News & Events

Fiji’s 75-year-old Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, showcased his athletic prowess by winning a bronze medal in shot put at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Fiji. Despite facing stiff competition from Australian rivals, Rabuka managed to hurl the weighty ball nearly eight yards, securing third place in the event.

Surrounded by the support of his family, including his wife, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Rabuka expressed gratitude for their encouragement. Earlier in the week, he also competed in the over-75 discus competition, finishing in sixth place. Rabuka’s participation in track and field sports isn’t new. He has previously represented Fiji in various events, including the decathlon, shot put, discus, and hammer, at the 1974 Commonwealth Games. His recent athletic achievements highlight his enduring dedication and passion for sports at an advanced age.

Read the original article here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/fiji-prime-minister-75-takes-bronze-in-shot-put-competition-hopes-to-inspire-youth/ar-BB1nSfk0?ocid=BingNewsSearch

In a surprising turn of events, 24-year-old Cypriot YouTube celebrity Fidias Panayiotou, known online as “Fidias,” has been elected as an independent Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Cyprus.

Panayiotou, who rose to fame through viral comedy videos and stunts on social media, secured a shocking 19.4% of votes in Cyprus’ parliamentary elections. Panayiotou’s campaign focused on engaging young voters, and his unexpected victory has been interpreted as a rejection of conventional political norms. Despite offering no clear political platform during his two-month campaign, Panayiotou’s popularity soared, highlighting the growing influence of social media in contemporary politics. He is now set to represent Cyprus in Brussels as an MEP.

Read the original article here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/youtube-prankster-fidias-24-wins-a-seat-in-the-european-parliament/ar-BB1nX3qs?ocid=BingNewsSearch

Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong, recently visited Mbokona Community High School in Honiara, Solomon Islands, to inaugurate a new science laboratory. The laboratory is part of Australia’s contribution of SBD 29 million towards school infrastructure upgrades, in collaboration with Solomon Islands and New Zealand. Minister Wong, accompanied by Solomon Islands’ Minister of Education, Hon Tozen Leokana, emphasized Australia’s significant role as Solomon Islands’ primary education partner, with investments totaling SBD 720 million since 2015. This contribution has facilitated the construction and enhancement of 180 school facilities across all provinces, training for over 3,000 schoolteachers, education reforms, and expanded educational and training opportunities for Solomon Islands’ workforce.

Read the original article here: https://www.solomontimes.com/news/investing-in-education-for-solomon-islands/12933