Author: TMC Palau

Issued by: on KOROR, Republic of Palau – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, delivers remarks for the Palau Community College commencement ceremony in Koror State in the Republic of Palau, May 15. “Your education has prepared you to lead in a complex and changing world,” Lasky told graduates. “Whether you enter public service, military service, private industry, or continue your studies, remember that part of your contribution will be remembering what it means to be Palauan.”Lasky serves as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Officer for…

Immanuel said the funding would support government efforts to stabilize the economy. [Photo: FILE] The government has defended securing additional financing through the Asian Development Bank, stating it is necessary to protect Fiji’s economy during ongoing global economic uncertainty. Speaking in Parliament, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel was questioned on the concessional financing secured through the ADB, including how much of the funding would be directed toward capital development and operational costs. He said Fiji has secured around $445 million in financing support from the ADB to help cushion the impact of the global fuel crisis and support the upcoming national…

Issued by: on KOROR, Republic of Palau – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, meets with U.S. Navy Sailors from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 and U.S. Marines from the U.S Marine Corps Engineer Detachment in Koror State in the Republic of Palau, May 16. During his meetings with the teams, Lasky received updates about current military activities, operations, and responsibilities in the country.Lasky serves as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Officer for the Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands,…

The state was given time until the 3rd of july to complete pre-trial conference documents for the other two accused persons. [Photo: Nikhil Kumar] A father accused of causing the death of his six-year-old son in an alleged forklift accident, pleaded guilty this afternoon at the Suva High Court. 38-year-old Savenaca Damuni, appeared before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere alongside Raviravi Timberyard directors Vinay Prakash Chandra and Sushila Devi. Damuni is charged with one count of manslaughter arising from an alleged breach of duty. It is alleged that on May 2, 2023, while reversing a forklift, he struck his son, causing injuries…

Issued by: on KOROR, Republic of Palau – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, meets with Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr. and National Security Coordinator Jennifer Anson in Koror State in the Republic of Palau, May 18, 2026. During the meeting, the leaders discussed ongoing efforts of the U.S. to maintain the defense and security of Palau under Title 3 of the Compact of Free Association, and opportunities for partnership in the future. Lasky serves as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Officer for the Republic of…

The Bill also sets up a National Tourism Council, introduces national tourism standards, and creates a Tourism Fund to support infrastructure, training, and community-based tourism operators. [Photo: FILE] Parliament today passed the Tourism Bill 2026, marking a major overhaul of the country’s tourism laws for the first time in more than 50 years. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka says the tourism sector has been operating under outdated laws since 1973, even though it remains the backbone of the economy. He says the new law will modernise the industry with stronger standards, better investment, accountability, and protection…

A kava bar serving counter in Nouméa. Photo: Supplied / NC la 1ère New Caledonia’s kava industry stakeholders are concerned at the increase of the price of the precious imported root, mainly from neighbouring Vanuatu. Since the beginning of 2026, they claim the price of one kilo of dried kava chips has risen from 4500 French Pacific Francs (CFP, around US$44) at the beginning of the year to currently about 7000 CFP (around US$68), an estimated 40 percent increase. New Caledonia Kava artisans’ federation president José Bourgine told local media several factors could explain the steep increase. This includes the…

28 May 2026 Koror, Palau — 22 May 2026 — The Republic of Palau hosted the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific Phase 3 (COSPPac3) Annual Session from 18–22 May 2026, bringing together Pacific Island countries, regional organisations and technical partners to strengthen climate and ocean services across the region. The session gathered representatives from National Meteorological Services and Land Survey Departments from 15 Pacific Island countries, funding partners including Australia and New Zealand, and technical partners such as the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Geoscience Australia…

Niudamu says the evaluation will assess the technical compliance of Fiji’s laws and the effectiveness of regulatory and enforcement systems in addressing financial crime risks. [Photo: FILE] Amendments to companies’ legislation will soon help identify individuals who may seek to conceal ownership or control of corporates or entities for unlawful purposes. This was revealed by Assistant Justice Minister Ratu Josaia Niudamu in his end-of-week statement in Parliament today. He said this while providing an update on the Cabinet-endorsed Companies Amendment Regulations 2006 made pursuant to section 713 of the Companies Act 2015. Niudamu says the amendments represent an important and…

Inflation in the country has risen after more than a year of deflation. Recent data released by the Reserve Bank of Fiji shows headline inflation increased to 1.8 percent in April, driven by higher fuel, food and kava prices. Core inflation also rose to 1.7 percent, mainly due to increased kava prices. Reserve Bank Governor Ariff Ali says inflation is expected to continue rising in the near term because of external pressures, particularly higher global fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.Article continues after advertisement He says these pressures are already affecting local transport and electricity…