Author: TMC Palau
Waratahs captain Emily Chancellor and Drua women captain at today’s captain photo shoot. McDonald’s Fiji Drua Women captain Kolora Lomani says her side will respect the challenge posed by the NSW Waratahs but has no intention of letting the defending champions dominate on Fijian soil in tomorrow’s Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final. The Drua will host their first-ever home grand final in Ba, with Lomani confident the team has prepared well for one of the biggest matches in the club’s history. The halfback acknowledged the quality and experience within the Waratahs squad, particularly the number of Wallaroos players in the…
Fiji’s former chief prosecutor, Christopher Pryde, claims there was a racist, government-led conspiracy to get rid of him.The New Zealand lawyer, who is in Aotearoa, spoke to Pacific Waves after corruption charges against him in Fiji were dropped this week.Fiji’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) threw out three charges in the Suva Magistrates Court on Wednesday.A statement from FICAC said “the decision was taken because FICAC has been unable to effect service on Mr Pryde in New Zealand, despite attempts to do so.””The proceedings concerned charges previously filed in relation to nearly $NZ150,000 in payments and reimbursements received during his…
The new appointment of two new Commissioners. The Electoral Commission has returned to full strength with the appointment of two new Commissioners ahead of the next General Election. Nicola Vuetilovoni and Raumanu Georgina Pranjivan have joined the Commission, while Ratu Inoke Loganimoce, Nemani Mati and Reginald Jokhan have been reappointed for new terms. Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili said the appointments come at an important time as the Commission prepares for its responsibilities during the electoral period. “Our role is very clear under the Constitution and by statute. Collectively with the FEO, we are the Elections Management Body for…
Items remaining after fire incident The National Fire Authority says action can be taken against those who interfere with fire investigations by removing damaged structures before officers complete their assessments. NFA Chief Executive Officer Sowane Puamau raised the concern when he appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs. Presenting the NFA’s response to the Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2026, Puamau said fire scenes must be preserved until officers complete their assessments. He said removing damaged structures too soon can affect the NFA’s ability to determine the cause of a fire and prepare reports required for insurance claims.Article continues…
The son of a man allegedly murdered by a US-based hitman is on the run after escaping police custody in Tonga. Source link
Two former police officers have been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of raping a 17-year-old girl in Savusavu. High Court judge Justice Lee Burney delivered the sentence at the Labasa High Court today, saying the offending was a serious abuse of authority and public trust. The court heard that on the night of April 12 last year, the two men were on mobile patrol in Savusavu when they instructed the victim to enter their police vehicle. Justice Burney said the officers drove the victim to a secluded area, where they raped her on the back seat of…
Rubbish causing blocked drains Rubbish dumped into drains is making its way into irrigation systems, contaminating sugarcane fields and threatening farming communities, the Ministry of Agriculture has warned. The issue was raised during public consultations on the Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2026, where farmers’ concerns over waste pollution and blocked waterways came under scrutiny. Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Andrew Tukana told the Standing Committee on Social Affairs that illegal dumping is affecting waterways that connect directly to farming areas. He said waste from municipal drains can flow into streams and rivers, creating problems for communities downstream.Article…
In the last fortnight the Australian government has loudly celebrated the signing of two new security treaties in the Melanesian region. The first, the Nakamal Agreement, was signed with Vanuatu, with both prime ministers meeting before the assembled parliamentary press in Canberra on 29 June 2026. The second, the Ocean of Peace Alliance, was signed with Fiji on 6 July. Australia’s motivation for signing these security agreements has always been clear: they reflect its broader strategic interest in maintaining its regional security role to the exclusion of other international players (read China). What has been less clear is the cost…
[File Photo] The Suva High Court has permanently stopped the criminal case against former journalist Charlie Cobham Charters. Charters was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption with two counts of aiding and abetting over the alleged publication of official FICAC information on his Facebook account. The case was set to go to trial in the Suva Magistrates Court in September. However, the High Court ruled the charges could not continue, finding the prosecution case had major legal issues.Article continues after advertisement The Court found FICAC had failed to identify who Charters allegedly aided and abetted. It also raised…
Three boating incidents have been reported in Papua New Guinea waters.At least 26 people were reported missing after two boats capsized last Saturday, 18 July.They were reportedly voyaging on two boats from Pangpang Island in the Duke of York group to Kokopo, the capital of East New Britain.Eight bodies have been recovered as of Friday morning (NZ time).Separately, Bougainville’s President Ishmael Toroama said three Bougainvilleans remain unaccounted for after another maritime incident that same day.PNG’s Post Courier newspaper reported a passenger boat carrying nine people reportedly capsized on 15 July while travelling from Muliama to Anir Island, leaving six missing.East…