Author: TMC Palau

A fisherman from a remote island in the Cook Islands says he feared for his life after a routine reef fishing trip led to the discovery of a mysterious package containing cocaine worth millions of dollars in street value.The fisherman, who RNZ Pacific has agreed not to name, discovered the package washed up on the reef in Mitiaro on 28 July, thinking it could be a body or a bomb.Cook Islands fisherman recalls finding cocaine package on beach”I had two thoughts then: first, I thought this could be a human body chopped up … [and] second, I was suddenly worried…

The pristine waters and natural splendour of Palau, a group of more than 300 islands in the Pacific Ocean, which also go by the name of Belau, have long made this Micronesian country a bucket-list destination for divers and adventurers, but there’s so much more to uncover when it comes to exploring this culturally rich tropical destination. Upon arrival, travellers are required to embrace the 18,000-strong population’s commitment to protecting the environment by signing the Palau Pledge. The agreement was written in 2019 by local children and asks visitors to “tread lightly, act kindly and explore mindfully” throughout their stay…

TAIPEI, 26 agosto (Reuters) – Il ministro degli esteri di Taiwan Lin Chia-lung parteciperà agli eventi legati a un importante vertice dei leader delle nazioni insulari del Pacifico che si terrà a Palau a partire dalla prossima settimana, ha comunicato mercoledì il suo ufficio.Il test di lancio di un missile nel Pacifico effettuato dalla Cina a luglio ha allarmato le potenze regionali, ma non è riuscito a suscitare una risposta unitaria da parte dei governi delle isole del Pacifico, sottolineando le divisioni su come affrontare la crescente competizione strategica nella regione.La Cina, che considera Taiwan – governata democraticamente – come…

An archipelago of limestone islands suspended in turquoise lagoons, Palau is a paradise of world-class dive sites, thriving reefs and historic battlegrounds that’s just a six-hour flight from Brisbane. A seven-day journey in this island nation allows you to discover its wild beauty and rich culture, from learning the art of traditional sailing to unwinding in a natural mud bath and camping under the stars. (Permits are required to visit many areas and attractions in Palau, so be sure to check with tour operators or local authorities before embarking on your adventures.) Here’s how to spend a perfect week in…

Bougainville’s president accepted an offer from an Indian company to cover the cost of his wife’s “life-saving kidney surgery” before signing a major mining deal, according to a new report released by a global investigative non-profit.The investigation titled ‘A Kidney Transplant, Ignored Advice, and President’s Surprise Pick to Run a $160 Billion Pacific Island Mine’ was published by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) on Wednesday.The investigation comes as Papua New Guinea’s national parliament is set to debate this week whether to ratify the 97.7 percent vote by Bougainvilleans for independence in their 2019 non-binding referendum.According to the…

TAIPEI, Aug 26 (Reuters) – Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will attend events related to a major summit of leaders from Pacific islands nations in ​Palau starting next week, his office said ‌on Wednesday.China’s test-firing in July of a missile into the Pacific alarmed regional powers but failed to spur a unified response from Pacific Island governments, underscoring divisions over how to confront ‌growing ​strategic competition in the region.China, ⁠which views democratically governed ⁠Taiwan as its own territory, has gradually whittled away the number of Pacific island countries with formal ties to Taipei, with only three remaining – Palau, ​Tuvalu…

Saula Ma’u couldn’t hold back the tears after achieving his dream of becoming an All Black.The Highlanders prop made his debut off the bench in the 41-35 win over the Lions in Johannesburg and helped steady the All Blacks scrum after some earlier troubles.”It was unreal. A couple of weeks ago I was back at home playing for Otago, and then two weeks later, I’m playing for the All Blacks,” Ma’u said.”It just feels amazing, unreal, because obviously that was always a goal of mine, one day to play for the All Blacks.”Ma’u was called into the squad as an…

A fisherman from a remote island in the Cook Islands says he feared for his life after a routine reef fishing trip led to the discovery of a mysterious package containing cocaine worth millions of dollars in street value.The fisherman, who RNZ Pacific has agreed not to name, discovered the package washed up on the reef in Mitiaro on 28 July, thinking it could be a body or a bomb.Cook Islands fisherman recalls finding cocaine package on beach”I had two thoughts then: first, I thought this could be a human body chopped up … [and] second, I was suddenly worried…

In June 2025, health workers in Tafea Province, Vanuatu, reported a cluster of severe respiratory illness among infants. Laboratory testing later confirmed Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium that causes pertussis, also known as whooping cough. The cluster became part of a prolonged outbreak across Tafea and Shefa provinces that continued until it was officially declared over in July 2026, prompting a sustained Ministry of Health response. Whooping cough is highly infectious and can be especially dangerous for babies and young children. It can also be difficult to recognise early. Initial symptoms may look much like those of a common cold, before…

New Caledonia’s President Milakulo Tukumuli on Monday outlined the urgent issues facing the French Pacific territory.In a special address at New Caledonia’s Congress, Tukumuli, who was elected president of the collegial multi-party government on 31 July following provincial elections, said he gave his government six months to tackle the most pressing issues facing New Caledonia.After this, he said his government would start to focus on other issues.He said there the most immediate urgencies included necessary efforts to salvage the French territory’s pension and health insurance schemes, currently facing a short-term risk of total collapse.He added, if nothing is done, over…