11 h. ago Pacific Islands Forum rolls out strategic plan for partner engagement

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat says a new engagement and advocacy plan will shape how the region works with its partners. Deputy Secretary General Esala Nayasi says the plan will guide engagement at all levels while strengthening advocacy on climate change, security, and other regional priorities. He adds that a messaging guide will ensure the […]

Politics

26 h. ago Fiji Pine clarifies lease and dividend process after online claims

The Fiji Pine Group of Companies has dismissed social media claims that some landowning units in Bua have not received lease rental payments. Executive Chair Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure responded to a post by Australia-based creator Suliasi Daunitutu, saying all land rentals are fully up to date. Ratu Rakuita also clarified confusion over dividend distribution. While […]

Events

28 h. ago Sydney residents honour Bondi victims on National Day of Reflection

Mourners and community members on Sunday (December 21) gathered at Bondi Beach, laying flowers and paying respects as Australia marked a National Day of Reflection for victims of a mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at the seaside location one week ago. The attack, described by authorities as Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three […]

Events

58 h. ago Pacific Islands Forum prioritizes climate resilience and regional unity

Climate change resilience remains a central goal for Pacific Island nations as they face its severe impacts. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa says these initiatives are key priorities for the 2050 Strategy and the region’s future. He adds that external engagement and advocacy will be guided by the 2026 Leaders’ Policy to ensure […]

Politics

5 d. ago UN commends Fiji Police Act review for strong human rights focus

Delays by ministries in providing legal instructions are costing the State thousands of dollars in court penalties and damaging its credibility before the judiciary. Solicitor-General Ropate Green says his office is often unable to meet strict court timelines because instructions from client ministries arrive late or are incomplete. He says courts operate on fixed deadlines, […]

Events

6 d. ago Authorities monitor foreign workers for visa compliance in Fiji

The Ministry of Immigration says human trafficking concerns and visa overstays remain a top priority, with authorities closely monitoring foreigners arriving in Fiji for work, study or settlement. Permanent Secretary Aliki Salusalu says the ministry is committed to protecting foreign workers while ensuring strict compliance with visa conditions. Some overstays occur due to changing circumstances […]

Politics

7 d. ago Government promises legal recognition and development for Banabans

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Banaban community, promising legal recognition, infrastructure upgrades, and inclusive development as Rabi marks 80 years since their arrival. Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo described the occasion as a tribute to the courage and resilience of the Banabans, who arrived in 1945 facing extreme hardship, […]

Politics

7 d. ago Limited airlift, airport size hold back North tourism arrivals

Tourism arrivals in Fiji’s Northern Division continue to lag, largely due to limited airlift capacity and inadequate airport infrastructure in Vanua Levu. Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka says the lack of larger runways remains a major barrier for hotels and community-based tourism operators trying to attract visitors to the North. Despite the […]

Society

7 d. ago ‘Zootopia 2′ reclaims No. 1 spot at box office, grosses $1B worldwide

“Zootopia 2” regained the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office with $26.3 million in its third weekend of release, according to studio estimates Sunday, as The Walt Disney Co. animated sequel became the year’s second film to gross $1 billion worldwide. With “Avatar: Fire and Ash” arriving Friday, it was a relatively quiet […]

Sport

7 d. ago Father and son behind Bondi mass shooting, Australia police say

Two gunmen who attacked a Jewish celebration in Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people were a father and son, police said on Monday, as Australia mourned victims of its worst gun violence in almost 30 years. The father, a 50-year-old, was killed at the scene while his 24-year-old son was in critical condition in […]

Events

7 d. ago Eleven killed after gunmen target Jewish festival in deadliest Australia shooting in decades

New South Wales Police say 11 people have been killed in a shooting targeting the Jewish community, with 29 taken to hospital – including a child It is the deadliest shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur attack in 1996 The attack at Bondi Beach happened while an event was being held to mark the […]

Events

8 d. ago England’s 2023 fightback a useful Ashes reminder for Australia’s Green

England’s fightback to draw the last Ashes series 2-2 is a useful reminder to Australia that they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas with a 2-0 lead this time around, Cameron Green said. Australia go into the third test, which starts in Adelaide on Wednesday, looking firmly in control of the five-match […]

Sport

9 d. ago Hazlewood not done with test cricket despite Ashes disappointment

Australia quick Josh Hazlewood intends to continue playing international cricket in all formats despite missing the entire Ashes series because of injury. At 34, Hazlewood was one of a half dozen Australia players who were considered to be approaching the twilight, and maybe the end, of their test careers during the Ashes series. Hazlewood’s involvement […]

Politics

1 week ago First climate migrants arrive in Australia from sinking Tuvalu in South Pacific

The first climate migrants to leave the remote Pacific island nation of Tuvalu have arrived in Australia, hoping to preserve links to their sinking island home, foreign affairs officials said on Thursday. More than one-third of Tuvalu’s 11,000 population applied for a climate visa to migrate to Australia, under a deal struck between the two […]

Events

1 week ago Heavy rains trigger widespread flooding, evacuations in Pacific Northwest

Heavy rains drenching the Pacific Northwest triggered flooding on Thursday across much of the Pacific Northwest from Oregon north through Washington state and into British Columbia, closing dozens of roads and prompting widespread evacuations. The intense downpours began earlier in the week, swept into the region by a storm system meteorologists call an atmospheric river, […]

Events

1 week ago Tuvalu youths break new ground at Nadi Junior Rugby Festival

Tuvalu’s participation in this year’s Nadi Junior Rugby Festival has become one of the most inspiring stories of the tournament, marking a major breakthrough for a nation that has long struggled with facilities, resources, and exposure to competitive rugby.   For many of the young players, it was not only their first time competing overseas, […]

Sport

1 week ago Barrett warns Pacific facing rising transnational crime threat

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett says transnational crime is no longer a problem faced by just one country, it is a growing threat that now stretches across the entire Pacific. Barrett made the comment when asked about the KVT gang, after three Fijian nationals linked to the syndicate were arrested in Western Sydney this […]

Events

1 week ago Bulitavu urges action as Pacific faces rising climate pressures

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu says Pacific Island nations are confronting increasingly severe environmental threats from eroding coastlines and declining fish stocks to the growing crisis of plastic pollution. Speaking at the Seventh United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Bulitavu said that despite these mounting challenges, the Pacific continues to lead with […]

Events

1 week ago Australia social media ban set to take effect, sparking a global crackdown

Australia is set to become the first country to implement a minimum age for social media use on Wednesday, with platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube forced to block more than a million accounts, marking the beginning of an expected global wave of regulation. From midnight (1300 GMT), 10 of the biggest platforms will be […]

Politics

1 week ago Calls to strengthen Fiji’s early warning system after sudden floods

Fiji’s early warning system is under renewed scrutiny after several families in the Central Division were caught off guard by sudden flooding on Sunday night. The incident has reignited concerns about the country’s preparedness as climate change continues to intensify storms, flooding, and other extreme weather events. UNDP Resident Representative Munkhtuya Altengerel says timely alerts […]

Events