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Pacific News In Brief For February 3
Fiji - director of public prosecutions
Fiji's Director of Public Prosecutions has informed the Chief Justice that he is reluctant to return to Fiji and take up his position until the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) advises him that the unjustifiable threat against him has been lifted.
FBC news reports that Christopher Pryde said he has not received any response from the Commission regarding the allegations made against him by Nancy Tikoisuva.
In a statement, Pryde said he had been given two weeks' leave to answer the allegations, which has he has done, and was expected to resume duties on 3 February.
Pryde was due to start work last month, after being cleared of other allegations and reinstated after 21 months.
Hawai'i - more arrests from deadly New Year's fireworks explosion
Hawai'i police arrested four people more in connection with the deadly New Year's fireworks explosion in Honolulu, bringing the total number of arrests to 10.
The death toll from the New Year's explosion rose to five last week after one of the burn victims died at a hospital in Phoenix.
No charges have been filed in connection with the arrests, according to court records. Police said all cases will be sent to the Honolulu Prosecutor's Office.
The four were later released from police custody.
Governor Josh Green announced legislative proposals earlier this month to crack down more harshly on fireworks violators.
Samoa - no timeline on Manawanui fuel recovery operation
The NZDF's Commodore Andrew Brown said it is not possible to provide an exact timeline of when the Manawanui fuel recovery operation is completed.
The second cycle of the removal of fuel and other pollutants from HMNZS Manawanui is underway.
Cycle one tanktainers have been offloaded in Apia and cycle two tanktainers are on the barge, which is securely moored over Manawanui on the southwest coast of Upolu.
Commodore Andrew Brown said the salvors are now moving into the harder to reach areas of the ship, which is lying at a depth of 35 metres on its side.
"The weather has and will continue to impact operations and the salvors are monitoring the weather ....daily ..this means we can't confirm when the fuel recovery will complete," he said
Commodore Brown said it's extremely important that we do a careful and thorough job.
Seabed mining - ISA asked to move faster
Mining companies have asked the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to move faster with adopting deep sea mining regulations.
CEOs of eight companies, including the director of Nauru Ocean Resources and Cook Islands Investment Corporation, have signed on.
They say they have made and continue to make investments based on the legitimate expectations for the adoption of mining rules.
The legal framework for mining has not been made but the council now has a goal of finalising it in July this year.
NZ - concerns over rising HIV numbers in Fiji
Health New Zealand says the rising number of new HIV infections in Fiji is concerning, and it is closely monitoring the situation.
There have been more than 1000 new cases reported between January and September last year, and an outbreak has been officially declared.
The United Nations' HIV/AIDS programme said the outbreak is a risk to the entire Pacific region.
Health New Zealand said it is working with stakeholders to look at ways of raising awareness.
It is encouraging people to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
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