Sparks fly as islanders step up the ante for Rugby World Cup
IF Fiji’s performance in the Pacific Nations Cup is anything to go by, then the world is in for a treat come September. The Fijians reminded their Rugby World Cup pool A rivals – England, Australia, Wales
CSOs respond to Pacific Forum Inclusivity Initiative
THE Pacific Forum Secretariat’s Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism has received a total of 68 proposals for regional initiatives from a wide crosssection of Pacific communities including Non Governmental
Right royal challenge for Tupou VI
ON the road from Fua’amotu International Airport to Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, the red and white bunting has gathered dust and is starting to look tired. The miniature flags hang limply on the fences
Less hui, lot more tui
Kiwi envoy speaks his mind about fishery and more TALKS are into advanced stages about getting skilled fishermen from Kiribati and Tuvalu to work in New Zealand’s fishing industry. Ambassador Shane Jones, New
Cyanide risk
Closed Gold Ridge mine triggers concern UNTIL April 2014, Gold Ridge was the sole operating mine in the Solomon Islands and contributing approximately 20 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. But not
New momentum for disarmament
Anniversaries bring action on nukes SEVENTY years ago, a US aircraft flew from Tinian Island in the northern Marianas to the Japanese city of Hiroshima. On 6 August 1945, the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on the
Working smarter for our tuna
State of Tuna Report 2015 – Special Feature EXPECT the Pacific’s work on managing its lucrative tuna resource to get better and smarter as the region comes under increasing pressure from foreign
Fish less, earn more urges FFA Fisheries Ministers
State of Tuna Report 2015 – Special Feature TUNA owning islands of the Pacific still want to see increasing returns from their fishery by increasing the value of tuna rather than volume of tuna fished or sold to
Brace for tuna revenue declines: Dr Aqorau
State of Tuna Report 2015 – Special Feature TUNA resource owning nations may be enjoying premium price for their fish, but they have been warned to prepare for “rainy days.” The warning was issued by
James Movick secures 3 more years
SUSTAINABILITY will be key as Director General of the Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency James Movick secures his second and final three year term as Director General of the Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency. With the
Canoe run for chocolate factory
The Uto Ni Yalo sails from Fiji to Vanuatu and then to Bougainville where it will load cocoa beans for New Zealand. ORGANICALLY-grown cocoa beans from Bougainville will be shipped to New Zealand using ancient Pacific
‘Powerful Men of Solomon Islands’
I am actually emailing to flag my serious concerns with the way the July IB whispers column had again put up a piece about my work here and some alleged altercations with Fiji and Solomon Islands Government authorities
Whispers
A WHISPER in the Solomon Star says Solomon taxpayers are being forced to pay $3.7 million for the hire of a speed-boat which members of the current government used last December during lobbying for the election of Prime
NRL rights stall TV deal
PNG company wants change to $25m venture A MULTI-MILLION dollar deal for the sale of Media New Guinea Limited hangs in the balance over a botched arrangement over National Rugby League Rights. Telikom PNG wants
Fiji TV strips to bare minimum
DIGICEL has emerged as a front-runner for the purchase of Fiji Television’s 23 channels under the Sky Pacific platform. Fiji TV chairman and CEO of Fijian Holdings Limited, Nouzab Fareed, said a non-disclosure
Winds of change
WITHOUT much fanfare, our new look www.islandsbusiness.com went online early last month. It’s the first of at least three phases of re-development that we have planned, and it compliments rather nicely the new
Former Fiji army chief allays fears of rift
THE former Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, BrigadierGeneral Mosese Tikoitoga, has poured cold water on any suggestion of a rift between the military and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s Fiji
Salaries to influence vote
Among the many women candidates who registered for Tonga’s elections is trades unionist Mele Sivi ‘Amanaki (pictured). A former Civil Servant, she is the Secretary General of the Public Service Association
Airline owner focuses on family values and youth
Businessman Tevita Palu of Fasi-moeAfi is no stranger to controversies with government. The civil engineer is also the CEO of Real Tonga, the Kingdom’s only domestic airline. Two years ago aid towards the Tonga
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