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31
Jan
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Drug Charges Against Tongan Noble May Be Withdrawn

Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 00:00

Tu’ilakepa still charged with illegally possessing firearms, ammo

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Jan. 30, 2013) – The Crown is expected to formally withdraw two of the illicit drug charges against Lord Tu'ilakepa due to insufficient evidence – two years after the Tongan noble was first charged in December 2010.

Tu'ilakepa still faces a remaining four counts of unlawful possession of arms and ammunition.

Senior Crown Counsel Sione Sisifa, in a chamber meeting before Chief Justice Hon. Michael Scott and defense counsel Mana Kaufusi, this morning confirmed the Crown's intention to withdraw the drug charges, "due to insufficient evidence."

He said that a formal submission for withdrawal of the drugs charges would be made on February 22 at the Supreme Court.

The Crown will continue to prosecute the defendant on the arms and ammunitions charges, at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court.

Appeal

The chamber held was in relation to an appeal by...

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Thu
31
Jan
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Solomons PM Announces 2013 Government Priorities

Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 00:00

Lilo says Solomons ‘a nation conceived, but not born’

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Jan. 30, 2013) – Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has launched the National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) government’s 2013 priorities at the Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.

NCRA’s theme for this year is ‘Building on the Gains for a Stable Solomon Islands: Doing Things Differently.’

Speaking during the occasion, Prime Minister Lilo highlighted some of the important aspects that Solomon Islands has evolved up to this present time.

The prime minister said it was important for us to understand our local context and dynamics if we were to create platforms that serve our best interest in the long term.

He added that since Solomon Islands gained independence many self-governing entities or what some called ‘semi-autonomous’ groups have exercised their own authority and rules over the country’s territories and constituents.

However, Prime Minister...

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Thu
31
Jan
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Samoan Parents Not As Excited For School As Students

Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 00:00

Some struggling to pay for school supplies, registration fees

By Lanuola Tupufia

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, Jan. 30, 2013) – While thousands of children in Samoa couldn't wait to return to their classrooms yesterday, for many parents it wasn't as exciting.

Yesterday was the culmination of weeks of struggles and headaches to find the money for new uniforms, registrations and school fees.

Although the free education scheme has somewhat helped, for many parents, the beginning of the school year is a tough time.

Sefo Simi, father from Falefa and Faleapuna, is one of the many parents who voiced their concerns about the cost of preparations for back to school.

"I won’t deny my children the opportunity to attend school but I have to say it is a costly process," he said. "It’s money that many parents don't have."

The father of four from Falefa is a fisherman and a farmer. He is the sole provider for his family.

"I thank the...

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Thu
31
Jan
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Solomons Teachers Tell Government To Pay Entitlements

Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 00:00

SINTA head says re-leveling consult ‘a waste of time and money’

By Jennifer Kakai

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Jan. 30, 2013) – The Government is urged to pay Solomon Islands teachers’ rightful entitlements rather than taking "unnecessary steps" to deal with the issue.

SINTA (Solomon Islands National Teachers Association) president Samson Faisi said the government is using "delaying tactics" by referring the matter to the Trade Disputes Panel (TDP).

He was responding to the steps the government is taking to avert he current teachers’ strike.

Mr. Faisi said education authorities travelling to Honiara to make submission for re- leveling to the teaching service department is a waste of time and money.

"My question is: When was the last time this practice was done?" he asked. "To our knowledge, it’s been years so why now?"

Mr. Faisi...

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Thu
31
Jan

The Real Challenges Of Fiji’s 2013 Budget

Submitted by piradmin on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 00:00

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Analysis

By Dr. Biman Prassad

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Pacific Scoop, Jan. 30, 2013) – Fiji government budgets since 1987 have been prepared in the shadows of political instability and suspicion, coups, and uncertainty of the future.

Even General Elections held under the 1997 Constitution, which was based on power-sharing, failed to fully allay the concerns.

The People’s Coalition’s 2000 budget was implemented against the backdrop of rumors about another coup and continued protests by the ethno-nationalists.

There is no doubt that the last seven budgets since 2006, including the revised 2007 budget, have been prepared against an environment of dominated by fear, mistrust and uncertainty of the future.

In delivering the 2008 budget, the then Interim Finance Minister, Mahendra Pal Chaudhry, blamed the SDL...

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