You are here

Home › 2008 › February 2008 › Top Stories ›

Articles Search

Search results

Thu
07
Feb
admin's picture

PALAU TIGHTENS SECURITY AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.

KOROR Palau (Palau Horizon, Feb. 7, 2008) — Palau’s Division of Customs has strengthened its effort in the fight against money laundering and other criminal activities.

Customs Chief John Tarkong Jr. warned the public and all travelers that all movements of cash or non-negotiable instruments in an aggregate amount of $10,000 or more that is being transported by passengers, shipment, or through the mail at Palau's international departure and arrival points must be declared.

Tarkong noted that Palau has become an integral part of the fight against terrorism and other criminals.

Under the current law (RPPL No. 7-27), which was signed by President Remengesau last year, the objective is to ensure that criminals cannot finance their activities or launder the proceeds of their crimes through such transportation.

Failure to report may result in an administrative penalty of five percent of the amount of the currency or negotiable...

+ continue reading
Thu
07
Feb
admin's picture

MITSUBISHI PLANS NO LAYOFFS AT SAMOA PLANT

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Feb. 6, 2008) – one of the two thousand workers for the biggest employer of wire harnesses in Samoa, the Yasaki Company at Vaitele, will be laid off following news of the closure of the Mitsubishi car company in Australia.

The local General Manager for Yasaki Samoa Company, Funefe’ai Oliva Va’ai, has told SBC TV the closure has very little impact as production will continue for other Mitsubishi car makers in other countries.

The news comes after the Australian Under-secretary for Pacific island Affairs Duncan Kerr’s visit to Samoa last week.

He says that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is further strengthened, and a decision was made to allow the import of Yasaki wire harnesses into Australia free of duty for the next three years.

+ continue reading
Thu
07
Feb
admin's picture

WORLD OIL PRICES, TAXES BLAMED FOR PNG GAS PRICES

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, Feb. 6, 2008) - Interoil said yesterday crude oil prices and government taxes were the biggest contributor to the rise in petrol price in the country.

The Napanapa oil refinery operator released figures yesterday showing that its operations at the refinery account for the least of what is being paid for petrol.

It said that research by the company’s senior analysts showed that 53 percent of the retail price of petrol was directly attributed to the cost of crude oil.

"In recent years, the international marketplace has been sent into overdrive by the spiraling demand created by the emerging economies of China and India. As a result, crude oil prices are at record highs, and in fact, are now almost five times greater than they were only a decade ago," InterOil president Bill Jasper said in a statement released yesterday.

[PIR editor’s note: InterOil is a Canada-based company. According to Hydrocarbons-Technology...

+ continue reading
Thu
07
Feb
admin's picture

DEADLY DRUG ‘ICE’ FINDS ITS WAY INTO PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

DEADLY DRUG ‘ICE’ FINDS ITS WAY INTO PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Feb. 6, 2008) - A dangerous and illegal drug known only to be used in overseas countries was increasingly used in Papua New Guinea last year.

The drug which is nicknamed "Ice" for crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride has reportedly been used by foreigners in nightclubs in three centers in the country.

However, many nationals were also seen using the drug which is either smoked, injected or snorted. The National Drug Squad, surprised at the discovery, has developed a plan to carry out special operations to quell the use of the drug before many people start using it.

A police investigator from the National Drug Squad said "ice’’ was used by foreigners in some nightclubs in Port Moresby, Lae and Rabaul.

"Many locals, mainly young girls and men, were seen among these foreigners who would have used the drug too," the policeman said. He said the...

+ continue reading
Thu
07
Feb
admin's picture

SOLOMONS WEATHER COAST MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Feb. 7, 2008) - A Guadalcanal man on the run for nearly five years was arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts of murder.

Police arrested the 25-year-old Weathercoast man from Haliatu village in a sawmill at Foxwood, east of Honiara.

He allegedly committed the crimes in May 2003, just before the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

The man was arrested under Operation Ogio, established by the Serious Crime Squad to investigate crimes by members of the Guadalcanal Liberation Front (GLF) in the Weathercoast villages of Ogio, Vasavolavola, Charikamachi, Kolokemau and the Uraghai Valley during the tension period.

"After more than four and half years on the run, police charged the 25 year old male from Haliatu Village on the Weathercoast with three counts of murder," police said in a statement.

Police will allege the 25 year old was involved in the killings of three people at...

+ continue reading
Thu
07
Feb
admin's picture

GUAM GOV. CAMACHO ENDORSES MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

HAGATNA, Guam (Marianas Variety, Feb. 7, 2008) – U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign has announced the endorsement of Gov. Felix P. Camacho.

Joining him in endorsing McCain are Guam Republican Party Chairman Phil Flores, National Committeeman Eddie B. Calvo, and National Committeewoman Mary C. Torres.

"John McCain is an American hero who will keep our country safe," said Camacho. "There is no other candidate who understands the national security issues for Guam and the importance of the Territory in the current realignment of U.S. military forces in the Pacific than Senator McCain," added.

In addition, Camacho said McCain has an exemplary record of conservative leadership that the patriotic American citizens on Guam are so very proud of.

For his part, McCain thanked Camacho and the RNC members for their support, saying, "I am pleased to have the support of these fine leaders from Guam, and I look forward to working with them on important...

+ continue reading
Thu
07
Feb

NEW ZEALAND PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR SOLOMONS GOVERNMENT

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Feb. 6, 2008) – New Zealand High Commissioner Deborah Pankhurst has pledged her government's commitment to work closely with the Solomon Islands government.

In her speech during the Waitangi day celebration in Honiara today, Ms Panchurst said that the New Zealand government looks forward to working with the Solomon Islands' government and other donors in the areas outlined in the government's policy to achieve best results.

She said the relationship between Solomon Islands and New Zealand had developed over a long period through missionaries and education between the peoples of the two countries.

Ms Panchurst said the friendship continued until today when New Zealanders are part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

She said many New Zealanders who have served under RAMSI brought home fond memories of Solomon Islands and are as concerned as other Solomon Islanders when incidents...

+ continue reading
Thu
07
Feb

CLINTON WINS NARROW MAJORITY IN AMERICAN SAMOA

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Feb. 6, 2008) – Hillary Clinton got a narrow majority in American Samoa in the race for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency during Super Tuesday voting.

The victory would give Mrs Clinton 3 ¾ delegates and her close rival for the nomination Barrack Obama 2 ¼ votes.

Democratic party officials in American Samoa say the caucus was the best attended ever with more than 300 people taking part.

+ continue reading
Thu
07
Feb

MYSTERIOUS UNDERWATER HOTEL UNDER WAY IN FIJI

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Feb. 6, 2008) - Mystery surrounds a multi million dollar undersea resort, being constructed in Fiji, in more ways than one.

Called the Poseidon Mystery Island, the project on an unnamed island in Fiji is being built at an estimated cost of US$105 million.

The Poseidon website says, "The exact location of Poseidon Resort’s Mystery Island is still, well, a mystery."

Fiji’s trade and investment promotion body, the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau, does not appear to know anything about this project at all. A questionnaire sent by fijilive.com last year to FTIB said the bureau was unaware of this project. But it appears the resort is on the verge of finishing with September this year given as the completion date.

The project is being developed by Poseidon Resorts, whose president, Bruce Jones has a background that includes 20 years of work in submarine sea technology. Jones and his team of engineers have been designing the hotel...

+ continue reading
Thu
07
Feb

FOREIGN WORKERS IN MARIANAS OWED $6.1 MILLION

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 00:00

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, Feb. 7, 2008) – The federal labor ombudsman is ready to share with the U.S. Congress and the Office of Interior Affairs the data that include the $6.1 million owed to guest workers by companies in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Federal Labor Ombudsman Jim Benedetto in a statement yesterday said a total of 712 administrative orders and judgments awarded unpaid wages and other compensation to guest workers.

The exact total amount of the wages, he said, is $6,130,802.96. Partial payments of $61,928.16 or about one percent were already subtracted from this figure.

The smallest amount of back wages, Benedetto said, is $50, and the largest is $48,771.86.

There are 64 unpaid awards that amount to over $20,000; 222 unpaid awards of $10,000 or more; and 462 over $5,000.

He said the oldest unpaid award dates back to Feb. 1994.

Many of these Benedetto said are...

+ continue reading

Pages

Filter by date created:

Filter by article category: