Author: TMC Palau

From Berlin to Delhi, powerful nations still decide Pacific futures without Pacific voices in the room. The Quad’s latest Fiji port announcement is being sold as development assistance. But to many in the Pacific it looks uncomfortably familiar: distant powers gathering behind closed doors, shaping regional futures and expecting island nations to accept decisions already made elsewhere. Like a diplomatic masonic lodge, “the Quad” — Australia, India, Japan and the United States — gathered its foreign ministers in New Delhi this week and calmly made decisions concerning another nation, Fiji, which was neither represented at the meeting nor, days later,…

Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii The New Zealand government has made further funding cuts for the agency responsible for delivering outcomes for Pacific people, marking its the third budget reduction in as many years. The move has been criticised by the opposition, who have accused the government of deliberately weakening the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP), but the Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith said he had “every confidence” that the Ministry will be just fine. “The Ministry has delivered a two percent baseline saving, along with most agencies across government. The Chief Executive will determine…

[Photo: FILE] The Pilot Tourism Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) Fund has almost fully used up its allocated budget. Most of the approved grants have already been committed and disbursed. This was according to a written response tabled in Parliament by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka. The response was provided to a parliamentary question from Ratu Josaia Niudamu, who sought details on applications, funding allocations and beneficiary categories under the program.Article continues after advertisement The Ministry confirmed that the pilot fund, which supports Micro and Small tourism operators, received 32 applications in the…

RBF states that Fiji’s economic outlook remains fragile amid ongoing global energy uncertainty.[Photo: Litia Cava] Rising global energy costs remain the key concern highlighted in the Reserve Bank of Fiji May Economic Review. The report warns that higher fuel prices are already feeding into domestic inflation and could continue to lift the cost of living in Fiji. The report says continued tensions between the United States and Iran have kept global oil prices high, with Brent crude reaching $US114.01 a barrel in April before easing slightly this month. It warns that even with progress in negotiations, uncertainty in global supply…

As the countdown to the 2026 BiC Fiji FACT continues, Lautoka FC is once again expected to be among the title contenders. At the heart of their resurgence is association president Shalendra Prasad, better known as “SP Pardhaan”. Calm, passionate and deeply committed to the district, Prasad has played a key role in guiding Lautoka back among Fiji football’s elite in recent years. The Blues remain one of Fiji football’s most successful districts, with a proud history dating back to 1934.Article continues after advertisement Lautoka has won four Fiji FACT titles — in 2000, 2002, 2023 and 2024 — while…

The Pacific Business Brief tracks the capital, trade and trends shaping the regional economy. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins This week in the Pacific Business Brief, we look at fuel relief efforts, critical minerals diplomacy, and fallout at a publicly funded trust. In this edition: ABD to provide millions in financial relief to Pacific countries The Quad’s $20 billion critical mineral push Pacific Business Trust’s embattled CEO resigns Motorists in parts of Fiji lined up at petrol stations on Tuesday night to fuel up. Photo: Facebook / Fiji News & Sports ADB fronts up cash for fuel The Asian…

Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil’s upcoming friendlies and is expected to miss their World Cup opener after scans confirmed a grade-two calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation said yesterday. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said the 34-year-old forward will be sidelined for around two to three weeks following an MRI that revealed a partial tear in his right calf muscle. Neymar joined the squad on Tuesday but missed training the following day after reporting swelling, before undergoing scans at a private clinic. He will miss Sunday’s friendly against Panama in Rio de Janeiro and the match against Egypt in…

Source: Entertainment Weekly Olivia Rodrigo is so done with all the babydoll dress discourse. The “Drop Dead” singer-songwriter has addressed the wave of criticism that she’s been facing for sporting babydoll dresses and matching bloomers while promoting her upcoming album, You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. The whimsical looks have sparked debate online, with some accusing the 23-year-old pop star of sexualizing children’s clothes. (The garment’s history is actually rooted in female liberation, but we digress.) “That’s been making me so upset,” Rodrigo said when asked about the backlash on the new episode of The New…

The Spain 7s tournament this weekend will hold special significance for two former Fiji 7s greats, who will reunite not as teammates, but as coaches of the team they once proudly represented. Fiji Airways Men’s 7s head coach Osea Kolinisau has been working closely with former Olympic gold medalist Jerry Tuwai in recent weeks, following the “Magician’s” appointment as assistant coach. Kolinisau is eagerly anticipating his first tournament alongside Tuwai in their new coaching roles. He said Tuwai’s presence has already made a positive impact on the players, with the squad benefiting from the experience and leadership of one of…

Overview: A new U.S. Government Accountability Office report warns that the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands are facing steep population declines as residents migrate abroad for better jobs, education and health care. The report highlights growing labor shortages, rising costs for public services and concerns over the long-term sustainability of schools, health systems and infrastructure projects across the Pacific. PONPHEI/MAJURO, 25 MAY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The populations of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Marshall Islands have dropped sharply over the past decade as thousands of residents leave for better jobs, education and…