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Category Archives: Islands

Islands facing fascinating poll

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30 April 2013 Last updated at 04:51 ET By Denis Nightingale BBC Radio Cornwall

The election for the Council of the Isles of Scilly on 2 May is the most fascinating in the islands' history.

A year of political turmoil is ending on the main island of St Mary's, with 18 candidates battling it out for 13 seats.

And, for the first time, two of the candidates are tied to a political party, hoping to end the tradition of every councillor being an independent.

Another seven seats will be contested between the other populated islands - or off-islands, as they are known.

It has not been an easy 12 months for the council. The suspension of the head teacher of the Five Islands School - the only school on Scilly - brought accusations of the council overstepping its authority.

The accusations were strongly denied but inflamed passions among islanders - so much so that a number of new candidates have come forward with a declared aim of "ousting the old guard".

The early retirement of the council's long-serving chief executive, Philip Hygate, means an immediate and vital task for the new council will be to find his replacement.

The interim chief, former Plymouth City Council head Barry Keel, has been brought in for six months to see how the council should be changed.

Is it overloaded with personnel, as some critics claim? Is it too secretive, as others believe? Does it handle its budget effectively? What about the islands' airport, which has nearly run out of funds?

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Islands facing fascinating poll

Disputed islands covered by US-Japan accord: Hagel

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WASHINGTON - Islands at the center of a territorial row between Japan and China are covered by a military protection accord between Washington and Tokyo, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Monday.

"The United States does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands, but we do recognize they are under the administration of Japan and fall under our security treaty obligations," Hagel said at a news conference with his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera.

Hagel's comments came amid rising tension over the uninhabited islands known in Japan as the Senkakus and in China as the Diaoyus.

On April 23, Japan's prime minister vowed to "expel by force" any Chinese landing on the islands after a flotilla sailed into the disputed waters in the East China Sea.

The Chinese flotilla was the biggest to do so in a single day since Japan nationalized part of the island chain -- which is surrounded by rich fisheries and believed to harbor vast natural resources below the seabed -- in September.

Calling the dispute a key regional security challenge, Hagel said it "must be resolved peacefully and cooperatively between the parties involved."

Washington "opposes any unilateral or coercive action that seeks to undermine Japan's administrative control," he said, in reference to the recent Chinese actions.

"Any actions that could raise tensions or lead to miscalculations affect the stability of the entire region."

In the talks with Hagel, Onodera said he "explained Japan's basic position that the islands are clearly an inherent part of the territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based upon international law, and that Japan is determined to protect its land, water and air."

Turning to North Korea, the Pentagon chief said the isolated country's "provocative behavior" was "the most obvious threat to stability in the region."

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Disputed islands covered by US-Japan accord: Hagel

Islands Souvenirs opens in Dumaguete

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ISLANDS Souvenirs has expanded its presence with the opening of its newest franchise outlet in Robinsons Place Dumaguete last April 18.

Islands Souvenirs, a subsidiary of The Islands Group, unveiled the new look of their kiosks showcasing the vibrant and fun appeal of the brand and at the same time initiating, through its design, the companys advocacy for love of place.

More than being a brand that is considered as a veritable force in various aspects of tourism, Islands Souvenirs is a brand that takes pride in being local," Raymond Migabon, franchise head of The Islands Group said.

"Dumaguete is a beautiful place not only because of its historical landmarks, great outdoor activities, and best restaurants, but most importantly, because of its famously friendly people. This is exactly why Islands Souvenirs would like to expand through franchising here. As soon as weve announced the opening of our branch in Dumaguete, we have received positive feedback especially from the locals," Migabon added.

Islands Souvenirs Dumaguete offers the phenomenal I Heart personalized shirts and Dumaguete destination designs which highlight the iconic spots and tourism activities in the area. Now, anyone can take a piece of Negros with them.

Opening this May is Islands Souvenirs Dipolog. For Islands Souvenirs franchise information visit http://www.theislandsgroup.com or e-mail franchise@theislandsgroup.com.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on May 01, 2013.

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Islands Souvenirs opens in Dumaguete

Ben Namakin, Kiribati CAN Pacific Islands talking at CBA7 in Dhaka, Bangladesh – Video

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Ben Namakin, Kiribati CAN Pacific Islands talking at CBA7 in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ben Namakin of Kiribati on why he is establishing a Climate Action Network for the Pacific region, his hopes for what can be achieved and the threats that fa...

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Ben Namakin, Kiribati CAN Pacific Islands talking at CBA7 in Dhaka, Bangladesh - Video

Chinese tourists sail to disputed Paracel islands – report

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BEIJING - The first Chinese tour ship to visit disputed South China Sea islands set sail on Sunday, state media reported, a move likely to stoke a long-running territorial row between Beijing and its neighbors.

Plans to allow tourists to visit the Paracel Islands is the latest stage in China's development of the territory, which has previously angered Vietnam and caused concern in Washington.

Vietnam and China have a longstanding territorial row over the Paracel Islands. Hanoi last month accused a Chinese vessel of firing on one of its fishing boats which had sailed in disputed waters in the area.

Up to 100 passengers paid a ticket price between 7,000 yuan ($1,135) and 9,000 yuan for the four-day voyage, which is set to become a monthly or twice monthly trip if the maiden trip proves successful, the Global Times said.

Only passengers in "good health, which includes having a normal weight" are permitted on the trip, the newspaper added, in a report which cites the Shanghai Morning Post.

The plan to allow cruise tours follows rapid development of infrastructure in a new city -- Sansha -- along with the establishment of an army garrison in the Paracels last year.

A named commentary in the Global Times defended the decision to allow tourists to visit the islands, which are known as Xisha in China.

"China's Xisha tourism has nothing to do with its neighboring countries," said Ju Hailong, a research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at Jinan University, in the southern city of Guangzhou.

"Those who want to manipulate China's moves to make trouble are not admirers of international law and regional security."

Officials earlier this month confirmed they would open up the Islands to tourism.

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Chinese tourists sail to disputed Paracel islands - report

Chinese tourists sail to disputed islands

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BEIJING:The first Chinese tour ship to visit disputed South China Sea islands set sail on Sunday, state media reported, a move likely to stoke a long-running territorial row between Beijing and its neighbours.

Plans to allow tourists to visit the Paracel Islands is the latest stage in China's development of the territory, which has previously angered Vietnam and caused concern in Washington.

Vietnam and China have a longstanding territorial row over the Paracel Islands. Hanoi last month accused a Chinese vessel of firing on one of its fishing boats which had sailed in disputed waters in the area.

Up to 100 passengers paid a ticket price between 7,000 yuan ($1,135) and 9,000 yuan for the four-day voyage, which is set to become a monthly or twice monthly trip if the maiden trip proves successful, the Global Times said.

Only passengers in "good health, which includes having a normal weight" are permitted on the trip, the newspaper added, in a report which cites the Shanghai Morning Post.

The plan to allow cruise tours follows rapid development of infrastructure in a new city -- Sansha -- along with the establishment of an army garrison in the Paracelslast year.

A named commentary in the Global Times defended the decision to allow tourists to visit the islands, which are known as Xisha in China.

"China's Xisha tourism has nothing to do with its neighbouring countries," said Ju Hailong, a research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at Jinan University, in the southern city of Guangzhou.

"Those who want to manipulate China's moves to make trouble are not admirers of international law and regional security."

Officials earlier this month confirmed they would open up the Islands to tourism.

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Chinese tourists sail to disputed islands

China opens disputed islands to cruise tours

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Published on 28 April 2013 Hits: 533 Written by AFP, LLANESCA T. PANTI

BEIJING: The first Chinese tour ship to visit disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) set sail on Sunday, state media reported, a move likely to stoke a long-running territorial row between Beijing and its neighbors.

Plans to allow tourists to visit the Paracel Islands is the latest stage in Chinas development of the territory, which has previously angered Vietnam and caused concern in Washington.

Vietnam and China have a longstanding territorial row over the Paracel Islands. Hanoi last month accused a Chinese vessel of firing on one of its fishing boats which had sailed in disputed waters in the area.

Up to 100 passengers paid a ticket price between 7,000 yuan ($1,135) and 9,000 yuan for the four-day voyage, which is set to become a monthly or twice monthly trip if the maiden trip proves successful, the Global Times said.

Only passengers in good health, which includes having a normal weight are permitted on the trip, the newspaper added, in a report which cites the Shanghai Morning Post.

The plan to allow cruise tours follows rapid development of infrastructure in a new city Sanshaalong with the establishment of an army garrison in the Paracels last year.

A named commentary in the Global Times defended the decision to allow tourists to visit the islands, which are known as Xisha in China.

Chinas Xisha tourism has nothing to do with its neighboring countries, said Ju Hailong, a research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at Jinan University, in the southern city of Guangzhou.

Those who want to manipulate Chinas moves to make trouble are not admirers of international law and regional security.

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China opens disputed islands to cruise tours

Solomon Islands tragedy revealed

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A graphic and vivid official account of how the Solomon Islands plunged into civil war a decade ago has been leaked after the government there refused to release it saying they feared its contents would bring tragedy back to the nation.

It contains horrific first hand accounts of the massacres staged by a now imprisoned warlord, Harold Keke.

It reveals around 200 people died in the conflict largely on the main island of Guadalcanal and there were hundreds of cases of abduction and torture in the unrest between 1998 and 2003.

The commission found that the great majority of victims were innocent civilians.

It only ended when New Zealand, Australian and Pacific forces occupied the Solomon Islands to bring peace to its 550,000 people.

The government created a Truth and Reconciliation Commission but Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo refuses to release the final report so it has instead been leaked by one of its members, Bishop Terry Brown, a former Anglican Church of Melanesia head.

In a statement Bishop Brown says threats have been made in connection with the report and he say the government claims its release will re-ignite ethnic tension.

"I do not believe this," he says, saying proper recognition of the victims needs to take place.

Painful as the recollection may sometimes be it would help bring about the lasting justice, peace, reconciliation and unity that Solomon Islands so badly needs, he says.

The conflict set the indigenous people of Guadalcanal, home to the capital Honiara, against the internal migrants from Malaita.

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Solomon Islands tragedy revealed

Chinese tourists sail to disputed islands: report

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The first Chinese tour ship to visit disputed South China Sea islands set sail, state media reported, a move likely to stoke a long-running territorial row between Beijing and its neighbours.

Plans to allow tourists to visit the Paracel Islands is the latest stage in China's development of the territory, which has previously angered Vietnam and caused concern in Washington.

Vietnam and China have a longstanding territorial row over the Paracel Islands. Hanoi last month accused a Chinese vessel of firing on one of its fishing boats which had sailed in disputed waters in the area.

Up to 100 passengers paid a ticket price between 7,000 yuan ($1,135) and 9,000 yuan for the four-day voyage, which is set to become a monthly or twice monthly trip if the maiden trip proves successful, the Global Times said.

Only passengers in "good health, which includes having a normal weight" are permitted on the trip, the newspaper added, in a report which cites the Shanghai Morning Post.

The plan to allow cruise tours follows rapid development of infrastructure in a new city -- Sansha -- along with the establishment of an army garrison in the Paracels last year.

A named commentary in the Global Times defended the decision to allow tourists to visit the islands, which are known as Xisha in China.

"China's Xisha tourism has nothing to do with its neighbouring countries," said Ju Hailong, a research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at Jinan University, in the southern city of Guangzhou.

"Those who want to manipulate China's moves to make trouble are not admirers of international law and regional security."

Officials earlier this month confirmed they would open up the Islands to tourism.

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Chinese tourists sail to disputed islands: report

Abe in Russia for islands talks

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28 April 2013 Last updated at 23:36 ET

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in Russia for the two nations' first top-level talks in a decade.

Discussions are set to focus on energy deals and a territorial row unresolved since the end of World War II.

Ahead of the visit, Mr Abe said he wanted to build "a trusted personal relationship" with President Vladimir Putin.

He also said he wanted to revive talks on a post-war peace deal - something so far prevented by the territorial row.

"I will work on boosting Japan-Russia relations so that this visit will mark a restart in stalled negotiations over a peace treaty," Mr Abe said ahead of his flight to Moscow.

The dispute centres on four islands north of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan calls the Northern Territories.

Russia has controlled the islands since Soviet troops seized them from Japan at the end of World War II.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has visited the islands twice in recent years, causing anger in Japan.

In February, Japan scrambled fighters in response to what it said was an intrusion into its airspace by Russian fighters near the islands, as Mr Abe made a speech on the territorial row.

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Abe in Russia for islands talks


  1. Islands