Author: TMC Palau

A new $1.6 million evacuation centre is set to be built in Viria Village, with Government saying the project recognises the contribution of landowners who have supported nationally significant infrastructure projects. Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau today officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility in Naitasiri. He says Viria Village has played a key role in Fiji’s development by allowing the construction of the new raw water intake project, which will strengthen water security for the Greater Suva Area and surrounding communities. “Viria Village has played a vital role in Fiji’s development by…

[Photo: FILE] Mikaele Ravalaca’s Kings Boxing Promotion bout is back on track, with Jone Tabuarua confirmed as his opponent for tonight’s main supporting contest. Ravalaca was initially left without a confirmed opponent after two Indian fighters withdrew from the card, forcing organisers to consider multiple replacements. However, Tabuarua has now stepped forward to face Ravalaca in an eight-round, three-minute contest. “I’m so happy that I’ve got a fight and it’s confirmed.”Article continues after advertisement Ravalaca says Tabuarua was among the original fighters scheduled to face him but chose to take on the challenge alone. “My friend here was one of…

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says global disruptions affecting fuel prices and essential goods should be a wake-up call for Fiji to strengthen local production and make better use of its land and marine resources. Speaking at the launch of the BE-GREEN Programme in Koronatoga Village, Cakaudrove, Rabuka said recent fuel price movements and sugar shortages highlight Fiji’s vulnerability to international events. “We’ve seen how the fuel prices affects us in the past months… and again this week we’ve been hearing about the sugar shortage… just when we thought it would return to normal, we heard there could be another increase.…

Overview: One year after the International Court of Justice issued its landmark Advisory Opinion on climate change, Pacific leaders, youth advocates and civil society groups say the ruling continues to strengthen global efforts to hold governments accountable for climate action. They are now calling for the opinion to move beyond legal recognition and drive implementation, accountability and stronger commitments to uphold the 1.5°C climate target. Exactly one year ago, the International Court of Justice, the world’s highest court, delivered its landmark Advisory Opinion on climate change – a historic milestone that reshaped the global conversation on climate justice. This achievement…

New South Wales Waratahs dashed McDonalds Fijian Drua hopes for home win Defending champions, New South Wales Waratahs, have dashed the McDonalds Fijian Drua hopes of a homesoil Super Rugby W final title win. This is after a dissapointing 34-17 loss to the champs in Ba today. The win also means the Waratahs claim its seventh title in the competion history. It just didn’t work out for the Drua as the Australian side completely closed the game for them.Article continues after advertisement The Waratahs pinned the homeside in their red zone for for the first 18 minutes before space was…

There were mix results for the Pacific contingents of the first day of competition as the 2026 Commonwealth Games got underway in Glasgow, Scotland, early on Friday morning.Bowling rolled off hours before His Majesty King Charles III officially declared the 23rd Games open inside the OVO Hydro, the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games that an opening ceremony was staged entirely within an indoor arena.The opening matches saw the Pacific Island bowlers losing their first round games, but there victories also.Tonga’s Liam Hill lost 2-0 to New Zealand’s Shannon McIlroy, losing 10-2 in the first set and…

Fiji Taekwondo says a lack of modern scoring technology is putting local athletes at a disadvantage as the sport prepares its next generation of international competitors. The Fiji Taekwondo President’s Cup 2026 highlighted the depth of young talent in the sport, with 170 athletes competing as selectors identify prospects for the national training programme ahead of the 2027 Pacific Games. Head Coach Neelu Nand says the determination and skill displayed by young athletes show a promising future for Fiji taekwondo. However, Nand says Fiji is falling behind international standards because local competitions do not yet have electronic scoring systems used…

Questions are being raised over who carries responsibility when condemned buildings remain occupied, with the Nabua PRB flats among structures highlighted during discussions on proposed public health law changes. The issue was raised during discussions on the Public Health Amendment Bill 2026 after Opposition MP Ketan Lal questioned how authorities manage buildings declared unsafe but still accessed by members of the public. Lal says the risk becomes unclear when people continue entering or living in condemned structures and are exposed to possible injury. Opposition MP Praveen Kumar then raised concerns over the PRB flats in Nabua, asking who would be…

Fiji has completed the first phase of a new electronic monitoring system aimed at strengthening oversight of offshore fishing activities and protecting the country’s marine resources. The Ministry of Fisheries says the Electronic Monitoring System will improve transparency and provide more accurate data on fishing activities in Fiji’s waters. The first phase, fully funded through the 2025/2026 National Budget, involved installing high-tech cameras on selected fishing vessels to collect scientific data. The Offshore Division has also established the technical systems needed to support the programme, including a dedicated server network, backend services and specialised equipment to analyse footage.Article continues after…

Papua New Guinea authorities are managing several separate cases of missing people due to boating incidents in recent days.East New Britain disaster officials continue to search for up to 27 people missing since last Saturday after their two boats capsized while travelling from the Duke of York group to Kokopo.As of late Friday, 12 bodies had been found, on the south west coast of neighbouring New Ireland province.In another incident, off New Ireland’s north, a search was underway on Friday for six people missing after their boat capsized.And the Post Courier reports that closer to PNG’s mainland, a search was…