Controversy rocks church
PASTORS out over $21m debt THREE church ministers are embroiled in controversy with their employer after they were suspended over their role in a AU$21million debt in Australia. Reverends Sione Pinomi, Viliami Tu’akoi
Netani Rika
NO to Pacific-US trade pact
PNG accuses Forum of ‘misleading’ island nations HOPES for a free trade agreement between the islands of the Pacific and the United States were not enthusiastically embraced by senior officials of the
Winds of support propel Pacific Meteorological Services
THE “Nuku’alofa Declaration for Sustainable Weather and Climate Services for a Resilient Pacific” was endorsed by the first ever Pacific Ministers of Meteorology in Tonga in July. This is the first
Official line on TV bump
THE world of TV can be a cutthroat business with operators trying to squeeze maximum dollar out of every possible minute of programming. That’s why it matters as to who holds the rights to sports events such as
CFL: A Pacific ‘homegrown’ media success story
ON July 5, 2015, Fiji and the Pacific’s largest commercial radio broadcast company, Communications Fiji Limited (CFL), achieved a milestone, marking 30 years of “homegrown” success. The company has
Forum discord as concerns mount over Nauru situation
THERE appears to be some discord within the Pacific Forum over the mounting international and regional concerns about what some Pacific Forum member countries view as a breakdown in democracy in Nauru. Apart from
CSOs respond to Pacific Forum Inclusivity Initiative
THE Pacific Forum Secretariat’s Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism has received a total of 68 proposals for regional initiatives from a wide crosssection of Pacific communities including Non Governmental
Right royal challenge for Tupou VI
ON the road from Fua’amotu International Airport to Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, the red and white bunting has gathered dust and is starting to look tired. The miniature flags hang limply on the fences
Less hui, lot more tui
Kiwi envoy speaks his mind about fishery and more TALKS are into advanced stages about getting skilled fishermen from Kiribati and Tuvalu to work in New Zealand’s fishing industry. Ambassador Shane Jones, New
Cyanide risk
Closed Gold Ridge mine triggers concern UNTIL April 2014, Gold Ridge was the sole operating mine in the Solomon Islands and contributing approximately 20 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. But not
New momentum for disarmament
Anniversaries bring action on nukes SEVENTY years ago, a US aircraft flew from Tinian Island in the northern Marianas to the Japanese city of Hiroshima. On 6 August 1945, the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on the
Working smarter for our tuna
State of Tuna Report 2015 – Special Feature EXPECT the Pacific’s work on managing its lucrative tuna resource to get better and smarter as the region comes under increasing pressure from foreign
Fish less, earn more urges FFA Fisheries Ministers
State of Tuna Report 2015 – Special Feature TUNA owning islands of the Pacific still want to see increasing returns from their fishery by increasing the value of tuna rather than volume of tuna fished or sold to
Brace for tuna revenue declines: Dr Aqorau
State of Tuna Report 2015 – Special Feature TUNA resource owning nations may be enjoying premium price for their fish, but they have been warned to prepare for “rainy days.” The warning was issued by
James Movick secures 3 more years
SUSTAINABILITY will be key as Director General of the Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency James Movick secures his second and final three year term as Director General of the Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency. With the
The Pacific bigeye problem
State of Tuna Report 2015 – Special Feature While researchers test promising technical solutions at sea, decisive action to end the overfishing of bigeye tuna in the Pacific is a must. ONE of the most adaptable
Cruise options bring hope
Bougainville looks beyond mining to tourism WITH increasing pressure from local landowners on environmental issues, Bougainville is looking for options which will allow conservation of its natural resources. Until the
Nauru becomes Pacific Central
Airline gateway to the Northern atolls THE high cost of travel to the Northern Pacific has been a major impediment to the development of a real tourism market in the area despite the huge potential for diving and
Rising to the moral challenge of CLIMATE CHANGE
Pacific people, of all faiths, are deeply grateful for the leadership shown by Pope Francis on climate change. We must respond by pressing for an ambitious, and just, global agreement at climate negotiations in Paris in
Lots more goodwill need to flow into trade talks
BOTH parties seeking a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) – the European Union on one side of the table and Pacific members of the African, Caribbean and the Pacific bloc on the other – need
PNG dethrones French-trained New Caledonia
WHEN the curtains came down on the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, there was more to celebrate than just Papua New Guinea’s landslide victory on the medal table. The host country dethroned New Caledonia,
Sparks fly as islanders step up the ante for Rugby World Cup
IF Fiji’s performance in the Pacific Nations Cup is anything to go by, then the world is in for a treat come September. The Fijians reminded their Rugby World Cup pool A rivals – England, Australia, Wales
Whispers
A WHISPER in the Solomon Star says Solomon taxpayers are being forced to pay $3.7 million for the hire of a speed-boat which members of the current government used last December during lobbying for the election of Prime