Author: TMC Palau

[Photo: FILE] A man who allegedly raped two women and abducted a person under 18 last month has been released on bail by the Lautoka High Court. Sahil Thomas Valentine, who is charged with two counts of rape and one count of abducting a girl under the age of 18, was granted bail on strict conditions earlier today. It is alleged that the incident happened in Nadi between the 18th and the 19th of this month. It is alleged that he took the teenager from the lawful care of her mother with the intention of having unlawful sexual relations with…

Overview: Marine scientists have confirmed a crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak in Koror’s Ngederrak Conservation Area, prompting calls from officials and reef experts for urgent monitoring and community action to protect one of Palau’s most vital coral ecosystems. By: Laurel Marewibuel Koror, Palau — Marine scientists have identified an outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish in Koror’s Ngederrak Conservation Area, raising concerns among local officials and community members about potential damage to the state’s coral reefs. Professor Peter Mumby of The University of Queensland, who has been monitoring reefs in Ngederrak for several years, delivered the assessment at a recent presentation hosted by the…

Construction of a new $3.4 million Commissioner’s Northern Warehouse in Labasa. [Photo: FILE] Disaster response in the Northern Division is set for a major upgrade with the construction of a new $3.4 million Commissioner’s Northern Warehouse in Labasa, replacing a flood-prone facility that delayed relief efforts during past emergencies. The new warehouse will improve preparedness, protect critical supplies, and strengthen coordination to ensure faster assistance reaches communities. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister for Rural Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu said the project was driven by lessons learned from Tropical Cyclones Yasa and Ana, when flooding at the current…

Indonesia has defended the high number of military personnel it has deployed to West Papua, which dwarfs the size of deployments to other parts of the republic.But under Indonesian president Subianto Prabowo, a former military strongman, militarisation of Papua is changing gears and being shaped by a type of warfare that includes drone technology.Recent research reported by Project Multatuli, says that 56,517 Indonesian military forces are deployed in Papua – at least six times more military per capita than any other region in Indonesia.The figures also note that Indonesia’s military far outnumbers the amount of Papuan pro-independence fighters, estimated at…

Overview: After two days of conference committee talks, Palau’s Senate and House of Delegates have reportedly reached a compromise on the long-delayed supplemental budget — clearing the way for a final vote as soon as today. The bill still needs President Whipps’ signature before it takes effect. By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGERULMUD, Palau (July 2, 2026) — Lawmakers are closing in on a compromise supplemental budget after two days of conference committee negotiations aimed at reconciling differences between the Senate and House of Delegates, with a final version expected to be approved as early as today. The supplemental budget would…

Fiji’s largest solar farm. [Photo: FILE] Construction has officially begun on Fiji’s largest solar farm, with Fiji Airports describing the project as a major investment in cleaner energy and the aviation sector. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony at Nadi International Airport, said the project goes beyondrenewable energy. He described it as a major investment in the long-term sustainability of the asset. “It is an investment in resilience. It is an investment in energy security. And it is an investment in the long-term sustainability of one of Fiji’s most important national…

Overview: Palau is moving to shore up government cybersecurity after a string of data breaches — including one that exposed thousands of medical records on the dark web — fueled a surge in scams and phishing targeting citizens. A newly completed proof of concept, funded at no cost to Palau by U.S. firm Forward Edge-AI, tested post-quantum encryption devices designed to keep government data secure even if other systems are breached. Officials say full deployment is targeted before the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting. By: Laurel Marewibuel Koror, Palau — With cyber scams and phishing on the rise, Palau is…

[Photo: FILE] The High Court has reserved its decision on bail for a 36-year-old man charged in connection with the alleged break-in at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces armoury in Nabua, Suva. During proceedings today, the defence counsel confirmed that a formal bail application for the accused, Isaia Ledua, had been filed late this morning. However, the State told the court it had not yet received the application and required time to review it before filing a response. While the defence maintained that the application was submitted within the required timeframe, presiding High Court Judge Dane Tuiqereqere stated that…

Overview: The Supreme Court of Palau has sentenced Burton Wenty to 25 years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine after a jury convicted him on two counts of methamphetamine possession — his second such conviction in seven years. Presiding Justice Kathleen Salii applied enhanced penalty provisions for repeat offenders in handing down the sentence on June 30. By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau – June 30, 2026 – The Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau has sentenced Burton Wenty to 25 years imprisonment and a 50,000‑dollar fine following his conviction on two counts of possession of more than one gram of…

Suva lawyer Barbara Malimali is calling for a reduction in the size of the Cabinet. [Photo: FILE] Suva lawyer Barbara Malimali is calling for a reduction in the size of the Cabinet through amendments to the Constitution. In her submission to the Constitution Review Commission on the 2013 Constitution, Malimali recommends amending Section 91(1) to stipulate that the Prime Minister serve as Chair of Cabinet and that there be no more than 15 Cabinet ministers. She says introducing a constitutional cap on the number of ministers will help reduce government expenditure. She adds that this will also prevent ministerial appointments…