Author: TMC Palau
Overview: The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ Attorney General is seeking to overturn a court-approved settlement that dismissed all charges against former Governor Ralph Torres, arguing the agreement was unauthorized and improperly granted sweeping immunity. Torres’ legal team is fighting back, calling the move politically motivated as he campaigns for a return to the governor’s office in the 2026 election. SAIPAN, 03 JUNE 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—The Office of the Attorney General is asking the CNMI Superior Court to throw out the settlement that cleared former governor Ralph Torres, arguing the deal was unauthorised and illegally granted him broad…
[File Photo] Fiji is stepping up its fight against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases through a nationwide control program supported by more than $2 billion worth of assistance from the Hong Kong-based GX Foundation. The initiative was officially launched last night, alongside the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the GX Foundation. Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa says the program is a major step forward in protecting communities from vector-borne diseases and improving public health outcomes. The Health Ministry says the partnership will boost Fiji’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond…
[Opinion column written by Françoise Palau-Wolffe] Bermuda, like much of the world, is living through a period of instability and uncertainty. Our close-knit island is not immune to the effects of a shifting global order – one where authoritarianism is resurfacing, socio-economic inequality is widening, and the rule of law is increasingly challenged. These conditions demand heightened vigilance. One of the most powerful – and underutilised – tools available to us in this moment is human rights education. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the broader international human rights framework were established to lay the foundation for a…
[Source: Fijian Drua/Facebook] The McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women have opened their Super W campaign with a hard-fought 42–29 defeat to defending champions the Waratahs in Sydney this afternoon. Despite striking first to get their season underway, the Drua showed early intent and attacking spark, but were outmuscled in key moments as the home side’s experience and structure began to take control. Still, the Fijians continued to fight back with flair and physicality throughout the contest. The Waratahs went into halftime leading 28–17, capitalising on their opportunities and maintaining pressure on the Drua defence.Article continues after advertisement In the second half,…
[File Photo] Former FIJI Water Flying Fijians forward Campese Ma’afu has revealed his ambition to one day be part of the national team’s coaching setup, saying his passion for Fiji Rugby continues to drive him long after his playing career. Currently coaching in Australia, Ma’afu says representing Fiji at the highest level left a lasting impact on him and has fuelled his desire to give back to the game in his homeland. While his immediate focus is on assisting the Fiji Under-20 side at the World Rugby U20 Championship later this month, Ma’afu admitted that a role with the Flying…
Overview: For two decades, Pacific Island nations have transformed the world’s largest tuna fishery into a global model for sustainable management through regional cooperation, science-based policies and collective leadership. A new report by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency highlights how the region now manages 54% of the world’s tuna catch while keeping all major tuna stocks healthy and generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually for Pacific economies. HONIARA, 03 JUNE 206 (UNDP) — The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has released a major report documenting two decades of transformative work in tuna fisheries management – a story…
The Fiji Taxi Association is urging government relief as rising fuel prices, operating costs, and a 14-year gap in fare review has pushed operators to financial strain. Association President Mohammed Faiyaz says the latest increase in fuel prices, which has seen petrol rise to between $3.93 and $4.54 per litre depending on location, has placed enormous pressure on an industry that was already struggling to survive. “Taxi operators cannot continue to absorb these costs indefinitely. Taxis do not run on water. Every litre of fuel we purchase now costs almost double what operators were paying just a few years ago,…
[Source: Bula FC/Facebook] Fiji football is set to welcome a new generation of talent when the national side takes on Vanuatu today, with six Extra Bula FC youngsters in line to make their senior international debuts. The group is led by 16-year-old Maikah Dau, one of the youngest players to earn a call-up to the senior national team in recent years. He is joined by Melvin Prakash, Ibraheem Afazal, Ryan Naresh, Zachariah Harang and Suleyman Mohammed, all preparing to wear the Fiji jersey at senior level for the first time. Also included in the youthful squad is 19-year-old Delon Shankar,…
CNMI senator Jude Hofschneider Photo: Supplied A Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) senator is pushing for the US territory to study whether advanced nuclear energy could help reduce its dependence on imported fuel and strengthen power resilience in the Western Pacific. Senator Jude Hofschneider has pre-filed a joint resolution supporting the evaluation of small modular reactors and microreactors in partnership with the United States government. The measure does not authorise construction of a nuclear facility, but calls for federal agencies to consider Saipan, Tinian and Rota for feasibility studies, pilot programmes or possible future deployment. Hofschneider said the…
[Photo Credit: Reuters] A federal judge on Friday ruled that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration had adopted a series of unlawful policies that have barred people from 39 countries from receiving decisions on applications for asylum, work permits, green cards and citizenship. Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island, struck down, opens new tab a slate of policies that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had adopted that he said left people from dozens of African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries in “indeterminate legal limbo.” He said the immigrants had adhered to the legal processes…