Author: TMC Palau

[Supplied] The National Fire Authority is urging Fijians to prioritize fire safety after responding to two separate residential fires in the Nadroga province within days of each other. In separate occasions, the first house fire was caused by unattended cooking; however, no investigations are underway to determine the cause of the second. While no injuries were reported, both houses sustained severe damage. A property in Semo village sustained 30 percent damage. In Sanasana, a five-bedroom concrete house sustained 80 percent damage with estimated losses, including household contents, valued at $30,000.Article continues after advertisement National Fire Authority Chief Executive Puamau Sowane…

[Photo: FILE] Fiji’s Public Health Act is set for a major overhaul, with stakeholders in the Northern Division calling for stronger enforcement and greater community involvement to tackle public health issues. The Standing Committee on Social Affairs is continuing consultations on the proposed Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2026, with submissions focusing on improving public health enforcement, waste management and living conditions in both urban and rural communities. Among those making submissions was Macuata Provincial Council Office Conservation Officer Vasiti Vosabalavu, who says Turaga ni Koro and community health workers should play a greater role in monitoring public health issues within…

The leaders of Fiji and Australia has signed two agreements in Suva.The Vuvale Union Treaty, regarding economic and security, and the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a mutual defence agreement.In a statement, Australia’s Prime Miniser Anthony Albanese said these treaties represent one of the most significant endeavours Australia has undertaken with any country.He said the two nations will build on the their longstanding history of standing together to support one another and the region’s security.They will build the Pacific’s capability to tackle security challenges affecting the whole region, including transnational crime and climate change.”This level of ambition is possible because Australia…

Unity Fiji Leader Savenaca Narube at the Constitutional Review Commission this afternoon. [Picture: Mollyn Nakabea] The Unity Fiji Party has proposed a closure to the de-registered party ‘loophole’ Presenting their proposals to the Constitution Review Commission, Unity Fiji Leader Savenaca Narube says the constitution and the electoral acts should be reviewed to clarify the status of MPs whose parties are de-registered. “Under the electoral proportional system, section 63 (1) requires all sitting MPs of the party that is de-registered to automatically lose their seats. But when Fiji First was de-registered, its MPs should have automatically lost their seats.” Narube said…

[Photo: FILE] The Fiji Sugar Corporation says improving returns for cane growers will require a collective effort across the entire sugar industry, rejecting suggestions that the corporation alone is responsible for the sector’s ongoing challenges. In a statement, FSC said while it accepts responsibility for improving its operational performance and acknowledges the difficulties experienced during the 2025 crushing season, the industry’s performance cannot be judged solely on mill operations. FSC Chairman Nitya Reddy says the Tonnes Cane to Tonnes Sugar ratio is influenced by several factors beyond milling, including cane quality, maturity, weather conditions, burnt cane, extraneous matter, cut-to-crush delays,…

[Source: Reuters] Indonesian police named 14 more people as suspects in an alleged child abuse and neglect case at a daycare ​centre in Yogyakarta city. An official said bringing ‌the number of suspects to 27 people in a case which has sparked outrage in the country. Police raided the daycare centre in late April, and said ​they found dozens of children aged between two and six ​years old with their hands and feet tied. Some ⁠children were tied to doors. Police arrested 13 people at the time, ​including the owner of the Little Aresha daycare, its principal and ​caregivers, on…

A Papua New Guinea MP is questioning a new agreement between the government executive and the country’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).The government says the new Memorandum of Understanding between ICAC and the National Executive Council will strengthen prevention, detection and investigation of corruption within the govbernment administration.ICAC head Thomas Eluh decsribed the new agreement as a significant step topwards strengthening institutional collaboration in the fight against corruption.According to him, there was an an emphasis on information and intelligence sharing in the new agreement, promoting greater transparency in public office”Corruption is complex. It does not exist in isolation, and neither…

Albenese says in recognition of the love of sports between the two countries they are investing to support the continuous operations of the Fijian Drua franchise. [Photo: FILE] The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua can expect an increased funding following the announcement of support from Australia by the Prime Minister Anthony Albenese at the Vuvale Reunion in Suva. In his remarks, Albenese says in recognition of the love of sports between the two countries they are investing to support the continuous operations of the Fijian Drua franchise. “We chose to fortify our bonds in the interests upholding democracy, stability and sovereignty…

[Source: Reuters] Kate, Britain’s Princess of Wales, mingled with the crowds at Wimbledon and lent her support to the British hopefuls playing in the warm London ​sunshine. Dressed in a blue trouser suit, the 44-year-old wife of heir to the throne ‌Prince William watched Arthur Fery, one of the last Britons remaining in the draw, in his early games against Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen on Court 18. The 23-year-old wildcard went on to win 5-7 7-6(3) 6-3 ​6-3. In a courtside interview, a delighted Fery said he might have felt more nervous ​had he realised royalty was in the house.Article…

[Photo: FILE] The Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service has confirmed that its scholarship allocation for the 2025–2026 financial year has been fully utilised, meaning no new scholarships will be awarded for Semester Two or Quarter Three. Chief Executive Apisalome Movono says the funding allocation had been exhausted after a high number of successful applicants were awarded scholarships during the Semester One intake. He attributed the increased demand to last year’s exceptional Year 13 examination results, which recorded a pass rate of about 95 to 96 per cent, leading to a significant rise in scholarship applications. “To parents and students, this…