Author: TMC Palau
US deports first migrant to Palau: The United States has deported its first unwanted migrant to the Pacific island nation of Palau under a December agreement allowing the country to accept up to 75 deportees. The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to expel undocumented migrants and asylum seekers to third countries.US top court upholds birthright citizenship: The US Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship, reaffirming constitutional protections under the 14th Amendment. The decision marks a major setback for Trump’s immigration agenda and upholds automatic…
Pacific diesel prices plungeSamoa’s battle with labour migrationFiji’s waste-to-energy controversy reaches environmental tribunalRNZ / UnsplashFuel prices: relief at the pumpMaximum diesel prices are coming down fast in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.It comes as the Asian Development Bank doles out massive cash, and a peace deal on the horizon puts downward pressure on global oil prices.In Viti Levu, the diesel price cap more than doubled from February to June. But in last week’s budget announcement, Fiji’s Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel promised massive fuel price reductions, and massive they were.The price cap has decreased by 26 percent compared to last month, lower…
[Photo: AAP] A treatment trial for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has enrolled its first patient, marking a milestone in efforts to combat the epidemic. World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, however, cited an attack on an Ebola treatment centre in Ituri province in which two people died as a sign of ongoing difficulties in tackling the spread of the disease. He says that despite all this progress, they continue to face significant challenges, including mistrust and violence. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for Ebola’s Bundibugyo strain, which has caused more…
Pacific Islands Forum Troika leaders met in Suva yesterday, focusing discussions on reforming Pacific regional governance ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau next month.The meeting brought together Forum Chairperson and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, Tongan Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.The meeting marked Mr Wale’s first official visit to Fiji since taking over the Forum chairmanship.Opening the meeting, Mr Wale said Pacific institutions must continue to adapt to an increasingly complex strategic environment.“The question before us is not whether the region will change. It will. The question is…
Members of the Wales side during a training session this week. Wales is expecting nothing short of a physical and grueling encounter when they face the FIJI Water Flying Fijians in their opening game of the Nations Championship this weekend at the Cardiff City Stadium. While they may have the home advantage, coach Steve Tandy says they will not be letting their guard down against the Fijians. The side has been recovering well from their recent clash against the Barbarians, and preparations for Sunday’s game has been coming along well. Tandy adds that this will be a good opportunity for…
[File Photo] The Electoral Commission supports the principle that rehabilitation should restore the right to stand for office, but recommends that the Commission of Review provide clarity on its scope. This is for persons who have completed a custodial sentence. The Electoral Law Reform Commission has made several recommendations concerning the qualification of candidates. It says that the conduct of recent elections has raised further questions that the Commission and the Fijian Elections Office are bringing to the Review Commission’s attention.Article continues after advertisement The qualifications and disqualifications for membership of Parliament are set out in the Constitution. The Commissioners…
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) governor David Apatang is advising residents of Saipan, Tinian and Rota to stay up-to-date with forecasts as Typhoon Bavi approaches.An update just after midnight Friday from the National Weather Service in Guam said satellite imagery showed Bavi as a very broad, strengthening storm, forecast to become a typhoon within the next 24 hours.Bavi is forecast to continue strengthening over the next few days as it moves west-northwest toward the Marianas.The storm could potentially pass anywhere from south of Guam to north of Anatahan, in the north of the CNMI, and there will…
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32 – Spain v Austria Purchase Licensing Rights Spain put their World Cup rivals on notice with a dominant 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday thanks to a Mikel Oyarzabal double and another commanding defensive display to reach the last 16. Spain, who arrived at the tournament among the favourites and have yet to concede a goal, made a slow start with a draw against Cape Verde, but Austria had no answer to their opponents’ relentless attack and impenetrable back line on a sunny day in Southern California. While Spain’s attack, especially teenage…
Men hold a banner depicting Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Iran’s ruling clerics are preparing days of mass funeral rites for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a show of public devotion to the Islamic Republic and proof that its revolutionary fervor still burns strong. Iran’s supreme leader was killed by U.S. and Israeli strikes in their first attack of the war and the funeral events will begin over the weekend in Tehran, with mass processions planned next week in Qom and Mashhad and…
[File Photo] The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has never been truly independent, with its commissioners often appointed in ways that lean towards the political leadership. This was part of Suva lawyer Barbara Malimali’s submission to the Constitutional Review Commission. Malimali claims the institution has moved away from its original purpose of prosecuting corrupt government officials and their private sector counterparts. She says FICAC has instead focused largely on prosecuting electoral offences and politicians.Article continues after advertisement She recommends that FICAC’s prosecutorial powers be removed and transferred to another independent layer of scrutiny, particularly the Office of the Ombudsman. Malimali…