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Mon
09
Oct

Despite Progress, Samoa Faces Considerable Trade Challenges

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 10/09/2017 - 15:40

 

Samoa has made considerable progress in recent years in getting businesses and consumers online but still faces challenges before being fully ready to benefit from e-commerce, an UNCTAD assessment of the country says. Made up of eight islands sitting halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, the country's isolation fuels high import prices and creates challenges for Samoan entrepreneurs to access global markets and grow their businesses. 

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Mon
09
Oct

CNMI Government Owes Utility Corporation $45 Million

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 10/09/2017 - 15:42

 

The government’s unpaid utility bill had reached $44.9 million as of Oct. 4, 2017, Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Executive Director Gary Camacho said. Based on information provided by CUC chief financial officer Antonio Castro, Camacho said the central government owes CUC $5.5 million, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., $18.7 million, and other government agencies, $20.4 million. “Only the [Public School System] is current with its account,” Camacho added.

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Mon
09
Oct

Port Moresby Police Superintendent Suspended For 'Disciplinary Offences'

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 10/09/2017 - 15:45

 

National Capital District police Metropolitan Superintendent Benjamin Turi has been suspended for 21 days over “serious disciplinary” matters, it has been confirmed. Deputy Police Commissioner and Chief of Police Operations Jim Andrews said last night: “I confirm that I have suspended Metropolitan Superintendent NCD Chief Superintendent Ben Turi today (yesterday) at 1pm for a period of 21 days over allegations of serious disciplinary offences.”

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Wed
11
Oct

Five More People Arrested In French Polynesia Methamphetamine Investigation

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 15:19

 

Police in French Polynesia have taken a further five people into custody in an ongoing probe of a methamphetamine distribution network. This comes a week after police seized a record 21 kilogrammes of methamphetamine. In this week's raids, a further 100 grams of the drug was found as well as $US600,000 in cash. Several luxury vehicles have also been seized.

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Wed
11
Oct

ADB Provides $15 Million For Renewable Energy Projects In Vanuatu

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 15:25

 

The Asian Development Bank and Vanuatu have signed an agreement for a $US15.1 million project to increase the availability of renewable energy on Malekula and Espiritu Santo. The loan and grant agreement is for the Vanuatu Energy Access Project. The ADB's James Lynch said the project will deliver an increased supply of clean, renewable electricity to households in Malekula and Espiritu Santo and have a positive effect on rural livelihoods.

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Wed
11
Oct

Effort To Refloat Stranded Container Ship In New Caledonia Fails

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 15:31

 

A first attempt to refloat a stranded container ship off New Caledonia has failed. At the weekend, the French High Commission said weather conditions were good for a bid to refloat the Kea Trader, which has been stuck on Durand Reef since July. Four tugs were involved in the operation to try to dislodge the new Chinese-built vessel, which ran onto the reef on a voyage from Papeete to Noumea.

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Wed
11
Oct

Fiji Airway Plane Loses Pressure Between Kiribati, Hawaii: Lands Safely

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 15:37

 

Fiji Airways says one of its planes has landed normally in Honolulu after a loss of pressurisation on a flight from Kiribati. Oxygen masks dropped down due to the loss of cabin pressure on the Boeing 737-700 which was carrying 73 passengers and six crew. Fiji Airways said its engineers were working with Boeing to return the aircraft to active service.

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Wed
11
Oct

New Zealand Allegedly Ordered Tokelau To Suspend Workers Over Helicopter Purchase

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 15:44

 

It's been revealed that New Zealand ordered Tokelau to suspend two public servants accused of making a controversial helicopter buy. The purchase of two helicopters in November prompted New Zealand to step in over what it called a "significant failure of governance" by Tokelau. The territory's commissioner, Casimilo Perez, suspended finance director Heto Puka and public service general manager Jovilisi Suveinakama from their positions in April for their role in the buy.

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Wed
11
Oct

U.S.-Tongan Filmmaker Wins Emmy Award For Football Documentary

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 15:51

 

A US-Tongan filmmaker and director, Tony Vainuku, won an Emmy award for “Outstanding Business and Economic Documentary” at the 38th annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards held in New York City on Thursday, 5 October. Vainuku’s documentary called “In Football We Trust” reveals the social and family pressures endured by ambitious young Pacific Islander men as they chase their dreams to become professional football players. The film was directed by Vainuku with his producer Erika Cohn, and was released in 2015.

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Wed
11
Oct

Samoa National Park Added To International Wetlands List

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 15:58

 

Samoa’s O le Pūpū Puē (O.L.P.P.) National Park has been officially added to the List of the Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. O.L.P.P has become the 2313rd Ramsar Site globally, the 9th Ramsar Site in the Pacific Region, the government confirmed yesterday.

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