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Tue
07
May
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CNMI Governor Pursuing Consultations With U.S.

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Military’s plans for Pagan queried by Inos

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, May 7, 2013) – Governor Eloy S. Inos reiterated yesterday he is pursuing Covenant 902 talks with the United States to, among other things, get full information about the U.S. military's plan for Pagan after the federal government failed to formally inform the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands government about any such plan prior to announcements of scoping meetings related to the development of live-fire training areas on Tinian and Pagan.

Inos said he will be sending his letter to President Barack Obama this week.

Section 902 of the CNMI’s Covenant with the U.S. allows for periodic consultations between the Commonwealth and federal governments "on all matters affecting the relationship between them."

Besides the U.S. military's plan, the proposed 902 consultations will also touch on the federalization of CNMI immigration.

Inos said the...

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Tue
07
May
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U.S. To Withhold Palau’s Annual COFA Grant Money

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Previous administration withdrew in excess for 2011, 2012

By Bernadette Carreon

HAGÅTÑA, GUAM (Marianas Business Journal, May 6, 2013) – The United States Department of Interior will withhold the annual grant funding for Palau under the Compact of Free Association (COFA) after the previous administration withdrew funds in excess of $5 million in 2011 and 2012.

An April 8 letter from Tom Bussanich, budget officer of the Office of the Insular Affairs to the Palau president's chief of staff Elbuchel Sadang, said the funds cannot be released unless or until the money overdrawn is returned.

Palau's compact with the U.S. allows for a $5 million annual withdrawal from the Compact Trust Funds.

Those funds now total more than $150 million invested by the U.S. to supplement Palau's budget.

Earlier Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau told reporters that former President Johnson Toribiong's administration had withdrawn over $6 million from the $13.15...

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Tue
07
May
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Australia To Assist RMI Amidst Severe Drought Conditions

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Marshalls situation ‘dire,’ Australia sends desalination units

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, May 6, 2013) – The Australian Government has announced it will provide US$100,000 for the emergency supply of desalination units in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) as the country struggles with an ongoing severe drought.

The Marshallese Government is carrying out an assessment to determine the drought's impact but already agricultural capacity has been severely reduced.

Authorities declared a state of emergency in April followed by a disaster status.

An estimated 5,000 people in the northern atolls are experiencing severe drought conditions with an additional 11,000 people affected by continued dry weather and loss of crops.

The Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, says the Marshallese Government requested Australia's assistance in order to save lives and protect food supply in the northern...

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Tue
07
May
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Guam Assistant AGs Frustrate Superior Court Judge

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Prosecutors fail to attend assigned cases, turn over evidence

By Dance Aoki

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, May 7, 2013) – During several hearings in her courtroom yesterday, Superior Court of Guam Judge Anita Sukola expressed her frustration with inconsistency and delays by prosecutors in turning over discovery, or evidence, to defense attorneys.

Two assistant attorney generals, Jesse Nasis and Rochelle Yu, weren't in court for their assigned cases yesterday.

Representing the Office of the Attorney General in their stead, Assistant Attorney General Lisa Hack endured Sukola's grilling as public defenders from several cases noted they have been waiting weeks for discovery to be delivered to them, despite multiple requests.

Sukola questioned why evidence is not being turned over by prosecutors and why the court hearings she set are having to be rescheduled.

She also said she wants Nassis to attend his next hearing.

During a...

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Tue
07
May
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PNG Enacts Regulations To Enable Asylum Claim Processing

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Foreign minister says screening interviews already started

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, May 6, 2013) – Papua New Guinea has enacted new regulations that will enable the processing of refugee claims to commence at the Manus Island asylum seekers processing center.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Rimbink Pato said in a statement the new regulation under the Migration Act provides guidelines for PNG Immigration officers to use in determining the refuge status of asylum seekers at the centre.

"These guidelines are consistent with PNG commitments under the 1951 Refugees Convention," Minister Pato said.

"In hosting the regional processing centre, PNG is taking a leading role in regional efforts to prevent the scourge of people smuggling," he said.

"The regional processing centre provides protection and shelter for asylum seekers, while denying people smugglers the outcomes that they promise their clients. This...

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Tue
07
May
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$200 Million Renewable Energy Projects Proposed For CNMI

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Wind turbines would be installed on Tinian, solar plant on Saipan

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, May 7, 2013) – Saipan Development LLC (SDLLC) adviser Kenneth Mahmood and Green Global Solutions Saipan LLC presented yesterday afternoon a proposed development of some $200 million worth of wind and solar projects on Tinian and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, drawing a mix of interest, concerns, and questions from senators.

This comes months after SDLLC signed with CNMI officials a $190.8-million diesel power deal that later became one of the bases for two impeachment resolutions against former governor Benigno R. Fitial. Fitial resigned days before his impeachment trial at the Senate.

Senators said yesterday that the new proposal includes 30-megawatt wind turbines on Tinian with plans of delivering to Saipan the alternative power produced through underwater cable, as well as a 10-MW solar energy plant on Saipan.

Another...

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Tue
07
May
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Samoa Health Authorities Focus On Men’s Sexual Health

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Authorities to conduct screenings for STIs, HIV/AIDs

By Alan Ah Mu

APIA, Samoa (Talamua, May 6, 2013) – Under the theme "Men’s Health Is Wealth," Samoa’s Health Ministry today launched a nationwide screening of men aged 18 and over at Samoa Tourism Authority fale at Mulivai, Apia.

"It’s the first of its kind," said Aaone Tanumafili, Principal National HIV/AIDS Capacity Support Officer.

Whilst it’s a general checkup, Health is keen to see what the results throw up as to incidents of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS.

Data taken from pregnant women in 2005 revealed high incidences of STIs which alarmed the Ministry, especially when a follow up study done 2008 showed increases.

Infections cannot occur unless through sex with a partner so it is assumed incidences of such STIs in women would be the same amongst men.

No screening of men for STIs has been carried out before, said Ms. Tanumafili.

With funds from...

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Tue
07
May
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Solomons Government Pays Out UPNG Student Fees

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Students acknowledge ‘firm commitment’ to settling issue

By Charley Piringi

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, May 6, 2013) – Solomon Islands government-funded students studying at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), Waigani campus, Papua New Guinea (PNG) have applauded the government for stepping in to sort out their tuition problem.

The Solomon Islands Students Association’s (SISA) president, Jack To’ofil on behalf of the students commended the Solomon Islands government (SIG) for its response to settle their registration fees.

Speaking on behalf of the students at Waigani and Taurama campus, he said as of Friday last week, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to PNG William Haomae has assured the UPNG vice chancellor that payments have been raised on Friday from Honiara to Port Moresby and will be ready by Monday (today).

"Solomon Islands High...

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Tue
07
May
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Tahoeraa Huiraatira Wins French Polynesia Elections

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Gaston Flosse’s party unofficially secures absolute majority

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, May 6, 2013) – The Tahoeraa Huiraatira of Gaston Flosse has completed its victory in French Polynesia’s run-off election to choose a new 57-member territorial assembly.

It has emerged the clear winner in unofficial results after yesterday’s second round of voting, beating the Oscar Temaru-led Union of Democracy which had been in government.

It won more than 45 percent of the votes, beating the Union of Democracy, which won less than 30 percent.

The newly formed A Tia Porinetia of Teva Rohfritsch has come third, winning just over 25 percent of the vote.

The Tahoeraa has won the 19 bonus seats under French Polynesia’s new electoral system, allowing it to secure an absolute majority.

It has 38 seats, the Union for Democracy 11 and A Tia...

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Tue
07
May
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PNG Truck Drivers At LNG Project Hold Strike

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 00:00

Highway conditions forcing drivers to use unsafe paths

By Peter Esop Wari

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, May 6, 2013) – Drivers of trucking companies contracted to work at the Papua New Guinea liquefied natural gas (LNG) project site in Hela are on strike after two of their numbers were badly bashed and a Guard Dog Security escort vehicle taken by locals at Tidom Hill in Southern Highlands over the weekend.

The drivers are asking PNG LNG developer ExxonMobil and the national government to fix the road immediately as they (drivers) have become victims of assault, robbery and looting when the deteriorating conditions of the Highlands Highway forces them to stop or slow down.

More than 60 semi-trailers are sitting idle at the Curtain Brothers camp in Tari while drivers and crews continue their strike.

Tari police station commander Peter Buka said a Trasia Transport Company Ltd. driver was trying to negotiate an uphill section of the...

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