Author: ngewakl
A controversial Trump administration deal to relocate deportees from the US to the small Pacific nation of Palau faces an uncertain future, after the senate voted to block the deal as concern about the agreement grows.The deal, which allows up to 75 third-country migrants facing removal from the US to live and work in Palau, was signed by president Surangel Whipps Jr in December. Palau’s lower house now has to consider the deal, and the final decision rests with Whipps Jr.The arrangement is part of a broader assistance package to Palau, including $2m for security initiatives and $7.5m tied to…
Coalition Government Ministers are setting the example in the fight against drugs, with Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya among those who undertook a drug test at Parliament today. In a Facebook post on her page, she thanked Fiji Police Force nurse practitioner Sajneel Prasad and his team from the Police Medical Centre “for attending to this important commitment from the Fiji Government to take the lead in setting the example.” Source link
The lead choreographers for the new Michael Jackson biopic say it’s an honour to represent the Pacific as the film smashes box office records worldwide. The film traces the rise of Michael Jackson, from child star to becoming one of the most influential artist in the world. Despite receiving negative reviews for its ommission of child molestation charges against the late superstar,’Michael’ moonwalked its way to a record-breaking US$217 million in its opening weekend world-wide; a record for a music biopic. Michael choreographers Rich and Tone Talauega played an essential role training the lead actor Jaafar Jackson, who is Michael…
Development policy depends on data. But collecting data is only the first step. Its real value comes from careful analysis that shows where problems are most severe, who is being left behind and which policy responses are most likely to work. On 4 December 2025, a panel at the Australasian AID Conference demonstrated how data analytics can provide policymakers across Southeast Asia and the Pacific with much-needed evidence. Chaired by Professor Beth Webster, Director of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne, the session brought together three researchers from the Institute working on…
Peleliu, Palau — The island is lush, myriad shades of green made deeper by the effects of the morning’s rainfall. Just offshore, snorkelers float over beds of unbleached corals. Walking off the small wooden boat dock, visitors pass clumps of ficus trees and ankle-deep ferns, while cairns of gray stones mark hiking trails. And then, in the middle of an empty field, stands an amphibious Japanese military tank with garlands of green plants sprouting between its rusted wheels. The juxtaposition is jarring. But that’s why tourists have come from as far away as the United States, Canada, Taiwan, South Korea and…
[Photo: FILE] Questions over governance at the Fiji National University were raised in Parliament yesterday, with the Opposition MP Premila Kumar highlighting delays in the university’s council functioning and calling for stronger accountability measures. Opposition MP Premila Kumar questioned the effectiveness of existing oversight processes, saying delays in council action raised concerns about transparency and governance. She questioned Education Minister Aseri Radrodro on what procedures were in place to ensure the timely investigation and resolution of issues within the institution. “In the last parliament session, FNU has been moved to the PM’s office, and until today, there is no FNU…
Taiwan said it will deploy a zero-emissions vessel built by its domestic supply chain to support sustainable tourism in Palau, as part of a broader push to deepen climate cooperation with its Pacific allies. The ship, named Porrima, is among several flagship projects under Taipei’s “Prosperity Diplomacy” initiative, which focuses on green energy, resilience and development partnerships with allies including Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands. Speaking at a parliamentary hearing last week, the island’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan is expanding climate adaptation and energy cooperation with the three island nations, which are among the most vulnerable to…
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson believes his side is capable of producing a “miracle” this weekend as they chase another crucial win in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition. The Drua will face the Highlanders in Ba on Saturday, in what is shaping up as a season-defining clash. Sitting on four wins and five losses, the Drua know victory is essential to keep their play-off hopes alive as the competition enters its decisive phase. Jackson hopes fans will once again come out in numbers and cheer on the team this weekend.Article continues after advertisement While…
Super Typhoon Sinlaku left a trail od destruction in the CNMI. Photo: Thomas Manglona/Marianas Press As the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) continues to recover physically from the devastation of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, mental health experts say psychological wellbeing also needs to be prioritised. The severe storm ran right over the CNMI causing widespread damages. A huge humanitarian response effort is underway. A psychiatrist in New Zealand said mental health services are as important as physical support in the aftermath of traumatic natural disasters. Etu Pasifika national director of mental health Dr Staverton Kautoke said the days immediately…
New Zealand says there is no immediate risk to Pacific leaders travelling to Palau for this year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).But Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says support is ready if the region’s fuel pressures worsen although no leaders have requested assistance so far.“At this point we don’t see any risk of that. There is no risk to any fuel disruption for us and that’s a good thing. But August is a long way away,” Luxon told the media.The Forum leaders meeting is the region’s most important political gathering, bringing together leaders from across the Pacific to discuss shared challenges and…