Author: TMC Palau
Fiji is facing a growing crisis of alcohol and other drug use among children and adolescents. Authorities warn it is driving mental health problems, violence, self-harm and serious youth crime. Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran points out that the situation reflects a wider national challenge. She said it was being fueled […] Source link
[Photo: File] The 2026 crushing season has been postponed after the Fiji Sugar Corporation failed to secure enough harvesting gangs and cane supply to begin mill operations. Minister for Sugar Tomasi Tunabuna says misinformation and political influence may be contributing to some farmers’ reluctance to harvest their cane. He adds that FSC is ready to commence crushing and hopes growers will reconsider delaying harvesting activities. The challenges facing the sugar industry, according to Tunabuna are not unique, noting that many sectors are dealing with rising costs and economic pressures and that the government is aware of concerns raised by farmers…
Source: Entertainment Weekly The Force was not with Olivia Cooke during her Star Wars audition. During a recent visit to the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the 32-year-old House of the Dragon star shot down speculation that she was in the running to play Kelly Marie Tran’s character Rose Tico in The Last Jedi, but revealed that she did try out for Rey in The Force Awakens. “I did audition a few times for the other one, where Daisy Ridley got [the role of Rey]… The first one,” Cooke said, referring to 2015 sequel. “But, like, everyone and their dog auditioned…
Samoa’s acting police commissioner says Vietnamese authorities have denied a request for the in-person interviewing of two Apia men who could face execution for the murder of a suspected Sydney gang boss.Joseph Vaa and Steve Tofa are in custody after they admitted their involvement in the shooting of Lorenzo Lemalu Tovia outside a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City last month.The two Samoan nationals read televised confessions, handcuffed and restrained in chairs, after Tovia died at the scene and his associate, Sauni Sam, was seriously injured.During a media briefing on Monday, Samoa’s Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samueleu Afamasaga said the…
[Photo: Josefa Sigavolavola] The sentencing of convicted drug offender Imran Khan, also known as King Khan, has been deferred to tomorrow. This follows his appointment of new legal representation. Khan appeared before the Suva Magistrates Court today. He was earlier found guilty of possessing 4.1 grams of methamphetamine. The drugs were found in a hidden compartment at the base of a water bottle inside his vehicle.Article continues after advertisement Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad granted the adjournment after the court was informed that a new defence solicitor had taken over the case. The court ordered both the prosecution and defence to…
Source: Entertainment Weekly Clive Davis’ final public appearance was just weeks before his death. The legendary music executive and former president of Columba Records, whose death was announced on June 22, was last seen in public at the Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner and Auction in New York City on May 19. Davis was seated with Alicia Keys, Chance the Rapper, and Swizz Beatz for the event, which also hosted other celebrities such as John Legend, Colin Kaepernick, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, and Chelsea Clinton. Not long after the event, Davis was hospitalized for several days and released on…
Rum Co. of Fiji. [Photo:SUPPLIED] Rum Co. of Fiji has achieved a clean sweep at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, winning medals for all eleven products entered. The result includes two Double Gold awards and marks the strongest performance in the company’s seven-year history at the event. The success places the Fiji-based brand among the top-performing distillers at one of the world’s most competitive spirits contests. More than 5,000 entries from over 70 countries were evaluated through blind tastings by industry judges.Article continues after advertisement Double Gold medals were awarded to RATU White Rum and BATI Dark Rum.…
Porirua trio A.R.T and Auckland RnB singer Sam V lead the pack with five nominations each. Source link
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic during a press conference after their opening game against England Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has urged his side to play like favourites and tighten up defensively when they face Panama in a crucial World Cup clash that neither team can afford to lose. Dalic did not hold back after Croatia’s 4-2 defeat to England in their tournament opener, describing his side’s set-piece execution as the worst he has seen since taking charge in 2017. The veteran coach said he expects greater responsibility and concentration from his players and warned that Panama’s attacking threat must…
Football player Merril Nand oustide court this morning, [Photo:JOSEFA SIGAVOLAVOLA] The bail application of Fiji national football player Merril Nand has been adjourned to Monday. The Suva Magistrates Court allowed the State more time to file its formal response, citing public interest in the case. Nand appeared in court today. The prosecution maintained its objection to bail, pointing to the seriousness of the alleged indictable offences and public interest concerns. The court ordered the investigating officer to file an affidavit outlining the State’s grounds for opposing bail before the next hearing.Article continues after advertisement Defence counsel Jitendra Reddy told the…