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Tue
02
May

PANG Releases Report On Impacts Of PACER-Plus Trade Deal

Submitted by PIR Editor on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 15:13

Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) 
Suva, Fiji

May 2, 2017

With the PACER-Plus regional free trade agreement back in the news recently, the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) has released a new guide which they say will allow Pacific Islanders to better understand the impacts of the recently concluded deal.

The Peoples’ Guide to PACER-Plus, released by the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), explains the history of the talks and the key impacts that the legal binding texts will have on people, culture, livelihoods and the environment.

“PACER-Plus will have major impacts in the Pacific and it’s critical that every Pacific Islander has the opportunity to know how it will affect them not just today but into the future when government’s policy space is constrained.

“The Peoples’ Guide to PACER-Plus breaks down the key technical...

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Mon
24
Apr

Pacific Islands Women Have Elevated Levels Of Mercury In Their Bodies: Study

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 04/24/2017 - 15:32

Minamata Convention
IPEN
Biodiversity Research Institute

April 19, 2017

A new study, supported by the Minamata Convention’s Interim Secretariat hosted by UN Environment (download full report with raw data annex or summary report), reveals that women of childbearing age living in four Pacific Island countries have elevated levels of mercury in their bodies. Mercury monitoring in women of childbearing age in the Asia and the Pacific Region, jointly conducted by the interim secretariat of the Minamata Convention, Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), and the global NGO network IPEN, examined hair samples from women aged 18 - 44 from Cook...

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Wed
19
Apr

US Vice President To Visit American Samoa: Dedicate Veterans Clinic In Eni's Honor

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 04/19/2017 - 12:17

 

Congresswoman Aumua Amata announces that during his visit to the territory,  this Sunday — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will dedicate the Veterans Administration outpatient clinic to the memory of the late Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, who passed away in February at his home in Utah. The Pence delegation, which will include his wife and two daughters, will arrive at Pago Pago International Airport Sunday, April 23 and will stay for an hour and a half before departing for Honolulu.

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Thu
30
Mar

Marine Stewardship Council Certifies Cook Islands Yellowfin Fishery

Submitted by PIR Editor on Thu, 03/30/2017 - 13:17

 

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has announced the addition of yellowfin tuna to the Cook Islands EEZ South Pacific Albacore Longline Fishery certification. The fishery was MSC certified for its albacore tuna catches in 2015, making Huanan Fishery Cook Islands Ltd the first Chinese tuna fleet to meet what is considered the industry gold standard in sustainability. The MSC is an international non-profit organisation established to address the problem of unsustainable fishing and safeguard seafood supplies for the future.

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Thu
30
Mar

Yapese High School Robotics Team Head To International Competition In Washington DC

Submitted by PIR Editor on Thu, 03/30/2017 - 12:52

 

The famously traditional Island of Stone Money is sending top students to a high tech global robotics competition. Students from 153 nations will gather in Washington, D.C. this summer for the international high school robotics Olympics. Few will have traveled as far — geographically or culturally — as the Robo League team from Yap.

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Thu
30
Mar

Marshall Islands President 'Extremely Disappointed' In U.S. Climate Change Roll Back

Submitted by PIR Editor on Thu, 03/30/2017 - 10:19

 

The President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, H.E. Dr. Hilda C. Heine, issued the below statement today following recent developments in the United States. “A President’s job is to protect their citizens, grow the economy and pave the way for future generations. Acting on climate change is the best way to do all of this."

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Wed
22
Mar

Solomon Islands Finance Minister: Cash Flow Situation Is Stable

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 14:30

 

The Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon Snyder Rini has lashed out at the statement by Hon Rick Hou in the Solomon Star on 22 March 2017 as misleading and inappropriate. Hon Snyder Rini said, “The government cash position is stable and payment to service providers, suppliers, contractors, scholarships and salaries are being met.” 

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Wed
08
Mar

SPTO Recognizes Contribution Of Women To Pacific Region's Tourism Industry

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 09:23

 

Pacific Women are the unsung heroes of the region’s tourism industry says the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), as it recognises their contribution to tourism development to mark International Women’s Day today, March 8. At every level of the tourism industry, Pacific women are represented from grassroots handcraft producers, and hotel and resort employees, to tourism industry executives.

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Mon
06
Mar

Marshall Islands Hosts Region's First Oceans And Tides Workshop

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 03/06/2017 - 10:54

 

In a first for the North Pacific, the Marshall Islands Weather Service will host an Oceans and Tides Workshop this week in coordination with the Pacific Community or SPC in an effort to increase knowledge, technical capacity, understanding and application of ocean science for improved decision-making and disaster preparedness. Developed and funded through the Australian Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific or COSPPac, the workshop, held at the Marshall Islands Resort, also includes participants from Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and Kiribati.

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Mon
06
Mar

Cook Islands Artist Selected For UNESCO's International Women’s Day Exhibition

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 03/06/2017 - 10:38

 

The work of NiaVal Ngaro, currently on show at the Bergman Gallery in Avarua, has been accepted for showing in the 2017 International Women’s Day Exhibition at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. Ngaro is one of only two artists from the Asia Pacific region to be selected to take part in the exhibition. The piece for show will come from her new series of glass “taro” sculptures.

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