Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Controversy as Solomon Islands freezes out all Pacific Islands Forum partners
South China Morning Post
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August 20, 2025
With the next Pacific Islands Forum poised to convene in Honiara next month, the Solomon Islands’ decision to exclude all external dialogue partners has reignited debate over the cost of regional compromise and the Pacific’s ability to chart an...
QANTAS EXTENDS DIRECT PALAU FLIGHTS AMID GROWING TOURISM DEMAND
The National Tribune
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August 19, 2025
Qantas has extended its direct flights between Brisbane and Koror, Palau’s capital, for another year following the success of the route which Qantas commenced in December 2024. The service, known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’, will continue to...
Scientists put a dead cow on the deep ocean floor and filmed something very unexpected
Earth.com
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Eight Pacific sleeper sharks showed up for dinner when researchers dropped a cow carcass to the seafloor of the South China Sea at 5,344 feet (1,629 meters) near Hainan Island. The visit offered a rare observation of how these deep residents feed,...
Palau President acknowledges failures in Shipping Registry, pledges reform
Island Times
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August 19, 2025
KOROR, Palau — President Surangel Whipps Jr. has admitted Palau’s ship registry has a poor record of oversight and pledged to tighten monitoring after international watchdogs ranked the Pacific nation among the worst for labor and safety...
Palau records drop in Flu cases but sees Dengue return after a Decade
Island Times
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August 19, 2025
(Koror, Palau – August 19, 2025) Palau’s latest health report shows mixed news on respiratory and mosquito-borne diseases, with flu cases declining, COVID-19 holding steady, and dengue fever making a surprising comeback after more than ten years....
Palau Gears Up to host the Exciting Micro Cup Canoe Racing Competition this October
Island Times
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August 19, 2025
By: Faith Chen From October 24th to 26th, Palau will proudly host the highly anticipated Micro Cup, a vibrant canoe racing competition that promises to bring together top athletes from across the Pacific and beyond. This year’s event will feature...
Palau president calls exclusion of PIF partners a 'missed opportunity'
RNZ
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August 19, 2025
President Surangel Whipps Jr at his first state visit to Taiwan in May 2025 after the inauguration of his second term. Photo: Supplied/ Office of the President Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr says it is "a missed opportunity" not to include...
Cost of Living Crisis in Palau
Island Times
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August 19, 2025
Dear Editor, Palau is in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis that our leaders refuse to address with any seriousness. The reality is simple: the scale of our economy does not allow ordinary people to make ends meet. Wages remain stagnant,...
Palau, DoD host public meetings on improvements to Peleliu South Dock
Marianas Variety
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Representatives of the Palau government and the Department of Defense host a public meeting at Peleliu State Building to share information on proposed Peleliu South Dock rehabilitation and improvements, Aug. 12. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr....
Australia stays committed to co-hosting COP31 with Pacific Nations
Island Times
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August 19, 2025
By: Bernadette Carreon Australia said it will continue advocating with Pacific nations to secure co-hosting rights the COP31 climate summit, at the same time announcing the appointment of Will Nankervis as its new Ambassador for Climate Change....
We’re committed to Pacific: Conroy
Islands Business
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August 19, 2025
THE use of local labour and material will be one of Australia’s priorities in its approach to infrastructure development in the Pacific. And it will draw on local expertise to build skills and experience in the region’s workers. “I call this the...
Aimeliik terminates Palau Golf Inc. leases over Unpaid Fees, Broken Promises
Island Times
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August 19, 2025
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang AIMELIIK, Palau — The Aimeliik State Public Land Authority (AIMSPLA) has voted to terminate two land lease agreements with Palau Golf Inc. (PGI), citing repeated non-payment of fees and long-standing breaches of...
Qantas extends direct flights between Brisbane and Palau for another year
Travel Weekly
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August 19, 2025
Qantas has extended its direct flights between Brisbane and Palau for another year following the success of the route which Qantas commenced in December 2024. The service, known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’, will continue to operate as part of...
Lessons from legend of Palau fisherman drawn upon in critical juncture of COP29
Pacific News Service
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As global attention turn to what and how COP29 would decide on a new finance goal, the legend of a Palauan fisherman from the village of Ngarchemai has been used to illustrate the risks of indecision, and the need for world leaders to choose...
Pacific Resilience Facility set for leaders signing in Honiara
Pacific News Service
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By Sanjeshni Kumar The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) is poised to become the region’s first Pacific-owned and led international financial institution, with Forum Leaders set to sign its establishing treaty at their meeting in Honiara, Solomon...
Palau anticipates Compact to be signed next month
Pacific News Service
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Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr unveiled some of the details of the new economic package under the renegotiated provisions of the nation’s Compact of Free Association with Washington. Palau stands to receive US$890 million in economic...
Friends to all: What a friend wants, what a Pacific island country needs
The Strategist
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August 18, 2025
Patrol boats, infrastructure, training and other security supports given to Pacific island countries aren’t entirely gifts. The givers are hoping for something in return, even if they don’t say so. Many partners seek to provide support and...
Tuvalu considers pulling out of Pacific leaders’ summit amid China-linked power…
Pacific News Service
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Tuvalu’s prime minister Feleti Teo said his country may pull out of the region’s top political meeting next month, after host nation Solomon Islands moved to block all external partners – including China, U.S and Taiwan – from attending. The...
Henry Puna wants another crack at Pacific Islands Forum top job
Pacific News Service
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The current Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) wants another term in the job. “I thought being Prime Minister of the Cook Islands for 10 years was the ultimate. But this is more demanding, and in many ways, more pleasurable and...
Taiwan calls exclusion from Pacific Islands Forum 'regrettable'
Focus Taiwan
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August 17, 2025
Taipei, Aug. 17 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed disappointment Sunday over the Pacific islands' final decision Thursday to exclude Taiwan and all donor countries from the region's top political meeting this year. "It is...