Author: TMC Palau

A storm is brewing in Fiji as local media is reporting that mill workers, farmers, and the Fiji Sugarcane Corporation (FSC) are locked in a double dispute over seasonal contract terms and sugarcane prices.Fiji’s 2026 sugarcane crushing season was set to officially begin on Wednesday across the Lautoka, Ba and Labasa mills.However, according to multiple reports by Fijian media, operations are at a standstill due to disagreements between the National Union of Workers members and FSC.Videos taken by The Fiji Times at the three mills reportedly show no movement in operations.”The sugarcane crushing season was scheduled to begin today at…

The United States has started deporting migrants to a sparsely populated archipelago in the tropical Pacific, the island nation of Palau told AFP on Wednesday.President Donald Trump has led a push to expel asylum seekers and undocumented migrants from the United States, dispatching them to places like El Salvador and Uganda.Tiny Pacific nation Palau, by population one of the smallest countries in the world, agreed in December to resettle up to 75 deportees in exchange for $7.5 million.The office of Palau President Surangel Whipps said the first deportee had arrived in the country, a collection of coral atolls and volcanic…

[Supplied] Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs Pio Tikoduadua has expressed strong support for the reappointment of Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai as Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces when his first five-year term expires later this year. In a statement issued this afternoon, Tikoduadua said Section 131(4) of the Constitution requires that he be consulted, as Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, on the appointment of the RFMF Commander. He says the Constitutional Offices Commission consulted him on the matter, and he indicated his strong support for Major General Kalouniwai’s reappointment. Tikoduadua says he also met with…

[Source: Fiji Football Association/ Facebook] The Fiji Football Association has confirmed that a pre-match ritual performed by a Ba player did not breach any football regulations following widespread discussion online. The clarification comes after a video of the incident, recorded before the BiC Fiji FACT 2026 final at Subrail Park in Labasa, circulated on social media. Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Yusuf said the matter was reviewed and found to be within the rules of the game. “The player was carrying out a personal pre-match ritual, and after our review, we confirmed there was no breach of the IFAB…

[Source: Simione Kuruvoli and Inia Tabuavou/File Photos] Swire Shipping Fijian Drua duo Simione Kuruvoli and Inia Tabuavou will continue their careers together in France after signing with RC Vannes ahead of the new season. The pair join the French club from the Fijian Drua, adding international experience and proven Super Rugby quality to the squad. Kuruvoli, 27, arrives after five seasons with the Drua, where he established himself as one of Fiji’s most reliable halfbacks. The 25-Test international was a key member of the Flying Fijians side that reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.Article continues after advertisement…

Overview: The Federated States of Micronesia is calling for a binding global methane agreement, warning that voluntary measures are failing as climate impacts intensify across the Pacific. Following a devastating El Niño-related fish kill that affected communities and food security, FSM says urgent methane reductions are essential to slow warming and protect vulnerable island nations. PONPHEI, 29 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has backed the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for urgent methane cuts and called for a binding global agreement to rapidly reduce emissions, saying the world is moving “rapidly in the wrong direction.”  FSM…

Dunia Baru is launching a new series of private voyages through Palau from December 2026 to February 2027. Available for a minimum of seven nights, the new journeys will offer rare access to Palau’s remote archipelago. Cruising on the 51-metre superyacht, guests will explore emerald rock islands, hidden lagoons and vibrant coral reefs during a season known for calm seas, clear skies and exceptional underwater visibility, often reaching up to 40 metres. Dunia Baru’s Palau season also coincides with one of the ocean’s most remarkable natural phenomena: lunar-driven spawning events that occur around the full and new moons. During the…

[Source: File] The Rexona Suva Marathon 2026 was officially launched in Suva this morning, with organisers promising another celebration of community, health, and active lifestyles when the event returns on August 8. Hosted by the Suva Marathon Club, this year’s event is expected to attract runners from across Fiji and overseas, with participants aged 14 and above invited to compete in a range of race categories. Registrations officially opened today through Ticketmax, with entry fees set at $70 for the full marathon, $50 for the half marathon, and $15 for the 10-kilometre race. The popular Team Marathon also returns in…

Supplied Customers along the Lami corridor continue to face water supply disruptions as repair works on a burst 375mm trunk main at Tamavua-i-Wai are further delayed. The Water Authority of Fiji says the delay is due to extremely difficult ground conditions at the site, where the damaged pipe lies about three metres underground. A high water table and waterlogged soil have made the ground unstable, causing constant trench collapses and limiting safe access for repair crews. WAF says crews worked through most of the night to widen and stabilise the excavation area in order to safely reach the pipe. It…

[File Photo] Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Nancy Tikoisuva, has filed an appeal against the acquittals of former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem. The State has filed 10 grounds of appeal. It argues that the trial judge erred in law by treating the validity of the government contract with the Supervisor of Elections as the central issue, contrary to the State’s allegations and the particulars of the offences. The State also contends that the judgment failed to adequately assess and analyse the substantial evidence presented against both respondents, resulting in their acquittal.Article continues after advertisement…