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Alternation without consensus a ‘blatant abuse of power’: Kulang

By Jeffrey Elapa

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, July 3, 2013) – The proposed amendments to section 145 of Papua New Guinea’s Constitution are very dangerous for the country and its democracy, the Opposition said yesterday.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill announced in Lae during the People’s National Congress convention that several amendments would be introduced to "promote transparency in a vote of no-confidence against the government."

The Opposition is now calling on O’Neill to withdraw his government’s proposed amendments to the Constitution affecting the sitting days of Parliament (Section 124) and a motion of no confidence in the prime minister (Section 145).

These particular sections were inserted in the Constitution after careful deliberation by the Constitutional Planning Committee (CPC) to contain corruption and get rid...

APIL resolution at sponsored by Guam’s Judith Won Pat

By Louella Losinio

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Variety Guam, July 4, 2013) – A regional healthcare insurance plan for all island residents in the region may soon be realized if an Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL) resolution comes to fruition. The resolution was introduced during the APIL’s recently concluded 32nd General Assembly held in Honolulu, Hawaii.

APIL Resolution No. 32-GA-01, CD1, sponsored by Speaker Judith T. Won Pat in her capacity as the president of the APIL, resulted from a collaborative effort of her APIL colleagues and representatives from health insurance providers from Guam.

The health insurance providers included StayWell, Moylan’s NetCare, Calvo’s SelectCare from Guam, as well as MiCare from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Guam Regional Medical Center (GRMC), who all presented before the APIL delegates and guests.

A representative from the U....

Authorities called to impose ban on public gambling

By Jeremy Inifiri

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, July 3, 2013) – The rise of illegal gambling along the streets of Honiara in the Solomon Islands and also in the communities both during the day and night has become somewhat a concern to many residents of the nation’s capital.

Concerns have been raised by residents over the disturbances that such illegal practices have caused to many.

It has been a common sight that so often, people engage in illegal gambling practices ranging from card games, dart, snooker (pool), right down to chicken fights.

This according to authorities is illegal with those caught engaged to face prosecution.

"Gambling in the streets is a major concern today in Honiara, and as citizens and residents of the national capital, we would like it stopped as it causes a lot of problems such as disturbances, public nuisance and many others," a senior public figure,...

Solomons expected to need decades of donor aid: Coppel

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, July 3, 2013) – The head of the regional peacekeeping force deployed to Solomon Islands 10 years ago to quell civil conflict says this year’s people’s survey confirms the country will need decades of development assistance.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands or RAMSI has released its sixth People’s Survey, which captures the views of almost three-and-a-half thousand people on causes of conflict in the community and other issues.

Considerable dissatisfaction with the police force is among the findings of the survey, coinciding with RAMSI’s downsizing this month to a policing-only mission.

The special coordinator, Nicholas Coppel, says RAMSI has accomplished most of the work it sought to do.

"That’s not to say that the country’s all fine and we can all walk away from it. It’s going to require an extensive amount of donor...