Author: TMC Palau

[Source: Supplied] Relegated side Vatukoula is determined to begin its 2026 Vodafone Vanua Championship campaign on a positive note when it takes on Yasawa at Churchill Park tomorrow. After competing in the Skipper Cup last season, Vatukoula is now focused on earning promotion back to Fiji Rugby’s top-tier competition. Head coach Emori Ratu admits preparations have been challenging, with a number of players balancing rugby commitments with work responsibilities, but remains confident in his squad. “We’re now preparing for our opening game this week against Yasawa. I have faith in my boys and I know we will play a good…

Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr says countries of the wider region need to work together to reduce geopolitical tensions and the risk of nuclear conflict.This comes after China’s test launch of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the South Pacific on Monday. Beijing said the test was “consistent with international law and customary international practice and is not directed at any specific country or target”.Whipps spoke to RNZ Pacific about his country’s concerns over China’s actions and how Palau wants a more collaborative and transparent approach to international affairs in the Pacific.(The transcript has been edited for…

Norway forward Erling Haaland (9) celebrates his first goal the match with teammates during a Round of 16 match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Purchase Licensing Rights One of ​the world’s most feared strikers stands between England and the World Cup semi-finals, but the upside for Thomas ‌Tuchel’s side is that few international teams know Erling Haaland as well as they do. The prolific Norwegian has spent the last four years terrorising Premier League defences with Manchester City, scoring goals at a remarkable rate and becoming a familiar…

A type of sustainable concrete and grass systems for soil stabilisation were the big winners of the first Wave Makers Pacific Innovation Forum for Climate and Environment held in Vanuatu last week.The event featured a pitching competition which saw Pacific entrepreneurs – the top ten out of 50 nominees – showcasing Pacific-led climate and environmental solutions.Competition lead and V-Lab founder and president Marc Antone Morel said the idea of the forum was to look at the challenge of climate change and environmental degradation through a different lens.”This forum was really about telling a positive story, a story of innovation, a…

[Source: Reuters] Russia introduced a ban on diesel exports on Wednesday as part of a raft of ​measures to support the domestic fuel market after systematic Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries triggered gasoline shortages and ‌price spikes. Drivers in many regions are facing hours-long lines to refuel, as intensifying Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure squeeze supplies of diesel and gasoline. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told a televised government meeting, chaired by President Vladimir Putin, that the fuel situation remained complex and that “it is clear that the current situation ​at filling stations is causing concern among the…

[Source: Fijian Drua/ Facebook] Virimi Vakatawa’s first season with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua has led to an opportunity he was not expecting, a call-up to the Flying Fijians squad. The former France international was initially named in FIJI Water Flying Fijians extended 50-member squad but did not make the final 32 selected for the Nations Championship. Vakatawa said his focus was solely on establishing himself at the Drua, making his inclusion in the wider national squad a welcome surprise. “I was so surprised when I got picked in the 50-man squad because I wasn’t planning to try and fight…

[Source:Fiji Rugby/Facebook] A total of 18 games will be held tomorrow in round one of the Vodafone Vanua Championship and Royal Tea Ranadi Cup. The Vanua Championship will also include the under-20s games. The Ranadi match between Malolo and Serua, scheduled for the Uprising Sports Complex in Pacific Harbor, has now been moved to Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. The second round of games will be held next Tuesday, and the third next Saturday.Article continues after advertisement Tomorrow’s Vanua fixtures see Bua play Macuata at Bua College, Yasawa host Vatukoula at Churchill Park, and Northland take on Ra. In other games,…

Three more Pacific governments have condemned China’s recent ballistic missile test over the Pacific, adding to growing regional pressure for major powers to respect the Blue Continent’s commitment to peace.Leaders in Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Palau have all issued strong statements over the launch, joining Fiji’s Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua and other Pacific leaders in warning against growing militarisation in the region.The latest responses come as Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders prepare to release a joint statement on the missile test following meetings in Brisbane on Wednesday.Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo said the launch was “contrary” to the Pacific’s long-standing…

Four major Pacific rugby league playing countries have hailed the Pacific Rugby League Partnership announced in Brisbane on Wednesday night.The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) signed a landmark Statement of Partnership with Pacific rugby league federations in the presence of the prime ministers of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga.ARLC chairman Peter V’landys AM signed the historic document alongside counterparts from the PNG Rugby Football League, Tonga Rugby League XIII and Rugby League Samoa.There to witness the signing were PNG Prime Minister James Marape, Samoan Prime Minister Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and Tongan Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua,…

[Photo: NIKHIL AIYUSH KUMAR] The Suva High Court has refused the notice of motion to vacate the guilty plea by Imran Khan in a case of contravening a restraining order. Khan appeared before Justice Thusara Rajasinghe this morning. He pleaded guilty on the 11th of last month. The Judge noted that Khan’s claims of being unable to fully understand the consequences of his guilty plea were not reasonable because he was asked by the court whether he was threatened or was under pressure to plead guilty, which he refuted.Article continues after advertisement Khan told the court that he pleaded guilty…