Regional News

HRPP Caucus vote 10-9 for Minister of Finance to remain

Thu, 05/16/2013 - 8:40am | Category:

By

Lagi Keresoma, Talamua Online

APIA, Samoa — It took the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Caucus almost three hours to come up with a 10 to 9 votes for the Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga to remain in Cabinet.

The meeting’s focus was on the petition by some Caucus MPs for the Minister to either “resign” or the Prime Minister to “sack” him.

However, “resign and sack” were never part of the discussion, according to one of the petition organizers MP Tu’u’u Anasi’i. Instead, the focus was on three options “reshuffle, terminate or remain (stay) in Cabinet.”

at Talamua Online

Tokelau’s Apia office to be moved back to the atolls

Wed, 05/15/2013 - 9:56am | Category:

By

Radio New Zealand

Tokelau is considering how to move its administration office in Apia in Samoa back to the atolls.

The office was set up to improve the remote atolls’ ability to communicate with the outside world but the manager, Joe Suveinakama, says there is a push to take the staff and the services back to Tokelau.

He says during consultations last week between the Council for the Ongoing Government and the villagers, the country’s leader, the Ulu o Tokelau, Salesio Lui, spoke of ’bringing home the catch’.

Samoa's Ruling Government Caucus want Finance Minister ousted

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 9:58am | Category:

By

Lagi Keresoma, Talamua Online

APIA, Samoa — The majority of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) 36-member caucus want Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, removed from Cabinet.

They’ve signed a letter to that effect which was handed to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi last week, Talamua was reliably informed today.

Three other reliable sources have independently confirmed the report.

Talamua has also learned that Cabinet that usually meets Wednesdays, called a special meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss the eruption of discontent with Faumuina.

at Talamua Online

Alaska's Ryan Middle School event celebrates cultural backgrounds

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 9:53am | Category:

By

MARY BETH SMETZER, newsminer.com

FAIRBANKS — Ryan CAfE Night, a new event at Ryan Middle School, kicked off Friday evening with the thumping rhythm of Hawaiian music accompanied by swaying hips and flowing hand gestures to the delight of students, families and staff.

CAfE is an acronym for Cultivating Awareness for Everyone, explained Kristie Calvin, assistant principal intern at the middle school.

Shortly after coming to Ryan, Calvin noticed the great variety of cultural backgrounds among the student population and thought that celebrating and sharing those differences would provide an interesting and fun event.

at newsminer.com

Pacific fishing operators struggle

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 9:51am | Category:

By

Barbara Dreaver, ONE News Pacific Correspondent

A Forum Fisheries meeting is being held in the Solomon Islands as local boat operators are under threat of being put out of business in favour of foreign fishing vessels.

The Forum Fisheries Agency has published a report saying certain foreign fishing fleets were receiving subsidies such as preferential tax treatment and fuel subsidies.

Greenpeace says this is threatening to put tuna boat operators out of business and favourable policies should be put in place to help them.

Paciic Briefs at TVNZ

Tahiti FireKnife Champion holds on to his title

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 9:00am | Category:

First ever tie for second place

By

PCC staff

LAIE, Hawaii – After four nights of fire blazing, adrenaline-fueled battles, it was reigning champion, Joseph Cadousteau, who reclaimed the title at the 21st Annual World Fireknife Championship at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). Last year, Cadousteau became the first competitor to win the title for Tahiti.

Samoa not easy to fool says Samoa government chief

Mon, 05/13/2013 - 11:18am | Category:

By

Radio New Zealand

A senior government official in Samoa has rejected claims the country is easy to fool by foreign investors.

The leader of the Tautua Samoa Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II, has raised questions why a number of investors with questionable histories have been allowed to come to Samoa.

The questions come following reports that the Chinese head of a company investing in a hotel and casino development is being held in custody in Beijing under investigation for corruption.

Concern has also been raised over other foreign investors.

Keep calm and kava on

Mon, 05/13/2013 - 11:16am | Category:

By

Sarah MacKenzie, Stuff New Zealand

Fiji's national drink, Kava - famous for its reputed recreational effects - could be a natural treatment for those suffering from anxiety.

A world-first clinical study by the University of Melbourne has revealed the South Pacific plant could significantly reduce the symptoms of people suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorders (GAD).

In Fiji, Kava is a ceremonial symbol used to bring two groups together, and is one of the most important crops and exports for the country.

at Stuff New Zealand

New royal heir for Tonga born in Auckland

Sun, 05/12/2013 - 10:38am | Category:

By

Radio New Zealand

The son of Tonga’s Crown Prince Tupouto’a and Princess Sinaitakala and the second in line to the Tongan throne has been born in Auckland.

Matangi Tonga Online reports that the boy has been named Prince Taufa’ahau Manumataongo.

During the pregnancy the royal couple have been staying at a family home, "Tufumahina", in Mt Albert, and it is understood that they were expecting the birth a little later this month.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a ’Ulukalala, first in line to the Tongan throne, and Sinaitakala Tu’imatamoana ’i FanakavakilangiFakafanua were married in Tonga last July.

Samoa government to regulate fine mats

Sun, 05/12/2013 - 10:14am | Category:

By

Radio New Zealand

The use of fine mats in Samoa could soon be regulated under a government project to revive the traditional Samoan fine mat, or Le Samoa.

The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, says the non-traditional mats are much larger than proper ones, and they are becoming more common at events around the country.

Our correspondent in Samoa, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says the larger mats are often of a poorer quality.

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