Pacific Waves for Friday 5 July 2013

3:05 PM.The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women says the recent strengthening of laws to protect the rights of women and children, shows law-makers are listening to what the community wants. Audio

3:03 PM.Public health patients in Samoa won't have to travel overseas for costly medical treatments following major improvements to the national hospital. Audio

3:01 PM.This weekend marks the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre in West Papua, when scores of West Papuans were wounded, arrested or killed while calling for independence from Indonesia. Audio

3:00 PM.Former US official recalls Biak Massacre in West Papua; new debate in Papua about just which organisations represent the indigenous Melanesian population; the first of Nauru's asylum seekers should… Read more Audio

6:03 AM.The second ever Ni-Vanuatu woman to ever gain a doctorate says there is still a long way to go for gender equality in Vanuatu. Audio

6:02 AM.New debate in Papua about just which organisations represent the indigenous Melanesian population. Audio

6:01 AM.Decisions on refugee status on some of the first arrivals at the Nauru asylum seeker camp likely within two weeks. Audio

6:00 AM.The first of Nauru's asylum seekers should find out about their refugees status in the next two weeks; New debate in Papua about just which organisations represent the indigenous Melanesian… Read more Audio

6:00 AM.PNG's top banker calls for modern efficient agriculture sector; a New Caledonian banking official says cuts to indexed wages are vital; the threat posed to the Pacific by unexploded bombs; NZ… Read more Audio