Author: TMC Palau
[Photo: WORLD RUGBY 7S/ FACEBOOK] Australia produced a remarkable comeback to beat South Africa 26-19 and end a title drought of more than 1,300 days at the HSBC SVNS event in Valladolid. The Australians trailed 14-0 within the opening three minutes as South Africa struck twice through Shilton van Wyk and Sebastiaan Jobb. However, James Turner and Ethan McFarland, before halftime, levelled the scores, before Ben Dowling and Henry Hutchison crossed in the second half to put Australia in control. Australia’s task became even tougher when Turner was shown a red card for a high tackle with less than two…
Fiji’s Under-18 women’s handball team is on the brink of making history as it prepares to represent the nation at the International Handball Federation (IHF) Women’s Youth World Championship in Romania next month. The tournament marks a major milestone for Fiji, which will become the first Pacific Island nation to compete at the prestigious global championship. With the extended training squad already named, the battle for places in the final team is heating up. Selectors are expected to name the final 16-member squad on June 22. The successful players will carry not only Fiji’s hopes but also those of the…
Alex Fong with his teammate at the championship yesteday. Despite taking up badminton less than a year ago, 15-year-old Alex Fong of Natabua High School is already making impressive strides in the sport after competing in the Badminton Fiji Secondary Schools Championship over the past three days. The youngster got his first taste of high school-level badminton at the tournament and is already setting his sights on achieving even more when he returns next year. Coming from a background in tennis and squash, Fong said adapting to badminton was not overly difficult, with many of the skills transferring across to…
[Photo: FILE] Lomaiviti Province is looking to expand its commercial operations through property development, tourism infrastructure, and fisheries investment as part of plans to grow income opportunities for the province. Provincial Council chair Samuela Vadei says the province is working through Lomaiviti Holdings to strengthen its business arm and build on assets already owned in Levuka. Vadei says this includes plans to expand into Suva through either a joint venture or a stand-alone development, with discussions underway on establishing another Lomaiviti House in the capital. He says the province is also pursuing the revival of the Bula Cakau initiative –…
Fijians will pay more for fuel and LPG from tomorrow, with prices reaching record levels as global market volatility, rising freight costs and ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to drive up import costs. The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission says the latest review reflects sharp increases in international refined fuel prices, particularly for motor spirit and diesel, while efforts were made to cushion products relied on by vulnerable households and maritime communities. In Viti Levu areas within three kilometres of a public road, motor spirit will rise by 80 cents to $3.93 per litre, diesel by 76 cents to $4.58 per…
[Photo: SUPPLIED] After a decade, Fiji will host customs leaders from 24 Pacific administrations next month for the 28th Annual Conference of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO). The meeting comes as efforts to protect Pacific communities, secure borders, facilitate trade, and support sustainable economic growth in the region. The conference will bring heads of customs, senior government officials, and international organisations under the theme, “Scaling up the commitment of customs to protect and grow our Pasifika communities.” In response to increasing pressures from transnational organised crime and growing demands on border agencies, the conference will focus on regional cooperation and…
[Photo: NATIONAL FEDERATION PARTY/ FACEBOOK] The National Federation Party says it is positioning itself to take a leading role in uniting Fiji under its “Weaving Fiji Together” campaign, as confidence grows within the party following its latest branch meeting in Nadi. At the NFP Nadi Branch Annual General Meeting held at the Nadi Civic Centre, delegates expressed strong confidence that the party’s leadership is grounded in what they described as strong, honest and dedicated service to the country. Party leader Professor Biman Prasad told the meeting that the National Federation Party carries a 63-year legacy, which he described as a…
[Photo: FILE] The Fijian Elections Office has identified information management, operational readiness and public confidence as its most pressing challenges as it ramps up preparations for Fiji’s next General Election. Deputy Supervisor of Elections Ana Senimoli says the biggest pressure point right now is not just logistics, but how election information is managed, communicated and understood by the public amid shifting electoral timelines. Senimoli says the deferment of the Local Government elections has added another layer of complexity, making it even more critical that messaging remains clear, accurate and consistent. She warns that maintaining public trust is a continuous responsibility,…
Issued by: on KOROR, Republic of Palau – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, delivers remarks for the Palau Community College commencement ceremony in Koror State in the Republic of Palau, May 15. “Your education has prepared you to lead in a complex and changing world,” Lasky told graduates. “Whether you enter public service, military service, private industry, or continue your studies, remember that part of your contribution will be remembering what it means to be Palauan.”Lasky serves as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Officer for…
[Source: Reuters] Rescuers pulled four people from a flooded cave in Laos, Thai volunteer rescuers said, hours after another man was brought out. The five are among seven Lao nationals who had entered the cave in Xaisomboun province to prospect for gold, but were trapped for more than a week when rising water blocked their exit. Two others remain missing. Kengkard Bongkawong, a Thai cave diver involved in the mission, said in a Facebook post on Saturday that all four of the trapped people had emerged from the cave. Video footage from the volunteers showed rescuers bringing four Laotian men…