Ten foods to help prevent type 2 diabetes

AROUND 280 Australians are diagnosed with diabetes every day. The most common form of diabetes is type 2, and while you may have heard of it before, you may not know that type 2 diabetes is actually preventable. For people who have diabetes, insulin, which is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy, is…

World’s best airline named at 2014 Skytrax awards

Qantas has again dropped out of the world’s top 10 airlines, while Cathay Pacific has been named the world’s best carrier in the annual World Airline Awards. Cathay Pacific climbed from sixth place last year to displace 2013’s top airline, Qatar Airways.  Announced at the Farnborough International Air Show in the UK, the World Airline…

Japan pledges eco-tourism support

TO improve access to eco-tourism development within Guadalcanal province, the Japanese government have shown support towards the development. Director of Guadalcanal eco-tourism development service Edison Saeni confirmed the assistance during the launching of GEDS constitution early this month. Saeni has spent six months in Japan on skills training. He highlighted during his stay, he had…

NPF urged to go electronic

The National Provident Fund (NFP) has been urged to introduce electronic prints on the cards of its members. The Honiara City Councilor for Vavaea Ridge Ward in Central Honiara, Jonathan Zama said the NPF which is Solomon Islands’ richest investor with over $600 million in its suspended account should turn to modern technology in its…

ANZ wins global award for Pacific mobile app

ANZ has won the global award for Best Digital Channels Strategy under the prestigious 2014 Retail Banker International Awards in recognition of its mobile phone banking application tailored for the Pacific markets. ANZ goMoney Pacific was launched in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Samoa in 2013, and in Vanuatu earlier this year to provide…

PAP continues to bombard finance boss

The People’s Alliance Party (PAP) continues to blame the finance and treasury minister, Rick Hou for the poor state of the national economy. Women’s advocator Casper Fa’asalu who is campaigning for women to be elected into the Parliament told a PAP meeting at the weekend in Honiara claiming Mr Hou has bowed down to political…

Intensified focus on ACP private sector

ACP countries reaffirmed the role of the private sector as the engine of growth at the annual gathering of African, Caribbean and Pacific Ambassadors hosted by the European Investment Bank, where special focus was given to microfinance and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in ACP countries. ACP Secretary General Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni said recent developments…

New policies help smallholder farmers

Ready access to land, labour and credit are the basic resources necessary for farming. And choosing the right type of farming is dependent on how land can be accessed, what labour is available (family or hire), and what assets the farmer has to obtain credit. Government services through research and extension departments of ministries of…

PEC fund coordinators meet in Palau to discuss projects

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund is hosting the first ever meeting of regional PEC Fund coordinators from 15-17th July 2014 in Koror, Palau. With 13 Forum Island Countries’ PEC Fund Project Coordinators in attendance, the meeting will focus on knowledge sharing as well as discussions on strengthening the sustainability of…

Saipan will ship cattle to Guam

A rancher on Saipan is expected to ship this week 12 head of cattle to Guam, Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold I. Palacios disclosed last week. In an interview, Palacios told reporters that CNMI veterinarian Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz has started the vaccination and testing to prepare the cattle for shipment.  He…