Author: TMC Palau

[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…

Overview: U.S. Pacific Command and allied forces launched Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 on June 23, running through July 1 across Guam, the CNMI, Japan, and the Mariana Islands Range Complex. Running concurrently is Citadel Pacific 2026, a force protection exercise at Naval Base Guam through June 30. Residents should expect increased traffic, occasional gate delays, and Giant Voice PA announcements as the multidomain training tests joint and allied readiness across air, sea, land, space, and cyberspace. SAIPAN, 23 JUNE 2026 ( PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — U.S Pacific Command joint forces, along with allied and partner forces, today kicked off Exercise…

[File Photo] Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau says efforts are underway to restore shipping services to Taveuni. He says resolutions are expected to be finalized today following ongoing discussions with shipping operators and the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji. The assurance comes as more than 15,000 residents on the island continue to face disruptions caused by the shipping issues. Residents who spoke to FBC News say fuel supplies are running low and supermarket shelves could be depleted by the weekend if services are not resumed promptly.Article continues after advertisement Ro Filipe says discussions are focused on addressing key compliance…

[File Photo] The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma believes all citizens should be recognised as Fijians, while indigenous people should retain the identity of iTaukei. In its submission to the Constitution Review Commission, lawyer Simione Valenitabua representing the Church says using Fijian as a national identity promotes unity among all communities. “The majority of the Methodist church divisions submit that all citizens are to be Fijians, the indigenous are to be the iTaukei.” Valenitabua says the Church acknowledged that some divisions had a different view, supporting the 1997 Constitution’s distinction between indigenous Fijians and Fiji Islanders.Article continues after advertisement…

The Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) provides up to 3,000 permanent residency visas for citizens of up to 12 Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste 9. To obtain a PEV visa, you first must enter a ballot, then if you are randomly selected from the ballot you are invited to apply for a visa. To be granted a visa you must then satisfy all the visa requirements, the most difficult of which is normally securing a job offer. In 2024-25 only 1,006 PEV visas were granted. However, things sped up in 2025-26, and 1,953 PEV visas were granted between July 2025 and…

[Source: Handball Fiji] Fiji will break new ground later this month when its Under-18 women’s handball team becomes the first Pacific Island nation to compete at the International Handball Federation Women’s Youth World Championship in Romania. Handball Fiji has named a 12-member squad for the tournament, which will be held from July 29 to August 9, following months of intensive preparations. The final squad was selected from an initial 22-player national training group. The young Fijian side faces a daunting challenge in its maiden appearance, having been drawn in Group A alongside international heavyweights France, Croatia and Egypt.Article continues after…

LeagueNew South Wales and Queensland have made changes to their lineups ahead of the third and deciding State of Origin game in Brisbane on 8 July, with a number of Pasifika heritage players featuring again in the decider.The Blues have dropped Toa Samoa’s Brian To’o, Tonga’s Kotoni Staggs and Fiji Bati Api Koroisau and recalled Toa Samoa stalwart Stephen Crichton and Tonga international Haumole Olakau’atu.The Maroons of Queensland have dropped Toa Samoa international Heilum Luki and Tongan rep Kulikefu Finefeuiaki but will feature Samoa heritage player Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai.RugbyFormer All Blacks and Chiefs outside back Shaun Stevenson has…

[File Photo] The Electoral Law Reform Commissioners are recommending a minimum of 71 seats in parliament, including seats reserved for women. In their joint submission to the Constitution Review Commission on the electoral provisions of the 2013 Constitution, the commissioners say that they support the introduction of temporary special measures, including reserved seats, to advance the representation of women. Women’s representation in parliament fell from 19.6 percent after the 2018 General Election to 9.1 percent after 2022, well below the regional and global averages. The Commissioners say that the present system contains no structural guarantee for women’s participation.Article continues after…

[Photo: FILE] Former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem has lodged formal complaints against senior officials of the Fijian Elections Office, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Police. He has also filed a multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit following his acquittal by the High Court. Saneem was acquitted of all abuse of office charges by Chief Justice Salesi Temo. In his ruling, the Chief Justice found the prosecution stemmed from a flawed interpretation of a contractual clause that no longer had legal effect and described the police referral as “unnecessary.”Article continues after advertisement Saneem states the case should never have been brought…

“The Bad Blood” Kings Boxing event next month will feature four kids exhibition bouts, as organisers look to give aspiring boxers saome valuable experience and game time. Promoter Naroon Buksh says they are excited to introduce bouts for kids at this event, and they will certainly be adding them to their future events. He adds that this way, they can help develop and produce the next generation of professional boxers, and help with the development of the sport. “This is something new we’re doing and we’re very excited. This is one way we have produce the next generation of professional…