http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/?tab=pacific Latest news stories from the Pacific. Radio Australia News nospam@your.abc.net.au nospam@your.abc.net.au 2008-11-25T08:55:57+11:00 2008-11-25T08:55:57+11:00 The head of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce has backed a new report, which says the Northern Mariana Islands is in depression, and that the situation is forcing thousands of people to leave the islands, and those left behind are struggling to survive. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428627.htm 2008-11-25T08:55:57+11:00 northern-mariana-islands business-economics-and-finance economic-trends The chief executive of the Northern Marianas plans to attend US President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in January and is working on ways to personally meet him ahead of the federal takeover of the islands' borders and immigration system. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428626.htm 2008-11-25T08:55:56+11:00 northern-mariana-islands united-states government-and-politics A Pacific non-government trade watchdog has warned Pacific Island countries not to jump into individual trade deals with the European Union. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428625.htm 2008-11-25T08:55:56+11:00 pacific business-economics-and-finance international-aid-and-trade Vanuatu's prime minister, Edward Natapei, has suspended three of his party's MPs after they signed a motion of no confidence in his leadership. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428624.htm 2008-11-25T08:55:55+11:00 vanuatu government-and-politics The chief of Solomon Islands Central Bank says a new policy, requiring greater deposits by commercial banks with the central bank, will effect interest rates. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428623.htm 2008-11-25T08:55:55+11:00 business-economics-and-finance Fiji has increased its airport departure tax as part of the government's latest tax revenue push. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428622.htm 2008-11-25T08:55:55+11:00 fiji tax Businesses in Vanuatu have expressed concern about new legislation which requires them to pay a sacked worker the equivalent of two months pay for each year they have worked. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428621.htm 2008-11-25T08:55:55+11:00 vanuatu business-economics-and-finance unemployment work Protestors have stormed a meeting of New Zealand state-owned coal miner, Solid Energy, attempting to throw a cream pie at chief executive, Don Elder. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428620.htm 2008-11-25T08:55:55+11:00 new-zealand activism-and-lobbying Papua New Guinea prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, has acknowledged China's role in the development of the South Pacific after talks with China's President Hu Jintao. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428527.htm 2008-11-25T08:07:49+11:00 papua-new-guinea china tonga regional-development Staff working in Guam's public education system have been given a poor report, with the latest annual statistics showing staff are more likely than students to skip school. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428526.htm 2008-11-25T03:13:25+11:00 guam educational-resources teachers The Asian Development Bank has approved a $US15.5 million loan to expand Cook Islands' main international port. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428548.htm 2008-11-25T03:13:25+11:00 cook-islands regional-development Scientists say the size of coral reefs around Fiji's Lau group has contracted by 50 per cent. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428528.htm 2008-11-25T03:13:25+11:00 fiji oceans-and-reefs Fiji search and rescue authorities are helping look for 29 Asian fishermen who went missing in Pacific waters at the end of October. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2428394.htm 2008-11-25T03:13:22+11:00 pacific asia A 5.2-magnitude earthquake has struck Papua New Guinea, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2427653.htm 2008-11-24T16:55:19+11:00 papua-new-guinea earthquake Delegates from the United Nations have arrived in Fiji on a five day fact finding mission. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2427512.htm 2008-11-24T11:31:07+11:00 fiji government-and-politics The head of a Tongan advocacy group in New Zealand has welcomed an announcement by Western Union to reduce the cost of transferring money home to Tonga. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2427509.htm 2008-11-24T11:31:07+11:00 tonga new-zealand business-economics-and-finance The Niue government says economic problems and fraudulent claims have forced it to reverse a decision to pay a retirement benefit to public servants at the age of 55. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2427507.htm 2008-11-24T11:31:06+11:00 niue welfare social-policy The New Zealand air force has suspended a three-day search covering thousands of square kilometres of the South Pacific after failing to locate 29 Asian fishermen missing for weeks. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2427370.htm 2008-11-23T13:20:37+11:00 kiribati taiwan indonesia The Pacific Islanders have won their first ever international rugby union test match... http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2427234.htm 2008-11-23T08:24:57+11:00 rugby-union New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has praised former Australian coach Wayne Bennett for helping the Kiwis win their first rugby league World Cup. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2427239.htm 2008-11-23T08:24:53+11:00 australia new-zealand rugby-league The Australian Federal Police say Solomon Islands is a long way from being able to maintain its own security. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2426817.htm 2008-11-21T22:25:37+11:00 solomon-islands australia defence-forces There's been a magnitude six earthquake in Solomon Islands, with the US Geologicial Survey saying the quake hit about 75 kilometres north west of the capital, Honiara. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2426797.htm 2008-11-21T22:25:37+11:00 solomon-islands earthquake Top international agencies are stepping up their involvement in Fiji, with the announcement of two high level visits. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2426816.htm 2008-11-21T22:02:23+11:00 fiji elections Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has told the former New Zealand prime minister, Helen Clark, she remains a friend of PNG following her nine years in power. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2426651.htm 2008-11-21T16:30:10+11:00 papua-new-guinea new-zealand Australia has moved to reassure Pacific nations that they will benefit from the push for free trade in the region. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200811/s2426650.htm 2008-11-21T16:30:10+11:00 pacific australia trade