Miss Samoa crowned Miss Pacific Islands

Miss Samoa, Latafale Auva’a, is the Miss Pacific Islands 2014 and 2015. The 21-year-old Ms. Auva’a was crowned by the outgoing Miss South Pacific, Teuira Napa, at Tuana’imato on December 20th last year where the pageant was held. The Otago University student overcame competition from seven other contestants to secure the title. And in doing…

PNG women flee witchcraft accusations

So many women in Papua New Guinea have fled their villages because of allegations of witchcraft that it’s creating a refugee problem. That’s according to Ruth Kissam, youth coordinator for the Western Highlands provincial government. The case of four women in the Hewa language area of Enga province hit the headlines last week, when it…

Preparation for QYL programs underway

THE Queen’s Young Leaders is a unique initiative which recognises that young people have the ability to make a huge impact in their communities. The programme was launched in Honiara last July and Solomon Islands was lucky to be selected among six Commonwealth countries for the award. According to QYL initiative, through its programme, they…

Four Tahiti parties to be deregistered

RNZI: Official records in French Polynesia show that four political parties have ceased to be recognised because of a lack of accountability. The parties in question have lost their status because they failed to submit audited accounts. Among them are the Aia Api party of Emile Vernaudon, who played key roles in local politics and…

Time catches up on Malaita MPAs

New house faces dissolution MALAITA Province has only this week to elect a premier and form a new government. The 30 days given for any provincial government to form a government after elections will lapse by this weekend. And if the province fails to hold the election, the newly elected house will dissolve. Malaita held…

Deal with people, not land: Moli

MALAITA’S Aoke Langalanga ward one provincial member says land is not the cause of development hold-ups on Malaita. Molcolm Moli said it is people’s attitude towards land that hinders developments on Malaita. “There are cultural set-ups in terms of land custody, therefore proper dialogue and inclusive approach must be priority in development plans to ensure…