Author: TMC Palau

No injuries or fatalities have been reported across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) after Super Typhoon Bavi tore through the territory, with authorities preparing to begin comprehensive damage assessments once the all-clear is issued.The CNMI Joint Information Center said late Monday that Saipan, Tinian, and Rota remained under Typhoon Condition 1, with a shelter-in-place order still in effect as hazardous conditions persisted despite the storm moving away from the Marianas.Rota, which took the direct hit from the Category 5 storm, was beginning its recovery effort after enduring what officials described as one of the strongest typhoons to…

For the first time since COVID, the Pacific Islands Forum has activated its emergency response mechanism. The immediate trigger was not climate, but a regional fuel and transport cost shock linked to the war in Iran, which has pushed Tuvalu and the Republic of the Marshall Islands to declare states of emergency and led Fijian ministers to accept a 20% pay cut to offset, at least symbolically, rising fuel costs. Forecasters now warn that a developing El Niño, with a roughly 63% chance of reaching “very strong” intensity by later this year — leading some to call it a “Super…

GironaJordi Savall (Igualada, 1941) has spent decades exploring the history of music from a deeply humanistic, rigorous, and open perspective, building bridges between peoples and traditions through centuries of shared musical heritage. On July 10th, he will present at the Occident Porta Ferrada FestivalThe Silk Road, a proposal that, coinciding with the seventh centenary of Marco Polo’s death, musically retraces the Venetian merchant’s journey between 1271 and 1295. Led by the historicist ensemble Hespèrion XXI and a cast of soloists from around the world, Savall proposes a musical itinerary that crosses the Eastern Mediterranean, Armenia, Persia, China, Sri Lanka, and…

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia. [Photo: REUTERS] Belgium coach Rudi Garcia has come under fire after saying Senegal were one of “those teams” that “tend to lose their tactical structure towards the end of the match” following Belgium’s dramatic comeback win at the World Cup. Garcia later clarified that he was referring to teams inexperienced in protecting a lead at the highest level and said his comments were not aimed at African teams. However, academics and anti-racism advocates say the remarks reinforce long-standing racial stereotypes that portray Black players and African teams as physically gifted but tactically inferior or mentally fragile…

The mayor of Rota in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) says the island has prepared “as best they can” for Super Typhoon Bavi.The National Weather Service in Guam says the category 5 storm is forecast to remain near this intensity through Tuesday, as it passes through the Marianas.Rota mayor Aubry Hocog said officials have been canvassing remote communities, opening two emergency shelters, and urging residents to stay indoors until authorities issue the all-clear.A typhoon warning is in effect for Rota, Tinian, Saipan and Guam, and surrounding coastal waters.The Weather Service says widespread destructive winds in excess of…

[Supplied] The National Fire Authority is urging Fijians to prioritize fire safety after responding to two separate residential fires in the Nadroga province within days of each other. In separate occasions, the first house fire was caused by unattended cooking; however, no investigations are underway to determine the cause of the second. While no injuries were reported, both houses sustained severe damage. A property in Semo village sustained 30 percent damage. In Sanasana, a five-bedroom concrete house sustained 80 percent damage with estimated losses, including household contents, valued at $30,000.Article continues after advertisement National Fire Authority Chief Executive Puamau Sowane…

[Photo: FILE] Fiji’s Public Health Act is set for a major overhaul, with stakeholders in the Northern Division calling for stronger enforcement and greater community involvement to tackle public health issues. The Standing Committee on Social Affairs is continuing consultations on the proposed Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2026, with submissions focusing on improving public health enforcement, waste management and living conditions in both urban and rural communities. Among those making submissions was Macuata Provincial Council Office Conservation Officer Vasiti Vosabalavu, who says Turaga ni Koro and community health workers should play a greater role in monitoring public health issues within…

The leaders of Fiji and Australia has signed two agreements in Suva.The Vuvale Union Treaty, regarding economic and security, and the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a mutual defence agreement.In a statement, Australia’s Prime Miniser Anthony Albanese said these treaties represent one of the most significant endeavours Australia has undertaken with any country.He said the two nations will build on the their longstanding history of standing together to support one another and the region’s security.They will build the Pacific’s capability to tackle security challenges affecting the whole region, including transnational crime and climate change.”This level of ambition is possible because Australia…

Unity Fiji Leader Savenaca Narube at the Constitutional Review Commission this afternoon. [Picture: Mollyn Nakabea] The Unity Fiji Party has proposed a closure to the de-registered party ‘loophole’ Presenting their proposals to the Constitution Review Commission, Unity Fiji Leader Savenaca Narube says the constitution and the electoral acts should be reviewed to clarify the status of MPs whose parties are de-registered. “Under the electoral proportional system, section 63 (1) requires all sitting MPs of the party that is de-registered to automatically lose their seats. But when Fiji First was de-registered, its MPs should have automatically lost their seats.” Narube said…

[Photo: FILE] The Fiji Sugar Corporation says improving returns for cane growers will require a collective effort across the entire sugar industry, rejecting suggestions that the corporation alone is responsible for the sector’s ongoing challenges. In a statement, FSC said while it accepts responsibility for improving its operational performance and acknowledges the difficulties experienced during the 2025 crushing season, the industry’s performance cannot be judged solely on mill operations. FSC Chairman Nitya Reddy says the Tonnes Cane to Tonnes Sugar ratio is influenced by several factors beyond milling, including cane quality, maturity, weather conditions, burnt cane, extraneous matter, cut-to-crush delays,…