Author: TMC Palau

Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have named their respective match-day 23 to compete in the two new World Rugby competitions over the weekend.The Flying Fijians will square off against Wales in their opening Nations Championship match. It is going to be the team’s first game in the competition, which sees Fiji and Japan included, alongside the Six Nations teams – England, Italy, France, Scotland and Wales – and Southern hemisphere giants Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.It is the first Tier One competition outside of the Rugby World Cup for the Fijians as wellMeanwhile, Manu Samoa takes on Hong Kong China,…

Overview: Palau High School’s Class of 2026 crossed the stage this week as 117 students graduated during the school’s 62nd Commencement Exercise — a milestone celebration that weathered a rainstorm but never lost its spirit, moving from the PCC cafeteria to the PCC gym as families cheered on. By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau — Palau High School graduated 117 students this week during its 62nd Commencement Exercise, marking another milestone for the nation’s only public high school. Levi Tabesul Clapp, Valedictorian of the PHS graduating class of 2026. The ceremony was held at the Palau Community College cafeteria. Due…

Overview: After nearly four months tied to the dock in Koror, the Indonesian fishing vessel Sinar Arindo-6 has finally sailed home — but one crew member won’t be returning with it. A Palau Supreme Court settlement freed the vessel and its remaining 28 crew this week, closing one chapter of a case that raised hard questions about how Palau treats foreign fishermen caught in the middle of a maritime dispute. By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — An Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel held in Palau for nearly four months has finally departed — but not before one of its crew members died,…

Albanese will receive a traditional welcome before holding bilateral talks. [Photo: FILE] Fiji will welcome Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his delegation for an official visit this Monday. The Government states the visit reflects the long-standing partnership and reinforces the close friendship between the two nations. It follows recent high-level trips to Fiji by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for Defence Industry and Pacific Affairs Pat Conroy, highlighting regular engagement between the two governments. Albanese will receive a traditional welcome before holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and senior officials.Article continues after advertisement Discussions will…

Overview: Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. joined other leaders in Fiji on Tuesday, noting the importance of the talks in strengthening regional unity and advancing shared Pacific priorities, as Palau prepares to host the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in September. SUVA, 01 JULY 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pacific leaders have arrived in Suva ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika Meeting, with Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale holding engagements before regional talks begin.  President Whipps arrived in Fiji on Tuesday to participate in the Troika Meeting, where regional leaders…

There are fears of yet another escalation in military conflict in Indonesia’s Papua region after an American pilot flying a small aircraft into a remote airstrip in Highland Papua province was killed by West Papuan militants.The West Papua National Liberation Army, or TPNPB, has claimed responsibility for killing Nicholas F Gosselin after he landed a small aircraft in remote Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency on Thursday.Gosselin had just flown seven passengers to Yahukimo from Wamena, Highland Papua’s major town, in an aircraft which belonged to a small Indonesian airline, PT AMA. The militants also burned the plane.The West Papua National Liberation…

Former journalist Joe Nata is calling for the removal of the immunity clause from the Constitution. [Photo: Fiji Constitutional Review Commission Facebook Page]] Former journalist Joe Nata is calling for the removal of the immunity clause from the Constitution. Making his submission before the Constitution Review Commission, Nata stressed that he does not want coup perpetrators punished out of malice, but hopes removing immunity willdeter future offenders by ensuring accountability in a court of law. He welcomed submissions from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces supporting the removal of the immunity clause to end a culture of impunity, noting it…

Overview: Koror State’s House of Traditional Leaders has a new Espangel. The Ngerkebesang Hamlet High Chief title now belongs to Johnny Debedebk Esebei, installed in a feast attended by all 10 members of the Ngarameketii Council of Chiefs. With only the Ngerchemai hamlet chief title still vacant, HOTL says it’s inching toward full membership — timed with construction of a new multi-story Bai ra Meketii to house its offices. By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau — On Thursday, June 26, the Koror State House of Traditional Leaders (HOTL) issued a press release announcing the appointment of a new Ngerkebesang Hamlet…

Fito Páez, one of the undisputed icons of rock and popular music in Spanish, returns to Barcelona to headline one of the festival’s most exclusive and highly anticipated events. On this occasion, the brilliant Argentine musician temporarily sets aside the electric energy of large venues to reveal himself artistically on the stunning stage of the Palau de la Música Catalana, offering an intimate and deeply moving recital for piano and voice. With more than four decades of an outstanding career behind him, the Rosario-born artist is the creative mind behind timeless anthems that form part of the collective memory of…

Pop superstar Madonna releases her new album Confessions II on Friday. [Photo Credit: AAP News] Madonna has appeared to take aim at ex-husband Sean Penn on her new album Confessions II. The legendary 67-year-old pop star sings about a “movie star with deep blue eyes” on the track Bizarre, with fans assuming she’s referring to Sean – to whom she was married from 1985 to 1989. “Love is the strangest thing. Just when you think you’ve finally let go, it comes back to you,” she sings. “Movie star, deep blue eyes. In Hollywood, we’re a perfect prize.Article continues after advertisement…