More Top Stories
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Utopia Support
PACIFIC BRIEFS 4/2/2016
Sunday 5 February 2017 | Published in Regional
POHIVA BELIEVES HE HAS THE NUMBERS TONGA – Tonga’s Prime Minister says he believes he has the numbers to easily defeat a proposed motion of no-confidence. The motion was submitted this week and signed by seven Noble Representatives and three People’s MPs including former Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu and sacked Internal Affairs Minister Fe’ao Vakata. ‘Akilisi Pohiva said he continued to have the majority support of the 26-member parliament. The motion is currently before the Parliamentary Privileges Standing Committee before a date for the motion is announced. Pohiva said he wanted to know on what basis the motion had been submitted. “The most interesting element of the motion is to see, to know the grounds for the motion. What are the allegations provided in the motion? These are the things we are waiting for.” REPORTER ATTACKED OUTSIDE COURT FIJI – The Fijian Media Association says people need to respect, appreciate and understand the hard work of journalists. Its general secretary Stanley Simpson made the comment after a Fiji Sun reporter was attacked by a relative of an accused person at the Suva Magistrates Court. The reporter was taking videos of the three accused persons when the man walked towards her, grabbed and threatened her. Simpson said the association strongly condemned such acts committed against journalists. He said Fiji was a democratic country and people needed to know how hard journalists worked to get the news out under trying circumstances. RALLY CALLS FOR SEIZURE OF WEAPONS NEW CALEDONIA – Two hundred people rallied outside the French High Commission in New Caledonia yesterday over the lack of security south of Noumea. The road past St Louis has been repeatedly closed by police in recent months after people travelling on the road were targeted by gunmen. A delegation from a residents’ association was received by the High Commission and assured that the curfew to close the road at night will be lifted next week if the situation remains calm. The demonstrators also called for arms in circulation in St Louis to be seized. In the latest attacks last Sunday, bullets pierced the armour of police vehicles and injured two officers. SAMOA LAUNCHES CYBER SECURITY PLAN SAMOA – Samoa has launched a five-year national cyber security plan. The minister of communication and information technology Afamasaga Rico Tupa’i said government and the business sector should work together to protect the development of the country’s economy from cyber attacks. He is challenging the country to volunteer to help government to protect and fight against cyber crimes. Tupa’i said the plan was to help Samoa innovate online.“It’s a concrete step towards a safer Samoa. It’s an initiative to ensure that your information is safely guarded and that your privacy and security is top priority of government,” he said.
Pregnant woman flown from Nauru
Sunday 5 February 2017 | Published in Regional
NAURU – A heavily pregnant woman being held at the offshore processing centre on Nauru has been flown to Australia for treatment.
Stripped naked during police raid
Sunday 5 February 2017 | Published in Regional
SUVA – A Fijian couple have lodged a complaint against police for allegedly stripping them naked in public during a drug raid at the market in Labasa.
Escaped refugee deported from Fiji
Sunday 5 February 2017 | Published in Regional
FIJI – An Iranian refugee who fled from Manus Island to Fiji seeking asylum has been deported back to Papua New Guinea.
We have a Winner!
Sunday 5 February 2017 | Published in Local
CONGRATULATIONS Raita Rongo for your terrific images and winning the Huawei P9 smartphone. This year’s Memories of Summer photo contest has been a major success, attracting a large number of entries.
All eyes on the stars at Nines
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in League
FROM 18-YEAR-old rookies to a 44-year-old who will still have players looking over their shoulders, the Downer NRL Auckland Nines will throw up some spectacular performances. Here are the players that those who are taking part are looking forward to see in action.
Tangata a country boy at heart
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in League
“I USED to be with a lot of country boys who hated city life.” Adam Tangata, while very similar at heart, was quite different to his peers, with a sense of adventure resulting in quite an incredible journey around the world.
Willing hands aid cargo retrieval
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in Outer Islands
Taio Shipping has been in the headlines following the grounding of the company’s new vessel Moana Nui on Nassau last week.
USP Plus gets off to a great start
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in Local
USP PLUS is a new initiative of the Cook Island’s Centre of the University of the South Pacific.
'The Kutu Shop' - The place to go for a real bargain
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in Local
If you've decided to go to a garage sale this weekend or maybe even sell some items you no longer want to use, make a trip to the Kutu Shop first.
Charges versus those wages...
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
STANDING IN THE long queue at one of the banks this morning I was pondering over the bank charges for their various services and wondering...
Wright's resignation a blow for rugby
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I am deeply disappointed, saddened, but not surprised at the actions of the CIRU executive in terminating national rugby coach Stanley Wright.
Awaken our language – Akaara i te Reo
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in Features
MY GRANDMOTHER had a woven rauara mat in her lounge and as kids, surrounded by shell-framed photos, her love holding us together, we would sit on that mat and play.
Hotel right up front with phone book advertising
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in Local
The first print run for the Cook Islands Telephone Directory for 2017 has arrived on Rarotonga.
Champions' third win seals spot in big league
Friday 3 February 2017 | Published in Football
Cook Islands champions Puaikura FC will be in the OFC Champions League main draw in March after finishing the qualifiers tournament unbeaten.
Island health services in dire need
Friday 3 February 2017 | Published in Letters to the Editor
We are writing to express our grave concerns and those of our fellow resident Mangaians about the health care situation on the island.
Where's the drivel?
Friday 3 February 2017 | Published in Letters to the Editor
PS: To the smoke signaller: As you clearly pointed out, no one group of people has a monopoly on being racist; it is a human condition we have all experienced in one way or another.
Chamber of Commerce clarification helpful
Friday 3 February 2017 | Published in Letters to the Editor
I would like to thank Jaewynn McKay and the Chamber of Commerce for their letter responding to comments made in my Column Saturday on January 31, 2017.
How to add value to your life
Friday 3 February 2017 | Published in Church Talk
Great sportsmen and sportswomen are creatures of habit. Athletes pound the road for miles every day. Weightlifters constantly pump weights, and others practice, practice, and practice.
Cooks join call for climate change action
Friday 3 February 2017 | Published in Local
Climate Change Cook Islands communications and Palmerston “focal person” (project manager) Melina Tuiravakai is among 22 women from Pacific Island nations at a workshop in Suva, Fiji.
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