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
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