PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association articles from November 2007

PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association archives from November 2007

Fiji population increase by 50, 000 : Census.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ----Fijis population has grown by about 52,823 since the 1996 count, according to the provisional 2007 Population and Housing Census figures released yesterday, Fiji Times reports. The provisional data...

Taiwan says South Pacific is a crucial arena.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 TAIPEI (Pacnews) ----- As China attempts to build satellite monitoring stations in the South Pacific, Taiwan must make an all-out effort to boost relations with the region, a Taiwanese Ministry of foreign affairs official said,...

Anti corruption watchdog response to PMs threat.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----Head of the anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency Solomon Islands Joses Tuhanuku says the Prime Minister cannot take him to court over a statement he made under oath to the Commission of Inquiry into last...

Remengesau not advocating permanent US presence.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 KOROR (Pacnews) ----- Palaus President Tommy Remengesau said that it is not advocating a permanent United States (U.S ) military presence in Palau, Marianas Variety reports. He said however that although that there has not...

Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Secretariat.
November 1, 2007... MEDIA STATEMENT. The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) has announced the appointment of Matai Akauola, News Director of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited (FBCL) as its new Manager & Training Co-ordinator. The position...

Tongan soldiers serving under RAMSI allegedly assault villagers.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----Tongan soldiers serving under Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. (RAMSI) in north Malaita allegedly attacked and injured at least eight men in the Malu'u area last week, reports Solomon...

French Polynesian party leader Bouissou fined for corruption.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ---- A criminal court in French Polynesia has convicted the leader of the Rautahi Party, Jean-Christophe Bouissou, for unduly favouring a relative in a social housing allocation in 2002. The court found...

Judge raps Defence Minister over Moti report.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------Ministers may make laws but they should not try to interpret them, Justice Gibbs Salika said, reports The National. Justice Salika said the interpretation of laws should be left to the...

Interim Government to sell Radio Fiji shares.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fijis interim Government will sell its shares in the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited (FBCL). Interim Minister for Public Sector Reform Poseci Bune said the decision to divest selected Government...

French Polynesia polls set for 27 January.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ----French Polynesia is to hold the first round of its early general election on 27 January, Radio New Zealand International reports. The date was announced by the French overseas territories minister,...

Police launch major crackdown on domestic violence.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Papua New Guinea (PNG)s Police Commissioner Gari Baki is launching a major crackdown on domestic violence, Post Courier reports. Yesterday, he ordered a provincial police commander to be stood...

Government sets to end Solomon Islands Telikom monopoly.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) ------The Solomon Islands Government is already in the process of amending the Telecommunication Act in a bid to end Our Telekom's monopoly. A well-placed government source revealed to the Solomon Star...

Three Burmese in PNG want asylum in Australia.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----Three Burmese men waiting in a small town in Papua New Guinea (PNG) after fleeing their countrys military regime hope they will be granted asylum in Australia, reports Radio New Zealand International....

King closes parliament, Peoples representatives boycott.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ---- Tongas King George Tupou V has closed this years Parliament session, despite a boycott by seven members of the People's Representatives. Radio Tonga said the Peoples Representatives were...

Niue Government plans two-phased tax change.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 ALOFI (Pacnews) ------ Niue Government wants to implement tax changes in two stages. A year ago, MPs agreed in principle to bring in a consumption tax, cut personal taxes, reduce import duties and to re-impose an excise...

Interim Government to sell Radio Fiji shares.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fijis interim Government will sell its shares in the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited (FBCL). Interim Minister for Public Sector Reform Poseci Bune said the decision to divest selected Government...

French Polynesia polls set for 27 January.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 PAPEEETE (Pacnews) ----French Polynesia is to hold the first round of its early general election on 27 January, Radio New Zealand International reports. The date was announced by the French overseas territories minister,...

Police launch major crackdown on domestic violence.
November 1, 2007... 01 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ---- Papua New Guinea (PNG)Es Police Commissioner Gari Baki is launching a major crackdown on domestic violence, Post Courier reports. Yesterday, he ordered a provincial police commander to be stood...

Tonga to go the polls in April next year.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) ----- Tonga will go to the polls on 24 April next year. Radio Tonga reports that Tongan Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele has advised King GeorgeTupou V, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly as well...

Mass tuna tagging in Pacific as part of new research project.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) --- One of the regions most important fish stock, tuna is to be tagged and monitored across the entire central and south Pacific in a new research project, Radio New Zealand International reports. About...

RAMSI investigate Tongan soldiers alleged brutality.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) ----- Australian lead Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands ( RAMSI) military contingent is conducting an investigation into alleged brutality involving a platoon of Tongan soldiers on patrol in North...

PNG Opposition attacks Defence Minister over Moti decision.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) -----Papua New Guinea's (PNG) Opposition leader has slammed the new Defence Minister over a decision not to act on a report that implicated Prime Minister Somare in the escape of wanted Australian lawyer...

Liquor ban on as CNMI holds election.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 SAIPAN (Pacnews) ------ The selling and consumption of alcoholic beverages will be banned for 12 hours tomorrow as the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI) elects lawmakers. Voters would also elect members of municipal...

PNG to develop major Tuna processing Centre for the region.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) -----Papua New Guinea (PNG) plans to make the country the tuna capital of the world by developing a multi-million kina Madang Marine Park to process Pacific catch, reports The National. It has...

Voting to be held under present voting system:.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) -----The Tongan Government says elections in the island kindom next year will be held under the present voting system, Radio New Zealand International reports. But pro-democracy MPs, who boycotted the...

PNGs Kokoda Trail 'to be re-routed'.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) -----The Australian-based mining company which has plans to dig up parts of the Kokoda Track says it will re-route the historic Papua New Guinea (PNG) track, as political pressure mounts, The Age reports....

Ousted PM supports proposed one-man, one-vote electoral system.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) -----Fijis ousted Prime minister Laisenia Qarase, has come out in favour of the interim governments proposal for a one-man, one-vote electoral system. Mr Qarase has told Radio Legend that serious...

Economist calls for Pacific Super 14 team.
November 2, 2007... 02 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ A Fijian economist has suggested aid funding be diverted to getting a Pacific Island team into the southern hemisphere's professional rugby union competition, the Super 14. Economist Wadan Narsey said...

Fijis Military commander target in murder plot.
November 5, 2007... 05 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ------A national military and police sting to arrest and interrogate suspects allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate Fijis Armed Forces chief and Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama is...

PM Clark condemned citizens beatings.
November 5, 2007... 05 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- High level government efforts are expected today to sort out what is happening in the latest military crackdown in Fiji following an alleged assassination plot said to involve a New Zealander and the New...

Ex-Solomons PM found guilty over raid.
November 5, 2007... 05 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) -----Former Solomon Islands prime minister Sir Allan Kemakeza has been found guilty of ordering a 2002 raid on a Honiara law firm to try to scare Australian lawyers out of the country, reports The Age. ...

Air Marshall Islands on the verge of bankruptcy.
November 5, 2007... 05 NOVEMBER 2007 MAJURO (Pacnews) -----The government-run airline in the Marshall Islands is verging on bankruptcy as the country continues to suffer without a domestic air service, reports Radio New Zeraland International. There has been...

Fiji police to lay charges against people involved in plot to assasinate Bainimarama.
November 5, 2007... 05 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ------- Fijis Police Comissioner Commodore Esala Teleni says charges against people allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate Fiji Interim Prime Minister and military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama...

PM Clark rubbishes Fiji assassination claim.
November 5, 2007... 05 NOVEMBER 2007 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) ----- New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has rubbished suggestions her country has helped finance an assassination attempt on Fiji coup leader Frank Bainimarama, reports Herald Sun. A number of...

Courts bar Moti debate.
November 5, 2007... 05 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) -----The Papua New Guinea (PNG) judiciary has taken the rare and possibly unprecedented step of warning that all public discussions of appeals before the courts on the Julian Moti inquiry have to stop....

Sedition trials in Tonga delayed by nine months.
November 5, 2007... 05 NOVEMBER 2007 NUKUALOFA (Pacnews) -----The trial of five of Tongas Peoples Representatives, charged with sedition has been postponed for nine months. The Matangi Tonga website reports the group was scheduled to appear in the Nukualofa...

Samoa calls for probe into sub-groups.
November 5, 2007... Reports from Islands Business Magazine, November Issue. 05 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ For the first time since the inception of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), its members went into the Tonga Pacific Islands Forum meeting...

Seven to appear in court for assassination plot.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fiji police have charged seven of the 16 suspects arrested for allegedly plotting to assassinate interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank e Bainimarama and members of his cabinet, reports Fiji Live. ...

Ship of shame scuttled in the Pacific.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) -----Residents of the Cook Islands are outraged after a ship and its deadly load of 500 tonnes of asbestos was scuttled in the middle of a whale sanctuary. Locals say the toxic material was dumped just...

Call for resources to deal with high rate of sexual abuse in French Polynesia.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ---- A French Polynesian assembly member has written an open letter asking the French authorities for help fight the high rate of sexual abuse and domestic violence in Tahiti. Sabrina Birk said in her...

New K20 note for PNG.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guineas central bank continues to issue quality bank notes to combat counterfeiting. A new series of K20 notes was launched last week by the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) at...

CNMI needs to offer new diving spots.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 TOKYO (Pacnews) --- The Northern Marianas must develop a wider variety of diving spots to keep the interest of Japanese divers, Saipan Tribune reports. Saipan, particularly the Grotto, is already a popular diving spot for...

European Trade Commissioner thinks Pacific-wide trade deal unlikely.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 LONDON (Pacnews) --- European Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson says he will not be able to conclude a Pacific-wide trade deal by the end of the year. The European Union (EU) is trying to negotiate trade deals with...

New Caledonia's oldest pro-independence party gets new head.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 NOUMEA (Pacnews) --- New Caledonia's oldest pro-independence political party, the Union Caldonienne (UC), has elected Charles Pidjot as its new President. The election took place at the partys 38th annual congress, which...

DPP chief rejects case, awaits arrest.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fijis Director of Public Prosecutions Office has refused to take to trial the case of the seven men charged by police for allegedly plotting to kill interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama. ...

Sir Allan guilty, faces jail.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- Former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza will be sentenced on 03 December, Solomon Star reports. Sir Allan, the MP for Savo/Russells and current deputy speaker, was found guilty of...

Six-week strike at cement factory ends with deal.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 NOUMEA (Pacnews) --- A six-week strike at New Caledonia's only cement factory has ended a deal signed between the Swiss company subsidiary Holcim management and USTKE (Union of Kanak and Exploited Workers), Oceania Flash...

Ten charged with assassination plot against Fijian interim leader.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fijis public prosecution office has dropped treason charges against ten men charged with the failed the assassination of the countrys interim prime minister and some of his cabinet ministers. Instead,...

Wesram in Fiji media investment.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ----Investment in a television company took an about turn after Fiji-based Channel 2 announced that it has a new investment partner from Papua New Guinea (PNG), reports Post Courier. Wesram Finance...

Howard closes gap in election race.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 CABERRA (Pacnews) --- Australian Prime Minister John Howard awoke with renewed hope today as the latest Newspoll showed the gap between the government and opposition shortening to just six per cent. Published in today's...

Fiji Water yesterday announced it had acquired Neptune Shipping Line.
November 6, 2007... 06 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Fiji Water's director development and external affairs, David Roth said: Fiji Water is pleased to extend its significant investments in Fiji with the acquisition of the Neptune Shipping Line, reports Fiji...

Former ruling party executive released from police custody, one more charge over kill plot.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ----Fijis ousted ruling party executive and three others who have been in police custody since Sunday for allegedly conspiring to assassinate interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama and some members of...

AFP raised armed unit to the region hot spots.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 CANBERRA (Pacnews) ---- Australian Federal Police (AFP) plans to have its own fleet of armoured vehicles to send to hotspots around the globe by late next year. But the AFP denies the move will transform it into a...

Second Kiwi in Fiji 'murder plot' identified.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ A second New Zealand citizens in Fiji 'murder plot' has been identified as the second New Zealander caught up in the Fiji assassination plot, Stuff NZ reports. Millionaire IT developer Ballu Khan...

MSG Secretariat Building handed over to Vanuatu government.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT VILA (Pacnews) ---- The Melanesian Spearhead Group ( MSG) Secretariat building in Port Vila has been formally handed over to the Vanuatu Government by China. Vanuatus Daily Post newspaper reports that the China-funded...

Samoa Government urged to take action over child labour.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 APIA (Pacnews) ----- An NGO in Samoa says child labour is becoming more prevalent, and the government needs to do more to keep children in school, reports Radio New Zealand International International. Samoas ministry of...

Man arrested in Solomons in possession of firearms.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) ---- A Guadalcanal man has been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm following a police operation in the Binu area last week, SIBC reports. The operation by the Solomon Islands Police followed...

China investment hits K320m in 2006.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Chinas total investment in Papua New Guinea last year reached a record K320 million (USD$115 million), making it the second biggest during the period, reports The National. Statistics from the...

Cook Islands Government defends asbestos decision.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 RAROTONGA (Pacnews) --- A Cook Islands government department has defended the decision to dump asbestos laden building materials in the ocean. The ship, Miss Mataroa was filled with 300 tonnes of cement sheeting,...

Fijian netballers to miss World Champs over NZ visas.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- New Zealands Foreign Affairs says travel visas for two Fijian netball players were not refused. According to James Funnel, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the players withdrew their...

Europe must take responsibility for global forest protection WWF.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 WARSAW (Pacnews) ------- With the world's forests facing ever increasing threats from climate change and pressing demands such as bio-fuels, WWF is calling on Europe, as a major wood importer and consumer, to take more...

Defence lawyers questions about the charges laid against their clients.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) --- In Fiji, lawyers defending the ten men detained in connection with an alleged assassination plot against the countrys coup leader have raised questions about charges laid against their clients. We find...

Weapons found , Fiji authorities allows access to detained New Zealand citizen.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) ----- Fiji Police say they have discovered ammunition and weapons from one of the 10 suspect's house currently on trial for allegedly plotting to kill interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama,...

Police want RAMSI action.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Jahir Khan says that he wants any Tongan soldiers implicated in the Maluu incident to face charges in their homeland, reports Solomon Star. Commissioner Khan said...

Rabuka says Fiji regime should substaniate plot allegation.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- A former Fiji prime minister and 1987 coup leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, says the interim government should substantiate its alleged assassination plot, Radio New Zealand International reports. 11 people...

Further fall-out over Tokelau vote outcome.
November 7, 2007... 07 NOVEMBER 2007 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) --- Tokelaus leader, Kuresa Nasau has attracted criticism over his blaming of one atoll for the rejection of greater self determination, reports Radio New Zealand Internatiuonal. He said in a New...

Former ruling party: No link to plot.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- Fijis ousted ruling Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua ( SDL) Party has never and will never engage in illegal activities, especially in alleged assassination plots, says party director Peceli Kinivuwai. ...

Pacific judiciary remains independent despite recent instabilities in the region : King.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 NUIKUALOFA (Pacnews) ---- Tongan King George Tupou V has praised the regions judiciary for remaining independent despite recent unrest and instabilities, reports Tonga Broadcasting Commission. He made the remarks while...

Airline suspends flight operations.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- Solomon Airlines has suspended all flight operations with immediate effect, reports SIBC. The airline said the decision to temporarily suspend all flights was based on a compliance issues that Solomon...

Former French Polynesia President to run for position again.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 PAPEETE (Pacnews) ---- French Polynesia's former president has announced he will run for president in territorial elections in January with a new party, Radio Australia reports. Gaston Tong Sang has founded a party called...

Vanuatu fraud fugitive appears in Fiji court.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ---- An Indo Fijian man sought by Vanuatu police has apeared in the Fiji Magistrates Court charged with defrauding the Fiji Inland Revenue and Customs Authority (FIRCA) of $178, 0000 (US$117,000) two years ago....

Imprisoned in Bougainville, we wont interfere, says Fiji Government.
November 8, 2007... Reports from Fiji Islands Business Magazine, November Issue. 08 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ------Once out of sight, it's out of mind. That seems to be the foreign policy of the interim government when it comes to Fiji citizens currently...

Courts to rule bail applications later today.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) ------ Suva magistrate John Semisi is to rule later today on application for bail by eleven men charged in connection with the alleged plot to assassinate Fijis coup leader and some key members of his government....

Pacific Islanders born in New Zealand more likely to suffer dependence.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 AUCKLAND (Pacnews) ---- Pacific people born in New Zealand are twice as likely to suffer from mental disorders, and experience higher rates of alcohol dependency, compared with those born in the Pacific islands, says leading...

Senior officer plans new airline.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) -----A senior Solomon Airlines official is in the middle of a secret plan to start a new airline to compete against the national carrier. A secret letter labelled as absolutely secret detailing the plan...

Police not equipped to deal with organised and sophisticated crimes of kidnapping.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) ------ Papua New Guinea (PNG) Police are reportedly not equipped to the teeth and trained to deal with organised and sophisticated crimes of kidnapping and robbery, reports Post Courier. Senior...

Forum to send election observers to Marshall Islands.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 MAJURO (Pacnews) ------The Pacific Islands Forum is sending a six-member election observer group to the Marshall Islands to monitor the national election on 19 November. It is the first time a Forum election observer team...

Work underway to strengthen systems at NZAID.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 WELLINGTON (Pacnews) -----Work has begun to strengthen some management systems at the governments international development agency NZAID to address concerns raised in an audit report, New Zealand foreign minister Winston...

Criminals in control : Police.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) --- Papua New Guineas National Capital District police chief admitted yesterday that the capital has gone to the thugs, reports The National. It is no secret and everybody knows it, Supt Fred Yakasa...

French Senate amends French Polynesia reform plan.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 PAPEETE (Pacnews) --- The law commission of the French Senate has made several amendments to the planned reforms for French Polynesia whose voters will go to the polls in an early general election next year. The commission...

Fiji court refuses bail for alleged assassination plotters.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 SUVA (Pacnews) --- Attempts to grant bail to 11men charged with the attempted plot to kill Fijis interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has been thrown out by Magistrate John Semisi. Magistrate Semisi did not...

Victims of riot submit compensation claims.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 HONIARA (Pacnews) --- Victims of the April riots have submitted compensation claim for $170million (US$23 million) to Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. The claim was made by 82 business and property owners...

Parliament to abolish death penalty for treason.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 ROROTONGA (Pacnews) -----The death penalty in Cook Islands is due to be abolished in the sitting of parliament that begins today, reports Cook Island News. The amendment to the Crimes Act 1969 is in line with a common view...

Southern Kiribati atolls in grip of severe drought.
November 8, 2007... 08 NOVEMBER 2007 TARAWA (Pacnews) --- Thousands of people in Kiribatis southern atolls are suffering from a severe drought as the country is experiencing the dry La Nina weather pattern, reports Radio New Zealand International. The Met...