PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from July 2009

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from July 2009

France to pay nuclear test compensation.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 PARIS (Pacnews) ----- The French National Assembly on Thursday approved a landmark bill on compensating the victims of nuclear tests carried out in French Polynesia and Algeria over more than three decades, reports AFP. Some...

Vanuatu National United Party looses support on Pentecost.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ----- Vanuatus National United Party (NUP) has reportedly lost support in its stronghold of East, South and West Pentecost. Member of Parliament for South Pentecost, David Tosul told Radio Vanuatu this was...

Outgoing Governor General supports creation of women seats in parliament.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- Outgoing Solomon Islands Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena says he strongly feels that the idea of creating 10 special parliamentary seats for women only is undemocratic., national broadcaster, SIBC...

More communities, less companies urged for Australian Pacific Workers scheme.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 SYDNEY (Pacnews) ----- The Australian Horticultural Industry says the Pacific Seasonal Workers pilot project needs to operate in more Australian communities and place less reliance on labour hire companies, reports Radio Australia....

JICA agent seeks to save Tuvalu.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 FUNAFUTI (Pacnews) ----- Touring Pacific islands for three years proved a turning point in the life of Kazuyoshi Ogawa, a former radio programme director who used to work many hours of overtime, reports Japan Times. He now...

United States implements WCPFC tuna conservation commitments.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- The United States Government has published in The Federal Register Proposed Rules with respect to its fishing fleet that implement recent decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission...

Fiji constitution to be ready by 2013: Bainimarama.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ----- Fijis leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama has issued another invitation to its people and the international community to seize the moment and help build a better island nation. In an address that was...

PNGs head of climate change Yasause suspended: Report.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- The head of Papua New Guineas (PNG) Office of Climate Change and Environment Sustainability (OCCES), Dr Theo Yasause, has been suspended, reports The National. Government sources said Cabinet made...

Delay for Tokelau travellers over swine flu control is understood and accepted.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 TOKELAU (Pacnews) ---- Passengers wanting to travel to Tokelau are said to be showing understanding of the stand down period being imposed because of swine flu, reports Radio New Zealand International. Tokelaus Director of...

Samoa confirmed two cases of swine flu.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ----- Samoas Health Ministry chief Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe has confirmed that there are now two confirmed cases of swine Flu in the country, and these H1N1 positives cases are those who travelled into the...

Airlines lose over $US3 billion: IATA.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 MONTREAL (Pacnews) ----- More than 60 airlines lost more than $US3.0 billion during the first three months of this year in the face of a steep fall in demand, the top industry body the International Air Transport Association (IATA)...

Concerns over US defence bill on Guam business.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 HAGATNA (Pacnews) ---- There are concerns about the impact a proposed amendment to a US defence authorisation bill could have on Guam's business community. The amendment is sponsored by Guam Congresswoman, Madeleine Bordallo,...

US scam hits South Asian, Romanian, Fijian asylum seekers.
July 1, 2009... A major case of immigration fraud involving Asian, Pacific and European asylum seekers has been uncovered in the United States. A federal court has convicted five people for their part in the long-running scheme... to defraud the US immigration...

US Supreme Court delays decision on Uighur case.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 WASHINGTON (Pacnews) ----- The US Supreme Court has discreetly delayed until October a decision on whether Chinese Uighurs who are being held at Guantanamo Bay prison can be released in the United States, reports AFP. Court...

Partnership vital for Pacific conservation: Lilo.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Partnership between governments and non-governmental organisations is crucial in addressing critical environment and development needs, reports Solomon Star. Solomon Islands Minister of Environment...

Samoan MPs awaits courts decision.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ---- Nine politicians in Samoa will have to wait until tomorrow to find out if they are to fight by-elections, reports Samoa Observer. That is when the Supreme Court is to deliver a ruling on a legal challenge...

Course to improve Bougainville womens roles.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 BUKA (Pacnews) ---- A non government organisation has come into the No Go Zone area of Bougainville to conduct a womens course to build their capacity, reports Post Courier. Local NGO Osi Tanata Incorporated conducted two...

Interim EPAs mere stepping stone - EU official.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 BRUSSELS (Pacnews) ----- Negotiations on ACP-EU interim Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) have not supported the existing regional integration initiatives, a top European Union (EU) official has admitted, reports Mmegi online....

Director General AusAID term ends.
July 1, 2009... 01 JULY 2009 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ---- After ten years of distinguished service as the Director-General of AusAID, Bruce Davis AM will leave the position on Friday, 03 July 2009. Mr Davis will take up a diplomatic assignment later this year,...

Samoa PM says new Fiji roadmap is unacceptable, Cook Islands PM critical of Fiji roadmap time line.(Chronology)
July 2, 2009... Apia, 02 July 2009 ---- Samoa's prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele, has labeling Fiji's new roadmap as unacceptable, according to Radio New Zealand International Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says work on a new...

SDL says new Fiji roadmap doesn't augur well.
July 2, 2009... Suva, 02 July 2009 ----- The general secretary of Fiji's ousted governing party, Peceli Kinivuwai, says a lull in constitutionality over the next four years does not augur well for such a young country, according to Radio New Zealand...

An academic says Fiji's new roadmap will prolong the suffering of the people.
July 2, 2009... Canberra, 02 July 2009 --- Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has today said work on a new constitution will begin in three years to be ready for the 2014 election, reports Radio New Zealand International This is...

Solomon Islands Police charged lawyer for alleged fraud.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Solomon Islands detectives have charged prominent lawyer Charles Ashley, 43 in relation to the misappropriation of SBD$1.1 million (US$140,107). National Criminal Investigation Division (NCID) Corruption...

Victims of French Polynesia nuclear tests decry bill.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ----- Victims of Frances nuclear testing in French Polynesia are hoping a compensation bill passed by the French National Assembly this week will be strengthened before the Senate approves it, reports Radio...

Vanuatu PM may reshuffle cabinet after Efate by-election.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- Prime Minister Edward Nipake Natapei will not reshuffle his cabinet until results of the Efate by-elections are made known. Prime Ministers Public Relations Officer, Pakoa Tarimanu made the statement...

Dengue fever claims fourth life in New Caledonia.
July 3, 2009... 03 July 2009 NOUMEA (Pacnews) ----- Dengue fever has claimed a fourth victim in New Caledonia this week, health authorities have announced, reports Oceania Flash. The latest fatality for this year is reported to be a 41-year-old man who...

Possible amendments to Samoas Electoral Act following court decision.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ----- Several amendments could be made to Samoas Electoral Act to maintain Parliament and government stability in the future, reports Radio New Zealand International. The move follows a court decision yesterday...

Flosse secretary detained.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ----- Former French Polynesias President secretary, has reportedly been sent to the Nuutania jail in Tahiti, reports Tahiti Presse. She had been previously held for two days and being questioned by a judge....

Solomon Islands Government steers RAMSI through Partnership Framework.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------ The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) is taking the lead in steering the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) as the two parties pursue agreed areas of assistance through the recently...

MSG convenes an urgent summit of Leaders on 10 July.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) --- All the four leaders of the Melanesia Spearhead Group have confirmed their attendance at the special Retreat convened in Vanuatu next week. MSG director general, Rima Ravusiro told PACNEWS there is not...

Samoan Government persists on road switch in September.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ----- The Samoan Government is persistent on commencing the Road Switch as set down for 07 September, reports Talamua Online. This is despite the courts decision to grant the People Against the Switch (PASS)...

Changing El Nino making hurricanes more frequent, research suggests.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 WASHINGTON (Pacnews) --- Changes in the nature of global weather phenomenon El Nio may be causing an increase in the total number of hurricanes as well as their likelihood of hitting land, new research suggests, reports CBC news....

Samoas Tautua Party says its a step closer to being an opposition party.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ----- Samoas Tautua Party says its a step closer to gaining a voice as an opposition party after a supreme court decision allowing nine ousted members of parliament to return to their seats, reports Radio New Zealand...

Condoms promote safe sex, not just sex.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Sex is a natural part of life, and we need to prepare young people when they become sexually active, according to a United Nations adviser, reports The National. UNFPA Pacific sub-regional office STI...

New HIV-AIDS centre opens in Fiji.
July 3, 2009... A research centre to help Pacific countries better respond to increasing rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections has opened in Fiji. Researchers and experts meeting in Suva have heard how current awareness programs don't seem to...

RSE workers warned on health cover.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ---- A Samoan seasonal worker in New Zealand was denied surgery because there was no health insurance deducted from his pay, reports Samoa Observer. The seasonal worker needed an operation at Middlemore Hospital...

International student numbers up in NZ.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- New Zealand's international education sector is on an upswing despite the recession, an education conference heard yesterday, reports NZ Herald. Ministry of Education chief executive Karen Sewell said...

UN Volunteers head to Timor-Leste to support local polls.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 DILI (Pacnews) ---- Dozens of United Nations Volunteers (UNV) are heading to Timor-Leste to help the fledgling nations upcoming local elections. The first batch of the 62 international volunteers arrived last week, with the...

Samoan selected for senior US army post.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ----- Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua Savusa has been selected as the Command Sergeant Major for the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) headquartered at Camp Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii, reports Samoa Observer....

ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank official says Territorys tax code should be amended.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 PAGOPAGO (Pacnews) ---- A tax official at ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank has testified that an amendment to the tax law being proposed by the administration would allow the bank to access more capital for loans without having to pay a 30...

Japanese official chosen to head UN atomic watchdog.
July 3, 2009... 03 JULY 2009 NEW YORK (Pacnews) ---- A Japanese diplomat with a lengthy record of working on disarmament and non-proliferation issues will be the next chief of the United Nations nuclear watchdog after winning a secret ballot today against two...

PM Keys Pacific tour should prompt rethink of climate change targets.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- New Zealand Prime Minister John Keys should use his Pacific tour to educate himself on the need for stronger climate change targets to stop rising sea levels from swamping some islands, reports Scoop NZ....

Pacific Small Island Developing States lobby at UN over climate change.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 NEW YORK (Pacnews) ------ Members of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) are currently discussing in New York what action they would like the UN Security Council to take on climate change, reports Radio New Zealand...

U.S agrees to Tongas visa processing office.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ---- Tongan citizens will no longer travel to Fiji to process their US travel visas. An agreement to formalise the US Remote Visa Processing Project between the two countries has been signed, reports Matangi...

Hopes that civilian prison guards will reduce violence in Vanuatus jails.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- The head of Vanuatus Corrections Service hopes the use of special prison guards, rather than police and military personnel, will help reduce violence at the prisons, reports Radio New Zealand International....

Protestors in Noumea demand release of jailed New Caledonian unionists.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 NOUMEA (Pacnews) ----- A large demonstration has been held in Noumea to demand the release of six leading New Caledonian unionists who a week ago were jailed for a year following the May clashes at the citys domestic airport. ...

Tongan national charged with rape.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- A Tongan national, accused of raping a young woman in Suva before throwing her into the sea, has been charged, reports Fiji Times online. Police spokesman Sergeant Suliano Tevitaconfirmed the accused was...

Australian group halts fish farming in Marshall Islands.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 MAJURO (Pacnews) ---- An Australian fish farming company has shut down operations in the Marshall Islands, saying transportations export costs make the business unviable, reports Marianas Variety. Good Fortune Bay Fisheries...

Renewable energy centre for Solomon Islands.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- The first renewable energy demonstration centre for Solomon Islands is expected to be operating next month. Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reports constructed by the Pidgin Holdings Limited,...

Outcome of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation Banking on Biodiversity.(Discussion)
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- The members of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation met in Honiara from 28 June to the 2 July 2009 to discuss the state of the Pacific Islands environment and review commitments to the...

Cook Islands confirms first case of swine flu.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ---- Cook Islands Ministry of Health says it has confirmed its first case of swine flu. The case is a Cook Islander who has lived in New Zealand for the last three months, reports Radio New Zealand...

More HIV infection in PNGs rural areas.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- HIV infections in rural Papua New Guinea (PNG) areas have increased sharply over the past three years than in urban areas, according to Dr Greg Law from the Health Department, reports The National. ...

K1million to boost health in Bougainville.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 BUKA (Pacnews) ---- The PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP) has committed K1.07 million (US$408, 000) for health care services in Bougainville, reports The National. The commitment was made last week during the signing...

Solomon Islands election call for federal system.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- A federal government system - with state administrations - is one policy proposal for an election in the Solomons Islands Western Province this month, reports Radio Australia. Province caretaker Premier...

Foreshore a 'weeping sore' PM Key.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- The foreshore and seabed issue is a weeping sore that is not going to go away in a hurry, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says, reports NZPA. A government-appointed review panel last week released...

PNG's PM nephew 'pushing carbon deals'.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- A nephew of Papua New Guineas (PNG) Prime Minister Michael Somare is accused of pressuring remote villagers to sign away their land for carbon deals despite there being no carbon trade laws in place. ...

Samoan PM pledges party law reform.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ---- The law on political parties in parliament will change in the wake of the Samoan Supreme Courts decision preventing the Speaker from expelling members of the Tautua Samoa party, reports Samoa Observer. ...

US envoys lauds PNGs thriving democracy.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- The United States will preserve its cordial relationship with Papua New Guinea (PNG) into the future, in view of the fact that PNG has one of the most thriving democracies on earth, reports The...

EU-funded Kiribati health projects near completion.
July 6, 2009... 06 JULY 2009 TARAWA (Pacnews) ----- A US$50 million European Union (EU)-funded health project in Kiribati is nearing completion with the opening of a health center and seven smaller clinics, reports Radio New Zealand International. The...

Culture is ignored at the peril of development, high level panel of cultural experts warns.(Discussion)
July 6, 2009... Commonwealth Foundation cultural panel claims the arts are not just the icing on the cake. 06 JULY 2009 LONDON (Pacnews) ---- Governments around the world should take heed of the transformative power of culture in social, economic and...

Washington criticises Fiji election delay.
July 6, 2009... Suva, 07 July 2009 ----- Washington on Monday condemned the Fijian military regime's roadmap for a return to democracy and its suppression of the media and free speech. Military leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who overthrew the elected...

Bainimarama to talk on Fiji's plans.
July 6, 2009... Suva, 07 July 2009 ---- Fiji's interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama will be explaining Fiji's situation at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting in Vanuatu, according to Fiji Sun Interim Government spokesman Lieutenant...

New Zealand warned not to pressure Tonga over democracy.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) ---- Democracy and business are top of the agenda for Prime Minister John Key's stop in Tonga, where he will dine with King George V and meet Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele and other Cabinet Ministers today,...

Australia's Pacific liaison to visit leaders.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ---- Australias Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Duncan Kerr, on Tuesday begins an official visit of the Pacific region, reports Radio Australia. Mr Kerr is expected to spend nine days...

CNMI yet to confirm swine flu.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ------Now that there are confirmed cases in the Micronesian region, the Department of Public Health says it will consider any flu-like illness in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI) as probably H1N1....

PNG parliament votes on places for women.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----- Papua New Guinea's (PNG) parliament will hold another vote on whether three nominated women should be placed into the chamber in an effort to foster better gender representation, reports AAP. Top...

Greenpeace brings Pacific tour to Samoa.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 APIA (Pacnews) ---- The Greenpeace ship, Esperanza sailed into Samoa today with a message for developed countries to agree a strong global climate change treaty and ensure a safe climate and a secure future for the Pacific. ...

Academic pinpoints MSG talks as Fijis step back into regional grouping.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) ----- A Pacific academic says that Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) talks on Fiji this week offer room for Fijis leadership to become re-engaged with the region, reports Radio New Zealand International. ...

New Zealand Government to endorse UN indigenous declaration.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ---- The New Zealand Government is set to endorse a United Nations declaration on indigenous rights - reversing the position of the former Labour government, reports TVNZ . Maori Party co-leader Pita...

Mistreatment of CNMI, Micronesia travellers to be discussed at Micronesian chiefs' summit.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ---- CNMIs Governor Benigno Fitial will raise the issue of alleged mistreatment of CNMI and other Micronesia travelers at the Guam international airport at the 11th Western Micronesian Chief Executives Summit in...

Global swine flu infections pass 90,000.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 GENEVA (Pacnews) --- Swine flu has infected 94,512 people worldwide and been blamed for 429 deaths since it was first detected in April, the World Health Organisation said on Monday, reports AFP. The A (H1N1) virus has now...

French Council of State says pearl tax suspension in French Polynesia is illegal.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 PARIS (Pacnews) ---- A French Council of State ruling in Paris last week annulled a French Polynesia Assembly vote to suspend a controversial pearl export tax until December 2009, reports Tahiti Presse. The French Polynesia...

Wooing MSG, Fiji leader claims to have mandate to hold off elections.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fijis leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama, claims to have a mandate to impose his rule for the next five years as he plans to explain his deferral of elections to the leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group...

First case of swine flu in Palau.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 KOROR (Pacnews) --- Palaus Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Pacific nation, reports Marianas Variety. Health Minister Dr. Stevenson Kuartei announced that Palau has its first...

PM Rudd changes 'spurred people smugglers'.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 CANBERRA (Pacnews) -----The Australian Government's softening of border protection rules encourage people smugglers to head to Australia, the opposition says, reports AAP. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd arrived in Kuala Lumpur on...

PNG electoral system 'still corrupt'.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews)Improving Papua New Guineas (PNG) electoral roll and the entire voter registration system should be the focus of electoral reforms leading to the 2012 general election, the National Research Institute (NRI)...

NZ PMs Pacific trip hits pants hiccup.
July 7, 2009... 07 JULY 2009 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) --- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key's first stop in his tour of the Pacific has hit a minor hitch with some female journalists refused permission to go near the King of Tonga because they were wearing...

SOPAC sign Memorandum of Agreement for Palaus watershed restoration.
July 7, 2009... Reports from Marianas Variety. 07 JULY 2009 KOROR (Pacnews) ---- Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and Palaus Environmental Quality Protection Board has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of...

'El Nino' arrives in Pacific for a months-long stay.
July 10, 2009... 10 JULY 2009 WASHINGTON (Pacnews) ----- US scientists on Thursday said that the El Nino warming trend of the Pacific Ocean waters has returned, bringing with it almost certain changes in weather patterns around the world, reports AFP. The...