Author: TMC Palau
PalauAuthorities in Palau have laid out preparation plans for hosting the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting.The Island Times reports President Surangel Whipps Jr addressed accommodation concerns last week.He said hotel rooms are secured for heads of state, but lodging citywide is filling up quickly, and urged residents with available rooms to list them on Airbnb.He said similar public accommodation-sharing arrangements have supported past PIF meetings.Justice Minister Jennifer Olegeriil said a “progressive” security plan is in place and continuing to be built with support from international partners.FijiThe Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) has raised concern over Fiji’s human rights record…
Ra women in action. Yasawa and Cakaudrove were among the biggest winners in Round Two of the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup, recording commanding victories over their opponents. At Theodore Park, Yasawa thrashed Tavua 59-7, while Cakaudrove ran rampant against Bua with an emphatic 86-12 win at Ratu Ganilau Park. Navosa also impressed, overcoming Malolo 63-32 at Lawaqa Park, while Serua secured a convincing 57-29 victory over Ovalau at Nasau Park. Ra continued its strong start to the competition with a comfortable 42-5 win over Coastland at Narauyaba Sports Ground.Article continues after advertisement The closest contest of the round was at…
[Source: Fiji Rugby/ Facebook] Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Senirusi Seruvakula has challenged his players to take a hard look at themselves ahead of next week’s Nations Championship clash against Scotland. With one match remaining in the campaign, Seruvakula says the focus now shifts to reviewing the team’s performance and determining who is prepared to step up for the final Test. “We have to go back to the drawing board and first we talk about what we did wrong and what we did right.” The coach says individual accountability will be just as important as team preparation in the…
[Photo: File] The State has been granted more time to file disclosures in the case involving Saimoni Rokotunidau who is jointly charged with two others over an incident at a police roadblockin Laqere, Nasinu. Rokotunidau appeared in the High Court today, where the prosecution informed the court that they needed additional time to complete and serve the disclosures. The matter has been adjourned to next Tuesday where Rokotunidau is expected to take his plea. Rokotunidau is also charged with serious assault, going equipped, unlawful possession of illicit drugs, and refusing to provide fingerprints and photographs.Article continues after advertisement It is…
Feature: God and family are the two key elements that the Bower family of Taita in Lower Hutt, Wellington, build their lives around.These values were central to the upbringing of current All Black George Bower, something his family believes has kept the eldest sibling ticking.They are what his proud parents, dad Niko and mum Kula, point to as the forces that have kept their son’s dream alive in a tough and competitive All Blacks environment.”His real edge? Faith and family values,” Niko says. “Kiwi‑raised with Fijian heart. He knows his strength comes from above.”Niko and Kula are pivotal personnel in…
[Source: Reuters] Yemen’s Houthi movement fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control on Monday, breaking a four-year truce in the conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group. Saudi Arabia intercepted missiles “launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the southern region,” the spokesperson for a Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said on X. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said they had targeted the international airport in Saudi Arabia’s Abha, the capital of a mountainous southern region bordering Yemen where many Saudis escape the summer heat. The strikes are the first…
[Photo: JOSEFA SIGAVOLAVOLA] Murder accused Inoke Loloma has been sentenced by the High Court to three years imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, after being convicted of manslaughter. Loloma is charged with one count of murder after he allegedly punched a 43-year-old man during a drinking party on Christmas Eve in 2023 at Vugalei in Lami. In delivering the sentence, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe noted that manslaughter is a serious offence carrying a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment. He maintained that the primary purpose of sentencing was to denounce the offending, deter the offender and others from committing similar offences, and…
[Photo: FILE] Immigration Minister Viliame Naupoto says the 2026-2027 National Budget will strengthen Fiji’s border security through major investments in modern technology, decentralised services and passport availability. Speaking in support of the Budget in Parliament, Naupoto says the Ministry of Immigration has been allocated $14.8 million to modernise immigration laws, enhance border management systems, combat human trafficking and improve access to immigration services. “The allocation of $14.8 million is therefore not simply expenditure. It is an investment in national security, an investment in economic growth, an investment in international confidence, an investment in public service excellence.” Naupoto says work on…
[Photo: FILE] Opposition Member of Parliament, Premila Kumar, says rising public debt and slowing economic growth are among the biggest concerns in the coalition government’s 2026/27 National Budget. Speaking during the budget debate in Parliament, Kumar says the government is planning to borrow an additional $1.4 billion, bringing total borrowing over its term to about $3.4 billion. She says much of the borrowing is being used to fund day-to-day government expenses rather than long-term development projects. The Opposition MP questioned how the Government expects the economy to grow while promoting an $8.9 billion investment pipeline.Article continues after advertisement “Pipeline figures…
Much of Ron Duncan’s research was concerned with the Pacific and he lived in Fiji from 2003 to 2007 when he headed the Pacific Institute of Advanced Studies in Development and Governance (PIAS-DG) at the University of the South Pacific (USP). Here we provide our tributes together with a number of others from Pacific colleagues. Professor Biman C. Prasad, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (Fiji); Leader of the National Federation Party: I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Ron Duncan. The Pacific has lost one of its finest economists, an outstanding scholar and…