Author: TMC Palau
[Photo: FILE] Drainage maintenance funding has not been reinstated since a one-off allocation in 2018. Rakiraki Town Council told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence that it continues to rely on repeated budget submissions to meet ongoing drainage needs. Town Council CEO Sailosi Sawana said the 2018 funding helped upgrade earth drains into concrete drains. He said there was still no dedicated annual budget for ongoing maintenance. He said the council now depends on annual budget bids and disaster rehabilitation funding requests, and approval was subject to government processes.Article continues after advertisement Local government officials told the committee…
[Source: Reuters] As mixed martial arts fighters gather on the South Lawn of the White House in a cage match to celebrate President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. A spectacle kicking off a series of events commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary — actor and activist Jane Fonda will sponsor entertainment of a different sort from New York City. Fonda’s advocacy group, Committee for the First Amendment, will host a concert featuring actors, musicians and public figures appearing in support of free speech and democracy — principles that have come under attack during Trump’s presidency, according to Fonda. “This is our documentary…
CNMI officials say Invest 92W is not expected to reach typhoon strength before moving through the area. Photo: zoom.earth Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are being advised to prepare for heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough seas as tropical disturbance Invest 92W approaches the region later this week. The CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office, in coordination with the National Weather Service, said the weather system is expected to pass near the Marianas from late Thursday into Friday. Officials said Invest 92W is not expected to reach typhoon strength before moving through the area. The most likely…
Overview: Palau’s National Congress has taken a major step toward greater transparency and public engagement with the handover of a new parliamentary website. Developed through a partnership between the Government of Japan and UNDP, the platform will provide citizens with real-time access to legislation, public hearings, committee activities and the work of their elected representatives. 12 June 2026 Koror, Palau – Palau’s National Congress, the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK), took ownership of a new joint website for the Senate and the House of Delegates during a handover ceremony held on 26 May 2026, making an important step towards greater transparency,…
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says the decision was made after consultations with the National Disaster Risk Management Office and the Fiji Meteorological Service. Most schools across Fiji will resume classes tomorrow, Wednesday, 17 June, following an assessment of the latest weather conditions by the Ministry of Education and relevant authorities. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says the decision was made after consultations with the National Disaster Risk Management Office and the Fiji Meteorological Service, which continue to monitor the weather situation nationwide. Schools in the Central Division will reopen, except for those in Naitasiri, Namosi and Rewa, where flooding and inaccessible…
Overview: Palau’s locally produced taro flour is gaining recognition beyond its shores, making its international debut at Beauty World Japan 2026 before returning home to showcase its versatility at the Palau Development Symposium. The product’s growing profile highlights new opportunities for local farmers, food innovation, and value-added agricultural development in Palau. Palau’s locally produced taro flour recently took center stage on both the international and national stage, making its debut at Beauty World Japan 2026 on May 18th to 20th and then at the Palau Development Symposium on May 28th. The appearances highlighted Palau’s potential in value-added agricultural products and…
[Source: Reuters] Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal met China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, his first trip to the neighbouring superpower since his party swept to election victory in March, and days after visiting Beijing’s regional rival India. The ousting of a Communist Party-led coalition government in Beijing’s backyard presents a conundrum to Chinese diplomats, who have been working to shore up vital ties in the near abroad while reasserting claims in the East and South China Seas, analysts say. “China has always placed Nepal at the forefront of its ‘neighbourhood diplomacy’,” said Wang, according to a foreign ministry readout released…
[Photo: FILE] Sugar Industry Minister Tomasi Tunabuna has expressed disappointment over constant complaints from sugarcane farmers and stakeholders, stressing that the government is not seeing significant returns from the sector. Tunabuna says ‘There is no logic in it’ while setting the record straight on government subsidies. While sugarcane farmers continue to demand higher payouts, the Minister reveals the government is effectively buying cane at an inflated price of over 1, 100 per tonne, only to sell the processed sugar at a loss for less than $774. “There is no logic in that. We cannot, you as someone who is doing…
Three Indian seafarers reported missing after a US attack on a tanker off the coast of Oman have died, shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday even as reports came in of another US strike on a merchant vessel with Indian crew members in the same region.A visual of the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello, with 24 Indian seafarers on board, attacked by US forces off the coast of Oman, near Strait of Hormuz, on Wednesday (June 10). (ANI video grab)The three Indian seafarers were reported missing after Omani armed forces rescued the other 25 crew members, including 21 Indians,…
According to the Fijian government, more than 15,000 Fijians are employed through labour mobility schemes in Australia and New Zealand. Photo: Facebook / Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has signalled a long-term departure from seasonal worker schemes. He said this while asking Australia and New Zealand to rapidly increase their worker intakes for the PALM and RSE schemes. Wale discussed labour mobility with his counterparts on his recent trips to Australia and New Zealand. Upon his return, he said he requested both governments to rapidly increase their intake of Solomon Islands workers…