Author: TMC Palau

Overview: ADB Lowers Asia-Pacific Growth Outlook as Energy Crisis and Global Uncertainty Weigh on Economies The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised down its 2026 economic growth forecast for developing Asia and the Pacific, citing prolonged disruptions in global energy markets linked to the Middle East conflict. While the region remains resilient, ADB warns that higher energy costs, inflation pressures, supply chain risks, and geopolitical uncertainty could slow recovery across many economies. The latest outlook projects 4.9% growth for developing Asia and the Pacific in 2026, down from the previous forecast, with the Pacific and Southeast Asia among the subregions…

Todd Osterloh’s law career has come full circle. Nearly 20 years after serving as a court counsel (law clerk) to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau, Osterloh has been appointed justice to the Supreme Court of Palau. He was sworn in as justice on Tuesday. “I am extremely excited about being a justice on the Supreme Court of Palau,” Osterloh said. “I’ve always enjoyed the academic nature of the law, which is one of the reasons I went to law school. As a practicing attorney, I learned to appreciate the intersection of the academic side of the profession…

This year’s Kiribati Language Week’s English translation means to “strive diligently to fulfil our responsibilities and uphold our Kiribati identity.”But for Roi Burnett (Beru, Onotoa, I-Matang) that English translation doesn’t quite capture that phrase’s true essence.”I think ‘Karina te ang’ has such a deeper meaning behind it,” Burnett explained.”It literally means to take a breath, and ‘ang’ can be translated as the wind, the breath or the spirit. So to me, ‘karina te ang’ means to just always, in whatever you do … always take a breath and take in the spirit.”Burnett, who is of i-Kiribati and European heritage, was…

[Photo: Riya Bhagwan] Likuri Island Resort and Malolo Island Resort marked a significant milestone last night as they were admitted into the Fiji Development Bank Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. The recognition follows three consecutive wins in their respective accommodation categories. Likuri Island Resort earned the honour after winning the Budget Hostel Accommodation category, while Malolo Island Resort secured its place in the Hall of Fame after claiming the Deluxe Accommodation category for properties with fewer than 50 rooms for three consecutive years. The awards recognise sustained excellence in Fiji’s tourism industry and celebrate operators that consistently…

[Photo: SUPPLIED] Fiji’s Security Industry Act 2010 is being reviewed to ensure it remains effective in addressing emerging challenges and meets international best practices. The Fiji Law Reform Commission is leading the review in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. Commissioner Ana Rokomokoti has been appointed to lead the review, which will assess whether changes are needed to strengthen the current law. The review team has begun consulting with government agencies, including the Ministry of Police, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Ministry of Immigration, Ministry of Employment, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Ministry of Justice, and the…

[Photo: FILE] Three people facing charges of laundering over one million dollars between 2017 and 2022 appeared in the Lautoka Magistrates Court this week. Anish Sagar, Avinesh Chand and Usha Kiran are charged with 747 counts of money laundering and six counts of theft. It is alleged that between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2022, Sagar and Chand, while employed as financial officers of Superb Distributors Pte Ltd, dishonestly stole a total of over one million dollars belonging to the company It is further alleged that during the same period, the accused persons concealed and disposed of over $345,000…

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared a public health emergency for the Marianas – the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam – following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Bavi.The declaration will allow federal authorities to expand healthcare support and emergency response efforts.The declaration, announced by HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr, follows emergency declarations issued by US President Donald Trump for both territories.”The people of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are not facing this storm alone,” Kennedy said.”Today, I declared a Public Health Emergency so HHS can move…

Overview: Palau has condemned China’s recent ballistic missile test in the Pacific, warning that actions that increase military tensions threaten regional peace and security. President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. reaffirmed Palau’s commitment to a peaceful, rules-based international order and called for restraint and respect for international law. KOROR, 09 JULY 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Government of Palau has condemned China’s recent ballistic missile launch in the Pacific, describing it as a serious threat to regional peace and security.  In a statement, the Office of the President said the missile test undermines the Pacific’s long-standing commitment to peace and runs counter…

[Photo: FILE] The Fijian Elections Office has rejected a legal demand accusing the Supervisor of Elections, four FEO officers and the office itself of malicious prosecution and misconduct in public office. The FEO says its lawyers, Krishna & Co Lawyers, have responded to the notice issued on June 29, stating the claims have no legal or factual basis and cannot be supported in law. The office says its officers acted in good faith and carried out their duties according to the law. It also says an acquittal in a criminal case does not automatically make public officials legally liable.Article continues…

Overview: A supplemental budget dispute between President Surangel Whipps Jr. and the Olbiil Era Kelulau turned into a round of retaliatory cuts, with the president using his line-item reduction authority to slash congressional funding after the Senate denied his office’s own budget request. By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGERULMUD, Palau — President Surangel Whipps Jr. and the Olbiil Era Kelulau engaged in a tit-for-tat budget dispute during the supplemental budget process, culminating in dueling line-item cuts before the bill’s signing. Whipps had requested a $100,000 increase for his office’s operations in the supplemental budget proposal, which would have raised the office’s…