Author: TMC Palau

Two category 5 typhoons that battered the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in less than three months have devastated homes, infrastructure, and businesses, but they have also created an unexpected opportunity to restore some of Saipan’s most heavily eroded beaches.The Commonwealth’s Department of Public Works (DPW) says it will resume a beach nourishment programme using sand dredged from the Smiling Cove Marina navigation channel after engineers found recent storm activity had once again reshaped the sand spit at the marina entrance.DPW secretary Ray Yumul said engineers have reassessed the area following Super Typhoon Bavi.”I had engineers go out…

[Photo: File] Reports of ambulances arriving late or not showing up during emergencies have sparked concern in Parliament. Opposition MP Ketan Lal questioned whether current funding is enough to ensure patients get urgent medical help when they need it. He questioned why the public continues to report delays in ambulance arrivals despite Government funding allocated for ambulance services. Lal asked Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu whether the ambulance budget covers emergency call-outs from people’s homes or is mainly used for transferring patients between hospitals and health facilities.Article continues after advertisement “Despite budgets given to your partner organizations with regards to…

Religious leaders in Fiji are making strong appeals to the South Korean government to release Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old Chairman of Shincheonji Church, which remains in detention, on 16 July, South Sea Lautoka, Fiji. Religious leaders read and signed the statement in Joint Statement Signing Ceremony. Chairman Lee was detained on 24 June on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act and was indicted on 29 June. The Joint Police–Prosecution Investigation Headquarters alleges that, between July 2021 and January 2024, he directed the mass registration of approximately 50,000 church members into a particular political party. In response, Shincheonji Church…

[Photo: File] Opposition Members of Parliament have stressed that civilian employees within the Fiji Police Force were excluded from previous government salary increases, calling for the issue to be rectified in the 2026–2027 National Budget. While moving a motion in Parliament, Opposition MP Inia Seruiratu stated that 184 civilian employees missed out on the recent three percent salary increase. He proposed adding $888,185 to the new financial year’s budget to resolve the disparity. Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel clarified that the government will address the pay structure for these employees through an upcoming job evaluation exercise. Inia Seruiratu says that civilian…

Papua New GuineaPrime Minister James Marape will personally oversee the country’s Correctional Services, as former corrections minister Joe Kuli will leave cabinet along with five others.It comes after two recent prison escapes.Three prisoners were shot dead last weekend after scaling the fence at Baisu prison in the Western Highlands, with five others critically injured.The jailbreak was attributed to crumbling infrastructure.Local media also reported last week that 38 inmates broke out of Kerevat prison in East New Britain and were still at large.FijiPolice minister Ioane Naivalurua says more than NZ$3 billion worth of illicit drugs have been circulating in the country…

[Photo: File] The government has announced a series of bypass and road expansion projects aimed at tackling Fiji’s longstanding traffic congestion. In the 2026–27 national budget, $20 million has been allocated to ease gridlock along major corridors. This includes planned works along the Koronivia Bypass, the widening of the Ratu Dovi Road, upgrading of the Fletcher Road, expanding of the Princess Road, improving the Queens Highway, and bridge works at Tamavua-i-Wai and Lami. Speaking in Parliament, Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu says the government should make resolving the traffic issue a national priority.Article continues after advertisement “The time it takes to…

[Photo: FILE] The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has closed a complaint involving Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Nancy Tikoisuva, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku and Chief Justice Salesi Temo after determining there was insufficient evidence to launch a formal corruption investigation. In a statement, FICAC said it had completed a preliminary assessment of the complaint to determine whether the material submitted disclosed a sufficient basis to commence an investigation within its statutory mandate. As part of the assessment, the Commission confirmed that a signed written legal opinion by King’s Counsel Ian Lloyd exists at the Office of…

[Source: File] Accountability for the Flying Fijians’ Nations Championship campaign is something head coach Senirusi Seruvakula fully accepts as Fiji prepares for its final Test against Scotland this weekend. Leading the national side for the first time at this level, Seruvakula acknowledged the challenges of taking on established Tier One nations after a short preparation period and limited time together as a squad. The coach noted that while players and support staff all have specific responsibilities within the team, the ultimate responsibility rests with the man at the helm. “At the end of the day, the head coach will get…

Mahendra Chaudhry – a former Fiji prime minister removed from power and held hostage during the 2000 coup – wants George Speight to name those behind the racist takeover.The 84-year-old Labour Party leader, who became Fiji’s first prime minister of Indian heritage in 1999, made the comment after Speight – the coup frontman – appeared before the Constitutional Review Commission last week.Speight emerged into the political limelight in a formal suit and glasses, after spending 24 years in a maximum security jail for treason. The ex-convict has called on the perpetrators of the country’s past political upheavals to own up,…

If you are one of those who enjoy every play with your heart in your mouth and don’t want to miss a single goal of the 2026 World Cup but still haven’t decided where to watch the final match, look no further.València has several venues that wouldn’t dream of missing this great sporting event. Take a look! Casino Cirsa – Football dinnerChoose one of the four highly football-themed menus available at Casino Cirsa while watching the final match of the 2026 World Cup. You can enjoy this experience from €16.50. And, with every goal scored by Spain, they give a free…