The message Marcus Smith’s selection sends ahead of England vs Fiji

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

Fin and Marcus Smith start in much-changed England team to face Fiji

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

England vs. Fiji: Marcus Smith backed to add spark in attack

Steve Borthwick expects the return of Marcus Smith to bring a ruthless streak to England's attack against Fiji at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday. Smith is one of seven new faces in the starting XV following a successful start to the...

Why Marcus Smith hopes to follow his friend and Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister when England face Fiji - with rugby star 'chomping at the bit' to showcase his skills

On Tuesday night, Marcus Smith put on his compression trousers and settled in to watch Liverpool take on Real Madrid. Smith is close friends with Alexis Mac Allister, having visited the midfielder's old home in Brighton to swap jerseys and drink...

Fiji Bitter 7s Series launched

The 2025–2026 Fiji Bitter 7s Series was officially launched this afternoon at Paradise Beverages headquarters in Suva. Head of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Dwain Qalovaki, officiated the launch. He said the company is proud...

Fiji accelerates implementation of Container Deposit Regulations

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu [Source: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji/Facebook] Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu has confirmed strong progress on Fiji’s Container Deposit Regulations,...

Fiji hands over leadership at Pacific disaster risk management talks

THE Media Masterclass, focused on enhancing regional resilience through the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), kicked off this week in Koror, Palau, bringing together journalists, communicators, and technical experts from...

Environment Ministry to review waste handling at Vunato Dumpsite

The recent fires at the Vunato Dumpsite in Lautoka has raised environmental concerns and prompted urgent calls for tighter security and stronger waste management oversight. The Ministry of Environment says it will conduct a full compliance check...

Fiji expands MSME access to business finance

Minister for Finance and Commerce, Esrom Immanuel, says Fiji is taking a bold step to improve access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises. Speaking in Parliament this week, he highlighted the Access to Business Finance Act, passed...

Pacific Nations Chart Climate and Natural Disasters Survival Strategy

As world leaders prepare for high-stakes climate negotiations at COP30 in Brazil, Pacific Island nations are convening in Palau this week for a very different kind of meeting—one focused not on preventing natural disasters and climate-related...

FWCC ramps up gender violence training across Fiji as Beqa women begin intensive program and Rewa men complete advocacy course

FWCC ramps up gender violence training across Fiji as Beqa women begin intensive program and Rewa men complete advocacy course About 60 women on Beqa Island from Tikina Sawau are currently taking part in an intensive two-week training on gender,...

Call for environmental study on Qawa and Labasa rivers

The Macuata Provincial Council’s Yaubula Committee has proposed that investigations and research be carried out on the Qawa and Labasa rivers, as well as their shorelines, to assess environmental health and possible pollution impacts. The call...

Every Fijian girl deserves safety, confidence, and opportunity: Kiran

Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran [Source: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji/Facebook] For the first time, Fiji has marked the International Day of the Girl Child through nationwide community celebrations, and...

Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up: Bhutan and Fiji’s Contrasting Paths to Digital Transformation Reveal the Pros and Cons of Government and Market-Driven Approaches

Digital competitiveness has emerged as a game-changing driver of economic resilience and efficiency for emerging economies. The term refers to the capacity and readiness of economies to adopt and explore digital technologies, which can be key...

USP researchers turn cassava into sustainable food packaging solution

In a major breakthrough for Pacific-led science, researchers at The University of the South Pacific (USP) have developed a new edible and biodegradable food coating made from cassava starch that could revolutionize global food packaging and...

Rota Marathon 2026 celebrates nature and island hospitality

Roxanne Soriano of Saipan takes in the view of Alaguan Bay at Rota Marathon 2024 in The Marianas. Rota Marathon 2026 will be held on Jan. 31, 2026, and registration will open in November 2025. For more information, visit www.mymarianas.com.MVA...

A melody against malice: Fiji to fight online toxicity with new song

The Online Safety Commission has partnered with the Miss Fiji 2025 Pageant to launch a new awareness song titled “Loving Hands.” Speaking at the launch, Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale said the initiative was created in response to the...

Fiji hands over Pacific Pacific Disaster Risk Management meeting chairmanship to Palau

The Fiji Government officially handed over the Chairmanship of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Ministerial Meeting to the Government of Palau at the Second Ministerial Meeting in Koror, Palau Tuesday. The transition of leadership was...

Fiji celebrates WHO recognition for eliminating measles, rubella and trachoma

Fiji has achieved a historic public health milestone, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially recognising the country for eliminating measles, rubella, and trachoma as public health problems. Health and Medical Services Minister Dr...

Fijian farmers to benefit from agriculture partnership with Aitken Spence

Thousands of Fijian farmers and rural families are set to benefit from a landmark agriculture initiative launched in partnership between the Fijian Government and Aitken Spence Plantation Ltd, marking a major step towards modernising the nation’s...