Sweeney is Tuvalu CJ
PM dodges questions over conflict of interest CONTROVERSY surrounds the appointment in Tuvalu of its new Chief Justice as questions are being raised about the close links between the appointee and the island’s Prime
2016 July
Fiji wins UN presidency role
HISTORY was made last month when Fiji’s ambassador to the United Nations Peter Thomson won the votes to become President of the upcoming 71st session of the UN General Assembly. He beat leading diplomat of Cyprus,
Solomons challenge
Auditor-General highlights lack of record keeping THE lack of public sector asset record keeping is a growing management issue for the Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands Auditor-General Peter Lokay said the asset
Game of thrones
Customary disputes divide Wallis and Futuna THE French state has effectively chosen sides in a long-running dispute over the monarchy in Uvea, despite a convention to stay out of local customary affairs in Wallis
Vanuatu steps up
GOVERNMENT and Opposition have both been on winning streaks in Vanuatu this month. And they have been appropriately complimented by Head of State Baldwin Lonsdale. In his attempt to open the First Ordinary Sitting of
Air deal links
China finds new door to region A NEW tripartite codeshare service has thrown the door wide open to Asian markets. This month marked the beginning of links between Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu using
Pope suspends bishop
Church takes hard stand against abuse THE head of the Roman Catholic Church in Guam has been suspended over allegations of sexual impropriety. Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, who has led the Agana Archdiocese for 30
PNG bishops stop the rot
People focus of new laws LAST year the Roman Catholic Church in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati moved swiftly to put in place guidelines to stop sexual abuse by priests and teachers on orders from Pope Francis. Deeply
Time for tolerance
WITH the decriminalisation in Nauru of homosexuality under the Crimes Decree, many questions will surface from concerned individuals and civil society organizations. There will be a number of nongovernment organisations
Pacific islands to bear costs of PACER-Plus
PACIFIC island governments must retain their right to regulate to protect their national development interests as sovereign states, argues a report commissioned by the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) on the
Whispers
FAMILY connection … So a senior member of Fiji’s media fraternity found himself aged 55 and recommended for retirement under Civil Service regulations. Hoping for special consideration due to his high-level
The dark side of the trade deal
Pacific nations can open up markets without help of our big brothers THE Pacific Network on Globalisation has been vocal on its opposition to the PACER-Plus trade agreement. It has been at the forefront of civil
Stuck in the slum
Corruption investigation into NGO activities WHEN Fijian Prime Minister, RearAdmiral Frank Bainimarama, handed out keys to the residents of Lagilagi Housing Estate in November 2013, he was giving homes to the
Growth masks Palau’s flaws
ADB highlights setback in policy enforcement. TOURISM continues to be Palau’s bread and butter and a contributed to its economic growth for the past two years but a recent private sector assessment by the Asian
What is Lagilagi Estate?
LAGILAGI (Fijian for Glorious) is a portion land in what was once the Jittu Estate in Fiji’s capital, Suva. In the late 1960s and early 1970s it was the largest squatter settlement in Fiji, housing families from
Smoke and mirrors
The regional scourge of tobacco TOBACCO remains a major contributor to non-communicable diseases in this region. Smokers are more susceptible to coronary artery disease, diabetes and infections involving the lungs,
PCN outlines inquiry
AN internal investigation is underway to establish whether homes in the Lagilagi Eastate in Fiji’s capital were given to the poor, disabled and elderly. Peoples Concern Network Director, Semiti Qalowasa, confirmed
Pacific tops women violence
Human rights watchdog waves the red flag Quick fact – a staggering 60 per cent of women in the Pacific have experienced violence and abuse at the hands of their partner or other members of the family. According to
At CRISIS Point
NCD battle can be won: Clark HELEN Clark has never shied away from a fight. As New Zealand’s first woman Prime Minister she fought against the odds to lead the nation.Now she is fighting to become the first woman
Elusive Olympic gold within reach
THERE’s an air of excitement and anticipation as Brazil gets set to host the 31st Olympic Games from 5-21 August. Never before has an Olympic gold medal been so close a reality for the tiny island nations of the
Cash crash
Banks put stop to money transfers AS governments begin to squeeze out the financial supporters of global terrorism and put pressure on drug traffickers, the innocent have been caught in the crossfire. Millions of people