Author: TMC Palau

Tropical Cyclone Wati is moving southeast towards the Southern Cook Islands, with conditions expected to deteriorate over the coming days according to the Cook Islands Meteorological Service.Wati currently has maximum sustained winds of around 75 km/h with gusts reaching 100 km/h. The system is moving southeast at around 14 km/h.On its current track, Tropical Cyclone Wati is expected to be approximately:530 km north-northwest of Aitutaki by 10am on Saturday 17 October.100 km north of Aitutaki by 10am on Sunday, 18 October.Aitutaki residents have been told to pay close attention to official updates as the system approaches.For Aitutaki, fresh to strong…

Deep in the limestone islands of Palau, golden jellyfish have drifted through isolated marine lakes for thousands of years, cut off from the ocean by walls of rock and tunnels too narrow for easy exchange. These famous animals, most celebrated in Jellyfish Lake, have long been a textbook case of rapid evolution in a peripheral environment. Yet a new multi-year field study reveals that the most intimate partner in their success story, the microscopic algae living inside their tissues, has not kept pace with the host’s remarkable adaptation. The photosynthetic endosymbionts of jellyfish living in the most isolated and turbid…

Typhoon Champi has intensified into a category 2 storm as it approaches the Mariana Islands, prompting Guam to shut its commercial port and forcing flight cancellations across the neighbouring Northern Marianas.Guam governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero placed the island under its highest typhoon readiness condition at 1pm Saturday local time, ordering residents to remain indoors as Champi threatens to strike as a powerful category 3 typhoon early Sunday.Authorities have also ordered residents in southern coastal and flood-prone areas to evacuate, with six emergency shelters designated across the island.The US National Weather Service said Champi had sustained winds of 100 miles per…

The Papua New Guinea Orchids started their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign on a high, with a convincing 58-4 win over France in Port Moresby on Saturday afternoon.Playing their first-ever world cup game at home, at Santos National Football Stadium, in their first international against France, the Orchids ran in 12 tries in total – four to winger Naomi Kelly, who scored one in the first 35-minute spell before adding three in the second half.In the process she also equalled the record for the most tries in a single match by any PNG Orchids player.The previous record was held…

The High Court has declined New Zealand Rugby’s application for an interim injunction on the PNG Chiefs NRL rugby league franchise using its name in New Zealand.The NZR has been seeking to stop Papua New Guinea’s incoming franchise from using the Chiefs moniker also used by the Super Rugby franchise.The trademark dispute is likely bound for a more substantive trial next year. Meanwhile, the PNG Chiefs, who are to enter the NRL in 2028, will launch their brand and logo next Wednesday.The NZR has held the trademark for the Chiefs name since the 1990s, and IP Australia has previously knocked…

Tropical Storm Champi is rapidly strengthening as it approaches the Mariana Islands with forecasters warning it could become a powerful Category 3 typhoon before passing just south of Guam on Sunday morning.The US National Weather Service said Champi could bring destructive winds, torrential rainfall and dangerous coastal flooding across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, with damaging winds expected to arrive around midnight Saturday.As of early Saturday, Champi had maximum sustained winds of 112km/h and was moving west at 24kph slowing from 38kph on Friday.Forecasters expect the storm to intensify into a category 3 typhoon, with sustained winds of 177-to-209km/h…

A tropical depression that’s been brewing in Cook Islands waters has developed into a tropical cyclone.New Zealand MetService said the category one system, named Tropical Cyclone Wati, is moving in a south-easterly direction.This is the first cyclone in the region, arriving two weeks before the official start of the South Pacific cyclone season.The Cook Islands Meteorological Service Director Maara Vaiimene had earlier told RNZ Pacific that the el nino weather phase over the region is contributing to the unusually early development of a possible tropical cyclone.The Cook Islands is currently in an el nino climate situation.The Cook Islands Meteorological Service…

You might be interested in What do the polls for the Spanish elections of November 29 say? BarcelonaThe best Barça of the season so far recovered from a 14-point deficit against Olympiacos, forced overtime, but could not complete the feat (100-105). The blaugrana team played with the passion of Pep Guardiola, who witnessed the match live, but lacked the necessary determination to overcome the EuroLeague champion. Justin Robinson, who forced extra time with a three-pointer, and Tyrese Martin had a great performance at the Palau Blaugrana. Without Tyler Dorsey, sidelined from the team due to some very critical statements, Olympiacos…

Fetu Samoa won praise from their Australian counterparts despite Friday night’s 40-0 loss to the defending champions in their opening pool game at the Rugby League World Cup.Despite losing the game, the Annetta Nu’ualusala captained side out on an impressive defensive show in the second half, spoiling the Jillaroos plans a number of times.Aussie skipper Isabelle Kelly said Samoa were impressive in the second half, saying it was a tough outing.”I would like to congratulate Samoa,” she said.Kelly said their opponents were tough in the second half and fought hard all the way.Australia had led 28-0 at half-time but only…

Guam has been placed in ‘Condition of Readiness 3’ as Tropical Storm Champi moves towards the Mariana Islands, with residents warned to prepare for potentially damaging winds, heavy rain and flooding.A Condition of Readiness 3 means that destructive or damaging winds are possible or forecasted within 48 hours.Governor Lou Leon Guerrero ordered the alert.The National Weather Service in Guam said the system, previously designated Invest 96W, is continuing to organise and strengthen.Forecasters say the storm’s track and intensity remain uncertain, but Guam could experience strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and hazardous marine conditions in the coming days.Governor Leon Guerrero said…