International
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Japan Grant to Upgrade National Roads Sparks Infrastructure Push
An international grant is set to turbocharge the nation’s road network by equipping the ministry with heavy machinery for construction and maintenance. Expect safer, smoother travels and a strengthened link to economic growth as roads improve.
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New U.S. Visa Bond Rule for Fiji Travelers Sparks Questions
New U.S. visa rules for Fiji applicants could require posting a bond with B1/B2 visas—potentially $5,000 to $15,000—based on the interview. Refunds depend on timely departure or visa expiry, with breaches triggering further review.
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Fiji Joins Global Tax Cooperation Framework in Bid to Escape EU Blacklist
Fiji makes a strategic leap in tax cooperation, signaling stronger transparency and global partnerships as it seeks to shed blacklist status and unlock new economic opportunities.
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6.7-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southern Philippines; No Damage Reported, Aftershocks Feared
An intense earthquake rattled the southern Philippines, prompting quick precautionary evacuations and a rapid safety check. No major damage has been reported yet, but officials warn aftershocks are possible as the region stays on alert.
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Fiji Joins US B1/B2 Visa Bond Pilot Ahead of 2026
Fiji enters a new US visa pilot that may require a post-approval financial bond for some B1/B2 visitors. The policy, linked to interview outcomes, raises questions about who is affected, how much might be at stake, refunds, and travel conditions starting in 2026.
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Fiji Joins Rotterdam Convention to Boost Chemical Safety
Fiji advances its chemical safety agenda by joining a leading international framework for hazardous substances. The move hints at tighter controls and greater oversight of imports, with a focus on protecting communities and ecosystems.
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Fiji Names Ambassador-Designate to Israel as Peacekeeping Diplomacy Expands
Fiji edges toward a new diplomatic chapter with the appointment of its Ambassador-designate to Israel, announced ahead of a formal briefing. In parallel, talks with the Defence Ministry emphasize safeguarding peacekeepers and boosting mission safety in the Middle East. The moves signal Fiji’s growing role in regional stability and international peacekeeping.
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Maduro Faces Possible Life Sentence in High-Stakes U.S. Drug Case
A dramatic courtroom scene unfolded as former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro appeared in prison attire, insisting on his innocence while a high-stakes legal battle looms. Shackles at his ankles and a tense exchange with the judge set the stage for charges that could reshuffle Venezuela’s political future. A tense, pivotal chapter is taking shape.
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Australia funds major upgrades for Fiji’s CWM Hospital
Australia-backed funding is set to transform Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital with a multi-year upgrade plan. From roof repairs and water systems to expanded patient wards and improved facilities, the initiative aims to boost Fiji’s healthcare capacity as part of a broader regional resilience push.
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Declassified Fiji Papers Hint at Bainimarama’s Fragile Grip Ahead of 2006 Elections
Newly declassified cabinet papers center on former Fiji military commander Frank Bainimarama, painting a delicate, high-stakes prelude to the 2006 crisis. They reveal a fraught power struggle, warnings of volatility, and growing economic anxiety as elections approached. Bainimarama vows to challenge the bill in court rather than resort to force, while officials fret over the…