Results for Press Releases

Reporters Without Borders is very disturbed by this week's raid on the Canberra home of Phllip Dorling, a reporter for the Canberra Times daily, by federal police seeking classified defence documents cited in a story reporting that close allies Japan and South Korea were priority targets for Australia's spies as well as countries such as China and North Korea.

The diredtor of Tonga's Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Forests and Fisheries Mr Penisimani Vea signed a project for the provision of urgent assistance to small farmers and poor food consumers totaling US$250 000.

The vulnerability of some Pacific Island states to military takeover is a prime motivation for regional forum leaders who are pushing so strongly for Fiji to return to democracy. Toke Talagi, who assumed chairmanship of the Pacific Islands Forum at its leaders' annual summit on Niue last month, believes forum member countries have to take a strong stand to dissuade any groups contemplating grabs for power. By John Andrews

The Asian Development Bank ADB is strengthening its aid coordination and effectiveness in the Pacific islands through closer interaction with member governments and development partners.

Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Pacific Islands will gather in Sydney on 25 to 26 August for a conference to highlight the importance of financial literacy in the region.

The Auckland-based group Democracy for Fiji says New Zealand should continue with its firm stance on Fiji, reports Radio NZ International.

An Army major pleaded guilty to bribery charges Wednesday and admitted he had a $5.8 million deal to steer military contracts for bottled water and other supplies to favored companies.

Fiji Media Council chairman Daryl Tarte has labelled the detainment of Fiji Times reporter Serafina Silaitoga as another blow to media freedom.

As delegates gather at the International AIDS Conference (3-8 August), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank today address the pressing global debate around health systems and initiatives in specific aspects of health, nutrition and population. Critics claim that disease-specific initiatives are eroding already weak health systems, while others assert that weak health systems are holding back progress in disease-specific initiatives. In an effort to gather evidence and provide technical guidance in this area, WHO and the World Bank have agreed to join forces in collaboration with a wide range of interested stakeholders including country officials, academic and research institutions, Global Health Initiatives and civil society organizations.