Radio Australia Pacific (English International)

Indonesian counter-terrorist unit accused of mass killing in disputed Papua province

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:49:21 +1000

An elite counter-terrorist police unit in Indonesia has been accused of carrying out a mass killing in a village in the disputed Papua province. Activists says 11 people were killed and 20 more are missing after a combined military and police crackdown on support for the Free Papua separatist movement in April. It is not possible to verify the claims, but the names of victims and several grisly photographs have been provided to ABC by the armed wing of the movement.

Australia's approach to Pacific worries Solomons PM

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:22:19 +1000

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, says Australia needs to take a more consensus-based approach to the Pacific region, focussing on real development needs.

Australia's approach to Pacific worries Solomons PM

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:22:19 +1000

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, says Australia needs to take a more consensus-based approach to the Pacific region, focussing on real development needs.

Australia's approach to Pacific worries Solomons PM

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:22:19 +1000

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, says Australia needs to take a more consensus-based approach to the Pacific region, focussing on real development needs.

Pacific naval exercise Bell Buoy ends

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:48:20 +1000

A naval exercise about delivering humanitarian aid to a fictitious Pacific nation involving the Australian, New Zealand, US and other navies ends today.

Concern over spread of HIV in Guam

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:50:16 +1000

A non-profit organisation in Guam has warned that many residents could have HIV without knowing it.

Child labour a big concern in western Fiji: charity

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:51:06 +1000

A charity in Fiji says it has identified 200 children from squatter settlements in Suva and Lami who are being used for child labour.

Wallis & Futuna gearing up for Pacific Mini Games

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:31:29 +1000

Saturday 25 May marks one hundred days to the opening of the Pacific Mini Games in Wallis and Futuna.

Nauru calls election after months of political turmoil

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:04:27 +1000

Nauru will hold an election on June 22, ending months of political stalemate and a boycott of Parliament by many MPs.

Powerful earthquake strikes off Tonga

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:03:05 +1000

A strong quake has hit southwest of Tonga, reportedly shaking homes in the capital Nuku'alofa but no damage has been reported.

Improved taro re-establishing Samoan exports

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:47:19 +1000

Researchers in Australia and the Pacific are hoping newly developed varieties of Taro will help Samoa regain its export market for the root crop.

Vitamin C effective in fight against TB

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:05:58 +1000

US research has found vitamin C can kill the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.

Police called in over Fiji chief stand-off

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:55:52 +1000

Police have been sent to a village in Fiji's northern islands to help settle a dispute over the appointment of a new chief.

Amnesty highlights abuses in the Asia Pacific region

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:43:41 +1000

Amnesty International releases human rights report, highlighting evictions, torture and detention in Asia Pacific.

Australia dismisses Solomons claims of interference

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:07:50 +1000

Australia denies allegations it tried to have an Australian appointed as Solomons' next police commissioner.

Tongan church alleges minister fund theft

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:32:55 +1000

A church in the Kingdom of Tonga is yet to decide if it will refer to police the alleged theft of more than $US340,000 by a group of its ministers.

Solomons PM commits to transparent mining

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:44:35 +1000

Solomon Islands prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says he's committed to developing the country's mining sector transparently and sustainably.

Solomons PM commits to transparent mining

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:44:35 +1000

Solomon Islands prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says he's committed to developing the country's mining sector transparently and sustainably.

New human rights manual launched in the Pacific

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:38:28 +1000

A new practical workbook aims to inform and empower people across the Pacific about how to defend human rights in their communities.

96 per cent success in wiping out dengue mosquitos in research trial

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:22 +1000

A British research company has reported remarkable results in controlling the mosquito that causes dengue fever.