Author: TMC Palau

By Elilai Rengiil Pacific media leaders have warned that misinformation, artificial intelligence-driven content and weak media literacy are creating new risks for public trust and democratic engagement across the region. The issues were discussed during a first-day panel at the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, Fiji, titled Beyond News Coverage: The Role of Media […]The post Pacific media leaders warn of AI and misinformation risks to public trust appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

By Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau — “The only thing left so that the Judiciary can improve in the serving and dispensing of justice is to have adequate courtrooms,” Administrative Director Kenneth Uehara told senators, underscoring one of the biggest challenges facing Palau’s court system. A rare Senate oversight hearing on the Judiciary’s fiscal year […]The post Senate Oversight Hearing Highlights Challenges Facing Palau Judiciary appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

A young mother who gave birth to triplets in a remote part of Papua New Guinea was successfully evacuated, but all three of her babies died before help could reach them.Manolos Aviation carried out this morning’s emergency medical evacuation from Onga-Waffa in Markham Distict, bringing the mother into Morobe Province’s capital, Lae, shortly after 10am before she was taken to hospital for further treatment.The woman had given birth prematurely to triplets at about eight months into her pregnancy.Despite the efforts of health workers at the local health facility, all three babies died within hours of each other. The clinic had…

By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Ngerulmud, Palau – The Senate confirmed Keith Sugiyama yesterday afternoon as Palau’s resident ambassador to the Philippines, ending more than 13 years without a resident ambassador in Manila. During his confirmation hearing on Tuesday afternoon, Sugiyama appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and State Matters to answer questions about […]The post Sugiyama confirmed as Palau’s resident ambassador to Philippines after 13 years appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

NEW YORK, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS)— Palau President and Forum Chair, Surangel Whipps Jr has warned that the Pacific must not be treated as a theatre for geopolitical competition, calling for respect for Pacific sovereignty, international law and the region’s right to determine its own future. Delivering Palau’s High-Level Statement at the 81st United Nations […]The post ‘The Pacific is our home, not a theatre for geopolitical competition’: Forum Chair Whipps appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

The head coaches of the Samoa and Tonga netball teams say Fiji will be back stronger following their disappointing Oceania Netball Championship campaign in Nuku’alofa this month.The Fijians, who dominated Pacific netball for a number of years, failed to make it to the 2027 Netball World Cup, finishing third at the week-long event behind rivals Tonga and Samoa.The Fiji Pearls had played at the 2023 world meet along with Tonga, but could not repeat their qualification when the Tonga qualifier ended a fortnight ago. They lost to both Samoa and Tonga at the event.But despite falling short, the coaches of…

Pacific Islands leaders have used their addresses to the United Nations General Assembly to urge Indonesia to allow the UN human rights chief access to West Papua.Pacific Islands Forum countries in 2019 requested that Indonesia allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Papua to assess claims of widespread rights abuses.No visit has resulted, leading to frustration for various Pacific governments.Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale made an emotional plea to Indonesia at the UN, urging it to allow the UN human rights chief to have access to West Papua.”Solomon Islands respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of…

Vanuatu joins push to protect children from climate crisisVanuatu has signed an international declaration ensuring children and young people have a greater say in climate decision-making.The Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action supports governments to better consider the rights, needs and voices of children and young people in climate policies.Vanuatu is the fifth Pacific country to sign the declaration, which has been recognised by more than 75 countries and territories worldwide.The signing took place during Vanuatu’s annual youth conference on 21 September, where young people presented a petition to the country’s Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu.Vanuatu is the fifth Pacific…

Despite contributing less than 0.03% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Pacific Island countries face some of the world’s most severe climate risks. A strengthening El Niño is placing pressure on the region’s water security, with disproportionate impacts for women and girls. In October, Fiji and Tuvalu host the pre-COP31 meetings, the preparatory talks ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. That is an opportunity to put water security, gender equality and climate justice on the agenda. WaterAid established an advisory group of Pacific women’s rights groups, and partnered with the…

UNITED NATIONS | Sept. 26, 2026, 12:41 p.m. ET | 4 min read When Palau President Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. recently took his children to his nation’s Helen Island, two-thirds of it was gone. Rising seas caused by climate change had swallowed generational burial grounds, washing away a people’s entire culture and identity.“For us, it’s devastating,” Mr. Whipps told The Associated Press on Friday, 40 years after his previous visit. “It doesn’t mean we should give up.”In the global power game of the United Nations General Assembly, small island states, like Palau, are often on the sidelines, offering moral advice…