PINA

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...

Renewed protests have erupted in New Caledonia after indigenous Kanak independence activists that French authorities blame for last month’s riots were arrested and some transferred to pre-trial detention in France. France’s High Commission to the Pacific island territory on Monday said there had been a night of “agitation and unrest” in the capital Noumea and in other parts of the...

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) President Benny Wenda has welcomed the launch of the West Papua People’s Liberation Front (GR-PWP), a new movement aimed at furthering the agenda for West Papuan independence. “On behalf of the ULMWP, I welcome the launch of the West Papua People’s Liberation Front “The GR-PWP is a new popular movement formed to execute...

For the second consecutive year, Fiji’s national carrier was recognised as the best airline in Australia and Pacific at the prestigious Skytrax 2024 World Airline Awards that was held in London. Fiji Airways was also awarded best airline staff in Australia & Pacific for the fourth year in a row. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen says, “Being named...

A total of 53 countries had best practice policies in place for tackling industrial trans fats in food as of last year, vastly improving the food environment for 3.7 billion people, or 46 per cent of the world’s population, according to a milestone report published by the UN World Health Organisation on Monday. This is significant progress compared to the...

The Government of Samoa gave SAT$500,000 (US$183,121)to the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympics Committee (SASNOC) to prepare the Olympic Games in Paris next month. This was confirmed by the SASNOC president Pauga Talalelei Pauga on Friday following the official announcement of the qualified athletes who have been selected to represent Samoa in the Olympics this year. “The whole targeted...