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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

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

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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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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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

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

French Polynesia President Urges France To Attend Un Decolonization Committee

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 10/09/2017 - 15:36

 

The French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch says he has asked the French UN ambassador to join him at next year's decolonisation talks about Tahiti in New York. France has been boycotting the UN decolonisation committee since 2013 when the UN General Assembly reinscribed French Polynesia on the list of non-self-governing territories.

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Mon
09
Oct

Fiji Opposition Claims Police Intimidating Trade Union Executives

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 10/09/2017 - 15:33

 

The National Federation Party has called on the Fiji Police Force to stop the alleged intimidation of trade union executives after their decision to hold a secret ballot to seek mandate for strike action. In a statement, NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad said the party would alert the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the matter. He claimed the party had viewed correspondence from the Fiji Public Service Association to the Public Services International informing them that two of its union executives were interviewed by police and had emails and newsletters confiscated.

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Mon
09
Oct

2,000 Fish Processing Workers In Lae, PNG Go On Strike

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 10/09/2017 - 15:31

 

Workers of Frabelle PNG Ltd in Lae staged a protest yesterday demanding a meaningful pay rise and benefits in their health and well-being. The strike saw more than 2000 workers from all sections walking off their jobs. All operations at the fish-processing company were put on hold for the whole day. Attempts to get information on what the protest cost in terms of business were unsuccessful.

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Mon
09
Oct

Distribution Of Relief Supplies To Vanuatu Volcano Evacuees Continues

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 10/09/2017 - 15:24

 

While the Ambae volcano is calming down, the work to distribute relief supplies is ongoing to support the people of Ambae in evacuation centers on Maewo, Santo, and Pentecost. The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Choules has landed its trucks and amphibious crafts on Maewo with rice, water, tarpaulins, tents, large marques, kitchen items, toilet seats, and 1000 liter water tanks.

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