Author: TMC Palau

There is outrage in Papua New Guinea over signs that the Filipino tuna fishing fleet is catching dolphins against the law. This follows the emergence of a four-minute video from PNG’s Manus Province showing the crew on a purse seine vessel, the Red Robin 88 (previously Discovery 101), hauling in dead dolphins from its nets. Manus local Jonathan Semin told RNZ Pacific that his community is extremely concerned about what they have seen in the video. “There were many dolphins, which I was very angry about, when I saw that there were dead dolphins in the net. “They are killing…

Unity Fiji Party Leader Savenaca Narube has called for Fiji to move beyond ethnic divisions and build a unified national identity. He said political integration was still incomplete. He added that it must start at leadership level. Narube said the country needs to shift away from ethnic-based thinking. He said it continues to shape political debate and economic perceptions. He called on leaders to “build together” under a shared national direction. He also warned that Fiji’s economic fundamentals remain weak.Article continues after advertisement “I question about thinking around that. That there is an iTaukei economy, then there is probably an…

Taipei, June 11 (CNA) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) returned to Taiwan on Wednesday night after a five-day visit to Palau, saying that the highlights of the trip were the visible success of the ties and cooperation between the two countries, as well as Palau’s tourism appeal.Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, Hsiao said the diplomatic mission assigned by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) was successful.The visit, her first to a diplomatic ally since taking office in May 2024, left a deep impression on her, Hsiao said, commending Palauan President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and his government for the arrangements made…

Limited funding and instability within the Electoral Commission Secretariat are affecting its ability to carry out its constitutional duties. This was highlighted by Electoral Commission Secretariat member Cynthia Khan. She was presenting the 2023–2024 Annual Reports to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. “The presentation is structured around the main themes in the committee’s questions, that is on governance, FICA records, the issues that we had with FICA, the electoral reform, the voter register, and the complaints and transparency. It also focuses on the financial and operational management, the international engagement, and future priorities.”Article continues after advertisement Khan…

Minister Dr Taniela Fusimalohi Photo: Tonga Government Tonga’s coalition government faces mounting pressure after a third cabinet minister was convicted of electoral bribery during last year’s general election. The latest development follows a series of court rulings that could trigger by-elections and potentially reshape the country’s leadership. Tonga’s parliament is made up of 17 people’s representative seats and nine noble seats. Lord Fakafanua, a nephew of the King of Tonga, King Tupou VI, came to power last year with 16 votes to 10 in his favour. The most recent to fall in his Cabinet is Lands Minister Dr Taniela Fusimalohi,…

PIRAEUS: The Palau Ship Registry (PSR) notes that certain media reports have described M/T MARIVEX (IMO 9464156) as a vessel registered under the Palau flag. This claim is inaccurate. For the avoidance of any misunderstanding, M/T MARIVEX was not registered with the Palau Ship Registry at the time of the incident in the Gulf of Oman reported in the media. M/T MARIVEX, previously known as ARIHANT, has not held valid registration certificates issued by the Palau Ship Registry since 6 March 2026, when a Certificate of Closure of Registry was issued following the vessel’s deletion from the Palau flag. Accordingly,…

Tourism Fiji will roll out a major campaign targeting the Gold Coast market next month. The move follows the launch of Fiji Airways’ direct Nadi–Gold Coast service. Tourism Fiji Chief Executive Dr Paresh Pant said a strong marketing push was planned. The campaign will target families, visiting friends and relatives, and also weddings and honeymoon travellers. “Gold Coast naturally is a tourism hotspot for domestic Australians. So again, once we put our messaging out there in the space, it just gives us that extra captive audience that, hey, I’ve been here this time. Next time, take a hop over to…

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) last night returned to Taiwan after a five-day trip to Palau, saying the visit highlighted the visible success of bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries, as well as Palau’s tourism appeal.Upon arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Hsiao said that the diplomatic mission assigned to her by President William Lai (賴清德) was successful.The visit, her first to a diplomatic ally since taking office in May 2024, left a deep impression on her, Hsiao said, commending Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr and his government for the arrangements made for her. Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei…

Five people, including a child, have been rescued after their boat was reported overdue while travelling between Korolevu and Vatulele. Rough seas were reported in the area. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Fiji, based at the Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre, activated a search and rescue operation last night after the vessel failed to arrive at its destination. The Republic of Fiji Navy deployed RFNS Savenaca in the early hours of this morning to join the search.Article continues after advertisement Support was also provided by a New Zealand Defence Force P-8 surveillance aircraft. Two domestic aircraft carrying Navy search and…

Fiji has strengthened its tourism links with Australia following the launch of a new direct Fiji Airways service between Nadi and the Gold Coast. The move improves air access and is expected to support visitor growth. The inaugural flight was boarded today by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Tourism Fiji CEO Paresh Pant and Fiji Airways CEO Paul Scurrah. The delegation travelled on the new route before returning to Fiji this afternoon, marking the official start of operations.Article continues after advertisement Fiji Airways Chief Executive Paul Scurrah described the route as a milestone in the airline’s expansion strategy and a key…