While US President Donald Trump has vowed to “do things differently”, Australia has a big advantage when it comes to maintaining economic relations. RPT

LAST week, unit trust provider Unit Trust of Fiji (UTOF) deposited $7million into the accounts of its 60,000-plus unit holders in its 2024 final dividend payout for the last six months ended December 31. These are unit holders’ returns on investment for UTOF’s two main funds: the Income and Growth Fund (IGF) and the Income Fund (IF); and unit holders include young investors under 18 years, members of UTOF’s Employee Investment Scheme program, many families, women’s groups, associations, landowning units and corporate organisations. While dividend figures have been released, UTOF’s financial performance was being audited at present with the full financial year results to be announced at a later date. Income and growth funds UTOF chairperson Lavinia Kaumaitotoya said a dividend rate of 3.75 cents was declared and paid out for IGF investors, which equates to approximately $6.4 million in tax-free dividends distributed to its investors. She said the IGF...

Te ‘Ātui’anga ki te Tango (AKTT) Grey women’s team won the women’s beach volleyball competition. The team is pictured with the Vodafone sponsor representative. MELINA ETCHES/25011815 The finals of the women’s beach volleyball competition – the final event at the 2025 Cook Islands Beach Games – were held under scorching conditions, with the women persevering despite the staggering 28°C temperatures. Beach football, netball, volleyball, basketball and touch rugby featured in the 2025 Cook Islands Beach Games that ran from January 4 to January 18, at the National Beach Courts in Nikao. Beach volleyball was the final event held from Thursday to Saturday last week. Te ‘Ātui’anga ki te Tango (AKTT) Grey women’s team took out the top placing with The Brew placing second, The Side Out ladies third, and Project Five finishing fourth. Nicolea Mateariki, captain of the awesome AKKT team, said her team was “excited” to participate in...

THREE senior high schools located on Guadalcanal have received a motor bikes on Monday. Betikama Adventist College, St. Joseph Tenaru, and Selwyn College, under the Guadalcanal Provincial Education Department were the lucky recipients. During the handover ceremony on Monday afternoon, the Minister for Education and Human Resources, Hon. John Bosti, encouraged the recipients to take pride in the motorbikes and use them wisely for administrative and other purposes. The Minister emphasized that the motorbikes are more than just a donation; they represent the Guadalcanal Provincial Education Department’s ongoing commitment to supporting senior schools. He stated that, with these small tokens, the recipient schools would be able to maximize their use. Mr. Joseph Sua – GP Deputy Provincial Secretary (left), Mr. Beven Tutuo – Principal of Betikama Adventist College (centre) and Hon. John Botsi, Minister for Education and Human Resources. Although he was the only recipient present during the brief ceremony,...

The family of a driver who killed four people, including himself, in a head-on collision along a major highway have broken their silence for the first time. RPT

A Police Officer accused of possessing 40.07 kilograms of marijuana was reminded to adhere to the bail conditions imposed whilst on bail. William Mckay appeared before Magistrate Pulekeria Low this afternoon. Mr Mckay is charged with a count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs. According to police, he was caught with 6037 branches of dried marijuana leaves after a search was conducted at his home. Mr Mckay was released on a $1000 cash bail and will be residing in Navua with his uncle who is also one of two male sureties. His case has been adjourned to February 11 to check on filing and serving of full disclosures and for plea. RPT

Plants seized in Atiu. 25011202 / 25011224 Chris-Mayne Paiere Mokoroa, the man arrested last week in Atiu for alleged cannabis cultivation, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug utensils, has been remanded into custody following a court appearance on Thursday. Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro heard submissions from the prosecution, which requested that Mokoroa be kept in custody to allow mental health professionals time to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The court was advised that this assessment will take place on Monday, January 20. The prosecution also informed the court that additional charges are likely to be brought against the defendant in the near future. As a result, the case has been adjourned to February 20, 2025, at 11am. Mokoroa, who was arrested over a week ago, will remain in custody until then. In an earlier statement, Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt confirmed the arrest and seizure of over 40...

A legal team comprising local and international lawyers is preparing to file a compensation claim against the insurer Korea Protection and Indemnity Club (KP&I) for the 2019 oil spill in Kangava Bay, Rennell.  The team includes William Kadi, former head of the Public Solicitor Office’s (PSO’s) Landowner Advocacy and Legal Support Unit, now with Primo Afeau’s law firm, along with lawyers from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The legal team represents the people of Lughu ward in Rennell, where the oil spill caused severe environmental pollution to the sea and land.  Tony Kagovai, a spokesperson for the landowners and president of the Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI), stated that groundwork has been completed, and the landowners are ready to formalize an agreement with the legal team.  Kagovai noted that the team intends to negotiate with the insurer regarding the compensation claim.  Should negotiations fail, the legal...

Labor is making a multi-billion dollar appeal to a key Australian industry in a push to take it green. RPT

MEMBER of Parliament Lynda Tabuya’s fate with The People’s Alliance party will be decided next week as the disciplinary committee has concluded its investigation. This was revealed during the PAP Namaka sub-branch meeting in Nadi yesterday. Party general secretary Sila Balawa said a report would be handed to The People’s Alliance management committee next week. “A lot of people were asking questions in regard to things that were happening within the party,” he said. “So, as party members, I think you have the right to know what is going on. Today (Saturday) is the last day for the disciplinary committee that is looking into the case regarding Lynda Tabuya. “So, we expect them to hand in their report next week.” Mr Balawa said there was a process needed to be followed with Ms Tabuya’s case. “As you know the party has The People’s Alliance management committee and above that is...