Author: TMC Palau

At the end of April 2026, Cyclones Maila and Vaianu were active across the South Pacific at the same time, hitting Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji and stretching weather services and emergency teams thin as they tried to manage both events at once. This is what Pacific women are living through. The storms themselves usually pass within hours. For some women, the danger does not. Evacuation centres have become a familiar refuge in the Pacific, and a familiar danger. Families sleep side by side on classroom floors. Privacy disappears and tensions rise. For a woman experiencing violence,…

The Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission voted 3-1 last week to raise the FAC from 24.5 cents per kilowatt/hour to 44.489 cents per kilowatt/hour effective 15 May. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago Businesses in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are bracing for higher operating costs after regulators approved a sharp increase in the public utility provider’s fuel surcharge. The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is warning the near-doubling of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation’s (CUC) Fuel Adjustment Charge (FAC) could ripple through the economy and force some businesses to scale back operations. The Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission voted 3-1 last week to…

Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel has confirmed that the government is not planning to introduce a mini-budget at this stage, despite earlier comments by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka suggesting one was being considered. While responding to questions on the nature of the upcoming budget and what would determine whether it would be classified as a mini-budget or a full national budget, Immanuel says a mini-budget would only be necessary if there was an urgent need or emergency situation. “Mini-budget if something is needed urgently or an emergency happens. But currently we are not facing that emergency.”Article continues after advertisement He…

Located around 125 kilometres southeast of PNG’s Manus Island, the volcano has emitted a large steam plume since earlier this month. Photo: VolcanoDiscovery A scientist monitoring a submarine volcano that has erupted in Papua New Guinea waters says there’s little way of knowing whether it could blow big. The volcano’s activity has been described as rare and unusual, and coastal communities living around PNG’s Bismarck Sea have been advised to be on heightened alert in the region for potential tsunamis Located around 125 kilometres southeast of PNG’s Manus Island, the volcano has emitted a large steam plume since earlier this…

[Photo: BULA FLIGHTS/ FACEBOOK] Six months after launching Fiji’s first locally built digital flight booking platform, Bula Flights is transforming the way Fijians plan and manage travel. The company marked its six months of its operations, highlighting rapid growth, increased customer engagement, and plans to expand across the Pacific and Australia. Operations Director Sheenam Narayan says the aim was to make travel planning easier for Fijians. “Bula Flights has been successful in simplifying travel planning for thousands of Fijians by providing convenient access to domestic and international travel.”Article continues after advertisement The company also revealed plans to expand its services…

Cricket PNG said the team produced a dominant campaign throughout the qualifier. Photo: Cricket East Asia-Pacific The PNG Barramundis finished top of the table and were crowned league champions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific (EAP) sub-regional qualifier in Japan this week. Three wins from four matches in the Super Six stage saw the Papua New Guineans secure eight points to finish ahead of Japan, which also claimed three wins in the series when the competition ended on Monday evening. The Barramundis finished ahead of the hosts on net run rate, with an impressive net run rate…

Minister for Women Sashi Kiran. [Photo: FILE] Violence against women is costing Fiji nearly $300 million annually, highlighting the deep social and economic impact of gender-based violence across the country. Speaking during a workshop focused on strengthening Fiji’s response to gender-based violence, Minister for Women Sashi Kiran says recent national estimates show the cost of violence against women accounts for almost seven percent of Fiji’s GDP. Kiran says the financial burden includes health care expenses, loss of productivity, policing costs, and increased demand for social services. She stressed that violence against women is not only a personal or family issue…

Mineral Resources Minister Filimoni Vosarogo. [Photo: FILE] Fiji says it will continue taking a precautionary approach on deep-sea mining, with the government insisting more scientific evidence is needed before any mining activities are considered in the country’s waters. The comments were made by Mineral Resources Minister Filimoni Vosarogo on the margins of the Pacific Small Island Developing States Regional Consultation on the Deep Seabed Sustainable Blue Growth Initiative currently underway in Suva. The regional forum has brought together Pacific leaders and International Seabed Authority Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho to discuss ocean governance and the future of deep seabed resources in the…

Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel. [Photo: FILE] Rising global fuel prices and economic shocks continue to threaten Fiji’s economy, with Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel warning that prolonged energy price volatility weakens business confidence, reduces household purchasing power and slows economic growth. Speaking during Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre discussions, Immanuel says Fiji and other Pacific nations remain vulnerable due to challenges that can erase years of fiscal progress overnight. He says, despite these pressures, Pacific countries are continuing reforms to strengthen institutions and build economic resilience. “We are small and undiversified. We have a narrow revenue base and have…

Auckland FC defeated South Island United to secure a spot in the OFC Pro League final against Australia’s South Melbourne FC. 20 May 2025 Photo: OFC Media via Phototek Auckland FC has defeated South Island United to secure a spot in the OFC Pro League final against Australia’s South Melbourne FC. The Aucklanders edged their New Zealand rivals 1-0 in the second semifinal at the Go Media Stadium on Wednesday night, thanks to a 71st-minute strike by Isa Prins. The two sides were locked in a 0-0 draw after the first spell of 45 minutes. It looked like the semifinal…