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Commerce chamber head says tax will not decrease use

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, Nov. 4, 2013) – Because the sentiments of the public are "split equally" on the proposed sin-tax hike, the Northern Marianas House Committee on Health and Welfare wants the full House membership to decide on the measure.

The committee chaired by Rep. Tony R. Agulto, IR-Saipan, agrees that the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. (CHC) is in dire need of funds to fight the growing cases of non-communicable diseases, or NCDs, and meet its mounting obligations. But the panel also considered the position of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce which expressed doubt that the additional tax will fund efforts to address NCDs.

Introduced by Rep. Felicidad T. Ogumoro, R-Saipan, House Bill 18-34, or the special healthcare impact tax, aims to combat the growing problem of obesity and NCDs, and provide much needed funding for CHC. It imposes an additional 70 percent tax...

Officers may be placed at ‘unnecessary risk’: AFP Association

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Nov. 4, 2013) – Dozens of Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers will begin patrols in Papua New Guinea today despite concerns from some officers that they will be unarmed, unprotected and unable to properly carry out their jobs.

Code-named Operation Copperplate, 50 AFP officers will be working in an advisory role to the existing PNG police force.

But the AFP Association says some of its members fear the high visibility roles, combined with a lack of powers, will make them an easy target.

A similar deployment was withdrawn in 2005 when a constitutional challenge eroded any immunity Australian officers had against prosecution in the country.

So this time the AFP says its officers will only be there to watch and offer advice.

The AFP Association has opposed any further policing involvement until PNG grants immunity to Australian police and...

Muagututagata felt disrespected during traffic stop

By Jason Brown

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, Nov. 2, 2013) – In Samoa, the Associate Minister of Trade, Commerce and Industries, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, has lodged a complaint against the police officer who breath tested him.

Muagututagata alleges that "his actions are irresponsible, dangerous and risky in spreading diseases."

In the copy of the complaint given to Weekend Observer, Muagututagata alleges the Constable "refused" to change the mouthpiece for the breathalyser machine.

The officer, Constable Manaima Patu, was also "very arrogant, rude and embarrassing for me as a member of Parliament."

Muagututagata was responding publicly for the first time to weeks of controversy over allegations that he, with the help of deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo avoided breath testing at a traffic stop.

Muagututagata said he was "not questioning" an article which quoted sources...

High schoolers want more subjects, scholarships

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Nov. 3, 2013) –Senior high school students in Niue are appealing to the New Zealand government to give more support and funding to the education sector.

New Zealand gives about US$11.5 million worth of funding to Niue annually and an additional US$165,000 solely for education.

But a number of year 12 and 13 students from Niue High School, including Nina Nemaia, say they would like more diversity in the subjects offered at school and more tertiary scholarships to study in New Zealand.

"You may not be intellectual like with your numbers or writing or anything, but you may be intellect with hands or creativity. We’re not given that opportunity to help expand our talents. So that would be one thing that I would want New Zealand to help us with. We don’t have practical classes. We only have theory," Nemaia said.

Nemaia says she has applied for a...