Author: TMC Palau

A New Zealand health professor says there is still significant work needed to ensure AI systems perform well for Māori and Pacific people.Professor Robyn Whittaker, co-director of the University of Auckland’s TRANSFORM Research Centre, told the Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa Research Symposium that many AI systems used globally are trained on datasets that do not adequately represent Māori and Pacific populations.”It is very unlikely these tools have been properly tested on Māori and Pacific communities,” she said.”There is still significant work needed to ensure they perform well for our people.”She said her team has been working on evaluating AI…

Overview: Journalists and media professionals from across the Pacific are undergoing specialist training in Koror this week ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting. The PIF Reporter Workshop, run by Pasifika TV at the Palau Civic Center, covers Forum governance, key regional issues, communiqué reporting and broadcast production — equipping both local and regional media to deliver high-quality coverage of one of the Pacific’s most important annual events. KOROR, Palau — Journalists, government communications officers and media representatives gathered this week for an intensive training workshop designed to sharpen their coverage of one of the region’s most significant…

[Photo: FILE] There is a growing call to establish an independent energy task force amid concerns over delays in renewable energy projects and the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. The Fiji Council of Social Services, which made the recommendation, stresses that multiple ongoing projects remain incomplete. This follows the $2 billion national budget allocated to progress energy sector projects, as announced by Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel. FCOSS Executive Director Vani Catanasiga says stronger monitoring is needed, given the millions of dollars invested to improve energy access and connectivity.Article continues after advertisement She adds that the task force will ensure accountability,…

Overview: Palau internet users experienced disruptions Saturday after an underground fiber cut on Docomo Pacific’s network in Guam knocked out service for customers of Palau Mobile and Palau Telcom. Belau Submarine Cable Corporation confirmed its own network was unaffected — and service has since been restored. By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — An underground fiber cut on Docomo Pacific’s network in Guam disrupted internet and mobile services for some customers of two Palau telecommunications providers Saturday, June 27, according to company officials. Palau Mobile and Palau Telcom, both of which use Docomo Pacific as their IP transit carrier — a…

[ Source: Constitutional Review Commission / Facebook ] The Fiji Council of Churches says constitutional reform must be supported by greater public understanding of citizens’ rights and responsibilities. The council is calling for sustained civic education programmes, particularly targeting young people and communities in rural areas. Member Joji Qaranivalu says educating citizens is critical to ensuring meaningful participation in decisions that shape the nation’s future. Qaranivalu believes any review of Fiji’s Constitution must go hand in hand with educating the public on how the highest law works.Article continues after advertisement “Fiji Council of Churches would like to propose that the…

Overview: Concerned residents of Aimeliik State are pressing the Legislature to explain why Gov. Browny Simer did not deliver the constitutionally and statutorily required annual address in May — and to set a date for it to happen. The group is calling for public records, a referral to the attorney general if procedures were violated, and swift action to restore accountability. By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Aimeliik, Palau — Concerned Aimeliik State citizens are questioning the missed State annual address mandated under Aimeliik State Constitution and state law slated for May of each year.   A letter sent to this publication states…

[Photo: FILE] Fiji is moving beyond identifying challenges to focusing on practical solutions to improve women’s participation and leadership in the disciplined forces. Minister for Women Sashi Kiran says the Gender Barrier Assessment Report, launched today will now guide targeted action to address those challenges. She says the findings provide clear evidence to support real change within the security sector. “It gives us, perhaps for the first time, a comprehensive understanding of the barriers that women face in joining, remaining, and progressing within our disciplined forces. Now there is evidence to say what works and what doesn’t.”Article continues after advertisement…

Explosive activity has picked up in recent days at Bougainville’s Mt Bagana volcano.Papua New Guinea’s Rabaul Volcanological Observatory declared a Stage 1 Alert for Bagana amid its most notable upsurge in activity for two years.The Observatory’s principal geodetic surveyor Steve Saunders said activity at the volcano had been ongoing for several years, but last week the activity increased.”There was a large eruption, it was basically the dome collapsing down the east flank. It was very spectacular but it was in uninhabited areas so didn’t really cause much of a problem.Noting continuous lava activity at the summit, Saunders said there was…

Overview: Palau’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a whooping cough case in Koror. Health officials say an investigation is underway — but you don’t have to wait to act. Here’s what the disease looks like, who is most at risk and what steps you can take right now to protect yourself and your family. By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (June 29, 2026) — Health officials have confirmed a case of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, in Palau, prompting an investigation and renewed calls for residents to check their vaccination status. The Ministry of Health and Human Services announced…

Motorists will breathe a sigh of relief as they spend less at the pumps after almost three months of price hikes. The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced a reduction in fuel and LPG prices for next month, following a decline in international fuel prices. The new prices take effect tomorrow, with diesel recording the largest reduction, dropping by $1.19 to $1.25 per litre across Fiji. Motor spirit prices will decrease by 49 to 52 cents per litre, while kerosene prices will fall by around 42 cents per litre in most parts of the country.Article continues after advertisement LPG…