Author: TMC Palau

This article reports on ongoing monitoring of mobile internet prices in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and shows that prices remained stable throughout 2025. This policy-relevant research is taking place amid significant communication infrastructure developments. In December 2025, PNG’s acting communication minister announced an early Christmas gift for the country: three new undersea cables to be delivered not by Santa’s sleigh but as part of the Pukpuk Connectivity Initiative, an undertaking that sits within the broader bilateral context of the Pukpuk Treaty with Australia. PNG already has three cables enabling internet connectivity: the Pipe Pacific Cable 1 from Guam, which landed…

[Photo: FILE] The latest HIV statistics should serve as a wake-up call for young people across Fiji, with figures revealing that 85 percent of the 117 HIV-related deaths occurred among individuals aged 15 years and above. The data also shows 2,016 new HIV cases recorded last year, the highest ever reported, with a Year 8 student and head girl of Delanamasi Government School reinforcing the need for stronger awareness and prevention. Mere Robanakadavu says issues such as drug use, sharing of needles, and lack of accurate information are contributing to the rise in infections, and young people must take responsibility…

[Photo: SUPPLIED] Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s speedster, Vuiviawa Naduvalo, halfback Terio Veilawa and Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s star, Reapi Ulunisau, made Men’s and Women’s HSBC SVNS Team of the Year. Naduvalo missed out on the Player of the Year award, and it was won by South Africa’s Tristan Leyds. Leyds also made the Team of the Year with Naduvalo, Shilton van Wyk of South Africa, Jeremy Trevithick from Spain, Henry Hutchison, the Australian playmaker and Luciano Gonzalez of Argentina. Fiji-born Kele Lasaqa of New Zealand won the Rookie of the Year award.Article continues after advertisement New Zealand’s Jorja Miller…

Paparo met with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. to reaffirm the longstanding bilateral partnership between the United States and the Republic of Palau. The two leaders discussed the Compact of Free Association, the legal and diplomatic framework that underpins the relationship between the two nations. The 2023 Compact Review Agreement, which entered into force in 2024, commits $889 million over 20 years to support Palau’s development in health, education, infrastructure, and security reflecting the depth of U.S. commitment to Palau’s sovereignty and long-term prosperity.   During the visit, Paparo toured the restored airfield on Peleliu, rehabilitated by Marines and Sailors…

[Source: Supplied] Fiji’s Bordeaux Sevens campaign ended with disappointment in both the men’s and women’s competitions, as they fell to the United States and France in their respective 5th-place playoffs. Fiji’s men’s team fell just short against the USA, losing 17–14 after a dramatic turnaround. Fiji struck first when Viwa Naduvalo crossed in the 2nd minute and added a second try in the 6th, with conversions from Naduvalo and Terio Veilawa giving them a 14–0 halftime lead. The second half belonged to the Americans. David Still powered over in the 12th minute, followed quickly by Will Chevalier’s try in the…

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) yesterday encouraged more Taiwanese tourists to visit Palau, one of Taiwan’s three Pacific allies, after snorkeling with President Surangel Whipps Jr during her first visit to a diplomatic ally as vice president.Hsiao, who arrived in Palau on Saturday on a direct flight from Taiwan, joined Whipps on a boat trip Sunday morning to Big Drop Off, a renowned snorkeling and diving site off Ngemelis Island in the southern part of Palau’s Rock Islands.Hsiao said Palau and Taiwan are both island nations with warm and friendly people, adding that visiting Palau offers a particularly relaxing experience.…

Taipei/Koror, June 7 (CNA) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) on Sunday encouraged more Taiwanese tourists to visit Palau, one of Taiwan’s three Pacific allies, after snorkeling with President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. during her first visit to a diplomatic ally as vice president.Hsiao, who arrived in Palau on Saturday on a direct flight from Taiwan, joined Whipps on a boat trip Sunday morning to Big Drop Off, a renowned snorkeling and diving site off Ngemelis Island in the southern part of Palau’s Rock Islands.Hsiao said Palau and Taiwan are both island nations with warm and friendly people, adding that visiting…

[Source: AP] It’s been nearly 30 years since Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens wrote the music and lyrics for the musical “Ragtime,” an American epic tracking the intertwining lives of three families in New York at the turn of the 20th century. Staged at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, the musical is in its third run on Broadway — and earned 11 Tony nominations, including for best revival. It’s resonating the most with audiences this time, they said. “Three is the charm,” Ahrens said. “When we originally did it on Broadway, which was 1998, I think a lot of people,…

The Barça roller hockey team will have to play a fifth game if they want to make it to the OK Liga play-off final, as Ricard Ares’s side lost at Les Comes in the fourth game of the series against Igualada. The final fixture is at the Palau Blaugrana next week. This was a very tough and high-octane contest and the blaugranes went ahead in the second half when Sergi Llorca scored. However Biel Llanes and Marc Carol quickly scored to turn it back in Igualada’s favour to tie the play-off series 2-2. Goals hard to come by No score…

[Supplied] The GX Foundation and Fiji National University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation in public health and youth development. The agreement was signed during an official visit to Fiji by GX Foundation Chairman Leung Chun-ying and Chief Executive Officer Professor Emily Chan. Under the partnership, GX Foundation and FNU will collaborate on professional knowledge exchange, workshops, training programmes, academic seminars and joint research initiatives. The agreement is expected to create new opportunities for students and help develop future talent for Fiji’s public health sector.Article continues after advertisement Speaking at the signing ceremony, Leung said the…