Author: TMC Palau
source: reuters U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday negotiating a deal with Iran could “take a few days,” quashing hopes for an imminent end to the conflict a day after U.S. forces conducted what Washington called defensive strikes in southern Iran. Describing the strikes against targets including boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites, Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz has to be open “one way or the other.” “The straits have to be open, they’re going to be open one way or the other, so they need to be open,” Rubio told reporters on…
The Palau International Coral Reef Center and Pacific RISA, in partnership with the Palau National Office of Climate Change, successfully co-hosted the Palau Climate Information and Capacity-Building Workshop focused on updating and validating the second Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment for Palau.The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, technical experts, and sectoral practitioners to review the latest climate science and discuss climate impacts affecting Palau’s communities, environment, and economy.Pacific Island governments continue to recognize climate change as one of the greatest threats to regional security, economic stability, environmental sustainability, and peace. PIRCA addresses these concerns by assessing current knowledge…
Fiji Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry issued a statement saying he, and not Ben Padarath, will lead the Party into the 2026/27 general elections. He says the FLP strongly denounces “a mischievous and false Facebook post” by one ‘Rt Iliesa Sema’ that FLP management has appointed Padarath to replace him as Party leader. “This fake person has targeted other rival political parties with similar claims to try and discredit them, and create confusion, in the lead up to the 2026/27 general elections,” Chaudhry said. “So far, there have been around six such fake postings. One claimed that Opposition MP Rinesh Sharma…
Dandhy Laksono Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii An Indonesian filmmaker says the crackdown by authorities on his West Papua documentary in some parts of the country is a threat to democracy. The Pesta Babi documentary looks at the social and environmental impacts of land seizures for big agri-business ventures in Papua – and the Indonesian military’s role in it. Since March, the film has had screenings in New Zealand and Australia, and is now showing in Indonesia, where it has sparked public interest – not just through its treatment of the subject, but because authorities are trying to ban it.…
[Photo: FILE] A commercial property in Suva was destroyed in a fire on Monday night, with six adults safely evacuating the building before the blaze spread. The National Fire Authority of Fiji said the National Command Centre received an emergency call after 9pm. Firefighters from Suva Fire Station responded immediately. According to the authority, the property along Kaka Street was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.Article continues after advertisement The building housed offices, rental car operations and spare parts storage. Authorities said six adults were inside the premises when the fire started. One occupant alerted the others, allowing everyone…
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 Taiwan sent ships and fighter jets to monitor the second Chinese “joint combat readiness patrol” in a week near the island, as Taipei steps up its guard over Beijing’s activities. China has pressured Taiwan by increasing its military presence around the island, and Taipei is on high alert for further Chinese actions after President Xi Jinping discussed Taiwan with U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing this month. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, and operates its warships and warplanes around the island on an almost daily basis. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims. Late on…
[Source: NRL website] Former Fiji Bati forward Jacob Saifiti has been named on the interchange bench for New South Wales ahead of tomorrow night’s opening State of Origin clash against Queensland. The Blues will be captained by Isaah Yeo and feature a star-studded starting lineup including James Tedesco at fullback, Brian To’o and Tolutau Koula on the wings, Stephen Crichton and Kotoni Staggs in the centres, Ethan Strange at five-eighth, and Nathan Cleary at halfback. The forward pack includes Addin Fonua-Blake, Reece Robson, Mitchell Barnett, Hudson Young, Haumole Olakau’atu, and Yeo. On the bench for New South Wales are Cameron…
Moana Pasifika. Photo: Andy Radka/ActionPress Shareholders of Moana Pasifika have voted to appoint liquidators to the holding company of the Super Rugby team. Teneo Financial Advisory was appointed as liquidator late yesterday afternoon. The franchise signalled earlier this year that it was likely to disband unless it could find new investors to fund the team. In a statement, the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) said it could no longer continue funding the team. “The boards of directors of both PMA and Moana Pasifika have resolved to appoint liquidators. “We are proud to have supported the franchise over the past two years…
source: reuters U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he asked Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords en masse to normalize relations with Israel as he tries to negotiate an agreement to end the war with Iran. Pakistan rejected the proposal. None of the other countries has so far publicly reacted to Trump’s demand and a positive response was unlikely when the public mistrust of Israel in these Muslim nations remains high over the scale of its military offensive in Gaza. Trump said he spoke on Saturday to leaders of those countries,…