Author: TMC Palau
[Photo: NATIONAL FEDERATION PARTY/ FACEBOOK] The National Federation Party says it is positioning itself to take a leading role in uniting Fiji under its “Weaving Fiji Together” campaign, as confidence grows within the party following its latest branch meeting in Nadi. At the NFP Nadi Branch Annual General Meeting held at the Nadi Civic Centre, delegates expressed strong confidence that the party’s leadership is grounded in what they described as strong, honest and dedicated service to the country. Party leader Professor Biman Prasad told the meeting that the National Federation Party carries a 63-year legacy, which he described as a…
[Photo: FILE] The Fijian Elections Office has identified information management, operational readiness and public confidence as its most pressing challenges as it ramps up preparations for Fiji’s next General Election. Deputy Supervisor of Elections Ana Senimoli says the biggest pressure point right now is not just logistics, but how election information is managed, communicated and understood by the public amid shifting electoral timelines. Senimoli says the deferment of the Local Government elections has added another layer of complexity, making it even more critical that messaging remains clear, accurate and consistent. She warns that maintaining public trust is a continuous responsibility,…
Issued by: on KOROR, Republic of Palau – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, delivers remarks for the Palau Community College commencement ceremony in Koror State in the Republic of Palau, May 15. “Your education has prepared you to lead in a complex and changing world,” Lasky told graduates. “Whether you enter public service, military service, private industry, or continue your studies, remember that part of your contribution will be remembering what it means to be Palauan.”Lasky serves as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Officer for…
[Source: Reuters] Rescuers pulled four people from a flooded cave in Laos, Thai volunteer rescuers said, hours after another man was brought out. The five are among seven Lao nationals who had entered the cave in Xaisomboun province to prospect for gold, but were trapped for more than a week when rising water blocked their exit. Two others remain missing. Kengkard Bongkawong, a Thai cave diver involved in the mission, said in a Facebook post on Saturday that all four of the trapped people had emerged from the cave. Video footage from the volunteers showed rescuers bringing four Laotian men…
Issued by: on AIRAI, Republic of Palau (July 23, 2025) – U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Donald Davis, F-35 Lightning II pilot with the 176th Fighter Squadron, Wisconsin Air National Guard, briefs U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, on operations at Palau International Airport in Airai, July 23. The Palau airport is currently serving as a support location for exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025. The REFORPAC exercise strengthens the USAF’s adaptability to unforeseen challenges and reinforces mission readiness by proactively planning for contingencies ensuring the safety of…
[Source: Reuters] Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Rancho Cucamonga, California, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in a spell-off, correctly spelling 32 words rapid-fire over 90 seconds to claim the $50,000 cash prize. He defeated Ishaan Gupta, a 12-year-old seventh-grader from Jersey City, New Jersey, who got 25 words correct from the same list, after having been sequestered during Shrey’s turn. Both advanced to the dramatic finale in the televised competition after they survived 18 rounds without misspelling a word on the final day. The eliminatory spell-off was introduced in 2021 after the 2019 competition ended with eight co-champions…
Fiji completes the top six list with its vibrant soft coral reefs and warm tropical waters. Often called the “Soft Coral Capital of the World,” Fiji offers colorful reefs filled with anthias, angelfish, ribbon eels, and reef sharks.Dive sites such as Rainbow Reef and Beqa Lagoon are especially popular. Beqa Lagoon is known for shark dives featuring tiger sharks, bull sharks, lemon sharks, and reef sharks. Fiji also offers a mix of diving, cultural experiences, hiking, and island activities for travelers. Source link
[Source: Reuters] Florence is planning a major expansion of restrictions on new short-term tourist rentals. Extending a ban beyond its UNESCO-listed historic centre, in a new attempt to ease housing pressure in one of Italy’s most visited cities. The measure, which Mayor Sara Funaro has called a national first, is due to be presented to a city council committee on Wednesday, with the aim of securing approval in early June. It will prevent the creation of new short-term tourist lets across about 16 square kilometres (6 square miles) of the city for two years, nearly tripling the total number of…
Madrid pulls away in the second quarterScariolo’s team entered the second period with more aggression. Three-pointers from Procida and Lyles turned the score around and helped secure a 0-10 run (18-25). Barcelona tried to respond through Punter, but the madridistas’ 75% perimeter shooting accuracy opened up a decisive gap. Hezonja scored two consecutive three-pointers and Campazzo brought fluidity to our attack. With the team’s defensive work, Madrid went to the locker rooms with an 18-point lead (33-51, min. 20). Maledon and Garuba complete a great collective performanceThe pace of the game slowed slightly after the restart. Barcelona tried to chip…
[Source: Reuters] Thousands of local residents shut down Austria’s Brenner motorway, a vital north-south corridor through the Alps between Germany and Italy, in protest at trucks and tourists perennially clogging up their roads. The protest was led by Karl Muehlsteiger, mayor of Gries am Brenner, one of the towns in the shadow of the artery that snakes through the narrow, steep-sided Wipp Valley on giant concrete stilts. The issue of excess traffic and pollution in the valley, which leads to the Brenner Pass, has for decades been a source of tension between Austria and Germany. Local authorities in the Austrian…