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Wed
11
Oct

Activity At Vanuatu Volcano Continue At Low-Level; PM Visits Evacuees

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 17:16

 

The frequent volcano rumblings felt on Ambae and surface events seen from neighboring islands of Maewo, Pentecost and even Santo are ideal settings of a volcano experiencing minor eruption categorized at alert level 3. This was the reply from the Manager of the Geo-hazards Department, Esline Bule, when sought to clarify public concerns on the increasing number of eruptions at the volcano causing more fear among the people.

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Wed
11
Oct

Some Election Petitions In PNG Thrown Out, Some Still Alive

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 17:12

 

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop and Moresby Northwest MP Sir Mekere Morauta are defending their recent election victories in the Waigani National Court of Disputed Returns. They were among victors of the 2017 National Election whose wins had been challenged by losing candidates.

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Wed
11
Oct

U.S. Expected To Exercise Right Under Compact To Use Palau Land

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 17:06

 

By the time Palauans gather to celebrate their nation’s 23rd Independence Day on October 1, a diplomatic note is expected to have arrived from the United States government formally exercising its right under the Compact of Free Association to use additional lands not identified under the compact agreement. That provision obligates Palau to provide land without compensation.

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Wed
11
Oct

Taiwan Wants Fiji To Reopen Trade Mission In Taipei

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 17:04

 

Taiwan wants to reengage with Fiji. The country has called on the Fijian Government to reconsider re-opening its trade mission in Taipei. Taiwanese director general for International Information Services under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paul Kuoboug Chang, said Taiwan was worried with main land China's growing presence in the South Pacific.

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Wed
11
Oct

Samoe Immigration Officer Suspended Over Passport Sale Investigation

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 16:59

 

Samoa’s Immigration Office has suspended an Immigration employee while they investigate the alleged sale of Samoan passports online.  David Nomereta Uaine, the suspended officer, confirmed the decision when he was contacted by the Samoa Observer. He said he was informed of his suspension yesterday.  “They already told me about it,” Mr. Uaine said during an interview with the Samoa Observer over the phone. 

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Wed
11
Oct

Solomon Islands Police Commended For Gender Equality Efforts

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 16:56

 

A visiting academic from the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji, commends the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) for implementing the executive decision of recruiting equal number of males and females into its new recruit intake every year. Dr Danielle Watson, Coordinator of the Pacific Policing Program at the USP, was invited as a Guest Speaker at the Conference of Provincial Police Commanders and Directors currently underway in Honiara.

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Wed
11
Oct

Tonga Holds First National Mental Health, Disability Symposium

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 16:54

 

Do not look at our disabilities but focus on our abilities, said Rhema Misser a person living with physical disability for 54-years during the opening of the first "Langi Ma’a: Tonga National Mental Health and Disabilities Symposium" on October 9-13. Rhema said often at times people look at them living with disabilities, with the idea they are good for nothing.

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Wed
11
Oct

CNMI Office Of Planning And Development Created

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 16:48

 

The Torres administration has approved the creation of a separate government office that is intended to guide the future development of the CNMI. The CNMI Office of Planning and Development came into being after Gov. Ralph DLG Torres enacted the bill that established the office last Oct. 6, 2017.

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Wed
11
Oct

American Samoa Retirement Fund Wants Part Ownership Of Undersea Cable

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 16:46

 

Among the conditions of a second loan for the American Samoa TeleCommunications Authority is that the ASG Employees Retirement Fund has part ownership in the spur connecting American Samoa to the new Hawaiki Submarine Cable, to be launched mid-2018. This is according to testimony by Retirement Fund officials during a Senate Retirement Committee hearing last Thursday where committee chairman Sen. Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, who is the Senate member on the Retirement Fund board of trustees, stated that ASTCA has applied for a $30 million loan from the federal government. 

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Wed
11
Oct

Guam Attorney General Ready To Defend Land Trust Against Federal Lawsuit

Submitted by PIR Editor on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 16:36

 

The attorney general of Guam stands ready to defend the island’s Chamorro Land Trust Act against the federal government. The U.S. Department of Justice on Sept. 29 filed a lawsuit against the GovGuam and the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, claiming the local government violated the federal Fair Housing Act “for discriminating against non-Chamorros through enforcement of the Chamorro Land Trust Act.”

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