September 2008

Fiji anti-begging plan criticisedAudio

Updated 30/09/2008 10:29:03

A plan to criminalise giving money to street beggars in Fiji has been criticised by the country's Women's Crisis centre.

Alcohol ban in New Caledonia cuts crime ratesAudioTranscript

Updated 30/09/2008 10:29:03

Rates of crime and drink driving dropped significantly in the New Caledonian capital this weekend, following a temporary ban on selling take-out alcohol.

American Samoa in budget crisisAudio

Updated 30/09/2008 10:29:03

American Samoa's government is in the middle of a budget crisis.

Australia Pacific guest worker scheme delayAudio

Updated 30/09/2008 10:29:03

Australia's guest worker scheme involving Vanuatu, Tonga, PNG and Kiribati is unlikely to be up and running before the year's end.

Report slams American Samoa health care servicesAudio

Updated 30/09/2008 16:08:00

Pacific needs to do more for its disabledAudio

Updated 30/09/2008 16:08:00

Assisting people with disabilities from the Pacific and Asia has been the subject of a major conference in Canberra, Australia.

Digicel launch in FijiAudio

Updated 30/09/2008 16:08:00

In Fiji, a fierce mobile telephone war is about to begin with the launch on Wednesday of the Irish mobile phone company, Digicel.

Pacific countries likely to be hit by global financial crisisAudio

Updated 30/09/2008 16:08:00

Economic experts say it's only a matter of time before Pacific islands are hit by the global financial crisis.

American Samoan nurse helps get child pornography bill passedAudio

Updated 30/09/2008 16:08:00

A young American Samoan woman is being hailed as a local hero for her part in an anti child pornography campaign in the United States.

New Caledonians could be big carbon pollutersAudio

Updated 29/09/2008 11:43:50

A plan to use coal to power the metallurgical industry in New Caledonia could result in the country emitting more carbon per head of population than anywhere else in the world.

Samoa and Tonga do well in anti-corruption surveyAudioTranscript

Updated 29/09/2008 11:43:50

SRTwo Pacific nations have done well in the latest survey of corruption.

Niue wants more from New ZealandAudioTranscript

Updated 29/09/2008 11:43:50

Just three months into his term as Premier of Niue Toke Talagi says more needs to be done by New Zealand for his tiny island nation.

Tovua blames Solomons gov't for violent incidencesAudio

Updated 29/09/2008 11:43:50

RAProminent Solomon Islands leader, Paul Tovua has blamed the early termination of the National Peace Council for the recent spate of criminal activities in some parts of Guadalcanal.

Vanuatu Speaker sets date for no confidence voteAudio

Updated 29/09/2008 16:37:36

Vanuatu's attorney-general has ruled that the opposition's second vote of no confidence in the government can go ahead.

Escape brings Vanuautu prison security into questionAudioTranscript

Updated 26/09/2008 14:52:55

Still In Vanuatu, eight high-risk prisoners are still at large after escaping from jail a week ago.

Kiribati lawyers short on wigsAudioTranscript

Updated 26/09/2008 14:52:55

Lawyers in Kiribati have issued an international appeal for wigs.

Climate Change on Brussels Troika agendaAudio

Updated 26/09/2008 14:52:55

While Fiji was high on the agenda at the recent Troika meeting in Brussels, the issue of climate change Pacific wide was also raised.

Toppled Vice-President speaks his mindAudio

Updated 26/09/2008 14:55:54

Years of delivering speeches as a leader, high court judge and high chief of Fiji have resulted in the launch of a book of speeches of Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

Turnbull's logging background raises questionsAudio

Updated 26/09/2008 14:55:54

SRAs Australia signs a United Nations treaty to combat illegal logging, the new opposition leader's environmental credentials have been called into question.

Another no-confidence motion against new Vanuatu governmentAudio

Updated 25/09/2008 10:49:19

RAWith less than two days in office, Vanuatu prime minister Edward Natapei's coalition government has had a second vote of confidence lodged against it.

NZ makes it easier to send remittances to PacificAudio

Updated 25/09/2008 10:49:19

People from the Pacific sending money home from New Zealand are to benefit from a new regulation to cut transfer charges.

Babies dying because of incorrect bottle-feedingAudio

Updated 25/09/2008 10:49:18

Infants in Papua New Guinea are dying as a result of drinking infant formula from unsanitary feeding bottles.

Solomons by-election controversies

Updated 25/09/2008 17:12:19

In Solomon Islands, there are mounting problems with the East Honiara by-election.

Vanuatu politics in state of flux

Updated 25/09/2008 17:12:19

Vanuatu is in a state of political turmoil again today with the Government now claiming the opposition does not have the required numbers to debate a vote of no confidence.

NFP asks President to dismiss interim governmentTranscript

Updated 25/09/2008 17:12:20

A small opposition political party in Fuiji has asked the country's president to dismiss the interim government.

PNG amongst most corrupt countries on earthAudio

Updated 24/09/2008 16:05:10

Papua New Guinea has been ranked amongst the most corrupt countries in the world by civil society group Transparency International.

Solomons by-election security warningAudio

Updated 24/09/2008 16:05:10

Solomon Islands Police have warned Honiara residents that they will not tolerate any disorder as they await the outcome of yesterday's parliamentary by-election.

Fiji truck drivers warned of Iraq recruitment firmsAudio

Updated 24/09/2008 16:05:10

Fijian truck drivers are being advised to excercise extreme caution before enlisting with recruitment firms offering jobs in Iraq.

No confidence vote cancelledAudio

Updated 24/09/2008 16:05:11

With less than two days in office, Vanuatu prime minister Edward Natapei's coalition government has already had one vote of confidence against it cancelled due to a lack of numbers.

PNG's Credit corp defys world trends to post record half-year profitAudio

Updated 24/09/2008 16:05:10

While banking and finance stocks around the world plummet, Papua New Guinea's Credit Corporation has just announced a record half-yearly profit of 238 million kina, or around 114 million Australian dollars.

Noumea to trial a 'dry' weekendAudio

Updated 23/09/2008 16:14:40

Traders in the New Caledonian capital of Noumea will see their profits hit next weekend, when a temporary ban on alcohol comes into effect.

Solomons and PNG border talksAudio

Updated 23/09/2008 16:14:40

RASenior officials from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are currently meeting in Honiara to talk about the implementation of their border agreement.

New PI paper to publish good news onlyAudio

Updated 23/09/2008 16:14:40

A newspaper for New Zealand's Pacific islands community has just begun publishing, and it will concentrate on good news.

Sea level rises threatens PNG coastAudio

Updated 23/09/2008 16:19:25

A new report from global charity organisation World Vision says the negative effects of climate change are becoming more evident in coastal areas across the Asia Pacific Region.

Claims RAMSI is creating fear in villagesAudio

Updated 23/09/2008 16:19:25

The deputy premier of the Solomons' Guadalcanal has reiterated that villagers in the southern region, where police and RAMSI troops are hunting murder suspect Alphonseus Toghovotu, continue to be fearful in their armed presence.

Fiji Police under spotlight over death of escaped prisonerAudio

Updated 23/09/2008 16:19:25

Fiji's Police Department is under pressure to release details of an inquiry into the death of an escaped prisoner who'd been brutally bashed during his recapture.

Fiji wants to repair relations with ForumAudio

Updated 23/09/2008 16:19:25

The chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Niue premier Toke Talagi, has received a letter from Fiji's interim prime minister requesting "re-engagement" with the Forum.

Climate change film festival opensAudio

Updated 23/09/2008 16:19:25

A festival with a difference began in Fiji this week.

Three in court over machete attack on NZ policemanAudio

Updated 22/09/2008 16:02:35

In the Solomon Islands, capital, Honiara, three men have faced a court bail hearing over a machete attack on a New Zealand RAMSI officer earlier this month.

Troika optimistic about Fiji electionsAudio

Updated 22/09/2008 16:02:35

RAParticipants at last weeks meeting of the so-called "Troika" group in Brussels remain optimistic that Fiji will return to democracy and hold elections by March 2009.

Tribal fight over a woman leaves 16 deadAudio

Updated 22/09/2008 16:02:35

A tribal fight over a woman in the Papua New Guinea Highlands has left 16 people dead and a dozen houses destroyed.

Natapei is new Prime MinisterAudio

Updated 22/09/2008 16:02:35

RAIn Vanautu, the Vanuaku'u party leader Edward Natapei has been elected as prime minister by narrow two vote margin.

Video project to highligh Pacific 'heroes'AudioTranscript

Updated 22/09/2008 09:25:22

Budding filmakers get your cameras ready.

Archbishop Tutu not going to Solomon IslandsAudio

Updated 22/09/2008 09:25:22

RASouth Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu is unavaliable to travel to Solomon Islands to help establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

US economic downturn hits HawaiiAudio

Updated 22/09/2008 09:25:22

The US financial downturn and record-high fuel prices have taken a big bite out of Hawaii's tourism industry.

Huge boulders show power of ancient tsunami in TongaAudio

Updated 19/09/2008 15:49:38

US scientists have discovered evidence that an enormous tsunami hit Tonga several thousand years ago.

Samoa attempts to play in Super 14 rugby seriesAudioTranscript

Updated 19/09/2008 15:56:38

Samoa is hoping to be the first country to break the South Africa, Australia and New Zealand stranglehold on the Super 14 Rugby series.

New undersea mineral deposits found off TongaAudio

Updated 19/09/2008 15:51:44

Large deposits of gold, silver, zinc and copper have been found off the west cost of Tonga.

License dispute delays long awaited road in VanuatuAudio

Updated 19/09/2008 16:11:35

The building of the long-awaited Efate Ring Road in Vanuatu could be delayed because a dispute over licenses.

Judge to rule on Fiji assassination stay proceedingsAudio

Updated 19/09/2008 16:13:00

The Fiji High Court is likely to rule next month on a stay appeal sought on proceedings against the 10 men charged with conspiracy to assassinate the interim Prime Minister and others.

PNG market insulated from world economic turmoilAudio

Updated 19/09/2008 16:27:59

RAStock markets around the world are in turmoil but not in Papua New Guinea which has been insulated from the current crisis.

Samoan MP released from custody in the USAudioTranscript

Updated 18/09/2008 16:02:52

Samoa's Associate Minister of Trade and Commerce Hans Joachim Keil has been released from detention in the United States.

New plane for Wallis and FutunaAudio

Updated 18/09/2008 16:08:30

Transport links between the islands of Wallis and Futuna should improve with the purchase of a new aircraft.

National hopes to attract more Pacific votesAudio

Updated 18/09/2008 16:08:20

New Zealand's opposition National Party will try to use moral issues to persuade Pacific island voters to switch their votes at the upcoming election.

Pacific nations told to change their attitude to attract businessAudioTranscript

Updated 18/09/2008 16:12:03

A working group from the recent economic summit in Fiji wants to turn Fiji into one of the world's major call centres by 2010.

WHO declares dengue pandemic in Pacific regionAudioTranscript

Updated 18/09/2008 16:18:12

The World Health Organisation has declared a dengue pandemic in the Pacific region and is calling for a co-ordinated regional response to the situation.

PNG parliament stopped from sitting over pipeline disputeAudio

Updated 18/09/2008 16:14:59

Landowners from the Eastern and Western Highlands of PNG have handed court papers to the Speaker of the House preventing todays sitting of Parliament.

Concern over France & Aust new military agreementAudio

Updated 18/09/2008 16:27:41

RAThe main Kanak pro-independence political in New Caledonia, the FLNKS, has expressed concern over an agreement being brokered between France and Australia regarding the use of the French military base there.

Ex-PNG military chief says army can't secure Indonesian borderAudioTranscript

Updated 17/09/2008 15:39:52

A former Papua New Guinea military commander says security at the border with Indonesia must be stepped up.

French Polynesian court jails 20 for "ice" smugglingAudio

Updated 17/09/2008 15:46:59

In French Polynesia, around 20 people have been handed down prison sentences ranging from eight to 10 years for smuggling a potent stimulant known as "ice".

New Government TV launched in Papua New GuineaAudio

Updated 17/09/2008 15:57:35

Papua New Guinea viewers now have an alternative free to air channel to watch with the launching of the state run National Television Service, the NTS.

PNG TV service to broadcast two hours a dayAudio

Updated 17/09/2008 16:01:01

Papua's New Guinea's new television service, the NTS will broadcast for two hours every evening and will include nightly news, educational programs and documentaries.

Concern Australians catching HIV in PNGAudio

Updated 17/09/2008 16:03:41

Australian health authorities are warning businessmen travelling to Papua New Guinea to take precautions against contracting HIV.

Australia & France to increase defence ties in the PacificAudioTranscript

Updated 17/09/2008 16:09:05

Australia and France are set to increase their defence ties in the South Pacific with Australia having greater access to France's defence operations in the region.

Lawyer concerned about rule of law in FijiAudio

Updated 16/09/2008 16:14:08

An Australian constitutional lawyer says he's concerned Fiji's police department is being selective about the complaints it chooses to investigate.

Overseas Tongans not happy with citizenship feeAudio

Updated 16/09/2008 16:14:15

Tongans living overseas are unhappy at how much money they're being asked to pay to get their citizenship back.

Opposition challenges government to defend its CharterAudio

Updated 16/09/2008 16:19:42

In Fiji, the interim government's People's Charter continues to create controversy and division in the country.

Remote parts of Australia described as a "failed state"Audio

Updated 16/09/2008 16:25:44

The term "failed state" is one that has been used to describe a number of the Pacific Island nations as law and order disintegrated and corruption ran rife but it is not a term which would normally be associated with Australia.

Fiji employers say maternity leave laws may backfireAudio

Updated 16/09/2008 16:28:23

Fiji employers say the introduction of new labour laws giving women maternity leave may cost women their jobs.

Pacific countries reaffirm commitment to RAMSIAudioTranscript

Updated 16/09/2008 16:36:02

RAThe parties to the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands have reaffirmed their strong commitment to the deployment.

NZ Prime Minister announces November poll dateAudio

Updated 15/09/2008 11:04:36

New Zealands prime minister Helen Clark has announced a general election on November the 8th.

PNG's former Chief Justice loses his parliamentary seatAudio

Updated 15/09/2008 11:06:44

The court of disputed returns in Madang has declared the election of Papua New Guinea's former Chief Justice and Governor Sir Arnold Amet void.

Samoa's Fa'afafine unite for better acceptanceAudioTranscript

Updated 15/09/2008 16:06:43

Samoa has been enjoying its annual Teuila Festival - a cultural event involving all of the Samoan islands in a celebration of "The Samoan Way".

Pacific humpback whales still endangeredAudio

Updated 15/09/2008 16:09:09

Humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean are still officially endangered, despite a rapid rise in the global population.

New fund heralds shift towards more self-sufficiency in TongaAudio

Updated 15/09/2008 16:11:29

Tonga is setting up a 50-million U-S dollar fund to be used to cope with natural disasters such as cyclones.

Lawyers want Fiji's assassination plot court case dismissedAudio

Updated 15/09/2008 16:13:39

In Fiji, lawyers acting for a businessman accused of being the mastermind in the alleged assassination plot against senior members of the interim government want the case dismissed.

Niue Premier strongly criticises NZAudio

Updated 12/09/2008 15:57:24

The premier of Niue has strongly criticised the island's main source of money, New Zealand.

Report says corruption eroding benefits of PNG economic boomAudioTranscript

Updated 12/09/2008 15:51:01

A new report says corruption and the failure to develop health services, education and general infrastructure is eroding the benefits from Papua New Guinea's economic growth.

Fiji courts to hand down more verdicts in agriculture scamAudio

Updated 12/09/2008 15:53:12

RAIn Fiji, the courts are set to hand down a verdict in the trial of two more officials in a long running agriculture scam.

SDL lawyer says options to get treason complaints investigatedAudio

Updated 12/09/2008 15:55:43

RAIn Fiji, the lawyer acting for SDL party members who have filed a complaint of treason against members of the interim government, says he has other options if police continue to refuse to investigate.

Tonga to crack down on Chinese tourists who stay and workAudioTranscript

Updated 12/09/2008 15:51:01

The Tongan government is cracking down on people who arrive in the country as tourists but stay on and start working.

Pacific Maritime Agencies exercise in Solomon Islands.Audio

Updated 12/09/2008 16:01:53

A major training exercise by maritime law enforcement agencies from around the region is being held in Solomon Islands this week.

Fiji police too busy to take treason statement from deposed PMAudio

Updated 12/09/2008 16:00:09

RAFiji's ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase has been unable to lodge his statement alleging treason.

Japan unhappy at demand for WW2 compensation in PNGAudio

Updated 11/09/2008 15:44:32

Japan has criticised a Papua New Guinea organisation for demanding compensation in exchange for help in locating the bodies of Japanese soldiers killed in World War Two.

OECD says rich nations looking for temporary migrantsAudio

Updated 11/09/2008 15:48:07

SRThe world's richest nations are increasingly looking for temporary migrants as their populations age and they need more low-skilled labour.

Taiwan gives $US600,000 to PacificAudio

Updated 11/09/2008 15:51:30

Taiwan has given more than $US600,000 to seven regional organisations in the Pacific.

Solomons police defend tougher tactics hunting criminalsAudioTranscript

Updated 11/09/2008 16:07:47

Solomon Islands police have defended the use of tougher tactics in the hunt for wanted criminals.

Rival camps claims numbers in Vanuatu electionAudio

Updated 11/09/2008 16:10:49

Several of Vanuatu's main political parties have agreed to form a coalition bringing together 33 of the 52 Members of Parliament and delivering the prime ministership to Edward Natapei.

Commerical satellite launch from Pacific later this monthAudioTranscript

Updated 10/09/2008 15:46:50

A private company believes it will finally launch a commercial satellite into orbit from the Pacific later this month.

Corroding WW2 wrecks leaking in Chuuk LagoonAudioTranscript

Updated 10/09/2008 15:46:50

The shipwrecks from World War Two that are scattered on the seabeds of Micronesia have long been a symbol of nature's regenerative power.

Pacific slips in World Bank ease of doing business rankingsAudio

Updated 10/09/2008 15:49:51

Vanuatu is the only Pacific Island nation to improve its standing in this year's World Bank ease of doing business survey.

Speculation NZ Foreign Minister will be sacked tomorrowAudio

Updated 10/09/2008 16:01:01

There's speculation on both sides of the Tasman that New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters will be sacked tomorrow by prime minister Helen Clark.

Australia says Pacific vital to security of the regionAudioTranscript

Updated 10/09/2008 16:07:48

Australia's defence minister says the defence and security of Pacific countries like Solomon Islands is vital to the security of Australia and the broader Pacific community.

Australia flags increase in defence spendingAudioTranscript

Updated 10/09/2008 16:12:23

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has flagged an increase in defence spending, warning Australia's military must start preparing for an arms build-up in Asia and the Pacific.

International peace voyage by Japanese WW2 atomic bomb survivorsAudio

Updated 09/09/2008 14:29:22

About 100 survivors of the U.S.

Solomons reviews economic and political foreign policy.

Updated 09/09/2008 14:31:18

The Solomon Islands' heads of overseas missions have agreed that the country should only have offices in countries where it has economic and political interests.

Aust Defence Force plane makes hard landing in PNGAudio

Updated 09/09/2008 15:13:06

An Australian Defence Force Caribou plane has made a hardlanding at Efogi Airfield, north-east of Port Morseby in Papua New Guinea.

Nautilus discovers new high-grade seafloor mineral deposit in PNGAudioTranscript

Updated 09/09/2008 16:03:27

Nautilus Minerals has announced the discovery of a new high-grade copper and zinc deposit at its seafloor exploration area in the Bismark Sea in Papua New Guinea.

Proposed sanctioned camps for long-grassers in DarwinAudio

Updated 09/09/2008 16:03:26

In Australia, homeless people in the nothern city of Darwin are known locally as long-grassers - people who illegally sleep rough in the city's mangroves and bushland.

Fiji SDL party begins court action against People's CharterAudio

Updated 09/09/2008 16:05:25

The SDL party in Fiji has instructed its lawyer to file an injunction against the interim government to try to stop it implementing the People's Charter.

Church opposed to decriminalising homosexuality in PacificAudioTranscript

Updated 09/09/2008 16:08:20

The head of Samoa's biggest church says any attempt to push to decriminalise male homosexuality in the Pacific is likely to face strong opposition.

Taiwan signals new approach to Pacific aidAudioTranscript

Updated 09/09/2008 16:11:03

The diplomatic competition for friends in the Pacific could be in for a shakeup.

Fiji police stall on treason investigationAudio

Updated 09/09/2008 16:14:09

Fiji's police commissioner Esala Teleni has been asked to standdown by members of the SDL party after his announcment that he will not investigate allegations of treason.

Archbishop Tutu asked to help Solomons reconciliationAudio

Updated 08/09/2008 16:17:06

Transparency Solomon Islands has welcomed the government's move to invite South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu to help with the reconciliation process in the country.

New record breaking gas flow in PNGAudioTranscript

Updated 08/09/2008 16:21:43

Papua New Guinea has a new record breaking gas flow.

China showing signs of shifting delivery of Pacific aidAudio

Updated 08/09/2008 16:25:46

The question of aid assistance in the Pacific has at times highlighted the dollar diplomacy-battle between China and Taiwan.

Vanuatu candidates begin coalition shoppingAudioTranscript

Updated 08/09/2008 16:25:25

While an official declaration of results from Vanuatu's general election is still about a week away, negotiations for coalition partners are already the talk of Port Vila.

Fiji police to decide on treason charges against militaryAudio

Updated 08/09/2008 16:48:52

In Fiji, members of the SDL party who lodged a compaint of treason against the interim prime minister have gone into hiding.

Private space launches could benefit PacificAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 16:16:33

A private company believes it will finally launch a commercial satellite into orbit from the Pacific later this month.

Fiji Methodists refuse to back downAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 15:57:48

Fiji's Methodist Church says it won't be backing down from its opposition to the interim government's People's Charter, or its determination to convert non-Christians.

Crackdown on irresponsible whale watching in French PolynesiaAudioTranscript

Updated 05/09/2008 16:08:13

RAThe authorities in French Polynesia are set to crack down on irresponsible whale watching practices.

Call for tougher penalties for law-breaking leadersAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 16:11:01

RAThe Chairman of Transparency Solomon Islands, Bob Pollard wants to see tougher penalties for the country's leaders who break the law.

Mini economic summit underway in FijiAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 16:16:00

Fiji's interim regime has convened a two day summit to look at ways of strengthening the island's economy, which suffered its fourth coup in 2006.

Australia says envoy should chair Fiji Presidential forumAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 16:24:53

Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says Fiji's interim government should allow the Commonwealth Special Envoy, Sir Paul Reeves, to do what he means to do - to chair the Presidential forum on political reform.

Urgent action needed to regulate seafloor miningAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 16:27:08

Pacific Island governments have been told to act quickly to ensure that when undersea mining goes ahead, it does so with the necessary financial and environmental safeguards.

Pacific Islanders told to grow more foodAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 16:31:08

RAPeople in the Pacific will need to be more self-reliant to weather food price hikes.

Samoan police officer charged with manslaughter in SolomonsAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 16:32:49

RAThe Solomon Islands Director of Public Prosecutions will argue that the immunity provision for members of the Regional Assistance Mission do not apply to a Samoan police officer facing criminal charges.

CNMI Government opposes creation of Marine 'Monument'Audio

Updated 05/09/2008 16:34:48

The government of the Commonwealth of the Northen Marianas is opposed to American plans to create a marine monument around three uninhabited northern-most islands.

Still no election result in VanuatuAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 16:49:54

There's still no firm result in Vanuatu's general election.

Fiji's deposed PM wants coup leader charged with treasonAudioTranscript

Updated 05/09/2008 17:13:21

Fiji's ousted government has officially lodged a complaint of treason against coup leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

Concerted effort needed to ensure crop diversityAudio

Updated 05/09/2008 17:13:21

Climate change and its potentially devastating effect on the survival of Pacific Island communities is increasingly gaining the attention of people around the world.

Pacific delegation heads to China for talksAudioTranscript

Updated 05/09/2008 17:24:24

Australia is leading a delegation of Pacific nations to Beijing to discuss China's role in the region.The Pacific has been seen as part of the wider battleground between China and Taiwan as the two strive for diplomatic and economic influence.

PNG Telikom joins with partners to boost B-Mobile serviceAudio

Updated 04/09/2008 15:58:03

Telikom Papua New Guinea has announced it will bring in four new joint venture partners to help its B-Mobile service compete with the entrepreneurial Irish company, Digicel.

Young Pacific Islanders learn how to be entrepreneursAudio

Updated 04/09/2008 15:58:03

In Fiji, about 30 young people from around the Pacific are learning how to become entrepreneurs.The United Nations Development Programme, the Commonwealth Youth Programme and an organisation called Integrated Human Resource Development Programme are behind the initiative.

Calls for resignation of PNG Maritime Authority headAudioTranscript

Updated 04/09/2008 16:01:12

Papua New Guinea's Opposition party wants the chairman of the country's Maritime Safety Authority to resign over a possible conflict of interest after two vessels owned by his company sank.

Nauru reaps rewards from high phosphate pricesAudioTranscript

Updated 04/09/2008 16:03:25

Nauru is again starting to reap economic rewards from phosphate.

Outbreak of Dengue Fever in FijiAudio

Updated 04/09/2008 16:15:02

Fiji is suffering a national outbreak of dengue fever for the first time in a decade.

Ruling Coalition likely to be returned in VanuatuAudio

Updated 04/09/2008 16:15:16

In Vanuatu, vote counting is continuing slowly in the general election but early trends indicate that the numbers maybe falling the way of the ruling coalition.

Logging companies told to pay up in Solomon Islands provinceAudioTranscript

Updated 03/09/2008 15:57:53

In Solomons Islands, a provincial government has issued an ultimatum to logging companes ..

Question over status of rugby testsAudio

Updated 03/09/2008 15:57:53

The International Rugby Board is reportedly questioning the official status of today's test between the All Blacks and Manu Samoa.

Critical power situation in Saipan, CNMIAudio

Updated 03/09/2008 16:04:23

RAThe main island of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Saipan, is now down to less than half of its generators with the utility warning the hospital and airport could lose power at any time.

10 years jail for French Polynesian drug smugglerAudio

Updated 03/09/2008 16:06:39

In French Polynesia, 19 people have been sentenced in the territory's most significant drug trafficking trial to date.

Vote counting nearing end in VanuatuAudio

Updated 03/09/2008 16:08:46

The counting of votes in Vanuatu's general election is nearly finished with unconfirmed results indicating some diverse trends.

Flooding threatens PNG's second largest cityAudio

Updated 03/09/2008 16:13:20

Heavy rain and flooding is threatening the lives of nearly four thousand people in Papua New Guinea's second largest city of Lae.

Solomons police condemn attack on NZ officerAudioTranscript

Updated 03/09/2008 16:28:09

Solomon Islands police have condemned an attack on a New Zealand police officer serving with the Regional Assistance Mission on the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal.

Fiji's proposed presidential forum in doubtAudio

Updated 03/09/2008 16:54:54

RAFiji's proposed Presidential political forum is in doubt after the Commonwealth special envoy, Sir Paul Reeves was reportedly told to step aside as chair by the interim government.

Solomons MP's tardy in turning up for ParliamentAudio

Updated 02/09/2008 15:47:38

Solomon Islands' government parliamentarians have been criticised for failing to turn up to parliament.

Concern over conflict of interest in PNG shippingAudio

Updated 02/09/2008 16:01:08

RAPapua New Guinea Maritime officials are concerned about a possible conflict of interest over the sinking of two vessels owned by the chairman of the country's National Maritime Safety Authority.

Australian experts help in Fiji fatal bus investigationAudio

Updated 02/09/2008 16:03:03

RAFiji police have called on Australian Forensic experts to help investigate last week's tragic bus crash.

Warning PNG behind in university placesAudio

Updated 02/09/2008 16:05:17

RAPapua New Guinea's Minister for Higher Education, Research and Science and Technology, Michael Ogio, has warned the country is not keeping up with the demand for university places.

Poll finds Australians back seasonal workers schemeAudio

Updated 02/09/2008 16:08:24

A new opinion poll suggests most Australians support the Pacific Islands guest worker scheme.

Suspected Sri Lankan separatists arrested in PNGAudio

Updated 02/09/2008 16:11:26

Papua New Guinea's National Intelligence Organisation has arrested 12 Sri Lankans thought to be members of a separatist group, in a covert dawn raid.

Big voter turn-out in Vanuatu general electionsAudioTranscript

Updated 02/09/2008 16:16:31

It is expected to take up to 48 hours after the polls close in today's general elections in Vanuatu before official results can be declared.

Pacific outrage at HIV quarantine suggestionAudioTranscript

Updated 02/09/2008 16:15:52

HIV positive people in the Pacific are outraged at comments by a leading Pacific health expert, who believes people with HIV and Aids should be quarantined.

Aus & NZ reach free trade pact with ASEANAudio

Updated 01/09/2008 16:22:20

Australia and New Zealand have agreed on a free trade pact with ASEAN - the ten South East Asian nations which make up the bloc.

Pacific police chiefs meeting in SamoaAudio

Updated 01/09/2008 16:21:51

The 37th annual Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police conference gets underway today in Samoa
The regional police heads are expected to discuss joint training, intelligence sharing and the threat of transnational crime.

Solomons wants artefacts repatriated from overseasAudio

Updated 01/09/2008 16:24:01

The Director of the Solomon Islands National Museum, Lawrence Foanaota says he'd like to see the return of many of the country's historical artefacts presently housed in museums around the world.

Mechancial failure contributing factor in Fiji bus crashAudio

Updated 01/09/2008 16:25:59

RAIn Fiji initial inquiries into Friday's fatal bus crash have found that mechanical failture was a contributing factor.

Vanuatu's independent candidates want new leadershipAudio

Updated 01/09/2008 16:26:49

A number of independent candidates in tomorrow's general election in Vanuatu have agreed to work together to try to defeat the government.

Methodists target Indo-Fijians for conversionAudio

Updated 01/09/2008 16:24:48

Fiji's Methodist Church is being criticised for announcing it's targeting the country's Indo-Fijian population for evangelisation.