Author: TMC Palau
The proposed NextGen Alliance Party has once again submitted its application for registration to the Fijian Elections Office. This follows the rejection of the party’s previous application earlier this year after it failed to meet the required number of verified signatures. Party officials today returned to the Elections Office to lodge a fresh application, saying the process marks another step in their push to become officially registered. According to NextGen Alliance Party Leader Apisai Moce, more than 7000 signatures was filed and submitted today for processing from the NextGen Political Movement in their continuos effort to fully register as a…
Overview: Palau is moving into the next phase of its national hospital relocation project after President Surangel Whipps Jr. signed an executive order creating a new steering committee focused on implementation, design and site selection. Executive order shifts project from planning phase to implementation oversight By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — Surangel Whipps Jr. has signed Executive Order No. 503 creating a new steering committee to oversee the next phase of the Belau National Hospital relocation project. President Surangel Whipps Jr. dissolved the previous relocation committee and formed a new steering committee to guide the new hospital relocation project on…
Police investigations into the death of Jone Vakarisi have now moved inside the military camp where he was allegedly held before his death, with Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu confirming officers are recording statements from military personnel. Tudravu says police teams have been inside the camp for the past few days as investigations continue, adding that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces commander has provided support to investigators. The Commissioner confirmed that several military officers have already provided statements, while police are also collecting information from medical personnel who received Vakarisi’s body. Tudravu stopped short of confirming whether any military officer…
Biman Prasad, left, and Manoa Kamikamica Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji Two of Fiji’s former deputy prime ministers face trial on separate corruption charges after their applications to permanently stay criminal proceedings against them were dismissed. The High Court of Fiji has refused Biman Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica’s applications to halt their prosecution by the country’s anti-corruption agency, ruling that grounds raised lacked “merit”. The move comes as a general election looms in Fiji, with Fijians expected to go to the polls some time between 24 June this year and 6 February 2027. Prasad and Kamikamica will appear…
Overview: A young poet from Airai and Ngaraard moved audiences during Senior Citizens Day with a heartfelt Palauan-language poem honoring elders, cultural identity, and the enduring bond between the two states under the theme “Bridging Ages, Sharing Wisdom.” By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — A young poet from Airai and Ngaraard used verse on Saturday to honor elders and the shared history between the two states, delivering a poem that event organizers called a heartfelt bridge between generations. “Being from both Airai & Ngaraard, I really wanted to make both states proud,” said Mayumi Remengesau, who wrote the poem for…
The Electoral Commission and FEO will await Cabinet’s final decision and will respond accordingly once it is communicated. This was highlighted in a statement by the Fijian Elections office regarding Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s announcement that Cabinet has deferred its decision on the Local Government Elections for two weeks. In the statement, the Electoral Commission and the FEO has reassured the public that the Nationwide Voter Registration and Awareness Drive, under the YES Outreach will continue without interruption. They note that Cabinet’s deliberations do not affect the registration process, and eligible Fijians are being urged to register.Article continues after advertisement…
Overview: PICRC and Japan’s Toba Aquarium have renewed their cooperation agreement, continuing years of collaboration in marine conservation, research and public education. The partnership also expands researcher and cultural exchanges between Palau and Japan. KOROR, Palau — The Palau International Coral Reef Center and Toba Aquarium renewed their Friendship and Cooperation Agreement this month, reaffirming nearly a decade of collaboration focused on marine conservation education, research exchanges and public awareness of marine ecosystems. From right to left: Kusuda yasushi Director general of Policy Planning, Wakai yoshihito Director Toba Aquarium, Ichimi Katsuyuki governor, Imura Naoki Director of school Education(Ise City) The renewal ceremony…
source: ABC Berlin-based film students Julius Drost and Moritz Henneberg spent thousands of hours crafting their adorable animated short, Butty, depicting the travails of a cute but clumsy cleaning robot who’s thrown out on the street after one messy malfunction too many. So when Butty was selected for an Oscars-qualifying animation festival in Bulgaria, they were utterly ecstatic. Sadly, the celebration was short-lived. Drost and Henneberg were booted out, and the short disqualified because it was already online. “I was in shock, so I called Julius,” Henneberg recalls of the panic that ensued.Article continues after advertisement “I did some research,…
Overview: Communities in Melekeok and Ngiwal are sharing hard lessons from Supertyphoon Bopha, with a new survey showing that culture, communication and planning all play major roles in whether families relocate to safer ground as climate threats grow in Palau. Study finds cultural ties and lack of formal planning remain major barriers to moving vulnerable families to safer areas By L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (May 19, 2026)— A recent survey by the International Organization for Migration found that proper planning and stronger communication are critical to successfully relocating people displaced by climate change in Palau, while cultural expectations and social…
source: reuters The Trump administration is planning to tell NATO allies this week that it will shrink the pool of military capabilities that the U.S. would have available to assist the alliance’s European nations in a major crisis, three sources familiar with the matter said. Under a framework known as the NATO Force Model, the alliance’s member countries identify a pool of available forces that could be activated during a conflict or any other major crisis, such as a military attack on a NATO member. While the precise composition of those wartime forces is a closely guarded secret, the Pentagon…