Author: TMC Palau

Exclusive by Fiji reporter Lice Movono and foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic, ABCSolomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has said there is “growing consensus” in support of his proposal to form a Pacific-wide regional security agreement.He suggested the region remained too complacent about the risks posed by intensifying strategic competition, and needed to assert its own agency.Australia’s federal government has said it is open to the idea of a regional agreement because it is consistent with the idea of Pacific-led security.The Solomon Islands Prime Minister says the Pacific cannot continue to “naively fumble” defence issues, and says there’s a “growing…

[Photo: REUTERS] Paraguay’s impressive World Cup campaign ended with a narrow 1-0 last-16 defeat to France in Philadelphia, but the South American underdogs left the tournament with plenty of admiration. Playing at their first World Cup since 2010, Paraguay reached the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams before stunning Germany in a penalty shootout. Their success was built on a disciplined defence, organised midfield and standout goalkeeper Orlando Gill, with Paraguay happy to absorb pressure and record the tournament’s lowest average possession. They frustrated another heavyweight against France, limiting clear chances despite the French dominating possession. However,…

[Photo/Supplied] Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has formally endorsed and pledged his support for the newly registered political party, One Nation. A One Nation delegation – led by its President, General Secretary, Founding Members, and the Central Executive Committee – met with Bainimarama last Thursday to present the Party’s Constitution and seek his patronage. During the meeting, General Secretary Ravindran Kumaran highlighted the Party’s vision, objectives, and guiding principles. President Tupou Draunidalo then formally presented the constitution to Bainimarama.Article continues after advertisement The delegation reaffirmed One Nation’s commitment to building a united, inclusive, and prosperous Fiji founded on integrity, equality,…

[file/photo] Police have confirmed receiving increased reports of cattle theft from Tailevu Province. Assistant Police Commissioner Meli Sateki says they are engaging in joint operations with the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and the Ministry of Agriculture to address these reports. He was responding to concerns raised by dairy farmers during the Fijian Media Association Town Hall meeting in Korovou. However, Sateki says that while a good number of stolen cattle have been recovered, they face challenges obtaining information from community members during investigations.Article continues after advertisement “But we would, again, call for assistance from the community to provide us with…

[Source:Rewa Football/Facebook] A dominant second-half performance saw Stratum Construction Rewa thrash Lautoka 4-nil in the Extra Premier League clash today. Despite playing with 10 men since the 35th minute following Ivan Kumar’s red card, Rewa still showed resilience and their class to secure all three points. Don Keana opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Junior Sela, Gabriele Matanisiga and Epeli Valevou added second-half goals to seal an emphatic victory. In another match, Nasinu returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Tailevu Naitasiri.Article continues after advertisement Waisake Ravuiwase, Nitin Chand, and Bruce Hughes found the back of…

[file/photo] Misunderstandings and rising tensions among farmers are being linked to possible cases of deliberate cane field fires in some parts of the country, raising concerns over safety in sugarcane farming areas. Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna says there have been repeated incidents over the years where disputes between farmers have escalated, resulting in crop damage through suspected arson. In some cases, long-standing disagreements and breakdowns in communication have contributed to hostility within farming communities. “But there is always some suspicion that people burn because they are not happy with the other farmers. We are discussing in the Cabinet that…

[Photo: FILE] The government will be increasing the price paid to manual harvesters from three dollars to five dollars per tonne. This is to acknowledge the contribution of people on the ground whose efforts are not well recognised. The Special Committee on Sugar Industry met on Friday and discussed additional options to increase support for manual harvesters as an immediate measure to encourage harvesting. To allay security concerns for cane farmers who wish to harvest but fear backlash, particularly regarding standing crops, the Committee consulted with the Ministry of Policing for Fiji Police to conduct frequent patrols in the cane…

[Photo/Supplied] Taveuni residents are calling for immediate intervention over ongoing fuel supply concerns on the island. This follows multiple attempts by the island’s business community to contact authorities and their local fuel supplier. Despite previous government assurances that a fuel shipment would arrive today, a social media post by Interlink Shipping Services confirmed that while a vessel departed for Taveuni, no fuel truck was onboard. According to Interlink, space was available for the fuel trucks. In a statement, the shipping company said:Article continues after advertisement “Despite booking two fuel trucks for Legend Fuel to travel onboard the MV Ohana, the…

Somit Maharaj (left) and Ryan Swami (right).[Source:Fiji Football Association/Facebook] Two New Zealand-based players have been selected to feature for the Junior Bula Boys at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship. Ryan Swami and Somit Maharaj are among the latest additions and they are both excited to get the nod. Fifteen-year-old Swami joins the squad from Fencibles United, while 16-year-old Maharaj comes from Auckland City FC. Head Coach Sunil Kumar says the pair first caught his attention during the Pacific Community Cup in New Zealand in November last year, where both players were representing the New Zealand Under-16 team.Article continues after advertisement…

[Photo: AAP] Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will arrive in the country today. In Fiji, he will sign a landmark treaty, as Australia and China face off in a diplomatic fight for influence in the Indo-Pacific. He is expected to sign the Vuvale Union agreement with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka tomorrow. He will then push on to the Solomon Islands on Tuesday to progress negotiations on a new treaty with Honiara, as part of a three-day Pacific tour.Article continues after advertisement Albanese will meanwhile become the first foreign leader to participate in Solomon Islands’ Independence Day celebrations. His message will…