Proceed with caution
THE inclusion of New Caledonia and French Polynesia in the Pacific Islands Forum raises some interesting questions for regional relationships and independence. These French territories have autonomous legislative
We Say
Golden success for Fiji and the region
FIJI’S success at the Rio Olympics will be shared throughout the region and remembered across the Pacific for years to come. In terms of tourism, the mere fact that Fiji played so well and in such a spectacular
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,
Proceed with caution
THE Solomon Islands’ decision to selectively arm members of its police force must be a matter for extreme concern. For it points to the need for protection of the public and the government from the threat of armed
Copy of Time for regionalism
REGIONAL tourism operators will gather on Australia’s Gold Coast this month to showcase the best there is to offer in the Pacific. The event offers opportunities for more than 80 hotel operators, airlines,
Time for regionalism
REGIONAL tourism operators will gather on Australia’s Gold Coast this month to showcase the best there is to offer in the Pacific. The event offers opportunities for more than 80 hotel operators, airlines, national
Enter the dragon
THE need to boost national economies through foreign business investment is not lost on any Pacific island country. Talks in Brisbane last month saw the region’s leaders focusing on the need for a regional
Our FUTURE is in the PAST
TROPICAL Cyclone Winston’s destruction of property, infrastructure and life in Fiji has raised serious questions about the preparedness of Pacific island countries for large-scale disasters. The Category 5 cyclone
Time for regional fuel plans
LAST month the price of crude fell below the $USD30 a barrel mark for the first time since the beginning of the global economic recession. It took but a few days for petrol prices to fall by up to 21 cents in Tonga. But
Vanuatu – standing above the rest
ONE of the Pacific’s smaller island states, Vanuatu stands taller than the larger nations with its consistent, principled stand on social justice, parliamentary democracy and corruption. Where other countries have
WEST PAPUA Activists fight on
ONE year from now the People of Papua will mark the 50th anniversary of their independence from the Dutch and the raising for the first time of the Morning Star flag. Today, the raising of that flag is considered a
