Author: TMC Palau

Surangel S. Whipps Jr addresses the Climate Summit 2025, a high-Level special event on Climate Action, at COP30 in Brazil. Photo: UN Photo / Manuel Elías Palau’s leader says the world needs to be working toward reducing emissions and “not dropping targets”, in response to New Zealand slashing its methane reduction goals. Last month, the New Zealand government announced it would cut biogenic methane reduction targets to 14-24 percent below 2017 levels by 2050. The previous target was a reduction of 24-47 percent. Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr, who is in Brazil for the annual United Nations climate change conference,…

Tonga Police is investigating the incident on 23 April. Photo: Facebook / Tonga Police A female journalist in Tonga has been threatened at gunpoint following the broadcast of a news story about an Australian criminal deportee serving a life sentence in Tonga for methamphetamine importation. The incident, in which an unknown individual threatened the journalist at the Kele’a Publications office in Nuku’alofa 12 days ago (23 April), is under investigation by police. Kele’a Publications manager Teisa Cokanasiga told RNZ Pacific that the man featured in the ABC’s Foreign Correspondent documentary had plans to set up a chapter of the Comanchero,…

Overview: A legal challenge is now underway over a controversial land deal in Peleliu. Some of the state’s traditional leaders are asking the court to void the transfer of public lands to the national government—lands intended for U.S. military use—raising serious questions about legality, transparency and who controls the island’s future. Lawsuit claims transfer of public lands to national government violated constitution and bypassed public process By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — A group of traditional leaders and residents from Peleliu has filed a lawsuit in the Palau Supreme Court seeking to overturn a land deal that transferred dozens of…

[Source:AAP] Exciting fullback Jahream Bula has signed a four-year extension that will keep him at Wests Tigers until the end of the 2030 NRL season. It is great news for the Tigers, who are sitting in fifth place on the ladder with five wins from their eight games this season. After making his NRL debut in 2023, Bula has played 64 games for the Tigers, scoring 28 tries and establishing himself as a key member of coach Benji Marshall’s spine. Currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, the 2023 Kelly-Barnes Medal winner has a return of five tries, five try assists,…

The FC Barcelona roller hockey side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Portuguese team Porto on match day six of the Champions League at the Palau Blaugrana. Two first half goals from the visitors was enough for victory despite the blaugranes having plenty of chances to get on the scoresheet.  Porto now leapfrog above Barça into top spot in group A in the competition but with still four games to go in the initial phase. Ricard Ares’ team face their next challenge in the Champions League with an away trip to SCRA St. Omer v Barça on Thursday 26 February. …

Overview: Palau has long been seen as one of the Pacific’s strongest defenders of media freedom—but in today’s digital world, is that still enough? As misinformation, social media and AI reshape how news is created and consumed, the definition of press freedom is evolving. Despite strong legal protections, new global pressures reshape the meaning of media freedom By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (May 4, 2026) — In a country where press conferences are frequent, congressional sessions are broadcast live, and news flows daily across radio, print, television and social media, Palau often points to itself as a model of media…

“It’s wonderful for our mission to return to Palau, where we look forward to working alongside our multinational allies, partners, and friends as we prepare in calm for possible future time of crisis,” said Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander for Pacific Partnership. “It’s exciting to be here, as our nations share a rich history of collaboration and cultural ties. We look forward to strengthening that mutual cooperation and friendship in the days and years ahead.”Pacific Partnership mission includes stops in the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Palau, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Philippines.“I’m excited to…

Overview: A growing number of Palau families are quietly dealing with the fallout of online scams — with some victims losing thousands of dollars to people they’ve never met. Authorities say the problem is worsening, and many cases go unreported. Families report growing losses as overseas scammers exploit trust through social media By: L.N. Reklai “She really believes this to be real,” a niece said, describing how her elderly aunt in Palau sent more than $10,000 to a man she has never met — a stark example of the growing wave of online scams now affecting families across the country.…

An explosion at Zam Zam Restaurant in Samabula has left staff shocked and injured. The incident happened this afternoon in the kitchen area, forcing staff and customers to flee the building. Customer Service Manager Dileleah Grace described the terrifying experience, saying she was upstairs in the restaurant when the explosion occurred. She says people ran outside for safety as the blast erupted from the kitchen.Article continues after advertisement Grace told FBC News that about five to eight kitchen staff suffered burns during the incident. Authorities are currently at the scene, while those injured have been taken to hospital for treatment.…

Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. is taking his campaign against deep-sea mining to a global stage, and his message for the Marianas is personal.Speaking to The Guam Daily Post on Monday, a few days after delivering a keynote address at the World Ocean Summit in Montreal, Whipps said any deep-sea mining near the Marianas would directly harm Palau and the broader Pacific community.”Although we love our neighbors from Guam and (the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), but if you start deep-sea mining there, it will impact us,” Whipps said. “If we’re our Pacific brothers, then let’s make sure…