Author: TMC Palau

[Photo: FILE] McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women’s head coach Mike Legge says the side is building momentum ahead of their first home game of the season against the Western Force in Lautoka tomorrow. With just one day to go before kickoff, Legge believes the team is responding positively after a demanding week. He says the focus has been on honesty, intensity and preparation. “The girls had a really honest and open review yesterday, followed by two pretty brutal sessions on the field.” He adds that the response from the squad has been encouraging, describing the latest outing as one of their…

I have been talking about this since around 2015, long before recent news about Nauru considering a return to its original name, Naoero, and long before the re-emergence of conversations in Fiji about reclaiming its Indigenous name, Viti. But perhaps now is a good time to raise it again and keep the conversation alive. This piece is intended to provide an informed and critically grounded discussion on the near-complete absence of any serious debate over naming, identity and decolonisation in Kiribati. At a time when countries across the Pacific and around the world are increasingly re-examining the colonial foundations of…

A $2.2 million pharmaceutical warehouse in Labasa has yet to operate at full capacity more than a year after opening due to electricity supply limitations. The facility in Tolu was officially opened in March last year. It serves as the main medicine distribution hub for Vanua Levu and supports 65 healthcare facilities across the Northern Division. Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu says the warehouse was in use. However, he states it still requires power upgrades to fully utilise its storage systems.Article continues after advertisement “The issue with Labasa, and similar to Labasa Hospital, is the electricity capabilities. Once that is…

[Photo: FILE] A six-year-old boy’s death in a forklift incident is among the most serious cases in the latest High Court indictments.The indictments were released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It covers cases filed for last month. The ODPP recorded 26 indictments covering 44 counts of non-sexual serious offences. Forty-two people were charged, including eight police officers and two juveniles. There were 26 victims linked to the cases.Article continues after advertisement Seven incidents involved accused persons who were related to their victims. In the forklift case, a 26-year-old man is charged with manslaughter arising from breach…

Paparo met with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. to reaffirm the longstanding bilateral partnership between the United States and the Republic of Palau. The two leaders discussed the Compact of Free Association, the legal and diplomatic framework that underpins the relationship between the two nations. The 2023 Compact Review Agreement, which entered into force in 2024, commits $889 million over 20 years to support Palau’s development in health, education, infrastructure, and security reflecting the depth of U.S. commitment to Palau’s sovereignty and long-term prosperity.   During the visit, Paparo toured the restored airfield on Peleliu, rehabilitated by Marines and Sailors…

A pro-independence activist waves a flag during a demonstration to mark the second anniversary of the spring 2024 riots in Noumea. 13 May 2026 Photo: AFP / Delphine Mayeur New Caledonia’s political parties are now in marching order to contest the upcoming local provincial elections scheduled to be held in just over a fortnight. The French High Commission has published an initial list of 24 political groupings are running for a seat in New Caledonia’s three provincial assemblies (North, South and the outer Loyalty Islands). The list is subject to final verification before the upcoming polls on 28 June. In…

Issued by: on KOROR, Republic of Palau – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, delivers remarks for the Palau Community College commencement ceremony in Koror State in the Republic of Palau, May 15. “Your education has prepared you to lead in a complex and changing world,” Lasky told graduates. “Whether you enter public service, military service, private industry, or continue your studies, remember that part of your contribution will be remembering what it means to be Palauan.”Lasky serves as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Officer for…

The tanker attacked by the US forces was carrying 24 Indian crew members at the time of the strike. While 21 sailors were rescued, Shivanand and two others lost their lives in the incident, turning what had begun as an ordinary work assignment into an tragedy beyond imagination for the families.Shivanand’s family got the news through his younger brother Ram Pravesh Chaurasia who works in Dubai. He was informed by the authorities and on Thursday morning, he called up home and informed the family about the incident.Talking to media persons, father Ramji Chaurasia found it impossible to contain himself. “He…

Jaiswal emphasised that these attacks “must stop”.”We further conveyed that dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward for the peaceful resolution of the conflict, and that there should be unimpeded access through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law,” he said.”Therefore, we made our position very clear on each of these points, while reiterating how important the lives of our people are, welfare and safety of our people are,” he added.Jaiswal said two of the three vessels were subject to sanctions administered by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), while another had been classified as…

[File Photo] A 39-year-old teacher charged with the alleged abduction of a Year 10 student in Taveuni has been released on bail. Ronal Ronish Lal appeared before Resident Magistrate Semi Babitu at the Taveuni Magistrates Court today. He was granted bail and ordered to return to court on June 24. Police allege that Lal and the student had been communicating through social media about plans to be together. The alleged exchanges were reportedly discovered by the accused’s wife, who brought the matter to the attention of the school principal.Article continues after advertisement Police further allege that on the night of…