Author: TMC Palau
Simon Lal at his spot in the market. As the FIFA World Cup kicked off today, fans across the country are embracing football fever, including Suva market vendor Simon Lal, whose support firmly lies with five-time champions Brazil. Lal says he has been backing Brazil for more than 15 years, a passion shared by his entire family. “That’s our favourite team. My whole family supports Brazil.” While Neymar stands out as one of his favourite players, Lal believes Brazil’s strength lies in the depth and quality of the entire squad.Article continues after advertisement “He plays good, but actually the whole…
Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka Photo: Facebook / Parliament of the Republic of Fiji Fiji’s High Court this week rejected Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s attempt to stall its ruling that the country’s former anti-corruption chief was illegally sacked. In February, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere found that the President – on the advice of the prime minister – “unlawfully” dismissed Barbara Malimali, the head of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). The finding reportedly “embarrassed” Rabuka, who applied to the High Court in March for an order staying the execution of the judgement and all further proceedings. Former FICAC chief Barbara Malimali…
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the recent attack on a Palau-flagged tanker off the coast of Oman that resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers. The incident is part of escalating tensions in West Asia involving US and Iranian actions. On June 10, US forces struck the tanker MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fire and killing three out of 24 Indian crew members. The attack followed a projectile strike on the vessel. UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, at a press briefing on Thursday, expressed full support for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General…
Overview: As Washington seeks to manage tensions with Beijing, Taiwan Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao says U.S. engagement with China should not be mistaken for a weakening of support for Taiwan, Palau and other Indo-Pacific partners. During an interview with Island Times, Hsiao discussed regional security, strategic competition and a new Taiwan-Palau law enforcement initiative. By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — “We have the same belief as the United States — that peace is maintained through strength,” Taiwan Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao said, emphasizing that continued U.S. engagement with China does not signal a weakening of support for Taiwan, Palau or…
[Source: Reuters] The cake and balloons will be out again at Bushy Park in south-west London on Saturday as the phenomenon that is parkrun marks yet another milestone, this one surely the most incredible of all along its 22-year journey – the millionth event. That is not the one millionth individual run – there have been almost 140 million of those – but, including junior 2km versions, the one millionth free, timed, 5km run organised and delivered by an army of volunteers. The origin story is as well-trodden as Bushy Park’s lush turf at 9am every Saturday, but never loses…
On the last phone call with his father on Sunday, Indian seafarer Aditya Sharma confided in him about “warnings” from United States forces and the tense situation aboard his Palau-flagged merchant tanker, MT Settebello, as the ship navigated waters off the coast of Oman, amid a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.“We spoke almost every day. On a WhatsApp call on Sunday, he told me that they received at least two warnings from the US Navy in the past fortnight, and that the ship was still trying to push towards the Strait of Hormuz. We were worried. Another ship,…
Overview: Every breath of air that enters the global stratosphere passes through a narrow atmospheric doorway — and that doorway sits directly above Palau. For ten years, the Palau Atmospheric Observatory has stood watch over one of the most scientifically significant patches of sky on the planet. What began as two containers of instruments on the grounds of Palau Community College has grown into the largest scientific observatory in the rural western Pacific, generating data that reaches climate researchers from Germany to NASA and beyond. At the observatory’s 10th anniversary ceremony, scientists and government leaders gathered to reflect on a…
Suva FC will begin their 2026 BiC Fiji FACT campaign with a tough opening fixture against defending champions Labasa. Club president Nitin Singh understands the importance of securing a positive result against the hosts, saying a strong start could provide valuable momentum for the rest of the tournament. Singh said the team has spent the past two weeks addressing weaknesses identified during recent Extra Premier League matches and is confident the players will be well prepared for the challenge ahead. He also acknowledged that Labasa will be highly motivated to defend their title on home soil and expects a fiercely…
Koror, Palau – Palau’s National Congress, the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK), took ownership of a new joint website for the Senate and the House of Delegates during a handover ceremony held on 26 May 2026, making an important step towards greater transparency, accessibility and public engagement in the legislative process.The ceremony brought together Floor Leaders and members of both chambers, representatives of the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to celebrate the successful completion and transfer of the platform to the OEK.The website was developed under Phase two of the Strengthening Legislatures in Pacific Island Countries (SLIP II) project, a UNDP initiative funded by the Government of Japan that enhances the effectiveness and transparency of parliamentary systems across Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Palau, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.The development process was carried out by expert digital designers in close collaboration with the staff of both chambers, ensuring the platforms are tailored to the specific needs of the Parliament and are sustainable over the long term.Delivering opening remarks on behalf of the OEK, Senate Floor Leader, Honourable Kerai Mariur underscored the Parliament’s commitment to…
Overview: Palau’s Minister of Justice Jennifer Olegeriil made a compelling case this week that the country’s justice institutions are not separate from economic development — they make it possible. Speaking at the Enhancing Investment in Palau forum, she outlined new government coordination measures, warned of AI-enabled investment fraud and called for deeper ties with Palau’s key development partners. By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau, June 11, 2026 — Palau’s Minister of Justice Jennifer Olegeriil told a gathering of investors, diplomats and government officials Wednesday that the country’s justice system sits “quietly but critically” at the foundation of economic resilience, arguing that…