Articles Search

Federal court date set for July 30 as judge denies six appeal motions

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, April 29, 2012) – The federal court in Washington D.C. denied this week six separate motions by Sanford Limited, which seeks to dismiss federal charges against the New Zealand based company, whose fishing vessel San Nikunau is alleged to have been non-compliant with the federal Act of Pollution from Ships (APPS) while fishing in the waters of American Samoa for the past six years.

Sanford and a former chief engineer are also charged with obstruction of justice. The defendants have rejected the allegations and entered not guilty pleas to a federal indictment.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell presided over Sanford motions for dismissal citing, among other things, insufficient evidence. The most serious of the defendant’s motions is the one seeking to dismiss the entire indictment alleging "...

Tourist allegedly raped local guide before being shot

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, April 30, 2012) – A French Polynesia man, who confessed to killing a German tourist Stefan Ramin last year, has told investigators that he shot him because he had been raped by him.

Arihano Haiti surrendered to police in November after being sought for more than 50 days on Nuku Hiva.

Last week, investigators took him from his Papeete prison cell to Nuku Hiva to try to reconstruct events leading to Mr. Ramin’s death.

Back in Papeete in further interrogations, Haiti was also confronted by Mr. Ramin’s wife who returned from Germany.

Press reports say he admitted to sexually assaulting her but maintains he was raped by her husband.

She says Arihano Haiti assaulted her after he returned from a Nuku Hiva valley and told her partner was injured and needed help.

Stefan Ramin’s charred remains were found days after he went missing...

Scientists, businesses and tourists help to protect sharks

By Ilaitia Turagabeci

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, April 30, 2012) – There is excitement and anticipation for bigger things under the water around Fiji’s coasts.

That's the analysis as the first phase of The Great Fiji Shark Count comes to an end this week.

A first for the world, the count - an initiative of Fiji tourism operators and organized by Helen Sykes, of Marine Ecology and coordinator of Fiji Coral Reef Monitoring Network - is a scientific research which aiMs. to put a population figure to the different species of sharks, rays and turtles in our waters.

Ms. Sykes said the invite to The Great Fiji Shark Count across the isles and abroad was meant to involve everyone - from tourism operators, adventurers, marine researchers, coastal fishermen, deep sea anglers, sea travelers or anyone with a love for the sea and the life in it.

Data for this month is still being collected but the...

Asian businessman allegedly implicated in illegal export scandal

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, May 1, 2012) – Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has been called on to immediately ensure relevant government authorities take necessary action against the Asian businessman involved in the beche-de-mer scandal.

Opposition Leader Dr. Derek Sikua made the highlight yesterday after being so concerned with Zhang Tong Zhi for what he claimed as continuing with his business activities in the country despite cancellation of his residential and work permit.

In a statement yesterday Dr. Sikua said he is aware that the government knows that Zhang Tong Zhi is continuing with his marine export business activities in the country under HJJ Company despite the cancellation of his work and residential permits but yet has taken no action against him.

"HJJ Company is registered under the name of the wife of the MP for Malaita Outer Islands but...