Author: TMC Palau

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has sought further dialogue with the United States over its new visa bond policy.In a statement, Marape acknowledged that the US had copped them with a “substantial” US$20,000 visa bond for ordinary business and tourism travel to the US, saying Papua New Guineans were concerned.”I want our people to understand that this is not a breakdown in relations between Papua New Guinea and the United States,” Marape said.”The United States is an important and longstanding friend and partner of Papua New Guinea, and we respect its sovereign right to determine its Immigration and…

CANBERRA, Australia — Palau’s diplomatic presence in Australia has entered a new chapter with the formal presentation of credentials by Ambassador Roland Merar, the country’s first resident ambassador to Australia since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1994. Merar presented his Letter of Credence to Australia’s Governor-General, Sam Mostyn, on Wednesday, Aug. 5, formally […]The post Merar Begins Mission as Palau’s First Resident Ambassador to Australia appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

[Supplied] Niraj Bhartu has been confirmed as the Chief Executive Officer of Vision Investment Limited. Bhartu brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, governance, risk and executive management to the role. Bhartu, who has served as Acting CEO since September 2025, will formally take up the position on September 1, 2026. He has spent more than a decade with the company and previously served as General Manager Finance from 2015.Article continues after advertisement The company says his extensive experience across its operations and businesses positions him to lead the Group through its next phase of growth, diversification and…

The Ministry of Education is expediting salary arrears for 318 staff, with payments scheduled for Pay 17 and Pay 18. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro said delays were caused by internal and compliance issues during the processing of appointments and payments. He states that staff affected by the delays must provide complete appointment documents and confirmation of their commencement dates from their Heads of Schools or District Education Officers. Common issues identified include missing FTRA registration certificates, incomplete bank details and delays in confirming when officers started work.Article continues after advertisement Radrodro said the Ministry also had to verify that all…

BEIJING – China warned a top Pacific Islands diplomat to “avoid affecting the healthy and stable development of ties” on Aug 11, after he said Taiwan would attend an annual meeting of the regional bloc’s leaders.The island was barred from the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in 2025 after protests from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory.Baron Waqa, the forum’s secretary-general, told reporters on Aug 7 that Taipei would attend in 2026.“China urges the Pacific Islands Forum secretary to strictly adhere to the one-China principle, properly handle Taiwan-related issues and avoid affecting the healthy and stable development…

[Photo: File] The Fijian Elections Office has admitted an internal process failure after a mock press release announcing the 2026 General Election was mistakenly circulated publicly. The FEO says the release was part of a Writ to Return of Writ Dress Rehearsal being conducted ahead of the next General Election. The exercise is designed to test and finalise procedures that will be used from the issuance of the Writ through to its return. As part of the simulation, FEO staff created a mock press release containing fictitious information, including a fake election date.Article continues after advertisement However, the FEO says…

For two weeks in November the remote Tokelauan atoll of Fakaofo will become a global communications hub.The remote Tokelau atoll of Fakaofo is 3,380 to 3,790 kilometres northeast of New Zealand – the number of people who live on Fakaofo is just over 470. However, this tiny dot in the Pacific is one of amateur radio’s most sought-after locations, and for two weeks in November will become a global communications hub.In amateur radio, “DX” comes from telegraph shorthand: “D” for distance and “X” for the unknown or distant.For about two weeks in November, DX enthusiasts from the Perseverance DX Group…

PALAU — U.S. Soldiers and Marines conducted integrated air and missile defense training during the multi-day exercise Tenacious Archer 2026 in Airai, Palau, strengthening joint interoperability and validating the command relationships, communications and tactical coordination required to respond to emerging aerial threats across the Indo-Pacific. The exercise brought together Soldiers from 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Soldiers from 728th Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Soldiers from 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 9th Mission Support Command, and Marines from 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group…

South Pacific Stock Exchange CEO Sheraj Obeyesekere The Fijian Stock Market reported strong growth across key market indicators this year, reflecting increased investor participation, higher trading activity, and continued confidence in Fiji’s capital market. Year-to-date trading value reached $77.7 million – a 166% increase compared to the same period last year and the highest market turnover since 2015. Trading volume rose 191% to over 42.6 million shares, while total trades increased nearly 65%. The Exchange achieved key milestones early in the year: total trading volume surpassed the previous year’s full-year result on 18 March, and total trading value exceeded the…

Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua confirmed on Tuesday that a Cabinet reshuffle is likely to happen by the end of the week .”Yes, we’ll make an announcement once it’s all ready,” Lord Fakafanua told RNZ Pacific.It comes after the resignations of two of the most senior government ministers who were “unseated” by the Tongan Legislative Assembly on 3 August.The two – former Tourism and Infrastructure Minister Semisi Sika and former Finance Minister Lata Tangimana – were found guilty of bribery by the Nuku’alofa Magistrates’ Court during the 2025 general election.Lord Fakafanua has been acting as finance minister.Tangimana, who held…