Author: TMC Palau

“The Orchid is Mother Nature’s Masterpiece…”-R. Carlsson A University of Wisconsin-River Falls faculty member has discovered a previously unknown species of orchid found only on an island in the western Pacific. Assistant Professor of Biology Benjamin Crain is the lead author of research published in August in the journal, Harvard Papers in Botany, describing the species Agrostophyllum lkou. Crain found the rare orchid on Babeldaob Island in the Republic of Palau, located in the Caroline Islands north of New Guinea.   The discovery came through years of fieldwork, examination of historical botanical records and collaboration with orchid specialists.   For Crain, a…

NEW YORK, 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS)—The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has called for stronger climate action, predictable adaptation finance and a faster transition to renewable energy, warning that climate change, ocean degradation and resource insecurity are increasingly threatening Pacific stability. Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Vice President Aaron Palik said climate-driven pressures […]The post Micronesia calls for Climate finance, Ocean protection and fossil fuel transition appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

Fiji’s national women’s rugby team has finished the WXV Global Series Challenger tournament unbeaten after a late penalty saw them defeat the Netherlands 20-17 on Saturday.The Fijiana had earlier raced out to a 12-nil lead in the first 13 minutes before the Dutch equalised early in the second half in a thrilling decider in Hong Kong China.The Netherlands then took the lead just short of the hour mark before Fiji hit back again.A late Varanisese Qoro penalty got the Fijians across the line.According to World Rugby, both sides went “toe-to-toe for 80 minutes”, but Qoro’s penalty was the difference between…

As President of the Republic of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr. has positioned his tiny Pacific island nation at the forefront of global ocean conservation, from pioneering the ratification of the UN High Seas Treaty to enforcing massive marine sanctuaries. Yet, as Palau faces existential threats from rising seas and local economic pressures, Whipps must navigate a delicate balance between strict environmental stewardship and pragmatic resource management. — By Jason Tang Surangel Whipps Jr. has served as the President of the Republic of Palau since 2021, winning reelection in 2024 for a second term. The Republic of Palau – a…

Three Bougainvilleans have reportedly been rescued after 70 days lost at sea.The three, who were travelling from Nissan Island to Buka, went missing at sea on 18 July. They were located and rescued by an overseas vessel, according to an NBC Bougainville report.”The three were travelling by boat to Buka when their vessel ran out of zoom, leaving them without propulsion and at the mercy of ocean currents,” the report said.It said the Autonomous Bougainville Government worked with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in coordinating search and rescue efforts.The three have reportedly been transported to…

By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Ngardmau, Palau (Sept. 28, 2026) – The Palau Election Commission (PEC) is preparing for another special gubernatorial election in Ngardmau unless the planned election is challenged in court, according to PEC officials. First Impeachment and Legal Battle In a rare political development, seven members of the Ngardmau Legislature—Kelulul Ngardmau (KN)—introduced and […]The post Ngardmau Braces for Second Special Gubernatorial Election After Fresh Impeachment appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

The Fijian Drua implemented an expense reduction plan starting this year to ensure the franchise remains financially viable and sustainable.Drua CEO Jeff Miller told RNZ Pacific on Monday that this step was taken as the club also faced financial challenges similar to those other Super Rugby Pacific franchises face.RNZ Pacific understands that the Fiji-based franchise had begun discussions with its two shareholders – the Fiji government (51 percent) and the Fiji Rugby Union (49 percent) – about selling some shares to new investors.Miller said all 10 Super Rugby Pacific clubs faced the same issues with finances.A lack of cash flow…

Life expectancy in several Pacific Island countries remains “below average” in comparison to global averages, despite a significant increase in average life expectancy since 1960.”Average life expectancy across the Pacific is 68.8 years, up from 52.7 in 1960. That’s a significant increase, but it is well below the rate of progress that middle-income countries as a group have achieved,” according to a recently published Devpolicy Blog article.The authors of the article, titled ‘Life expectancy in the Pacific, and the case of Naoero’, say that the average increase for Pacific Island countries was 16 years, while for lower-middle income countries the…

The new president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) wants to strengthen the region’s newsrooms.Neville Choi, who is also president of Papua New Guinea’s Media Council, told RNZ Pacific that the PINA Secretariat needed greater support, accountability and transparency.Choi said strengthening the PINA Secretariat was his initial focus as president.He also wants to see national media associations empowered.”Because the national media associations should be the contact point for all the media in each of the countries,” he said.”Those are the two main things: strengthening; in any way we can to strengthen and provide more accountability and transparency to the…

In our database of reported sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) incidents across four provinces of Papua New Guinea (PNG), sickness or death was the immediate trigger in almost 90% of cases. But almost any misfortune can become a trigger — a bus breaking down, a business failing, or poor performance in a child’s studies. Do the impacts of drought also act as triggers of accusation? If so, what does this mean for the coming supersized El Niño season that is likely to bring drier-than-normal conditions through the coming months? There have been instances in the past of people being accused of…