Author: TMC Palau
[Source: Reuters] Wildlife experts found eight new species of dragonfly, three unknown grasshoppers and some 60 new butterflies and moths in vivid hues during a trip to Angola’s Lisima plateau in February, a conservation group said. The Wilderness Project visited the waters that flow through the plateau and which feed four of Africa’s major rivers: the Congo, Okavango, Zambezi and Cuanza. New species included an armoured, predatory cricket, a previously undescribed species of copper caterpillar and its adult butterfly, and a crowned crab spider that fluoresces under ultraviolet light. Experts also found a new blood orange-hued species of ladybird orb-web…
Tongan Secondary Schools rugby league team during their training today. The Tongan Secondary Schools rugby league team is banking on teamwork and unity as they prepare to compete at the Pacific Secondary Schools Championship this weekend. Both the boys’ and girls’ Under-18 squads completed their final preparations today, fine-tuning their combinations ahead of the tournament kick-off tomorrow. Secretary General Tavake Fangupo says the championship is primarily aimed at giving students exposure to elite-level rugby, helping them grow both on and off the field. Despite coming from different disciplines and backgrounds, the teams have spent the past few months building cohesion…
On June 4, 2026, one of TMC Palau’s most beloved talk shows, “Kausischakl”, officially turned off its microphone, bringing an incredidle 9 – year journey to a close. For nearly a decade, Kausischakl served as a voice for the people – sharing stories, discussing important issues, and creating meaningful conversations that connected communities across Palau. Its legacy will live on through the countless voice it amplified, the discussions it inspired, and the impact it make on listeners throughout the years. Thank you to everyone who made this journey possible – host, guest, staff, supporters, and loyal listeners. 9 years. Countless…
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins Detectives in Fiji are investigating claims that members of the joint police and military taskforce were involved in raiding the central division home of a man who has since died. Police have confirmed that they are probing the death of a man in his 30s who is a Kinoya resident, Sakiasi Ose. This is the second recent death in Suva following alleged home raids carried out by both the police and military. Jone Vakarisi – described by local media as a drug lord involved in criminal networks – died in military custody on 17…
[Photo: FILE] Fiji’s landfill sites are coming under increasing pressure, with Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa warning that urgent action is needed to reduce the amount of waste being sent to dumping grounds across the country. Speaking at the launch of the Return and Earn initiative in Nasinu, Nalumisa said waste management has become a growing challenge and is calling on Fijians to take greater responsibility for the rubbish they generate. The Minister highlighted concerns about the country’s limited landfill capacity, saying existing sites are filling up at an alarming rate. “The government is now trying to come up with…
The group that led opposition to the proposed Vuda waste-to-energy incinerator project says it is now open to supporting alternative waste management solutions from the developer. The comments follow the Department of Environment’s rejection of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Vuda project. Protect the Heritage Coast – Vuda-Saweni Taskforce organiser Paul Forrest says the decision should not be seen as opposition to all forms of waste management development. Instead, he says it presents an opportunity for The Next Generation Holdings (TNG) to pursue projects that are more appropriately scaled and better suited to Fiji’s needs.Article continues after advertisement Forrest…
An investigation has been launched into the death of a 30-year-old man at Valelevu Health Centre, with Police confirming the case has been referred to the Criminal Investigation Department. Police say a post-mortem has also been ordered to establish the exact cause of death. Initial information indicates the man first presented at the health centre on June 3, 2026, and was advised he needed admission for further tests but signed a discharge slip and returned home to Kinoya. He returned to the centre on June 4 with family members after his condition worsened, but attempts by health officials to treat…
Vanuatu’s prevalence of physical or sexual violence against women by husbands and partners has fallen by nine percentage points over the last 15 years — from 44% of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 in 2009 to 35% in 2024. This is a faster decrease than the global average, and is not surpassed by any other country in the Asia-Pacific region with comparable studies over two points in time. This good news is a headline finding from Vanuatu’s Second National Survey on Women’s Lives and Family Relationships. The study was undertaken by the Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC) in 2024 in partnership with…
The Pacific Business Brief tracks the capital, trade and trends shaping the regional economy. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins In this edition: Pacific fuels prices continue to surge Solomon Islands tough stance on sale and export of gold Diesel prices up big in June June has offered no relief from rising energy costs in the Pacific. On Thursday, the Samoan government, despite reporting more than 50 days worth of fuel in reserve, moved up to “amber alert”, which would ordinarily mean they had less than 30 days worth. Accordingly, the Electric Power Corporation (EPC) will now start power shedding,…
The image above is generated by AI The Ministry of Environment has confirmed that another waste-to-energy proposal is being explored in Fiji, following the rejection of TNG’s Environmental Impact Assessment. Permanent Secretary for Environment Dr. Sivendra Michael says the ministry has received a submission from Infinite Power, but the proposal is still at an early stage. Dr. Michael says the developer must complete all required Environmental Impact Assessment processes before the ministry will formally review the project. “I will not open the file and review the file until you go through the EIA processes.”Article continues after advertisement He says the…