Author: TMC Palau
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu during a session at the Senate in Paris on 15 October 2015. Photo: AFP / Stefano Lorusso The French Senate on Monday (Tuesday NZT) endorsed proposed changes to New Caledonia’s restricted electoral roll to allow “native” people to vote. The proposed changes relaxes current vote restrictions enforced under the Nouméa Accord, signed in 1998, a situation often referred to as the “frozen” electoral roll. The relaxing measure concerns an estimated 10,000+ voters, who were born in New Caledonia since 1998 and have since reached voting age (18). The measures, initially perceived as a way to…
source: reuters Four people were killed in protests against fuel price hikes prompted by the Iran war in several Kenyan towns on Monday, its interior minister said, after a nationwide public transport strike stranded commuters. The Transport Sector Alliance said on Sunday that vehicles affiliated with its member associations would stop operating from midnight in protest, while police said they would act to tackle any disruptions. “We lost four Kenyans in today’s violence, which also saw more than 30 people injured,” Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen told a televised press conference. Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority last week raised retail…
A childhood dream became a reality over the weekend for 15-year-old Zyna Nisha, who made her debut for Labasa Women FC in the Fiji Football Association Super League competition. To make the occasion even more special, Nisha marked her first appearance with a goal, helping Labasa secure a dominant 10-1 win over Suva Women FC. Originally from Valebasoga, Nisha started playing football in Class Four and says she always dreamed of representing her district at the top level. The youngster slowly worked her way into the Labasa U15 and the U19 side, before finally making the cut for the senior…
[Supplied] The rapid rise of netball in the Santa Rosa area is helping position the city as an emerging hub for the sport in the United States while strengthening cultural ties between the U.S. and Fiji. This is according to Santa Rosa Netball Club President Mereoni Lutuciri while speaking at the club’s 2026 Prayer Breakfast where she highlighted how netball has become a powerful platform for youth development, community unity, and sports diplomacy, particularly through the leadership and support of the Fijian community in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa netball credited the Fijian community in Santa Rosa for playing a major…
A small settlement has been built at the bottom of the Panguna mine. Photo: ABC News / Natalie Whiting Bougainville’s president has warned the public about what he calls “unauthorised” discussions purporting to be part of the Panguna mine redevelopment project. Online promotions for the so-called Panguna Development Forum say civic outreach and high-level discussions are running for two weeks in Panguna and Arawa. But President Ishmael Toroama said the forum has not been facilitated, approved, or authorised by the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG). This comes as the government looks to redevelop the long-mothballed Panguna copper mine. It has partnered…
source: reuters Swiss watchmaker Swatch (UHR.S), opens new tab and luxury partner Audemars Piguet are betting big on a Gen Z “product drop” culture – buzzy, often limited launches that have helped spur sales from Labubu dolls and Nike trainers to Popeyes chicken. The maker of popular colourful watches has stirred debate – and seen some punches thrown – with a product launch of its Royal Pop pocket watch collection with Audemars Piguet, which forced it to close some stores and limit queues. In Milan shoppers outside a Swatch store ended up in a scuffle, video verified by Reuters showed,…
The fate of Fiji’s long-awaited municipal elections remains unclear, with the Government refusing to give a clear commitment on whether the polls will proceed as scheduled. Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel says funding has already been budgeted for the elections, dismissing claims that the Government cannot afford to hold them. However, Immanuel pointed to a packed national calendar this year, saying multiple major events are already placing pressure on government planning and priorities. When pressed on whether the elections will go ahead and how much has been allocated, Immanuel stopped short of giving confirmation, saying he cannot confirm that.Article continues after…
source: reuters Mexico City is not waiting for the World Cup to kick off — it has already turned the beautiful game into a cultural spectacle with Pele’s crown and a Maradona jersey among 15,000 pieces of football memorabilia on display. At the Museo Yancuic in Iztapalapa, shirts from 90 national teams are among the items being showcased in the “Album Epico” exhibition. The collection, free to the public, runs from late March through August 2026, welcoming city residents and international visitors alike throughout the World Cup season. Source link
Auckland FC and South Island United during the New Zealand derby in the OFC Pro League Leaders group match at Eden Park. 12 May 2026. Photo: OFC Pro League The OFC Pro League is leaving no stone unturned in a last-ditch attempt to get football fans to turn up to watch the final of the inaugural season at Eden Park on Sunday. While the new competition has put footballers in Oceania in front of a global audience, it has struggled to attract spectators since kicking off in March, despite taking the games to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Solomon…
The Fijian Elections Office has not received any instruction to halt preparations for the upcoming Municipal Elections despite comments by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka that the government is reconsidering whether the polls should proceed in September. Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa says the Elections Office began preparations earlier this year after Cabinet endorsement and instructions from the Electoral Commission. Mataiciwa says, as of now, no further directive has been issued to the Elections Office regarding any changes to the planned Municipal Elections. She says the same process will apply moving forward, and stakeholders will be informed once any official instruction…