Author: TMC Palau

By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau (August 17, 2026) – Palau has officially entered a drought and remains under Stage One of the National Drought Action Plan as a strengthening El Niño is expected to bring prolonged dry conditions through early next year, officials said this week. Maria Ngemaes, meteorologist in charge at the Palau […]The post Palau Enters Drought as El Niño Brings Prolonged Dry Conditions appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 17, 2026) – Palau’s tourism sector is showing a stronger and more resilient recovery in 2026, with visitor arrivals through July up 27% from the same period last year and several key markets recording double-digit growth. Palau welcomed 51,040 visitors from January through July 2026, compared with 40,339 during […]The post Palau tourism rebounds in 2026 as major markets post strong gains appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Ngardmau, Palau (August 17, 2026) – The Palau Election Commission (PEC) announced Monday that Ngardmau State will hold a special election for governor on September 18 with nominating petitions due by September 3. The announcement comes as the Supreme Court of Palau has set an expedited trial date of next week […]The post Ngardmau Sets Special Governor Election for Sept. 18 as Court Case Nears Trial appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

Season 2 of the Oceania Football Confederation Pro-League (OFC Pro-League) will begin in February 2027.The eight clubs who made up the inaugural 2026 competition received approval for their 2027 Club Licence applications.Auckland FC beat South Melbourne 2-1 in the inaugural final of the 2026 OFC Pro League competition in May.”Reaching Season 2 is an important moment for the OFC Pro League and for the continued development of professional football in the region,” OFC Pro League head Stuart Larman said.”Having all eight clubs approved at this stage reflects the commitment they have made to meeting the standards required to operate at…

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian China has already made clear its position on the test launch. The claims by the Palauan side are completely groundless, malicious in intent and not worth mentioning, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday.Lin made the remarks when responding to a media inquiry about reports that Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. hoped Pacific island countries could form a “united position” on China’s missile test. Whipps claimed that, from China’s standpoint, they want us to know that “any one of your islands, we can take out.” He also questioned why…

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 17, 2026)— The U.S. Navy has begun removing long-abandoned and derelict vessels from Koror State waters, helping clear pollution hazards and maritime obstacles from Malakal Harbor and surrounding waterways. The joint effort involves the Koror State Government and its Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement, the Republic of Palau’s […]The post U.S. Navy begins removing derelict vessels from Koror waters appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

Fijians will soon start being fined five times more for littering after an amendment to the country’s litter laws.The Fijian government says the stronger penalties and enforcement measures against littering will come into effect in two weeks.Under the old law, everyday littering fines were fixed at FJ$40 (NZ$30). But the new law will see the fines increase to FJ$200 (NZ$150), bringing them closer to the infringement fines Kiwis pay for littering, depending on the type and amount of litter.Fiji’s Climate and Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya told parliament on Tuesday that the reason for updating the litter law and increasing the…

The Fiji Police Force has yet to charge any suspects four months after the alleged murder of the reportedly infamous Jone Vakarisi while he was in military custody.Vakarisi, 37, who was widely known for being on the wrong side of the law and reportedly linked to criminal networks, died on 17 April after being taken for questioning by soldiers to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) headquarters in Suva.His death was initially attributed to pre-existing conditions by the RFMF commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai, who was later forced to issue a “correction” when police classified Vakarisi’s death as murder after…

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is experiencing a methamphetamine crisis, the four local mayors of the US territory have warned.The mayors of Saipan, Rota, Tinian and Aguiguan, and the Northern Islands say local resources can no longer keep pace with the scale and sophistication of methamphetamine trafficking.Saipan mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho, Rota mayor Aubry Hocog, Tinian and Aguiguan mayor Edwin Aldan, and Northern Islands Mayor Valentino Taisakan Jr have joined forces to request the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to send additional agents and personnel.The CNMI’s local law enforcement agency, the Department of Public Safety…

PALAU, Micronesia — The ride out to sea was, in a word, unpleasant. The coastal waters of Palau, an island nation in the western Pacific, are typically calm and electric blue, like what you might see on a screensaver or postcard. The country has put in place some of the world’s most rigorous protections to keep its marine environment pristine.But on this particular morning in July, a super typhoon named Bavi was churning north of us in the Philippine Sea. Clouds darkened the water and battered us with rain as our boat seesawed through the swell toward the horizon.Our destination…