Author: TMC Palau

Rabuka says he hopes the team will address those shortcomings during preparations for their upcoming Test matches. [Photo: FILE] Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed claims that he was involved in the selection of the Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach, saying he did not influence the appointment process. Responding to questions about rumours that he had recommended a local coach, Rabuka said he was only informed of the selection after the decision had been made. “I was notified of the selection and I said, well, let’s see if the argument that a local coach would better understand and the…

The Papua New Guinea Correctional Service (PNGCS) has confirmed three prisoners have been killed in the Western Highlands Province while attempting an escape.The inmates, who scaled the fence at Baisu Prison, were shot dead, while five others were critically injured on Sunday afternoon.Two other escapees remain at large.PNGCS deputy commissioner David Suagu told RNZ Pacific that attempted prison escapes are typical during this time of year.”It’s almost the same across the country … it happens randomly,” he said.”We expect a high rate of escape, especially towards the later part of the year, and that is something that we are working…

The McDonald’s Fiji Drua Women’s will have to brace for a bold mission from Queensland Reds when they clash in the Super W semifinal in Lautoka this weekend. Following their win over the New South Wales Waratahs, Reds halfback Sarah Dougherty believes they’re confident of a promising outing against the Drua Women. She says that to finally beat the Waratahs, a team they haven’t beaten, proved they were definitely up for the challenge and can be effective against the Drua. Reds coach Andrew Fraser joined the bubbling post-match huddle after the win over the Waratahs and his first words were…

[Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji/FACEBOOK PAGE] Fiji’s battle against drugs needs more than police raids and arrests, it needs communities to fight back. This, according to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Rabuka says enforcement alone will not solve the growing drug threat and is calling for a wider national response involving families, churches, schools and traditional leaders. Speaking during the 2026–2027 National Budget debate in Parliament, the Prime Minister said Government was strengthening its response through increased support for police drug operations and measures aimed at improving public safety.Article continues after advertisement He said the Budget provides funding for…

Source: Reuters European countries reported more than 10,000 excess deaths during the record-breaking heatwave that engulfed the west of the continent in late June, official data showed. The vast majority — more ​than 9,000 — were among people aged 65 and above, according to data published by ‌EuroMOMO, a network backed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization. Extreme heat can kill by causing heat stroke, or aggravating cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, with older people among the most ​vulnerable. “To have this kind of excess at this time of year is unusual. It’s…

Local media in Papua New Guinea are reporting that three prisoners were shot dead and five others critically injured during a prison escape.The Post-Courier reported police confirmed 10 remandees had escaped from the main lockup at the Baisu Correctional Institution Services facility in the Western Highlands Province on Sunday.Three inmates were killed during the pursuit by Correctional Services officers, while five were recaptured and sustained critical injuries.Another two remained on the run as of Sunday night.Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the escape and the security breach that allowed the prisoners to flee during visiting hours. Source link

[Photo: BBC] The US insists the Strait of Hormuz is open, despite Iran saying it has closed the waterway amid renewed strikes. Hostilities, which flared up again this week, continued on Saturday after the US said it had struck more than 140 targets across Iran. The attacks were a response to Iranian forces hitting a ship passing through the strait, which it said was using an unapproved route. Iran has been trying to assert control over the waterway, and early on Sunday said it was closed until further notice. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also launched wide-ranging attacks on…

[Photo: Peceli Naviticoko] The lack of proper public restroom facilities at the Naqara Business Centre on Taveuni is becoming an increasing concern for vendors, residents and tourists who visit one of the island’s busiest commercial hubs each day. Roadside vendor Adi Ana Aliti says the issue has persisted for years, forcing some people to use nearby bushes and vacant areas while others are paying to access private facilities nearby. Vendors are now calling for the construction of public restrooms and a proper mini market to cater for the thousands of people who pass through the business centre daily. They say…

MELEKEOK, Palau —  An Air Force Reserve delegation, led by Lt. Gen. John Healy, Chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, met with senior leaders of the Republic of Palau to strengthen security partnerships and explore future training opportunities in the Indo-Pacific. During the visit, Healy met with Palau Vice President Raynold Oilouch and other government officials to discuss future operations that would help train U.S. pilots to operate in Agile Combat Employment (ACE) environments. “The entire force, Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines, would benefit from training in these…

160 new financial accounts have been opened in Rotuma following the island’s first Financial Inclusion Maritime Expo [Photo: Reserve Bank of Fiji Facebook Page] More than 160 new financial accounts have been opened in Rotuma following the island’s first Financial Inclusion Maritime Expo. The two-day event brought banking, insurance, investment and business support services closer to residents of the remote maritime community. The expo was organised by the Reserve Bank of Fiji, together with public and private sector partners. Around 600 residents attended the event, representing nearly 40 per cent of Rotuma’s population.Article continues after advertisement Residents were able to…