Author: TMC Palau

Eleven Pacific Island nations will be represented at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games scheduled to officially open on Friday (New Zealand time).Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have all sent teams to the event.While majority of the athletes will be using the Glasgow Games to measure their growth in their respective sport, there are some who will be genuine medal contenders against the best in the Commonwealth.There are 74 nations and territories represented at the this year’s Commonwealth Games, which includes separate teams for the four home nations of the United…

[Yeshnil Karan] Team Fiji’s Commonwealth Games athletics campaign is gathering momentum, with experienced campaigners Yeshnil Karan and Rusiate Matai arriving in Scotland confident of producing their best performances on one of the sport’s biggest stages. While much of the spotlight has fallen on Fiji’s lone para-athlete Sitiveni Konataci, coach Mario Fesaitu says Karan and Matai have quietly laid the groundwork for a strong campaign through consistent preparation overseas. Karan, who will contest the distance events, and high jumper Matai have remained under the guidance of their respective coaches, with regular updates giving the Fiji coaching staff confidence ahead of competition.…

[Photo: Supplied] The Suva Magistrate Court will deliver its ruling on a no case to answer application by former Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica, for charges of perjury in two weeks. The former DPM is charged with perjury and an alternative count of providing false information. The defence lawyer, Wylie Clarke told the court that FICAC has not been able to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt and the key elements of the charge. He says FICAC was not able to show the falsity of the charges and the witnesses didn’t prove the elements either through their evidence.Article continues after…

A delegation from the United States of America will also witness the Kings Boxing Promotions event at the Vodafone Arena on Saturday and it may also open a door for our boxers to fight in the US. This has been confirmed by promoter Naroon Buksh and he says they’re particularly interested in two of our boxers, Mikaele Ravalaca and Junior Binnu Singh. Buksh says Ravalaca and Junior Binnu may get a shot with a fight in the US. He also says the team from the United States have two fighters who will be fighting on Saturday.Article continues after advertisement ‘They…

Papua New Guinea and New Zealand have committed to deeper defence cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain.The two countries have signed a statement of intent on defence cooperation for the next three years.The statement, signed in Port Moresby by New Zealand’s Defence Minister Chris Penk and his PNG counterpart Elias Kapavore, notes an intensifying geostrategic environment in the Pacific.It affirms that PNG will first seek support from the Pacific Islands Forum in times of crisis, including a security threat.The agreement commits to expand joint maritime operations, and the deployment of assets to undertake surveilance activities in PNG waters.It is also…

[Photo: Supplied] Patients requiring diabetic foot surgery at CWM Hospital can expect faster treatment following the opening of a new minor operating theatre funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The facility is part of an $840,700 hospital modernization project officially handed over to the Ministry of Health today. Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa says the investment directly targets a major bottleneck in the country’s surgical services. “The New Surgical Ward comprises four wards with a total capacity of 49 beds, providing specialised care for patients suffering from severe diabetic foot sepsis.”Article continues after advertisement The…

[Photo: Supplied] Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the money spent on the Commission of Inquiry into the appointment of former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali was necessary to protect the nation. He says while the public has a right to know the cost of the inquiry, the findings and recommendations are already being handled by relevant authorities. Rabuka says the expenditure on the Commission of Inquiry was justified, despite concerns over the amount of public funds used and the outcome of the investigation. “No, at least those people who had been suspected of doing wrong, now know that they didn’t do…

PM Sitiveni Rabuka opens new hall Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has highlighted Draiba Primary School’s long-standing contribution to Fiji’s leadership, as the school officially opened its first dedicated hall nearly 80 years after it was established. The new $104,000 facility was funded through the Prime Minister’s Small Grants Scheme and contributions from the school community. Rabuka says the school has played a significant role in shaping national leaders, noting that three of Fiji’s recent Presidents Jioji Konrote, the late Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, all attended Draiba Primary School. “What other school in Fiji has produced three Presidents…

[Photo: File] Rising harvesting costs, delayed cane cutting and a shrinking workforce are putting further pressure on cane growers, as labour shortages continue to affect the industry. Nearly 60 percent of cane growers still depend on manual harvesting, but many are struggling to meet increasing labour costs, says Sugar Cane Growers Council Chief Executive Vimal Dutt. Dutt explains that with farmers already facing high operational expenses, the growing cost of hiring harvesting gangs has become difficult to sustain. Dutt says manual harvesting costs are significantly higher compared to machine harvesting, creating additional pressure for growers already dealing with labour shortages.Article…

A former employee at Fiji’s public prosecutions office fears for her life after making explosive allegations about corruption in the organisation which were leaked online.Susana Vuniani, who resigned from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in May, told RNZ Pacific that there was a conspiracy to quash last year’s damning Commission of Inquiry (COI) and prevent the prosecution of high-profile people in Fiji.”All I want is to be with my three children, but I am too scared to leave Australia and return to Fiji,” the ODPP’s former administration officer said.Vuniani, 41, said she made a statutory declaration…