Author: TMC Palau
[Photo: SUPPLIED] Youth leaders from across the Pacific have been urged to take a more active role in shaping democratic governance. The two-day programme, held at the Radisson Blu Resort in Denarau and jointly organised by Dialogue Fiji and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), has brought together participants from Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands and other Pacific nations. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka says the future of democracy in the region depends heavily on youth engagement. He says democracy is not guaranteed and must be continuously strengthened by each generation.Article…
[Photo: File] Flooding and drainage in Vaileka were the main focus as the Rakiraki Town Council appeared before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. Committee members questioned how upstream river conditions are contributing to repeat flooding in the town. Rakiraki Town Council Chief Executive Sailosi Sawana said the town was highly flood-prone. He said drainage responsibilities are shared between the Fiji Roads Authority, the Ministry of Waterways and the council. Routine desilting is carried out in town drains, but Vaileka Creek remains a key concern.Article continues after advertisement He said the creek was last fully desilted in 2018.…
The first international commercial flight has returned to Saipan, more than two months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).South Korean carrier Jeju Air landed at Francisco C Ada-Saipan International Airport early on Sunday, restoring direct international air service to the CNMI and marking a significant milestone in the territory’s tourism recovery.Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) marketing manager Andy Qin said the flight’s arrival was “the biggest step for the tourism recovery for our island”.Qin said maintaining air links with South Korea was critical because it remains the CNMI’s largest tourism market.”It’s also an opportunity…
[Photo: File] The Great Council of Chiefs has been urged to operate independently from government structures under the proposed Indigenous Rights Bill. Faith Grace from Stand with Niko Advocacy told the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights that the GCC should not be placed under the iTaukei Affairs framework. She says the council must be able to act independently on behalf of Indigenous people. Grace argues that Indigenous governance should not be influenced by political systems or government ministries.Article continues after advertisement She says this is necessary to ensure decisions reflect the voice of Indigenous communities and traditional…
[Photo: File] The Sugar Cane Growers Fund has welcomed the additional assistance provided by government through the recently announced $5 million fuel subsidy for the sugar industry. SCGF extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry, the Ministry of Finance, and all industry stakeholders for responding to the concerns raised by growers and industry participants. Chief Executive Officer Raj Sharma says the past few weeks had been challenging as stakeholders and the government worked together to find practical solutions to support growers and sustain the industry. “Government has its own fiscal constraints, yet it has…
[Photo: File] Sugarcane farmers are being urged to start harvesting as soon as possible, with the government’s $5 million fuel subsidy aimed at reducing costs for growers and cane transport operators. However, the Master Award Growers Agreement sign-up remains low, with only nine percent of farmers registered as of last week. This comes as the Fiji Sugar Corporation warns the country could face a shortage of sugar if harvesting does not begin soon. Minister for Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna says the support provided by the government now leaves the decision in the hands of farmers and transport operators to begin…
More than 60 parcels containing “white substances” have washed up in various locations across Fiji.Fiji police say 27 parcels were found in the Lau group, and these are currently being tested at the forensics lab in Suva.There were also another 35 parcels found floating along Munia Island.In an earlier discovery, a sealed clear plastic containing white substances was found in Kadavu, and tested positive for cocaine.And on Saturday morning, a parcel was found washed along the shoreline near a settlement in Qamea.”All efforts are being directed to retrieve all packages for testing by the Forensics Department,” Fiji police said in…
Photo: The crew of a foreign vessel after being fired upon by Russia (Ukrainian Navy) On the night of June 22, Russia launched drone attacks targeting civilian merchant ships heading for Ukrainian ports, including vessels described as Turkish, Palau, and Belize ships in the Black Sea, News.Az reports, citing RBC-Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian Navy and the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, a fire broke out on the Turkish-owned vessel VICTRESS. The dry cargo ship was sailing under the Panamanian flag, although it is owned by Türkiye. After a drone struck the vessel, a fire erupted on board, and the ship…
[Source: Reuters] Tourists and locals in Madrid struggled to cope with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) as the first official heatwave of 2026 set in, and authorities warned of over-exposure to the sun and an increased risk of wildfires. Haily San Cesario, a 22-year-old engineer visiting Madrid’s El Rastro flea market from Miami said: “I’m dressed all in white because it’s so hot, and I’m carrying my little electric fan everywhere I go.” Aemet, the state-run weather forecaster, said 13 of Spain’s 17 regions are on orange alert for heat on Sunday, while the Basque…
The dry cargo ship was sailing under the Panamanian flag, although Türkiye owns it. After a drone struck the vessel, a fire broke out on board, and the ship sustained significant damage. The Ukrainian Navy began rescuing the ship’s crew, but one person did not survive. “Unfortunately, a crew member, a 58-year-old cook, was killed. We express our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. The other eight sailors were evacuated on a life raft,” the USPA says. Civilian vessels flying the flags of Palau and Belize were also damaged as a result of the Russian attack. There were…