International
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Climate Crisis Is a Health Crisis, WHO Urges United Action at COP30
COP30 kicks off with a stark warning: the climate crisis is a health crisis threatening billions. Health leaders across the Western Pacific are urging urgent, united action to shield communities from climate-driven disasters and strengthen resilience for the years ahead.
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COP30 Opens in the Amazon, Urges Global Unity to Fight the Climate Crisis
Belém hosts COP30 as world leaders confront a pressing climate crossroads in the Amazon. With urgent calls for unity, talks focus on adaptation, climate finance, and protecting communities most at risk from a warming planet.
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What’s Driving Fiji’s 21% Migration Surge to Australia?
Fiji is navigating a growing trend of outward mobility, with more people working and studying overseas. Remittances are up, but home-grown skill shortages are prompting calls for stronger training and retention policies to secure the future.
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Late Call-Up Sowakula Shines for Fiji in Twickenham Debut
Late call-up Pita Gus Sowakula returned to international rugby with a dynamic showing for Fiji at Twickenham, pairing explosive carries with crisp offloads. His debut hints at a broader, depth-driven plan ahead of the 2027 World Cup, as Fiji brace for a major France test in Bordeaux.
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IOC weighs global transgender eligibility rules for the Olympics
Here are a few short teaser options you can choose from: – A global rethink of transgender participation in the Olympics is underway. The IOC, led by Kirsty Coventry, has formed a working group to explore a universal framework that could redefine eligibility and fairness. – With Kirsty Coventry at the helm, the IOC is…
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Fiji PM Rabuka Heads to Tokyo to Deepen Indo-Pacific Ties
Fiji and Japan are gearing up for a high‑level working visit that could sharpen regional cooperation and shared values. Leaders will explore deeper ties and joint efforts toward a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, rooted in a long‑standing Pacific friendship. Look for hints of resilience, climate action, and sustainable development shaping the region’s path forward.
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Rohingya Migrant Boat Sinks Near Malaysia, Hundreds Reported Missing
Tragedy unfolds near the Thai-Malaysian border as a boat carrying Rohingya refugees sinks, leaving many missing and rescuers racing against time. The harrowing journeys these refugees undertake reveal a broader, ongoing humanitarian crisis at sea. As search and aid efforts continue, the human toll deepens and questions about safety and protection linger.
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Fiji-India Bond Takes Center Stage at World Cultural Festival 2025
President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s stop in India for the Sathya Sai Grama One World One Family festival hints at a deepening Fiji‑India partnership. Warm welcomes and high‑level talks foreshadow future collaboration across energy, health, and cultural exchange.
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Debt-Free Pacific Resilience Facility Aims to Fast-Track Island Climate Grants
A new regional, member‑owned resilience fund promises faster, debt‑free climate finance for Pacific communities, delivering tailored grants for local adaptation and climate‑resilient infrastructure. Backed by partners across the region, it signals a bold shift toward community‑led resilience and regional cooperation.
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Fiji Pushes Transparent Climate Finance to Bolster Pacific Resilience
Pacific leaders push for swift, transparent climate finance to strengthen resilience and smart budgeting. A focus on data-driven decisions, SME access, and cross-sector collaboration signals a bold stride toward climate-smart governance in the region.
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COP30 Belém: Can Pledges Deliver Real Climate Action?
Belém gears up for COP30 as divisions widen and the push for urgent, coordinated climate action intensifies. A historic funding pledge looms, but the real test is turning promises into tangible protections for the most vulnerable communities. The coming weeks could redefine how quickly climate finance flows and where it makes the most impact.
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PALM Protections Expand as Australia-Fiji Cooperation Grows
Clarifications from the Australian High Commission set the record straight on PALM, while Australia and Fiji push ahead with stronger protections for PALM workers. With reforms focused on fair pay and safer conditions, the outlook for Fijian workers abroad is evolving toward greater welfare.
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Cairo Unveils Grand Egyptian Museum: A New Chapter in Egypt’s 7,000-Year Legacy
Egypt marks a monumental turning point as Cairo opens the Grand Egyptian Museum, a lavish testament to 7,000 years of history. The unveiling blends awe-inspiring spectacle with a bold plan to reshape heritage preservation and cultural tourism. A landmark moment that hints at a future where Egypt’s ancient treasures shine on the world stage.
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Trump Skips G20 in South Africa as U.S.-South Africa Ties Strain Over Land Reform
A high-stakes move shifts the narrative ahead of a major global summit as the United States opts not to send government officials to meet with South Africa. Rooted in long-running tensions over land reform and Israel policy, the decision signals a delicate moment in U.S.–South Africa relations and the prospects for renewed dialogue.
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Fiji and Chongqing seal tourism pact to attract premium Chinese travelers
Tourism Fiji and Chongqing’s Culture and Tourism Development Commission have signed a new agreement to deepen destination marketing, focusing on data exchange, joint promotions, and tailored Fiji itineraries for the Chongqing market. The collaboration highlights Chongqing’s role as a key Chinese gateway and hints at potential direct flight links, signaling a promising boost for travel…
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Fiji-Japan Ties Deepen as Rabuka Heads to Tokyo for Summit
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is set for a milestone working visit to Japan, where leaders will explore ways to deepen ties on regional security, climate resilience, and sustainable development—reflecting a shared pursuit of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific in the Pacific.
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Fiji’s Delicate Dance Between Beijing and Taipei
Fiji doubles down on its One China policy as tensions simmer after a senior diplomat’s visit to Taiwan. The move underscores a careful balancing act in Pacific diplomacy, navigating regional ties and sovereignty issues. The unfolding dynamic could reshape Fiji’s role in regional stability.
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Typhoon Kalmaegi Ravages Vietnam and the Philippines as Fung-wong Approaches
Kalmaegi unleashed fierce winds and downpours across Vietnam and the Philippines, leaving homes damaged, power outages widespread, and people missing or injured. As Fung-wong looms on the horizon, authorities brace for more storms and a challenging path to recovery.
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Bolle to Close 2026 Winter Olympics in Verona with Waterdrop Stage
Renowned ballet star Roberto Bolle headlines the 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Verona’s historic Arena di Verona. A water-drop-inspired stage and a climate-conscious message promise a dazzling fusion of sport, culture, and spectacle.
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Trump Announces Kazakhstan to Join Abraham Accords, Expanding Diplomatic Ties
A new twist in regional diplomacy is unfolding as leaders weigh an expanded role for the Abraham Accords. Fresh talks hint at reshaping alliances across the Middle East and Central Asia, with details still forthcoming and the broader implications for stability to be watched closely.
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Beijing protests Fiji over Taiwan talks as 50-year China-Fiji ties anniversary looms
Beijing voices strong discontent after a Fiji diplomat’s visit to Taiwan, fueling new tensions just as their long-running ties are in the spotlight. The fragile balance in the Pacific hinting at renewed dialogue and shifting regional dynamics leaves readers curious about what comes next.
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NZ-Samoa Eye Visa-Free Travel for Pacific Islanders
Fresh talks between New Zealand and Samoa are exploring a bold shift in regional mobility—looking at visa-free travel for Pacific islanders and faster, fairer travel processes. With urgent reforms on the table to ease heartbreak and delays, the next steps could redefine family ties and regional connections.
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UAE to Open Embassy in Fiji, Deepening Ties
Two nations take a bold step in their partnership, with plans for a UAE embassy in Suva signaling deeper ties. From renewable energy to health and education, a new era of cooperation in the Pacific is taking shape.
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UAE to Open Suva Embassy, Boosting Fiji’s Renewable Energy Ties
Fiji and the United Arab Emirates are poised to deepen ties with plans for a UAE embassy in Suva. The move centers on renewable energy, climate resilience, and expanded trade and people-to-people links—a pivotal moment for Pacific diplomacy.
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Fiji-Taiwan Meeting Sparks Beijing Tensions in the Pacific
Fiji’s diplomacy in the Pacific appears to be shifting as a UN delegation’s visit to Taiwan signals a careful balancing act between Beijing and Taipei. High-level talks hint at deeper regional cooperation, even as Beijing voices objections. The evolving dynamics could redefine alliances and security in the region in the months ahead.
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Beijing protests Fiji over Taiwan talks amid one-China tensions
Beijing lashes out after a Fiji official met Taiwan’s leadership, calling the move a breach of the one-China principle. The incident highlights Fiji’s delicate balancing act in the Pacific as it navigates relations with China, Taiwan, and longtime partners. In a region watching closely, the episode could shape future cooperation and regional alignments.
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Taiwan-Fiji diplomacy tests Pacific balance of power
Taiwan hosts Fiji’s permanent UN representative in a high-stakes dialogue that spotlights Pacific diplomacy amid Beijing’s wary stance. The conversations with Taiwan’s vice president and fellow Pacific ambassadors hint at a recalibration of ties as regional powers maneuver for influence. As Fiji navigates its relationships, new avenues for dialogue and cooperation emerge in the Pacific.
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Palau weighs deportees as solution to labor shortages amid immigration talks
Palau weighs a bold proposal to welcome deported workers as a way to ease labor shortages. President Whipps envisions skilled placements with local buy-in, but the plan faces political hurdles and questions of sovereignty. A high-stakes debate on immigration, labor needs, and community consensus is unfolding.
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Pacific Response Group Sets Stage for Faster Regional Disaster Aid
Pacific nations are strengthening their disaster response through a multinational alliance that blends defense and humanitarian effort. With a permanent headquarters on the horizon and hands-on sea training, the collaboration promises faster, coordinated action when communities need help most.
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Japan Deploys Troops to Tackle Bear Attacks Amid Growing Crisis
Japan faces a sharp uptick in bear attacks, prompting a rare deployment of troops to support at-risk communities. As autumn nears and food shortages press bears, authorities brace for a sharper wildlife response that could redefine daily life in affected towns.