Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
UN climate agency gets 10 percent boost amid global budget cuts
Birmingham Star - Alabama
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BONN, Germany: Despite widespread belt-tightening across the United Nations, nearly 200 countries agreed this week to increase the budget of the U.N. climate body by 10 percent—a move hailed as a rare show of unity and continued commitment to...
Fiji Allocates $1.1M for Embassy in Israel
Fiji Sun
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July 1, 2025
Further details on timelines, staffing, and location-specific arrangements are yet to be confirmed. The Government has allocated $1.125 million in the 2025–2026 National Budget to establish an embassy in Israel. The allocation, listed under the...
Fiji eyes $386M ADB deal for oceans and water projects
The Fiji Times
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June 30, 2025
Fiji Government is in discussion with the Asian Development Bank to secure a $386.3 million finance package to facilitate the Fiji – Healthy Oceans and Water Supply Improvement Project (HOWSIP). This is stated in the Economic and Fiscal Update...
BUILD-UP TO FIJI vs WALLABIES MATCH | Sewabu reaping the fruits
The Fiji Times
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July 1, 2025
Reaping the harvest of a seed containing a patriotic vision sown by his father is how former Flying Fijian flanker Koli Sewabu described the genesis of his journey to donning the white jumper. He expressed those sentiments when asked how he became...
ACT Chief Minister to visit Fiji
The Fiji Times
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June 30, 2025
CHIEF Minister of the Australian Capital Territory Andrew Barr will lead an ACT government and Canberra Business Chamber trade mission to the Pacific this week. The trade mission will focus on the capital cities of Wellington in New Zealand and...
Over a third of Tuvalu seeks Australia’s climate visas
FBC News
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June 30, 2025
[Source: Reuters] More than one-third of the people in the tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu, which scientists predict will be submerged by rising seas, have applied for a landmark climate visa to migrate to Australia, according to official figures....
Fiji’s Dr Prasad unveils $4.8b budget as deficit widens
Asia Pacific Report
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June 30, 2025
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist The Fiji government is spending big on this year’s budget. The country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, unveiled a FJ$4.8 billion (about NZ$3.5 billion) spending package,...
Fiji To Spend $4.8 Billion Despite Growing Budget Deficit
The Epoch Times
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June 30, 2025
Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Biman Chand Prasad speaks during the resumed High-Level Segment on day eight at the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Nov. 19, 2024. Sean Gallup/Getty Images Fiji’s Deputy...
Explainer: How Does Australia’s World-First Climate Visa for Tuvalu Citizens Work?
Earth.Org
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June 30, 2025
In the face of the “existential threat posed by climate change,” the new visa offers Tuvalu citizens a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. Since mid-June, more than a third of Tuvalu’s population has registered for an online ballot to...
Fiji steps up qualification policy development
Pacific Community (SPC)
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To improve the quality of national qualifications, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Fiji, in collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC), is working to strengthen the outcomes of local qualifications, aligning with the Pacific...
Fijian government unveils US$2b budget as deficit widens
RNZ
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June 29, 2025
Biman Prasad says that his government has guided the country to a better economic position than where he found it. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Kelvin Anthony The Fijian government is spending big on this year's budget. The country's Deputy Prime Minister...
Vanua Levu tapped as Fiji’s next economic growth hub – Minister
The Fiji Times
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June 30, 2025
Government has set its sights on Vanua Levu as the country’s future economic growth hub for the next 20 years. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad made the announcement during the post-budget breakfast held at the...
BUDGET 2025-2026 | $1.1M allocated to establish Fiji Embassy in Jerusalem
The Fiji Times
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June 29, 2025
An allocation of $1.125 million has been made for the establishment of Israel Mission. In February this year, Cabinet endorsed that Fiji’s Embassy in the State of Israel be located in Jerusalem. Fiji and Israel established diplomatic relations in...
How a Fiji childhood horror shaped a life studying floods in Australia
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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June 29, 2025
Abrar Shabren knows from firsthand experience the deadly dangers of floodwaters. "It was in our village when I was in year 6 that I saw my friend washed away by floodwaters when we were walking to school," Mr Shabren said. "I decided not long...
Pacific Island countries celebrate civil registration achievements
The Pacific Island Times
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June 30, 2025
Surami Turaga, Fiji's minister of justice, speaks at the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific on June 26, 2025. Photo courtesy of UN ESCAP Bangkok – “Cheehoo! Praise God, oue tulou!” Sonya...
Fiji Celebrates Clean Water And Safe Sanitation In Healthcare Facilities
Scoop
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Nayavuira, Fiji, 25 June 2025 – More than 30,000 people in the Ra Province, Western Division, including around 9,100 children, will now be able to access nine healthcare facilities with cleaner, safer and climate resilient water, sanitation, and...
40 new jobs for Fiji Corrections Service and maintenance of cemeteries
Fijivillage
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More employment opportunities have been announced in the 2025/2026 National Budget as $1 million has been allocated for the recruitment of 40 new positions under Phase 2 of the Job Evaluation Exercise at the Fiji Corrections Service. Deputy Prime...
Our voyage to Statehood, 60 years on: understanding the nature and practice of free-association as we reflect on our development journey
Cook Island News
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June 28, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown. SUPPLIED. This year, the Cook Islands marks 60 years of self-governance, an historic milestone in our voyage to statehood, by Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. In 1965, our people chose to shape our own...
Fiji prioritizes climate investments
FBC News
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June 24, 2025
Fiji is boosting its climate change response by investing more in community training, resilient infrastructure, and nature-based defences. Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lenora Qereqeretabua, highlighted local efforts like mangrove...
Fiji’s hotel outlook is bright, JLL reports
Hotel Management
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June 27, 2025
Fiji’s hotel market has shown consistent growth and forward bookings indicated continued strength, writes Nick Thompson, Senior Vice President, Hotels and Hospitality. Fiji’s tourism sector has achieved unprecedented success, with visitor arrivals...