Author: TMC Palau

The widow of a deceased Fijian farmer is claiming that her husband was beaten by police during a raid – and told to lie about it.Ane Vakararawa’s husband, Iveri Tuimasi, died two weeks ago – yet another in a string of deaths this year where law enforcement is alleged to have played a role.Police have acknowledged that there was a raid on the couple’s property on Beqa Island, and in a statement last week, said they would interview the officers involved.Vakararawa has alleged that Tuimasi was severely beaten during the raid, suffering a blow to the head, and a liver…

Callum Turner. [Photo Credit: AAP Photo] James Bond’s former casting director has given her verdict on the three actors vying to become the next 007. Amazon MGM Studios have taken over the franchise and they are on the hunt for a new star to replace Daniel Craig who quit his role as Bond following the release of 2021’s No Time To Die, which showed the superspy’s death. Now Debbie McWilliams – who cast 13 Bond films – has addressed reports suggesting Callum Turner is the most likely to land the role, with Harris Dickinson and Jacob Elordi also said to…

[Photo: Bose Vavataga] Calls are growing for better road safety outside Namaka Public School after another serious accident along the busy Namaka-Matintar Highway. Head of School Arvin Kumar is urging authorities to install speed humps or speed cameras after a truck allegedly slammed into a parked vehicle last week when it failed to stop in time. The crash happened just meters from the school, raising concerns about speeding motorists in an area used daily by hundreds of students and their families. Kumar says the school is fortunate that the accident happened before classes ended.Article continues after advertisement He says the…

Drug-filled parcels found washed ashore. [Photo: File] The Fiji Police Force is working with international partners to determine the origin of drug-filled parcels found washed ashore, with some samples already testing positive. Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu confirmed that the parcels remain in police custody in Suva for further testing. “A few have tested positive. What we are trying to do is to send the sample to the lab with the Australian Federal Police.” Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu. [Photo: File] He says the Australian Federal Police can profile the samples to help investigators identify the source and trace where the…

Analysis – Moana Pasifika’s exit from Super Rugby has cast a spotlight on the sustainability and future of the competition.The team was placed into liquidation in May and last week it was confirmed the club would not be involved in Super Rugby in 2027, after New Zealand Rugby rejected several rescue bids, saying none met the required commercial and financial thresholds.While officials insist the competition is growing, Moana’s collapse has prompted questions over whether the franchise is an isolated casualty, or is it a sign the tournament’s underlying business model is under strain?Super Rugby chief executive Jack Mesley is adamant…

[Photo: Praneeta Prakash] The Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs says the launch of the Gender Barrier Assessment Report marks an important step towards building stronger, more inclusive and effective security institutions in Fiji. Pio Tikoduadua says the assessment provides evidence-based findings on the opportunities, challenges and barriers faced within our disciplined forces. He says the report allows institutions to better understand areas where progress has been made and identify practical steps needed to create a fairer environment where everyone has equal opportunities to serve, lead and succeed. Tikoduadua highlights that women’s meaningful participation in peace operations and within the…

[Photo: Nikhil Kumar] The Suva Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Imran Khan, also known as King Khan, to four years and three months imprisonment for possession of illicit drugs. He appeared before Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning. Khan was convicted on one count of possession of illicit drugs with 4.1 grams of methamphetamine in a hidden compartment at the base of a water bottle. The Magistrate told the court that the state has proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt.Article continues after advertisement Magistrate Prasad noted that the maximum sentence for possession of illicit drug offenses is life imprisonment or…

The Ministry says the operation also focused on educating vendors about marine conservation laws. [Phto: FILE] The Ministry of Fisheries, in partnership with the Fiji Navy, seized 120 undersized mudcrabs during a joint enforcement operation at local markets over the weekend. The crabs were later released back into their natural habitat. In a statement, the Ministry says the operation also focused on educating vendors about marine conservation laws, particularly the minimum legal size of 12.5 centimetres for mudcrabs to encourage sustainable harvesting. Enforcement teams also reminded vendors of the ongoing ban on the sale of Kawakawa and Donu during their…

The budget allocation for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the new fiscal year has left Minister Lynda Tabuya disappointed. The Minister says the funding does not include additional staffing she had requested for the Ministry. Tabuya had sought extra resources to strengthen environmental compliance and accelerate the preparation of climate finance project proposals, particularly ahead of the anticipated Pre‑COP meeting to be hosted in Fiji. The Minister says a faster turnaround on project proposals is critical to securing international climate funding through the help of additional staffing, but her request was not approved.Article continues after advertisement Despite…

Australian aid Australian and international aid agencies have launched emergency appeals in response to the Venezuela earthquake. So far, the disaster has resulted in over 1,400 deaths, with tens of thousands of people still unaccounted for, and almost two million people requiring humanitarian assistance. The Australian government is yet to announce whether it will contribute to the international relief effort. Asked about her views on Australian aid to the Pacific at the National Press Club, One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson said that this aid “should be spent well” and, subject to meeting the party’s domestic spending priorities, “we might…