Articles Search

Minister: nukes do not provide security, threaten humanity

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Sept. 30, 2013) – The Solomon Islands has supported a global call for the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction at a High Level meeting on nuclear disarmament during the 68th UN General Assembly in New York.

Addressing the meeting on Friday, Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination Connelly Sandakabatu said as a peace loving country, Solomon Islands joins the world in seeking a world free of nuclear weapons while welcoming the convening of the High level Meeting on nuclear disarmament.

He said the purpose of the United Nations is to preserve international peace and security and the meeting on nuclear disarmament gives all countries an opportunity, to reaffirm the global call to eliminate nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction.

Minister Sandakabatu pointed out that the Pacific is a...

Parkop petitioned for alternatives to outright ban on sales

By Kevin Teme

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Sept. 30, 2013) – One of the major betelnut cultivating villages in Papua New Guinea’s Central Province, Mekeo, has petitioned National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop to reconsider his proposed ban on betelnut starting tomorrow.

Mr. Parkop went to Aipeana village in Mekeo last Friday to receive the petition made by the people to rescind his decision or provide better alternative for the people of Central and Gulf to continue on their trade of betelnut.

They wanted Mr. Parkop to allow the people of Central and Gulf to transport their betelnut to other regions like in the Highlands through air transport as well as by road and sea and are asking the governor to provide security as their main concern on the proposed venues set for the betelnut trade.

"We do support you on the betelnut ban but it is not the people of...

GPA spokesman says generator issues are ‘isolated’

By Michelle Conerly

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, Oct. 1, 2013) – A burner problem at one Guam’s baseload generators cut power to much of the island yesterday afternoon -- the second large-scale power failure in two weeks blamed on the same generator.

According to Guam Power Agency (GPA) spokesman Art Perez, the outage, which affected parts of central and southern Guam, lasted about 30 minutes.

The outage was caused by a burner problem at the Cabras 2 generator, Perez said.

The same generator on Sept. 16 experienced a boiler problem that cut power to seven villages for about an hour.

Perez said a burner is part of the boiler system.

Some of Guam's baseload generators burn fuel oil to turn water into steam to drive power-generating turbines. Others burn the oil directly, like an internal combustion engine.

Perez said the two problems at Cabras 2 are separate and isolated...

Program meant to prepare graduates for overseas work scheme

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Sept. 30, 2013) – Twenty-three Tongan graduates, including current fruit pickers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme to New Zealand, received their National Certificate in Horticulture during an inaugural graduation ceremony held last week, at the Tonga Maritime Polytechnic Institute compound in ‘Anana, Tonga.

The students completed the 12-weeks in-country training program Ola ‘o e Fonua, achieving NZQA approved National Certificate in Horticulture (Practical) Level One.

The Minister for Education and Training Hon. Dr. ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki awarded the certificates at the graduation ceremony, attended by facilitators and many guests.

The graduates included fruit pickers who are currently employed by Tonga’s Ministry of Internal Affairs as RSE workers. Others have expressed their aim to apply for the RSE program while some are currently working at...