Author: TMC Palau
Petar Sekulic and Marius Borg [Source: Reuters] The stepson of Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon will learn on Monday whether he has been found guilty of charges of rape, domestic violence, assault and drug possession, among other crimes, in a case that has transfixed the Nordic country. Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, who joined the royal family when his mother Mette-Marit, married Haakon in 2001, pleaded not guilty to the most severe accusations against him, including those of rape, while admitting to some lesser charges. If found guilty on all counts by the Oslo district court, he could be sentenced to seven…
Merrill Nand outside Suva Magistrate Court. A prominent player has been further remanded by the Suva Magistrate’s Court. Merrill Nand is charged with three counts of rape, two counts of assault, and one count of sexual assault. The alleged incident happened in February. Magistrate Yogesh Prasad said that these are indictable offences and transferred the matter to the Suva High Court.Article continues after advertisement The prosecution informed the court that full first-phase disclosures have been served. The 26-year-old’s lawyer told the court they will be seeking bail. However, the Resident Magistrate directed them to file a formal application, and the…
One of the Official Medals of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, designed by Militsa Milenkova, is pictured during their unveiling at the Glasgow School Of Art in Glasgow on April 29, 2026. Photo: AFP / Ian MacNicol Fiji, Niue and Vanuatu have named their teams for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, which kick off on 23 July. A number of island nation’s have also released some of their team makeups as final preparations for the event heats up. Fiji has the biggest squad so far out of all the island teams that have confirmed their numbers, with 58 athletes heading to Scotland.…
[Photo: FILE] An active trough of low pressure west of Fiji is moving eastwards. It is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal inundation. The Fiji Meteorological Service says rain is already affecting the country. Conditions are expected to worsen from later today into tomorrow. Rain will become frequent and heavy. Squally thunderstorms are also expected over most areas. Conditions will ease from the west by midday tomorrow.Article continues after advertisement Authorities warn of flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Informal settlements, businesses, and Irish crossings may be affected. Traffic disruptions are likely. Urban areas with poor…
Term Three will run from September 7 to December 4 as planned. [Photo: FILE] The Ministry of Education has rejected misinformation circulating online. It says schools will continue normal operations and Term Three will run from September 7 to December 4 as planned. Permanent Secretary for Education Navin Raj states there are no changes to the academic calendar, national examinations, or classroom learning. He said syllabus coverage during Term Two was standard practice.Article continues after advertisement Term Three will focus on trial examinations, remedial classes, revision, and preparation for the Year 8, 12, and 13 external exams Raj says all…
US President Donald Trump displays a proclamation on “returning American commercial fishing in the Pacific” in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on 11 June 2026. Photo: AFP / Kent Nishimnura A conservation group has condemned Donald Trump’s decision to allow commercial fishing in parts of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. President Trump signed an executive order 11 June opening protected waters around Hawai’i, American Samoa and the Northern Marianas. It totals nearly half a million square miles of protected Pacific waters for commercial fishing. Trump claims appropriately managed fishing will not put these areas…
[Photo: REUTERS] Scotland has secured their first World Cup victory in 36 years, edging Haiti 1-0 in a scrappy but crucial Group C clash yesterday. John McGinn struck in the 28th minute after Che Adams’ close-range effort was saved and fell kindly for the midfielder, whose deflected shot found the net. Scotland had earlier come close through Scott McTominay, who hit the post, while Haiti threatened in bursts but failed to seriously trouble goalkeeper Angus Gunn. The result puts Scotland top of Group C ahead of Brazil and Morocco, who drew 1-1 in the earlier match.Article continues after advertisement Despite…
[Photo: FILE] Extra Supermarket Labasa FC has named a 22-member squad for the 2026 BiC Fiji FACT as the Babasiga Lions prepare to challenge for one of Fiji football’s most prestigious trophies. Head coach Alvin Chand has selected a squad featuring experienced campaigners and young talent, including Simione Tamanisau, Iliesa Lino, Christopher Wasasala, Ashnil Raju and Dan Steiner. Labasa will begin its campaign against Suva FC on June 19 before taking on Nadroga FC the following day. The Babasiga Lions will then face defending champions Rewa FC in their final pool match on June 21.Article continues after advertisement With the…
[Photo: FILE] McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women’s captain Bitila Tawake believes her side’s ability to stay composed under pressure was the defining factor in their 29-24 Super W victory over the Western Force at Churchill Park in Lautoka over the weekend. The Drua were made to work hard for the win, with the visitors applying plenty of pressure throughout the contest. However, the home side refused to panic and instead found a way to respond when it mattered most. For Tawake, the performance highlighted one of the team’s key values this season.Article continues after advertisement “Honestly, resilience. That’s one of our…
A recent Senate Estimates discussion between Labor Senator Penny Wong, Greens Senator David Shoebridge and several Australian Government officials (from ~19:42 here) has revived a simple question: when Pacific and Timorese workers earn money in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, where does it go? The Australia Institute’s answer to this question is that “between 65% and 78%” of PALM workers’ post-tax income is “spent in the Australian economy”. This is stated in a recent Australia Institute submission to a parliamentary inquiry. The claim has been repeated in another piece ironically billed as a fact-check. The Australia…