Pacific Beat
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Cyclone Pat 'may hit' southern Cooks and Niue
Updated 09/02/2010 16:15:22
Tropical Cyclone Pat is starting to alter it's course, and forecasters say it may threaten the southern Cook Islands.
Pacific Islanders needed to recreate Polynesian migration
Updated 09/02/2010 16:15:22
More than 6,000 years ago, a group of sailors who went on to become the first settlers of French Polynesia settlers set out from China in outrigger canoes.
Pacific leaders hear from youth on global crisis
Updated 09/02/2010 16:15:22
The global economic crisis is hurting everyone in the region, but particularly the poor and the vulnerable.
Fiji miners appeal for foreign help with 19-year strike
Updated 09/02/2010 16:15:22
Fiji's Mineworkers Union has appealed to both the International Labour Organisation and the International Human Rights Council for help, as they continue their 19-year strike action at the Vatukoula gold mine.
New Fiji law to stop infant formula 'freebies'
Updated 09/02/2010 16:15:22
The Fiji government has passed a new law banning milk retailers from offering free giveaways that could discourage women from breastfeeding their babies.
Australian High Commissioner to PNG praises bilateral ties
Updated 09/02/2010 16:15:22
Australia's new High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, says he is looking forward to his posting at a time when the bilateral relationship between the two countries is in excellent shape.
First Solomon Islander to referee FIFA World Cup
Updated 09/02/2010 16:15:22
Soccer referee Matthew Taro has made football history - becoming the first Solomon Islander to be appointed to officiate in the FIFA World Cup.
Coast destroyed on French Polynesia's Tubuai by Oli
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:47
As Cyclone Pat threatens to follow in the footsteps of Cyclone Oli, one French Polynesian community is struggling to cope with the aftermath.
Cyclone Pat developing off Cook Islands
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:47
The cyclone season continues with Cyclone Pat hot on the heels of last week's devastating Cyclone Oli.
Solomons dolphin trader says planned release genuine
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:47
A dolphin dealer in the Solomon Islands planning to release 17 dolphins into the wild says criticism against him is unwarranted.
Pacific states get UN praise for poverty fight
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:47
The United Nations has congratulated Pacific countries for the progress they have made on a strategy - the so-called Mauritius Strategy - to help small island developing states combat poverty.
Pacific questions Australia's diplomatic vacuum
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:47
It has been three-and-a-half months since Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for the Pacific, Duncan Kerr, stepped down from the position and there has been no announcement of a replacement.
Japan diet to visit Guam to investigate base relocation
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:47
Members of the Japan's parliament, the diet, are to visit Guam later this week on a fact finding mission to investigate if the entire Futenma US air base can be relocated to Guam.
PNG closer to NRL team with corporate support
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:46
Papua New Guinea's dream of a team in Australia's National Rugby League has got a corporate boost after Airlines PNG and Coca Cola Amatil pledged their support.
High demand for Vanuatu screen print tutor
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:46
A woman in Vanuatu teaching unemployed people the art of screen printing has expanded her project to Solomon Islands and Fiji.
Pacific anti-doping expertise to assist Vancouver Games
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:46
The Oceania National Olympic Committee is sending two anti-doping control officers from Fiji to Vancouver to assist with testing and education programs as part of the Winter Games and Winter Paralympic Games.
Australian Youth Ambassador tackles mental illness stigma
Updated 09/02/2010 09:10:43
Depression, anxiety and other mental health issues often don't get the attention they deserve, but for one young Australian who spent time in Fiji with the Australian Youth Ambassadors program, Mental Health Week was the highlight of her stay.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Extra volcanic activity in Vanuatu being monitored
Updated 08/02/2010 16:17:08
The Vanuatu government is sending monitoring teams to some of the country's active volcanoes to monitor an apparent increase in their activity.
Compensation sought over deadly PNG land battle
Updated 08/02/2010 16:17:08
The developers of Papua New Guinea's first Liquefied Natural Gas-LNG project have been asked to pay compensation following the deaths of five people in ethnic violence.
Police recapture notorious PNG criminal
Updated 08/02/2010 16:17:07
Papua New Guinea's most wanted fugitive, William Nauna Kapris, was recaptured at the weekend.
Cholera, drought and floods hit PNG's East Sepik province
Updated 08/02/2010 16:17:07
Health authorities in Papua New Guinea's East Sepik province say cholera is spreading through the province 'like wildfire', and that a prolonged dry-spell is making things worse.
Anger in Tonga over stalled ferry service
Updated 08/02/2010 16:17:07
Tonga's outer islands are struggling to cope with the loss of their ferry service.
Regional NGO group gets support despite huge debt
Updated 08/02/2010 16:17:07
The Pacific Islands Association of Non Government Organisations, PIANGO, has been given the support of its members despite incurring massive debts.
State of calamity called in cyclone-hit French Polynesia
Updated 08/02/2010 08:43:35
French Polynesia is getting back on its feet after being battered by one of the worst storm in years this weekend, but Radio Australia has just learned that a state of calamity has been called as damage assessments come in.
Assessment of Cyclone Oli underway in Bora Bora, Tubuai
Updated 08/02/2010 08:43:35
Authorities in French Polynesia have begun to survey the damage after the worst storm to hit the territory in years.
ANZ bank upbeat on Pacific outlook
Updated 08/02/2010 08:43:35
The ANZ Bank's Asia-Pacific head says he is optimisitic about the Pacific's ability to repond to the global economic crisis and sees a positive outlook for most regional nations.
UN Pacific economics chief previews Vanuatu keynote
Updated 08/02/2010 08:43:35
Government ministers and officials from fourteen Pacific countries are gathering in Vanuatu for a week-long series of meetings on how their economies can cope with the impacts on them from the global economic meltdown.
Australia conducts dramatic migration changes
Updated 08/02/2010 08:43:35
Australia's skilled migration program is undergoing a dramatic overhaul and will affect thousands of overseas students hoping to study their way to permanent residency.
Cook Islands takes part in Paris Declaration aid review
Updated 08/02/2010 08:43:35
This week sees the latest evaluation of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness to 23 territories.
PNG targets immunisation for measles elimation by 2012
Updated 08/02/2010 08:43:35
The motality rate of children under five years-of-age in Papua New Guinea is the highest in the Western Pacific region.
Year's first dengue case in Australia
Updated 08/02/2010 08:43:35
Public information campaigns to prevent the spread of dengue fever are well underway around the region.
Development of Pacific cricket part of funding boost
Updated 08/02/2010 08:43:31
The Australian government, Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council is to distribute $1.6 million worth of support over four years in cricket development to initially focus on Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Solomon Islands.
Friday, 5 February 2010
French Polynesian President views cyclone damage on Bora Bora
Updated 05/02/2010 16:35:14
Tahiti's high commission says Tropical Cyclone Oli, which hit the north of Cook Islands earlier this week, has been battering French Polynesia's islands of Bora Bora and Maupiti.
Cyclone Oli threatens Austral Island group
Updated 05/02/2010 16:35:14
Tropical Cyclone Oli is now heading for the Austral Islands, where it's expected to arrive at 2am local time.
High Commission in French Polynesia to send cyclone relief to Tubuai
Updated 05/02/2010 16:35:14
Tropical Cyclone Oli is forecast to make direct landfall on the Austral Islands later tonight.
Tongan ferry sinking Royal Commission to begin final public hearings
Updated 05/02/2010 16:35:13
Next Monday the Tongan Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika will begin its final session of public hearings.
New internet technology for PNG academics
Updated 05/02/2010 16:35:14
Academics in Papua New Guinea will soon have an easier way to access the internet.
'Artificial pancreas' invention to help diabetics
Updated 05/02/2010 16:35:14
Parents who have children with juvenile diabetes are on a daily basis forced into a delicate balancing act to keep their child healthy.
Pacific on course for mobile phone banking
Updated 05/02/2010 16:35:13
By the end of this year, thousands of people in the Pacific may be able to do their banking using a mobile phone.
Cyclone Oli hits French Polynesia
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:54
French Polynesia is still on red alert after being battered by Cyclone Oli overnight.
Cyclone eye to cross French Polynesia's Austral group
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:54
Thousands of people have been evacuated from coastal areas overnight across French Polynesia.
Kiribati president pushes Australia on climate plan
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:54
The President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, says the credibility of international systems are under question as Australia's political leaders continue to be undecided about how best to deal with climate change.
Subsidised airfares behind Air Caledonie's financial woes
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:54
Serious concerns have been raised in New Caledonia about the future of the territory's only domestic airline.
Calls for Bougainville inclusion in reconciliation
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:54
The Chair of Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission says the 2008 compensation bill needs to be more comprehensive.
Solomons dolphin release 'obnoxious publicity stunt'
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:54
Chris Porter has drawn much controversy over the years for his business of exporting dolphins from Solomon Islands, but now he says he is prepared to make a change and release 17 dolphins into the wild.
Uncompensated landowners close PNG Kokoda Track
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:54
Landowners along Papua New Guinea's Kokoda Trail have closed the historic path to trekkers until a promise to develop the area is fulfilled.
Men At Work lose copyright case over 'Down Under'
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:54
Australia's Federal Court has ruled that the musical group Men At Work used part of a popular children's tune in their biggest hit, and that they will have to pay damages.
NZ still quiet on proposed contentious Fiji diplomat
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:54
The closed-door meeting of Australia, New Zealand and Fijian foreign ministers has raised many questions across the Pacific.
High-end dialogue a win for Pacific at Copenhagen
Updated 05/02/2010 10:43:50
With Copenhagen's climate conference now many weeks past, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme says the least that it took away from the meet was strong bilateral dialogue.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
French Polynesia braces for cyclone impact
Updated 04/02/2010 17:01:05
French Polynesia is bracing for what could be one of the worst storms in a decade.
More Fiji Methodist Church ministers arrested
Updated 04/02/2010 17:01:05
Fifteen more Fiji Methodist Church ministers have been arrested and charged with breaking the Public Emergency regulations.
Landowners block Kokoda Track in PNG
Updated 04/02/2010 17:01:04
Landowners along PNG's Kokoda Track have closed the historic track to trekkers until a promise to develop the area is fulfilled.
Nauru to hold referendum on constutional change
Updated 04/02/2010 17:01:04
On February 27th, the people of Nauru will vote on changing the country's constitution.
Solomons bid to end development in disaster-prone areas
Updated 04/02/2010 17:01:04
The head of Solomon Islands Disaster Council wants government ministries and agencies to take the lead on preventing development in areas prone to floods and earthquakes.
Tongans targeted in NZ immigration scam
Updated 04/02/2010 11:24:26
Hundreds of Tongan overstayers in New Zealand are reportedly travelling to Waitangi this Saturday, expecting to be granted New Zealand citizenship, in what authorities are describing as a scam.
Decree lessens crime of treason in Fiji
Updated 04/02/2010 10:16:05
A new decree gazetted in Fiji this week reduces the penalty for coups and treason.
Expert says Australia's credibility at stake over Fiji
Updated 04/02/2010 10:16:05
According to a Lowy Institute expert, Australia has backed itself into a diplomatic corner with its tough stance on Fiji and is now risking its crediblity in the region.
French Polynesia bracing for major storms
Updated 04/02/2010 10:16:05
French Polynesia is bracing what could be one of the worst storms in a decade, with tropical storm Oli strenghtening and heading for the main islands of Tahiti and Moorea.
Scientists unlock malaria tactics when invading humans
Updated 04/02/2010 10:16:05
Malaria is still a major problem for many Pacific countries, particularly Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
New Pacific fisheries chief strengthens Nauru group
Updated 04/02/2010 10:16:05
A group of eight Pacific countries have chosen the person who will be leading their campaign to capture a bigger slice of the economic benefits from the Pacific's multi-billion dollar tuna fisheries.
Early year stutter for PNG stocks
Updated 04/02/2010 10:16:05
The Papua New Guinea stock exchange is continuing its early 2010 decline with more bad news from Bank South Pacific.
Alleged misuse of Solomons trusts ruining reputation
Updated 04/02/2010 10:16:02
The Solomon Islands Bar Association has called for new laws on trust accounts after two lawyers were accused of misusing thousands of dollars of their clients' money.
