Wild footage has captured the moment a group of teens were cornered after allegedly stealing a luxury car – one being tackled to the ground. RPT

Northern division, Viti Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca group remain under a heavy rain alert tonight. The Fiji Meteorological Service states in its latest special weather bulletin, a trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain affects the Western and Northern parts of Fiji. “It is expected to gradually spread over the rest of the country by tomorrow,” said Fiji Met. Forecast for Northern Division, Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, Viti Levu and nearby smaller islands is for occasional rain, which will be heavy at times and few thunderstorms. Meanwhile, Fiji Met adds tropical disturbance 02F has a very low chance of intensification. Fiji Met has issued its last update on TD02F this evening. RPT

New Zealand high commissioner to the Cook Islands Catherine Graham with Toa Isamaela who received the New Zealand High Commission Fund on behalf of Amuri Vainetini. NZHC/24123009 The New Zealand High Commission in Cook Islands held a signing ceremony earlier this month with the successful recipients of the 2024/2025 Round of the New Zealand High Commission Fund. The theme of this latest round was Manaakitanga or Ngakau aro’a, with a focus on projects that look to strengthen the community and community bonds, NZHC said in a statement. The High Commission received a total of 28 applications from across the Cook Islands and congratulated the following successful applicants: Amuri Vainetini, which will use its funding to continue to support its Homecare Services for the elderly, sick, bedridden and vulnerable in Aitutaki Rakahanga School, to support the provision of Cook Islands Traditional Musical Instruments Aitutaki Aquatics Club, for the delivery of...

Victims of the alleged demand for the $200.00 commission related to police clearance certificate have been urged to come forward with information. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is appealing to the victims to reach out to the Professional Standard Internal Investigation (PSII) to provide their statement. “Your police-RSIPF acknowledge the author of the news article and call on the victims to come forward and provide their statements to PSII so that a proper investigation is carried out and deal with those officers involved,” the statement said. RSIPF said, it is treating this allegation seriously and will deal with those who are involved if the allegation is true. “Your police-RSIPF is striving to keep the integrity of its governance and processes to the people of this country.” RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau described the situation as a sad incident. “My office is working closely...

New details have emerged about the alleged incident involving several Virgin Australia crew members in Fiji. RPT

This year will be a turning point in efforts to improve Fiji’s social cohesion and national unity, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. As part of his New Year’s message, Mr Rabuka said Government policies in education and poverty alleviation, as well as the imperative to improve social cohesion and national unity through truth-telling and healing for reconciliation and closure, were key to his ambition to future-proof Fiji. “It is a work in progress and the year 2025 will be a turning point in this effort,” he said. “Government cannot do it alone and I call on all Fijians to be heard, to participate and have their say in these processes and consultations. “I will not wish you a year without challenges but sincerely hope that 2025 will be a year of renewed strength, hope, and confidence, to ensure prosperity and unity for our beloved nation.” Mr Rabuka also said 2025...

Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture took the precaution of suspending imports of live day-old chicks, eggs and chicken-related products from New Zealand when an Otago free-range farm became infected with bird flu in early December. MPI/24123008 Cook Islands temporarily suspended imports of poultry products from New Zealand following a bird flu outbreak on a single farm, but has resumed imports from unaffected regions with additional safety measures. Ministry of Agriculture took the precaution of suspending imports of live day-old chicks, eggs and chicken-related products from New Zealand when an Otago free-range farm became infected with bird flu in early December. The farm – Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove site – was last week confirmed as free of the disease after approximately 200,000 birds were culled following the discovery of the H-7-N-6 strain there. Secretary of Agriculture Temarama Anguna said that on December 2, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)...

Thousands of Australians are bracing for wild storms and heavy rainfall, with a major warning already issued for one state. RPT

Rain is expected to gradually spread over most parts of the country tomorrow, states Fiji Meteorological Service in its latest weather update issued at 10:30pm. A heavy rain alert remains in force for Vanua Levu, Yasawa & Mamanuca Groups, the Western and Northern parts of Viti Levu [Momi to Nadi, Lautoka, Ba through Tavua to Rakiraki] and the Interior of Ba, Ra, Nadroga/Navosa, Serua/Namosi, Naitasiri and Tailevu Provinces. “A trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain affects the Western and Northern parts of Fiji. It is expected to gradually spread over the rest of the country by tomorrow,” states Fiji Met. There will be occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms. Isolated thunderstorms with heavy falls likely. Possible impacts include isolated flash flooding of low-lying areas and reduced visibility on roads. RPT

Dear Editor, In January 2024, a year ago now, on a beach at Mauke, two older teenaged girls kicked and bashed a younger teenaged girl with intellectual disabilities, while the third girl (friend of the other two) filmed it and put it on the internet. Yet with all this evidence no charges have yet been laid. The younger girl was quite badly injured. One of the older girls was from Rarotonga; this is what she thought was holiday fun while she was visiting one of the outer islands. The police attitude to this case is reminiscent of the attitude of a lot of Cook Islanders towards their fellow disabled citizens 50-60 years ago. There was not a village that did not have a so called “village idiot” who often got ridiculed and harassed by children and adults alike. Have these attitudes really changed in spite of all the education...