Author: TMC Palau

[Source: File] The Extra Premier League Round 17 fixture between Labasa FC and Lautoka FC has been postponed. The match was scheduled to be played at Subrail Park on Saturday, August 8, with kickoff set for 2pm. The Fiji Football Association has confirmed the fixture will now be played at a later date, with a new date yet to be announced. The postponement means both sides will have to wait longer before returning to league action as the Extra Premier League enters its final rounds.Article continues after advertisement Labasa currently remains firmly in the title race, while Lautoka continues its…

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong has announced FJ$23.5 million (more than US$10m) for Fiji’s HIV response.Wong said the funding goes to prevention, training, workplace support, community outreach, and essential health supplies.”Our support recognises that this is a health challenge, but it is also a security challenge,” she said.”Alongside our health partnership, we’re also working together to combat transnational crime, illicit drug trafficking, which is contributing to this challenge across the region.”More than 2000 new cases of HIV were diagnosed that year.In a report, the country’s Ministry of Health said there were 117 HIV-related deaths reported in 2025 – of whom…

[Photo: File] Fiji is entering a new phase in its HIV response, with health authorities confirming the virus is no longer limited to specific groups and is now affecting communities across the country. Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu says Fiji now has evidence of a generalised HIV epidemic, with HIV prevalence reaching 1.6 percent among adults aged 15 to 49 and around 2 percent among pregnant women. He says when the outbreak was first detected in 2025, cases were mainly associated with people who used drugs, but the situation has since evolved. Dr Lalabalavu says Fiji has strengthened its response…

[Photo: File] Fiji Rugby Union is confident the Vodafone Deans and Weet-Bix Raluve national quarter-finals will run smoothly despite matches being staged across four different venuestomorrow. Chief Operations Officer Talemo Waqa says extensive preparation has been undertaken throughout the season to ensure match officials and organisers are equipped to handle thechallenges of the nationwide competition. “Definitely, we trust the system. All the zones have been running their pool games from the beginning until the zone finals.” Waqa says Fiji Rugby has invested heavily in training match commissioners and officials across the country to maintain consistency and uphold competition standards. “We…

The lawyer representing Mohammed Fareed has asked the court to impose a suspended sentence following his conviction on two counts of indecent assault. Fareed, the former Chief Executive of Fijian Holdings Limited, was convicted of indecently assaulting a young female subordinate on two separate occasions. The court found he subjected the complainant to unwanted physical contact without her consent, with her evidence supported by an audio recording accepted by the court. Both the defence and the State presented their sentencing submissions today.Article continues after advertisement Fareed’s lawyer has also asked the court not to record a conviction against his client.…

In part 1 and part 2 in this series, the author set out the census evidence on Pacific migration and reflected on what Tuvaluans have built in Australia. In this final part, he turns to Kiribati’s own government. In the first two articles in this series, I talked about Tuvalu’s migration success and argued that Australia should be fairer to Kiribati. But Kiribati must also do its part. Before I finish, I want to speak directly to my own government — this administration and every administration that follows. If there is one national issue that should rise above political parties,…

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has defended its scheduling of the Fijiana XV’s Test match against Springbok Women.The test match for the Ubuntu-Bula Trophy kicks off at 2pm on Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium, with school games before and after.Under-14, under-15 and under-18 Raluve games will all be played Saturday morning before the test, with two under-18 Deans Trophy games to follow after.FBC reported the union saying it acknowledged public discussion surrounding the schedule, but it was designed to showcase rugby from grassroots to the international level.FRU chief executive Koli Sewabu said the Fijiana XV are not only representing Fiji…

[File Photo] A search and rescue operation is underway for six people missing in Lau waters, as authorities warn that ignoring weather advisories costs lives. The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji says a half-cabin fibreglass boat traveling from Namuka to Fulaga Island failed to arrive after departing at 10 a.m. yesterday. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Fiji was activated after the vessel became overdue. Two other boats leaving Namuka at the same time reached Fulaga safely. Coordinators worked through the night and are expanding the search with air and surface assets, despite strong winds and rough seas. Authorities fear the…

[File Photo] Fiji’s stock market is continuing to record strong growth this year, driven by increased investor participation and higher trading activity. The South Pacific Stock Exchange says trading value has reached 77.7 million dollars so far this year, a 166 percent increase compared to the same period last year and the highest market turnover recorded since 2015. SPX Chief Executive Sheraj Obeyesekere says that the trading volume has also surged by 191 percent to more than 42.6 million shares, while the number of trades has increased by nearly 65 percent. He adds that the Exchange says investor participation has…

[File Photo] A joint task force has arrested four men following a series of anti-drug operations in the Western Division this week. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe says one suspect has been charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs after a raid along the Nadi Back Road on Wednesday. Police say officers from the Fiji Police Force, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Detector Dog Unit seized substances that tested positive for cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana during the operation. The accused is expected to appear in the Nadi Magistrates Court today.Article continues after advertisement Two…