Pacific

Pacific news in brief for 9 September

11:52 am on 9 September 2024

Photo: 123RF

Papua New Guinea - conviction

The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has overturned a 2013 conviction for rape and assault.

The convicted man Robert Agen was jailed for 11 years for the rape and assault of his ex-girlfriend.

But the Post-Courier reported the Supreme Court acquitted him of the crime.

Agen, 49, from SinaSina in Chimbu, had appealed his sentence and a three-man bench made the orders acquitting him on the rape and assault counts.

Vanuatu - airline

The liquidators of Air Vanuatu have responded to concerns raised by a former pilot.

Charles Perry, a former pilot and creditor, made multiple accusations, including alleging the liquidators set up a new company to remove liabilities from Air Vanuatu Operations Limited while leaving creditors and employees unpaid.

TheVanuatu Daily Post reported Ernst & Young has denied his claims, saying the liquidators are working towards a better outcome for creditors and employees, as set out in the deed of compromise.

The creditors' compromise - put forward by the liquidators - was passed with a majority vote of 306 to 18.

Niue - fuel

The US Department of State has announced it is committed to working with Congress to fund the removal of storm-damaged fuel tanks in Niue.

US Ambassador Tom Udall said they have been listening to the people of Niue about what is most important to them.

He said the tanks have been a concern for many years, ever since they were damaged by Cyclone Heta.

The US Embassy said removing the fuel tanks will kickstart opportunities for broader redevelopment of the Alofi wharf and provide a platform to build deeper cooperation on international port and maritime security.

In September 2023, the United States recognized Niue - which is in free association with New Zealand - as a sovereign and independent state, to establish diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Northern Mariana Islands - language

The Youth Congress in the Northern Mariana Islands has passed a bill requiring the country's two indigenous languages to be taught at each school level.

The bill now heads to both houses of the Legislature - the House of Representatives and the Senate - where it awaits the next step in what the Youth Congress hopes will be its eventual passage into law.

Prior to the passage of the bill, its author, Youth Senator Ayden Sean Yumul, said the CNMI's youth leaders are committed to the continuance of providing access to cultural education.

Pacific - climate

Greenpeace says bottom trawling in the Emperor Seamounts in the north Pacific is devastating fragile ecosystems.

The call comes after footage was collected in the area by researchers at Florida State University.

The university's Dr Amy Baco-Taylor said it shows fishing gear is littering the seafloor and the seamounts need urgent protection.

Greenpeace Aotearoa oceans campaigner Ellie Hooper said the area should be made into a marine-protected area, which would include a ban on all fishing practices.

Solomon Islands - fire

A Chinese company has won the bid to build a multi-million-dollar Rescue Fire Service in the Solomon Islands capital.

China Railway Construction Engineering Group will build the facility, which will be located at the Honiara International Airport.

InDepth Solomons reported the World Bank is funding the project under the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project which is being funded by a US$30 million loan and a $20m grant.

Munda International Airport's runway was upgraded to meet international standards and a new terminal building is being constructed with the money also.