Author: TMC Palau

This year’s oil crisis has sent the costs of energy skyrocketing for many countries, including diesel-dependent Pacific countries, some of which have declared a state of emergency in response to fuel shortages and rising costs. This crisis has only reaffirmed what we know — that climate finance from developed countries to developing countries and particularly small island developing states is essential to ensure reliable, affordable and locally produced renewable energy to aid their development, protect them from global fossil fuel price shocks and contribute to climate change mitigation. As we head into an anticipated “Godzilla” El Niño period, and see…

There will be “no more Manu Samoa” if the government does not accept a proposed World Rugby review of Lakapi Samoa (Samoa Rugby Union) and the country is subsequently sanctioned.That is the warning from Lakapi Samoa CEO Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun.”If we get to that point, then there will be no point [in] rugby in Samoa because once we get sanctioned, then there will be no more Manu Samoa, no funding, and that [would be] a great loss to us,” Seumanu told RNZ Pacific.He said if the Samoan government does not accept the review or the review recommendations, sanctions from…

Rugby reporter Joe Porter on the latest from South AfricaRichie Mo’unga is back in black.The Canterbury first-five, who has recently returned from playing in Japan, has been named to start for the All Blacks against the Lions in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning.Mo’unga last played for the All Blacks at the 2023 World Cup. He was initially ineligible to be selected for the tour of South Africa, but became eligible to be called in as an injury replacement after taking the field in the NPC.When midfielder Billy Proctor was forced to head back to New Zealand with a shoulder injury, coach…

First Published: 24th August, 2026 18:31 IST He will also engage with the key stake holders and the Indian community there. Written By Northeast Live Digital Desk The Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, will visit Vietnam, Lao PDR and Palau from August 26 to September 2, 2026, to review progress in bilateral relations, exchange views on further strengthening close and historic ties, and advance the countries’ strong development partnerships. He will be on a two-day visit to Vietnam from 26-27 August. During the visit, he will meet senior leadership of the Government of Vietnam to review…

Back in 1964, Aseta Redican became the first Pacific person to qualify as a physiotherapist in Aotearoa, graduating from Otago’s School of Physiotherapy.On Saturday, she received an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Otago, recognising her pioneering contributions to Pacific health across Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand.Redican said she was initially convinced the university had made a mistake when she received notification of the honorary degree.”I was overwhelmed and in total disbelief, still am,” she said.”Someone, or some people, must have recommended me and whoever they are, I am eternally grateful.”Otago University vice-chancellor Grant Robertson described Redican as…

Pacific leaders are heading into next week’s Pacific Islands Forum summit with a call for unity but also signs that reaching a common position on some of the region’s biggest security issues will not be easy.Outgoing Forum Chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Matthew Wale, says Pacific countries must remain united and set their own priorities as geopolitical competition grows around them.His warning comes after Forum foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint response to China’s recent missile test with the issue now expected to go before leaders when they meet in Koror from 30 August to 4 September.In…

Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita will undertake an official visit to Vietnam, Lao PDR and Palau from August 26 to September 2, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday. The visit will cover bilateral engagements with the three countries as well as participation in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting with Dialogue Partners in Palau. Margherita will begin his tour with a visit to Vietnam on August 26-27. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet senior Vietnamese government leaders to review progress in bilateral relations, which were recently elevated to an…

The 2023 Pacific Games audit report will be handed to Solomon Islands Police for investigation.Solomon Islands auditor-general David Teika Dennis told Honiara-based Solomon Business Magazine (SBM) that findings from the special audit into the Games would be sent for further investigation.Dennis revealed the National Hosting Authority (NHA), the government body responsible for organising and delivering the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, did not adhere to the requirements of the Public Financial Management Act 2013 (PFMA 2013).According to the audit findings, the NHA also did not adhere to the prescribed financial management processes when expending public funds for the hosting of…

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) is urging people to prepare for a prolonged drought linked to El Niño.In a statement, the ABG said there was an 80 to 90 percent chance of below-normal rainfall across Bougainville until the end of the year.It said the Nissan Atolls and other vulnerable outer-island communities in Northern Bougainville would be prioritised for drought monitoring.El Niño typically brings hotter and drier conditions to Papua New Guinea, increasing the risk of drought, water shortages, crop losses and food insecurity, particularly in the Highlands and remote island communities.The PNG National Weather Service said a strong El Niño…

The Fiji government’s new five percent Tourism Services Tax (TST) has been criticised by international travel associations.The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) and the Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) say the tax will penalise visitors who have already booked their travels to Fiji.ATIA and TAANZ have called on the Fijian government to withhold implementing the new tax, scheduled to be effective to take effect from 1 September.ATIA chief executive Dean Long said the tax would mean a Fiji holiday could become more expensive for Aussie travellers.The new tax will be in place for large-scale tourism operators and travel…