Women and NCDs
How do we reverse the crisis OUR region is in crisis mode – a noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) crisis to be exact. Regional data shows that about 75 per cent of all adult deaths are due to NCDs, and persons who are
2016
Battle royale
King heads Tongan fightback FOOD is central to every Tongan function – from birth to death. But over-eating and the importation of cheap, fatty meat has led to Tonga being the most obese country in the world.
Tax to turn tide
TAXES and tariffs may be the Pacific’s best bet in fighting the growing non communicable disease epidemic. Samoa has introduced tariffs of up to 300 per cent on fatty meat imports and could soon place similar
Ministers net US fish deal
A MUCH anticipated deal between Pacific island nations and the United States tuna fleet is close to completion after $USD6million in costs for workshops, seminars and informal meetings. But once ink is put to paper, the
$15m a year to combat illegal boats
AUSTRALIA will fund an $AUD15million aerial surveillance platform for 30 years to control illegal fishing in the Pacific. For the first time, the programme will involve the private sector which will operate aircraft for
The big Blue threat
Poachers pose new regional risk VIETNAMESE poachers will come under the spotlight when a new Pacific aerial and surface surveillance programme begins in July 2017. Using decrepit vessels and low-paid crew, the
PCN responds to housing scandal allegations
SIR – I could hardly believe my eyes to see that Netani Rika, managing director and publisher of Islands Business could publish an article in the July edition about The People’s Community Network (PCN)
Blast from the past
70 YEARS ON Fallout of America’s bomb in the Pacific remains WHEN Barrack Obama stood in the centre of Hiroshima, Japan, in May, the moment was hailed as a moment in history. The global media extolled the
Using and misusing GDP
What the figures really say about Fiji’s economy IF Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is growing at 4 per cent per year, the public can normally conclude that this is “good for Fiji
Gender equity is good business
TACKLING the glass ceiling, equal pay for equal work. Just some of the women’s rights movement mantras advocating that gender equity and equality can generate a successful and productive workforce. The reality,
Unity the key for Vanuatu
LAST month’s Vanuatu report in these pages saw the Kalsakau Opposition ready to stymie the Salwai Coalition Government. However, in the wake of a Chief Justice ruling which declared the parliamentary sitting
Red flag day
Police seize freedom symbol ONE phone from the Indonesian Embassy in Suva was all it took for Fiji’s security apparatus to go into overdrive. Police officers descended on the Pacific Conference of Churches Secretariat
Problematic Panguna
THE MINERALS in Panguna are owned by the people of Bougainville as they shed blood over them and it is certainly possible Panguna mine, once a major producer and one of the largest open pit mines in the world will not
Nation under siege
THE pressure from a nationwide university student unrest, union unrests and vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill would not be as high if the economy were stronger. PNG’s economy is one
O’Neill survives vote
PNG PRESSURE Political turmoil, student unrest and strikes cripple economy. PRIME MINISTER Peter O’Neill has convincingly defeated the vote of no confidence in him to remain in office despite uncertainties
Whispers
FISHY story .. Apperently a number of executives from three countries which fish in the Pacific have been implicated in preventing the sale of non-FAD (fish aggregating devices) products. This means they have taken a
Watch that size
OBESITY continues to be a problem which must be addressed if we are to build a healthier region. For this obesity will eventually lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Across the Pacific, lifestyles
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