Author: TMC Palau

[Photo: File] Fishing ground owners want more say over surfing and tourism activities in their waters,says Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei President Adi Finau Tabakaucoro. Adi Finau said the Commercial Use of Marine Areas Bill must protect the rights of traditional fishing ground owners. She told the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights that qoliqoli owners should decide who can use their areas for commercial activities. Adi Finau raised concerns about surfing rules, saying people can currently access some surfing areas without the knowledge or approval of qoliqoli owners.Article continues after advertisement She said tourism activities should not affect the…

TongaTonga’s Supervisor of Elections Samiuela Vao says his office expects writs for two by-elections to be issued by King Tupou VI by the end of the week.The Tongan Electoral Commission is now preparing for by-elections for the Tongatapu Two and Niua 17 seats.This follows the resignations of the Members of Parliament for the two constituencies, Semisi Sika from Tongatapu 2 and Lata ʻi Faingataʻa Tangimana from Niua 17.The two were found guilty of bribery by the Nuku’alofa Magistrates Court, in relation to the 2025 general election, and will not be able to stand for election for five years.Papua New GuineaPNG…

[Photo: File] A sugarcane farmer in Seaqaqa is calling for greater accountability over the Fiji Sugar Corporation’s financial performance. Addressing members of the Parliament’s Special Committee on the Sugar Industry consultation, Akatar Hussein questioned why the industry still requires large annual budgetallocations if FSC had been profitable over the years. Hussein said the rising cost of living has placed even greater pressure on cane farmers, many of whom still depend on the sugar industry for their livelihoods. He urged the government to ensure FSC and those responsible for managing the industry are transparent about its financial position. He said farmers…

[Source: AP] Foundations funded and co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have launched an initiative committing $200 million, This is to revive 100 of Earth’s most threatened species, including endangered lemurs, salamanders, pangolins, pigs and echidnas. DiCaprio’s Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund are leading the Phoenix Species Project, the groups announced Tuesday. They call it the largest single fund in history dedicated exclusively to recovering critically endangered species. DiCaprio has for years been developing the idea of a major concerted effort to help species whose habitats and future existence are threatened by climate change.Article continues after advertisement In…

[Photo: Supplied: Fiji Seismology FB page] A total of 264 earthquakes were recorded in the Fiji last month with magnitudes ranging from 1.2 to 5.9. According to Fiji Seismology, the monitoring data shows that most of the shallow earthquake activity was concentrated in the northern parts of Fiji, particularly around VanuaLevu, extending from the northern Yasawa to Cikobia Island along the Fiji Fracture Zone. Experts say this level of activity is expected in the area due to the movement and characteristics of the fault zone. The report also highlights that deep earthquakes, ranging between 300 and 600 kilometers below the…

Figures released by Statistics NZ on Wednesday put the unemployment rate for Pacific peoples at 11.6 percent in the June 2026 quarter, or around 23,700 Pacific workers.From June 2025 to 2026, 12 percent of Pasifika on average were seeking work, but had none – more than twice the annual average of 5.6 percent for the whole population.Meanwhile, Pasifika underutilisation, a measure of those working less than they ought to, was 21.3 percent for the year, up 2.2 percent.Nationwide unemployment rose to 5.6 percent this quarter, a level not reached since September 2015.A total of 171,000 people were unemployed, a rise…

[Photo: File] A father who hit his young daughter with a cane knife has avoided jail after the High Court suspended his sentence. Jiuta Luvu Vosavakadua was sentenced to two years, two months and 25 days imprisonment, suspended for three years. He had pleaded guilty to causing grievous harm to his five-year-old daughter in June 2024. The court heard the child suffered a cut injury to her back after being struck with the cane knife.Article continues after advertisement Puisine judge Justice Usaia Ratuvili said Vosavakadua’s actions were serious because the child should have been safe in her father’s care. The…

[Photo: Ministry of Policing, Facebook] The fight against illicit drugs is at the centre of a strengthened Fiji-Australia security partnership under the Vuvale Union. Both countries have agreed to boost cooperation on transnational crime and other shared security challenges. Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua met with the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji to discuss progress on the recently signed Vuvale Union and Ocean of Peace Alliance. Both sides confirmed the partnership is on track, with a multi-year work plan in place.Article continues after advertisement Naivalurua said tackling narcotics remains the biggest area of support. He also highlighted the need to…

Low female representation in Parliament has prompted the Great Council of Chiefs to push for constitutional reform. GCC Chair Ratu Viliame Seruvakula has backed Speaker of Parliament Filimoni Jitoko’s call for more women in Parliament. Fiji, he states must create more opportunities for women to lead and help shape national decisions. Ratu Viliame points out that women have long been central to the vanua, families and communities.Article continues after advertisement He says that contribution should also be reflected in Parliament and across the country’s leadership. The GCC, he explained has already put forward this position in its submission to the…

An ocean-policing deal signed between the governments of the Solomon Islands and the United States is causing consternation in Honiara, as the opposition claims it raises “serious concerns” about sovereignty.The Shiprider Agreement between the Solomon Islands and the US was signed aboard the deck of the US Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane berthed in Honiara on 28 July. The agreement will allow the US Coast Guard into Solomon Islands waters, alongside local police, for joint maritime enforcement and surveillance efforts.”Under this arrangement, Solomon Islands officers will exercise their authority in accordance with Solomon Islands law and agreed operational procedures, particularly…