Fiji

 Located at the southward extension of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Pacific island nations (PICs) are important economic and trade partners of China. Currently, China has inked Memorandums of Understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation with all 10 PICs with diplomatic relations with China.

PasifikaTV is excited to be broadcasting the series to the Pacific in what is sure to be another delicious celebration of vibrant food from across the region that highlights the passion and skill of the people making it.

Teams of two will be representing the Kingdom of Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea.

Season 3 will take place over six episodes, displaying the skills of contestants while also educating viewers on how food can be used to address issues the Pacific is facing including obesity, stunting, diabetes and climate change.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to one count each of abuse of office.

RNZ Pacific reports Magistrate Seini Puamau has set bail at $FJ10,000 (over $NZ7,000), according to local media reports.

Bainimarama and Qiliho have also been ordered not to leave the country and to reside at a permanent address.

Magistrate Puamau also ordered them not to interfere with witnesses.

They are next expected in court on May 11.

"As I handover the baton, I know that we are in good hands as we paddle our drua (canoe) to achieve our collective aspirations," said Rabuka in his final statement as outgoing Forum chair.

The chairmanship has been transferred to the Cook Islands who will host the 52nd PIF summit later this year.

Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has promised to keep the region's "unity intact".

Stepping back into the fold Kiribati president, Taneti Maamau, inked the final signature on the Suva Agreement ending two years of uncertainty and marking the start of a new chapter for Pacific solidarity.

"In unity we will surely succeed," President Taneti Maamau told RNZ Pacific.

"We have a duty as Pacific family to keep us together and to meet the challenges together," he added.

The reforms deemed "non-negotiables" include the endorsement of Micronesian candidates for certain regional roles and the establishment of two sub-regional offices in the north Pacific.

Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka said they are therefore closely monitoring the current weather system together with the weather forecast.

Ditoka also said they will be working with relevant ministries should there be any weather alerts in place.

“But we are still looking at the future to see the weather ahead of us. Looks like we might have potentially two or three cyclones.”

Ditoka stated they have just completed the damage assessments of the recent floods.

This was made known by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during a bilateral meeting with his Samoan counterpart, Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa.

The meeting took place at the margins of the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Special Retreat currently held in Nadi.

The two day meeting is focused on the theme, “Reflection, Renewal and Celebration.”

A new milestone achievement in the development of Fiji and Samoa relations was witnessed yesterday through the official signing of the Development Cooperation Agreement (DCA).

The two leaders during their first meeting, discussed key areas of cooperation to further advance Fiji and Cook Island’s bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Rabuka emphasized that Fiji places great importance on its relations with the Cook Islands as Pacific Island Developing States and stewards of large maritime spaces.

He adds that the bilateral relations have grown over the years, through collective participation and advocacy in regional and at international forums.

Fiame was met by Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Lynda Tabuya.

PM Fiame will join Pacific Islands Forum leaders for their special retreat at the Sheraton Hotel on Friday.

Fiji’s Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Sitiveni Rabuka will host the meeting which is being described as a milestone moment for regionalism.

The ‘Drop it like it’s Hot’ singer posted a short video of his arrival at Nadi International Airport on his Instagram yesterday.

His video has already racked up more than 65,000 likes and over 1,000 comments in the 15 hours it has been up.

Snoop Dogg is holidaying at the exclusive Kokomo Private Island Resort located on the Yauvuke Levu island, located in the Kadavu island group, south of Fiji’s capital Suva.