Author: TMC Palau
[Source: Reuters] Democratic Republic of Congo’s confirmed Ebola cases have risen above 4,000 for the first time in the current outbreak, government data showed. The epidemic, the world’s second-largest, has been described as the fastest-spreading on record. Experts believe infections started circulating months before the outbreak was declared on May 15 and that the true number of cases could be much higher than the official tally. The Central African country’s public health institute said in its latest report that the total number of infections had reached 4,053, including 1,850 deaths.Article continues after advertisement Cases have been recorded in five provinces…
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGARDMAU, Palau (August 4, 2026) — A chief’s move to block access to the popular Ngardmau Waterfall on July 25 has reignited a long-running land dispute between the Ngedilingel clan and the state government, temporarily disrupting tourist access to the site known locally as Taki. Uormersai Johnny Tudong, Chief of Ngedilingel […]The post Chief’s Blockade of Ngardmau Waterfall Reignites Land Dispute With State appeared first on Island Times News. Source link
[Source: Reuters] At least seven people were killed on Friday when a student opened fire at a school in Thailand before turning the gun on himself, a national police official said. Students streamed out of the Debsirin Nonthaburi School, on the northwestern outskirts of Bangkok, as the wounded were loaded on to ambulances and teachers hugged each other and cried. In photos circulated by emergency workers, one person is seen lying down on a stretcher outside an ambulance, while another is attended to by a medic. One 18-year-old student told Reuters he initially thought there were firecrackers going off or…
Palau has launched a coordinated infrastructure upgrade at Palau International Airport, securing FAA-funded slope repairs and arrival terminal improvements. The developments aim to support the country’s tourism recovery as direct flight connections from Brisbane, Manila, Taipei, Narita, and Guam expand. On August 7, 2026, the Bureau of Public Works, Republic of Palau held a pre-bid meeting and site visit for the airport’s East Phase I slope repair project (Procurement No. 2026-NTB-FAA-035). With bids closing on August 21 and separate terminal upgrade tenders closing on August 14, the island nation is upgrading its sole international gateway without interrupting current flight operations.…
[Source: Reuters] Pacific Island foreign ministers failed to agree on Friday to a joint response to China’s missile launch in July, with further discussions expected at the Pacific leaders meeting at the end of August, New Zealand’s foreign minister said. China’s test-firing of a missile into the Pacific alarmed regional powers but failed to spur a unified response from Pacific Island governments, underscoring divisions over how to confront growing strategic competition in the region. Many of the foreign ministers and senior officials from the 18 countries represented at the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Suva expressed concern to Reuters about…
Suva (Fiji) (AFP) – Pacific diplomats gathered in Fiji failed on Friday to agree on a joint statement condemning China’s recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the region, with New Zealand’s foreign minister accusing them of appeasing “outsiders”. Issued on: 07/08/2026 – 03:12Modified: 07/08/2026 – 06:32 2 min Reading time Beijing gave only a handful of nations short notice before test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile last month, flexing its military might in a region where it has long sought to expand its reach.The rocket appeared to land in a patch of ocean somewhere between Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu,…
Disagreement from some China-aligned Pacific Islands countries has prevented regional countries wihtin the Pacific Islands Forum issuing a joint statement against missile testing in the PacificAt their meeting in Suva today, Pacific Islands Forum 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 China’s actions.It’s understood there was a majority of countries represented at the meeting who wanted a clear joint regional statement condemning such missile testing in the nucelar-free Pacific.However, the Forum’s usual Pacific decision-making by consensus couldn’t be…
RKS Class of 2008 representative Nemani Waqanimalake ( First from the right) presenting the rugby boots to the three players Full back – Ezeck Cokanauto, prop – Samisoni and Number 8- Jovesa Korovulavula at the team camp in Vatukoula. Ratu Kadavulevu School’s Under-18 rugby team has received a timely boost ahead of tomorrow’s Vodafone Deans quarter-final, with former students rallying behind the defending champions. The latest gesture came from the RKS Class of 2008, which purchased three pairs of rugby boots for players who did not have proper footwear ahead of the knockout clash against Ra Provincial Free Bird Institute.…
Eco-tourism has proven that a living shark is far more valuable than a dead one. While the shark fishing industry profits about $630 million annually, shark tourism is gaining the upper hand. Palau is setting the global standard for this consistent profit, which has already benefitted its economy in more ways than one. From creating job sectors to encouraging conservation of vulnerable species, Palau is leading the charge. A new era of the shark industry is changing the game with the potential to thrive as long as the species does. Eco-Tourism Takes the Industry LeadPalau is home to many small,…
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka opens the Lomanikoro Suspension Bridge. Hundreds of people in Bua can now access schools, health services and public transport more safely and quickly following the commissioning of the new Lomanikoro Suspension Bridge. For more than a decade, villagers were forced to travel long distances, swim across the Bua River or use boats after the previous bridge collapsed, making daily travel difficult and, at times, dangerous. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, while officiating at the commissioning ceremony, acknowledged the hardships faced by students and villagers who had to take lengthy detours to reach schools, medical services and bus…