Author: TMC Palau
Overview: Palau Media Council representative Ngewakl Isaac Soaladaob joined fellow media leaders from across the Indo-Pacific in Australia to explore solutions to misinformation, digital disruption and changing audience trends through the Australia Awards Fellowship. KOROR, Palau — Palau Media Council representative Ngewakl Isaac Soaladaob joined media leaders from across the Indo-Pacific in Canberra earlier this year as part of the Australia Awards Fellowship program aimed at strengthening media organizations and regional collaboration. The fellowship brought together media professionals to discuss challenges facing the industry, including the spread of misinformation, changing audience behaviors and the rapid pace of digital transformation. Participants…
The health tender trial in the Suva High Court, involving former Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma, former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, is expected to conclude tomorrow. The 13th prosecution witness, Arvind Chandra, founder of Vanmed Labs, told the court he was engaged in 2011 by the Ministry of Health to conduct a consultancy on laboratory services across 17 rural and subdivisional health facilities. The work involved assessing equipment, machine lifespan, wastage rates, and staffing needs before producing a report for the ministry. Chandra said he had a professional relationship with Dr Sharma before 2011 and…
In a bold declaration during Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s visit to Palau, President Surangel S Whipps Jr reaffirmed his nation’s support for Taiwan’s sovereign status, emphasizing the critical need for international recognition, according to Focus Taiwan. At a welcome dinner, Whipps highlighted the potential global implications of denying Taiwan’s sovereignty, reasoning that it might undermine other smaller nations’ status.Whipps further emphasized defending democratic principles and international rules. He asserted, “We have to stand up for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law,” a sentiment reported by Focus Taiwan. As one of Taiwan’s 12 global allies, and three in the…
Overview: Palauan businesses are taking steps to access new economic opportunities through federal contracting. A recent procurement readiness workshop in Koror equipped local entrepreneurs and vendors with practical knowledge on federal procurement requirements, registration processes and strategies to compete for U.S. government contracts. KOROR, Palau (June 4, 2026) — Twenty-six local business owners, entrepreneurs and vendors participated in the opening day of the “Unlock Federal Contracting Opportunities & Get Procurement Ready” workshop hosted by the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development (MHRCTD), the Palau Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the 356th Expeditionary Theater Support Group (356 ETSG).…
Soaring fuel prices are placing increasing pressure on Fiji’s fisheries sector, with fishermen and fish vendors in the North warning that their livelihoods are under threat. Industry operators say rising fuel costs are driving up the price of catching and selling fish, while shrinking already thin profit margins. As preparations continue for the 2026–2027 National Budget, those reliant on the industry are calling on government to provide targeted assistance to help offset rising operating costs. Diver Taniela Baleisuva says fuel has become one of the biggest expenses for fishermen, making it more difficult to earn a living from the sea.Article…
India on Tuesday confirmed that all 24 Indian nationals aboard the Palau-flagged vessel MT Marivex, which was targeted and disabled off the coast of Oman following communication with the US Navy, have been rescued safely.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian Embassy in Oman coordinated closely with Omani authorities and maritime agencies to ensure the crew’s rescue. Addressing the media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the vessel had become disabled near the Oman coast and that New Delhi was aware of an exchange between the ship and the US Navy before the incident.“The ship MT Marivex was disabled…
Children’s paracetamol remain in low supply. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Samoa’s national hospital is rationing critical medicine due to a low supply, with outside help offering temporary relief. Last week, the Health Ministry received an urgent air freight shipment from Fiji-based Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH), covering only about half of what is needed. Key drugs like metformin, a drug to manage and treat type 2 diabetes, amlodipine which is used to treat high blood pressure, and also children’s paracetamol remain scarce, with the rest of PSH’s supplies expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Local media report that a…
Overview: Four Aimeliik students have become the inaugural recipients of the Rengulbai Brikul Scholarship, turning a decades-old commitment into reality and opening new educational opportunities for the next generation. AIMELIIK, Palau — Four students from Aimeliik State have become the first recipients of the Rengulbai Brikul Scholarship, marking the realization of a vision first established nearly four decades ago to support the educational aspirations of Aimeliik youth. Board of Trustees of the Rengulbai Brikul Scholarship, established this year for Aimeliik aspiring students. The inaugural scholarship awards were presented June 5 to Palin N. Marcil, Welavin I. Ueki, Macy K. Iramk…
The government is focused on constitutional reform, a referendum and preparations for the next General Election, says Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga. Turaga says the government is confident it now has the parliamentary numbers needed to amend the 2013 Constitution following the recent Supreme Court ruling, which lowered the threshold for constitutional amendments from 75 percent to a two-thirds majority. He says the Constitution Review Commission is making steady progress, having completed consultations in Kadavu, Lomaiviti, Lau and Vanua Levu, with consultations now underway in the Western Division and across Viti Levu. Turaga says the government has taken a different approach…
Overview: Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has arrived in Palau for a five-day visit focused on strengthening diplomatic relations, promoting sustainable tourism and reviewing key development projects between the two allies. Five-day trip highlights bilateral cooperation, development projects and people-to-people exchanges. By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (June 8, 2026) — Republic of China (Taiwan) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim arrived in Palau on June 6 for a five-day visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations, promoting sustainable tourism and highlighting the achievements of bilateral development projects between the two longtime allies. Hsiao was welcomed at Palau International Airport by Palau Vice President…