International
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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.
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ADB and Japan Launch Pacific Disaster-Financing Fund to Boost Resilience
A new multi-donor fund is set to reinvent disaster risk financing across the Pacific, with country-led design, smarter data, and a broader mix of financial tools to boost resilience. Expect affordable, timely liquidity to help communities recover faster when disasters strike.
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Palau Hosts Pacific Media Masterclass to Elevate Climate Coverage
Pacific journalists and disaster experts converge in Palau for a five-day Media Masterclass, sharpening storytelling on climate, ocean health, and risk communication. The event aims to bridge media with science and disaster authorities, boosting regional resilience in the face of escalating climate challenges.
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Palau Hosts Pacific Disaster Risk Ministers Meeting Ahead of COP30
Frontline Pacific nations are prioritizing action over promises. From Palau, ministers outline a practical path to resilience—sharper disaster preparedness, shared early warnings, and a regional humanitarian hub—sparking a new chapter in climate response ahead of global talks.
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Tuvalu Urges Inclusive Pacific Disaster Framework at Palau Meeting
Tuvalu calls for inclusive, locally led disaster resilience as Pacific nations face escalating climate shocks. In Palau, a call for regional unity—and a new PResCoM coordination framework—signals a bold step toward ensuring no island nation is left behind.
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Palau Advances Pacific Humanitarian Warehouse to Speed Disaster Response
Palau takes a bold step toward faster disaster relief with a regional humanitarian warehouse, joining Kiribati in a sweeping Pacific-wide readiness push. With land-site hurdles and growing regional cooperation, this initiative signals a sharper focus on rapid response to climate-driven crises.
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New Pacific Response Group Promises Faster Disaster Relief
A new Pacific-wide rapid-response alliance is taking shape, uniting defense forces under a shared Brisbane headquarters to speed disaster relief. Leaders emphasize that trust and cultural ties—more than any single tactic—will drive faster, coordinated aid when crises hit.
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Typhoon Kalmaegi Hits Philippines as Rescue Helicopter Crash Raises Casualties
Typhoon Kalmaegi has unleashed heavy floods and powerful winds across the Philippines, pushing rescuers to the limit as communities brace for a long recovery. With outages and rising waters complicating relief efforts, the storm’s aftereffects are only beginning to unfold.
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Pacific Disaster Risk Management: Leaders Call for Action Over Funding
Regional leaders chart a bold course for disaster risk management in the Pacific, shifting from funding promises to lasting, practical reforms. Stronger leadership, smarter public financial management, and tighter regional coordination are highlighted as climate risks intensify. This moment signals a turning point for tangible resilience across Pacific communities.
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India-Fiji Defense Ties Deepen Amid High Commissioner Visit
A high-profile visit in Suva signals a new phase in India–Fiji ties, with talks on defense and strategic cooperation taking center stage. The discussions point to expanded collaboration in healthcare, development, and regional stability across the Pacific.
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ITEC Day 2025 Sparks Deeper Fiji-India Cooperation
Fiji and India marked ITEC Day with a toast to six decades of friendship and collaboration. The spotlight highlighted the ITEC programme alongside a landmark grant-aid initiative—a 100-bed Super Specialty Hospital in Suva—signaling deeper ties across health, energy, and education. The celebration pointed to a shared vision for sustainable development and growing bilateral cooperation.
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First Pacific Islander to Lead ICCBA Defence Committee
Historic milestone: Ana Tuiketei becomes the first Pacific Islander President of the Defence Committee of the ICC Bar Association in The Hague. A landmark moment for Pacific women in law, signaling a new era of fair-trial advocacy and global governance.
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Nigeria Open to U.S. Help in Fight Against Islamist Insurgency While Guarding Sovereignty
Nigeria signals openness to U.S. help in the fight against Islamist insurgents while underscoring the importance of sovereignty. As talks unfold and regional realities complicate any intervention, experts warn that practical hurdles and cross-border threats could shape the outcome.
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Fiji and PNG Sign MOU to Strengthen Pacific Policing
Two Pacific neighbors take a bold step in regional policing with a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Fiji Police Force and the Papua New Guinea Constabulary. The pact centers on information sharing, joint operations, and cross-border training under the Pacific Policing Initiative’s Centre of Excellence, backed by Australian support. Fueled by this collaboration, the…