PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from November 2005

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from November 2005

SI needs collective effort after RAMSI - DPM.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - The Solomon Islands Government believes the country needs a collective effort to face the challenge of building on the progress that the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI has achieved so...

Landowners win compensation case.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - The Suva High Court in Fiji has awarded a group of landowners FJD$52.8million (US$31-million) as compensation for the use of their land by the Fiji Electricity Authority, Fiji Times reports. The 29-page...

Call in Samoa to release doctor strike inquiry findings.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 APIA (Pacnews) - Samoan opposition MP's are calling for the government to make public the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into reasons for the doctors' strike, Radio New Zealand International reports. Doctors in the...

Six to contest B'ville's lone provincial seat.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 BUKA (Pacnews) - Six candidates will contest the Bougainville provincial seat in an election to be held from 7-21 Jan, 2006. They are Leo Hannet, Theresa Jaintong, Isaiah Moroko, Simon Pentanu, Joe Banam and Aloysius...

Telikom PNG revamp.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Telikom Papua New Guinea is going through K355 million (US$121.1 million) worth of changes to keep its customers happier and to ward off threatened competition to its communications monopoly. Post...

Three students killed in police shootout.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Papua New Guinea Police have shot dead three students and injured about 20 others in a clash at the Porgera top-up primary school in Enga yesterday (31 Oct), The National reports. One of the...

Diplomats work on getting Fijians home.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Fiji's High Commission in Papua New Guinea has sent diplomatic notification to the Solomon Islands government asking for the release of the four Fijian fishermen who arrived in Honiara on Thursday (27 Oct)...

New Caledonia, Wallis likely to be on cyclone-hit list: experts.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - The French Pacific territories of New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna have been mentioned as potential targets for cyclone this season, regional experts have warned, Oceania Flash reports. Medium-term...

State's free education misleading.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fiji government's use of the term free education is misleading and should be replaced with subsidised education to avoid confusion among parents. This was part of the Fiji Principals Association's...

Guam visitor arrivals, room bookings up.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 HAGATNA (Pacnews) - Guam's visitor arrivals and room bookings continued to go up last September, according to the latest statistics released by the Guam Hotels and Restaurant Association (GHRA). According to the GHRA...

Telephone Company Get Rich Quick Schemes become Threat to Pacific Islands.
November 1, 2005... 01 OCTOBER 2005 COLOMBO (Pacnews) - State-owned Sri Lanka Telecom, which is 35 percent held and fully managed by Japan's NTT, said it will appeal a regulatory order to halt international calls to 13 South Pacific island nations to stop "modem...

Family Court long overdue: Ratu Joni.
November 1, 2005... 01 OCTOBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - A modern look computerized Family Court of Fiji that would specifically deal with family matters was officially opened by Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi at the Government Buildings in Suva yesterday. ...

Fire fighters ill-equipped.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Fire fighters in Papua New Guinea are ill-equipped with outdated safety equipment and need new equipment to fight fires in the country, said chief fire officer Isaac Silas. The fire chief said his...

Guam hopes US troops will boost economy.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 HAGATNA (Pacnews) - The United States Pacific territory of Guam is counting on a substantial economic boost with an influx of thousands of American marines over then next two to six years, Radio Australia reports. The...

King welcomes new air services to Tonga.
November 1, 2005... 01 NOVEMBER 2005 NUKU'ALOFA (Pacnews) - Despite heavy rainfall over Tongatapu yesterday, Tonga's King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV was present at Fua'amotu International Airport to welcome the arrival of both Pacific Blue on its first inaugural flight...

Two CNMI soldiers killed in Iraq.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - Two Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) reservists lost their lives in bomb attacks on Monday (31 Oct) night in Iraq. Officials identified the casualties as Sgt. Wilgene Lieto, 28, and...

Territorial dispute looming between Fiji and Tonga.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - A territorial dispute is looming between Fiji and Tonga over a reef which lies to the south of both countries towards New Zealand. The Fiji Times reports that the bone of contention is Minerva Reef which...

Sri Lanka blocks South Pacific in rogue dialler crackdown.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 COLOMOBO (Pacnews) - Sri Lanka is to block direct dialling to 13 countries, mostly in the South Pacific, in a move designed to combat the growing menace of rogue auto diallers. The ban came into force on Tuesday (1 November),...

SBD$100m (US$13.75million) for roads.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Australia has announced up to SBD$100 million (US$13.75million) will be spent on the country's roads system under its development program boosting the nation's rural economy and overall growth in the...

Bill to exempt Americans from employment transfer rule.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 KOROR (Pacnews) - A conflict between Palau's Compact of Free Association with the U.S. and local labor law prohibiting foreign workers from transferring employment has prompted a proposal to exempt American citizens and...

Inquiry into Samoa doctors' strike blames former health ministry managers.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 APIA (Pacnews) - A commission of enquiry in Samoa has partly blamed the former management of the Health Ministry for the current strike by government doctors, Radio New Zealand International reports. The report says the...

Police drinking spree led to death of Porgera students.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - The shooting incident at the Porgera Primary School in Papua New Guinea on Monday (31 Oct) in which three students were killed was triggered off by some policemen on a drinking spree, it was claimed...

Church's decision to listen to gays welcomed.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) - The New Zealand AIDS Foundation has today welcomed the decision by the Methodist Church in Fiji to put off its anti-gay march until it has met with the local gay community. The Fiji Times reported on...

WWF chief commends marine project.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fiji's marine protected areas (MPA) have been described by the WWF International president Chief Emeka Anyaoku as one of the best marine refuges in the world. Chief Anyaoku made the comment while speaking...

Palau lawmakers, president near budget deal.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 KOROR (Pacnews) - Palau's President, Tommy Remengesau and leaders of the national legislature are about to reach a compromise on the disputed 2006 budget bill, according to Senate President Johnny Reklai. He said after six...

Wages freeze on government.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - The Papua New Guinea government will wield the axe within all departments or abolish one in an attempt to rationalise spending and put money into priority areas next year. And any hopes of salary...

Samoa doctors unhappy at government review.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 APIA (Pacnews) - A member of Samoa's Medical Association says striking doctors are disappointed at the recommendations emanating from the government's Commission of Inquiry, Radio New Zealand International reports. Doctors...

Savua outlines labour benefits.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - International migration has benefited Fiji in terms of the remittances it has received from its citizens and this has increased to $450million (US$261-million) in 2004, compared to $50million (US$29-million) in...

Sir Rabbie confirms probe.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY - Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu has reiterated that he will not tolerate "undiplomatic" behaviour by PNG's overseas mission diplomats. He told Parliament yesterday that the...

New Papuan Peoples Council sworn in.
November 2, 2005... 02 NOVEMBER 2005 JAYAPURA (Pacnews) - Forty-two members of the new Papuan People's Council have taken office during a heavily guarded swearing-in ceremony, Radio New Zealand International reports. About 600 police were deployed around the...

Fijian Fishermen left drifting by passing boats.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - Four Fijian fishermen picked up at sea last week have spoken out publicly for the first time about their ordeal. The four men are Taniela Vuli, 61, William Dunn, 37, Sanivalati Tokalau, 61, and Losese...

Tonga opens up domestic air service for other operators.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 NUKU'ALOFA (Pacnews) - The monopoly of the Peau Vava'u Airway on the Tongan domestic air service ended on Tuesday (01 November), when the Ministry of Civil Aviation disregarded the monopoly agreement that it signed with the...

Samoa set to ban plastic bags from April next year.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 APIA (Pacnews) - Authorities in Samoa say that plastic bags will be banned from April next year, Radio New Zealand International reports. The assistant chief executive of the environment ministry, Faumuina Pati, says...

Guam to get new submarine.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 HAGATNA (Pacnews) - Guam will get a new Los Angeles class submarine to replace the USS San Francisco, which is still undergoing repairs in Bremerton, Washington. According to Palau Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, the Navy...

Hotel, restaurants cut back supply orders due to JAL pullout.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) hotels and restaurants have cut back on their orders of food and beverage supplies in anticipation of a sudden drop in tourist arrivals as a direct result...

Nauru detainees savour freedom.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 MELBOURNE (Pacnews) - Of all the emotions experienced by the last big group of asylum seekers to be freed from Nauru, joy was the most palpable in Melbourne yesterday, like the joy of a young man who sees his brother for the...

320 Morobe villagers held for practicising sorcery, cargo cult.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - About 320 people from three villages in the Wain-Erap area in Nawaeb District in Papua New Guinea have been charged by police for allegedly practising sorcery and cargo cult, The National reports. ...

Kanak group plans protest at nickel mining in New Caledonia's south.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 NOUMEA (Pacnews) - A Kanak group, Rheebu Nuu, has called for a rally in Noumea tomorrow to protest against the nickel projects in New Caledonia, Radio New Zealand International reports. The group said the launch of the Goro...

More military training in Western Pacific region.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - The Western Pacific region will see an increased military presence, including aerial and sea training, following the decision to relocate some of the 7,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan to Guam. Rear...

Office eyes overseas votes.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - The Fiji Election Office is working closely with high commissions and embassies overseas to register more than 8000 people who are eligible to vote for the 2006 General Election but are living or working...

Multi-Billion dollar investment likely for PNG oilfields.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - A new player on the Papua New Guinea oilfields plans to spend at least $US6 billion (K19 billion) to construct factories for gas, fuel, ammonia and urea fertilisers in Madang, Post Courier reports. ...

Detention centres costing AUD$36m (US$26.7m) annually.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 MELBOURNE (Pacnews) - Australian taxpayers are pumping more than $7 million (US$5.2million) a year into four mothballed immigration detention centres and forking out $36 million (US$26.7 million) a year to keep 27 asylum...

Daunting task ahead for SI.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - The Solomon Islands Central Bank Governor Rick Hou warns it may take up to 20 years for the country to regain the level of per-capita income it once enjoyed before the ethnic tensions. Mr Hou revealed...

Samoa plastic ban creates confusion.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 APIA (Pacnews) - There is confusion surrounding the Samoan government's decision to ban plastic bags from April of next year. The government made the announcement at the opening of Environment Week saying that Samoa must...

Vanuatu's deputy PM to hold talks with Australian government.
November 3, 2005... 03 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT VILA (Pacnews) - Vanuatu's Deputy Prime Minister Sato Kilman has arrived in Australia for talks with the government, Radio Australia reports. Mr Kilman says he is confident Australia will reconsider a labour mobility...

Taiwan calls for determined leadership in SI.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Taiwan has called for a "determined leadership" both at the national, provincial and community level in Solomon Islands if the country is going to be prosperous. Taiwan ambassador to the Solomon...

President Remengesau signs US$56M budget.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 KOROR (Pacnews) - The Palau government now has a budget for fiscal year 2006 after President Tommy Remengesau signed into law a US$55,569,179 financial package on Sunday (30 Oct), the Palau Horizon reports. The national...

Communities strike back.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 BUKA (Pacnews) - Bougainville police commander Joseph Bemu has warned gunmen and rowdy drunks to think twice before breaking the law because communities are starting to fight back. He issued the warning after a youth with...

15,118 voters in CNMI's most crucial election.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - 15,118 voters from Saipan, Tinian, Rota and the Northern Islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) including more than 1,000 based overseas, have registered for tomorrow's general...

Indian nationals face marijuana and forgery charges in Tonga.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 NUKU'ALOFA (Pacnews) - Two Indian nationals appeared in the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court yesterday, on separate charges of possession of marijuana and forgery of documents. The two accused are Balvir Singh of India and...

Finance Minister delivers 2006 Budget.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - The Fiji Government is removing the contentious Value Added Tax (VAT) on some basic food items. This was one of measures announced by Finance Minister Ratu Jone Kubuabola when he tabled the 2006 Budget in...

Armed police block off college in protest over allowances.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Papua New Guinea's armed mobile police officers in battle-ready military gear on Wednesday (02 Nov) night set up barricades at the Bomana Police College and demanded immediate payment of their...

GG to be airlifted to Aust.
November 4, 2005... Solomon Islands Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waeni has been airlifted to St Vincent Hospital in Australia today for emergency medical attention. Sir Nathaniel was evacuated from Seghe in the Western Province on Wednesday (02 Nov) evening...

Opposition walkout over alleged insult by French Polynesian leader.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 PAPEETE (Pacnews) - Members of the French Polynesian opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party walked out of today's assembly sitting, saying they have been insulted by the vice-president, Jacqui Drollet, Radio New Zealand...

Rally in New Caledonia against Goro nickel project.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 NOUMEA (Pacnews) - A rally is under way in New Caledonia to protest against the Goro nickel project. The rally has been organised by the Kanak group Rheebu Nuu which says it condemns the environmental effects of the...

Norfolk Island's finances to be probed.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 KINGSTON (Pacnews) --The Australian federal government has commissioned an inquiry into Norfolk Island's finances after the cash-strapped territory failed to meet repayments on a AUD$12 million (US$8.85 million) loan. ...

Carbon trade policy to go before NEC.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---Papua New Guinea's National Planning and Rural Development Minister Arthur Somare will present Papua New Guinea's first carbon trade policy to Cabinet in two weeks time. As part of the 2006...

Incentives for ICT, audio visual industries.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) ---In support of new investments in Information, Communication and Telecommunications, the Fiji Government has given additional incentives to the ICT business operating outside the temporary studio city zones....

CNMI Public School System asks for increase in budget.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMEBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ---The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands Public School System again issued an ultimatum to the CNMI government yesterday, saying it would shut down schools if the Legislature fails to pass its...

Government applauds consultative meeting.
November 4, 2005... 04 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---The Solomon Islands Minister for National Planning and Aid Coordination Fred Fono has praised the two-days meeting between the government and Development partners as very positive. Mr Fono said now...

Absentee ballots will decide gubernatorial race.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 SAIPAN (Pacnews) - The 1,500 absentee ballots in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) Presidential election will decide as to who the islands next Governor will be. The ballots will be counted on...

Tongan Constitution under fire on its 130th celebration.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 NUKU'ALOFA (Pacnews) - With the 130th year of the Tongan Constitution celebrated on Friday (04 Nov), a political rally of about 200 people at Pangai Si'i in Nuku'alofa was told that the Tongan constitution deprives them of...

Australia says no room for complacency in SI.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Australia says Solomon Islands is now much more stable than two years ago and some initial reform steps have been taken. "But the depth of economic and governance damages inflicted over the past years...

Money crisis causes Air Marshalls to cancel flights.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 MAJURO (Pacnews) - Air Marshall Islands was forced to cancel flights earlier last week as mounting debts to the U.S. Army's missile testing range hit US$190,000, prompting the Army to demand up-front payment before it would...

Disgruntled cops to be paid.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - No more foreign troops will be deployed in Port Moresby or any where else in PNG to provide security for future national events, National Events Council chairman and Inter Government Relations Minister...

Human traffic bust in Fiji.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - A joint operation by Fiji's police and the Customs Transnational Crime Unit has uncovered a people smuggling racket and three people have been arrested, Fiji Times reports. A foreigner, an employee of...

Australia warns against illegal fishing.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - Australia has urged on countries that that flag fishing vessels of convenience to refrain from engaging in illegal fishing. The call comes from Australian Fisheries Minister, Senator Ian Macdonald,...

PNG Treasurer berates Government.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Papua New Guinea (PNG) Treasurer Bart Philemon has given his government a performance rating of three out of 10, Post Courier reports. But on a positive note, he gave it a rating of eight out of 10...

Corruption at all levels of Solomon Islands Government.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - A provincial leader has described all levels of governments in Solomon Islands as "corrupt," reports the Solomon Star. Deputy premier of Guadalcanal Stephen Panga told a donors meeting in Honiara...

Sri Lanka latest to block calls to Pacific Islands.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) - Sri Lanka has joined Ireland in blocking calls to several Pacific Island countries because of the number of Internet dialler scams operating from the region, Stuff NZ reports. Websites, often porn...

New Caledonia's ruling party pledges massive tax cuts for middle class.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 NOUMEA (Pacnews) - New Caledonia's ruling party, the Avenir Ensemble (Future Together) has promised to implement massive tax cuts, especially for the middle class of the 230,000-populated French Pacific country. Avenir...

Solomon Islands loses forest revenue.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - The Solomon Islands office of the Auditor General says government had lost an estimated SBD$30 million (US$4 million) in revenue through timber duty exemptions in 2004. This was revealed in a special...

Air NZ heads to Niue after Poly Air cut.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) - Air New Zealand will commence a scheduled weekly service between Auckland and Niue after Polynesian Airlines cancelled their services from the end of this month. The service, which started on 04 Nov,...

Former PNG defence commander Singirok seeks political office.
November 7, 2005... 07 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - The Papua New Guinea military commander who challenged the government over its plan to use mercenaries in the Bougainville conflict is planning to enter politics. Major General Jerry Singirok was in...

Australia foils major attack, arrests 15.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 SYDNEY(Pacnews) - Australian authorities foiled what they believed to be a large-scale terrorist attack, arresting 15 people during raids in Sydney and Melbourne, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported yesterday. ...

Fiji police on major recruitment drive.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - The Fiji Police Force will recruit 450 new regulars before the end of the year, Fiji Times reports. Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes said the process had commenced and more than 2000 applications from...

ANZ launches mobile bank for rural people.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 HONIARA (Pacnews) - Rural communities on Solomon Island's main island of Guadalcanal now have access to banking facilities, thanks to an initiative by ANZ bank to take banking to rural areas. Similar to Fiji's rural...

Tonga Defence Service in mock exercise with French army.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 NOUMEA (Pacnews) - A platoon from Tonga's Defence Service took part in a series of joint exercises, codenamed "Sterne" with the New Caledonia-based French army (the FANC). The four-day joint naval exercise (which also...

Two Bougainvilleans detained in Solomon Islands.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Two men from Bougainville have been detained in Solomon Islands for stealing. Bougainville police chief, Joe Bemu said the Solomon Islands police arrested the two men for allegedly stealing...

Palau appeals for a moratorium on deep sea bottom trawling.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 KOROR (Pacnews) - Palau has asked Pacific Island Forum members to impose a moratorium on deep sea bottom trawling because of the damage it might cause to the ecosystem. Vice President Elias Camsek Chin, who attended the...

Hawaii begins first programme to detect avian flu at airport.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 HONOLULU (Pacnews) - Hawaii is the first state in the United States to establish airport surveillance of avian flu or other viruses that may be introduced by travelers, health officials report. According to the Honolulu...

EXIM bank funds reforms of Fiji's sugar industry.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fiji's sugar industry is to undergo major reforms to be funded by the EXIM bank of India. An agreement to formalise the agreement was signed in Suva yesterday between Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and an...

One cyclone predicted this season.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) - New Zealand's leading provider of atmospheric and aquatic science, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has predicted an average of 1.4 cyclones this season to pass within a...

Illicit drug trade rampant in Lae.
November 8, 2005... 08 NOVEMBER 2005 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) - Papua New Guinea's Morobe provincial administration say illicit trade was rampant in the streets of Lae, and was moving to clean up the nation's second biggest city. The administration started its...