Author: TMC Palau

Solomon Islands’ care-taker Fisheries Minister Bradley Tovosia repealed the ban on his way out the door. Photo: AFP / Stephen Frink The Solomon Islands has reinstated a ban on dolphin exports – two days after it was quietly lifted. Amid the drama in parliament as MPs selected a new prime minister, care-taker Fisheries Minister Bradley Tovosia repealed the ban on his way out the door. The ban had encompassed live dolphin exports – mostly for zoos and aquariums – but also covered the export of dolphin meat. Exporters faced a SBD$100,000 fine (approximately US$12,400) and up to six months imprisonment.…

[Source:Reuters] Neymar’s final audition for Brazil’s World Cup squad turned into a nightmare on Sunday (May 17) when officials mistakenly substituted the wrong player during Santos’ 3-0 home defeat to Coritiba. The 34-year-old was dramatically hauled off the pitch after he alleged a fourth official bungled a substitution, pulling Neymar instead of teammate Gonzalo Escobar despite the forward only leaving temporarily for treatment on his calf. The fourth official raised the board with his number 10 displayed as Robinho Jr took his place, but as Neymar tried to return to the field, he received a yellow card before getting involved…

[Photo: KELERA DITAIKI] Yam farming is being highlighted as a climate-resilient solution that supports food security in Fiji and helps with relief efforts during cyclones, when other crops are destroyed. Farmers say the hardy crop not only survives extreme weather but is also being used to assist communities affected by natural disasters. Farmer Francis Sione says yam farming has proven reliable during cyclone seasons, with the crop able to withstand harsh conditions and continue producing food even after damage to farm structures. “There were three cyclones, starting from Winston. We gave over two tons of yams to the government, and…

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the government is reconsidering whether the Municipal Elections scheduled for September should proceed. Speaking to FBC News this morning, Rabuka confirmed that a review will be carried out to determine government priorities amid current economic pressures. He acknowledged concerns over the short timeframe between Municipal Elections and the next General Election, as well as other key priorities including the review of the Constitution. “The things that we need to complete, the Constitution review, the processes in Parliament, the Referendum, any changes in Electoral law, all that needs to be incorporated into the law and then…

The CNMI’s Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) approved a sharp increase in its fuel surcharge driven by soaring global diesel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Photo: Quin Tauetau Still reeling from the devastation of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) could soon face the highest electricity prices in the United States and its territories. This comes after the CNMI’s Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) approved a sharp increase in its fuel surcharge driven by soaring global diesel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission…

source: reuters G7 finance ministers gathering in Paris on Monday will try to find common ground on ​tackling global economic tensions and coordinating critical raw material supplies, even as geopolitical differences threaten to test the group’s cohesion. The two-day meeting follows ‌a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing that yielded few concrete economic breakthroughs, as tensions over Taiwan and trade simmered beneath a display of diplomatic cordiality. At the core of the Paris agenda will be what French Finance Minister Roland Lescure described as deep-seated global economic imbalances that are fuelling trade friction…

source: AAP James Cameron is hoping to cut costs for his next Avatar movies. The 71-year-old filmmaker released the third film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, last year and still has plans for the fourth and fifth movies in the franchise. They haven’t officially been green lit but Cameron is working on a way to make them “in half the time for two thirds of the cost” of the previous instalments. “I’ll be doing some writing, I’ve got a number of projects I’m cooking. And Avatar 4 and 5 are still floating out there,” he told the Empire Film Podcast.Article continues…

Vanuatu United FC’s Nicolas King and his team celebrate scoring the winning goal to put Vanuatu into the semi finals. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz A 10-man Vanuatu United team came back from the dead to beat Bula FC 2-1 in the semifinal playoff at the OFC Pro League at the Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Sunday afternoon. The win sees them secure a semifinal spot against top team South Melbourne FC on Wednesday at the same venue. Replacement Azaria Soromon claimed a goal to draw level just before fulltime after Bula FC had led 1-0 for almost 90…

The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation is calling on government to prioritize local industries, jobs and productivity in the upcoming national budget. The federation says these areas are critical if Fiji is to achieve long-term economic growth targets. FCEF Chief Executive Edward Bernard says it has already submitted its budget recommendations to government ahead of the national budget announcement in late June. “Basically what we have proposed is safeguarding local industries, local jobs, and improving productivity.”Article continues after advertisement Bernard says Fiji must focus on strengthening key sectors to support future economic growth. “So that we are able to make…

The Consumer Council is calling for stronger enforcement action against restaurants and cafes found breaching basic hygiene and food safety standards across Fiji. Concerns were raised during discussions on the Council’s Annual Reports, with joint inspections alongside municipal councils revealing repeated sanitation issues, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas. Consumer Council Manager Research and Policy Analyst Lusia Rabaka says there have been some improvements in the Suva to Nausori corridor, while recurring hygiene violations continue to be found in parts of the Western Division. She says joint inspections have led to some traders working to correct non-compliance issues, but problems…