Fiji will become the 14th country and first Pacific island nation to join US President Joe Biden’s signature economic framework, the White House announced on Friday, delivering a boost to Washington’s efforts to counter growing Chinese influence in the Asia Pacific. SMACIN GRACEFULL TEAM Fiji to join Biden’s economic framework aimed at countering China The announcement of Fiji’s membership of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi travelled to Kiribati as part of an eight-country tour of Pacific island countries, where Beijing and Washington are locked in a battle for influence. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Wang’s visit comes after China and Solomon Islands earlier this year sealed a security pact that has sparked alarm in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, which fear Beijing aims to establish a militar

19 children killed in a shooting at primary school in a small community in southern Texas; the latest in a string of recent gun attacks. SMACIN GRACEFULL TEAM Texas school shooting live news: Biden calls for US action Families mourn lost loved ones as more victims identified Lisa Garza, 54, of Arlington, Texas, mourned the death of her cousin, Xavier Javier Lopez, who had been eagerly awaiting a summer of swimming. “He was just a loving 10-year-old little boy, just enjoying life, not knowing that this tragedy was going to happen today,” she said. “He was very bubbly, loved to dance with his brothers, his mom. This has just taken a toll on all of us.” ADVERTISEMENT She also lamented what she described as lax gun laws. “We should have more restrictions, especially if these kids are not in their right state of mind and all they want to do is just hurt people, especially innocent c