Author: TMC Palau
Fiji is at a decisive moment in its history and Parliament must help rebuild trust and unity, says Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko. Speaking at the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SCORE) Index Assessment dialogue in Suva, Jitoko said leaders have a key role in strengthening relationships between communities and institutions. He said Fiji’s ongoing national reviews, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Constitution Review Commission, show people want a more accountable and transparent society. Jitoko told Members of Parliament they are the direct link between government and the people.Article continues after advertisement He said communities expect leaders not only…
Issued by: on U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jorge Zamora, right, and Sgt. Jason Frink, both assigned to Task Force Koa Moana 25, prepare for a civil assessment in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Center for Excellence in Disaster Management while enroute to Kayangel, Palau, on June 24, 2025. Koa Moana 25 is an annual partnership in the Indo-Pacific region that strengthens established relationships, bolsters theater security cooperation, and enhances the resilience of our allies and partners through community outreach, medical and civic assistance, infrastructure improvement projects, and key leader exchanges. (U.S.…
KOROR, Palau– The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) arrived in Koror, Palau Sept. 22, 2025. “It’s wonderful for our mission to return to Palau, where we look forward to working alongside our multinational allies, partners, and friends as we prepare in calm for possible future time of crisis,” said Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander for Pacific Partnership. “It’s exciting to be here, as our nations share a rich history of collaboration and cultural ties. We look forward to strengthening that mutual cooperation and friendship in the days and years ahead.”Pacific Partnership mission…
source : AAP NEWS Russian forces have launched attacks in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, killing at least six people, after the expiry of a US-mediated ceasefire. Ukrainian officials said Russia launched more than 200 drones overnight on Tuesday, putting an end to hopes that the three-day ceasefire that ended on Monday would be extended. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meanwhile, said his country’s forces had struck gas facilities in Russia’s central Orenburg region, more than 1500km from its borders. A drone attack on an apartment building in Zelenskiy’s hometown, the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, killed two and injured four, including…
It was a journey full of firsts, as are most trips to the tiny Pacific nation of Palau. Before my first swim with jellyfish and my first leap from a paddleboard into an underwater cave, my passport had been stamped with its first entry visa that doubled as a conservation pledge. And before that, at Heathrow, I was checked in for the first time by an airline worker who had never even heard of my destination.Why come here? Palau is characterised by densely forested islands and calm waters(Image credit: Holden Frith / Future)Palau consists of more than 300 islands, most…
[Photo: Peceli Naviticoko] Students at the Fiji National University in Labasa have been encouraged to never forget their roots, culture and traditions while embracing the identity and values passed down from their Girmit ancestors. The message was shared during youth dialogue forum held as part of the 147th Girmit Commemoration celebrations, where students were reminded that despite generations being born and raised in Fiji, their history and origins remain deeply connected to India. Scholar and guest speaker Payal Maharaj stressed that young people should remain true to their identity and avoid “pretending” or losing the cultural values and resilience inherited…
What’s the context?President Surangel Whipps speaks with Context about the challenges Palau faces in regulating ships that sail under its flag.NICE, France – The leader of the island nation of Palau, whose ship registration system has come under fire for allowing rogue companies to fly its flag, has pledged to improve oversight of vessels to comply with international regulations. Palau is grappling with gaps in monitoring and enforcement, particularly around vessel abandonments and “dark fleet” operations, President Surangel Whipps told Context on the sidelines of the U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, France, in June. “We need to up our game,”…
[Photo: Yvonne Ravula] Twenty-eight auxiliary firefighters graduated today from the Suva National Fire Station in Walu Bay after successfully completing five weeks of intensive training. The graduates, who had previously served in volunteer capacities with the National Fire Authority, undertook a bridging course aimed at preparing them for full deployment around the country. Minister for Housing Maciu Nalumisa says firefighters are a key part of efforts to strengthen Fiji’s emergency response services. He reminded the graduates of the responsibility that comes with the role.Article continues after advertisement “The uniform you wear carries the trust and expectations of the public, and…
Overview: Pacific Islands Forum leaders have invoked the Biketawa Declaration as the region braces for a growing energy crisis linked to escalating instability in the Middle East. The move signals a coordinated Pacific response aimed at protecting fuel supplies, economic stability and essential services across vulnerable island nations. SUVA, 11 MAY 2026 (PIS)— Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have invoked the Biketawa Declaration to support a coordinated regional response to the emerging energy crisis affecting the Pacific region. Reaffirming Leaders commitment to act decisively and collectively in anticipation of worsening global conditions as the crisis in the Middle-East continues to disrupt…
High Chief Ibedul Gibbons / The People of Belau Palau Contact us for interview requests and further information. “For upholding the democratic, constitutional right of their island to remain nuclear-free.” High Chief Ibedul Gibbons and the People of Belau fought against the presence of US nuclear weapons on the territory of Belau (also called Palau), a Micronesian archipelago in the Western Pacific. High Chief Ibedul Gibbons played a major role in supporting his people’s struggle to preserve the values enshrined in Palau’s constitution, resisting both internal and external pressures and facing difficult personal conflict. Intimidation, corruption and violence characterised the…