Author: TMC Palau

The Fijian Drua are seen after losing the Super Rugby Pacific Round 16 match between the Queensland Reds and the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday, 29 May 2026. (AAP Image/Darren England / Photosport) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY Photo: AAP Image/Darren England / Photosport Five months of weekly Super Rugby Pacific competition and commitment came to an end for the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika in Australia over the weekend. The Drua took on the Reds in Brisbane and lost 45-24, but not after having put their hosts under a lot of pressure. Moana Pasifika did one…

Fiji’s government tabled the National Referendum Bill 2025 on 4 December 2025 — the final sitting day of parliament for the year. The bill establishes the legal rules for conducting a constitutional referendum. It has since been referred to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights for review. On the surface, the bill fills a genuine gap: Fiji has never held a constitutional referendum, and no legal framework existed to govern one. The government’s stated intention is to ensure any future referendum is conducted with integrity and impartiality. But the bill’s specific provisions have drawn sharp criticism from…

The Palau del Marquès d’Alfarràs, which until now has been welcoming visitors to the Parc del Laberint d’Horta with its doors closed, is ‘now open to the public following’ renovation works spanning more than two years that have served to restore a space that had ‘ deteriorated over the years. The Barcelona Municipal Institute of Parks and Gardens has gone to great lengths to renovate the entire structure and restore original features that tell us something of what this spectacular building was like during various eras of splendour. Also, the entire façade has been restored to the way it looked…

[Photo: FILE] The Fiji Teachers Union is proposing a 40% increase in transport assistance to ensure operators in the rural and maritime areas can continue providing their services. The scheme’s original stage fares – set between $0.70 and $1.50 have failed to keep pace with rising transport costs. FTU General Secretary Muniappa Goundar says that transport vouchers for rural services have remained largely unchanged since 2014, despite steep increases in fuel prices and operating expenses. Rising fuel costs are putting pressure on the rural transport service providers.Article continues after advertisement “So, you know, FTE demand increased by 35% to 40%,…

Valencia routed Barça at the Palau Blaugrana and sent a strong message ahead of the playoffs Valencia Basket concluded the league part of the season in Spain with one of the most convincing performances of the entire final stretch of the regular season. In the game played on 31 May 2026 at the Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona, the team coached by Pedro Martínez defeated Barça 102:77 and, with a 25-point victory, confirmed second place ahead of the Liga Endesa playoffs. According to ACB’s official announcement, that result is also Valencia’s biggest win at the Palau Blaugrana in Spanish championship games.…

Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo. [Photo: GETTY IMAGES] New Zealand Rugby has denied reports it is trying to prevent Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo from joining Newcastle Red Bulls next season. Fineanganofo, who has scored 16 tries this Super Rugby season to equal the competition’s single-season record, signed with the English club in January. Reports in New Zealand claimed rugby officials were working to keep the 23-year-old at home and eligible for the All Blacks, leaving Newcastle frustrated. However, NZ Rugby Chief Executive Steve Lancaster says the union does not buy players out of contracts, and any decision rests solely with Fineanganofo.Article…

MULTIPRONGED APPROACH: China has sought to pressure Palau across a number of fronts, but the island nation has staunchly resisted overtures to ditch Taiwan By Chen Yun and Esme Yeh / Staff reporter, with staff writer Palau has been firm in backing Taiwan despite Chinese pressure that uses tourism economics, cyberattacks and criminal infiltration as tools to threaten the Pacific ally into renouncing its recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state.The Presidential Office yesterday announced that Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) would visit Palau from Saturday to Wednesday next week at the invitation of Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr.Whipps in…

MULTIPRONGED APPROACH: China has sought to pressure Palau across a number of fronts, but the island nation has staunchly resisted overtures to ditch Taiwan By Chen Yun and Esme Yeh / Staff reporter, with staff writer Palau has been firm in backing Taiwan despite Chinese pressure that uses tourism economics, cyberattacks and criminal infiltration as tools to threaten the Pacific ally into renouncing its recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state.The Presidential Office yesterday announced that Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) would visit Palau from Saturday to Wednesday next week at the invitation of Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr.Whipps in…

Foreign affairs minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ / Louis Dunham The foreign affairs minister has told Pacific leaders New Zealand is exploring all possible options for a financially sustainable future for Moana Pasifika. Winston Peters said the government had instructed officials to work with NZ Rugby and other stakeholders to explore options to keep the club going. The Super Rugby franchise was placed into liquidation last week, and played what could be their final game on Saturday. The 21-19 win against the Brumbies saw the beleagured club end on a high. The franchise’s debts include a $2.75 million loan from…

MAKING FRIENDS: Chinese pressure to squeeze Taiwan’s international space should not hinder the nation from engaging with the world with confidence, a lawmaker said By Chen Yun and Chen Chih-cheng / Staff reporters, with CNA Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) is to embark on a five-day visit to Palau later this week to bolster diplomatic relations with the Pacific ally, the Presidential Office said yesterday.Hsiao is to meet with Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr and other government officials during her visit from Saturday to Wednesday next week, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) told a news conference.She is representing President…