1 dead in Honoriara fighting<\/p>\n
HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Another person has died after a new outbreak of ethnic fighting between indigenous Guadalcanal islanders and immigrants from neighboring Malaita.<\/p>\n
The shoot-out occurred just outside the capital near Henderson International Airport.<\/p>\n
Meantime, Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa’alu has condemned the murder of a man over the weekend as the country’s “worst-ever barbaric action.”<\/p>\n
The body of a headless corpse was found at the Honiara Central Market on Saturday, and the Guadalcanal man’s head later was put on public display. Attached to the body was a note indicating that Guadalcanal Premier Ezekiel Alebua would be the next victim.<\/p>\n
Ulufa’alu has called on all Solomon Islanders to condemn the murder and to unite in helping to find the culprits.<\/p>\n
PNG communications workers end strike<\/p>\n
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Communications workers have ended a weakling strike to allow further government negotiations on a pay dispute.<\/p>\n
The strike mainly delayed repairs to telephone services, but union members were accused of deliberately damaging phone cables, causing a major phone and Internet blackout for several days last week.<\/p>\n
Niue premier urged to step down<\/p>\n
ALOFI, Niue—Premier Sani Lakatani has been urged to resign for using a Niue Development Bank loan to help pay off a personal business debt.<\/p>\n
Lakatani faced bankruptcy in New Zealand unless he paid $25,000 to an Auckland-based exporting firm, which had provided supplies for the premier’s general store.<\/p>\n
Opposition MP Terry Coe said Lakatani’s actions are an embarrassment to the country.<\/p>\n
Others on the island have been after the bank for loans “and they have turned them down,” he said. “Business people here are very unhappy about this.”<\/p>\n
Warning on PNG crime<\/p>\n
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Tribal feuding and criminal activity in resource-rich Southern Highlands province threatens national stability, according to a report by the Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.<\/p>\n
The chamber said it is gravely concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, which is affecting important revenue generating gold mining and coffee plantation projects.<\/p>\n
It has called for permanent highway controls and a mobile police squad to address the crime problem.<\/p>\n
Vanuatu opposition criticizes proposed new powers<\/p>\n
PORT VILA, Vanuatu—Proposed new laws that would give the prime minister power to hire and fire public servants have been condemned by opposition leader Edward Natapei.<\/p>\n
He claimed the Asian Development Bank has not paid the second installment of a government loan because of the proposed laws, affecting the national economy.<\/p>\n
Natapei called the bill unconstitutional. He said it would politicize the civil service. (Pacific Islands Report)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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