Author: TMC Palau
Departing Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson. [Photo: FILE] Departing Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson believes the club remains in a strong position for the future despite the departure of eight players at the end of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season. Speaking at the Drua Awards Night, Jackson reflected on his four years with the club and acknowledged the contributions of departing players Elia Canakaivata, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Joseva Tamani, Inia Tabuavou, Ponipate Loganimasi, Simione Kuruvoli and Ilaisa Droasese. Jackson said while the team had created many special memories during his…
Jose Ramos-Horta, the president of Timor-Leste, for his own political purposes, last week again criticised the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. He has directed harsh words at the Australian government but has not acknowledged how his own country’s government might be at fault as well. In my research into the seasonal worker program over more than a decade, I have become only too aware of its complexity. The starting point for any analysis is to recognise that the PALM scheme is not an aid program, where the donor through a managing contractor micromanages the program’s inputs and outputs. In contrast,…
A conference this week in Tokyo on ocean planning and management is drawing leaders from more than two-dozen island countries. It’s being led by the head of a Pacific Island nation. Palau’s President is co-chairing the gathering, which will focus on climate resilience and the management of marine resources. The inaugural Island States Ocean Summit is expected to draw about 300 people.This includes heads of state, ministers, senior officials, and representatives from the United Nations.The UN is one of the sponsors, along with the Japanese government and a private non-profit, the Nippon Foundation. Specific topics will include a review of…
[Photo: SUPPLIED] The Land Transport Authority has rejected claims that illegal taxi and public service vehicle operators are being allowed to operate unchecked, stating that enforcement efforts are ongoing nationwide. In response to recent media reports, the Authority says it continues to actively monitor, detect and take action against illegal transport operators through targeted compliance and enforcement operations. LTA adds that enforcement teams regularly carry out operations in areas where illegal transport activities are common. The Authority says the crackdown is aimed at protecting passengers, ensuring compliance with transport laws and maintaining a level playing field for licensed operators.Article continues…
By foreign affairs correspondent Stephen Dziedzic, ABC Matthew Wale (left) has agreed to start treaty negotiations with Australia. Photo: ABC News / Adam Kennedy In short: Australia and the Solomon Islands have agreed to begin negotiations on a new treaty. The new Solomon Islands prime minister, Matthew Wale, says he wants to “reset” the relationship with Australia. What’s next? Wale has confirmed his government will review a security pact signed with China in 2022. The new Solomon Islands prime minister has made a clear pivot towards Australia, agreeing to kickstart negotiations on a comprehensive treaty with Canberra and promising to…
[Photo: AFP] The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side has been drawn alongside South Africa, Kenya and Great Britain in Pool A for the HSBC SVNS World Championship finale in Bordeaux this weekend. The Fijians face a tough challenge against the Blitzboks, who lead the overall standings and are four points ahead of Argentina. South Africa can secure the World Championship title if they reach the Cup Final in Bordeaux. Fiji heads into the final tournament ranked fourth after collecting 26 points from the first two World Championship events in Hong Kong and Valladolid.Article continues after advertisement Australia, Spain, the…
Moana Pasifika players after the end of their 2026 season. Photo: AAP / Photosport The Rugby Players Association is optimistic the Moana Pasifika team can be saved, but there needs to be a resolution in coming weeks. The Super Rugby franchise was placed into liquidation last week, and played what could be their final game on Saturday, with a 21-19 win against the Brumbies. It is facing more than $8 million in creditor claims, according to the first report from liquidators appointed to the collapsed Super Rugby franchise, including a $2.75 million loan from the government through Crown entity Sport…
[Source: Reuters] Russia pounded Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles early on Tuesday, killing 23 people and wounding 130, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Moscow could launch a new assault for the second night in a row. The strikes on cities including Kyiv and Dnipro followed Russian warnings of “systematic” attacks on the capital after a drone attack on a dormitory in Ukraine’s Russian-held region of Luhansk last month. Kyiv denies targeting the dormitory. It was the third heavy assault on Kyiv in under a month, but Russia has been relentlessly attacking Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, since…
While the country knows that nature is its top draw, it is also leaning on another rich resource: its culture. The Alii Pass program, launched by the Palau Visitors Authority in 2018 (and revived in 2022, after the pandemic), offers community-led tours with Palauan experts all over the country. These include longtime must-dos like snorkeling in Jellyfish Lake as well as surprises like a historic World War II tour on Peleliu island and a visit to the ancient stone monoliths of Ngarchelong. One trip took me to the mangrove-fringed state of Airai, where locals welcomed me and the Explorer crew…
Rising fuel costs driven by global conflicts are putting pressure on Pacific Fishing Company Pte Limited, prompting the company to explore renewable energy options to cut operating expenses. The issue was highlighted during a meeting between Minister for Public Enterprises Charan Jeath Singh, Permanent Secretary Dr Vinesh Kumar, and PAFCO’s board and management. Chief Executive Saiyad Raiyum says the tuna processing company is looking at installing solar power systems at its factory to improve energy efficiency and reduce long-term costs. “PAFCO is exploring the installation of solar power systems at its factory as part of efforts to improve energy efficiency…