Tensions mount in New Caledonia ahead of the 20th anniversary of the M

Updated 30/05/2008 14:46:51

RAUnionists and police clashed in the centre of Noumea Thursday during a protest organized by the Socialist Union for Kanak and Exploited Workers.Stones were thrown and police used tear gas to control the situation.

Outgoing US official doesn't rule out statehood for Guam

Updated 30/05/2008 14:46:58

The outgoing US deputy assistant secretary for Insular Affairs says eventual statehood for the Pacific territory of Guam could be a possibility.

MSG wraps in Port Vila

Updated 30/05/2008 14:46:45

The leaders of the "Melanesian Spearhead Group" have opened its new secretariat office in Port Vila, and named the first Director General.Papua New Guinean Rima Ravusiro was announced today as the MSG's first head.

New educational options for disabled

Updated 30/05/2008 15:00:37

Better training for disability workers across the Pacific is soon to become a reality with the Fiji School of Medicine to offer new educational options.

Election uncertainty in Fiji increases.

Updated 29/05/2008 15:34:29

This week in Vanuatu, Fiji's interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama will be briefing the leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group on the progress his country's making towards a return to democratic rule.

Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting gets underway in Vila

Updated 29/05/2008 15:34:29

The 17th summit of Melanesian leaders opened in a colourful and true Melanesian tradition in the Vanuatu capital today.

Australian scientists work to reduce parasite impact

Updated 29/05/2008 15:34:42

Australian scientists are working to reduce the shocking impact of parasites, particularly liver flukes and round worms on people and livestock.

Tahiti looking to Chinese tourists

Updated 28/05/2008 11:40:26

French Polynesia is looking to convince Chinese tourists to visit Tahiti and her Islands.

Fiji's interim government's new election criteria not consitutional

Updated 28/05/2008 11:41:45

Fiji's deposed prime minister Laisenia Qarase says the interim government should abide by the 1997 consitution for the March 2009 general elections.

Bikini Atoll closed to tourists due to high cost of fuel

Updated 28/05/2008 11:40:26

Rising International fuel prices continue to wreak havoc in the Pacific region with the announcement today that Bikini Atoll will be closing it's doors to tourists.

Nautilus produces clean high-grade copper from PNG seafloor

Updated 28/05/2008 11:40:27

Nautilus Minerals has announced it has been able to produce clean high-grade copper concentrate from its sea-floor site in Papua New Guinea.

Palau considers a foreign fishing ban

Updated 27/05/2008 13:46:43

The Pacific Island nation of Palau has announced it is considering banning all foreign fishing vessels from its waters.

Nauru welcomes Pacific Forum election report

Updated 27/05/2008 13:46:49

RAThe Nauru government has welcomed a Pacific Islands Forum report into last months elections.

Drought impacts Kiribati southern islands

Updated 27/05/2008 14:12:17

About thirty thousand people living on Kiribati's southern islands are having to carry water some distance for household use.

Fiji offers new incentives for return of skilled former citizens

Updated 27/05/2008 15:46:29

Fiji has joined the campaign being waged by a number of Pacific Island countries to attract home skilled people who have gone to live overseas.

Governor raises unification with CNMI and US statehood

Updated 27/05/2008 15:46:34

Guam's Governor has raised the possibility of the US territory reuniting with the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas and together applying to be the 51st state of America.

Women appointed Fiji's election supervisor

Updated 27/05/2008 15:46:28

Fiji's Public Service Commission has appointed a New Zealand woman as the Supervisor of Elections.

Academic says he never meant to offend Pacific people

Updated 26/05/2008 14:21:49

A New Zealand academic is facing a barrage of criticism for writing a paper suggesting that Pacific Islanders are underperforming.

Ramsi assists prison upgrade

Updated 26/05/2008 14:21:59

The Solomon Islands prison service has come a long way since the Regional Assistance Mission led by Australia intervened in 2003.

Big new share offerings in Papua New Guinea

Updated 26/05/2008 14:21:18

Papua New Guinea is to get its first-ever listed investment company with the launch today, of Kina Asset Management Ltd.

Doubts about French Polynesia signing

Updated 23/05/2008 12:29:42

French Polynesia's President, Gaston Tong Sang is in Paris this week to sign a 680 million US dollar development contract with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Australia should learn from NZ Pacific workers scheme

Updated 23/05/2008 12:29:35

Australia needs to learn critical lessons from New Zealand before committing to a Pacific region seasonal workers scheme according to a new report.

Questions about Fiji election commitment

Updated 23/05/2008 14:09:56

In Fiji, there's been reaction to comments by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama, questioning his much quoted committment to hold democratic elections next year.

Could PM's appoitment be unconstitutional?

Updated 23/05/2008 14:09:56

A legal challenge could see Tonga's prime minister and three other ministers lose their jobs, it it's successful.

Think tank critical of Australian intervention in Solomons

Updated 22/05/2008 11:15:46

An Australian defence think tank says the intervention in Solomon Islands shows some of the weaknesses in Australia's national security system.

Britain worried about Pacific meeting Development Goals

Updated 22/05/2008 11:15:46

Last week in its annual budget, the Australian government, earmarked a large amount of its its overseas aid spending to assist Pacific Island nations meet the millenium development goals set by the United Nations.

WWF starts biodiversity fund for French Pacific

Updated 22/05/2008 11:15:46

The French branch of the conservation organisatuon the World Wildlife Fund, has announced the creation of an initiative dedicated to helping protect nature in France's overseas territories.

Health Ministry defends water quality

Updated 22/05/2008 11:15:46

RASamoa's Health Ministry and Water Authority have hit back at claims that the nation's water isn't safe to drink.

Former commander supports military ties with China

Updated 22/05/2008 11:15:46

Papua New Guinea's Defense Force and the Chinese government have signed a military cooperation agreement.

PNG signs huge gas project

Updated 22/05/2008 15:13:15

Papua New Guinea and Exxon Mobile, the developer of PNG's first LNG gas project have formally signed a Gas Agreement in Port Moresby.

Guam power bills to rise by ten percent in June

Updated 22/05/2008 15:13:23

Guam is beginning to feel the full impact of rising international fuel costs with power bills set to rise by ten percent in June.

Outgoing Khan parting shot at Ramsi.

Updated 22/05/2008 15:13:32

RAOutgoing Solomon Islands Police Commissioner, Jahir Khan of Fiji has made a parting shot at the Regional Assistance Mission's participating police force.Mr Khan who has been farewelled in Honiara, said while the Participating Police Force should be operating in consultation with the Solomon Islands Police Force,this has not been the case.He said the reality is that the two forces have been operating with little consultation and under different budgets.Mr Khan who was appointed under a cloud of controversy a year ago, has been told by the new Sikua government to resign.

Fiji set to snare 3000 more high tech jobs

Updated 22/05/2008 15:13:39

Fiji looks set to snare up to 3000 more high-tech jobs.Computer-based jobs, from call-centre and back-office work through to computer programming, have been targetted as a growth area by the Fiji government.

Government blamed for status of forest

Updated 21/05/2008 12:21:58

The Solomon Islands Forest Association has blamed lack of political will by successive governments in the past for the unsustainable harvesting of the country's natural forests.

PNG reporter in hiding after death threats

Updated 21/05/2008 12:21:58

A Papua New Guinea newspaper journalist is in hiding after receiving death threats.

Deadline looms for Pacific sea bed claims

Updated 21/05/2008 16:07:51

Pacific Island countries have only a year left to get their claims to the ocean bed heard by a United Nations Committee.

Port Moresby gets massive new commercial property development

Updated 21/05/2008 16:07:51

The Malaysian logging company, Rimbunan Hijau, will begin work this month on a massive commercial property development in the Papua New Guinea captial, Port Moresby.

PNG Major Bank Robbery

Updated 21/05/2008 16:39:36

RAPapua New Guinea police are investigating a major bank robbery in which more than 500 000 US dollars was stolen by armed men.

US may screen visa applicants in Tonga

Updated 20/05/2008 10:14:10

Attempts by the United States to make it easier for Tongans to apply for US visas may see diplomatic staff visit the Tongan capital on a regular basis in future.That's according to US Ambassador Larry Dinger, who says the move does not mean American is opening a consulate in Nukualofa.Many Tongans are frustrated by the need to travel to Suva to comply with US security precautions in order to apply for visas.

New Caledonia wants improved water management

Updated 20/05/2008 10:14:19

New Caledonia's Economic and Social Council wants to improve the way water is managed through the territory.

Improved training for disability workers across Pacific

Updated 20/05/2008 10:14:04

Better training for disability workers across the Pacific is soon to become a reality with the Fiji School of Medicine to offer new educational options.The School of Medicine is teaming with Fiji's CAL Program, which runs an early intervention training program for teachers, caregivers and families of children with disabilities in the country.CAL helps children with disabilities, especially those in rural areas, gain access to appropriate community based services.

Forum Fisheries Agency meets in Palau

Updated 20/05/2008 16:31:30

The 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Agency Members in Palau has announced the signing of a Loan Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding to introduce a new line of funding from Japan.

Australian High Commission gives families home option

Updated 20/05/2008 16:31:45

The Australian Government has told staff at its High Commission in Fiji, it will allow them to send their families home, to ensure their security.Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says it's making the option available after Fiji's interim government refused to allow Australian Federal Police into the country to provide personal protection and security, in response to two death threats in two weeks.

Call for Manukau by-laws to be translated into all Pacific languages

Updated 20/05/2008 16:31:30

There's been a call for New Zealand's most polynesian local authority to translate its documents into every Pacific Island language.At the moment, Manukau City, which covers the strongly Maori and Pacific Island south Auckland area, has had it's by laws translated into Samoan and Tongan.

New Zealand's Immigration Pacific division scrutinised

Updated 19/05/2008 10:09:17

For many Pacific islanders, New Zealand is regarded as the land of employment and opportunity.

Niue given tourism options

Updated 19/05/2008 10:09:11

The New Zealand Tourism Research Institute at Auckland University of Technology has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Niue Government to develop tourism in the country.Two projects are now underway to try to find out exactly what visitors want and also how to produce a culturally significant tourism industry.

Guam to become a major US strategic hub

Updated 19/05/2008 11:36:28

The United States military buildup on Guam is part of a biggest strategic realignment in the region since World War Two, according to the man in charge of the effort.Retired Marine Major-General David Bice, director of the Joint Guam Program Office, says the transfer of eight thousand US Marines from the Japanese island of Okinawa to Guam is only part of the new American strategy.As well as the Marines, the United States is bringing in more air and naval assets, and will also establish an intelligence and surveillance base in the US territory.

Honiara crime rate drops

Updated 19/05/2008 11:38:02

RAThe crime rate in the Solomon Islands capital, Honiara has dropped considerably so far this compared to last year.Acting Police Commissioner, Peter Marshall says apart from petty criminal activities, there is an air of calm throughout the country.He says the level of public confidence in the police force has also improved a lot since the regional intervention in 2003.

Fiji looks at alternate housing models

Updated 19/05/2008 13:24:53

In Fiji, the lack of affordable housing is forcing authorities to come up with innovative measures.At least for one public house provider, it is experimenting an initiative it hopes will provide homes to those that can least afford it.

Solomons grows faster than Asian countries.

Updated 19/05/2008 16:28:14

SN2Solomon Islands recorded its strongest economic growth in almost 2 decades in 2007, according to the Central bank's newly released annual report.The Banks' annual report for 2007 puts growth at an impressive ten point three per cent - more than double the rate of the world economy and ahead of the average for the fast-growing Asian region, which notched up growth of only nine point seven per cent.Central Bank Governor, Ric Hou, says the result means Solomons has now recorded 5 consecutive years of solid growth.

UN urged not to keep pressing Tokelau to decolonise

Updated 19/05/2008 16:28:24

A Tokelauan community leader in New Zealand thinks the United Nations should stop trying to make Tokelau more independent for a while.UN officials have met in Indonesia to discuss progress in decolonising the Pacific.

Australia considers a seasonal worker scheme for the Pacific.

Updated 19/05/2008 16:53:39

Australia's Immigration Minister Chris Evans has expressed his support for a seasonal worker scheme for the Pacific.

Bounty Anniversary celebrations may be left high and dry

Updated 16/05/2008 16:15:11

An epic sea journey of an HMS Bounty replica is planned to end in Tahiti to celebrate the anniversary of the original vessel's arrival 220 years ago.The replica vessel was built for the 1962 movie "Mutiny on the Bounty" starring Marlon Brando.After a two million dollar overhaul, it set sail from Maine in the United States last year and began an around-the-world voyage.It's hoped that the ship will arrive in Matavai Bay on October 26th for the 220th anniversary of Captain William Bligh's arrival.

Pitcairn rapists out by Christmas

Updated 16/05/2008 16:14:44

RAA group of men convicted of raping and sexually assaulting girls on the Pacific island of Pitcairn are expected to be free by December, after serving less than two years in a prison.Six of nine men convicted received jail sentences of two to 6� years, to be served on the island.The imprisonment began in late 2006 after the men lost lengthy appeals in both Britain and New Zealand.Now, only three of the men - Randy Christian, and brothers Terry and Brian Young - remain incarcerated prison on the island, but reportedly spend their days working outside of the prison.

New Zealand's Immigration Service Pacific division under fire and unde

Updated 16/05/2008 16:14:44

For many Pacific islanders, New Zealand is regarded as the land of employment and opportunity.

Another death threat delivered to Australia's commission in Suva

Updated 16/05/2008 16:14:59

The Australian High Commission in Fiji has received a second death threat.While the first was targeted at High Commissioner James Batley, it's not known if this second was targeting him, or all staff at the mission.The threat was received in a letter which arrived in the High Commission's mailbag - more conventional form of delivery than last week's threat, which was delivered by taxi.Fiji's Police believe the two threats are linked, and they've increased security around the High Commission in Suva.At the same time the Australian government has requested Fiji's interim government to allow Australian Federal Police to enter the country, and provide extra security to staff and facilites.The two threats have led to updated travel warnings to Fiji.

Challenges in family planning and safe motherhood

Updated 16/05/2008 16:15:05

RASolomon Islands is experiencing enormous challenges in the areas of family planning and safe motherhood.Director of Reproductive Health Division, Doctor Junilyn Pikacha says the importance of family planning has still not been widely accepted or understood.She says the lack of resources and capacity to deal with reproductive health issues is further compounded by the country's very high population growth rate.

Australia and New Zealand should pay training costs of Fiji's nurses

Updated 15/05/2008 12:08:51

The Fiji Nursing Association has called on developed countries to contribute to the training costs of Fiji's Nurses.The Association says the exodus of skilled Fijian nurses to countries like Australia and New Zealand is a drain on the economy.It says Fiji faces a severe nursing shortage if the exodus continues.

Budget reaction across Pacific

Updated 15/05/2008 12:08:58

With Australia the major provider of aid in the South Pacific, how is this budget, the first by a Labor Government since 1995, likely to be recieved.Jenny Hayward Jones is the Director of the Melanesia Program at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, and she spoke to Pacific Correspondent Campbell Cooney.

Big sugar deal for Fiji

Updated 15/05/2008 12:15:17

The Fiji Sugar Corporation has signed its biggest ever deal with Europe - a seven-year agreement worth at least 1 billion Fiji dollars, or just over 710 million Australian dollars.The contract will see 250,000 tonnes of Fiji raw sugar shipped, each year, to Europe's largest sugar refining company, Tate and Lyle.Fiji's Finance Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, has called on all sugar stakeholders to ensure that contract quotas and quality are met.

NIUE considers asbestos sea dump

Updated 15/05/2008 16:15:50

Four years on from cyclone Heta, and the island of Niue is still trying to decide what to do with sheets of asbestos which were damaged in the storm.Some of it has been temporarily stored near the airport, but there are still many houses around the island with asbestos roofs that need removing.The government says it won't make any decisions until all the asbestos has been gathered and safely stored.But an opposition MP has called for Niue to follow the Cook Islands lead, and dump it at sea.

Australia's Pacific aid budget boosted

Updated 14/05/2008 16:20:30

Australia's aid budget for the South Pacific has been boosted by 121 million dollars.In Tuesday night's budget,Treasurer Wayne Swan announced new funding which will take the annual aid budget for the region to 814 million dollars.Special emphasis is being placed on helping island nations with clean water, climate change and customary land rights.

Guam ready to be US supply base for Burmese relief

Updated 14/05/2008 10:55:25

America's Pacific territory of Guam looks set to become a key supply hub for disaster relief efforts in cyclone-ravaged Burma.

Is the Pacific vunerable to a major quake

Updated 14/05/2008 10:55:25

Hard on the heels of the Burma cyclone, there has of course been a major earthquake in southwest China, and substantial loss of life.And geologists say many Pacific nations, sitting as they do where the earth's tectonic plates converge, have the potential to experience quakes as large, or even larger than the Sichuan disaster.

Vatukoula mine set for first gold since coup

Updated 14/05/2008 10:55:25

First gold is expected to be poured within days at Fiji's Vatukoula gold mine, which was shutdown in December 2006, after the military coup.In the past,the mine has been one of Fiji's top export earners.

Palau to ban the export of live reef fish

Updated 14/05/2008 10:55:25

Palau has moved to protect some of its key natural resources while at the same time showing considerable care for its unique environment.

NGOs told to deliver results or get out of Eastern Highlands

Updated 13/05/2008 12:41:33

Non government organisations, United Nations agencies and international consultants operating in Papua New Guinea's Eastern Highlands province will be told to leave if they don't start delivering results.

Solomons Prime Minister says reconciliation must be all encompassing.

Updated 13/05/2008 12:41:33

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Derek Sikua says that Correctional Services is not going to engage in a separate reconciliation process with concerned communities on North Guadalcanal.

The abolition of slavery and the French Pacific.

Updated 13/05/2008 12:41:33

This weekend, France celebrated the 160th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.

Greenpeace discovers a pirate tuna fishing vessel in the Pacific

Updated 13/05/2008 12:41:33

Greenpeace has discovered a pirate tuna fishing vessel in a pocket of international waters between Papua New Guinea and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Concerns expressed about law and order in Fiji

Updated 13/05/2008 12:41:33

Fiji's military leader had to give an assurance this week that the country is still a safe place to visit following a recent wave of hate crimes committed against women as well as foreign nationals.

Niue explores tourism options

Updated 13/05/2008 12:41:34

The New Zealand Tourism Research Institute at Auckland University of Technology has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Niue Government to develop tourism in the country.

Effectiveness of the UN's AIDS programme questioned

Updated 13/05/2008 12:41:34

The United Nations is being accused of treating HIV and AIDS as an exclusive disease at the expense of the rest of the world's health sector.

PINA to stay in Fiji

Updated 13/05/2008 12:41:34

The Pacific Islands News Association will stay in Fiji, despite a call by one of the organisation's founders that it ought to leave.

Indigenous activists oppose US military build up

Updated 09/05/2008 12:44:42

The proposed redeployment of 8,000 US Marines from Okinawa to Guam is being opposed by indigenous Chamorro activists.US military plans to move the Marines and their 9,000 dependents to the US territory have been welcomed by many Guamanians, including the Governor and the Chamber of Commerce.As well as Guam, the Marines are likely to establish bases on Tinian and Pagan islands in the neighbouring Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Hospital runs out of food

Updated 09/05/2008 12:44:48

Papua New Guinea's largest hospital,Port Moresby General is well known for running low on drugs and beds -but now it's run out of food.Children in particular are going for days without milk and other necessary supplies in a hospital that's reached breaking point.

Pure coconut oil powers diesel engines in Apia

Updated 09/05/2008 15:11:57

The budding biofuel industry has stepped up a gear in Samoa, with a group of backyard inventors pioneering the use of pure coconut oil to power their cars.Matatauali'itia Arthur Lesa and Papali'i Panoa Tavita Moala have been running their Toyota 4-wheel-drives for three weeks on oil produced at Mr Lesa's factory in Vaitele.The experiment comes as crude oil prices surge to record highs, topping 120-dollars a barrel this week.

Deposed Fiji prime minister says the truth will prevail

Updated 09/05/2008 15:11:57

Deposed prime minister Laisenia Qarase says he is not worried about being investigated by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.FICAC invited Mr Qarase to interview to discuss allegations of corruption during his time as Minister of Fijian Affairs and Chairman of the Native Lands Trust Board.

Revamped New Caledonia pension scheme

Updated 09/05/2008 15:18:41

In New Caledonia, the Employers' organization is pushing to introduce changes in the pension scheme.In 2003, a study showed it needed immediate reform to be sustainable.

Pacific Partnerships unveiled

Updated 08/05/2008 14:13:27

Papua New Guinea and Samoa are the first two Pacific Island governments to begin negotiations with Australia for a Pacific Partnership.Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Duncan Kerr, this week told the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum in Cairns, that the Pacific Partnerships are a central part of the Rudd governments push to strengthen and deepen relations with the Pacific.

Political conflict between French Polynesia President Gaston Tong Sang

Updated 08/05/2008 15:41:12

In French Polynesia, political conflict is still raging between President Gaston Tong Sang and the opposition.

Bougainville President won't be pressured to resign

Updated 08/05/2008 15:41:21

PKGThe president of the Autonomous Bougainville Government is adamant he will not bow pressure from the opposition to resign.The opposition want President Joseph Kabui's resignation following an admission that he and two other ministers took seven thousand US dollars from a foreign owned company.Opposition leader Thomas Lugabai claims the Government received substantial amounts of money from the Canadian exploration company Invincible Resource Corporation during the ABG elections in 2005.

30 million US dollar scandal nets 3 Taiwanese ministers

Updated 07/05/2008 15:27:11

Guam street lights go off due to unpaid power bill

Updated 07/05/2008 15:27:52

The streets of Guam will be in the dark from the start of next week.The Guam Power Authority has decided to turn off the country's street lights because the Government hasn't paid its power bill.

Vanuatu university students get a boost

Updated 07/05/2008 15:28:01

An agreement has been signed between the Vanuatu branch of the University Agency for French Speaking Communities and the French Embassy of Port Villa.

PNG police investigating sorcery murders

Updated 07/05/2008 15:28:10

Papua New Guinea police are investigating the alleged murder of two women over sorcery in the PNG highlands.The two women were accused of using magical powers to cause the death of a young men from PNG's Western Highlands province.

Forum confirms Urwin's Resignation.

Updated 07/05/2008 15:27:43

The Pacific Islands Forum has confirmed Secretary General Greg Urwin has resigned.Mr Urwin has been the head of the Forum since 2003, and is the first Australian to hold the top job in the regional body.

PNG Project turning cassava into ethanol expands

Updated 07/05/2008 16:15:26

RAA multi-million-dollar project to export cassava from Papua New Guinea to produce ethanol is gaining momentum, with its expansion into a second province.The company Changhae Tapioca is establishing 40-thousand hectares of cassava crops, which will be sent to Korea to be turned into biofuel.The deal is worth about 15 million dollars in export earnings and is expected to create more than 5 thousand new jobs.

Lawyer says publishers deportation a sign of decaying democracy

Updated 06/05/2008 11:55:09

PKGA New Zealand lawyer says the amendments to Fiji's Immigration Act denying Evan Hannah the right to appeal against his deportation is undemocratic.Mr Hannah is the second expatriate publisher to be deported from Fiji this year.Peter Williams QC who is acting for Ballu Khan in the alleged assassination plot against Commodore Frank Bainimarama and other senior public servants says the rule of law is an essential dimension to the checks and balances in a democracy.

Australia recognises New Caledonia hospital care

Updated 06/05/2008 11:59:36

A New Caledonian organization has been officially recognized by Australian authorities.

PNG to step up fight against AIDS with condoms

Updated 06/05/2008 15:41:25

The Papua New Guinea Business Coalition Against AIDS has told the PNG Australia Business Forum, in Cairns, that it hopes to put condoms in every hotel room across the country.The coalition is funded entirely by the private sector and, although it is only 12 months old, has a track record of getting things done.

Vanuatu bankers have concerns about Australia

Updated 06/05/2008 15:41:34

Vanuatu's financial and banking sector has raised concerns about the way Australia is targetting banks in the island nation, with allegations they are involved in tax fraud.The claim comes as Vanuatu based accountant, Robert Agius, is released on bail in Sydney, after being charged with running a scheme which its alleged has laundered at least 100 million dollars.

CNMI Federalisation bill to be signed

Updated 06/05/2008 15:41:25

United State's President George W Bush is expected to sign a controversial bill into into legislation this week, which will have significant impact on the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.One of Bill S.2739's many provisions allows for the Marianas to be federalised, bringing immigration and work practices under U-S mainland control.The Marianas government has vehemently opposed the bill, saying it will destroy its struggling economy.

Obama wins Guam, just

Updated 06/05/2008 15:41:48

RAThe US Democrat Barrack Obama has beaten his rival Hillary Clinton in the Guam nominating contest by just seven votes.Results show Senator Obama took 2 thousand 264 votes to Senator Clinton's 2 thousand 257, as the race for the White House extends its reach to the Pacific.Guam's residents might not be able to vote in November's presidential election, but that didn't stop record numbers of people turning out to have their say at the ballot box.

Military regime clear about media role

Updated 06/05/2008 15:41:42

There are worrying signs for Fiji's media as more of the detail from yesterday's meeting between media executives and the interim prime minister are revealed.Commodre Frank Bainimarama has made his feelings known about the media in the wake of Evan Hannah's deportation.

Profit up for Fiji's Pacific Green

Updated 05/05/2008 11:53:20

SN2
Fiji's innovative palmwood furniture company, Pacific Green, has turned its fortunes around making a profit in 2007 of just over 400 thousand Fiji dollars or around 295 thousand Australian dollars.Pacific Green was the first company in the world to come up with a successfully system for milling old coconut palms, creating a timber source for its furniture and architectural products that does not rely on cutting down rainforest timber.

New Caledonia Prosecutor to lodge appeal

Updated 05/05/2008 11:53:28

The New Caledonia General prosecutor has decided to lodge an appeal following the trial of a Walisian.

Tighter controls on Torres Strait border crossers

Updated 05/05/2008 11:53:35

Tougher controls on traditional border crossings between Papua New Guinea and Australia are to be put in place.The governments of both countries want to stem the number of PNG citizens illegally gaining access to health clinics in Australia's north eastern state of Queensland
Under the existing treaty, only 13 villages are legally allowed free movement between Australia and PNG to carry out traditional activities.

SAMOA: NZ docs to do heart surgeries

Updated 05/05/2008 16:30:53

RAA medical team from New Zealand will head to Samoa again this year to perform open heart surgeries.

PNG unveils details of corruption inquiry

Updated 05/05/2008 16:32:26

An inquiry is continuing in Papua New Guinea to try and uncover 400 million us dollars which is equivalent to one billion PNG kina stolen from the PNG Department of Finance over the past seven years.The Chairman of the Public Account Committee ,Mr.Timothy Bonga says there are plans to question all past and the present secretaries of the finance and Treasury deparments.

PNG and Samoa negotiate with Australia for a Pacific Partnership

Updated 05/05/2008 16:34:47

Papua New Guinea and Samoa are the first two Pacific Island governments to begin negotiations with Australia for a Pacific Partnership.Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Duncan Kerr, told the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum in Cairns,that the Pacific Partnerships are a central part of the Rudd governments push to strengthen and deepen relations with the Pacific.

Media Council says Hannah deportation from Fiji draconian

Updated 02/05/2008 15:44:47

RAFiji's media council held an emergency meeting to discuss Mr Hannah's deportation and council chair Daryl Tarte issued a strong statement afterwards, expressing shock and dismay at the recent turn of events.

Russell Hunter not surprised at Times publisher's removal

Updated 02/05/2008 15:44:55

Fiji Sun publisher Russell Hunter, who was recently deported from Fiji in similar circumstances, believes the Fiji government is trying to intimidate the country's media.He says Fiji Times publisher Evan Hannah's removal from the country was almost expected.

Noumea Prosecutor lodges an appeal following murder acquittal

Updated 02/05/2008 15:45:03

In New Caledonia, the General prosecutor has decided to lodge an appeal following the trial of a young Walisian.Last week, French rugby player Laurent Vili was acquitted of the 2002 murder of a young Kanak man, Jean-Marie Goyeta.The verdict sparked anger in the Kanak village of Saint Louis.

Fiji Times publisher deported from Fiji

Updated 02/05/2008 15:44:47

RA
Another Australian newspaper publisher based in Fiji has been deported by the military-led regime.

Business as usual on Nauru after snap election

Updated 01/05/2008 15:57:29

Just a few days after Nauru's snap election, President Marcus Stephen says its business as usual.

Gaston Tong Sang adds another minister

Updated 01/05/2008 15:57:29

French Polynesia's President Gaston Tong Sang has decided to introduce some changes to his two week old government.