Author: TMC Palau

Mourners attend a prayer for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in Israeli and U.S. airstrikes. [Photo Credit: Reuters] The United States is revoking a general license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil, according to a U.S. official, who ​also warned of consequences over Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz after three tankers were hit on Tuesday in the strategic waterway. After a day in which huge crowds mourned ‌Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the holy city of Qom, oil prices rose more than 3% on news of the…

[Photo: FILE] Nathan Cleary will become NSW’s most-capped State of Origin halfback when he plays his 20th game in Wednesday night’s decider at Suncorp Stadium. But despite the milestone, the Panthers star is under pressure to deliver after questions were raised about his ability to dominate at the Origin level. Fox Sports columnist Paul Crawley says NSW should consider moving on from Cleary if the Blues lose the series, arguing the 28-year-old has had enough opportunities to cement his place. Former Queensland great Cooper Cronk believes Cleary needs to back himself more, saying the halfback has been trying to do…

[Photo Credit: AAP News] The Office co-creator Ricky Gervais will revisit his favourite moments from the award-winning sitcom to commemorate 25 years since it launched in the UK. The hit BBC show was created by comedians Gervais and Stephen Merchant and debuted in 2001. It followed the lives of office workers at Slough paper merchant Wernham Hogg. It ran until 2003, with Gervais at the helm as office manager David Brent alongside stars such as The Hobbit actor Martin Freeman, who played bored salesman Tim Canterbury. To mark its quarter-century anniversary, Gervais will host a YouTube special which will share…

The Marshall Islands government is gearing to spend US$160 million for new hospitals at Majuro and Ebeye, the two cities in this western Pacific nation.Marshall Islands Finance Minister David Paul said funding is now secured, with the plan to spend $100m for Majuro hospital and $60m for Ebeye’s new facilities. Majuro has a population of about 20,000 and Ebeye about 9000.Although some earlier estimates suggested the cost could run as high as $200m or more for both facilities, Paul said the $160m has been endorsed by government as the cap for the two projects combined.”For $100 million we’re not going…

[Photo: FILE] The iTaukei Land Trust Board is calling for the repeal of Section 29 (5), which states that all land that existed before the commencement of the 2013 constitution shall remain freehold land even if it is sold or purchased, unless it is acquired by the state for a public purpose. In the board’s submissions to the Constitution Review Commission, TLTB Chief Executive Solomone Nata said the provision prevents iTaukei land from being restored to its original status “This provision frustrates legitimate land reversal efforts and prevents some iTaukei land from being restored to their original status.” Nata says…

Emeritus Professor Ronald (Ron) Charles Duncan AO was my former boss and mentor, and over time became a close family friend. With Ron, Premila and I always said we got “two friends for the price of one”, because Rita was just as much a part of our lives. A few years ago, while driving through the highlands of Fiji, Premila even made me stop the car to pick wild red-fleshed guavas especially for the Duncans — a small gesture that captured the affection she has for them both. Ron’s career was distinguished, wide-ranging and deeply influential. After completing his PhD…

[Photo: FILE] A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison by the Labasa High Court after being convicted of breaching a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. He was also found guilty of raping his former partner. In sentencing, High Court judge Justice Lee Burney said the offending began on 22 April 2025, when the man approached the woman outside a school in Labasa, despite a restraining order being in place. The court heard that he forced her into a taxi before she was taken to Savusavu, where she was sexually assaulted over a two-day period. Justice Burney said the…

The Solomon Islands’ new coalition government has launched its official policy document, describing it as the Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation’s (GREAT) “strategic blueprint” which “outlines our absolute commitment to empowering local communities”.It comes 52 days after Prime minister Matthew Wale’s election following the ousting of his predecessor Jeremiah Manele in a vote of no confidence in parliament.While unveiling the 60-page document in Honiara on Monday, Wale said his government’s priorities, principles and future direction for the country sit on four pillars, which has a strong focus on “indigenous Solomon Islanders”.”The GREAT Coalition Government chooses to build. We…

Overview: Palau is ramping up preparations to host the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror as President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. joined regional leaders in Fiji for high-level Troika discussions focused on climate resilience, sustainable development and advancing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. joined Pacific leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika Leaders Meeting on July 1 at the PIF Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, as Palau intensifies preparations to host the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting beginning Aug. 30 in Koror. The…

Overview: A former physician has been sentenced after admitting to forging a colleague’s signature to obtain controlled painkillers, with the Palau Supreme Court ordering her out of the country as part of a plea deal. By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (July 6, 2026) — A Filipino physician who admitted to forging a colleague’s signature on prescriptions for controlled painkillers has been sentenced to five years in prison, suspended, and ordered to leave Palau. Dr. Maria Lyza Gepty, formerly a practitioner at Belau Medical Clinic, pleaded guilty to two counts of forgery in the second degree in a plea agreement…