Author: TMC Palau

Former Opposition MP Niko Nawaikula with Constitutional Review Commission members. A sharp divide over group rights and indigenous protections has emerged at the Constitutional Review Commission. Former Opposition MP Niko Nawaikula argues the 2013 Constitution stripped away key safeguards that existed in the 1997 framework. Nawaikula told commissioners that the 1997 Constitution contained a dedicated chapter on group rights including provisions on affirmative action and recognition of customary rules. He said those protections are missing in the current Constitution, leaving a gap in how collective rights, particularly for the iTaukei, are recognised in law.Article continues after advertisement “So just enabling…

The Smoking Stones are much more than a Rolling Stones tribute band. They were pioneers in paying homage to other bands, and their 30th anniversary as an active band deserves the best possible celebration, and there’s nothing better than a concert at Palau de la Música to enjoy such a significant date with their fans.  No one knows how to convey the essence of the greatest rock’n’roll band in history better than they do. 30 years on stage, playing the Rolling Stones, have made them the most authentic alternative to the Stones themselves.  The Smoking Stones know how to be…

[Photo Supplied] Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific fans are in for a thrilling afternoon with a blockbuster double header set to light up HFC Bank Stadium next Saturday. With just 12 days to go, anticipation is building as the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua prepare to host the NSW Waratahs in both the women’s and men’s fixtures. The action will get underway at 1pm with the Fijian Drua Women taking on the Waratahs in a trial match, giving fans an early glimpse of the squad’s form and combinations ahead of the Super W season. Attention will then turn to a…

The gold bars were found in three separate suitcases of passengers bound for Hong Kong last week. Photo: National Airports Corporation – Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea’s airports authority has seized 20 gold bars in the latest alleged smuggling attempt. The National Airports Corporation (NAC) said the gold bars “worth millions” highlights the growing issue of gold smuggling nationwide. The gold bars were found in three separate suitcases of passengers bound for Hong Kong last week, the latest in a series of gold smuggling cases since last year. They were detected by the NAC’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) screeners at…

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned a Chinese businesswoman in Palau for alleged links to a multi-billion dollar fraud empire, three years after an OCCRP investigation revealed how she helped a notorious triad boss build ties with a former president of the Pacific island country. Wang Guodan, also known as Rose Wang, was sanctioned by the United States as part of a sweeping action by U.S. and U.K. authorities targeting operators and facilitators of so-called “pig butchering” schemes, largely run by Chinese organized crime groups, that operate from scam compounds in Southeast Asia and elsewhere and rely on forced labor.‘Pig butchering’ is a…

Dominiko Tabu outside court today. The Nasinu Magistrates Court has moved the case of a man accused of allegedly murdering a police officer in Nasinu to the Suva High Court. Dominiko Tabau appeared before Resident Magistrate Vindi Prasad this afternoon in the  Nasinu Magistrates Court. Tabau has been further remanded in custody. He faces one count of attempted murder, one count of serious assault and one count of going equipped. The court was told that all disclosures have been served on the accused.Article continues after advertisement Police Prosecution applied for the matter to be moved to the Suva High Court,…

Many of us want an overview of where our country stands on CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions. Are they increasing or decreasing? How do levels compare to other countries? This page provides the data for your chosen country across key metrics on this topic.The data will be updated — often on an annual basis — with the latest global and country emissions estimates.See all CO₂ & Greenhouse Gas Emissions data for PalauAnnual emissions figures are often used to compare countries’ contribution to climate change. But this metric often reflects differences in population size across the world.To understand the ‘footprint’…

The Government has confirmed that there is no need for a State of Emergency in Fiji at this stage, following a review of national security and economic conditions by the National Security Council. The assurance comes after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, attended by senior ministers and officials from key government agencies. The Council assessed a range of issues including international developments, Fiji’s fuel supply, financial stability, contingency planning and the current law and order situation. Based on advice from the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, officials confirmed there is no recommendation…

Surangel Whipps Jr, left, and Enrique Ramirez (The Catholic Leader) President Surangel Whipps Jr says Palau’s government puts God at the centre of climate policy because Palauans believe they own none of it – “everything on this planet belongs to God”.  Source: The Catholic Leader. Palau is a tiny Pacific island nation of about 18,000 people across 340 coral and volcanic islands in Micronesia.  It boasts barrier reefs, lagoons, world-class diving, rich marine biodiversity, ancient culture and strong environmental protections to maintain it all.   “(God) has entrusted us with the responsibility to be good stewards,” Mr Whipps said in…

Fiji has welcomed 196, 177 visitors in the first quarter of this year. The Reserve Bank of Fiji says the local tourism sector continues to perform strongly, providing vital support to overall economic activity. The first-quarter arrivals represent an annual growth of 7%. The RBF says this expansion is primarily due to arrivals from Australia and New Zealand, while visitors from the Pacific Island countries recorded a decline.Article continues after advertisement It says the outlook for the sector remains favourable, underpinned by steady forward bookings and positive sentiment among industry stakeholders. However, it says a sustained rise in global prices…