Author: TMC Palau

When Palau President Surangel Samuel Whipps Jnr 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,” 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 UN General Assembly, small island states, like Palau, are often on the sidelines, offering moral advice to the mighty who don’t always listen. After all, their countries are tiny. Nearly 11…

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NEW YORK, 21 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PIFS)— Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders will gather in New York for High Level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) from 21 – 28 September 2026 to advance shared Pacific priorities agreed by Forum Leaders at its 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Meeting (55PIFLM) […]The post Forum Leaders to elevate Pacific priorities on the global agenda at UNGA81 appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

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SAVUSAVU 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) —Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed claims that some forms of militarisation are affecting the Ocean of Peace agenda, assuring that Government remains committed to promoting peace in the region. Rabuka responded to questions from this masthead in Savusavu Wednesday during a press conference. He officially opened the […]The post Fiji PM rejects militarisation claims over Ocean of Peace agenda appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

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By Elilai Rengiil Savusavu, Fiji – Newsroom leaders and editors from across the Pacific have adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for stronger, more accurate reporting on the climate impacts already affecting vulnerable communities across the region. SPREP Pre-summit workshop facilitators Sosikeni Lesa and Jessica Rodham along with the participants of […]The post Pacific editors pledge stronger reporting on climate loss and damage appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

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By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (Sept. 21, 2026) — Palau’s Independence Day and Olechotel Belau Fair (OBF) celebrations are tentatively scheduled for September 30 through October 4, according to the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development. This year’s celebration will be held under the theme, “Culture in Action is Wellness in Life […]The post Palau Announces Tentative Schedule for Independence Day and Olechotel Belau Fair appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

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Police are considering charges against Greenpeace protesters who occupied a state-owned ship in protest at seabed mining.A group of activists boarded the Earth Sciences New Zealand owned-Tangaroa in Wellington Harbour on Saturday morning, Greenpeace said. One of the activists was dressed as US president Donald Trump and flew an American flag from railings on the ship, while another held a banner saying ‘Don’t Mine the Moana’.However by early afternoon police said they had removed five protesters from the ship, and were considering charges.Spokesperson Juressa Lee said the RV Tangaroa had just returned from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific, between…

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Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment…

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Move comes days after Appellate Court voided first impeachment and cancelled special election By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Ngardmau, Palau (September 21, 2026) The 11th Kelulul Ngardmau (Ngardmau Legislature) has passed a second resolution of impeachment in an attempt to remove Governor Jennifer Ngiraiwet from office, marking the second such effort against the state’s chief executive. […]The post Ngardmau Legislature passes second impeachment resolution against Gov. Ngiraiwet appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

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The latest summit of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) demonstrated the reality of China’s power play in the South Pacific. The summit was hosted by Palau. It is one of the three states in the South Pacific region that still recognize Taiwan. As the China-Taiwan competition for recognition plays out in the South Pacific, the PIF summit assumes geopolitical significance. The leaders of the five members (Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati, and New Caledonia) sent ministers or deputed officials to fill in for their absence. The leader of the Solomon Islands, Matthew Wale, went to Palau but had to return home…

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The facade of the Palau Municipal and the Torre dels Vents in Tarragona are lit up today with red and white stripes for the centenary of the Xiquets de Tarragona. This fact directly answers the question any local might ask when seeing the two spaces changed in color: it is not a random lighting, but a commemorative action linked to the hundred years of the Xiquets de Tarragona. The Tarragona City Council has announced this initiative for Tuesday, September 22. The message published on X specifies the essential elements of the action: the two spaces to be illuminated, the chosen…

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