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Thu
28
Feb
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Laisenia Qarase’s Case Delayed In Fiji Appeals Court

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 00:00

Laisenia Qarase’s Case Delayed In Fiji Appeals Court Defense says Qarase should not be accused for abuse of office

By Mereani Gonedua

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Feb. 27, 2013) – Fiji’s Court of Appeal has put Laisenia Qarase’s application on notice in order to give the judges' time to make a decision.

This comes after appeal submissions were made by the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) lawyer Michael Blanchflower and Qarase’s lawyer Queens Counsel Remy Van De Wiel.

In his submission, Van De Wiel told the court that Justice Priyantha Fernando who had presided over Qarase’s trial did not put forward any alternative scenario for the three assessors to consider before deciding their verdict.

Van De Wiel told the court that during the trial Justice Fernando did not consider that Qarase was not employed under the public service even though it was put forward by defense counsel Tupou Draunidalo.

Van De Wiel told the court any...

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Thu
28
Feb
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New CNMI Administration Faces Looming Issues

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 00:00

Joint meeting hears Inos’ plans to address funding cuts

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Feb. 28, 2013) – Transparency, spending cuts, revenue-generation, and saving the pension and healthcare systems were among the key areas that Gov. Eloy S. Inos, along with Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider, asked Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands lawmakers yesterday for help in this period he described as a "perfect storm," given the looming federal funding cuts, a still delicate tourism industry, and too little time left for this term to turn things around.

The new governor got the lawmakers' cooperation during their first joint leadership meeting that lasted three hours on Capital Hill yesterday.

As of yesterday, the Inos administration got confirmation of federal grant cuts for the CNMI Office of Homeland Security and expects more reports in the days ahead.

This is a result of the so-called "sequestration," a series of automatic,...

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Thu
28
Feb
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WHO Provides Training After Solomons Dengue Outbreak

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 00:00

223 suspected cases of dengue fever reported in Honiara

By Denver Newter

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Feb. 28, 2013) – A team from the World Health Organisation (WHO) provided urgent training for staff of Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita to help them detect dengue fever in the Solomon Islands.

The training came in light of the outbreak of the disease in Honiara early this month.

Three staff from the WHO flew over to Kilu’ufi on to facilitate the training before returning yesterday.

Alison Sio, the Ministry of Health’s dengue fever surveillance team leader said the training was aimed at helping nurses and other medical staff detect and diagnose the disease.

"Basically, the training was to help medical staff there deal with the disease confidently and to be able to monitor it around the province," she said.

She said similar training will be conducted for medical staff in Gizo, Western Province.

Medical authorities as of...

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Thu
28
Feb
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Sixth Samoa Business, Trade Directory Launched

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 00:00

Samoa businesses hope to get boost from online exposure

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, Samoa (Talamua, Feb. 27, 2013) – It started because there was a gap in the market; today the sixth Samoa Islands Business & Trade Directory published by Talamua Media & Publications was launched.

Also launched was the upgraded version of the directory online www.samoabizdirectories.com.

Doing the honors was Deputy Prime Minister Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo who used the opportunity to discuss the initiatives to have a Competition Law to promote healthy competition in local businesses.

Fonotoe acknowledged the high quality of the publication which is printed in full color and glossy stock.

"It’s attraction is you get pictures of the businesses, their products and services addresses and contacts," he said.

Owners of Talamua...

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Thu
28
Feb
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Sequestration May Cost NMI Public Schools Over $500,000

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 00:00

USDOE warns federal grants will be cut by 5 to 9 percent

By Moneth Deposa

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Feb. 28, 2013) – The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (PSS) stands to lose more than half a million in federal dollars starting Friday due to the expected sequestration-or automatic budget cuts-that will take effect on March 1, according to Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, Ed.D., yesterday.

PSS has received notice from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) about cuts in the amount of USDOE grants that will be awarded to the system, ranging from 5 to 9 percent, said Sablan.

PSS has so far identified two federal grants that will first be affected: the consolidated grant and the special education program.

CNMI public schools were earlier approved a consolidated grant of $8.4 million for fiscal year 2013. Factoring in the 5-percent cut starting tomorrow, Sablan said the award will be reduced by about $422,...

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Thu
28
Feb
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Solomons Teachers Union Maintains Strike Threat

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 00:00

President says onus on government to follow agreement to pay

By Bradford Theonomi

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Feb. 28, 2013) – The Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) says plan for teachers to resume strike still stands if the remaining re-leveling teachers’ dues are not paid today.

SINTA issued the threat last week after the dues, scheduled under an agreement it signed with the Government, were not paid last Thursday.

Yesterday, SINTA president Samson Faisi reiterated the plan still stands.

"If the dues were not paid today, the planned strike will definitely come into force," Mr. Faisi said.

The Government early this week said it is committed to paying teachers’ re-leveling dues.

It said after the results of consultation with education authorities and progress the Government made with the issue, it is confident that the 2012 arrears that are due to the eligible teachers will be paid within the timeframe...

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