Author: TMC Palau

Fiji Taekwondo says a lack of modern scoring technology is putting local athletes at a disadvantage as the sport prepares its next generation of international competitors. The Fiji Taekwondo President’s Cup 2026 highlighted the depth of young talent in the sport, with 170 athletes competing as selectors identify prospects for the national training programme ahead of the 2027 Pacific Games. Head Coach Neelu Nand says the determination and skill displayed by young athletes show a promising future for Fiji taekwondo. However, Nand says Fiji is falling behind international standards because local competitions do not yet have electronic scoring systems used…

Questions are being raised over who carries responsibility when condemned buildings remain occupied, with the Nabua PRB flats among structures highlighted during discussions on proposed public health law changes. The issue was raised during discussions on the Public Health Amendment Bill 2026 after Opposition MP Ketan Lal questioned how authorities manage buildings declared unsafe but still accessed by members of the public. Lal says the risk becomes unclear when people continue entering or living in condemned structures and are exposed to possible injury. Opposition MP Praveen Kumar then raised concerns over the PRB flats in Nabua, asking who would be…

Fiji has completed the first phase of a new electronic monitoring system aimed at strengthening oversight of offshore fishing activities and protecting the country’s marine resources. The Ministry of Fisheries says the Electronic Monitoring System will improve transparency and provide more accurate data on fishing activities in Fiji’s waters. The first phase, fully funded through the 2025/2026 National Budget, involved installing high-tech cameras on selected fishing vessels to collect scientific data. The Offshore Division has also established the technical systems needed to support the programme, including a dedicated server network, backend services and specialised equipment to analyse footage.Article continues after…

Papua New Guinea authorities are managing several separate cases of missing people due to boating incidents in recent days.East New Britain disaster officials continue to search for up to 27 people missing since last Saturday after their two boats capsized while travelling from the Duke of York group to Kokopo.As of late Friday, 12 bodies had been found, on the south west coast of neighbouring New Ireland province.In another incident, off New Ireland’s north, a search was underway on Friday for six people missing after their boat capsized.And the Post Courier reports that closer to PNG’s mainland, a search was…

Supplied A landmark climate change opinion from the International Court of Justice has strengthened the Pacific’s push for greater global accountability, with Fiji saying it provides a legal foundation for future negotiations. One year after the ICJ delivered its historic advisory opinion on climate change, Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Sivendra Michael, says Pacific nations now have a stronger platform to demand action. He says climate change is no longer only a matter of political promises, but a question of legal responsibility. “The advisory opinion is the foundation the Pacific must stand on at COP31, as…

Indian boxing manager Neeraj Rendhu has defended the late withdrawal of boxer Rohit Chauhan from the Kings Boxing Promotion, insisting the decision was based on a genuine medical concern. The withdrawal has raised questions after promoter Narun Buksh claimed the decision resulted in financial losses and disrupted plans for Chauhan’s highly anticipated bout against local boxer Mikaele Ravalaca. But Rendhu says the matter has already been discussed with the promoter and boxing authorities, with the required medical documentation provided. “We are discussing with the promoter. I’ve already submitted everything. I don’t think I have to answer all those questions because…

The Ministry of Education has launched an investigation after a video circulated online showing a visiting religious group interacting with a student at Natabua High School without prior approval. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says the ministry is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the visit by members of the Steadfast Baptist Church Group from the United States and the Philippines on 16 July. The minister says the group’s visit was not approved through the ministry’s required processes. Radrodro met with representatives from the United States Embassy, who confirmed they had no prior knowledge or involvement in the group’s visit or activities in…

Fijian Drua v NSW WaratahsKick-off: 1:05pm NZT, Saturday 25 JulyVenue: Four R Stadium, Ba, FijiThe Fijian Drua women are ready to re-write their own history when they host their first-ever Super Rugby Women’s (Super Rugby W) final at home in Ba on Saturday.Head coach Mike Legge, who has been part of the set-up since the team’s inception in 2022, is confident the team can beat the defending champion NSW Waratahs.Should the Fijian women defeat the visitors, it will secure them their third Super W title.A win will also see them battle the winner of the Super Rugby Aupiki final between…

The McDonald’s Fiji Drua Women are refusing to change their approach ahead of their Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final showdown, despite the return of several key NSW Waratahs players. The defending champions have strengthened their lineup for today’s final in Ba, including Wallaroo Caitlin Halse, but Drua Head Coach Mike Legge says his side expected those changes. “It’s no surprise. The team that they’ve selected, we expected those things to happen. We knew Caitlin Halse was going to come straight back in the lineup because she’s a quality player.” Legge says the Waratahs’ selections will not affect the Drua’s preparations,…

Police in Tonga have put up a TP$5000 (approx. NZ$3400) bounty for information that leads to the capture of two recent jail escapees: one New Zealander and one Fijian.They have also launched a parallel investigation into how the escape, which involved a third individual, occurred.Tonga police issue bounty for information on two fugitivesPacific WavesOn Wednesday, Tonga Police held a news conference regarding the remandees – Liuaki Kokohu VI, a 35-year-old New Zealand citizen of Tongan descent, Adam Hussein, a 35-year-old Fijian national, and a 16-year-old male – who escaped from custody at the Central Police Station in Nuku’alofa on Sunday.Kokohu…