Author: TMC Palau
Overview: Pacific police leaders are sounding the alarm after authorities seized 17 tonnes of illicit drugs across the region in just the first months of 2026. The Australian Federal Police warns transnational crime groups are increasingly using Pacific waters as trafficking routes, raising fears over the growing impact of drugs on island communities, security and public health. SYDNEY/SUVA, 18 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS/AFP) —The Australian Federal Police (AFP) says the Pacific is facing an escalating national security threat from transnational drug trafficking after 17 tonnes of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, were seized across the region in just the first months of…
Police have sealed off a crime scene in Brisbane’s north following a domestic violence incident. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS) Queensland police have shot dead an alleged domestic violence perpetrator who was armed with a firearm at a home north of Brisbane. After midnight on Sunday morning, officers responded to an alleged domestic violence incident at a house in Narangba following reports that a man was armed and making threats. The man made threats towards the police while holding the weapon and an officer shot at him. Officers immediately conducted first aid and resuscitation, but the man died at the scene.Article continues…
[Source: Fijian Drua/Facebook] The Western Force may have come away with a 19-15 win over the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash but both will not feature in the knockout stages. Kitione Salawa and Zuriel Togiatama scored in the first half as they led 12-7 at the break. A penalty in the second half was the Drua’s only points while the Force scored twice. Zac Lomax came away with the winner with 12 minutes remaining as the Force dominated the second half, but couldn’t get the necessary full points.Article continues after advertisement The…
Overview: Pacific church leaders are intensifying calls for a halt to deep-sea mining, warning that the Pacific Ocean is more than a resource — it is central to the region’s identity, spirituality and survival. Speaking in Suva, Reverend James Bhagwan of the Pacific Conference of Churches said an “ocean of peace cannot be mined into existence,” urging Pacific nations to consider a moratorium or precautionary pause on seabed mining. SUVA, 20 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—A Pacific hurch leader has warned that deep-sea mining would violate the region’s cultural and spiritual ties to the ocean, arguing that it should be subject…
KOROR, Republic of Palau – On May 14, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard completed a vital weeklong mission in the Republic of Palau, setting the stage for future collaboration and bolstering safe maritime navigation and security.This visit, in response to a request from Palau Marine Transportation, focused on an Aids to Navigation (ATON) Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE). The exchange laid the foundation for a future SMEE planned for later in the year, including personnel from the 225-foot sea-going buoy tender, USCGC Hickory (WLB 212).Palau, a nation consisting of approximately 340 islands and renowned for its maritime heritage and strategic…
Palau d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm is hosting the 18th edition of the Copa Costa Blanca Benidorm 2026 championship of the Spanish National Taekwon-Do ITF League this Saturday morning. The event is organised by the Spanish Taekwon-Do ITF Federation, with the collaboration of the TAE Club and the Benidorm Sports Department. The competition is being held in the forms, traditional sparring, and special techniques categories. Councillor for Sports Javier Jordà, along with his colleagues from the municipal government team, Ángela Zaragozí and Luis Navarro, were present to witness the event. They accompanied José Luis Diego, president of the TAE Club of…
It’s going to a third game. The Barça roller hockey team have lost 6-3 away to Noia (6-3), so the game on 26 May at the Palau Blaugrana will decide who will go through to the OK Liga semi-finals. The blaugranes unsuccessfully tried to turn around a difficult start and the tie goes to the definitive third match. Fast start The Ateneu Agrícola is a tough place to go and the home side made a dream start, David Gelmà scoring a foul past Carles Grau (1-0, min. 1). The response came quickly though, Ferran Font scoring for Barça from close to…
Moana’s last dance at home ends in heartbreak. A sad end to a short but thrilling ride. The last Moana Pasifika home game finished much as their story does, in disappointment, going down 31-33 to the Reds at Albany. A memorable upset looked imminent for Moana, before one of the Reds strike weapons destroyed those dreams in devastating fashion. It was an electric start for the hosts. as Augustine Pulu scampered away from 30 out after Glen Vaihu sparked a counter from the back. The Reds replied with a scorcher of their own, Tim Ryan and Jock Campbell with some…
Palau has banned the sale of sunscreen products containing chemicals that damage coral reefs, in one of the Pacific nation’s toughest marine protection measures. The move targets ingredients including oxybenzone and octinoxate, which officials say can cause coral bleaching, DNA damage and wider ecosystem harm.The island country has also begun charging foreign visitors a $100 environmental fee and requires them to accept a conservation pledge on arrival. Authorities say the package of rules is designed to protect fragile marine life while steering tourism towards more responsible behaviour.Businesses that break the sunscreen rules can be fined up to $1,000, and prohibited…
Officials ordered tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the Los Angeles suburb of Garden Grove on Friday due to a failing chemical tank that was likely to either leak or explode, possibly releasing toxic vapor into the air, first responders said. Firefighters doused the tanks with water using a mechanical device that kept humans at a safe distance, stabilizing the temperature and “buying us time,” said Craig Covey, division chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, in a video posted on social media. In a previous video, Covey had said there were two options remaining, either…