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Halapua recommends amending English version to match Tongan

By Pesi Fonua

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, August 1, 2013) – Tonga's parliament could not decide which version of the Tongan Constitution has precedence - the Tongan version or the English version.

After much debate yesterday, July 31, a Bill to amend Clause 8 of the Tongan version of the Tongan Constitution to match the English version was referred back to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Legislation.

The bill was one of the six bills that were presented to the House last year for public consultation during the Christmas break, November 2012 to January 2013.

The problem the House is trying to resolve is with the English version of Clause 8, which allows the people to petition the King or the Legislative Assembly only "to pass or repeal enactments."

By comparison, the less restrictive Tongan version of Clause 8 allows all people to petition the King or the Legislative...

Solomons’ National Hospital Lacks Adequate Security: CEO Thefts of patients’ and staff’s belongings reportedly on the rise

By Jeremy Inifiri

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, August 2, 2013) – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Solomon Islands’ National Referral Hospital (NRH), Dr. George Manimu, yesterday admitted that the hospital does not have enough security officers at the hospital.

Dr. Manimu was responding to complaints from patients, relatives and staff of the hospital raised by this Newspaper, over the increase of stealing within from patients at the hospital.

He said there are not enough security officers to keep an eye on all wards and the hospital compound to determine who enters in the hospital with the intention to steal from patients and those working there.

"So far we only have around nine security officers who are responsible for manning the entrance, the wards and the compound. This is not enough for such a big hospital...

Program hoped to raise standards of regional journalism

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, August 1, 2013) – A new online course for media professionals in the Pacific region has been developed to raise the standards of investigative reporting.

The Pasifika Media Association designed the course to ensure ongoing media education for journalists and media operators in the region.

Kalafi Moala, a member of PasiMA's board, has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the online course provides journalists and media operators with additional skills, knowledge and expertise to venture deeper into investigative reporting.

"On the job training of existing staff on investigative reporting is really key in the region," Mr. Moala said.

"Journalists need to continually be updated on how to...

Governor says ‘graduated system’ will restore benefits

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, August 2, 2013) – Gov. Eloy S. Inos assured yesterday that the proposed 25-percent cut in retirees’ pension is only a "deferment" and not a "permanent reduction," especially for those receiving the least amount of pension. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will rally behind the administration in the ongoing Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund settlement.

A deferment—as opposed to a permanent cut—in pension is not an impairment of retirees’ constitutional rights, as the administration puts it.

"If reduction is the way to go, it will come from the back end. And restore the reductions in a manner that the folks with the least annual benefits, those impacted the most by the reduction, will get the most restoration," Inos told Saipan Tribune at yesterday’s opening of the two-day CNMI Women’s Summit at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center...