I n yet another first in its history, the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is headed for three elections in a single month in November with a recordbreaking 18,000 registered voters. Election issues are centred on fixing the CNMI’s immigration, stabilising the utilities and hospital services, prolonging the retirement system’s lifespan, and fully reviving the tourism economy amid…

Despite a landslide election win and claims of nationwide popularity, the security cordon around Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has not weakened. In fact, once it became obvious that he had won the election, troops guarding his residence stepped up their alert levels. For several months they had stood at the gates to his Ratu Sukuna home with sidearms only.…

National carrier to sell shares As leading regional airline operators announced a disastrous past 12 months in profit trading, Papua New Guinea’s Air Niugini declared it will sell its ownership in an attempt to attract new investors. Mega losses by Australia’s Qantas and Virgin Airways – the two main carriers of tourists to the region – has prompted a new…

Without formal qualifications, Pacific Island workers can find themselves stalled on the career ladder. When work demands make it near impossible to study and attain qualifications – and the costs and accessibility of such opportunities are out of reach – it can become a demoralising cycle. Recognising this, the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) has sought partnerships with industry across its…

Fine Food Australia is the region’s biggest annual food and beverage trade show. Featuring hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors and buyers from around the world, potentially millions of dollars worth of deals are discussed and finalised at the show. The 30-year-old show is possibly the best platform for Pacific Island food and beverage manufacturers to display their wares.…