Author: TMC Palau

[Photo: FILE] Proposed amendments to the Public Health Act could affect rural housing, water, and sanitation projects, with the Rural Ministry calling for the changes to be integrated into future development plans. Acting Deputy Secretary Josefa Navuku told the Standing Committee reviewing the Public Health Amendment Bill 2026 that the reforms would directly affect several key government programs. He says they are currently reviewing and improving the design of these programs and want to ensure they are aligned with any new public health requirements introduced through the amended legislation. “And this act, the proposed amendments, and the final outcome, we…

[Photo: FILE] The Ministry of Employment, while supporting the proposed Public Health Amendment Bill, says stronger laws are needed to address modern public health challenges and better protect workers and communities. Deputy Secretary of Operations Atish Kumar says issues such as non-communicable diseases, pandemics, climate-related illnesses, and mental health concerns currently faced by the country are not fully covered under the current law. He says the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in existing legislation and highlighted the need for stronger legal powers to respond to public health emergencies. Kumar says they are calling for tougher penalties for people who intentionally contaminate…

Miracle Faiilagi has been included in the Manu Samoa squad alongside four other Moana Pasifika players. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz Moana Pasifika captain Miracle Faiilagi has been selected in the Manu Samoa rugby squad to prepare for the World Rugby Nations Cup in July. Head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi announced Faiilagi’s name in Apia on Thursday morning, in a squad that features some new players set up to make their debut at the event, which is a build up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Faiilagi is one of the experienced hands named for the tournament, where Samoa will…

[ Source: Fiji Government / Facebook ] The Department of Environment says TNG’s proposed waste-to-energy plant at Vuda Point failed to meet the minimum legal and technical standards required for approval. It says the decision was based on major gaps in the Environmental Impact Assessment rather than opposition to investment or innovation. The department found that too many critical issues remained unresolved, with several key matters left for future studies instead of being addressed in the EIA itself. Permanent Secretary for Environment Dr. Sivendra Michael says one of the biggest concerns was the lack of a proven reference facility operating…

[Photo: FILE] Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has backed the rejection of the proposed Energy-from-Waste Plant and Private Port Facility at Vuda Point. He says that all major developments must meet environmental and legal standards. Rabuka adds that the Department of Environment’s decision followed a technical assessment process and reflected the importance of protecting the environment, public health, livelihoods, and cultural interests. He stressed that the decision should not be viewed as a rejection of investment, but as a demonstration that all projects must comply with the country’s environmental laws.Article continues after advertisement The Prime Minister says that they remain committed…

[Source: BBC News] Reality TV personality Molly-Mae Hague has welcomed her second child with professional boxer Tommy Fury. “And then there were 4,” she wrote on Instagram with a photo of her, Fury, and their older daughter, Bambi, in a hospital room, smiling at the new addition to the family. Hague did not reveal the name or gender of her second child in the Instagram post. The couple, who met on the fifth series of Love Island in 2019, announced they were pregnant with their second child back in February.Article continues after advertisement Among the well-wishers in the comments were…

Sawong Kevin with mum Fetima Tingar and dad Kevin Mittiam. Photo: Supplied / Sydney Children’s Hospital Network A small conjoined twin from Papua New Guinea has finally flown home, six months after complex separation surgery in Australia which almost took his life. Sawong Kevin developed a highly dangerous fungal infection of the blood after surviving twelve hours of separation and reconstruction surgery at Sydney Children’s Hospital on 7 December. The two-month-old twins were fused at the lower abdomen and Tom, who was declining rapidly, died within minutes of being detached from his brother. Six days later doctors feared Sawong, who…

[Source: BBC News] The US House of Representatives passed a measure that seeks to halt President Donald Trump from taking further military action in Iran. The 215-208 vote was successful after four Republicans joined Democrats in a public show of disapproval of the war, which began in February. This is the fourth attempt by the House to rein in Trump’s war powers, which critics say lack congressional approval. The House resolution still needs approval from the Republican-controlled US Senate. Even if it were successful in the Senate, the measure is unlikely to fully curb military action against Iran.Article continues after…

On May 29, 2026, the community gathered at Drop ‘Off in Palau, to welcome Alingano Maisu. The ceremony celebrated the canoe’s arrival and honored the traditional navigation and seafaring knowledge that have been passed down through generations across Micronesia. The event was especially meaningful as it also marked the 20th Anniversary of the Micronesian Voyaging Society. Community leaders, navigators, and guest came together to recognize two decades of efforts to preserve and promote traditional voyaging, cultural heritage, and respect for the ocean. The welcoming ceremony highlighted the importance of cultural preservation, unity, and education, inspiring younger generations to continue learning…

[Photo: FILE] Police and military operations in Naweni, Cakaudrove, will remain in place until next year following requests from traditional leaders who say the operation is already having a positive impact on the district. The issue was raised during the Cakaudrove Provincial Council “talanoa session” in Korotasere, where community representatives called for the joint operation to continue as authorities intensify efforts to curb drug-related activities in the area. Cakaudrove-i-Vanua district representative Taia Colatiniyara says Naweni, once known as a hotspot for marijuana cultivation, is now seeing encouraging changes among young people, with many turning to farming, sports and other productive…