By Sally Andrews, an intern in the Lowy Institute's Melanesia program.
- Kennedy Warne from National Geographic suggests that low-lying atoll states may not disappear as sea levels rise due to climate change.
- The French High Commissioner met with the New Caledonian Congress yesterday in an attempt to elect a leader after two months of caretaker presidency by Cynthia Ligeard.
- Jesse Doyle and Stephen Howes have conducted a comprehensive survey of fruit and vegetable growers in Australia to find out their views on the Seasonal Workers Program, which allows Pacific Islanders to travel to Australia to work in the horticulture industry.
- Chinese fishing vessels are threatening the domestic fishing industries of South Pacific nations as they encroach into their exclusive economic zones.
- Fiji is vacillating on the question of whether it will support West Papuan membership at the upcoming Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders' meeting.
- Law reforms curtailing the distribution of customary land raise hopes for indigenous landowners in Vanuatu.
- Will Fiji ditch the Union Jack? Speculation over new flag designs for Fiji continues to raise questions about national identity, tradition and colonialism.
- Lucas Watt explores how regulatory changes to remittance services may affect South Pacific economies.