French general reviews defence
Maritime border dispute between Vanuatu and New Caledonia is not for the French Navy or its Armed Forces to sort out, says Brigadier General Luc de Revel (pictured). He is the senior commander of the French Armed Forces
Islander runs for top tuna job
A former deputy secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum is the only Pacific islander to be shortlisted for the top job at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). Feleti Teo, who recently
Bainimarama diplomacy
Fiji’s diplomatic relations with China and India began under the leadership of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara’s Alliance government as it carefully guided a newly independent nation into the world of global
O’Neill faces fresh corruption allegations
Uproar over purchase of shares Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is undeterred by mounting high level corruption allegations against him with the latest being his referral for prosecution by a
Troubled Momi project springs back to life
Fletcher to built Marriott resort The troubled Momi Bay Resort Development Project is making a comeback seven years after it fell apart due to financial turmoil which landed the Fiji National Provident Fund in hot
Marshalls goes for top dollar
Tourism, airports key to island plan Marshall Islands’ revived investment agency is in search for new money aimed at boosting the island economy, its ailing aviation and tourism industries in particular. Chief
SPC Fiji base to be gifted with US$28m Pacific Village
By the first quarter of 2015, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) hopes the construction of its new base in Fiji would have started. Green light for this has been granted by the host government, and in
Roads, water, education clear winners in Fiji’s US$1.7b Budget
Fiji’s government of Frank Bainimarama is continuing with its expansionary economic policy in the $3.3 billion (US$1.69 billion) budget for 2015 it handed down in Fiji’s Parliament on November 21st. Its
Underground project heats up in Vanuatu
Renewable, clean energy for islands Unlike most of the island of Efate in Vanuatu, Takara is flat, sparsely vegetated and frankly boring to the eye. About 50-minutes north east from the capital, Port Vila, it was an
The only sore spot all along was … media relations
From political pariah to the most sought after regional leader, Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s transformation has few parallels in modern political history. More often than not, when a military leader
Recast Regionalism: lofty ideals sink to the bottom of the ocean
The annual Forum leaders meeting in Palau this year released the Palau Oceans Declaration titled: “The Ocean: Life and Future: Charting a course to sustainability.” The declaration outlines lofty ideals
Women’s welfare directly affects children
Pacific Island leaders are often given to wax eloquent on the respect that Pacific culture accords to women. Polynesian women have often gone on record saying that their culture “puts women on a pedestal”.
Project turns waste into potential revenue
What do syringes and televisions have in common? Both become ‘hazardous waste’ when their useful life is over. That is, potentially dangerous or harmful to health or the environment if not properly managed.
Whispers
Niteclub Tango: Fiji journalists bore the brunt of security measures during the recent visit by China’s President Xi Jinping. But they found it amusing to learn that both Chinese and Fiji officials were
FAD with sonar poses “game-changer” in tuna fishery
The introduction of sonar capable satellite buoys that are attached to FADs (Fish Aggregating Device) is poised to be a “game changer” in the Pacific’s lucrative skipjack tuna fishery with indications
Four-way race for Solomons Island PM job
Four former Prime Ministers re-elected in last month’s national election could lead Solomon Islands again in the next four years after the surprise loss of incumbent Gordon Darcy Lilo. The four included Synder
Bainimarama IB’s Pacific Person Of The Year
S ome 2000 years ago the world lay at the feet of the Roman dictator Augustus. That is of course, the world as it was known to Rome at the time. With the battle of Actium ended, his cruelties became more judicious and
New kid on the block leads the way
As the year draws to an end, Pacific leaders will look to the success of regional détente with some satisfaction. Kiribati and the Marshall Islands have drawn global attention to climate change and rising sea
Model charity saves lives
Vanuatu medics lead the region Ory Covo’s story is only one of dozens of people whose lives have been literally saved by the professionalism and dedication of the ProMedical paramedics and support staff. Out on
Poet slams crisis into UN
I t was no surprise to friends of Marshall Islander Kathy JetnilKijiner when her delivery of a poem about the looming climate crisis sparked a standing ovation from heads of state at the United Nations General Assembly
All dressed up and somewhere to go – at last!
Eight years ago, just weeks after Voreqe Bainimarama took over the reins of Fiji’s administration, I was among the earliest from the international media to interview him for the New Zealand Herald. In that more
Modi’s bold move
India strengthens ties to Pacific When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (pictured) left Fiji after a 15-hour visit last month, he had boldly ventured where none of his predecessors had been before. For with one stop
