Author: TMC Palau
MELEKEOK, Palau — An Air Force Reserve delegation, led by Lt. Gen. John Healy, Chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, met with senior leaders of the Republic of Palau to strengthen security partnerships and explore future training opportunities in the Indo-Pacific. During the visit, Healy met with Palau Vice President Raynold Oilouch and other government officials to discuss future operations that would help train U.S. pilots to operate in Agile Combat Employment (ACE) environments. “The entire force, Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines, would benefit from training in these…
The Suva Magistrate Court heard that drug charges against a Suva woman has been amended by the Police Prosecution. Zoe Maharaj was previously charged with a count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, possession of property believed to be suspected proceeds of crime, possession of breaking implements, and one count of unlawful possession of explosives. However, she is now charged with a count of possession of illicit drugs and the other one is a single count under the Arms and Ammunition Act while the other two charged were withdrawn. She appeared before Magistrate Joseph Daurewa where the police prosecution confirmed…
Here’s one of the best travel tips you’ll hear from me this year: if there’s ever a time to make sure you book the window seat – it’s on your flight to Palau. I’d never even heard of this small island nation, until my editor offered me the opportunity to go. But as we started our descent and I caught my first glimpse of those Palauan islands, I couldn’t get my phone up to the window fast enough to capture the spectacular scenery below. The water around Palau isn’t just blue. It’s multiple shades of the most mesmerising aqua, including a luminous…
The Fijian Drua is pleased to confirm the appointment of Mike Legge as Head Coach of the Drua Women for the 2026 Super Rugby Women’s season. The current Vodafone Fijiana XV interim coach takes over from Ifereimi Rawaqa after the 2025 campaign. Commenting on his new role, Legge said: “I am very excited and very grateful to the Fijian Drua for trusting me with this very important role with the women’s team. I’m also grateful to get to work with the coaches. I’ve worked with Coach Kele since I’ve started in Fiji Rugby back in 2019 and with Coach Tavaita.…
Issued by: on KOROR, Palau (Sept. 23, 2025) The Palau Red Cross Society hosts first aid training with civilian first responders in Koror, Palau, Sept. 23, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications…
The role of a free and responsible media in strengthening democracy and social cohesion was highlighted during World Press Freedom Day celebrations at the University of the South Pacific. Assistant Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts Shalen Kumar says while media freedom in Fiji has improved, it must be exercised with responsibility and continuously protected. He stressed that the media plays a dual role – acting as a watchdog while also promoting unity in a diverse society. “Without a free press, democracy becomes hollow. Without accountability, governance weakens. And without access to reliable information, development cannot be inclusive.”Article…
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele delivers his statement at the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. 22 September 2025 Photo: Screengrab / UN Web TV The Solomon Islands parliament will convene Thursday, 7 May, to consider a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. Parliament House has confirmed to RNZ Pacific that the clerk to parliament Jefferson Hallu has issued advisory letters to all MPs that the sitting will begin at 9:30am local time to deal with the motion. It follows a political saga that…
Since the late 2000s, Australia (through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme — PALM) and New Zealand (through the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme — RSE) have been offering seasonal employment opportunities for the Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. These two schemes have contributed to a remittance boom in the Pacific. Unfortunately, PNG is missing out. The schemes allow temporary migrants to work in agriculture for seven to eleven months under the RSE, and in agriculture for up to nine months or in other sectors such as meat processing for up to four years under PALM. The labour mobility schemes are mutually…
HONOLULU—China is deliberately attempting to “erode leadership, disrupt vital services, and weaken confidence in government” in Palau, and has sent drugs to wash ashore on the Pacific nation to “weaken our community,” the country’s president said Monday. Speaking at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s International Military Law and Operations conference, Surangel Whipps said his country—one of just a dozen in the world with official diplomatic relations with Taiwan—has also seen economic coercion from China. Whipps described Chinese investors buying up or securing 99-year leases on land and then leaving it empty, as well as a radical dropoff in tourism from China in the…
Fiji Swimming head coach and team manager Sharon Smith says preparations are in full swing as the country readies itself to host the Oceania Swimming Championships for the first time in a decade. With 18 nations set to converge in Suva, Smith acknowledged the scale of the task behind the scenes, crediting the collective effort driving the event’s organisation. While much of the heavy lifting falls on Fiji Aquatics executives, Smith said her role has been focused on supporting logistical preparations alongside key stakeholders, including the Fiji Sports Commission and Fiji Sports Council. “It’s not easy, but they’ve done an…