Author: TMC Palau
Screengrab of the AI-generated fake footage on Instagram shared by an Indonesian nationalist account “bersamaastacita” showing Koteka Wenda speaking out against a new film about land grabs and human rights abuses in Papua. Photo: Screengrab / bersamaastacita A West Papuan independence activist says AI-generated fake footage of her and her words has been used to spread disinformation on social media. Koteka Wenda, daughter of the leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda, said the Instagram video reel by an Indonesian nationalist account cast her speaking out against a new film about land grabs and human rights…
The Government is strengthening Fiji’s biosecurity systems to protect local crops, support agricultural growth and improve national food security. Speaking in Parliament, Tomasi Tunabuna said the biosecurity strategy is focused on prevention, preparedness and partnership. He said the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji is upgrading inspection facilities at ports and entry points, while introducing risk-based screening systems to better detect threats. Import permits and phytosanitary certificates are also being digitalised to align with international standards.Article continues after advertisement Tunabuna told Parliament that surveillance is being expanded in high-risk areas such as ports, nurseries and seed systems. He added that diagnostic laboratories…
Issued by: on U.S. Army Soldier, Staff Sgt. Thomas Belanger from the 1ST Theater Information Advantage Detachment and U.S. Marine, LCpl Miguel Medina from the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, and one of Palau’s National Emergency Management office (NEMO) representatives install an antenna and radio on NEMO emergency response vehicles at NEMO, Airai, Palau, May. 4, 2026. To strengthen regional disaster response resilience and ensure first responders can effectively coordinate during a crisis, the United States partnered with the Republic of Palau to upgrade critical national disaster communication systems. (U.S. Army photo…
[Source: Fiji Football Association/Facebook] The Fiji national football team will head into a new phase of development after head coach Stephane Auvray named a provisional 21-member squad for two international friendlies. Their first one is against Vanuatu national football team for the upcoming FIFA international window in Port Vila. The June fixtures are set to serve as a key assessment opportunity for Auvray, who continues to refine and build the national programme with a long-term focus toward 2029. Auvray said the camp will be used primarily to evaluate players he has not yet worked with since taking charge.Article continues after…
John Yalu, a ni-Vanuatu who worked as a banana picker in Australia, was acquitted of murder in Cairns Supreme Court, after he amputated the leg of a pensioner in exchange for NZ$6000. The man died as a result. Photo: Supplied / Facebook A ni-Vanuatu seasonal worker in Australia, who sawed off a pensioner’s foot for cash, could be eligible for release from jail this year. John Yalu was convicted of manslaughter last week after amputating Kalman Tal’s foot in exchange for NZ$6000 in the North Queensland town of Innisfail in 2022. The 41-year-old banana picker was sentenced to nine years’…
Immanuel says that they are moving towards the Business Ready platform. [ There is a significant rise in investor interest, with the country’s investment pipeline growing to $8.8 billion across 254 active projects in multiple sectors. Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel says the increase reflects growing investor confidence in Fiji’s economic direction, supported by ongoing reforms. Immanuel adds that the improvement is linked to a series of structural reforms being implemented with support from international partners, including the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. Immanuel says that with the introduction of the BusinessNow Fiji digital system, online permit services…
Despite a string of disappointing results in recent Extra Premier League matches, Suva Football Association president Nitin Singh believes the side still has enough time to build momentum ahead of the upcoming BiC Fiji FACT tournament. This year’s Fiji FACT will be staged at Subrail Park in Labasa from June 19, with the official pool draw set to take place this Saturday at the Fiji FA Academy in Suva. For Singh, the weeks leading up to the tournament will be vital as Suva intensifies preparations for one of Fiji football’s most prestigious competitions. Singh assumed the presidency of Suva FA…
[Source:Athletics Fiji/Facebook] Nadi athletics club member and Swami Vivekananda College head girl, Brienna Rabakewa, has signed a two-year athletics scholarship with Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, USA. This follows her recent impressive outing at the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, Australia. In congratulating Rabakewa, Athletics Fiji says she will be pursuing an Associate Degree in Engineering while continuing to develop her talents in the discus throw, where she currently holds an impressive personal best of 45.61 meters Athletics Fiji says the achievement is a testament to her hard work, dedication, discipline, and perseverance as well as the unwavering support…
An image from the National Oceanography Centre shows a carnivorous sponge, photographed during an expedition to the NE Pacific abyss and found in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). A recent executive order by US President Donald Trump could open the door to Nauru deep sea mining in the CCZ. Photo: National Oceanography Centre/ AFP The head of the UN body mandated to develop regulations for seabed mining in international waters says Pacific countries are playing a big role in shaping the regulations that will govern the future industry. International Seabed Authority (ISA) secretary-general Leticia Carvalho was in Fiji last week conducting…
A disconnect between policy and practice on the ground is emerging as a key challenge for business in the region. [Photo: FILE] Despite Pacific leaders placing growing emphasis on long-term, value-for-money procurement approaches for infrastructure development, a disconnect between policy and practice on the ground is emerging as a key challenge for the region. Procurement in the Pacific is increasingly being shaped by lifecycle resilience, community engagement and improved development outcomes, guided by the seven Pacific Quality Infrastructure Principles endorsed by Pacific leaders in 2023. Governments and development partners across the region are now moving away from lowest-cost procurement approaches,…