Author: TMC Palau

It comes just over three weeks after another unlicensed boat carrying several New Zealand Anglican Church delegates the capized and sank.”A whale-watching boat carrying passengers has been involved in an accident in Vavaʻu today, raising fresh safety concerns following two other serious boating incidents in Tonga in recent weeks,” according to a Kaniva Tonga report.The news outlet reported that images from the scene showed the vessel partially submerged in choppy waters, with much of the boat sitting low beneath the surface and its canopy tilted into the sea.According to Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota, passengers were on board the vessel…

Forest and land fires, or karhutla, have returned to the Indonesian archipelago. Roughly 202,000 hectares of land and forests burned in 2026, with Kalimantan once again among the areas affected. Since July, hotspot activity in this region has risen sharply, reaching its peak in August. Thick haze disrupted flights, worsened respiratory risks and exposed schoolchildren to hazardous air while classes remained open. El Niño is a part of the explanation. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that by early August 76.5% of Indonesia had entered the dry season, with El Niño at very strong intensity and still strengthening,…

Vanuatu authorities seek charges over deadly MV Matui sinkingThe Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA) is seeking criminal charges against the captain and owners of the MV Matui.The VMSA is accusing the owners of Tui Shipping Agency, a company that has reportedly been deregistered since June, of negligence causing deaths of at least two passengers, with the final toll likely to be far more.Dozens of people remain missing after the inter-island ferry sank off the coast of Vanuatu last Friday.Vanuatu’s Maritime Affairs commissioner Less John Napuati told RNZ Pacific that the authority had never given permission for the vessel to carry…

US says military presence at Penrhyn port is possibleThe United States says a military presence at a planned port upgrade in the northern Cook Islands, located near a former US World War II airfield, is “all being negotiated”.The US and New Zealand governments will jointly fund the NZ$101 million project on Penrhyn Island. The Americans will be contributing US$50m (approximately NZ$84m), while New Zealand will contribute NZ$17.5m (approximately US$10m).Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced the project on the margins of the recent Pacific Islands Forum…

The Labour Party is promising visa-free travel to Aotearoa New Zealand for Pacific Islanders.Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni said Pacific Island Forum countries would be allowed in on an NZeTA for three months at a time, like 61 other countries, if the government changes.She told RNZ Pacific it was a long-overdue decision that recognises cross-border connections.Carmel SepuloniRNZ / Angus Dreaver”We’re talking about seamless travel between Pacific countries and New Zealand … and a recognition of the cost and burden that the current system puts on New Zealand Pacific families,” Sepuloni said.”Our relationship has matured enough for us to be able to…

A New Zealand national and a Samoan national have been charged by Samoa Police in relation to the alleged shooting murder of an Australian citizen and suspected gangleader in Vietnam in May.In a joint statement, Samoa Police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the two men, aged 31 and 33 years old, were charged with conspiracy to murder on 10 September. Under Samoa’s Crimes Act, the offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.The two men appeared before a Samoan court on Wednesday and were granted conditional bail, the statement said.Joseph Vaa, 27, admitted on Vietnamese television to gunning…

STATE DEPARTMENT: A US official said that Washington would provide more than US$150m for Pacific island nations, with Minister Lin Chia-lung welcoming the plans By Huang Chin-hsuan / Staff reporter The US Department of State has announced partnerships with Taiwan on two Palau projects after Washington pledged more than US$150 million for Pacific island nations.Following the opening of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Palau on Sunday, the department on Tuesday issued a statement titled “Promoting Pacific Prosperity: US Engagement at the Pacific Islands Forum,” which said that the US’ commitment to the security and prosperity of…

New Caledonia have qualified for their first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Fiji 1-0 in the seminfals of the 2026 OFC U16 Women’s Championship in Honiara on Wednesday.The French territory joins New Zealand, who beat Papua New Guinea 3-0 in the other seminial, in qualifying for next year’s FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.Kinë Hmaen scored the only goal for New Caledonia, securing the territory’s historic qualification.New Caledonia’s qualification follows the U20 women’s team’s appearance at its first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland earlier this month.OFC said New Caledonia’s lone goal came in just the…

The singer-songwriter will take the stage at Heartbreakers on October 26 as part of her UK tour, following the release of her new single, Atwater. The track comes just months after Palau’s latest album, You Better Get Used to It. Atwater, an indie anthem, explores themes of homesickness, and is characterised by its infectious guitar riff, driving drums, and Palau’s clear, intimate voice. READ MORE: Brothers-turned-bandmates set to perform in Southampton Palau’s music, which spans folk, indie, and Americana genres, has been likened to the works of Courtney Barnett, Waxahatchee, and Elliott Smith. The Zurich-based artist, known for writing songs…

Fiji Police have launched an investigation after several blocks of cocaine that were being held at the Suva High Court as exhibits in a high-profile drug case went missing.In a statement, police said the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was investigating how seven cocaine bars, which were among 39 exhibits stored at the Suva High Court Exhibit Room, disappeared.Police assistant commissioner (crime) Loraini Seru said a physical check of the exhibits was conducted on Tuesday.The check was carried out in front of senior judiciary officials, a senior official from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, police and an officer…