News Briefs

Rotary, Telecom offer prizes
An opportunity is available for senior students who are intending to study, train or working to win a laptop competition courtesy of Rotary. The competition will see students submitting in a research paper on the work they wish to do and can be in a form of a poster, or essay or another creative form. The competition guidelines are available at schools or can be downloaded from the Ministry of Educations website. Entries close on Monday at 4pm.
Another prize package has been put together by Telecom Cook Islands for students who have been part of the daily text message update in which everyday students are able to enter the competition. All students have to do, is text their answer to the question, List three things Telecom provides to 155 to win yourself a cell-phone, a sim card and a top up card. - Moana Tetauru
Salaries public
Five senior civil servants are appointed by the Queen’s Representative (QR) and their salary levels are available to the public. They are; Commissioner of Police, Director of Audit, Ombudsman, Public Service Commissioner and the Solicitor General. Their salaries are approved by Executive Order in Council and once signed by the QR and Gazetted are available to the public from the parliament library. - Charles Pitt
Prize Money for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Now that the 2010 FIFA World Cup is over and, in addition to bragging rights for four years, the World Cup winner gets the gold trophy and $30 million in prize money. The trophy is a “rotating trophy” that it is given to the winner every four years.
For just qualifying, all 32 teams get $1 million from FIFA to cover costs of competing. Those who are eliminated from group play take home $8 million each. Money is handed out to other top teams as follows.
$9 million - Round of 16
$18 million - Quarter-finals
$20 million - Semi-finals
$24 million - Runners up
$30 million – Winners
Ever wondered also how much did FIFA pocketed through those exclusive television rights to air the game around the world?
Food for thought
Short-grained rice has fat, round grains that contain more starch. This is why short grain rice is stickier (used more in Asian cooking). Long grain, when cooked looks fluffier and you can see each individual piece or rice. It is in fact not a huge health difference between the two.

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
- Lucky $1,000 winner
- Century old palm trees and the French connection
- Koutu Nui takes part in Raui meeting in Moorea
- WOM Award Dinner for Ake Hosea-Winterflood
- Island of Atiu to host Koutu Nui AGM in June 2009