Tuvalu, The Fiji Times, Inglês

DR Gbenga Hashim, a former presidential candidate and an oil magnate, has praised former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) for acknowledging his past misdeeds some 31 years ago as the head of a junta and offering an apology to the nation. In a press statement released by his media department on Tuesday, Dr Hashim described the move as a crucial step towards national healing and reconciliation. Hashim, who was detained without trial under Babangida’s military regime, revealed that while he was invited to the launch of IBB’s latest book, he was unable to attend. However, he later visited the former Head of State to congratulate him on the success of the project, which has sparked widespread debate across the country. During a congratulatory visit on Tuesday to the former head of state, who found the courage to apologise to the nation over his past mistakes, Hashim...

The Nadi weather office states heavy rain will develop across the country from later today. A heavy rain warning is in force for the whole country, alongside a flash flood alert for all small streams and low-lying flash flood prone areas of Fiji. The weather office says rain bands associated with Tropical Cyclone Seru is expected to bring rain over most parts of the group from today. The forecast is for cloudy periods with some showers and isolated heavy falls over the Western and Northern Divisions including Kadavu and Southern Lau group. Showers expected to increase to rain and become frequent from today. In other parts of the country, there will be afternoon or evening showers with isolated heavy falls and thunderstorm and showers will increase to rain from later today.   RPT

A Te Fuinga O Niva stunning performance during the 2024 Te Maeva Nui. MELINA ETCHES/24080252. Aimed for the ‘Development of the Cook Islands Cultural and Creative Industry Strategy’, artists, performers, cultural practitioners, creative entrepreneurs, community leaders and cultural advocates are invited to a public consultation tomorrow, Thursday, February 27, 9am – 12pm, at Te Are Karioi Nui/National Auditorium. This is your opportunity to share your ideas, experiences, and aspirations for the future of arts, cultured and creative businesses in our islands and contribute to a national vision for cultural and creative industry development. Anthony Turua, Support Office Advisor Minister George ‘Maggie’ Angene said in developing a Cultural and Creative Industry Strategy, the Cook Islands can leverage the benefits of PACER Plus to foster growth within these sectors. “The strategy can focus on capacity building, enhancing creative skills, and encouraging innovation within the cultural industries.  “Furthermore, the strategy can address...

PAPUA New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape has blamed big industrial countries like the United States, China, Japan, India, Europe for causing climate change with their carbon emissions that affect the Pacific Islands. PM Marape issued the strong statement during the High-Level Session of the 2025 Honiara Summit at Friendship Hall, East Honiara yesterday. The summit focuses on meaningful action and innovation towards achieving SDG14: Life Below Water with a dedicated focus on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources for our sustainable development. PM Marape said the Blue Pacific Strategy to ensure they comply with the SDG 14. However, he said the SDG 14 has arrived later because the Pacific people practiced sustainable fisheries for millennium of years. PM Marape said the big polluters have caused sea-level rise and not the Pacific. “And if there is any sense of morality left in you, take...

At his opening remarks for the G20 finance summit on Wednesday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa lamented what he called “the erosion of multilaterism.” “The erosion of multilateralism presents a threat to global growth and stability,” President Ramaphosa said. “At this time of heightened geopolitical contestation, a rules-based order is particularly important as a mechanism for managing disputes and resolving conflict,” he added. Ramaphosa also stressed the need for developing countries to be able to combat the dangers posed by climate change. “The increasing rate of climate-induced natural disasters is disproportionately affecting countries that can least afford the costs of recovery and rebuilding,” he said, calling for “innovative financing and insurance mechanisms” for disaster relief.  US absence casts long shadow US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was noticeably absent from the meeting of finance ministers of the world’s largest economies, as well as the European and the African Union, in Cape Town....