Author: TMC Palau

In American Caesar, his epic biography of General MacArthur, who commanded the USA’s Pacific campaign in the Second World War, William Manchester points out that among many challenges that the US troops faced besides the enemy – earthquakes, typhoons, disease, sharks, New Guinea head-hunters and soaring temperatures – was geography. Few troops had a clue where they were, and those who thought they did soon found that in fact they didn’t, and that Island X was in fact Island Y. Little has changed, at least among Westerners. Take Palau. One friend thought it was a kind of rice. On the…

Harvey Weinstein [Source: BBC News] A judge has declared a mistrial in the rape case against Harvey Weinstein, after the jury in New York said it was deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict. It marks the third time a New York jury has considered the case against the 74-year-old disgraced film mogul, who remains jailed on other charges. The month-long trial was centred around whether Weinstein raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann in a hotel room more than a decade ago. He was initially convicted of raping her, before the verdict was overturned. A judge declared a mistrial after a…

GOLD COAST (Australia) – A new regional partnership is set to elevate youth and community basketball in Palau, with FIBA in Oceania in conjunction with Basketball Australia through funding from the Australian Embassy in Palau supporting Palau Basketball Federation to deliver a three‑year Basketball For Good initiative grounded in FIBA’s global Women in Basketball and 3×3 Strategic Goals.The collaboration strengthens long‑standing ties between Palau and Australia while expanding development pathways that place inclusion, leadership and opportunity for young people at the centre of the program.The announcement follows Palau’s successful staging of the first Oceania edition of the FIBA 3×3 Youth…

Extra Bula FC defender Gabrieli Matanisiga says he is ready to give his all if called upon to help contain Vanuatu United striker Alex O’Neill in Sunday’s OFC Pro League playoff clash. O’Neill heads into the encounter as the competition’s leading goal scorer, posing another major attacking threat for the Bula FC defence in a crucial knockout fixture. With the match expected to be tightly contested, Matanisiga could play a key role in the heart of defence as Bula aims to slow down one of the tournament’s most dangerous forwards. “If I get a chance to play, I’ll try to…

Musical Excellence The extraordinary Yulianna Avdeeva, who in 2010 became the first woman in more than four decades to win the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition, makes her debut with the Franz Schubert Filharmonia in Chopin’s majestic Piano Concerto No. 1. This is a work full of Romantic virtuosity, which Avdeeva will no doubt approach with the interpretative depth and stylistic elegance for which she is renowned. In the second part, Tomàs Grau will lead us through the effervescent and sumptuous orchestration of Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé and the same composer’s endlessly mesmerising Boléro. An unmissable appointment with musical excellence. Musical…

Rising cases of child abuse, domestic violence and HIV are being linked to weakening family structures. Experts warn this is driving a growing social breakdown at household level. The issue was raised at a faith-based leaders’ forum on the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SCORE) Index Assessment. Participants were told the findings point to serious strain within families and communities. Hare Krishna Spokesperson Dr Rajesh Maharaj said the situation was an urgent national concern. He said the findings reflect problems that need immediate attention.Article continues after advertisement He said family values are declining in many homes. He added that this is…

The University of Auckland Fiji and Students Association marked Rotuman Language Week with an evening of cultural celebration, learning, and connection, bringing together students and members of Auckland’s Rotuman community. Loisi Koyamaisoso and Epeli Ole – who serve as officers for the University of Auckland Fiji and Students Association – said the past week has been an important opportunity for themselves and others to honour and preserve the Rotuman language and traditions. “We cater to the best interests of Fijian students at the university and at any academic institution,” the pair said. The University of Auckland Fiji and Students Association…

KOROR (Palau) – The Palau Basketball Federation (PBF) is proud to present its new national federation logo, a design that beautifully encapsulates the spirit of Palau and the excitement of basketball, just in time for hosting the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League as a part of the Pacific Mini Games.This redeveloped logo is a significant step in the federation’s rebranding efforts, showcasing a visual identity that is both contemporary and representative of the basketball community in Palau.This new logo concept reflects both the basketball community and the broader Palauan country and community through its thoughtful design and colour choices. The…

[Photo: FILE] Almost two months after the tragic death of a 28-year-old flight attendant in a motor vehicle accident in Martintar, a man has now been charged with manslaughter. The accused is alleged to have been driving the vehicle that caused an accident in Martintar on the morning of the 28th of March, resulting in the death of the flight attendant. Police say following consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, they have formally charged the man with one count of Manslaughter. He is expected to appear at a special sitting of the Nadi Magistrates Court today.Article…

Despite decades of global evidence on how homophobia structures boys’ behaviours and peer hierarchies, it remains one of the most overlooked forms of violence in Pacific schools. The consequences for student wellbeing and learning are significant. My fieldwork in Fiji showed how deeply these dynamics are embedded in everyday school life and how little they are acknowledged in education policy and practice. As part of my PhD research, I spent extended periods in co-educational and all-boys schools across Fiji. I observed interactions, listened to students and spoke with 62 boys about their experiences. Effeminate boys were consistently the most vulnerable.…