Author: TMC Palau

[Photo: FILE] The government says a $1 million allocation in the 2026-2027 National Budget will be enough to complete the reconstruction of an old building at the Office of the President. The issue came under scrutiny during the Committee of Supply as MPs questioned why another $1 million had been set aside after more than $900,000 was allocated in the previous budget. Opposition MP Jone Usamate asked whether the latest allocation was a continuation of last year’s project or whether the earlier funding had not been fully spent. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told Parliament the previous project had already been…

[Photo: FILE] The investigation into Walesi is still with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption. This was the word from Communications Minister Ioane Naivalurua when he was quizzed this week in Parliament by Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu. During Committee of Supply discussions into the various allocations in the 2026-2027 Budget, Seruiratu said he knew that the former Minister of Communication and Deputy Prime Minister had made known his intention for Walesi to be investigated. The Opposition Leader said it was important for Minister Naivalurua to provide a report on that investigation – on whether it was progressing or whether it…

[Source: Fiji Rugby/ Facebook] Fiji Water Flying Fijians newcomers Sikeli Rabitu and Virimi Vakatawa are expected to earn their first Test caps against Scotland this weekend as head coach Senirusi Seruvakula looks to give every member of his squad an opportunity during the first round of the Nations Championship. Also set for game time is Sam Wye, who is yet to feature in this year’s campaign. Seruvakula says it was important to honor a commitment made to the players at the start of the tournament. “When we start the campaign, I’ve ensured the players that everyone is going to get…

Toa Samoa international Jarome Luai will join Parramatta for the 2027 NRL season.Luai was announced as the PNG Chiefs’ first official signing for their 2028 NRL debut in April.At the time, he said he was at the Tigers for another 18 months and still had a job to do there.But the Tigers said this week the club has mutually agreed to release him from the final year of his contract “following extensive discussions between Luai, his management and the Wests Tigers”.Tigers coach Benji Marshall said open and honest discussions had been held over the past four to five weeks.”He made…

The 2026 Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Vodafone Deans national quarterfinals and semifinals will be held at different venues this year. This has been confirmed to FBC News by the Fiji Rugby Union Acting Chief Operations Officer, Talemo Waqa. The national quarterfinals and semifinals are going to be held in Suva and Lautoka, and if northern teams qualify, then there’s a possibility they may host some games as well. However, the national finals will be played in Suva.Article continues after advertisement A central venue for the national quarters and semis has been the standard practise over the years. Waqa says…

[Photo: FILE] Opposition MP Viam Pillay says the 2026-2027 National Budget has failed sugarcane farmers, arguing that the guaranteed $85 per tonne cane price does not cover the true cost of production and transport. Speaking during the Budget debate, Pillay acknowledged the Government’s fuel subsidy but said it is only a temporary measure that does not ease the financial burden on growers, particularly those in remote areas. He claimed farmers are left with as little as $14.92 per tonne after meeting harvesting, input, land preparation and lease costs, even before paying to transport cane to the mills. Pillay says once…

[Photo: FILE] Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua says more than $4 billion worth of illicit drugs has circulated through Fiji over the past three years, making the fight against drugs and organised crime one of the Government’s highest priorities. Speaking during the 2026-2027 National Budget debate, Naivalurua says drugs are destroying lives, destabilising families and threatening national security. He says the Budget allocates $1.6 million to strengthen Fiji’s counter-narcotics capability, including establishing the Counter-Narcotics Bureau, recruiting specialist officers and developing the Counter-Narcotics Bill. Naivalurua says the recently endorsed National Coordination of Transnational Serious and Organised Crime and Illicit…

International badminton has returned to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) this week, three months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the US territory.Oceania Badminton has confirmed that over 200 players and officials from 20 countries are in Saipan to compete in the Northern Marianas Open and the Saipan International tournaments.The tournaments, which is the first international sports event in the CNMI since Typhoon Sinlaku hit the islands, started on Tuesday and runs for the rest of the week.Northern Marianas Sports Association president Jerry Tan said the Northern Marianas (NMI) Badminton team has put in a lot of hard…

[Photo: REUTERS] Argentina scored twice in the closing minutes to beat England 2-1 and book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain. England looked set for victory after Anthony Gordon gave them a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute. But Argentina mounted a dramatic comeback, with Enzo Fernandez equalising in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez struck the winner in stoppage time. Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final at 7am Monday, while England will meet France in the third-place playoff at 9am Sunday.Article continues after advertisement Source link

Justice Minister Siromi Turaga. [Photo: FILE] The Attorney-General’s Office is facing an increasing workload, with 25 lawyers handling more than 1,300 active litigation files across complex legal matters. Justice Minister Siromi Turaga says his office has been allocated $9.8 million, an increase of $3 million, to meet the growing demand for legal services across government. He says in the current financial year, the Office has prepared 282 legal opinions, completed 14 independent legal assessments, and vetted 1,709 MOUs, MOAs, and Cabinet papers. Turaga adds that with a team of just 25 lawyers, the AG’s Office continues to protect the government’s…