Bribery, pardon & prison
IT could have been a movie script as it contained gripping drama, pathos, intrigue, high farce and action. And it involved police, politicians, lawyers, judges and money, lots of money. But it is not a
2015 November
Haven in the Pacific
Lost millions from restricted fishing return with tourists THE Senate passed the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) legislation on third and final reading on Oct. 15 with amendments from the House version of the
Fallout in French Polynesia
President Fritch proposes new party IT’S hard when you fall out with family. President Edouard Fritch of French Polynesia is the former son-in-law of long-serving politician Gaston
Report out on deep sea mining
MINING for deep sea mineral deposits is yet to commence anywhere in the world. Pacific Island countries are among the pioneers in this emerging field. Countries like Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and
After TONG who will it be?
Kiribati election race – overcrowding, social woes overshadow the climate change issue PRESIDENT Anote Tong is leaving office next year because the country’s Constitution restricts presidential
Who is to blame
Island teams seek answers to World Cup failure THE next four years will determine the future of Pacific rugby following the disastrous exits of Samoa, Fiji and Tonga from the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Caught out
Fiji Opposition move forces Bainimarama’s hand MAJOR-General Jioji (George) Konrote has been feted as Fiji’s first non-iTaukei President but he is, in fact, much more. The
Church on a mission for WEST PAPUA
THE Catholic Church in Pacific has placed the issue of West Papua firmly in its sights after an impassioned plea from regional civil society groups. Next month, Bishop Jean Bosco Baremes of the Diocese of Port
Insult to the Pacific
Minister’s visit draws leaders’ ire AS Indonesian Minister Yohana Susana Yembise attempted to woo Fiji’s women, church leaders in her home were calling for justice. Father Neles
Drought hits Vanuatu
AT least two young children have died of malnutrition in Tanna as the El Nino drought worsens in Vanuatu. One child less than a year old from Lautapunga village in White Sands after the family was
PNG BUBBLE bursts
AFTER years of unassailable sustainable growth, the Papua New Guinea economy is in trouble. The once hailed as the Pacific’s tiger economy is struggling to stay afloat because of a spiraling
Battle for the Pacific
Phone provider pushes into content market LESS than a decade after entering the Pacific market, Digicel is poised to become the biggest player in the region. Founded in the Caribbean in 2001,
No sign of digital TV
Carrier scurries to make tower deal FIJI’S $16million national digital television platform was announced with much fanfare in 2014 and was to have been launched in July this year. That date later
Fiber optic bill signed into law
THE path to bring increased Internet speed in Palau is well on its way following the signing into law of the fiber optic bill on September 20. President Remengesau signed
Act to ensure participation for prevention
THE annual UN Security Council Open Debate on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 hosted by Spain recalled the active mobilisation of women’s groups globally after the 1995 Fourth
WE Say
Vanuatu teaches region lesson in governance WHILE October was a tumultuous month for the people of Vanuatu, events in the former condominium taught the region valuable lessons in governance. Across the
Pulpit platform for battle
Anglican primate tackles island issue head on WHEN the Archbishop of York passed through the Pacific in August, his visit went relatively unnoticed by the world. Even the local media confined Reverend Dr
STOP THE PLUNDER!
On the high seas, a fight to save our fish stocks FOR the past few months, Greenpeace’s famous Rainbow Warrior ship has been in Pacific waters to monitor the illegal fishing that is destroying jobs and
Whispers
DESPITE government assurances about meeting core International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, Fijians are bracing themselves for a possible ILO Commission of Inquiry. The country’s two main unions, the
The world’s eyes turn to bountiful atolls full of guts and promise
Palau lures tourist dollars with its treasured riches SEVERAL countries are now picking up what Palau has started. AS early as 2013, Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. has proposed