Author: TMC Palau

[Source: Fijian Drua/Facebook] The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have once again paid tribute to their loyal supporters, with both coach Glen Jackson and captain Temo Mayanavanua highlighting the vital role fans continue to play in the team’s journey. Jackson was full of praise following the latest home support, describing the Drua faithful as unmatched anywhere in the world. “The fans, the way you did this week… they’re the best in the world. The turnout here was phenomenal. I say it all the time, we’re super lucky as a team to have a country that loves the game, is interested in…

Reporters Without Borders said for the first time in the Index’s history, more than half of the world’s countries now fall into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories for press freedom. Photo: 123RF Fiji has recorded the biggest improvement in the Pacific in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, rising to 24th out of 180 countries. The index has been compiled and published by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) since 2002. Papua New Guinea moved up slightly on the index to 73rd. But Samoa recorded the biggest drop in the region, falling to 59th – its lowest ranking.…

Seventy Island, known for its collection of 70 islands. It is a UNESCO protected area. – Photo by James Jung Every morning, I wake up to a view of the blue ocean. I’d hop on a boat and race across the beautiful water, watching the silvery waves. Occasionally, we’d be greeted by dolphins. Then I’d return for a nap before heading back into the sea to meet its underwater inhabitants. As the sun sets, I’d wrap up my day with a cool beer.   I’ve been living this way in the South Pacific for several years now. Most tourists I meet…

The aviation industry is being described as the “artery” of the Fijian economy, and the government is taking steps to ensure those arteries don’t become clogged by outdated laws. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, told Parliament that Fiji is currently overhauling laws that are, in some cases, 50 years old – written long before the era of drones and satellite navigation. At the heart of the reform is the Civil Aviation Bill 2026, which replaces three aging Acts with a single, modern framework aligned with international standards. “Laws in some cases are 50 years old……

New Caledonians will go to the polls in coming weeks, to elect three provincial assemblies and the national Congress. The elections in France’s Pacific dependency follow the collapse of the Bougival process, the French government’s attempt to forge a new statute to replace the 1998 Noumea Accord. In early 2025, after years of delay, France’s then Minister for Overseas Territories Manuel Valls brought all major New Caledonian parties around the table. The talks aimed to negotiate a new agreement to replace the Noumea Accord, the framework agreement that has governed the islands for more than a quarter of a century.…

What began as a small wheelchair donation in 2019 has grown into a donation “better than Christmas morning” for Belau National Hospital in Meyuns, Palau, on Nov. 4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 85 wheelchairs, 50 hospital beds and dozens of other medical supplies — including walkers, crutches, braces and toothpaste — in order to support the country’s only government hospital. “We extend our deepest gratitude to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said Raynold Oilouch, vice president of Palau and minister of Health and Human Services, according to a news release. “This immense…

Artists and practitioners from New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji will gather later this year for a new Pacific arts residency. This follows a partnership between Creative New Zealand, Creative Australia, and the University of the South Pacific. The three partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Oceania Pacific Arts Residency, a pilot tri-nation programme hosted at the Oceania Centre in Suva from October 1 to November 12, 2026. The six-week residency will bring together one senior artist from each country to develop new work focused on climate change and its impact across the Pacific.Article continues after advertisement Creative New…

The Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Família Foundation and the Orfeó Català-Palau de la Música Catalana Foundation have signed a collaboration agreement to foster shared projects and activities in the fields of culture, music, education and heritage. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Esteve Camps, Delegate President, Mr. Xavier Martínez, General Director, and Ms. Marta Otzet, director of Culture and Social/Educational Actions on behalf of the Sagrada Família. And, on behalf of the Orfeó Català-Palau de la Música Catalana Foundation, its President, Mr. Joaquim Uriach, and General Director, Mr. Joan Oller. The agreement strives to strengthen the historic bond…

Fiji registered a strong growth in inward remittances in the year to February, amounting to $274.2m. The Reserve Bank of Fiji says this is a strong growth of 22.1 percent for February. On the other hand, outward remittances increased by 12.5 percent to $110.1m in the same period, mostly driven by transfers associated with migrant workers. The RBF says that growth in inward remittances outpaced the outward flows, net remittances rose by 29.2 percent, settling at $164.2m.Article continues after advertisement The RBF says personal remittances continue to provide important support to domestic consumption and foreign reserves. Source link

 At the edge of a sun-drenched taro patch, Jauna Rengulbai methodically tills the soil, careful to mix but not disturb the roots. Her crops – taro, dragon fruit, banana, and various vegetables – demand attention. Soil degradation has resulted in farm fields like Jauna’s becoming less suitable for cultivation, partly due to climate change.But farmers like Jauna are reclaiming the traditional farming techniques that once ensured Palauans had steady access to local fruits and vegetables. “When I was young, the soil was richer. Now, many farms are moving up the hill where crops grow better,” explains Jauna.A farmer, mother, and…