomon Islands hit by floods.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Three Solomon Islands villagers have been reported killed and eight others are missing after heavy rains and flooding hit northwest Guadalcanal and nearby Savo Island. Heavy rains late last week and...

Samoa Police commissioner will not face criminal investigation.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ----- Samoas Police Commissioner, Papalii Lorenese Neru, and the captain of the police boat MV Nafanua, Logoitino Filipo, will not face a criminal investigation over their handling of firearms which arrived in...

USP staff set to lose jobs.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- The University of the South Pacific (USP) is planning to lay off around 30 staff as the regional institution prepares to open for the new academic year later this month, reports Fiji Live. According to...

PNG proposed wage rate doubled.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- The 2008 National Minimum Wages Board (NMWB) has handed down its final determination of the proposed new minimum wage structure for unskilled workers in Papua New Guinea (PNG), reports The National....

Commonwealth meeting explores development dimensions of ACP-EU trade relations.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEB 2009 LONDON (Pacnews) ----- Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma hosted a meeting on Realising the Development Dimensions of the Economic Partnership Agreements, between high level representatives of the European Commission and...

Kiribati receives food aid from Taiwan.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 TARAWA (Pacnews) ----- The Pacific island nation of Kiribati has received a 200-ton donation of rice from Taiwan. According to a report by Television New Zealand, rising world food and petroleum prices have had a dramatic...

MSG Secretariat ready to facilitate further dialogue on Fiji situation.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat says it expects to facilitate further dialogue with Fijis interim government over the countrys return to democracy. The Director General for the MSG...

Former NZ immigration boss remanded.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- Former New Zealand Immigration Service boss Mary Anne Thompson has been remanded for a pre-depositions hearing after appearing before a registrar at Wellington District Court, reports TVNZ. Ms...

Over US$500m needed for PNG airport upgrade.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Papua New Guinea (PNG) needs to spend US$500 million on massive upgrades to airports or the industry will be adversely affected, PNG's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says. CAA boss Joseph Kintau...

Japan to take some tuna fishing boats out of service: government.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 TOKYO (Pacnews) ------ Japan will take out of service up to 20 percent of its tuna fishing boats after tougher catch quotas were imposed on the land of sushi, the government said, reports AFP. Environmentalists have warned...

Fiji sugar industry close to collapse.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ----Fiji's sugarcane farmers union says the country's sugar industry is on the brink of collapse. The Growers Association said the industry lost more than $US5 million in the six month period ending November...

Manihiki in the Cook Islands faces population loss as ecomony wanes.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ---- The global economic crisis is having a huge impact on Manihiki in the northern Cook Islands, with many people choosing to migrate to New Zealand or Australia, reports Radio New Zealand International....

American Samoas Congressman seeks minimum wage hike delay.
February 2, 2009... 02 FEBRUARY 2009 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) ----- American Samoas member of the US Congress, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, has asked for further increases to the territorys minimum wage to be postponed, reports Radio New Zealand International. Chairman...

Fijis rep to PNG repatriated for failing orders.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Fijis high commissioner to Papua New Guinea (PNG) Ratu Isoa Tickoca should be back in Fiji yesterday, interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said, reports Post Courier. It is...

Eight deaths confirmed in Solomon Islands floods.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has confirmed that eight people have died in the floods last week on northwest Guadalcanal. A police assessment team deployed at Takaboru,...

MSG Secretariat keen to discuss Fiji from Melanesian point of view.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- The Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat says the regional grouping wants to see more discussion with Fijis interim regime over the countrys return to democracy. ...

NZ to donate another $3 million for Fiji flood relief.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- New Zealand will donate another $3 million (US$1.5 million) to assist Fiji with its flood relief efforts, Prime Minister John Key said, reports NZPA. Mr Key told journalists the money would be on...

Australia begins preparation for first Pacific guest workers.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ---- The first temporary Pacific island fruit pickers under a new Australian scheme are now due to arrive towards the end of February, almost two months later than scheduled. The Australian Government...

Marshall Islands continue hunt for Taiwanese fishing boat.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 MAJURO (Pacnews) ----- Officials in the Marshall Islands say a Taiwanese vessel accused of fishing illegally in the Pacific state's waters ignored warning shots from a pursuing patrol boat before fleeing to high seas, reports...

Save jobs, Fiji textile industry pleads.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA(Pacnews---- Over 300 jobs have been lost in Fijis textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) industry as a result of the 20 per cent minimum wage rate increase, according to TFF Council of Fiji president Kalpesh Solanki. Mr...

New leader takes over WHO's Western Pacific Region.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 MANILA (Pacnews) ---- Dr Shin Young-soo of the Republic of Korea Monday took over as the new Regional Director of the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Region, based in Manila, the Philippines. Dr Shin, 65, succeeds...

PNG Ombudsman Commission launches AIDS policy.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guineas (PNG) Chief Ombudsman Chronox Manek has launched the countrys workplace policy on HIV/AIDS, reports The National . The commission recognised that although AIDS is not curable, it...

French Polynesias Opposition groups takeover plan stumbles on Temarus Presidential bid.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ---- Moves by French Polynesias two main opposition parties to topple President Gaston Tong Sang encountered setback with one party openly expressing reservations on the others bid to become the French Pacific...

Cook Islands implement Official Information act.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ---- Cook Islands has launched the countrys Official Information Act (OIA) implementation plan, reports Cook Islands News. We are the first Pacific Island jurisdiction to introduce a freedom of...

No redress for radiation victims in Marshall Islands.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Greenpeace has expressed sadness and anger over a judgement by a panel of U.S appeal judges last week which dismissed a claim to enforce a billion-dollar compensation settlement for Marshall Islanders from...

World trade growth slipped to 4.0% in 2008: WTO.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 GENEVA (Pacnews) ----- The financial crisis triggered a fall in world trade growth to 4.0 percent last year, with November posting the most pronounced slowdown, estimates from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) showed. The...

Air Tahiti Nui drops routes to consolidate operation.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ---- French Polynesias international carrier has decided to drop some destinations in the face of the global economic problems, reports Radio New Zealand International. Air Tahiti Nui will stop flying to...

Shell selling Guam, CNMI, Palau assets.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 HAGATNA (Pacnews) The Marianas Business Journal is reporting that Shell is proceeding to sell its assets in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau. Shell is in negotiation with Honolulu-based Aloha Petroleum for the...

330 U.S marines training on Guam.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 HAGATNA (Pacnews) ----- Guam will get a preview this week of what it might be like after the military buildup occurs -- on a smaller scale.. More than 300 Marines, with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp...

USP scraps courses, jobs to go.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- The University of the South Pacific (USP) has scrapped nearly 100 study courses from its programme this year, resulting in some staff losing their jobs, confirms Vice-Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra,...

Closer relations promised between PNG and Bougainville governments.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving lasting peace in the autonomous region of Bougainville.. Radio Australia reports the pledge to maintain peaceful...

Proposal asks Australia, NZ to legalise Japanese whaling.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 TOKYO (Pacnews) ---- Australia and New Zealand are being asked to agree to legalise Japanese whaling by the middle of the year under a plan put forward by the chairman of the International Whaling Commission, reports Radio...

PNG pharmacy to send 700kg of donations to Fiji.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Medical donations from City Pharmacy Limited (CPL) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are expected to be airfreighted to Fiji this week to boost the Fijian flood relief appeal, reports The National. Air...

Australian PM launches $42 billion stimulus package.
February 3, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ---- The Australian Government today unveiled a mini-budget to spend $42 billion (US$26 billion) on nation building and jobs as it revealed there had been an incredible $200 billion turnaround in the budget...

'Confidence lost' in Fiji construction.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Local players in Fiji's once buoyant construction industry say they are nervous about the future of their individual operations. And the body that looks after the interest of these players,...

No further talks, says Forum.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- There will not be any second round of talks by Pacific Leaders on the proposed February 10 meeting in Fiji, it has been confirmed, reports Fiji Sun. Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael...

Vanuatu defends position as LDC.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- Vanuatus finance minister, Sela Molisa says his country is not ready to take up the of graduating to the Developing Country status, reports Radio Vanuatu. Mr Molisa made this statement on his...

Pacific Island nations called on to develop involvement in fishery.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 MAJURO (Pacnews) ----- The Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority Director, Glen Joseph says Pacific Island nations need to develop their involvement in the tuna industry to get greater returns on the regions resource. ...

Solomon Islands to declare areas of Guadalcanal disaster areas.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- Solomon Islands Minister for Home Affairs will today declare the flood-affected areas of Guadalcanal disaster areas, reports Radio New Zealand International. This follows a meeting last night at which...

Japan to reject whaling compromise.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 TOKYO (Pacnews) ----- Japan says it will reject a proposal at the next international whaling talks aimed at ending its hunt in the Antarctic Ocean, reports Radio Australia. Australia and New Zealand are being asked to agree...

Reserve Bank of Vanuatu pumps VT1.2 billion into commercial banks.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- The Reserve Bank of Vanuatu has injected VT1.2 billion (US$1 million) into Vanuatus banking system to help sustain commercial banking services on money lending, reports Radio Vanuatu. Bank...

New regional programme supports adaptation to climate change.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- A new regional project will help three Pacific island countries, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu, cope with the effects of climate change. The Euro 4.2 million project is being funded by GTZ (German Technical...

Pacific tuna to cost fishing nations more.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 MAJURO (Pacnews) ----Eight Pacific nations that control most of the worlds tuna supply are flexing their muscles, letting fishing nations know that the status quo in the $3 billion industry is about to change dramatically,...

Military seeks public input on buildup impact.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 HAGATNA (Pacnews) ---- The U.S. military is asking local residents to contribute their thoughts to a study on the impact of increased military activity in the Marianas, reports Pacific Daily News. The coming buildup will...

Australian scientists discover possible new treatment for malaria.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 MELBOURNE (Pacnews) ---- Australian scientists have found a way to starve the parasite responsible for malaria, raising hopes of a breakthrough treatment for the illness which claims a million lives every year, reports The Age....

Call for gender equality in Autonomous Bougainville Government.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 BUKA (Pacnews) --- A women leader in Bougainville has challenged the autonomous government to ensure gender equality at all levels of government, reports The National. Member for Central Kieta Magdalene Toroansi said...

Fijis TCF Industry gets practical assistance from Australia.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Fijis textile, clothing and footwear industry is being given a boost with a reduction in the local content requirements for all garments (excluding wool and wool-blend fabrics) exported to Australia under...

Tongas electricity tariffs decrease.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) --- Tongas electricity tariffs will decrease by 29.91 seniti per kilowatt hour (29%) to 72.76 seniti per kWh on Tongatapu. The new tariffs will come into effect this month. Tonga Power expects a...

Expand Commonwealth, says Hague.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 LONDON (Pacnews) ---- The Commonwealth should take on more members to increase its influence, United Kingdom shadow foreign secretary William Hague has said in a speech in London, reports BBC. The organisation can act as a...

Fiji youths wait on British Army.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- More than a 100 Fiji youths who are hoping to join more than 2000 compatriots in the British Army early this year are keeping their fingers crossed that the Commonwealth will lift the suspension on...

Sex crimes top court cases in Vanuatu.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- Sex crimes have topped the annual list of criminal cases in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu. The court in the capital Port Vila has reported crimes of a sexual nature accounted for 64% of the 380...

Prosecution wants one-year suspended jail term for French Polynesias Flosse.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ---- The prosecution in French Polynesias criminal court has asked for a suspended one-year jail sentence for veteran politician, Gaston Flosse, for misusing public funds following the 2004 general election...

SPC to open Solomon Islands office.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is to open an office in the Solomon Islands capital, Honiara, reports Radio New Zealand International. The SPCs Director General, Dr Jimmie Rodgers will...

Samoa reviews legislative framework against terrorism and organised transnational crimes.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ---- The Samoan Government is reviewing its legislative framework against terrorism and transnational organised crime,. reports Radio New Zealand International. A two-day joint national workshop this week...

India's HPCL to begin fuel sales in Pacific CEO.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 JAIPUR (Pacnews) ---- India's state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL.BO) aims to begin fuel retailing in Fiji and some other Pacific islands by end-March, marking its entry in the overseas retail business, its chief executive...

ADB bets big on climate change, but critics wary.
February 4, 2009... 04 FEBRUARY 2009 MANILA (Pacnews) --- The intensifying threat of climate change has led the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to decide on increasing investments in clean energies, especially with the collateral threat of a crisis in petroleum-based...

New Zealand PM Key assaulted at Waitangi Day.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has been manhandled by a protester moments as he arrived for Waitangi Day before he was due to be welcomed on to Ti Tii Marae. A lone protester rushed towards...

Too much to lose if Fiji suspended: Vanuatu minister.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- There appears to be a split between Melanesia and Polynesia, on how the Pacific Islands Forum should make its next response to Fiji. Last week Forum leaders delivered an ultimatum to Fiji's...

Fijis interim PM calls for sacrifice as isolation looms.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fijis interim Prime Minister has called on his people to sacrifice for the benefit of future generations as pressure mounts on his administration to return the country to democracy or face isolation. ...

Rock art find highlights ancient east-west Polynesia links.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ---- The discovery of more than 50 ancient rock engravings in Tonga has excited archaeologists, who say they demonstrate the links between the Pacific island and Hawaii before Europeans arrived. The...

Crisis to hit Pacific harder than previously thought.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 SYDNEY (Pacnews) --- The Pacific region will be hurt by the international financial crisis more than originally thought, according to the Sydney-based Lowy Institute for International Policy, reports Radio Australia. The...

Fussell to lead The Fiji Times.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 SYDNEY (Pacnews) ---- Just weeks after the deportation of the managing director of The Fiji Times by the interim government, News Limited has named a new executive to the post, reports The Australian. Anne Fussell, group...

Vanuatu Government obliged to pay debt with World Bank.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- Vanuatu Government is obliged to pay its debt annually to the World Bank of VT1.5 billion (US$12.8 million) including interests, reports Radio Vanuatu. Vanuatus Finance Minister, Sela Molisa...

Worst tourism season on record as Aussies avoid Fiji.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fiji blames torrential rains and the global financial crisis for its quietest tourist season on record. Tourism heads say visitor numbers from its two biggest markets, Australia and New Zealand, are...

Asia-Pacific Statisticians Told to Improve Capacity for Timely Data in Response to Events.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 BANGKOK (Pacnews) ---- Official statistical systems in the Asia-Pacific region need to improve their preparedness to respond more quickly to sudden turns of events, such as in providing timely and accurate data on the current...

CNMI drug problem reaches epidemic proportions.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ----- The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) drug trafficking problem has reached epidemic level and is getting worse, U.S Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Senior Special Agent Daniel Holcomb...

Parts of Solomon Islands declared disaster areas, Australia and France provides assistance.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands Home Affairs minister, James Tora, has declared 12 flood stricken wards on Guadalcanal Province a disaster areas. Mr Tora made the declaration following advice from the National...

Vanuatu womens group appalled at sex crime figures.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- Vanuatu Womens centre says its horrified but not surprised that sex crimes accounted for 64 percent of the 380 cases processed through the Supreme Court in Port Vila last year. The Chief Justice...

Climate Change Office and AusAID discuss ties.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Papua New Guinea (PNG) Office of Climate Change and Carbon Trade (OCCCT) and AusAID have agreed to look at areas of possible cooperation to address issues of climate change impacts in PNG. The...

Local farmers eye supplying Japan, US military in Guam.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ---- Local farmers and ranchers are looking at the possibility of supplying vegetables, fruits and other products to Japan and the U.S. military in Guam to help boost the CNMI economy, reports Saipan Tribune....

CNMI environmental leaders take part in region-wide retreat.
February 5, 2009... Reports from Saipan Tribune. 05 FEBRUARY 2009 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ----- Local conservation strategies and community involvement were in full display last week in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, as environmental leaders from across...

Niue MP to submit vote of no confidence in government.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 ALOFI (Pacnews) ---- A Niue MP is poised to submit a vote of no confidence in the government, reports Radio New Zealand International. Niues assembly is in session today, considering the passage of a bill to introduce a...

PNG to export teachers to Nauru.
February 5, 2009... 03 FEBRUARY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Qualified teachers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) will now be able to take up teaching in Nauru, Education Minister for Nauru Rolan Kun announced in his courtesy call to PNGs Higher Education Minister...

Solomon Islands opposition wants RAMSI framework talks.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare says he believes there should be no specific timetable for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to withdraw from his country. ...

French Prime minister Fillon to visit New Caledonia in March: report.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 NOUMEA (Pacnews) ---- French Prime minister Fillon is scheduled to visit New Caledonia mid-March, the local newspaper Les Nouvelles Caldoniennes reports. The French Prime minister, during his visit to the French Pacific...

Pacific nations celebrate World Wetlands Day.
February 5, 2009... 05 FEBRUARY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ----- Palau, Fiji, Samoa and the Marshall Islands are celebrating World Wetlands Day this week, reports Radio Australia. Five Pacific countries are signatories of the International Convention on Wetlands...