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Expert says global factors are to blame

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, July 28, 2011) – A water management expert says global factors are to blame for water shortages in Pacific islands and the small nations need international support.

Water shortages in many communities across the Pacific force people to use contaminated or salty groundwater for cooking and drinking.

In coming years, it is expected that climate change will put even more stress on water supplies.

At a conference wrapping up in Cook Islands on Friday, delegates from 14 Pacific nations met to find solutions to the problem.

Dr Alfred Duda is a senior advisor on international waters to The Global Environment Facility.

Speaking to Pacific Beat from the conference in Raratonga, he said the Pacific countries that attended the forum were discovering they were often not responsible for their own water problems.

"Much of it relates to the global economy, globalisation...

PATIENTS
Applies if care un available at nearest U.S. facility

By Haidee V. Eugenio Reporter SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Aug. 1, 2011) – U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Donald M. Berwick has confirmed that Medicare pays for emergency and non-emergency inpatient services provided in the Philippines for CNMI patients if, among other things, the foreign hospital is closer to the patient's home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the patient's medical condition.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan, Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota), and Sen. Ralph Torres (R-Saipan) separately welcomed the clarification from the Medicare administrator on Medicare coverage outside the United States.

Medicare is a U.S. social insurance program that provides health insurance coverage to people who are at least 65 years old and those younger but with permanent disability.

"I'm glad we have the response we have been waiting...

Former Solomons attorney general fled authorities

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, July 28, 2011) – he Australian High Court will hear an appeal next week by the former Solomon Islands Attorney-General against a court's decision for him to be prosecuted for child sex crimes.

Julian Moti is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Noumea and Vanuatu during the 1990s.

The case against him collapsed in 2009 when a Supreme Court judge ordered a permanent stay on the proceedings because of the methods used by the Australian Federal Police.

But that decision was overturned by the Queensland Court of Appeal last year.

Moti is now appealing against the Court of Appeal decision in the Australian High Court.

The case against Moti has been adjourned to next month to allow time for the High Court to announce its decision.

Surge driven by large convention groups

By Nasik Swami SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, July 30, 2011) – Visitor arrivals from North America to Fiji increased rapidly last month which boosted business in Fiji's tourism sector.

Regional Director for Tourism Fiji Ili Matatolu said Fiji is enjoying a resurgence in popularity as a venue for the lucrative North American meetings, incentive and conference business.

Matatolu said Fiji overcame strong international opposition to host the huge US-based LagasseSweet Group.

"The event saw more than 400 of the international distribution company’s customers, one of the biggest US groups seen in Fiji in four years, enjoying a five day stay," she said.

Matatolu said winning the opportunity to stage the LagasseSweet event was a major score for the national tourist office given that the company has traditionally chosen African, Asian, Middle Eastern and European venues for its incentive events.

"This is one of the...