Author: TMC Palau

Albanese will receive a traditional welcome before holding bilateral talks. [Photo: FILE] Fiji will welcome Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his delegation for an official visit this Monday. The Government states the visit reflects the long-standing partnership and reinforces the close friendship between the two nations. It follows recent high-level trips to Fiji by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for Defence Industry and Pacific Affairs Pat Conroy, highlighting regular engagement between the two governments. Albanese will receive a traditional welcome before holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and senior officials.Article continues after advertisement Discussions will…

Overview: Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. joined other leaders in Fiji on Tuesday, noting the importance of the talks in strengthening regional unity and advancing shared Pacific priorities, as Palau prepares to host the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in September. SUVA, 01 JULY 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pacific leaders have arrived in Suva ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika Meeting, with Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale holding engagements before regional talks begin.  President Whipps arrived in Fiji on Tuesday to participate in the Troika Meeting, where regional leaders…

There are fears of yet another escalation in military conflict in Indonesia’s Papua region after an American pilot flying a small aircraft into a remote airstrip in Highland Papua province was killed by West Papuan militants.The West Papua National Liberation Army, or TPNPB, has claimed responsibility for killing Nicholas F Gosselin after he landed a small aircraft in remote Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency on Thursday.Gosselin had just flown seven passengers to Yahukimo from Wamena, Highland Papua’s major town, in an aircraft which belonged to a small Indonesian airline, PT AMA. The militants also burned the plane.The West Papua National Liberation…

Former journalist Joe Nata is calling for the removal of the immunity clause from the Constitution. [Photo: Fiji Constitutional Review Commission Facebook Page]] Former journalist Joe Nata is calling for the removal of the immunity clause from the Constitution. Making his submission before the Constitution Review Commission, Nata stressed that he does not want coup perpetrators punished out of malice, but hopes removing immunity willdeter future offenders by ensuring accountability in a court of law. He welcomed submissions from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces supporting the removal of the immunity clause to end a culture of impunity, noting it…

Overview: Koror State’s House of Traditional Leaders has a new Espangel. The Ngerkebesang Hamlet High Chief title now belongs to Johnny Debedebk Esebei, installed in a feast attended by all 10 members of the Ngarameketii Council of Chiefs. With only the Ngerchemai hamlet chief title still vacant, HOTL says it’s inching toward full membership — timed with construction of a new multi-story Bai ra Meketii to house its offices. By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau — On Thursday, June 26, the Koror State House of Traditional Leaders (HOTL) issued a press release announcing the appointment of a new Ngerkebesang Hamlet…

Fito Páez, one of the undisputed icons of rock and popular music in Spanish, returns to Barcelona to headline one of the festival’s most exclusive and highly anticipated events. On this occasion, the brilliant Argentine musician temporarily sets aside the electric energy of large venues to reveal himself artistically on the stunning stage of the Palau de la Música Catalana, offering an intimate and deeply moving recital for piano and voice. With more than four decades of an outstanding career behind him, the Rosario-born artist is the creative mind behind timeless anthems that form part of the collective memory of…

Pop superstar Madonna releases her new album Confessions II on Friday. [Photo Credit: AAP News] Madonna has appeared to take aim at ex-husband Sean Penn on her new album Confessions II. The legendary 67-year-old pop star sings about a “movie star with deep blue eyes” on the track Bizarre, with fans assuming she’s referring to Sean – to whom she was married from 1985 to 1989. “Love is the strangest thing. Just when you think you’ve finally let go, it comes back to you,” she sings. “Movie star, deep blue eyes. In Hollywood, we’re a perfect prize.Article continues after advertisement…

US deports first migrant to Palau: The United States has deported its first unwanted migrant to the Pacific island nation of Palau under a December agreement allowing the country to accept up to 75 deportees. The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to expel undocumented migrants and asylum seekers to third countries.US top court upholds birthright citizenship: The US Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship, reaffirming constitutional protections under the 14th Amendment. The decision marks a major setback for Trump’s immigration agenda and upholds automatic…

Pacific diesel prices plungeSamoa’s battle with labour migrationFiji’s waste-to-energy controversy reaches environmental tribunalRNZ / UnsplashFuel prices: relief at the pumpMaximum diesel prices are coming down fast in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.It comes as the Asian Development Bank doles out massive cash, and a peace deal on the horizon puts downward pressure on global oil prices.In Viti Levu, the diesel price cap more than doubled from February to June. But in last week’s budget announcement, Fiji’s Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel promised massive fuel price reductions, and massive they were.The price cap has decreased by 26 percent compared to last month, lower…

[Photo: AAP] A treatment trial for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has enrolled its first patient, marking a milestone in efforts to combat the epidemic. World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, however, cited an attack on an Ebola treatment centre in Ituri province in which two people died as a sign of ongoing difficulties in tackling the spread of the disease. He says that despite all this progress, they continue to face significant challenges, including mistrust and violence. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for Ebola’s Bundibugyo strain, which has caused more…