Author: TMC Palau

[Photo: NSW BLUES/ FACEBOOK] The New South Wales team have etched their names into State of Origin history, defeating Queensland Maroons 30-12 at Lang Park to claim the 2026 series and become just the fourth Blues side to win an Origin decider in Brisbane. The Blues stormed to an 18-4 halftime lead before producing a composed second-half performance to silence a near-capacity Maroons crowd and seal a memorable victory. Halfback Nathan Cleary starred with two tries, a crucial one-on-one strip that led to another score, and a perfect five-from-five kicking display. Cleary also paid tribute to coach Laurie Daley, who…

Barcelona953,049 people visited the Palau de la Música in 2025, 93,000 more than in 2024. The 678 scheduled concerts had 555,750 spectators; the modernist building received 358,519 visitors, and 38,780 people attended different own and private acts and events. Joaquim Uriach (Barcelona, 1966), president of the Orfeó Català Association and the Orfeó Català Foundation – Palau de la Música Catalana, speaks about these record figures and the institution’s present. Read it all Is it easier to manage the Palau de la Música when these figures are reached? — This data doesn’t come out of nowhere. There is a very good…

Overview: The United States is placing increased strategic importance on the Cook Islands’ seabed minerals, with newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly describing critical minerals as one of Washington’s top priorities in the Pacific. Speaking in Wellington, Novelly also cautioned Pacific nations about China’s growing influence in the region while highlighting opportunities for U.S. investment and economic partnerships. WELLINGTON, 06 JULY2026 (REUTERS)— The new U.S Ambassador to New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations said ​on Friday that securing Cook Islands seabed minerals was a top priority, and that China’s push for influence in the Pacific carried ‌risks for small…

Overview: Tuvalu has premiered a new National Geographic Pristine Seas documentary showcasing the results of a landmark 2025 marine scientific expedition in its waters. The film highlights groundbreaking research into Tuvalu’s reefs and deep ocean ecosystems, providing critical scientific data to support marine conservation, sustainable fisheries management and the nation’s long-term ocean stewardship goals. FUNAFUTI, 06 JULY 2026 (TUVALU GOVT)—The Government of Tuvalu last week, welcomed the premiere of the National Geographic Pristine Seas documentary, highlighting the findings of a landmark marine scientific expedition that was conducted in Tuvalu’s waters in 2025 at the request of the Government of Tuvalu. …

[File Photo] The National Fire Authority is sounding the alarm over a rise in residential fires across Fiji following a blaze that badly damaged a vacant home in Ba. The fire broke out at Koroqaqa Village on Monday, with firefighters arriving to find the three-bedroom concrete house fully engulfed in flames. Two fire appliances and seven firefighters battled the blaze, bringing it under control within 25 minutes. The home suffered about 80 percent damage and was not insured. NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane says the increasing number of house fires is a serious concern, with many incidents linked to…

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape at a press conference after signing a defense treaty at Parliament House in Canberra. [Photo Credit: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas] Australia wants the Pacific region to band together and send China a “strong message” following its missile launch into the region. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing to host three Pacific counterparts to bolster Australia’s position in the region amid encroaching Chinese influence. Beijing fired a long-range missile into the South Pacific within hours of Australia and Fiji inking a new alliance. Mr Albanese said the Pacific…

Overview: Indonesian security forces have recovered the body of American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin, who was killed by separatist rebels in West Papua after landing at a remote airstrip last week. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the conflict-affected region, where aviation remains a critical lifeline for isolated communities and tensions between Indonesian authorities and pro-independence groups continue to escalate. JAYAPURA, 06 JULY 2026 (THE WASHINGTON TIMES) — Indonesian security forces recovered the body of an American pilot killed by rebels last week in the restive province of West Papua, according to footage posted online by Jakarta.  Nicholas F.…

[Photo: Riya Bhagwan] A new institute at the Fiji National University is expected to strengthen the connection between agricultural research and practical solutions for farming communities. The university today launched the South Pacific Extension Development Institute, or SPEDI, to support agricultural extension, learning and collaboration across the Pacific region. The institute aims to help ensure research and innovation reach farmers, rural communities and those working directly with agricultural producers. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Acting Chief Executive Dr Nick Austin said Pacific farmers are facing increasing pressures from climate change, land degradation and rising costs.Article continues after advertisement He…

Hagåtña (Guam) – Guam is set to welcome the region once again as the 2026 FIBA Micronesian Cup and FIBA Women’s Micronesian Cup tipping off from August 14 to 16, bringing together national teams from across Micronesia for three days of fast‑paced competition and island pride.The Guam Basketball Confederation will host both tournaments, continuing a strong run of major events after staging the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers window earlier this year and successfully delivering the previous Micronesian Cups in 2022 as well as the FIBA U15 Oceania Cups in the same year.Guam Hosts 2022 FIBA Micronesian CupsGuam…

[File Photo] Government scholarships will only fund students enrolled in accredited tertiary programmes under a new partnership between the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service and the Fiji Higher Education Commission. TSLS Chief Executive Dr Apisalome Movono says TSLS will only fund programmes approved and accredited by the Commission. He says both agencies will also work together to monitor institutions and uphold education standards. “For us at TSLS, we administer scholarships and government funds, and before we onboard any institution- meaning that before we can approve the granting of scholarships to students who want to attend these institutions- we will require…