Author: TMC Palau
MULTIPRONGED APPROACH: China has sought to pressure Palau across a number of fronts, but the island nation has staunchly resisted overtures to ditch Taiwan By Chen Yun and Esme Yeh / Staff reporter, with staff writer Palau has been firm in backing Taiwan despite Chinese pressure that uses tourism economics, cyberattacks and criminal infiltration as tools to threaten the Pacific ally into renouncing its recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state.The Presidential Office yesterday announced that Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) would visit Palau from Saturday to Wednesday next week at the invitation of Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr.Whipps in…
MULTIPRONGED APPROACH: China has sought to pressure Palau across a number of fronts, but the island nation has staunchly resisted overtures to ditch Taiwan By Chen Yun and Esme Yeh / Staff reporter, with staff writer Palau has been firm in backing Taiwan despite Chinese pressure that uses tourism economics, cyberattacks and criminal infiltration as tools to threaten the Pacific ally into renouncing its recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state.The Presidential Office yesterday announced that Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) would visit Palau from Saturday to Wednesday next week at the invitation of Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr.Whipps in…
Foreign affairs minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ / Louis Dunham The foreign affairs minister has told Pacific leaders New Zealand is exploring all possible options for a financially sustainable future for Moana Pasifika. Winston Peters said the government had instructed officials to work with NZ Rugby and other stakeholders to explore options to keep the club going. The Super Rugby franchise was placed into liquidation last week, and played what could be their final game on Saturday. The 21-19 win against the Brumbies saw the beleagured club end on a high. The franchise’s debts include a $2.75 million loan from…
MAKING FRIENDS: Chinese pressure to squeeze Taiwan’s international space should not hinder the nation from engaging with the world with confidence, a lawmaker said By Chen Yun and Chen Chih-cheng / Staff reporters, with CNA Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) is to embark on a five-day visit to Palau later this week to bolster diplomatic relations with the Pacific ally, the Presidential Office said yesterday.Hsiao is to meet with Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr and other government officials during her visit from Saturday to Wednesday next week, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) told a news conference.She is representing President…
[Photo Credit: Reuters] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered troops to move further into Lebanon in the battle against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, he said on Sunday, despite a ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago. The fighting in Lebanon has been the broadest spillover of the Iran war, displacing more than 1.2 million Lebanese through Israeli strikes and evacuation orders since March 2, when Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones into Israel to back its ally Iran. The incursion has so far killed more than 3,370 people, according to the Lebanese government. Israel says 24 of its…
Photo: 123RF Samoa’s acting police commissioner says police have carried out 20 drug raids in the first five months of the year, amid regional worry on drug trafficking. The Samoa Observer reported Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga made the comments during a press conference last week, where local reporters were shown items seized during the raids, which happened between 29 January and 26 May. These included firearms, marijuana plants, methamphetamine, drug utensils and prescribed bottles containing drugs confiscated at the border. The raids resulted in the seizure of just over 100 grams of methamphetamine. A total of 55 people have been charged…
Members of the Ba FC side before their Round 11 clash against Nadroga at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Ba FC have moved to the top of the 2026 Extra Premier League standings following the completion of Round 11 matches last weekend. The Men in Black delivered another dominant performance, defeating Nadroga 3-0 to move to 23 points from 11 matches. Ba now lead the competition with seven wins, two draws, and two losses, while also boasting the league’s best attacking record with 37 goals scored and just 10 conceded. Labasa dropped to second place after being held to a 2-2…
The initiative was designed to strengthen filmmaking skills ahead of the Kula Film Awards. [Photo: SUPPLIED] For the first time, secondary school students participating in this year’s Kula Film Awards gained first-hand experience of the production processes behind the internationally renowned Survivor series. Students from 17 schools travelled to Mana Island last week, where they received practical training from the production team. The workshop exposed participants to various aspects of television and film production, including camera operations, drone technology, lighting, and other professional equipment used in the industry. Students were also taken on a guided tour of the Survivor production…
Solar energy providers reporting a surge in interest in the CNMI. Photo: Mark Rabago High power costs are forcing more residents in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to explore the possibility of disconnecting from the main public power grid altogether. This comes as solar energy providers in the US territory report a surge in interest following Super Typhoon Sinlaku and months of concern over electricity costs. The growing interest in off-grid living comes as homeowners seek protection from both rising utility bills and future power disruptions caused by severe weather, according to local solar energy businesses. Even as the Commonwealth…
Fiji’s upcoming 2026–2027 National Budget will place strong emphasis on national security, with key plans to establish new security institutions and strengthen existing agencies. Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua says the focus will centre on completing pending national security reforms, including the establishment of the National Security Council. Tikoduadua says another major priority is the proposed National Intelligence Agency, which will be developed in partnership with key stakeholders to strengthen Fiji’s response to transnational crime. He says the plan also includes enhancing the role of the military and improving coordination with other security partners.Article continues after advertisement “The establishment of…