Author: TMC Palau
[Photo: FILE] School levies will not be used to block student enrolment under the new Education Bill 2025, says Education Minister Aseri Radrodro. He clarified concerns that allowing schools to impose levies could place financial pressure on parents and open the door to possible abuse by some school managements. However, Radrodro stressed that any school wishing to impose a levy must first obtain approval from the Permanent Secretary for Education. Thus, Opposition MP Premila Kumar reiterated that children from low-income families should not be burdened with school levies.Article continues after advertisement “Children who come from low-income homes should be exempt…
[Photo: FIJI RUGBY/ FACEBOOK] The Fiji Airways Men’s 7s team thumped New Zealand 40-nil in the Valladolid 7s quarterfinal in Spain this morning. They will play Australia in the semifinal at 8:44pm tonight in the first semifinal. It was a clinical display against a new-look New Zealand outfit, with Fiji dominating the match. George Bose scored a double while Tomasi Stark, Terio Veilawa, Akuila Dranivotua and Nacani Boginisoko scored a try each.Article continues after advertisement The national side was leading 12-nil at the break. Fiji bounced back from their 14-12 loss to hosts Spain in the final pool match this…
Overview: Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has confirmed that Vanuatu will move forward with signing two major strategic cooperation agreements — the Nakamal Agreement with Australia and the Namele Agreement with China — after months of negotiations and debate over sovereignty concerns. The government says both deals are focused on cooperation and development, not security pacts, as Port Vila seeks to balance ties with global partners while protecting national interests. PORT VILA, 22 MAY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) —-Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has confirmed the government will sign the landmark Nakamal Agreement with Australia, as well as the Namele…
[Source: Reuters] A U.S. immigration agent was arrested in Texas on Friday, nearly two weeks after a Minnesota prosecutor took the unusual step of charging him with assaulting a Venezuelan man in a non-fatal shooting in Minneapolis this year. Christian Castro, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, faces four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime for shooting Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg on January 14, at the height of President Donald Trump’s aggressive and hotly protested deportation surge in Minnesota. It is extremely rare for state prosecutors to charge federal law…
Overview: The Pacific Tuna Initiative has expanded to Palau, marking a new phase in regional efforts to strengthen sustainable tuna fisheries and equitable ocean governance across the Pacific. Led by Conservation International, the initiative brings together governments, industry and communities to improve fisheries management, support marine protection, and build long-term resilience for Pacific economies and ecosystems. [Apia, Samoa – 25 May 2026] Conservation International today announced the expansion of its Pacific Tuna Initiative to Palau, marking the launch of its third phase to improve the sustainability and governance of South Pacific albacore tuna fisheries. The initiative brings together governments, industry,…
Britney Spears was arrested after police received an anonymous call about her erratic driving. (EPA PHOTO) Britney Spears has broken her silence on an “interesting year” following her arrest for reckless driving. The 44-year-old singer was arrested on March 4 near her home in Ventura County, California, after police received an anonymous call about someone “travelling at high speeds and swerving” on the road. Spears pleaded guilty to reckless driving in connection with the incident, and was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and one day of jail, credited as time served, as part of her plea deal. The mother-of-two –…
[Photo: FILE] The Immigration Amendment Bill 2026 strengthens how Fiji manages border security, traveler screening and immigration decision-making in response to evolving global threats. The reforms introduce advanced passenger information and passenger name record systems, allowing authorities to screen travellers before arrival. The law also restructures visa administration, shifting key decision-making powers to the Permanent Secretary for Immigration to improve consistency and accountability. Permit categories have been streamlined into four groups: visitor, investor, permit to reside, and permit to reside and work , with visitors now allowed to undertake short-term work for up to one month.Article continues after advertisement The…
[Photo: FILE] The recently passed Tourism Bill 2026 will establish clearer accountability across government and provide greater certainty for investors, according to Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna and Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Sakiasi Ditoka. Speaking in Parliament, Tubuna said the strength of the legislation lies not only in its policy direction but also in its legal framework, which clearly defines responsibilities, safeguards and accountability mechanisms for the tourism sector. He says clauses within the bill place responsibility for tourism administration directly with the Minister responsible for tourism, including oversight of national…
Overview: Radiation survivors and advocates are renewing calls for justice as the Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors backs efforts to include the Northern Mariana Islands in a proposed U.S. compensation bill for communities impacted by nuclear fallout. The move adds momentum to decades-long demands from Guam and the CNMI for recognition under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. SAIPAN, 28 MAY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors has endorsed the Northern Mariana Islands’ inclusion in a fresh proposal to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act programme. The CNMI-based Matua Council for Native Chamorro Advancement thanked PARS…
[Source: Reuters] U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he would soon decide on a proposed deal to extend the ceasefire with Iran, though the two countries still appeared to differ on significant issues that have been central to the conflict. Trump said on Friday morning that he would meet in a secure White House room to make a “final determination” on the proposal, which would extend an early-April truce for another 60 days, giving negotiators time to forge a permanent end to the war. A White House official said the meeting in the Situation Room lasted about two hours,…