Author: TMC Palau

Ambassador Tajima hands over oil spill equipment. Fiji’s ability to respond to marine oil spills has received a major boost following the handover of $1.6 million worth of specialised oil spill response equipment from the Government of Japan. The equipment strengthens the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji’s response to marine pollution incidents while supporting the protection of Fiji’s coastal environment. Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Tajima said recent oil spill incidents in Suva Harbour highlighted the need to improve Fiji’s emergency response capability. “Recent oil spill incidents in Suva Harbour have demonstrated the operational challenges faced by MSAF and reinforced the importance…

[Photo: File] Despite missing several players due to work commitments, OFC Men’s Champion’s League defending champions Auckland City FC are ready to continue their strong legacy in the tournament. Team striker Ryan de Vries says the absence of a few squad members is nothing new for the New Zealand club, with the team accustomed to balancing football alongside work commitments. He says the players who have travelled are fully committed and ready to give their all as they begin their title defence. Auckland City enters the tournament after a busy domestic schedule, which De Vries believes has helped prepare the…

[Photo: File] Fiji’s borders are being strengthened with new technology and international cooperation as the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service steps up efforts to detect illegal drugs, prohibited goods and customs fraud. While presenting the 2024–2025 Annual Report to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, FRCS Chief Executive Officer Udit Singh says border protection remains one of the organization’s major priorities. He says FRCS has invested in new narcotics detection equipment, chemical analyzers and specialist training to improve its ability to identify illegal substances and prevent them from entering the country. Singh says the agency is also strengthening partnerships with…

By Elena Pasilio, RNZ Pacific Tokelau affairs correspondentFeature: In June of 2025, Olivia Foa’i boarded the MV Mataliki in Samoa bound for Fakaofo in Tokelau – a 24-hour voyage across a vast stretch of rolling Pacific ocean.She was returning to her grandfather’s homeland for the first time since childhood.Although she had spent much of her life away, Fakaofo and Tokelau remained present through her family and the music of Te Vaka, the internationally recognised Pacific band founded by her father, Opetaia.By the time of her return to Fakaofo, Foa’i was already an established Pacific artist in her own right.She had…

By Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. called for greater protection of the deep ocean and renewed Palau’s push for a moratorium and precautionary pause on deep-sea mining during an address to the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica on July 30. “The deep ocean is our common heritage, not a new […]The post Whipps urges deep-sea mining pause at ISA meeting in Jamaica appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

[Photo: File] Vodafone Fijiana XV captain Kolora Lomani believes having the national side’s Test match against South Africa alongside the Vodafone Deans and Weet-Bix Raluve quarter-finals will be a positive experience for Fiji rugby. Lomani says the occasion provides a unique opportunity to showcase the full rugby pathway, from secondary school players to international representatives. “Definitely. I think it’s very good exposure for rugby here in Fiji.” The Fijiana skipper believes young players will benefit from being part of the atmosphere and witnessing Test rugby firsthand.Article continues after advertisement “Just to see the young girls coming in and the boys…

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 6, 2026)— The Office of Capital Infrastructure Projects, which oversees the implementation of public infrastructure projects, has clarified information published in the July 31, 2026, edition of Island Times regarding a damaged sewage pipeline in Malakal. The CIP said the article, titled “Broken Sewage Pipeline Beneath Minatobashi Bridge Prompts […]The post CIP clarifies damaged sewage pipeline in Malakal appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

[Source: AP] British regulators on Thursday gave Paramount the greenlight for its $81 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Some new assurances were also given from the company — clearing another hurdle for the mega merger while it still faces challenges elsewhere. The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority cleared the pending acquisition, ruling that a Paramount-Warner tie up does not pose a “substantial lessening of competition” in the country. Meanwhile, Britain’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said it also wouldn’t intervene — on the basis of several “legally-binding commitments” from Paramount related to its footprint in U.K. broadcasting…

Disagreement from some China-aligned Pacific Islands countries has prevented regional countries within the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) issuing a joint statement against missile testing in the Pacific.At their meeting in Suva on Friday, PIF foreign ministers failed to agree on a unified statement against China after it fired a nuclear-capable missile into Pacific waters last month, despite deep concern among most countries about Beijing’s actions.It is understood there was a majority of countries represented at the meeting who wanted a clear joint regional statement condemning such missile testing in the nuclear-free Pacific.However, the Forum’s usual Pacific decision-making by consensus could…

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 6, 2026)— Citizens and residents of Palau are turning out in large numbers at the Palau Civic Center in Koror to take advantage of free dental services provided by U.S. Marine Corps dentists participating in Exercise Koa Moana 26. Dental Services provided by DENCAP include health promotion interventions. August […]The post Community turnout surges for free dental services during Koa Moana 26 appeared first on Island Times News. Source link