Author: TMC Palau
Basketball Fiji interim Chief Operating Officer William Peters says the continued rise of young players is a key sign of the sport’s steady development across the country, as preparations ramp up for the Vodafone Fiji Cup. Peters says youth participation has been central to Basketball Fiji’s long-term strategy, with development programs running throughout the year helping shape the next generation of players. “We’ve got a lot of youth events happening around the year with different programs, and in this tournament I think there are three or four youth teams that have made the top eight.” He says the strong performances…
For decades, Papua New Guinea has struggled with some of the highest maternal and newborn mortality rates in the Pacific. Nationally, fewer than four in ten births take place with a skilled birth attendant, and this figure is as low as 20% in some of the Highlands provinces. One of the most powerful protections for mothers and babies is giving birth with a skilled and caring health worker in a health facility. For many reasons this remains out of reach for many rural PNG families. The reasons are well known: rugged geography, poor roads, limited transport, poverty, run-down rural health…
Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko has been leading advocacy for island US military veterans. He is pictured here in January with, from left: Australian Ambassador Paul Wilson, former US Ambassador Laura Stone, Kaneko, and Japan Ambassador Hirohisa Soma Photo: Giff Johnson Securing essential healthcare services for US military veterans from three North Pacific nations remains a persistent challenge. Despite the US Congress specifically authorising in-country services by the US Veterans Administration for veterans of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Palau, the Trump administration over a year ago suspended ongoing talks to implement services. All…
[Source: Fijian Drua/Facebook] Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glenn Jackson says his side must recover quickly after a physical encounter against the Western Force before turning their attention to a final-round clash in Brisbane. Jackson described the match as a “brutal” contest, with both teams heavily engaged in a fierce breakdown battle that made it difficult to build momentum. Reflecting on the game, he said the Drua were tested in all areas, particularly at the ruck. “We knew the breakdown was going to be big. Obviously, with Tizzano’s unbelievable skill, I thought we looked after him pretty well.”Article continues…
The Kimaya Fiji Group is moving towards greener and more cost-efficient operations, with plans to introduce electric vehicle coaches and expand the use of solar energy across its properties. The initiative forms part of the Group’s broader push to reduce operational costs while strengthening its commitment to sustainability and innovation, as rising fuel prices continue to place pressure on businesses. Management says the shift is driven by the need to improve long-term efficiency and manage increasing energy-related expenses across its operations. Managing Director Damend Gounder highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in addressing energy consumption, not only within workplaces but…
[Source: Reuters] Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or top prize for the second time on Saturday with his Norwegian-set drama that explores clashing cultures, “Fjord.” This year’s jury president, South Korean director Park Chan-wook, praised the film for helping shed light on understanding different views “in an artistically magnificent manner.” Celebrities including Geena Davis, who was featured on this year’s festival poster in a shot from 1991’s “Thelma & Louise,” as well as Tilda Swinton and Gael García Bernal appeared on stage to introduce the prizes in a ceremony that was largely free of politics…
Midfielder Tanner Tessmann is a notable absence from the United States men’s national team roster for the 2026 World Cup, per multiple media reports. Tessmann had been seen by many as a potential starter, having participated in six camps under U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino. The versatile 24-year-old started five of nine Europa League games and 22 of 29 Ligue 1 games for Lyon this season before being shut down May 8 with a muscle strain that was not expected to impact his availability for the World Cup, per The Athletic. Diego Luna, who contributed four goals and four assists in…
For Navuakece Women’s manager Asenaca Takitaki, women’s rugby is about much more than the game itself. As the Central Women’s Club competition concluded yesterday, Takitaki says the sport has become a safe and supportive space where young women can connect, grow and support one another. Most of the players come from villages in Naitasiri, while others travel from Suva and Korovou to be part of the team. Takitaki says beyond the results on the field, the biggest victory is the positive environment rugby creates for women and girls.Article continues after advertisement “I see that this is one space where women…
[Source: Reuters] China will send an astronaut to its space station on Sunday for a year, a record length for the country, enabling the study of long-duration human physiology in space as Beijing works towards its ambition of a crewed moon landing by 2030. The Shenzhou-23 vessel is scheduled to launch at 11:08 p.m. (1508 GMT) using the Long March-2F Y23 carrier rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, with three Chinese astronauts on board. Payload specialist Li Jiaying, a former Hong Kong police inspector, will be the first astronaut from the city to take part in a…
Fijians can expect additional relief measures in the 2026–27 National Budget, which will be announced on the 26th of next month. Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel confirmed that the budget will include support measures aimed at protecting households, businesses, and the wider economy. He said the Ministry is currently engaging with multilateral development partners, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, to secure additional financing for the upcoming financial year. Rising fuel costs and ongoing uncertainty linked to the US–Iran conflict continues to place pressure on Fiji’s economy.Article continues after advertisement “The government has commenced…