Author: TMC Palau

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale will face a motion of no confidence next week, moved by his Home Affairs Minister Manasseh Maelanga. The motion prised Wale out of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit in Palau, jeopardising his regional security ambitions. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters blasted the Solomons cabinet ministers, noting Pacific leaders were saddened by the situation.New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has blasted Solomon Islands cabinet ministers who moved against their leader on the eve of the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau.Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has been forced home to deal…

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed off China’s warning to deliver consequences of Taiwan’s presence at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. Chinese special envoy to the Pacific Qian Bo said Beijing had “serious concerns” about the increasing involvement of Taiwan at the meeting of Pacific leaders this week, adding that it was “very inappropriate”. Chinese special envoy to the Pacific Qian Bo speaking to reporters in Palau. 9News“Taiwan is not a dialogue partner with the forum so we have serious concern,” he told reporters in Palau.“We have made our position very clear to the government of Palau and the secretariat, but we have the…

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Aug. 31, 2026) – One of Palau’s most prominent businessmen, former legislator and traditional leader, Rechesengel Ignacio Anastacio, died Saturday morning in the Philippines, according to sources close to his family. He was in his mid-70s. Anastacio was the titlebearer of Rechesengel, the second-highest traditional chiefly title in Ngchesar State. […]The post Prominent Palauan businessman, Rechesengel Ignacio Anastacio, dies in Philippines appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

Good morning. Firstly, on the tragic disaster in Nepal, this is an unimaginable tragedy. The number of Australians unaccounted for remains at 43. My thoughts are with every Australian family going through such an incredibly difficult time. My government will do everything we can to support them and look for loved ones. A RAAF C-17A carrying humanitarian supplies has left Australia on its way to Kathmandu. There are now some 18 Australian response team personnel in Kathmandu, and the foreign ministers of our respective countries have spoken, and Australia continues to offer whatever support will be valuable. This is a…

Outgoing and incoming chairs urge Pacific nations to speak with one voice while keeping regional priorities firmly Pacific-led. By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) – Pacific Islands Forum leaders are being urged to strengthen regional unity and ensure the Forum remains firmly Pacific-led as member countries work to deliver the goals of the […]The post Pacific leaders urged to put unity behind 2050 vision appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

KOROR (Palau), Sept 1 — Australia said Tuesday the Pacific bloc will decide for itself who attends its annual summit, after China raised objections to Taiwan’s presence on the sidelines.The 18-member Pacific Islands Forum is being hosted by Palau, which invited its diplomatic ally Taiwan to attend as an aid partner, along with China and other non-Pacific countries.China’s Pacific envoy Qian Bo told reporters on Monday there would be “consequences” for Taiwan foreign minister Lin Chia-lung’s presence in Palau.Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory.Chinese officials have also warned Pacific leaders and ministers not to attend side events…

By: Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) – “It is the kind of tool that we need to now push even harder for climate justice,” Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change Director Vishal Prasad said as Pacific leaders and climate advocates discussed how to turn the International Court of Justice’s landmark climate opinion into […]The post Pacific Pushes to Turn ICJ Climate Opinion Into Action appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

RNZ’s Teuila Fuatai in Koror, PalauThe United States and New Zealand will co-fund a new “lifeline” port with the Cook Islands on Penrhyn atoll – a former US military base.The US says it will commit $50 million USD, while New Zealand will contribute $10 million USD.The US Deputy State Secretary Christopher Landau said it builds on the Critical Minerals Framework that the Cooks signed with the US in February, which advances the keen interest from Washington in deep sea mineral resources in the Cook Islands.”This project underscores the United States’ strong commitment to our partners in the Pacific,” Landau said,…

China expressed serious concern over Taiwan’s presence at the annual Pacific Islands Forum in Palau and said there could be consequences. A Taiwanese delegation took part in the forum’s opening ceremony on August 31.As Channel NewsAsia reports, China’s special envoy for Pacific island affairs, Qian Bo, told journalists that Taiwan’s participation in the event was inappropriate. He did not specify what the consequences could be and stressed that his words were not a threat.Taiwan’s status at the forumTaiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung received invitations to meetings and related events held alongside the forum. Taiwan does not have official dialogue partner…

The United States and New Zealand are putting more than NZ$100 million into upgrading the port on Penrhyn or Tongareva, the northernmost island in the Cook Islands.The project was announced in Palau on Tuesday by Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, New Zealand Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.The US Department of State, working with Congress, intends to contribute about NZ$84m (US$50m) while New Zealand will provide NZ$17.5m.New Zealand will implement the project in coordination with the Cook Islands and United States.Peters described…