November 2008
PNG women worst affected by domestic violence
Updated 28/11/2008 16:25:08
Papua New Guinea's only woman MP, Dame Carol Kidu, says PNG needs well researched data, which will help the country address all forms of violence against women.
Pacific-EU trade negotiations making headway
Updated 28/11/2008 16:25:08
Pacific parliamentarians say they have made progress after this week's trade negotiations with the European Union in Papua New Guinea.
Pacific delegation tours guest worker destinations in Australia
Updated 28/11/2008 16:25:08
A delegation of ministers and senior bureaucrats from four Pacific island nations are touring the Murray Valley in Victoria, in the lead up to the new Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme.
PNG diplomat calls for a review of aid
Updated 27/11/2008 13:38:33
Australia's assistance to Papua New Guinea this financial year is worth just under 390 million dollars -- however if Port Moresby's most senior diplomat in Canberra has his way, this could soon be cut.
Aust Bar Association also concerned at Fiji situation
Updated 27/11/2008 13:38:49
The London based-International Bar Association says it has been told by Fiji it is not welcome in the country.
Fiji interim govt seeks jail and fine for second paper
Updated 27/11/2008 14:34:33
Fiji's interim government is seeking jail sentences and hefty fines for a second local newspaper over contempt of court
charges.
PNG forests worth more intact says new Greenpeace report
Updated 27/11/2008 14:34:04
The value of the carbon contained in Papua New Guinea forests is many times greater than the value of industrial logging, according to a new report released by Greenpeace.
Pacific Islanders record high rate of chlamydia
Updated 27/11/2008 14:43:24
Pregnant women in the Pacific region are recording unusually high rates of chlamydia.
Samoan businesses unhappy at continuing power outages
Updated 27/11/2008 14:45:00
Samoa's private sector is upset that problems with power supply on the main island of Upolu are still continuing.
Fiji ban on International Bar Association visit may be lifted next yea
Updated 27/11/2008 15:32:23
Fiji's interim government says it's ban on a visit to the country by a delegation from the International Bar Association is not permanent.
No-confidence Motion in Vanuatu PM defeated
Updated 26/11/2008 10:39:49
The Vanuatu Prime Minister, Edward Natapei has survived a motion of no-confidence.
Endangered fruit bat colony attacked in Northern Marianas
Updated 26/11/2008 15:29:43
Poachers have slaughtered hundreds of protected fruit bats on the island of Rota in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.
Lost I-Kiribati fishermen drift to PNG
Updated 26/11/2008 15:33:03
Four men from Kiribati who set out on day-long fishing have ended up in New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea after drifting for 32 days at sea.The New Ireland Provincial Disaster office says the men are expected to be flown to Port Moresby tomorrow before being repatriated to Kiribati by the PNG government.
International Bar Association barred from Fiji
Updated 26/11/2008 15:35:47
The London based-International Bar Association says it has been told by Fiji it is not welcome in the country.
Aust signs seasonal workers deals with Tonga, Kiribati & Vanuatu
Updated 26/11/2008 15:39:06
Labour ministers from Tonga, Kiribati and Vanuatu have signed agreements in Canberra on Australia's pilot scheme for Pacific seasonal workers.Canberra officials have been racing to complete details of the agreements -- or Memoranda of Understanding -- to try to meet the pledge to bring in the first of the workers by the end of this year.They're still negotiating with Papua New Guinea, the fourth of the Pacific nations Australia will draw on for the two-thousand-five-hundred workers.
Pacific nations demand a fair trade deal with the EU
Updated 26/11/2008 15:55:01
The Pacific Islands nations have come together to demand that the European Union accepts their position for a fair trade deal which will not destroy their local economy and industries.
Niue public servants pension age raised from 55 to 60
Updated 25/11/2008 12:12:23
Niue has reversed its experiment with paying a retirement benefit to public servants at the age of 55.
Motion of no-confidence tabled in Vanuatu PM
Updated 25/11/2008 16:43:00
Vanuatu's Prime Minister, Edward Natapei is currently facing a motion of no-confidence in his government - the second in as many months.
Tensions growing in South Bougainville
Updated 25/11/2008 16:43:00
A plea to rid Bougainville of weapons and for more research into deadly conflict in the south has emerged from a group of South Bougainvilleans visiting Australia.
PNG women among the most abused in the world
Updated 25/11/2008 16:49:58
A new report by Australia's International Aid Agency-AusAid has found women in Papua New Guinea face some of the highest levels of domestic and sexual violence in the world.
French Polynesian pearl marketing body collapses
Updated 25/11/2008 16:52:58
The trade group responsible for the world wide promotion of French Polynesian pearls has gone into judicial liquidation.
Outrage over call to microchip Papuans with HIV-Aids
Updated 25/11/2008 17:08:27
A local doctor and legislator in the Indonesian province of Papua has sparked outrage by announcing that he expects to pass a by-law to make it legal to "microchip" Papuans with HIV/AIDS.
Taiwan calls for truce with China on Diplomacy War.
Updated 24/11/2008 11:24:20
Taiwan has taken its next step in trying to negotiate an end to the diplomat chequebook war its been involved in with China.
Solomon Islands banks told to hold minimum deposits
Updated 24/11/2008 11:24:20
The Solomon Islands Central Bank has imposed a minimum limit on the total deposit liabilities by the commercial banks with the Central Bank.
China-US military rivaly seen in Guam buildup
Updated 24/11/2008 16:55:17
Meanwhile, the Pacific risks becoming the centre of a new arms race between American and China, according to a forecast projected by the US National Intelligence Council ...
Fiji budget offers relief for the poor
Updated 21/11/2008 14:31:43
Fiji's interim government has announced a budget of around one-point-75 billion Fiji dollars for 2009.
Australia tells Pacific it will gain from free trade
Updated 21/11/2008 14:51:05
Australia has moved to reassure Pacific states that they do stand to gain from the push for free trade in the region.
Australian banks not interested in Nauru
Updated 21/11/2008 14:51:05
The failure of any the big Australian banks to respond to Nauru's invitation to establish a branch on the island is forcing Nauru to to consider other options, including setting up a new bank of its own.
No sign Taiwan moving away from chequebook diplomacy
Updated 21/11/2008 15:49:37
RAAustralian Foreign Affairs officials say they've seen no evidence of a winding back of so-called chequebook diplomacy in the Pacific by Taiwan, despite a pledge by its new President.
Cost of sending remittances from NZ to Tonga falls
Updated 21/11/2008 15:57:10
Sending money back to family members has just become a little cheaper for Tongans living in New Zealand.
Fiji judge explains stay ruling
Updated 20/11/2008 16:57:42
In Fiji, lawyers were back in court today to hear Court of Appeal judge Justice John Byrnes give his reasons for allowing work to continue on the People's Charter.
Economic outlook improves for Nauru
Updated 20/11/2008 16:57:42
High phosphate prices have dramatically improved the economic outlook for Nauru and created new interest from foreign investors.
Australians warned not to travel to French Polynesian capital
Updated 20/11/2008 21:40:23
A series of strikes that have hit Papeete in recent weeks has led Australia to upgrade its warning to travellers about potential violence.
Niue public servants pension age raised from 55 to 60
Updated 20/11/2008 16:57:43
Niue has reversed its experiment with paying a retirement benefit to public servants at the age of 55.
Special envoy to Kokoda says Aust owes a war time debt to PNG
Updated 20/11/2008 16:57:41
Australia's newly appointed special envoy on the historic Kokoda Trail says Australia owes a war time debt to Papua New Guinea.
PNG workers want jobs on Guam
Updated 20/11/2008 17:05:47
Papua New Guinea's largest workers union has criticised the government over delays in helping 2000 workers get jobs at the U-S naval base in Guam.
Islam viewed a threat to Solomon Islands
Updated 20/11/2008 17:59:50
RAThe Solomon Islands Christian Association says the growing presence of Islam is a threat to national security and Christianity in the country.
Fiji Cabinet approves first Disability Policy
Updated 19/11/2008 16:37:56
Fiji has a new national policy covering disabilities.The Fiji Cabinet recently endorsed the policy which took two years to complete.
Concern over condition of Tonga's inter-island ferry
Updated 19/11/2008 16:40:12
There are concerns that Tonga's main inter-island ferry may not be in a fit state to operate over Christmas and New Year.
Solomons economy hit my global financial crisis
Updated 19/11/2008 16:41:24
The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands is optimistic the country's economy will grow this year.
Global financial crisis hits Papua New Guinea
Updated 19/11/2008 16:46:45
The government of Papua New Guinea says the global financial crisis has forced it to reduce the country's 2009 budget.
Concern Pacific seafarers at risk from pirates
Updated 19/11/2008 16:49:08
While the world's attention is focused on a Saudi Arabian supertanker which has been hijacked by Somali pirates, a fishing vessel registered in Kiribati has also been seized.
Coffee on the curriculum for PNG students
Updated 19/11/2008 16:53:03
Students in Papua New Guinea will be taught how to produce coffee, under a program recently launched in Goroka.
Push for better sanitation on World Toilet Day
Updated 19/11/2008 16:58:14
Another World Toilet Day is being marked and in the Australian city of Brisbane the big even is an unusual exhibition featuring decorated toilets.
Outdated Solomons laws to be amended by parliament
Updated 19/11/2008 17:00:01
The Solomon Islands Parliament will begin its last sitting for the year tomorrow with an agenda including amendments to some long outdated laws.
Tahiti hit by a series of strikes
Updated 19/11/2008 17:16:24
Tahiti is being disrupting by industrial action.
PNG Media Council investigating brawl
Updated 18/11/2008 16:54:06
Papua New Guinea's Media Council has begun an investigation into the cause of a brawl at its annual awards ceremony.
Australian to be extradited on murder charge from Solomons
Updated 18/11/2008 16:57:47
An Australian man wanted over a murder four years ago is expected to be extradited from Solomon Islands next week Bassam Tiba, who also holds a Lebanon passport, has been on the run since 2004.
Australia hopeful for future of New Caledonia
Updated 18/11/2008 16:51:28
Australia is optimistic that New Caledonia is firmly on a peaceful path to further autonomy from France, and that there are strong prospects to build on the territory's engagement with the wider Pacific region.
National Council for Building a Better Fiji to be disbanded
Updated 18/11/2008 17:01:34
The National Council for Building a Better Fiji is to be disbanded next month.
Tongan PM defends emergency regulations remaining in force
Updated 18/11/2008 17:06:26
Tonga's pro-democracy movement is angry that emergency regulations imposed after the devastating 2006 riot in the capital, Nukualofa, are still in effect two years later.
Papua New Guinea hands down budget
Updated 18/11/2008 17:06:17
Papua New Guinea's Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch has just handed down the budget for 2009 forecasting a period of economic uncertainty.
Young people discuss nation building at ETimor conference
Updated 17/11/2008 16:41:04
Young people from Paupa New Guinea and Solomon Islands have been discussing how to be involved in the future of their nations at a conference in East Timor.
Violence erupts at PNG media presentation night
Updated 17/11/2008 16:41:04
Papua New Guinea's journalists and media organisations are tending to their wounds this week, literally.
Georgina Te Heuheu named new NZ Pacific Island Affairs Minister
Updated 17/11/2008 18:01:34
New Zealand's incoming prime minister has named his cabinet and the new minister of Pacific Island Affairs has been announced.
Growing numbers of PNG people turn to Islam
Updated 17/11/2008 16:48:47
To Papua New Guinea, where a growing number of people are now choosing to pray at a mosque rather than at a church.
Fiji Law Society complains of an abuse of process
Updated 17/11/2008 16:53:11
Fijis Law Society has accused the interim government of abuse of process in the country's courts.
Lawyer for ousted Fiji PM questions legal action
Updated 17/11/2008 16:51:11
The lawyer acting for Fiji's ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase and members of the SDL party has questioned the granting of an injunction to the Interim government.
Fiji High Court bars interim government's work on charter
Updated 14/11/2008 15:08:50
The Fiji High Court has granted an injunction prohibiting the interim government from proceeding with its work on the draft People's Charter.
Possible delay in relocating US Marines from Okinawa to Guam
Updated 14/11/2008 15:08:50
Authorities in Guam are concerned about the possibility of a delay in the proposed relocation of American Marines from Okinawa to the U-S territory.
French High Commissioner blockaded by protestors
Updated 14/11/2008 15:12:51
A protest by public servants in French Polynesia has prevented the French High Commissioner from leaving his residence.
PNG Govt & landowners in dispute over carbon trading
Updated 14/11/2008 15:22:36
The issue of future carbon trading deals, where countries would receive money for not cutting down forests, is causing friction between the Papua New Guinea government and landowners.
Pacific Islands tourism hit by global financial crisis
Updated 14/11/2008 15:23:57
The Pacific Islands have been advised to focus their tourism marketing efforts on countries that are still holding up well in this time of global financial crisis.
ADB and World Bank Open offices in Solomon Islands.
Updated 14/11/2008 15:25:53
For the first time, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have branch offices in Solomon Islands.
Solomons medical students on their way to Cuba
Updated 14/11/2008 17:20:53
A group of 25 Solomon Islands High School graduates are on their way to Cuba to join another 25 already there studying to become doctors.
14 candidate to contest Bougainville Presidency
Updated 14/11/2008 18:37:34
A total of 14 candidates will contest the by-election for a new president of Papua New Guinea's autonomous region of Bougainville.
Fiji's ousted PM lodges appeal against Coup ruling
Updated 13/11/2008 11:51:45
Fiji's ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase has lodged an appeal against the High Court ruling that President Ratu Josefa Ililo acted correctly following the December 2006 coup.
Huge increase in women dying in childbirth in PNG & Solomons
Updated 13/11/2008 15:08:45
The number of women in the Pacific dying in childbirth has soared in the past year.
Fiji's ousted PM lodges appeal against High Court judgement
Updated 13/11/2008 15:14:19
Fiji's ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has lodged a High Court appeal against last month's judgement which found the 2006 coup was legal under the country's constitution.
Kava ban lifted by European countries
Updated 13/11/2008 15:16:56
The ban on kava in European countries, imposed six years ago has been lifted.
Ballu Khan to make million dollar compensation claim against Fiji
Updated 13/11/2008 16:10:52
The Fiji born New Zealand businessman who was yesterday acquitted of conspiracy to murder has left Fiji.
Church of Melanesia against Sydney Anglican Diocese
Updated 13/11/2008 16:12:11
The head of the Anglican Church in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu has criticised a decision by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney to allow lay people and deacons to consecrate the Holy Eucharist or communion.
US hopes arrest of Samoan minister won't affect relations
Updated 13/11/2008 16:54:08
A US diplomat says he hopes the arrest of a Samoan cabinet minister on immigration charges in America won't affect diplomatic relations.
Queenstown property markets suffers in NZ recession
Updated 13/11/2008 16:59:35
New Zealand has officially been in recession for months.
Potato industry and PNG govt met over potato blight
Updated 12/11/2008 13:45:44
The Papua New Guinea government recently called a meeting with the potato industry to discuss criticism over its lack of action over a potato blight that threatens to wipe out the country's entire crop.Ambassador Aiwa Olmi is head of PNG's Fresh Produce Development Agency.
Call to stop mining waste being dumped in Coral Triangle
Updated 12/11/2008 13:58:29
An Australian scientist is calling on the Papua New Guinea government to stop millions of tonnes of mining waste from being dumped into the Coral Triangle.
Fiji High Court aquits Ballu Khan
Updated 12/11/2008 16:59:22
The Fiji High Court has acquitted Fiji born New Zealand businessman Ballu Khan of conspiracy to murder.
Fiji's interim Govt defends independence of judiciary
Updated 12/11/2008 16:59:08
Fiji's interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has defended the independence of Fiji's judiciary.
Bougainville by-election without security
Updated 12/11/2008 16:58:57
The presidential by-election on Bougainville next month may have to be conducted without police security.
Coral Triangle nations discuss preserving marine life
Updated 11/11/2008 15:10:46
Representatives from the six so called "Coral Triangle" nations in the Asia Pacific region including Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, are meeting in Australia to discuss ways to preserve some of the world's most valuable marine life.
Media complaints tribunal to be formed in PNG
Updated 11/11/2008 15:13:20
The Papua New Guinea Media Council is planning to establish a media complaints tribunal which will investigate allegations of improper conduct by journalists.
Attempt to heal rift between Samoans and Australian Aborigines
Updated 11/11/2008 15:15:51
A reconciliation ceremony to try to heal relations between a Samoan community and Australian Aborigines in south-east Queensland may be held this week.
Solomons Premier wants killing to stop
Updated 11/11/2008 15:17:39
The Premier of Guadalcanal Province in Solomon Islands has called on the people of other provinces to stop killing his people.
Solomons medical students leave for training in Cuba
Updated 11/11/2008 16:39:40
A senior Solomon Islands health official says Iran is likely to reimburse the cost of airfares for a group of students flying to Cuba to study medicine.
Samoans protest over the jailing of minister
Updated 11/11/2008 16:41:44
More than a thousand people have marched through the Samoan capital Apia, to protest against the jailing in the United States of the country's associate trade minister Joe Keil.
Samoa power crisis to be over soon
Updated 11/11/2008 16:46:10
Samoa's power cuts are expected to come to an end shortly.
PNG PM Somare calls for new economic thinking to save forests
Updated 10/11/2008 10:47:04
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, has made a plea for the rich and developing worlds to work together to stop deforestation by putting an economic value on unlogged forests.
NZ's new Prime Minister wants to fast track swearing-in
Updated 10/11/2008 15:23:41
New Zealand's new Prime Minister John Key says he's got big plans to lift the country out of recession.
Fiji High Court expected to rule on challenge to Peoples Charter
Updated 10/11/2008 16:46:47
In Fiji, the High Court is expected to rule soon on an injunction sought by deposed prime minister Laisenia Qarase and the SDL party to stop the interim government's work on the National Council for Building a Better Fiji.
Australia endorses political progress in French territories
Updated 10/11/2008 16:46:47
Australia has sent a senior government figure to cement ties and endorse political progress in French territories in the Pacific.
Record number of Pacific MPs elected in NZ
Updated 10/11/2008 16:49:13
New Zealand now has five Pacific island Members of parliament after the general election at the weekend.
Court appearance for man charged with trying to kill RAMSI officer
Updated 10/11/2008 16:54:16
A 39 year old man has been remanded in custody in Solomon Islands after facing court today on charges relating to the attempted murder of a New Zealand police officer serving with the Regional Assistance Mission RAMSI.
Tiny island to get internet connection
Updated 10/11/2008 16:58:56
One of the most remote islands in the Pacific is about to be connected to the internet.
Attempt to encourage employers to release staff for army reserve
Updated 10/11/2008 16:51:48
RAThe Australian defence force has flown a group of employers to Solomon Islands to convince them it's a good idea to let their staff be part of the part-time defence force.
Fiji's interim Govt calls for jailing of Editor & Publisher
Updated 08/11/2008 19:44:47
A court case set down for mention in Fiji on Monday is calling for the jailing of the editor and publisher of the Fiji Times newspaper.
New Zealanders to vote this weekend
Updated 07/11/2008 11:21:13
Politicians in New Zealand must be wondering if the mood for change which swept across America will also play a part in Saturday's election.
Power cuts disrupt Samoa's main island
Updated 07/11/2008 15:20:38
Samoa's main island of Upolu is suffering a protracted series of power cuts.
Details of new Fiji media law to be released next month
Updated 07/11/2008 15:27:39
Fiji's media outlets expect to know before the end of the year the details of the interim government's proposed new industry legislation.
Somare calls for new economic thinking to save forests
Updated 07/11/2008 17:08:03
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, has made a plea for the rich and developing worlds to work together to stop deforestation by putting an economic value on unlogged forests.
New Zealanders to vote tomorrow
Updated 07/11/2008 17:08:03
New Zealanders go to the polls tomorrow and all the indications are that the country's election will be close.
NZ election sees Pacific candidates fight to take Mangere electorate
Updated 07/11/2008 17:08:03
This Saturday, New Zealand holds a general election, but have Pacific issues played a role on the campaign?
Power cuts affect Samoa's main island
Updated 07/11/2008 17:08:03
Samoa's main island of Upolu is suffering a protracted series of power cuts.
No substantive change predicted in US policy for Pacific
Updated 06/11/2008 15:08:27
So what might a Barack Obama administration in Washington mean for the Pacific?
ABD says Cook Islands a regional success story
Updated 06/11/2008 15:08:27
The Cook Islands has been declared one of the Pacific region's success stories, in a social and economic report for 2008 released by the Asian Development Bank.
Solomons arrests not ethnic conflict related
Updated 06/11/2008 15:08:27
Solomon Islands Police say the recent burning down of settlers houses in North-West Guadalcanal was not caused by ethnic conflict.
Guam worried about military build up under Obama
Updated 06/11/2008 15:08:27
In Guam, the administration of Republican Governor Felx Camacho is concerned about the possible impact of an Obama administration on the military build-up on the island.
Pacific Island election results are in
Updated 06/11/2008 15:08:27
As the world contemplates the outcome of the US Presidential election many Pacific Island countries are also considering the results of their general elections.
Four road deaths hit Tonga hard
Updated 06/11/2008 15:08:28
Police in Tonga say a car accident which killed four high school boys has had a huge impact on the country.
Ministers meet food industry bosses to tackle poor nutrition
Updated 06/11/2008 15:08:27
Diseases of undernutrition and overnutrition are now the biggest killers in the Pacific.
Writ issued for Bougainville Presidential by-election
Updated 06/11/2008 16:34:21
The writ for the Presidential by-election in Papua New Guinea's autonomous region of Bougainville will be issued this afternoon.
Counting still under in US affiliated states in Pacific
Updated 06/11/2008 16:37:15
Election results are still being complied in the American affiliated states in the Pacific.
First joint Forum & Fiji working group meeting in five months
Updated 06/11/2008 16:41:42
The joint Pacific Forum - Fiji Working Group today held its first meeting since June.The group was formed last year to allow the Forum to meet Fiji's interim government and stay briefed and give input on the country's return to democracy.
PNG & Aust sign deal to improve skills
Updated 06/11/2008 16:49:51
An agreement has been reached between Papua New Guinea and Australia to improve the skills of Papua New Guineans in preparation for the multi-billion dollar Liquefied Natural Gas project.
Pacific election results are in
Updated 05/11/2008 18:17:04
Many Pacific Island countries are also counting the results in general elections.
New competition in PNG airline industry
Updated 05/11/2008 18:20:32
RACompetition in the PNG airline industry is set to increase with the entry of Australian airline Virgin Blue and another one planning to entry.
American Samoa Congressman responds to Guam concerns
Updated 05/11/2008 18:13:34
A number of American affiliated states in the Pacific are also holding elections.
Vanuatu potter mixes ancient and modern
Updated 04/11/2008 16:38:14
One of Vanuatu's two contemporary potters is passing on his knowledge to Australian university art students - mixing the traditional with the modern.
Solomons women want reserved seats in parliament
Updated 04/11/2008 16:40:25
There's been a call for 10 seats in the 50-member national parliament in Solomon Islands to be reserved for women.
Guam poll likely to pre-empt US election result.
Updated 04/11/2008 16:42:19
As the world's attention is focused on the U-S presidential election, a number of Pacific Island communities are also going to the polls.
Pacific watches and waits for new US President
Updated 04/11/2008 16:52:49
By Wednesday afternoon, we should know the new President of the United States of America.
Samoan Minister not allowed to leave the US
Updated 04/11/2008 16:57:18
U-S Authorities are refusing to allow Samoa's Associate Minister of Trade and Commerce Joe Keil to leave America and return home.
Stolen Maori carving may bring thief bad luck
Updated 04/11/2008 18:10:15
An expert in Maori mythology says a maori carving stolen from a conference in China could bring the thief bad luck.
Call for rearming of Solomon Islands police
Updated 03/11/2008 16:45:25
RAThe Speaker of the Solomon Islands Parliament Sir Peter Kenilorea says it's time the Solomon Islands Police force was re-armed.
UN commits to increasing spending in Solomons in 2009
Updated 03/11/2008 16:47:28
The United Nations has committed to increase its spending on development programs in Solomon Islands next year.
Calls to restrict junk food advertising in Fiji
Updated 03/11/2008 16:58:11
The Fiji Government is coming under increasing pressure to restrict the advertising of unhealthy food.
Hopes charter flights could led to scheduled routes to Vanuatu
Updated 03/11/2008 17:01:49
The Vanuatu government says the guest worker scheme with New Zealand is working so well that charter flights have been organised to get the workers to and from their fruit picking jobs overseas.
Deal to develop second LNG project in Papua New Guinea
Updated 03/11/2008 17:03:44
Papua New Guinea's state-owned petroleum company Petromin has signed an agreement with a Canadian oil company to develop the country's second proposed LNG gas project.
Solomons Opposition against ties with Iran
Updated 03/11/2008 17:05:41
The Solomon Islands Opposition has warned the government against establishing relations with the Republic of Iran.
American Samoa & Guam go the polls this week
Updated 03/11/2008 17:10:24
Voters in American Samoa and Guam go to the polls this week on the 4th of November .
