Author: TMC Palau

[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…

A proposal from the Solomon Islands government for a regional security treaty is being considered by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) foreign ministers in Suva on Friday, RNZ Pacific understands.The treaty proposal forms a key agenda item at the day-long annual meeting – the outcomes of which help determine what will be discussed at the Forum leaders’ meeting in Palau at the end of the month.Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who is also PIF chair, began promoting the concept of a regional security agreement soon after he was elected leader by his country’s parliament in May.The idea gained pace…

[Photo: FILE] Search has resumed for the missing fibreglass boat carrying six people after it failed to arrive at Fulaga Island from Namuka Island yesterday. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Fiji was activated after receiving a report yesterday evening that the half-cabin fibreglass boat, powered by a 40-horsepower outboard engine, left Namuka at around 10am but did not reach its destination. Three fibreglass boats had reportedly departed Namuka for Fulaga, but only two arrived safely. Relevant authorities, mariners and nearby communities have been alerted as search efforts continue.Article continues after advertisement The search is being hampered by adverse weather conditions,…

[Photo: LITIA CAVA] With only five women currently serving as Members of Parliament, the gap between participation and political leadership remains a key concern. The issue was highlighted by Parliament Speaker Filimone Jitoko during the Speaker’s debate at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. The debate focused on the theme: “From Participation to Representation: How do we increase women in Parliament?” Jitoko said democracy goes beyond voting and public discussions.Article continues after advertisement He said it must also allow citizens to become decision-makers and have a role in shaping national priorities. Parliament, he said, and other decision-making bodies are stronger…

[Photo: FIJI GOVERNMENT/ FACEBOOK] Science will play a critical role in helping Fiji and the Pacific respond to the growing impacts of climate change. This was highlighted by Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya during a visit to the Pacific Community’s regional office in Narere yesterday. The visit gave the Minister an overview of the organisation’s scientific and technical work supporting Fiji and other Pacific Island countries ahead of the Pre-COP31 and COP31 climate negotiations. Presentations focused on climate science, oceans, fisheries, agriculture, geoscience and climate finance, highlighting how scientific evidence is helping Pacific nations strengthen resilience and…

Tensions with China and New Zealand’s interest in a new defence treaty will be on the agenda for Friday’s annual Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.Winston Peters is in Suva, Fiji, along with foreign ministers from 17 other Pacific countries.The meeting gives ministers a chance to prepare for the PIF Foreign Leaders’ Meeting in the tiny Micronesian islands of Palau early next month, which Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will attend.It comes amid tension with China which last month, with just a few hours’ warning, test-launched a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean – a nuclear-free…

Paula Tuivau at the crime scene. Residents of Wailoku are living in fear and uncertainty following the discovery of a 12-year-old boy’s body in the settlement last Friday. The child had been reported missing earlier last week, and the discovery has left the community demanding answers as police continue investigations into his death. Paula Tuivau was among the first residents to reach the scene after two students discovered the boy’s body while walking through the area. Tuivau says the discovery has deeply shaken the community, where residents say such a tragedy has never happened before.Article continues after advertisement “The two…

Prime Minister at the Labasa Sugat Mill. The government has reassured cane farmers that it remains committed to Fiji’s sugar industry, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka saying the focus is on revitalising the sector rather than abandoning an industry that has supported the country for generations. Speaking during the Parliamentary Special Committee on the Sugar Industry consultation in Seaqaqa, Rabuka acknowledged the industry’s decline but said the committee’s role isto identify practical solutions that will help secure its future. Rabuka said the committee is consulting with farmers and stakeholders to better understand the challenges facing the industry before making recommendations…

Papua New Guinea Rugby Union’s (PNGRU) reinstatement as a member of World Rugby depends on clearing “a longstanding debt” and addressing governance issues.Oceania Rugby, which governs rugby unions in the region, has confirmed that PNG has been working with it and World Rugby on a roadmap aimed at getting them back into the fold.Oceania Rugby commissioned an independent inquiry and established an Independent Judicial Panel to review PNGRU’s finances and governance in the months that followed.Oceania Rugby general manager Frank Puletua said the ball is in PNGRU’s court.”We’ve been in regular contact with PNGRU and World Rugby throughout this process,”…

[Photo: File] NSW Fijians co-captain Vesinia Gutabua says her side is determined to take the lessons learned from its loss to Fiji Black into today’s final-round clash against AucklandFijians. After being tested physically throughout the contest, Gutabua believes matching that intensity will be vital as NSW looks to end the tournament on a high. “I think we’ll take back the physicality from tonight’s game. We’ll put it into tomorrow’s game as well.” The co-captain said her players showed plenty of character despite the result and remains proud of their efforts throughout the tournament.Article continues after advertisement “Our girls came out…