Author: TMC Palau

[Source: Supplied] Watching Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel growing up inspired Simione Tamanisau to become a goalkeeper, a choice that has led to a career spanning nearly three decades. Now a former national rep and current Labasa custodian, Tamanisau remains deeply connected to the game as the FIFA World Cup gets underway. He continues to support Brazil and Argentina, teams he has followed since his youth. “The way Schmeichel commanded himself on the field, and especially off the field, really motivated me to try and become good in the position I played.”Article continues after advertisement The veteran keeper says the…

Taipei, June 10 (CNA) China has been “weaponizing” tourism in Palau by restricting travel by Chinese tourists, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said Wednesday, and she urged Taiwanese to visit the tropical island country.”Palau has in recent years been affected by China weaponizing tourism as a means of coercion,” Hsiao, who was visiting Palau, one of Taiwan’s three Pacific allies, said while speaking with the media on the last day of her visit.The number of Chinese tourists to Palau has often fluctuated dramatically according to controls placed by Beijing, she said.Palau’s own tourism statistics bear that out, hitting a high…

[Photo: FILE] Strong public support for major constitutional reform, particularly changes to Fiji’s electoral system has emerged during nationwide consultations. Constitution Review Committee Chairperson Sevuloni Valenitabua says submissions from across the country have consistently called for changes to the current voting system. He says many people want a return to the multi-constituency model used before the 2013 Constitution, replacing the current single national constituency arrangement. “We all know that now we have one national constituency, but all over Fiji, the places where we have visited, all over Fiji we have heard that there needs to be a change, that we…

China has been “weaponizing” tourism in Palau by restricting travel by Chinese tourists, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said today, and she urged Taiwanese to visit the tropical island nation.”Palau has in recent years been affected by China weaponizing tourism as a means of coercion,” Hsiao said while speaking with reporters on the last day of her visit to the diplomatic ally. Photo: CNA The number of Chinese tourists to Palau has often fluctuated dramatically according to controls placed by Beijing, she said. Palau’s own tourism statistics bear that out, hitting a high of 91,095 visitors from China in 2015,…

State of the Economy Dialogue 2026 Panelists [Photo: Litia Cava] The increase in ministerial positions and related costs, including salaries, vehicles, support staff, travel and administration is tightening pressure on Fiji’s public finances. This, according to former Finance Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. He said the combined effect of these expenses was significantly tightening the national budget. “When you have an entire political party, the largest political party, having every single member of its parliament being made ministers and assistant ministers, you tend to worry. The other two coalition partners, maybe you can agree, because that was what was needed to entice…

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone One of Fiji’s top detectives – Serupepeli Neiko – has been “directed to go on leave” while being investigated for a corruption-related offence. Fiji police confirmed that public prosecutors are probing abuse of office allegations against the Senior Superintendent, who is the director of the police forces’ criminal investigations department. Local media have claimed that Neiko, who was also the former head of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, has been suspended from the force. However, police spokesperson Ana Naisoro has firmly denied this. “He and other senior police officers have been directed to go on leave…

Reserve Bank of Fiji [Photo: FILE] Nearly $1 billion in approved private-sector loans remain undisbursed amid regulatory and approval delays. Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Ariff Ali highlighted the issue during the State of the Fijian Economy Dialogue 2026. Ali says this is one of the key obstacles to economic growth at a time when the country is facing slower growth, rising costs and high debt levels. He states that the funding already approved by commercial banks shows that capital is available for businesses willing to invest.Article continues after advertisement “There’s almost a billion dollars of loans that the private…

[Photo: Litia Cava] Government must tighten fiscal policy, curb rising costs and confront corruption. It must also diversify the economy to avoid further decline. Unity Fiji Party Leader and former Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Savenaca Narube made the call today at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva during the State of the Economy Dialogue 2026. He said Fiji was now facing one of its most fragile economic positions in decades.Article continues after advertisement “A few issues on the cost of living. I know it’s coming from abroad. We really do not have any control of that but we can…

Fiji’s economic vulnerability, driven by heavy reliance on tourism and weak diversification, remains the country’s most pressing structural challenge. Government MP and former Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica made the comments today while addressing attendees at the Grand Pacific Hotel during the State of the Economy Dialogue 2026. Kamikamica said the existing growth model has left the economy exposed to external shocks and limited productivity outside urban and consumption-driven sectors. He said this imbalance has constrained long-term resilience and widened development gaps and that government was now attempting a broad restructuring of the economy, with emphasis on diversification and regulatory reform.Article…

A new inclusive rugby team based in Auckland is welcoming all players of different backgrounds, ages and sexual orientation, especially Pasifika Rainbow and Takatāpui individuals. Te Papapa Wolves made their debut last month. It is the second inclusive rugby team established in New Zealand, taking their place alongside the New Zealand Falcons which was established in 2013. Te Papapa Wolves is Auckland’s newest inclusive rugby team, co-founder and rugby player Jay Fa’ata Vaeluaga (standing far left) spoke to RNZ’s Pacific Waves presenter Susana Suisuiki about the team. Photo: Susana Suisuiki Speaking to Pacific Waves, Te Papapa Wolves co-founder Jay Fa’ata…