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Decision to enter into UBS loan under investigation by Commission

By Malum Nalu

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, June 2, 2014) – The State has made its first repayment of the K3 billion [US$1.02 billion] loan despite the Ombudsman Commission’s orders to await the completion of its investigation into how it was obtained.

Acting Treasury Secretary Dairi Vele yesterday confirmed to The National that the State had made the first repayment of the A$1.239 billion loan to the UBS Investment Bank. He did not say how much was paid.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill also warned Chief Ombudsman Rigo Lua last Thursday "not to impede the work of the executive government".

He told Lua that while the State would support the commission’s independent investigations into Government’s decisions, "those investigations must not impede its work or go against the nation’s overall interest".

The Ombudsman Commission is investigating the loan which the...

Says ‘it’s "scary" the prison doesn't know what it's supposed to do’

By Cameron Miculka

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, June 4, 2014) – Twenty-three years after a settlement agreement was put in place to improve conditions at the Department of Corrections, prison officials still are trying to determine what standards they're expected to meet.

A federal judge yesterday said it's "scary" that the prison doesn't know what it's supposed to do.

If the local and federal governments can't come up with a plan for the prison, the judge said, she will impose a plan.

A hearing yesterday wrapped up four days of testimony and arguments at the U.S. District Court of Guam as the federal and local governments work to solve the last remaining issues at the prison.

The attorneys in the case, who represent the federal government, the government of Guam and an independent court monitor, all gave closing arguments, during which they all expressed a...

Papa Bill, Jon Jonassen, Mrs Teao receive OBE, MBE, BEM respectively

By Ben Chapman-Smith

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, June 3, 2014) – Three Cook Islanders have formally received awards after being announced as recipients of Queen’s Honours at the start of the year.

William John Hosking, Dr Jon Jonassen and Vaine Noopuapii (Mrs Teao) – who were all named in the New Year’s Honours list – attended a formal ceremony at Government House yesterday hosted by Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters.

The Medal of the British Empire (MBE) was awarded to composer Dr Jonassen for services to the Cook Islands culture and the public service.

Jonassen is a professor of Political Science, and former secretary of Foreign Affairs, secretary of Cultural Development, and High Commissioner to NZ, Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea for the Cook Islands.

Among the more than 500 songs he’s composed are the famous Cook Islands love song ‘Mou Piri’,...

Hopes for influx of sports tourism

By Thomas Johnson

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Business Journal, June 1, 2014) – If all goes well, the NMI could be enjoying an influx of sports tourism income in the years to come. According to Michael White, chairman of the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association, the association has made a bid for the 2021 Pacific Mini Games to be hosted in the NMI. White said the association estimates that the games would have an economic impact somewhere in the neighborhood of $12 million to $15 million, which is expected to come primarily from international contingents and media coverage of the Pacific region.

"The games will bring 1,200 to 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials to the commonwealth, as well as several hundred more fans, friends and family members," White said. "Pacific-wide, media coverage will also have a positive effect on our image as an international destination."

Andrew Minogue, executive director of the...