Author: TMC Palau
One of the smallest countries in the world has set its sights on radically restricting—effectively banning—the global community’s access to nicotine. On June 10, the Republic of Palau, an island nation in the Western Pacific with a population of 18,000, formally applied for a World Health Organization review of nicotine, under Article 2 of the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. This would have the potential to place nicotine under similar international drug restrictions to GHB, say, or methamphetamine—making the sale of non-medical nicotine products illegal. The government of Palau, which banned vapes in 2023, argues that current efforts to…
Authorities made significant errors before Kobi Shepherdson’s father killed her, a coroner found. [Photo Credit: Reuters] A baby girl’s death at a tourist attraction at the hands of her “manipulative and dangerous” father could have been prevented, a coroner says. Several government departments made “significant errors” before Henry David Shepherdson murdered his nine-month-old daughter Kobi Anastasia Isobel on April 21, 2021, acting Deputy State Coroner Ian White said. Shepherdson killed Kobi at the Barossa Dam’s Whispering Wall in Williamstown, northeast of Adelaide, on the day a court order was varied to allow him contact with his daughter. In findings delivered…
Angelina Jolie. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie faced one of her deepest fears on screen for the French film “Couture” – being diagnosed with cancer. Based on personal experiences of writer and director Alice Winocour, Jolie plays fictional American filmmaker Maxine Walker, who, while producing a film to accompany a runway show for Paris Fashion Week, discovers she has breast cancer. Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died of breast cancer at the age of 56, and Jolie underwent a double mastectomy in 2013 after discovering she was carrying the same genetic mutation as her mother. But it wasn’t…
There will be no Moana Pasifika in the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific competition, the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirms.Despite attempts to keep the franchise in the competition, following its liquidation and the withdrawal of funders Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), the tough decision has been made.In a statement, NZR said it will not be approving the transfer of Moana Pasifika’s licence to participate in Super Rugby Pacific to any new party.It said none of the bidders “were able to satisfy both the capital and business plan requirements necessary to secure the licence”.This means that the competition will move to a 10-team…
[Photo: Nikhil Kumar] The Suva Magistrate Court will sentence drug convict Imran Khan, also known as King Khan next Tuesday. Khan appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad. Bhavna Kantaria appeared for the state, while Shyal Kant represented Khan. He was found guilty of unlawful possession of illicit drugs. The State is pushing for a custodial sentence. It says the punishment must reflect deterrence for drug-related offences. The prosecution also highlighted that the maximum penalty for drug possession is life imprisonment, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Kantaria told the court that drugs remain a major threat to society.…
[Photo: Ministry of Health and Medical Services/FACEBOOK PAGE] The health system is set for a major overhaul as the Ministry of Health launched its new five-year Strategic Plan today. The plan aims to transform healthcare delivery and tackle growing pressures from Non-Communicable Diseases, communicable diseases, and climate-related threats. Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu has described the initiative as a critical turning point for our health sector. The 2026-2031 strategic planning represents a deliberate commitment to transform how healthcare is delivered in the country.Article continues after advertisement “We are executing a vital shift from reactive care to proactive prevention, from hospital-centric…
[Photo: FILE] The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is calling for a more people-centred national budget, saying government spending must better reflect the needs of ordinary people rather than favouring elites and business interests. FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali says many families across the country are still struggling with rising living costs, despite positive economic messaging from the government. While official announcements often highlight development projects and economic progress, she pointed out that the reality on the ground is different, with poor households continuing to face hardship. Ali claims that current budget priorities do not adequately address issues affecting vulnerable communities, including…
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) finance ministers got hands-on experience using the Marshall Islands’ new digital money system as they kicked of their annual meeting in Majuro on Tuesday.The two-day 2026 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting officially kicked in Majuro yesterday, including private sector and civil society dialogues, which a heavy agenda focused on around addressing economic shocks from volatile fuel prices resulting from the US/Israel war on Iran.The meeting, attended by PIF secretary-general Baron Waqa, aims to endorse economic plans and partnerships for stability and growth for the Blue Pacific Continent, with a particular focus on the private sector, fisheries,…
[Photo: FILE] Fiji’s economic growth outlook for this year has been downgraded. Rising fuel costs, inflation, and global geopolitical tensions are weighing on the economy in the first half of the year. Head of Department at the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies at the Fiji National University, Ashwin Deo, states that the latest macroeconomic commentary report shows a worrying picture for growth. He says the downgrade is largely driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. These tensions have pushed up global fuel and transport costs. “The forecasted economic growth, which was around 3 percent, has now been…
[Photo: FILE] Calls are growing for increased funding for the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection in the upcoming National Budget. Women in rural and vulnerable communities continue to face social and economic hardship. Ba Women’s Club Representative Kalesita Vakamosiyalo says stronger budget allocation is needed to support women facing ongoing challenges. She says women in remote areas continue to struggle and need stronger support systems for their daily welfare needs. Ba Resident Vakamosiyalo says her concerns reflect those of other women in similar situations. She says many depend on social welfare assistance. “I strongly fight for women because…