Author: TMC Palau

Ratu Rakuro Daunivavana (far right) with his Australian Welterweight belt and his team at the Nadi International Airport yesterday. Newly crowned Australian Welterweight Champion Ratu Rakuro Daunivavana has returned home after making history earlier this week. The 29-year-old arrived at Nadi International Airport yesterday following his title-winning performance in Brisbane, Australia. Known as the “Buca Bay Prince,” Daunivavana defeated Brisbane’s Yungu Yanner by technical knockout (TKO), producing one of the finest performances of his decade-long boxing career. The victory earned him the Australian Welterweight title and further cemented his status as one of Fiji’s leading professional boxers.Article continues after advertisement…

The president of the East Coast Fishing Boat Owners Association, Janakiram, has stated that the United States military was responsible for the deaths of Indian sailors, including a chief engineer from Visakhapatnam, in an attack on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello. Janakiram questioned the circumstances of the incident, noting that the vessel was not Indian and was not part of any military or coast guard operation. “But why did the US military attack a commercial vessel? It is neither an Indian ship nor a military or Coast Guard vessel,” he said. He also expressed concern about India–US relations following…

[Photo: FILE] Calls are growing for minimum qualification standards for Members of Parliament, including a basic education requirement for candidates. The concerns were raised during nationwide electoral reform consultations, Electoral Commission Chair Usaia Ratuvili told the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence while presenting the 2023–2024 Annual Reports. He said participants believe such standards could improve leadership, strengthen decision-making in Parliament and enhance accountability. They also say it could support more effective governance. “And another thing that kept coming was that they wanted the minimum age for voters to be raised. They’re saying 18 years old is too immature…

By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net It took much more effort than in the first match, but Barca didn’t falter and secured a 2-0 lead in the semifinals. A home victory against La Laguna Tenerife by 97-89 earned the Blaugranas the right to reach the final in Tenerife. And all of this happened after surviving a hurricane named Patty Mills, who with 36 points, spread panic at the Palau. Vesely (19 points) was the top scorer in the Blaugrana’s team effort: Punter (15), Fall (16), Clyburn (14), and Laprovittola (13) were also key players. That the game was going to be very…

[Photo: FILE] McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women’s head coach Mike Legge says the side is building momentum ahead of their first home game of the season against the Western Force in Lautoka tomorrow. With just one day to go before kickoff, Legge believes the team is responding positively after a demanding week. He says the focus has been on honesty, intensity and preparation. “The girls had a really honest and open review yesterday, followed by two pretty brutal sessions on the field.” He adds that the response from the squad has been encouraging, describing the latest outing as one of their…

I have been talking about this since around 2015, long before recent news about Nauru considering a return to its original name, Naoero, and long before the re-emergence of conversations in Fiji about reclaiming its Indigenous name, Viti. But perhaps now is a good time to raise it again and keep the conversation alive. This piece is intended to provide an informed and critically grounded discussion on the near-complete absence of any serious debate over naming, identity and decolonisation in Kiribati. At a time when countries across the Pacific and around the world are increasingly re-examining the colonial foundations of…

A $2.2 million pharmaceutical warehouse in Labasa has yet to operate at full capacity more than a year after opening due to electricity supply limitations. The facility in Tolu was officially opened in March last year. It serves as the main medicine distribution hub for Vanua Levu and supports 65 healthcare facilities across the Northern Division. Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu says the warehouse was in use. However, he states it still requires power upgrades to fully utilise its storage systems.Article continues after advertisement “The issue with Labasa, and similar to Labasa Hospital, is the electricity capabilities. Once that is…

[Photo: FILE] A six-year-old boy’s death in a forklift incident is among the most serious cases in the latest High Court indictments.The indictments were released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It covers cases filed for last month. The ODPP recorded 26 indictments covering 44 counts of non-sexual serious offences. Forty-two people were charged, including eight police officers and two juveniles. There were 26 victims linked to the cases.Article continues after advertisement Seven incidents involved accused persons who were related to their victims. In the forklift case, a 26-year-old man is charged with manslaughter arising from breach…

Paparo met with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. to reaffirm the longstanding bilateral partnership between the United States and the Republic of Palau. The two leaders discussed the Compact of Free Association, the legal and diplomatic framework that underpins the relationship between the two nations. The 2023 Compact Review Agreement, which entered into force in 2024, commits $889 million over 20 years to support Palau’s development in health, education, infrastructure, and security reflecting the depth of U.S. commitment to Palau’s sovereignty and long-term prosperity.   During the visit, Paparo toured the restored airfield on Peleliu, rehabilitated by Marines and Sailors…

A pro-independence activist waves a flag during a demonstration to mark the second anniversary of the spring 2024 riots in Noumea. 13 May 2026 Photo: AFP / Delphine Mayeur New Caledonia’s political parties are now in marching order to contest the upcoming local provincial elections scheduled to be held in just over a fortnight. The French High Commission has published an initial list of 24 political groupings are running for a seat in New Caledonia’s three provincial assemblies (North, South and the outer Loyalty Islands). The list is subject to final verification before the upcoming polls on 28 June. In…