Author: TMC Palau

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) is actively seeking development compensation from overseas clubs when local talent transfers internationally, in accordance with World Rugby regulations.FRU chief executive Koli Sewabu told RNZ Pacific that the union is now trying to get what is due to the national union and local associations who helped in the development of local players picked up by overseas clubs.French rugby magazine Midi Olympique reported this week that the FRU is demanding compensation payment from a number of clubs in the French Top 14 and Pro-D2 competition.Sewabu, himself a former Flying Fijian international, said the FRU was just…

Pacific Trade Invest Australia (PTI Australia) has appointed tourism trade specialist Ben Urquhart to a new role building booking pathways for Palau, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Nauru through Australian wholesale, retail and specialist channels. The North Pacific will be more accessible than ever for Australian travel trade with PTI Australia naming Ben Urquhart as Senior North Pacific Tourism Advisor to make product from five nations packageable, priced and sellable for the first time. The newly created role covers Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Nauru, working directly with individual operators to enable…

The perfect start at home. Barça came back from 15 points down to beat Anadolu Efes 89-82 in their first EuroLeague game and first outing at the Palau Blaugrana this season. They showed plenty of character, with 20 points from Brizuela and 19 from Punter, while Umude, Gibson and Balcerowski all made important contributions to secure the first European win of the Sekulic era.A start to forget A mosaic, the anthem sung by the crowd and a series of commemorative events marked the start of the Centenary season, but things did not initially go to plan for a packed Palau.…

The mayors of Saipan, Tinian and Aguiguan, Rota, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Islands (CNMI) have joined ranks against proposed seabed mining in the territory’s waters.They are saying that too many environmental and economic questions remain unanswered for the federal government to move forward.In a joint statement, Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho, Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor Edwin Aldan, Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, and Northern Islands Mayor Valentino Taisacan formally registered their opposition with the federal government.”As the Mayors of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, we write to formally express our strong opposition to any proposed…

Average life expectancy across the Pacific is 68.8 years, up from 52.7 in 1960. That’s a significant increase, but it is well below the rate of progress that middle-income countries as a group have achieved. The average increase for the PICs is 16 years, whereas for lower-middle income countries the average increase is 23 years and upper-middle income countries 19 years. Naoero’s improvement in life expectancy has been particularly modest, even by Pacific standards. In 1960 Naoero’s life expectancy was above the upper-middle-income average. Now it is below even the low-income average. Naoero has gone from having the Pacific’s third-highest…

Uni students weigh in on MAPAS scheme debateA university admissions scheme aimed at building the Māori and Pacific medical workforce has found itself at the centre of a political debate.While some politicians are pushing to scrap the Māori and Pacific Admissions Scheme, or MAPAS, university students themselves have shared more nuanced views about the programme, pointing out its value in promoting equity.Leading the chorus of voices against MAPAS is ACT Party leader David Seymour, who believes the programme is “wrong” and “a clear case of racial discrimination”.A New Zealand First candidate, Elliot Ikileili, told Pacific Waves he backed Seymour’s position,…

On September 23, within the framework of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Azerbaijan presented an international technical assistance program aimed at protecting the cultural and natural heritage of small island developing states, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told APA. According to the ministry, ministers of small island states, permanent representatives to the UN, members of the diplomatic corps and other high-ranking representatives attended the event titled “From Island Heritage to World Heritage,” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of…

Fiji’s prime minister is not giving any hints about when exactly the country will head to the polls.The island nation is expected to hold its fourth general election under the 2013 Constitution by 6 February 2027 at the latest.Under Fiji’s current electoral system, the entire country forms a single national constituency, with more than 723,000 registered voters on the electoral roll as of 30 June, according to the Fijian Elections Office.In an interview with RNZ Pacific in Savusavu, northern Fiji, Rabuka said he does not yet have an election date.”No, we have not set a date for the elections,” he…

Tonga and Samoa believe the next few months will be critical as they build-up to the 2027 Netball World Cup.The two teams qualified for World Cup invitation from World Netball after the Oceania Netball Championship in Nuku’alofa.The Tongan Tala finished the competition undefeated, claiming the Oceania title in the process.In front of their home crowd at the Tonga High School indoor stadium, the Tongans over-powered Samoa 71-63 to stamp their mark as the best Pacific Island netball team.They secured their Netball World Cup spot invite by beating Fiji 72-60 last Thursday, after victories over Papua New Guinea (71-47) and the…

Taipei, Sept. 24 (CNA) Three of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies — Paraguay, Eswatini, and Palau — made a push Wednesday for Taiwan’s inclusion in the United Nations, when their leaders addressed the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly.Paraguayan President Santiago Peña said in his speech that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, was already troubling.However, there could be an even more serious crisis in Taiwan in the near future, he said during the General Debate at the U.N. headquarters in New York.”What happens there is not merely a regional matter,” Peña…