Author: TMC Palau

In a recent post on the Devpolicy Blog, Andrew Donigi hailed the report of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Customary Land and Land Reforms in Papua New Guinea as a further step along a well-trodden path of reform that has sought to reconcile the fundamental principles of customary land tenure with the demands of good governance. However, this appears to be a much bigger step than those previously taken after the 2005 National Land Summit. Amongst the committee’s numerous recommendations are those contained in the provisions of a Customary Land Tenure Bill attached as an appendix to the report. In…

FRU CEO Koli Sewabu. [Photo: FILE] Inclusivity in sport has taken a major step forward in Fiji with the official launch of Wheelchair Rugby, as the Fiji Rugby Union declares that rugby is now a game for everyone. Speaking at the launch of the Fiji Rugby Wheelchair Association and the formal constitution of the Wheelchair Rugby Union at the French Residence in Suva, FRU CEO Koli Sewabu says the initiative is about breaking barriers and ensuring no athlete is left behind. Sewabu says he was proud to witness the extension of rugby to include Fiji’s wheelchair community, adding that the…

Joseph Vaa, 27, admitted gunning down “Coconut Cartel” ringleader Lorenzo Lemalu Tovia outside a restaurant on 21 May. Vaa’s associate, Steve Tofa, 23, has confessed to being his accomplice in the shooting. Photo: Screengrab / 7NEWS Sydney Samoa police have launched an investigation into a bizarre international case involving two Samoan men who have appeared on Vietnamese television confessing to the murder of a Sydney gang leader in Ho Chi Minh City. The Samoa Observer reported that Joseph Vaa, 27, admitted gunning down “Coconut Cartel” ringleader Lorenzo Lemalu Tovia outside a restaurant on 21 May. Vaa’s associate, Steve Tofa, 23,…

[Photo: NRL.COM] New South Wales has pulled off the greatest comeback in State of Origin history, storming back from 20-0 down to defeat Queensland 22-20 in a dramatic series opener at Accor Stadium after Maroons star Kalyn Ponga was sent off. Queensland looked in complete control early, running in three tries within eight minutes as Robert Toia, Robert Flegler and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow tore through the Blues’ defence. Sam Walker orchestrated the fast start, setting up two tries and converting all three before adding a penalty goal as the Maroons surged to a commanding 20-0 lead. The Blues were shell-shocked before…

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka. [Photo: FILE] Fiji is set to modernise its tourism industry with the Tourism Bill 2026, aimed at strengthening regulation, improving sustainability and attracting new investment. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka says the Bill will update Fiji’s tourism framework to meet current industry needs and global standards. He says it will create a more competitive and investor-friendly environment while supporting community participation and protecting Fiji’s natural and cultural assets. Gavoka adds that the reforms aim to ensure tourism growth is inclusive, with benefits reaching rural and maritime communities…

David Seymour Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii The ACT Party says their $6 per day tax on temporary visa holders would not apply to seasonal workers – after David Seymour floated the idea on Sunday. ACT are campaigning on a daily “infrastructure surcharge” levied on anybody in New Zealand with a temporary work visa. RNZ Pacific asked on May 4th whether this would include those on the RSE scheme, to which they said no. “It’s designed for standard work visas, not seasonal programmes.” a spokesperson said. But last Sunday, Seymour told TNVZ’s QnA programme that he “would have thought” seasonal…

Moana Pasifika captain Miracle Fai’ilagi and Head Coach Tana Umaga with Kevin Senio. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz Moana Pasifika captain Miracle Fai’ilagi says he still hopes the franchise will be saved. Shareholders of Moana Pasifika have voted to appoint liquidators to the franchise’s holding company. The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) said it can no longer continue funding the team and it is “deeply disappointed” to have reached this point. New Zealand Rugby said the tender process for the Moana Pasifika license is continuing, despite the franchise now going into liquidation. And New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has…

Minister for Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna is urging sugarcane farmers to make better use of idle farmland through diversification into other agricultural activities. He says many sugarcane fields are currently left unused instead of being used for alternative farming purposes that could generate income. Tunabuna says a new small-scale farming system allows livestock to be raised on limited land, helping to increase income and reduce pressure on farmers. He adds that idle land can also be used for vegetable farming and livestock production.Article continues after advertisement The minister notes that overall farm diversification remains low and says greater use of…

United Airlines will give out United Club lounge vouchers to customers who purchase tickets to Guam, Saipan, or Palau through its official website.The offer applies to paid round-trip or one-way tickets on flights between Tokyo/Narita and Guam, Saipan, or Palau. The lounge vouchers can be used at the United Club in Narita or Guam.The booking and purchase period is from May 15 to 31. The travel period is from June 15 to September 30. The offer is limited to the first 200 people, and the representative of the traveling party must apply.⇒For more information Source link

The Suva Magistrates Court has heard that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption will rely on an alleged partial confession made by Suva lawyer Tanya Waqanika during her caution interview. Waqanika faces one count of breaching the Political Parties Act. FICAC alleges she breached political neutrality rules by making a Facebook post in April 2024 opposing the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) while serving as a public officer on the boards of Investment Fiji and Telecom Fiji Limited. She appeared before Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning.Article continues after advertisement FICAC counsel Joseph Work told the court that the proposed…