Fiji

Last summer, a central Pacific nation refused to attend a gathering of regional leaders in Fiji due to several concerns. Now, Fiji’s new Prime Minister says he has repaired the damaged relationship with the country. With the Pacific News Minute, HPR’s Derrick Malama reports.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has vowed to address the “litany of woe” created by the nation’s former government while raising concerns about the Pacific nation’s massive debt.

Vote counting finished in Fiji's general election over the weekend, but today there is still no clear winner. Various political parties are now negotiating to form a coalition government. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

This dog ‘baby boom’ began when Fiji closed its borders in early 2020, which stopped the flow of international volunteer veterinarians who previously provided neutering services.

Residents of a town in Fiji are concerned about an Australian-funded defense facility being built in a residential area. They say they weren’t consulted and are worried about the base being located so close to their homes. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

China is making a bold attempt to muscle in on the Pacific's most important political gathering. The country wants to meet with the region's foreign ministers on the same day they will all be in Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

China has failed in its attempt to reach a security and trade deal with Pacific Island nations at a meeting in Fiji. But even though this proposal fell short, it contains elements that remain relevant to the region. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

Russia and Ukraine continue to be in the headlines this week, but the U.S. Secretary of State is heading in another direction: to the Asia Pacific. In fact, by the end of the week Antony Blinken will be in Hawaiʻi, with high-level meetings at every stop. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in this Asia Minute.

Last week, a court in South Korea sentenced the leader of a religious cult to six years in prison for the barbaric treatment of 400 followers who…

Obesity is a major problem around the Asia Pacific, contributing to diseases like diabetes. In Fiji, diabetes related amputations account for 40% of all…