International
-
Farewell to U.S. Ambassador Highlights Fiji-U.S. Ties
Fiji bids farewell to a long-serving U.S. ambassador in a courtesy State House moment, with leaders praising renewed cooperation on climate resilience, maritime security, and regional stability. The transition hints at deeper collaboration ahead, shaping the Pacific’s evolving diplomatic landscape.
-
Iran Protests Escalate as Security Forces Crack Down
Protests spread across Iran as citizens face a brutal crackdown and rising casualties. Eyewitness accounts hint at a nation at a turning point, where courage meets fear and the call for change grows louder in the streets.
-
Trump to Meet Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Amid Maduro Fallout
An unexpected meeting between Nobel laureate María Corina Machado and President Trump signals a dramatic turn in Venezuela’s uncertain future, as competing claims to leadership collide with a shifting US stance.
-
Countdown Underway as Fiji Prepares for 2026 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting
Commonwealth justice leaders connect online to draft a forward-looking agenda for a landmark Fiji gathering. Expect talk of stronger rule of law, cross-border cooperation, and fresh efforts to strengthen legal governance across member states.
-
Iran warns of retaliation as protests surge and US action looms
Protests across Iran have intensified into a harsh crackdown, with reports of violence, detentions, and rising casualties echoing through the streets. As regional tensions mount and authorities warn of retaliation, everyday life is upended and the push for change grows louder.
-
Iran Unrest Deepens as US Weighs Strong Options
Protests in Iran intensify as officials warn of retaliation and major powers weigh decisive options. In a tense moment for regional stability, diplomacy and force loom over the unfolding crisis.
-
Fiji Pushes Renewable Energy Drive at IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi
Fiji is stepping up its renewable energy push at a major gathering in Abu Dhabi, outlining bold steps to broaden its clean-energy mix and cut reliance on fossil fuels. A senior minister highlights the unique challenges of Small Island Developing States, while IRENA reaffirms its support for Fiji’s ambitious transition. The dialogue spotlights global collaboration…
-
India-Fiji Expand Agricultural Ties Ahead of Indusfood 2026
India and Fiji are advancing a new phase of agricultural cooperation, with talks spanning sugar modernization and smarter storage for food security. The evolving partnership signals more resilient supply chains and stronger ties across trade and development.
-
Canada Opens High Commission in Fiji, Boosting Pacific Ties
Canada opens a new High Commission in Fiji, kicking off a fresh chapter in Pacific diplomacy. A high-profile Suva ceremony brings together key leaders and diplomats for what could widen cooperation across the region.
-
US Eyes Withdrawal from Key Pacific Climate Partnership
A pivotal shift in Pacific diplomacy unfolds as the United States weighs formally withdrawing from key climate partnerships. The move could reshape funding, collaboration, and regional resilience just as new visa rules complicate cross‑island engagement. The evolving developments promise to redefine how the region tackles pressing climate challenges.
-
Sudan at 1,000 Days of Conflict: Millions in Need, Aid Agencies Warn
Sudan’s conflict has crossed 1,000 days, exposing a staggering humanitarian crisis. Nearly 34 million people need aid, and over five million children have been displaced. With fighting intensifying and access to essentials shrinking, a global call for urgent action to protect civilians and aid workers is growing louder.
-
India, Fiji Extend MoU for Five Years, Form Joint Working Group on Agriculture
India and Fiji renew their commitment to agricultural cooperation, extending their MoU for five more years and forming a Joint Working Group to deepen collaboration in research, technology, and food security.
-
US Expands Visa Bond Rules to Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu
Pacific travelers in Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu may soon face a new US visa bond requirement as a 12-month pilot expands the program. Some B-1/B-2 applicants could be asked to post bonds from $5,000 up to $15,000, with refunds tied to strict departure rules. Travel officials warn the changes could reshape plans for families,…
-
UN Signals Cautious Global Growth Amid Tariff Tensions
A fresh global outlook hints at a cautious, slower march toward growth in the coming years. With tariff dynamics and uneven recoveries shaping the path, major economies—from the US and Europe to China and South Asia—face a delicate balance of opportunities and risks.
-
Is Greenland the Next Flashpoint? Vance Warns Europe to Take U.S. Ambitions Seriously
Greenland has moved to the center of a high-stakes security debate, as Washington presses for firmer European backing amid the island’s strategic role and resource potential. Behind closed doors, diplomacy and defense strategy are shaping a tense new balance of power.
-
Fiji-Japan Pact Sets Stage for Pacific Coastal Blue Economy
Fiji teams up with Japan’s JICA to push a Coastal Blue Economy initiative across Pacific Island nations. The new agreement lays the groundwork for sustainable coastal resource use and stronger regional resilience, with Fiji leading the charge. A pivotal move that could reshape coastal livelihoods and regional growth in the years ahead.
-
Fiji-India Agriculture and Sugar Trade Talks Intensify Ahead of Ministerial Transition
Fiji’s top sugar and agriculture ministers are in India, steering talks on stronger agri-value chains, food processing, and trade ties. The high-level discussions hint at a new era of collaboration, as a leadership transition signals continued momentum in agricultural diplomacy.
-
Fiji to Host Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting on Access to Justice
Fiji hosts a landmark gathering of Commonwealth law ministers, exploring how technology, reform, and stronger protections for fundamental rights can reshape access to justice for a changing world.
-
UK-Funded Training Strengthens Pacific Fisheries Enforcement Against IUU Fishing
Fifteen Pacific Island nations are rolling out a bold, UK-backed effort to safeguard marine resources and livelihoods. A new training program is equipping fisheries officers with advanced data and surveillance tools to outpace IUU fishing and bolster regional ocean resilience.
-
Brisbane Toyota theft ring: international suspects arrested
Australian police are investigating a multinational car-theft ring tied to a spate of high-end Toyota thefts in Brisbane. With suspects from multiple countries and possible overseas trafficking links, the case points to a wider network behind the audacious scheme. The investigation continues as authorities work to map the operation.
-
Trump’s Climate Skeptic Stance May Open the Pacific to Deep-Sea Mining
A bold policy shift signals a move away from global environmental commitments, potentially opening doors for deep-sea mining in the Pacific and triggering concern among regional stakeholders. As economic priorities take center stage, questions loom about environmental safeguards and the future of international cooperation. The evolving U.S. stance is sparking a polarized debate on climate,…
-
US Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tankers in Shadow Fleet Crackdown
U.S. authorities are tightening the screws on sanctioned Venezuelan oil, seizing tankers and coordinating with international partners in a high-stakes move that could reshape regional energy flows. A dramatic Caracas operation underscored the reach of sanctions, while Washington signals possible openings for regulated trade—hinting at a broader shift for Venezuela’s energy sector.
-
Trump Reignites Greenland Talks as Arctic Strategy Heats Up
A long-debated strategic idea resurfaces as the United States weighs Greenland’s role in the Arctic’s security balance. With diplomacy front and center, observers watch how alliances and national interests could reshape northern geopolitics.
-
Japan Grants $12.5M to Upgrade Municipal Waste Management
A sizable international grant is set to modernize waste management across municipalities, boosting urban services and resilience. The funding will bring in essential machinery—from trucks to loaders—to sharpen cleanup, transport, and emergency response, helping communities stay cleaner and safer. This move signals a significant push toward stronger public infrastructure and sustainable everyday operations.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.