Author: TMC Palau
Fiji is now in a generalised HIV epidemic, which means the virus is firmly established and spreading within the general population.The number of people living with HIV in Fiji has risen sharply over the past decade.Fiji’s Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu declared an HIV outbreak in January 2025.The number of Fijians living with HIV had risen to at least 9000, or nearly 1 percent of the population, as of March, according to the head of Fiji’s HIV response.The figures indicate that Fiji has a higher HIV prevalence rate than Australia and New Zealand, where the rate is estimated at…
The multidisciplinary Indian artist Sejal Parekh (United Kingdom, 1979), based in Barcelona, will present an exhibition of her artistic work at the Palau de la Música Catalana, providing a perspective that deeply dialogues with the central theme of this season: peace. In collaboration with the Fundació Úniques, which supports contemporary art created by women originally from or based in the Catalan Countries, Sejal Parekh will introduce the visiting public to the Palau de la Música Catalana with some of her most representative works: the banners. The banners are constructed from seemingly simple elements but are loaded with meaning. One of…
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 20, 2026) — The National Development Bank of Palau’s Board of Directors has decided not to renew the contract of President and CEO David Proctor, with Chief Financial Officer Karla West appointed as acting CEO. NDBP Board Chairman Rhinehart Silas confirmed the decision, saying Proctor’s contract, which expires Aug. […]The post NDBP CEO David Proctor’s Contract Not Renewed appeared first on Island Times News. Source link
Mario Biondi will perform at the Monte Altura Fortress, one of Gallura’s most evocative panoramic settings, tomorrow, August 22nd, at 10:00 PM. He will be the star of a particularly important musical event as part of the celebrations dedicated to Rafael Neville Rubio-Argüelles, founder of Porto Rafael, in Palau. The evening will be hosted by Max De Tomassi, the legendary voice of Rai Radio 1. For the occasion, Mario Biondi will perform a special concert, “This Is What You Are – 20th Anniversary,” celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the song that marked the launch of his international career and continues…
Divers looking to experience Palau’s fish spawning aggregations will have two new opportunities in 2028, with Dive Worldwide adding departures specifically timed around the lunar cycle. The 3 February 2028 expedition will focus on Moorish idols and twin-spot snapper, while the 14 April 2028 departure will target blue-lined sea bream and bumphead parrotfish. Palau’s spawning events occur at particular points in the lunar cycle, with different species gathering at specific locations and times to reproduce. The aggregations can number in the thousands and attract predatory species including grey reef sharks, lemon sharks, oceanic blacktip sharks and bull sharks. February 2028:…
A celebration of rugby legend Jonah Lomu is getting a $10,000 boost.The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board made the decision to contribute $10,000 to the event after debating whether approving funding outside the usual grants process was fair to other applicants at its monthly business meeting on Wednesday.South Auckland LOMU Day is due to be held at Māngere Town Centre on 29 August as a free community celebration of Lomu and his legacy.Organisers say the event could attract up to 10,000 people and will feature live performances, local market stalls, youth and community participation, and a showcase of some of Lomu’s favourite…
Fiji and Tonga are exploring alternative fuel supply partnerships to ensure their energy security needs are met.Fijian Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Sakiasi Ditoka recently visited Malaysia and Korea and held discussions with his counterparts in the two countries about possible fuel supply partnerships.He also met with representatives of PETRONAS, Malaysia’s national oil and gas company, which is wholly owned by the Malaysian government.The company manages Malaysia’s oil and gas resources and operates across the entire energy value chain, including exploration, production, refining, marketing, and retail fuel sales.He also discussed fuel supply and renewable energy options while visiting Korea.Ditoka…
Northern Mariana Islands tennis standout Carol Young Suh Lee is headed to the US Open after earning a main-draw singles wild card into the final Grand Slam tournament of the year.Lee, 24, clinched the women’s US Open Wild Card Challenge after a strong run on the professional circuit, highlighted by qualifying for and winning the WTA 125 tournament in Warsaw, Poland.She also qualified for and reached the second round of the WTA 250 tournament in Prague during the four-week challenge.”I am incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to compete at the US Open,” Lee said.”Playing in a Grand Slam…
The Fiji Bati’s campaign at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup later this year has been dealt a tough blow with the sudden retirement of captain Tui Kamikamica.The 32-year-old announced his immediate retirement on medical grounds on Thursday.His club, Melbourne Storm, confirmed the retirement of their long-serving prop, who ends his rugby league career with 142 National Rugby League appearances and 23 Test matches for the Fiji Bati.Kamikamica has not been able to recover fully from a stroke he suffered on 30 March, two days after he had played for the Storms against North Queensland Cowboys.He needed emergency surgery to…
At the end of July, New Zealand’s Immigration Minister Erica Stanford took the stage at the annual Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) conference to announce a series of scheme changes. The RSE scheme, launched in 2007, lets New Zealand horticulture and viticulture employers recruit workers from nine Pacific Island and seven Asian countries for seasonal jobs (planting, maintaining, harvesting and packing) when there are not enough New Zealanders available. The reforms — which are the result of a sporadic, multi-year policy review — were framed as practical housekeeping. The RSE scheme “has been a standout success for nearly 20 years”, stated…