Author: TMC Palau

[Photo Supplied] Members of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua men’s and women’s teams swapped the rugby field for community service over the weekend, joining ANZ Fiji staff for a clean-up campaign at Wailoaloa Beach in Nadi. More than 40 ANZ employees, including Country Head Sohaib Mahmood, worked alongside Drua players Carletta Yee, Selai Naliva, Philip Baselala, Isikeli Rabitu, Mesake Doge, Maika Tuitubou, Motikiai Murray and Mesake Vocevoce as part of a community volunteering initiative aimed at protecting Fiji’s coastline. The group collected large amounts of litter and plastic waste from the popular beach area, helping restore parts of the shoreline…

Under the Cook Islands constitution, New Zealand cannot pass laws for the Cook Islands. Photo: Supplied / PMN Cook Islands The Cook Islands and New Zealand have begun talks about defence and security issues. It comes after the two governments signed a pact last month, ending a spat which developed last year over the Cook Islands forging a deal with China without consulting Wellington. Cook Islands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration hosted officials from New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence and Defence Force last week, where discussed moves to share information and align regional security interest and priorities. Cook Islands…

The One Heart Festival 2026 concert, which this time presents GOSPEL FOREVER, has already become an unmissable event for everyone who is a fan of the world of gospel and good music in general. From a proposal that was born in 2019, the project has evolved until it has become consolidated as a concert tour of the major stages of the state, demonstrating that gospel is a first-rate musical genre.  After the successful Gospel Hits and Gospel Celebration tours where great pop music hits were dressed up as gospel and some of the great classics of contemporary gospel were also remembered,…

Double graduation joy for proud mum and daughter. ‘It was a fulfilling moment as 664 graduates from Fiji National University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Education received their degrees and certificates. The day was especially a moment of pride and fulfillment for Sereima Baleisomi who graduated with a PHD in Maths education alongside her daughter, who received her degree with a Bachelors in Law. Baleisomi says she is proud to be sharing the moment with her daughter as it marked the beginning of a chapter for her and her family. “This was just the icing on the cake. Today, she…

Minister for Pacific Peoples Paul Goldsmith greets Surangel Whipps Jr. during the President’s official visit to New Zealand. Photo: Paul Goldsmith / Facebook The Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro formally welcomed the President of Palau to New Zealand at Government House in Auckland on Monday. It’s the first official Visit to New Zealand by a president of the Micronesian state of Palau and while he’s here, President Surangel Whipps will also be meeting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The visit comes as Palau prepares to host this year’s Pacific Islands Leaders Forum meeting in September, with New Zealand set to…

Source: Reuters Groups of passengers and crew disembarked from a cruise ship hit by ​a deadly hantavirus outbreak on Sunday to be evacuated to their home countries where they will isolate according to national protocols to prevent further spread of ‌the disease. Government planes carrying Spanish and French nationals landed in Madrid and Paris on Sunday afternoon, where the passengers were transported to hospital, according to the two countries’ governments. One of the five French passengers showed symptoms during the repatriation flight, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on X. Planes to Canada, the Netherlands, Turkey, the UK, Ireland, and…

What would you tell your 18-year-old self?I’ve spent a lot of time in life worrying about things that have never happened – from disaster hairstyles to my work and my personal life – so I’d tell him not to worry.The best way to relax?I have a cat, and my partner, Bill, has two little dogs. I feel very calm when we all settle in front of the TV together. We all have our own seats!Tell me about your cat, Ned.I was working with Steven Meisel on a campaign and it involved two little kittens. Ned didn’t get the job, but…

Fiji’s long-running fight over labour rights is approaching a critical stage as Parliament prepares to debate the Employment Relations Amendment Bill later this month. Speaking at the 51st Fiji Trades Union Congress delegates conference, International Trade Union Confederation – Asia Pacific General Secretary Shoya Yoshida said the proposed law would test Fiji’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights and meeting international labour standards. Yoshida said trade unions had waited years for the reforms and described the bill as more than a legal amendment, saying it carried major significance for workers across the country. “The ILO can adopt conclusions, recommendations, or even…

Moana Pasifika halfback Augustine Pulu told the reporters in North Harbour last week that if no deal can be made, livelihoods will be be lost. Photo: Paul Taylor/ActionPress Kanaloa Consortium, who are bidding to buy Moana Pasifika’s licence in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, are hoping their case can be given its fair hearing, as uncertainty continues to hover over the club’s future. Kanaloa’s CEO Tracy Atiga confirmed on Monday there is an opening to get some discussions on the issue with current Moana Pasifika owners Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), which has not shown any interest in supporting Kanaloa’s proposal.…

What’s the story Palau, a tiny island nation in the Pacific Ocean, is famous for its stunning underwater caves. These natural wonders provide a unique opportunity to explore the hidden beauty beneath the surface. With crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, Palau’s underwater caves are a paradise for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Here is a look at some of these mesmerizing caves that make Palau’s underwater landscape so special. The enchanting Blue Hole The Blue Hole is one of Palau’s most famous underwater caves. It is a circular shaft that plunges deep into the ocean floor, giving divers an…