Pacific Beat

The New Solomon Islnds police commsissioner has challenged the members of his force, to provide the people of the Solomons with a police force that truly serves them.

The deadly parasite malaria may be, it seems, closer to plant than animal.

An Australian Catholic Nun, based in Papua New Guinea has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her humanitarian work in the West Sepik province.

New Caledonia's coral reef system stands little chance to be considered for World Heritage listing in 2003.

Nauru's political crisis continues, with the government of President Bernard Dowiyogo still unable to gain a majority in Parliament.

In Fiji, a military court martial yesterday handed down sentences of between three years jail to life imprisonment to 56 soldiers charged with mutiny.

In New Caledonia, the pro-independence coalition, the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front or FLNKS, has once again postponed its annual congress which was due to have been held this weekend.

Papua New Guinea's Public Service Minister has urged public and private sector workers to be mindful of the country's dire financial problems when asking for wage increases.

of Solomon Islands, Ric Hou.

The Opposition in Solomon Islands says the country has been exposed to widespread international ridicule by the Government'sapplication for a so-called Freedom Grant.

New figures show the tuna industry is a growth area for jobs, according to the Forum Fisheries Agency.

There's been a major political upheaval in the Cook Islands this afternoon.

A documentary aired on Australian television last night suggested asylum-seekers on Nauru are being denied food, water and medical attention.

In the Cook Islands, drunk drivers are being forced to hit the brakes following the introduction of new breathalysers.

The bitter fight for a share of Australia's domestic aviation market is about to go international, with airline Virgin Blue accusing Qantas of attempting to "stitch up" all air travel in the South Pacific.

A British policeman, William Morrell, has arrived in the troubled Solomon Islands, to take on what must be one of the most challenging jobs in the whole Pacific region.

Vanuatu's beef industry has welcomed Australia's decision to allow it access into the country.

Health officals and professionals from ten Pacific Island countries have gathered in Suva to look at ways of improving the surveillance and monitoring of non-commucable diseases in the region.

Anti-corruption campaigners in Papua New Guinea have renewed their call for the government to get tough with those responsible for the misappropriation of funds, which resulted in the near collapse of the country's largest private sector superannuation fund.