News from the Rim #1

Welcome the the first edition of Pasifika's new weekly newsletter! News from the Rim aims to give you, our members, up-to-date news from around the Pacific region every week. We will also use the newsletter to advertise any upcoming group events and competitions.

If you have any news which you feel is appropriate for next week's newsletter, don't hesitate to send us a note. Also, if you've got any contests that you would like us to feature, we'd be glad to oblige.

_{► GROUP EVENTS}

▪ New graphics have been added to enhance the visual aspect of the group, which can be seen on the main group page.

▪ An FAQ section has been added to the Favourites and Featured sections to clear up any queries you may have about gallery submissions and suggesting favourites.

▪ Once again, if you're ever online and want to stop by for a chat, don't hesitate to join us over at #Pasifika, our chatroom on dAmn.

▪ We are currently planning a cultural contest for you guys, and there may be subscriptions and other goodies offered as prizes. Stay tuned.

_{► THE NEWS}

▪ Currently, Guam is under massive strain because of the Marine build-up that is supposed to move from Okinawa to Guam. There are many controversies surrounding the build-up which include land management, utility, infrastructure, environmental, and governmental issues.

The voices of the people of Guam are going unheard and it's beginning to make them uneasy and upset. This issue is affecting all of the surrounding islands of Micronesia. The people of Guam are scared that violence, rape, murder, drunk-driving accidents, and other societal problems will be on the rise because of the military build-up.

The fate of the people of Guam rest in the hands of the President of the United States whom the people of Guam didn't have the "right" to vote for.



▪ In New Zealand, preparations are being made to welcome Prince William. In Auckland, Prince William will be treated to a hangi, a traditional method of underground cooking using hot stones.

A lot of money has been spent on the best cuts of meat from around the country, but it appears that Prince William has requested salmon, and salmon cannot be cooked in a hangi.



▪ Secondary school students from all over Fiji have received the results from the annual national exams. The FSFE (Fiji Seventh Form Examination) and FJC (Fiji Junior Certificate) results have been released, while sixth-formers eagerly await results from the FSLC (Fiji School Leaving Certificate) exam.

Rajnita Singh, an 18-year old, scored the highest FSFE mark and was offered a 3-year scholarship to the University of the South Pacific.



▪ A worldwide speed texting competition was held in New York, and featured a wide variety of competitors, one of which was 28-year old New Zealander, Cameron Morris. The winners for the event were two people from South Korea.

If you've made it this far, I thank you sincerely for reading through the news, and hope that you will be a frequent reader. I will leave you now with this question:

_{► QUESTION OF THE WEEK}
What will happen to Prince William's salmon if it's put in a hangi?

^{Send in your responses through the comment section below.}