PINA

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will finally face a United States court 14 years after he leaked troves of secret state information and ended up in a British maximum security prison for his troubles. An odyssey that started with Assange holed up in Ecuador's London embassy before leading him to solitary confinement in Belmarsh prison in the United Kingdom, now looks...

The 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report by the United States government states that Fijian children are at risk of forced labour in agriculture, retail, or other sectors. The report highlights rising levels of poverty also contributed to increased risks of Fijian children being exploited in commercial sex and forced labour. It said natural disasters and climate-induced displacement significantly increase Fijians’ vulnerability...

The Pacific Islands Forum, through its Geneva Office, proudly announces the signing of a transformative AUD$14.7 million(US$9.67 million) grant agreement with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Spanning 4 years from 2024 to 2027, this funding initiative marks a significant step forward in advancing trade development across the Pacific. The agreement was signed at a ceremony attended by...

By Denise Fisher France’s action in transporting eight indigenous New Caledonian detainees to metropolitan France can only fan the flames of ethnic and political difference that have erupted into violence in recent weeks. It is the latest in a series of moves by France which, while applying French law, in fact undermines stability. Seven weeks after the outbreak of violence in...

Fresh from missing selection in Scott Robertson’s first All Blacks squad, Hoskins Sotutu is being urged to switch his international allegiance to Fiji. Despite a standout season as part of the Blues’ title-winning squad, where he started 15 of 16 games, the 25-year-old was a notable omission as Robertson named his first test squad on Monday. Instead, Chiefs No 8 Wallace...

Solomon Islands new Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is in Australia on his first state visit since taking office. A meeting with Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese is on schedule to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. Dr Graeme Smith from the Australian National University's department of Pacific Affairs, said economic development is likely to be the main topic of discussion...

Members of a pro-independence movement in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia demanded on Monday the “release and immediate return” of the Indigenous Kanak leader who was flown to mainland France for pre-trial detention after recent deadly unrest. Christian Tein, a leader of the movement known as The Field Action Coordination Unit, was flown out overnight Saturday, along with...

The American Government is prepared to provide direct assistance to Fiji in combating the escalating cases of drug trafficking in the country. U.S deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell while speaking during a round-table discussion with journalists at the margins of the recently concluded Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Hawaii, said their drug enforcement teams are prepared to...

The Australian government has put banks on notice they need to be clearer on fees involved in remitting money overseas, an assistant minister says, after a report showed transfer charges are confusing consumers. Assistant Competition Minister Andrew Leigh says he has told the chief executives of the big banks that transparency in money transfers is an issue of equity and...

Climate change, transnational crimes, and geopolitical tensions are at the forefront of the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference. Over 150 diplomats and Pacific Island officials gathered in Suva to address security risks and plan for the safety of future generations. Several Pacific Island countries are facing shared challenges and seeking collective solutions to address these issues. Fiji’s Ministry of Home Affairs...