Author: TMC Palau
Overview: Pacific leaders, environmental groups and advocates across the region are condemning a U.S. proposal to move forward with offshore mineral leasing in federal waters off American Samoa, arguing it ignores overwhelming public opposition and threatens the Pacific’s ocean, culture and livelihoods. The proposal marks another step toward a potential lease sale later this year, despite nearly 70,000 public comments opposing seabed mineral extraction. PAGO PAGO, 20 JULY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — Pacific leaders and environmental advocates have condemned a United States government proposal to advance plans for an offshore mineral lease sale in federal waters off American Samoa. They…
On 3 October 2015, a US gunship repeatedly fired upon the Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) trauma centre in Kunduz, Afghanistan. The attack — which occurred during a Taliban attack on other parts of the city — killed 42 people, including patients, medical staff and caretakers, and destroyed the only major trauma hospital serving northeastern Afghanistan. This infamous attack demonstrated a dangerous erosion of respect for the protected status of hospitals under international humanitarian law (IHL) and, together with widespread attacks on health facilities in Syria and Yemen, it became a major catalyst for United Nations Security…
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. [Photo: FILE] Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says major reforms are needed to revive Fiji’s sugar industry, as taxpayers continue to support a sector facing production challenges. He says modernisation, improved farming systems and upgraded facilities are critical to increasing output and reducing the industry’s ongoing struggles. Rabuka says while government continues to support the sugar industry, long-term solutions must focus on increasing production through large-scale farming and mechanisation. “The real solution should be large-scale farms, mechanized cultivation and mechanized harvesting.”Article continues after advertisement Rabuka admits Fiji has fallen behind in upgrading its sugar mills, with ageing…
[Photo: FILE] Post-mortem reports presented during the High Court trial into the death of Nadi-based doctor Isireli Biumaitotoya, also known as Dr Leli Darling, revealed that some of the injuries sustained were so severe that they are only seen in rare cases. Dr Biumaitotoya was allegedly murdered at his home in Namaka between August 31 and September 1, 2025. Thirty-eight-year-old Peceli Rokoravolo, who is reported to have been known to the victim, is charged with one count of murder in relation to the case. Photographs presented in court and viewed by FBC News showed deep cuts that had torn through…
Overview: Images from the interception of a Chinese fishing vessel in Tuvalu reveal the harsh reality of illegal fishing in the Pacific. Authorities say the vessel allegedly used deceptive tracking tactics to avoid detection while operating without a valid permit, highlighting the growing challenge of protecting the region’s vast ocean resources. FUNAFUTI, 20 JULY 2026 (AAP) — The interception of a Chinese vessel accused of illegal fishing highlights the technical lengths many use to remain undetected across millions of square kilometres of open ocean. Tuvalu Police operating on a Sea Shepard patrol boat boarded and arrested a Chinese longliner, the…
An Emmy award-winning costume designer has described the opportunity to work on Disney’s Moana live-action film as a “dream come true”.Liz McGregor, who hails from Kolomotu’a in Tonga but is based in Auckland, said she received an email “that came out of the blue” from Disney and initially thought they wanted her to provide some consultation, but was told the US entertainment giant wanted her to lead the costume design for the movie.”Dream come true”: Tongan costume designer on Moana projectPacific WavesMcGregor is no stranger to working on major movie productions, her credits include Mulan (2018), Blood Diamond (2005) andThe…
[Source: Reuters] U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured Asian allies that a U.S. pursuit of positive ties with Beijing did not mean they were being abandoned. As top diplomats joined a regional security gathering on Thursday held amid an escalating Middle East conflict. Speaking a day after meeting Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, where the two discussed laying the groundwork for a September visit to the U.S. by President Xi Jinping, Rubio said cooperation with China would not come at the expense of Washington’s close Asian partners. “We’re already present. We have a role, and we’re not going to abandon…
[Source: Reuters] A Byzantine-era ship discovered more than a decade ago on the seabed off Croatia’s southern coast was probably carrying a high-ranking person and his entourage, judging by the gold jewellery found in the wreckage, according to archaeologists. Announcing for the first time on Thursday the results of their years-long underwater excavation, they said the shipwreck could be dated to the 7th or 8th century and that the artefacts on board indicated that this was no ordinary merchant vessel. These included gold coins dating to the Heraclius dynasty of four emperors, buckles decorated with rubies, emeralds and pearls, and…
Eleven Pacific Island nations will be represented at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games scheduled to officially open on Friday (New Zealand time).Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have all sent teams to the event.While majority of the athletes will be using the Glasgow Games to measure their growth in their respective sport, there are some who will be genuine medal contenders against the best in the Commonwealth.There are 74 nations and territories represented at the this year’s Commonwealth Games, which includes separate teams for the four home nations of the United…
[Yeshnil Karan] Team Fiji’s Commonwealth Games athletics campaign is gathering momentum, with experienced campaigners Yeshnil Karan and Rusiate Matai arriving in Scotland confident of producing their best performances on one of the sport’s biggest stages. While much of the spotlight has fallen on Fiji’s lone para-athlete Sitiveni Konataci, coach Mario Fesaitu says Karan and Matai have quietly laid the groundwork for a strong campaign through consistent preparation overseas. Karan, who will contest the distance events, and high jumper Matai have remained under the guidance of their respective coaches, with regular updates giving the Fiji coaching staff confidence ahead of competition.…