Author: TMC Palau

[Photo: File] The interim committee of the Vodafone Deans and Weetbix Raluve is planning to have eliminations for other grades next year. This is according to interim committee member, Talemo Waqa, who says they wanted to trial it this year in the Deans U18. He says even the Raluve competition may have eliminations in the future. Waqa says four Western Zone teams have come through because of the eliminations compared to only two over the years.Article continues after advertisement The interim committee member who is also the Fiji Rugby Union chief operations officer says even Holy Cross College from the…

The young Kiwi climbers rescued from a ravine in the Solomon Islands told their families they were okay throughout their ordeal.Keanu Isaksson, 25, and Luca Zylstra-Law, 19, were trapped in a ravine on Mount Popomanaseu for eight days before their rescue in the early hours of Tuesday morning.”They certainly were being very kind to their mothers … they were telling us that they were warm and dry, which absolutely was not the case,” Deni Holl, Isaksson’s mother, told RNZ.As a week of torrential rain battered the mountain, the climbers fell into a crevasse and found themselves stuck on an perch…

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu at the opening Fiji’s new Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Headquarters in Suva Australia has committed $23.5 million to help Fiji fight its worsening HIV outbreak, providing a major boost to national response. The funding was announced by Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong while opening Fiji’s new Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Headquarters in Suva today. Wong states the support, provided under the Vuvale Partnership, will strengthen Fiji’s HIV Outbreak Response Plan and help stop the spread of the virus. She said the funding…

[Photo: File] A serious multi-vehicle collision in Pacific Harbour has prompted the National Fire Authority to urge motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads. The crash, involving four vehicles, including two Toyota Fielder vehicles, a Toyota Succeed and an 8-tonne Hino freezer truck took place yesterday afternoon. The NFA National Command Centre received an emergency call through 910 at around 4:05pm and immediately dispatched fire crews from Pacific Harbour and Navua. Firefighters arrived at the scene and found multiple people affected by the collision. Two people travelling in one of the Toyota Fielder vehicles were confirmed deceased.Article continues after…

[Photo: BOSE VAVATAGA] The Vanua of Vuda has entered a period of mourning following the passing of its paramount chief Ratu Eparama Kitione Tavaiqia who died last Thursday at the age of 95. The announcement was made today by Taukei Nakelo Ratu Josaia Natakele who said traditional mourning ceremonies are now underway across Vuda as the vanua prepares to farewell its revered leader. Ratu Josaia says today marks one week since the passing of the late Tui Vuda, with members of the Vanua gathering in Viseisei and surrounding communities to support the chiefly household during the mourning period. He said…

The mother of one of two young Kiwi climbers trapped in a Solomon Islands ravine for more than a week says her son and his friend are doing well, after a “pretty harrowing” experience.Keanu Isaksson, 25, and Luca Zylstra-Law, 19, were trapped in a ravine on Mount Popomanaseu, for eight days before their rescue in the early hours on Tuesday morning.Popomanaseu is the Solomons’ highest peak, with an elevation of 2335 metres, notorious for its treacherous terrain and harsh weather.As a week of torrential rain battered the mountain, the climbers fell into a crevise and found themselves stuck on an…

A Seaqaqa cane farmer has called for a leadership shake-up at the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), arguing that years of government funding have failed to improve the industry’s performance while growers continue to shoulder rising costs. Making a submission to the Parliamentary Special Committee on the Sugar Industry, Basanjeet Lal questioned the effectiveness of FSC’s leadership and urged the Government to appoint a younger management team capable of revitalising the struggling sector. Lal said despite millions of dollars in government support over the years, farmers have seen little improvement in the industry’s performance or in their own livelihoods. “What are…

Nabala Secodary School U16 is one of four North teams in Raluve quarterfinals.[Nabala Old Scholars/Facebook] The Northern Zone has five teams competing in Saturday’s Vodafone Deans and Weetbix Raluve quarterfinals. Four of these teams are in the Raluve quarterfinals, underscoring a dominant regional performance. Meanwhile, one team remains in contention within the Deans competition which is Navatu Secondary School, maintaining hopes of making a significant impact. Bua Central College Under-18 is going to play Lomary Secondary School at the HFC Stadium in the Raluve quarterfinals.Article continues after advertisement Nabala Secondary School U16 is also going to play in Suva as…

[Photo: FIJI GOVERNMENT/ FACEBOOK] Fiji has strengthened its defence partnership with Indonesia by taking part in the multinational Exercise Garuda Canti Dharma III 2026 peacekeeping exercise in Bogor. 14 RFMF personnel were part of the exercise, jointly organised by the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the United States Indo-Pacific Command, which brought together more than 700 personnel from 22 countries to improve leadership, interoperability and operational readiness for future United Nations peacekeeping missions through planning and field training. Fiji’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Ratu Isoa Delamisi Tikoca, attended the Senior Military Leaders Discussion Forum and the closing ceremony, highlighting the growing…

The Bougainville independence referendum result will be tabled in Papua New Guinea’s national parliament on 27 August.After months of uncertainty, both governments have resolved that the Bougainville referendum results will finally be tabled for parliamentary deliberation in three week’s time.It follows a meeting in Port Moresby of the Joint Supervisory Body, co-chaired by PNG prime minister James Marape and Bougainville’s president Ishmael Toroama.The 2019 referendum saw 97.7 percent of respondents say yes to independence, although the referendum is non-binding and subject to parliament’s decision whether to ratify or not.Also to be tabled later is a record of consultations since the…