Author: TMC Palau
Australian aid The Albanese government’s fifth federal budget sees Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) increase in nominal terms from an estimated $5.097 billion in 2025-26 to $5.450 billion in 2029-30. This increase is partly the result of the government’s applying its promised 2.5% annual increase to “base ODA” from 2026-27 to 2036-37 (see breakdown in Table 1). When adjusted for inflation, however, Australia’s aid spending is estimated to fall by 3% between 2026-27 and 2029-30 and by 7% since Labor’s first budget in 2022-23. As a result, allocations for several of Australia’s core multilateral contributions have been reduced or ceased…
Overview: The United States has lowered its travel advisory for New Caledonia, signaling renewed confidence in the French Pacific territory more than a year after deadly unrest shook the archipelago. While officials now consider the destination generally safe for travelers, warnings remain over petty crime, political tensions and limited emergency assistance outside Nouméa. NOUMEA/WASHINGTON, 25 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — The United States’ State Department has officially lowered its travel advisory for New Caledonia. As of 21 May the advisory was reduced from Level Three (“Reconsider Travel”) to Level Two (“Exercise Increased Caution”). The decision comes more than a year…
Minister Turaga adds all major projects are aligned to the National Development Plan. [Photo: FILE] The people of Levuka are still waiting to see real benefits from the town’s UNESCO World Heritage declaration. This was highlighted by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, describing progress on heritage development and beautification as painfully slow. Speaking during a recent visit to Levuka, Turaga said key discussions focused on the port, PAFCO and long-standing heritage issues that continue to frustrate residents. He says despite Levuka’s global heritage recognition, there has been little visible progress on the ground.Article continues after advertisement…
French President Emmanuel Macron and Papua New Guinea PM James Marape met in Paris on 20 May 2026. Photo: Emmanuel Macron-Élysée Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape was on an official visit to France last week, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron, and also held a number of important meetings to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Topping the list, through a joint communiqué, came the announcement of the setting up of a new PNG embassy in Paris. Currently, the closest PNG embassy is in Brussels, Belgium. The opening of…
Robert Schumann and Richard Wagner had many things in common and many convergent points between them. But also many divergent ones. Uniting them with the Rhine river as a common link is a good idea, because the fluvial knife that cuts a good part of Germany was the primary motive for Schumann’s third (chronologically fourth and last) symphony, while Wagner begins the cycle The Ring of the Nibelung with a prologue (Das Rheingold), the first scene of which takes place precisely at the bottom of the aforementioned river. In the case of the concert at the Palau de la Música,…
[Photo Credit: Reuters] Australia’s health minister said the quarantine period for repatriated passengers on a Dutch-flagged luxury cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak will be extended to 42 days total until June 23. Four Australian citizens, a permanent resident and one resident of New Zealand have been quarantined at a facility near Perth in Western Australia since returning on May 15. They were initially due to remain there until June 5 but the quarantine has been extended following advice from authorities, Health Minister Mark Butler said. “The passengers have been informed about the advice and the decision of government.…
The initial works funded for this financial year are underway. [Photo: FILE] The Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau has announced the delay of the Navakasiga road construction in Bua, in terms of weather conditions and funding. He said that the initial works funded for this financial year are underway, set to improve safety and ensure that Navakasiga residents have durable access. “So currently, in the last few days, they have continued some of the urgent works, and definitely with that budget, we will attempt or try to complete the works within what is enabled…
Immanuel said the funding will not be directly allocated as fuel cash support, but will form part of the overall government budget and be used according to national priorities, including fuel mitigation measures. [Photo: FILE] Australia’s additional AUD$30 million (about $47 million) in budget support is helping shield citizens from rising fuel prices and the cost of living. Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel says the funding is helping subsidize the 22.5 percent bus fare increase, boost transport support for welfare recipients and students, and assist households with electricity fuel surcharges. Immanuel says the assistance comes at a critical time as families…
Sheila Yama during the Press Conference for the David Nyika v Floyd Masson IBF Cruiserweight World Title Eliminator fight announcement at Radisson RED, Auckland, New Zealand on Thursday 21 May 2026. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz Sheila Yama didn’t grow up dreaming of being a world champion. The boxer led a quiet childhood with her seven siblings in Papua New Guinea. “No internet, no power, just lamps and traditional houses. It was a simple life.” She wasn’t even aware professional women’s boxing existed. “Phones and technology came later. We used to go up the mountains and climb trees just to get signal.…
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…