Fijian UN Peacekeepers have served all over the world. Here, one of fifty Fijian troops posted on the Mediterranean coast looks through binoculars at an Israeli post. Photo: AFP/Ramzi Haidar
Fiji
Fiji's Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua has confirmed that Cabinet will consider a US invitation to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza.
Whether troops are deployed is up to Parliament under Fijian law.
Fiji's previous peacekeeping deployment in Iraq ended in December 2025 with the return of 156 personnel.
In recent years its forces have also been deployed in the Golan Heights in the Middle East.
Fiji
Three separate earthquakes were recorded in northern Fiji within a span of just over three hours early Monday morning.
The Fiji Times reported the first tremor was recorded at 3.37am Fiji time, located 71 kilometres northwest of Lekutu in Bua, at a magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of five kilometres.
A second earthquake occurred at 6.42am, magnitude 2.6, also at a depth of five kilometres, approximately 75km north-northwest of Naduri in Macuata.
The third quake struck at 7.06am, magnitude 2.6 and striking 5km deep, located about 4km northwest of Nakavika village in Macuata.
Samoa
Samoa's Court of Appeal has upheld a decision by the Supreme Court to dismiss a judicial review sought by former Attorney-General Savalenoa Mareva Betham-Annandale regarding the termination of her job.
The case stems from Savalenoa's dismissal from office by former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa.
The Samoa Observer reported that the decision of the Court of Appeal also reiterated the Supreme Court's criticism of Savalenoa's failure to take action regarding attacks on the judiciary during the constitutional crisis in Samoa in mid-2021.
Bougainville
The Autonomous Bougainville Government has signed a US$9.5 million contract with PNG company Raibro Ltd to upgrade a 10-kilometre section of road between Chabbai and Ton on Bougainville Island.
Bougainville's infrastucture and utilities minister Patrick Nisira said the project is "very important in terms of linking our communities, faster travel time, road safety" and "economic development on the island".
Nisira indicated that within the next decade, the ABG hopes to have all main highways in Bougainville completely sealed.
West Papua
Indonesia's military has rescued 18 workers with the Freeport gold and copper mine in West Papua who were surrounded by Papuan militants.
The Jakarta Post reported the workers had been surrounded by 'armed rebels' for three days at a Freeport outpost in Papua's Tembagapura district.
An Indonesia defense ministry spokesman told Reuters the military used drones to deliver food and medicine to the stranded workers, before evacuating them to safety after three days.
