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Captured by Syrian rebels as part of UN contingent

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, September 1, 2014) – The Fiji military has set up a crisis centre for the families of 44 Fijian soldiers captured by Syrian rebels last week.

The soldiers, serving as part of a UN peacekeeping force in the Golan Heights between Syria and Israel, were detained during fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces on Thursday.

Fiji's military commander, Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga, says the United Nations has sent negotiators to try and secure the soldiers' release.

He says that in the meantime, relatives can go to the crisis centre for information and support.

"We've set up a crisis management centre where we can have all the access to support for the families. We're bringing in counsellors, we're bringing in all the resources of government, including a briefing area to continuously update the families and give them their peace...

New book details practices by governing party she is linked with

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, September 1, 2014) – New Zealand's justice minister Judith Collins has resigned from cabinet amid allegations she is linked to a campaign of dirty tricks.

Opposition parties have been calling for Ms Collins' resignation since the release of a book two weeks ago detailing alleged dirty politics by the governing National Party.

Ms Collins had resisted the calls until today, when prime minister John Key spoke of new allegations.

"An email I've just released suggests Ms Collins may have been involved in discussions with a blogger in 2011 aimed at undermining the then-director of the Serious Fraud Office," he said.

Ms Collins was the minister responsible for the SFO at the time.

She has denied the allegations and any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour, but said she had no choice but to step down.

"I am restrained in clearing my name...

Overwhelming response attributed to liberal policies

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, September 1, 2014) – The Solomon Islands' newest commercial bank, Pan Oceanic Bank, says it's had a resounding response with more than 5000 accounts opened in its first two months.

The Chief Executive, Nihal Kekulawala, says the locally incorporated bank boasts the country's lowest interest rates, and unlike other banks, grants loans to both wage earning and self-employed Solomon Islanders.

Most Solomon Islanders use their superannuation savings in the National Provident Fund as collateral for loans.

Mr Kekulawala says he is surprised at the early success.

"I never expected, or we never expected an overwhelming response like this. We never expected that before we complete our second month we will have more than 5000 savings account holders in our books. Its above 5000, more than 5000 now."

The Chief Executive of Pan Oceanic Bank in...

Relationship with Indonesia should not obscure recent issues

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, August 29, 2014) – Democratic Labour Party Senator John Madigan has urged the Australian Government to not turn a blind eye to Indonesia's treatment of the indigenous population of Papua province.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop this week signed a Code of Conduct agreement with Indonesia to promote intelligence cooperation and iron out tension over Australian spying activities against Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his inner circle.

The agreement is hoped to repair Australia's relationship with Indonesia.

Senator Madigan said the Government should not forget the situation in West Papua, which is facing a conflict similar to the one in East Timor.

"I think we need to learn from past mistakes – the Balibo Five, the annexation of East Timor – the situation that we have in West Papua [is] that we want to see clear, transparent,...