News
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Fiji government refutes 40% MPs pay rise claim, clarifies 6.38% rise after reversing 20% pandemic cut
Fiji’s government pushes back on claims of a 40% ministerial pay rise, saying the figure distorts recent adjustments. The officials point to a 6.38% rise after reversing a 20% pandemic-era cut that restored pre-COVID salaries, with several ministers taking additional reductions. The debate with Unity Fiji’s Narube highlights salaries amid broader cost-of-living measures and fiscal…
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Fred Hollows Foundation NZ reaches 100,000 sight-restoring surgeries across the Pacific
Pacific eye care hits a landmark: 100,000 sight-restoring surgeries and counting. A story of locally led care turning vision into independence for thousands.
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Palau’s Sovereignty and Environment in Jeopardy as U.S. Military Build-Up and Angaur Radar Trigger Legal Battles Ahead of Whipps’ Historic New Zealand Visit
Growing U.S. military activity in Palau is raising questions about environmental protections and Palauan sovereignty. As a historic State visit to New Zealand unfolds, tensions over transparency and land rights loom large in Micronesia.
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Tonga’s Lord Vaea Named Interim Chair of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
Times are shifting in the Pacific as Tonga steps into a central leadership role within a new inter-parliamentary forum. With governance and climate resilience shaping the agenda, the upcoming September gathering could mark a turning point for regional cooperation.
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Fiji blocks Mamanuca waters with 24-hour exclusion zone for Survivor filming (April 15–July 3, 2026)
Filming for a major US TV series triggers a 24-hour maritime exclusion zone across Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands. From April 15 to July 3, vessels must keep a wide berth of the area, with exemptions only for emergency services. Mariners should plan routes and expect changes to local water activities during the production timeline.
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Palau’s Sovereignty in Focus as U.S. Military Buildup Sparks Environmental and Community Scrutiny
Palau faces a growing security footprint that critics say could sideline environmental protections and local sovereignty. A landmark diplomatic outreach by its president adds a new turn to a regional debate over security, aid, and autonomy.
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Palau flags environmental safeguard lapses as US radar project advances amid Angaur dispute
Palau’s environment and sovereignty are being tested as accelerated U.S. security activity moves forward. A new assessment flags permitting lapses, a rushed Angaur project, and ongoing legal challenges that sharpen the debate over how far strategic security should go before safeguards.
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Pillay Urges Pacific Churches to Turn Suffering Into Mission Amid Climate Crisis
Seeing Jesus in the Pacific’s storms and scars, a leading church voice invites faith to move from consolation to action. He frames collective wounds as catalysts for resilience, transformation, and mission across island communities.
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Vaturu landowners collect $529,118 royalty in fifth payout under Mining Lease 62 from Lion One
A six-figure royalty payment to Vaturu landowners under Mining Lease 62 underscores ongoing collaboration between government, the mining company and customary landholders as discussions around fair benefit sharing from resource development continue to unfold.
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Fiji LTA Defends PSV Permit Reforms, Bans Sale-and-Purchase Transfers to Curb Speculation
After months of stakeholder and public engagement, a bold PSV permit reform is taking shape. The changes steer the system away from treating permits as tradable assets and tighten oversight on how permits can be used as security, promising a new balance between lender rights and reliable service.