Author: TMC Palau
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone One of Fiji’s top detectives – Serupepeli Neiko – has been “directed to go on leave” while being investigated for a corruption-related offence. Fiji police confirmed that public prosecutors are probing abuse of office allegations against the Senior Superintendent, who is the director of the police forces’ criminal investigations department. Local media have claimed that Neiko, who was also the former head of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, has been suspended from the force. However, police spokesperson Ana Naisoro has firmly denied this. “He and other senior police officers have been directed to go on leave…
Reserve Bank of Fiji [Photo: FILE] Nearly $1 billion in approved private-sector loans remain undisbursed amid regulatory and approval delays. Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Ariff Ali highlighted the issue during the State of the Fijian Economy Dialogue 2026. Ali says this is one of the key obstacles to economic growth at a time when the country is facing slower growth, rising costs and high debt levels. He states that the funding already approved by commercial banks shows that capital is available for businesses willing to invest.Article continues after advertisement “There’s almost a billion dollars of loans that the private…
[Photo: Litia Cava] Government must tighten fiscal policy, curb rising costs and confront corruption. It must also diversify the economy to avoid further decline. Unity Fiji Party Leader and former Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Savenaca Narube made the call today at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva during the State of the Economy Dialogue 2026. He said Fiji was now facing one of its most fragile economic positions in decades.Article continues after advertisement “A few issues on the cost of living. I know it’s coming from abroad. We really do not have any control of that but we can…
Fiji’s economic vulnerability, driven by heavy reliance on tourism and weak diversification, remains the country’s most pressing structural challenge. Government MP and former Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica made the comments today while addressing attendees at the Grand Pacific Hotel during the State of the Economy Dialogue 2026. Kamikamica said the existing growth model has left the economy exposed to external shocks and limited productivity outside urban and consumption-driven sectors. He said this imbalance has constrained long-term resilience and widened development gaps and that government was now attempting a broad restructuring of the economy, with emphasis on diversification and regulatory reform.Article…
A new inclusive rugby team based in Auckland is welcoming all players of different backgrounds, ages and sexual orientation, especially Pasifika Rainbow and Takatāpui individuals. Te Papapa Wolves made their debut last month. It is the second inclusive rugby team established in New Zealand, taking their place alongside the New Zealand Falcons which was established in 2013. Te Papapa Wolves is Auckland’s newest inclusive rugby team, co-founder and rugby player Jay Fa’ata Vaeluaga (standing far left) spoke to RNZ’s Pacific Waves presenter Susana Suisuiki about the team. Photo: Susana Suisuiki Speaking to Pacific Waves, Te Papapa Wolves co-founder Jay Fa’ata…
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) yesterday visited the Palau National Aquaculture Center and a center tasked with restoring the local giant clam population to learn about the results of Taiwan-assisted fisheries projects in the Pacific nation.At the aquaculture center, Hsiao inspected a black rabbitfish fry farm and two broodstock facilities for sea cucumbers and milkfish, the Presidential Office said in a news release. Photo: CNA She later visited the nearby giant clam restoration center, where she was briefed on the country’s efforts to boost the clam population and achieve sustainable fisheries, it said. Speaking with reporters before the visits, Hsiao…
McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women head coach Mike Legge has made several changes to his side ahead of their first home game of the 2026 Super Rugby Women’s season, with Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s representative Vika Nakacia set to make her club debut against the Western Force in Lautoka this Saturday. The Drua return to Churchill Park looking to bounce back from their opening-round defeat and have handed Nakacia her first appearance in the blue jersey at outside centre. Legge has also reshuffled his forward pack, with powerhouse Mereoni Nakesa moving to number eight after a strong showing in round one.…
Pope Leo. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Pope Leo spoke in Catalan, a language key to the region’s identity, as he arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday for the second stop of a week-long tour of Spain in which he has warned that conflicts have pushed the world into a profound crisis. As in Madrid, where he opened the first visit of a pope to Spain in 15 years, Leo was greeted by large crowds as he arrived at Barcelona’s 14th century cathedral to preside over a midday prayer. Thousands pressed against barriers outside the church in the sunshine, waving flags and screaming…
The next fiscal direction will be outlined in the national budget on June 26. [Photo:FILE] Fiji is facing a widening gap between government spending and revenue, raising concern over long-term debt sustainability. Latest fiscal data shows government expenditure has risen by about 30 per cent over the past three years. The increase is driven by higher public wages, social services, infrastructure spending and debt repayments. For 2026, revenue is projected at $3.9 billion while expenditure is expected to reach $4.8 billion.Article continues after advertisement Acting Head of Strategic Planning at the Ministry of Finance Poonam Singh said the issue was…
Super Typhoon Sinlaku battered the the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in April. Photo: Mark Rabago Nearly two months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku hit the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), disaster food assistance has been approved for affected households. CNMI’s United States Congress delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds said the US Department of Agriculture had approved additional nutrition assistance under its disaster authorities. The approval includes enhanced benefits for existing Nutrition Assistance Programme recipients, who will receive the maximum benefit amount plus an additional 20 percent for six months. A separate Disaster Nutrition Assistance Programme (D-NAP) has also been…