Latest news with #Games
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Scoop
'We Have Done Our Best': Palau Ready To Host The 2025 Pacific Mini Games
There is a buzz in the air as athletes and team officials have started arriving in Koror, Palau, for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games set to officially open on Sunday. The Games is scheduled to take place from 29 June to 9 July. Majority of the competing teams are already in Palau,with others flying in over the next two days. As the different contingents jet into the Palauan capital, President Surangel Whipps Jr, along with Taiwan's Ambassador Jessica Lee, and other local dignitaries, launched 11 facilities that have been upgraded or built for the event. These were funded through more than US$5.7 million in support from Taiwan. The completed projects include: Long Island Beach Volleyball Facility, Meyuns Canoe Racing Facility, Meyuns Softball Field, Meyuns PNOC Swimming Pool Facility, Wrestling and Weightlifting Facility, Palau High School Spider Gym (Basketball), Palau National Track and Field, Asahi Baseball Field, Melekeok Archery Facility, KB Bridge Beach Wrestling Facility and the Ngiwal Triathlon Facility The Island Times reports that some of the facilities, such as the Palau High School Spider Gym, faced delays due to late arrival of construction materials. Palau Pacific Games Organising Committee chair Dr Patrick Tellei told RNZ Pacific in an earlier interview the delay was expected, but all facilities have now been completed. Dr Tellei said Palau is ready to host the Games. "We are excited, and we have done our best to make sure we host the Games to the best of our abilities, with what we have," he said. Twenty-four countries are going to be represented at the event, with athletes competing across 12 sports. "The whole nation is excited," he added. Papua New Guinea Team Papua New Guinea arrived via two chartered flights, making the three-hours flight across from Port Moresby to Koror on Thursday. PNG won the last Mini Games in Saipan, Northern Marianas in 2022. PNG Olympic Committee president Emma Waiwai said in a statement that the athletes are ready to retain their title by winning the majority of medals at the event. The contingent is made up of 185 athletes and officials. Team PNG will be competing in nine of the 12 sports. These are in athletics, basketball 3x3, beach volleyball, softball, swimming, table tennis, va'a (outrigger canoeing), volleyball (Indoor) and weightlifting. Waiwai said Team PNG will compete in both the men's and women's divisions for these nine sports except for beach and indoor volleyball, which will only field the men's teams while softball is only for women. "Team PNG athletes are some of the best in the Pacific and the Oceania region, and also the Commonwealth, and are always proud to represent their country," Waiwai said. "I am always proud to see our athletes run out in our national colours, and I look forward to seeing them flying our flag in Palau." Government chartered two Air Niugini flights, and approved support budget around US$988,000. The Post-Courier newspaper reported Sports Minister Kinoka Feo confirming the funding during the farewell ceremony held at Port Moresby's Taurama Aquatic Centre (TAC). Feo also farewelled the contingent on behalf of Prime Minister James Marape, the PNG Government, and the PNG Sports Foundation. "To our athletes, this moment is a celebration of your dedication, sacrifice and hard work you have all put in to prepare for this event," he told athletes and officials. "You've trained in the heat, in the rain, in the early mornings and late evenings. Now you are going to wear the red, black and gold on the international stage not just as competitors but as ambassadors of our great country. "Champions are not born overnight, they are born through hard work, dedication and commitment, so as you head to Palau, I encourage you to compete with everything that you have and don't hold back. Let the flag on your chest remind you of who you are and where you come from. Let it drive you to dig deeper, find the energy, courage, and strength even when it gets tough out there." Waiwai thanked the PNG Government "for standing behind Team PNG time and again, even at the 11th hour, to ensure our athletes have the support they need to represent our country with pride". She also acknowledged the sponsors for their support as Team PNG head off to defend the title that they won at the last Pacific Games in the Northern Mariana Islands. Josh Tarere from swimming and Thelma Toua of weightlifting will be the PNG flag bearers. Tarere has represented PNG for eight years,and made his international debut at just 18 years old at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The 25 year old is one of the veterans in the team. Toua has competed at the Commonwealth and Oceania Championships, IWF World Championship, Pacific Mini Games, and the prestigious Arnold Schwarzenegger Tournament in Melbourne. She is the current Oceania Champion in her category. Cook Islands Team Cook Islands have named beach volleyball players Brendon Heath and Alanna Smith as their official flagbearers at the Games. Cook Islands News said Smith has represented the Cook Islands in international competitions. Smith is teaming up with Twinna Tangirere at the upcoming Mini Games. Veteran volleyball player Heath, who is also the U18 beach volleyball head coach, has teamed up with Raiti Herman. Smith said it is an awesome opportunity to showcase Cook Islands culture, song and drumming. Fiji With their focus set on upcoming international meets, Team Fiji officials are optimistic the experience in Palau will be good for their young athletes. A chance to gain exposure at a prominent level will be a key objective for young athletes travelling with Team Fiji for the Pacific Mini Games in Palau. Chef de mission Josaia Tuinamata told FASANOC media in Nadi, before their first contingent left for Palau on Friday morning, that they are taking a lot of young athletes to help their development at the Mini Games. Some of the events they want to build up for includes the Pacific Games and the Olympic Games. "I think the athletes they'll do well, because we're looking to Los Angeles in 2028," he said. "Tahiti is in 2027 and also our home-based Game advantage, which is Brisbane in 2032. "We expect medals. At least the seniors can push the youth, because some of them will be finishing, some will be having this as their last tour and then we'll rely on our youths come next year for the Youth Games." Team Fiji general manager Anushil Kumar told The Fiji Times majority of their athletes are youths and they had a lot to look forward to. "It will be the first time for quite a few of them because with the new youth component coming on for the Pacific Mini Games by the Pacific Games Council, a majority of Team Fiji's contingent are youths," Kumar said. "They have a lot to look forward to and I think it will be a big once in a lifetime achievement for most of them." He said the Mini Games would be the ideal platform to build athletes up for the Pacific Games in Tahiti in two years' time. Team Fiji will compete in the 12 sports, with a total of 186 athletes and officials scheduled for Palau. Vanuatu The Vanuatu Government will spend US$333,417 to charter a flight for its national contingent to the Games. This announcement was made by the Minister of Justice, Youth and Community Services, Job Andy in Vila on Thursday. Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee chief executive David Lolo had told RNZ Pacific last month they had sought government's assistance for the contingent. Thursday's announcement means the athletes and officials will be in Koror before the opening ceremony on Sunday. Team Vanuatu has also announced that volleyball's Stivano Banga and judoka Veronica Tari will be the country's flagbearers at the Games. Solomon Islands The Solomon islands National Sport Council (NSC) has announced an incentive package for national athletes representing the country at the Games. Athletes can receive SD$7,000 for Gold, SD$5,000 for Silver and SD$3,000 for Bronze. Sun Sports in Honiara said NSC Chairman Joe Sika had confirmed the medal incentives will be awarded to all athletes representing Team Solomon. "The NSC Board has approved medal incentives for our athletes," Sika said. "These incentives will be issued for both team and individual sports upon the athletes' return from Palau. "We look forward to the athletes achieving new personal bests, new national and Pacific records, and medals to make the Solomon Islands proud." The NSC has also funded 70 members of Team Solomon for the Games. Team Solomons will compete in archery, athletics, baseball, basketball (3x3), judo, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, Va'a, volleyball (both beach and indoor), weightlifting, and wrestling. Tonga Tonga had 33 athletes in Palau. The Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) has confirmed Tonga will compete in archery, athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, table tennis, swimming and weightlifting. The archery team was the first to arrive in Koror. Northern Marianas Almost half of Team Marianas contingent are females. Mariannas Variety reported this week that it was heartening for the county to see so many females and youths in their contingent. Northern Marianas Sports Association president Jerry Tan said it is exciting. "The future of sports in the CNMI is bright," Tan said, while farewelling the team in Saipan this week. Tan noted that 40 percent of the athletes are under the age of 18 and 47 percent are women. "Almost half of this group are women," Tan continued. "One thing about sports is that it's played by both men and women, but usually, it's a lot easier to recruit boys and men. "In our case, we're just so happy to see that we only need three percent more to reach 50 percent. What does that mean? It means the future of sports in the CNMI is bright." *RNZ Pacific's digital journalist Coco Lance will be leading our coverage of the Mini Games from Koror.
eNCA
2 hours ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Jamaica's Fraser-Pryce qualifies for 9th World Championships
JAMAICA - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce punched her ticket to a ninth World Championships with a third-placed finish in the 100m at the Jamaican national athletics trials on Friday. Fraser-Pryce, a three-time Olympic gold medallist and 10-time world champion, clocked 10.91sec to finish third in the women's 100m final and secure a berth for the World Championships in Tokyo in September. Tina Clayton won her first national title in a personal best of 10.81 with reigning 200m world champion Shericka Jackson second in 10.88. Tia Clayton, twin sister of Tina, was fastest in the semi-finals but pulled up with an apparent injury in the final. Fraser-Pryce won her first world championships medal at Osaka in 2007 - a silver in the 4x100m relay - before going on to win 10 world titles, five of them in the 100m. In front of a large turnout that included treble world record holder Usain Bolt, she delivered when it mattered most. "It's been a long journey," Fraser-Pryce said after the final. "But it was not about making the team, it was about celebrating the journey and I am grateful for those who have been part of the journey. "It takes strength and resilience to have made it so far, but it was always a joy and privilege to represent Jamaica and I hope I will leave a legacy of inspiration to every girl who has a dream for achieving more." In the men's 100m final, Paris Olympics silver medallist Kishane Thompson delivered a blistering 9.75sec (wind .8m/sec), his personal best making him the sixth-fastest performer in history. Only Justin Gatlin (9.74), Asafa Powell (9.72), Yohan Blake (9.69) Tyson Gay (9.69) and world record-holder Bolt (9.58) have gone faster. The 23-year-old, who was beaten by just 0.005sec by Noah Lyles in the 100m final at the Paris Games, sliced two hundredths off his previous career best of 9.77 set in June of 2024.
CNET
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints, Answers for June 28 #278
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles. Today's Connections: Sports Edition has some oddball categories that I wouldn't really consider sports. They're more like games, and hobbies or leisure activities. But you get the idea. Read on for hints and the answers. Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That's a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn't show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic's own app. Or you can continue to play it free online. Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta Hints for today's Connections: Sports Edition groups Here are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group. Yellow group hint: Reel it in. Green group hint: 21. Blue group hint: Between the bases. Purple group hint: Score! Answers for today's Connections: Sports Edition groups Yellow group: Fishing terms. Green group: Options in blackjack. Blue group: MLB shortstops. Purple group: ____ goal. Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words What are today's Connections: Sports Edition answers? The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition for June 28, 2025, #278. NYT/Screenshot by CNET The yellow words in today's Connections The theme is fishing terms. The four answers are bait, hook, rod and tackle. The green words in today's Connections The theme is options in blackjack. The four answers are double down, hit, split and stand. The blue words in today's Connections The theme is MLB shortstops. The four answers are Betts, Story, Volpe and Witt. The purple words in today's Connections The theme is ____ goal. The four answers are empty net, field, golden and own.
Mint
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
What's new on Netflix this week (June 27): Squid Game 3, Tom Cruise dominate the drop
Had a long week and just want to chill at home? Well, Netflix is bringing a powerhouse lineup to keep you thoroughly entertained. The lineup includes audience-favourite shows and five adrenaline-pumping instalments of Mission: Impossible films. Here's your ultimate guide to this week's must-watch content dropping between June 27 and July 3, 2025. One of Netflix's most-watched series has returned with its third and final season. Stakes are higher than ever as the Gi-hun comes back to take down the Games from the inside. However, the deeper he veers, the more secrets he uncovers. Expect twists, betrayals and a potentially game-changing conclusion! The fantasy show based on Neil Gaiman's cult comic, the final volume, brings Morpheus face-to-face with the Furies and a new Dream King. Fans of the first season will not want to miss the climactic arc of this show. Directed by Jamie Childs, the show is reportedly being pulled off due to allegations against Gaiman. Hollywood's sweetheart Tom Cruise will likely be dominating the charts of new titles with the first five instalments of his iconic franchise Mission: Impossible arriving on Netflix. From the original to Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Cruise's action-packed films will certainly keep you entertained. Yellowjackets will be coming with a brand-new season, which picks up two months after Jackie's death. The new season will show survivors facing a harsh winter while tensions escalate within the group. Amid the tense situation, Lottie will emerge as a spiritual leader. The dystopian political thriller, directed by James McTeigue, will be available on Netflix this week. Based on a graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, the storyline is set in a totalitarian future Britain. It follows the journey of a masked vigilante known as V, who seeks to overthrow the oppressive government. Here are some of the other notable titles releasing this week on Netflix: Pokémon Horizons: Season 2 – June 27 Mom: Seasons 1–8 – July 1 Mr. Robot: Seasons 1–4 – July 3 Tour de France: Unchained: Season 3 – July 2 Squid Game: Season 3 is the week's biggest release of this week. Yes. Season 2 will be its final chapter, reportedly due to behind-the-scenes controversy. Pokémon Horizons: Season 2 continues the animated adventures for younger audiences, and PAW Patrol: Seasons 2 and 3 are also available now.
USA Today
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Spoilers: Here's how 'Squid Game' ends (with a huge cameo) after three seasons of death
Spoiler alert! This story contains details about the series finale of "Squid Game." "Squid Game" is over, but it seems the Games will never end. That's the haunting message we're left with in the final moments of Netflix's juggernaut South Korean horror drama, which wrapped up its third and last season with six episodes released June 27. Like the first two seasons, the episodes were unrelentingly bloody and bleak. And they wrapped up with an ending that might be a new beginning. Season 3 of the Netflix's most-watched show of all time was a macabre and depressing affair, a sort of half-story that seemed to indicate Seasons 2 and 3 were really just one story arbitrarily cut in half. The new episodes have all the flaws of the misguided Season 2, including that the show's core anticapitalist message has been swept aside in favor of more action set pieces and ceaseless barbarity. Any overarching point the series has been trying to make is lost in the chaos of men fighting with knives and threatening to kill a newborn baby to save their own skin. Even the quiet, eyebrow-raising final moments, which suggest that the struggle for economic justice and equality might be utterly pointless, feel less like a philosophy and more like a real-life capitalist desire for more, more, more. Season 1 of "Squid Game" remains one of the most arresting, shocking and thought-provoking TV shows ever made, so much that it became a surprise worldwide hit on the strength of word-of-mouth alone. Seasons 2 and 3 are hollow echoes of that achievement. They don't negate what that first season did, but merely dampen its effect. It's hard to remain awed when you've had two seasons worth of just, "ah." Does Gi-hun survive the final game? When the finale episode begins, our hero Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is stuck in the last game with the late Jun-hee's newborn baby, who has become Player 222, and the baby's somewhat-of-a-dirtbag father Myung-gi (Yim Si-wan). The two men have seriously erred by killing all the other contestants before the final round of the game, because each round requires at least one person to die. In a brutal fight in which Myung-gi more than once endangers his newborn daughter (sometimes on purpose), Myung-gi ends up falling off the tall platform before the final round officially begins, meaning now either Gi-hun or the baby has to die or they will both be shot by the game workers. The wealthy VIPs watching with their gilded opera glasses are waiting for Gi-hun to kill the baby, and Gi-hun's mortal enemy the Front Man/In-ho (Lee Byung-hun) expects him to do the same. But in one final act of rebellion against the games, Gi-hun kills himself to save the child, declaring he is not a horse to be bet on but a human with a life. Player 456 is eliminated. What happens with Jun-ho and No-eul as the final game ends? Gi-hun's struggle was not the only one as the final game played out. In-ho's brother Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun) finally makes it to the island he's been searching for these last two seasons. He arrives in time to see his brother take away the baby and set a self-destruct timer on the island. No-eul (Park Gyu-young), the games worker who has been trying to save a man with a sick daughter out of guilt for leaving her own daughter behind in North Korea, helps him escape from the island, and stays behind to burn records and feel sorry for herself. After witnessing Gi-hun's sacrifice, however, she decides not to let herself die, and evacuates the island with the rest of the workers. The VIPs make it out unscathed too, of course. They will never suffer any kind of consequence for their inhumanity. 'Squid Game': Where are they now Six months pass after the explosive end to Gi-hun's final games, and our remaining (living) characters have all moved on with their lives, or so they think. Jun-ho's loan-shark ally Mr. Choi (Jeon Seok-ho), is released from prison. Jun-ho has given up his quest and his career, but don't worry, his brother delivers him Jun-hee's baby and her 45.6 billion-won prize. One can only wonder with horror who has been taking care of that baby for her first half year. No-eul checks to make sure the father she rescued from the Games is still alive and thriving with his daughter. And she even gets good news of her own: The broker who helped her escape from North Korea has a lead on her own daughter's whereabouts. That same broker also brings us a blast from Season 1 past, reuniting the younger brother of Sae-byeok (the North Korean escapee who competed in the Season 1 games and finished third) with his mother. The Front Man remembers another family member who needs to be taken care of: Gi-hun's daughter Ga-yeong (Jo Ah-in), now living with her mother and stepfather in Los Angeles. In-ho shows up at her door with a box containing the personal effects of her father, and tells her he's dead. Inside is Gi-hun's blood-stained track suit and the debit card to his account, which In-ho has seemingly restocked with the billions of won that disappeared from Gi-hun's hotel headquarters. It's the same kind of quiet, unsatisfactory ending we saw in Season 1. That is, until the last few moments. Is 'Squid Game' getting an American spinoff? As In-ho drives away from Ga-yeong's house, his SUV stops at a traffic light across from a dirty L.A. alley, where he hears a loud slapping noise. Could it be? Yes, it is: A suited games recruiter and an American man are playing ddakji. And that recruiter isn't just anyone, it's freaking Cate Blanchett, who gives In-ho a knowing look before she goes back to slapping her prey. Then the credits roll. This A-lister cameo and revelation of an American version of the games can be interpreted in a few ways: Maybe it's just a coda that points out the true pointlessness and hopelessness of Gi-hun's rebellion. The games − and therefore wealth inequality, injustice and deep human cruelty − persist everywhere. One island off the coast of South Korea may have blown up, but no one will stop the wealthy from oppressing and crushing the poor. Or, if you are thinking about real-life capitalism, this may be a way for Netflix to introduce a U.S. spinoff. Whether that's a good idea, storytelling-wise, doesn't really matter in the great content machine that is Netflix (and, to be fair, all the other streamers, too). We'll just have to wait and see if a new show with a bloody version of Red Rover eventually hits our Netflix queues. Netflix has announced no plans for a spinoff; USA TODAY has reached out for further comment.
