Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Palauan president accuses China of coercion
Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Hawaii
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September 9, 2025
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. called for closer cooperation between countries in the Pacific region and accused China of trying to dominate his small island nation through economic pressure and organized crime during an appearance at a...
Pacific moves to secure banking lifeline as correspondent links dry up
Pacific News Service
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By Pita Ligaiula in Honiara, Solomon Islands The Pacific Islands Forum has stepped up efforts to protect the region’s economies from the loss of Correspondent Banking Relations (CBR), a vital financial link that enables trade, remittances, and...
Direct Tokyo-Palau Flights Spark Optimism among Local Tourism Businesses
Island Times
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September 9, 2025
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (Sept. 8, 2025) — “Direct flights eliminate the stress of long layovers and complicated transfers, so we operators are expecting more visitors from Japan,” said a young woman who runs Belau Tour, one of several...
Palau Community College now offers its first 4-year bachelor's degree program
Pacific Daily News
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Palau Community College is now offering a first-ever four-year baccalaureate degree program—the Bachelor of Science in Science—a significant milestone in PCC's commitment to enhancing higher education opportunities for Palau and the Micronesian...
Solomon Islands welcomes Pacific Leaders in Colorful Ceremony; Palau Prepares to Host in 2026
Island Times
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September 9, 2025
HONIARA, Solomon Islands — “The cultural performance that began this morning’s ceremony is not only a celebration of our diversity but a reminder of just how special this moment is for any nation,” said Tongan Prime Minister Aisake Valu Eke, as...
Palau’s Digital Residency Program faces test amid U.S. subpoena and scrutiny over transparency
Island Times
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September 5, 2025
By: Bernadette Carreon KOROR, Palau — Palau’s flagship Digital Residency Program, once promoted as a pioneering step into the digital economy, is now facing one of its toughest tests as international legal challenges collide with growing questions...
Palau College celebrates first 4-year degree program and new science building; nation prepares to build new K-12 school in Ngchesar
Marianas Business Journal
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Palau is celebrating major milestones in education, with Palau Community College launching its first four-year degree program and the government moving ahead with plans for a new K-12 school in Ngchesar. Palau Community College announced the...
Palau college launches first baccalaureate degree program
Marianas Variety
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KOROR (PCC) — Palau Community College is proud to announce the approval and launch of its first-ever baccalaureate degree program — the Bachelor of Science in Science. This landmark achievement marks a significant milestone in PCC’s commitment to...
Albanese in the Pacific: Australia's struggle for influence — and a key hope
SBS
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will soon arrive in Solomon Islands' capital, Honiara, to attend a regional summit that has become a point of tension between China, Taiwan, and Australia. The annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) counts Australia...
Pacific island leaders ban US and China from key summit
The Independent Singapore
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September 9, 2025
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS: In a bold move underscoring their desire for sovereignty and unity, Pacific island leaders have shut the door—at least temporarily—on the world’s major powers, barring them from this week’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)...
Five Practices to Build a Stronger Palau
Island Times
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September 5, 2025
Dear Editor, If we want Palau to have a future worthy of our ancestors’ sacrifices and our children’s dreams, we must shape that future deliberately. Too often, we drift letting outside forces define our priorities, values, and opportunities. But...
Countering the People’s Republic of China’s Maritime Insurgency in the South Pacific
Center for International Maritime Security - Washington D.C.
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September 9, 2025
By Jason Lancaster Guadalcanal, the Coral Sea, Tarawa, New Guinea, and Iron Bottom Sound highlight the strategic location of the South Pacific during the Second World War. Today, U.S. and allied preeminence in this vital region is under threat....
Smaller Island States Leaders Set Priorities Ahead of Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting
Island Times
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September 9, 2025
HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Sept. 8, 2025) — “The unity and clarity of purpose that we show here will set the tone for the rest of our deliberations in Honiara,” Kiribati President Taneti Maamau said Monday as he opened the Small Island States (SIS)...
September 11: Guide to the demonstration, offering, concerts, and events for Catalonia's National Day
Ara
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September 9, 2025
BarcelonaThe celebration of Catalonia's National Day will kick off on September 10th with a new feature: the solemn flag-raising ceremony at the Parliament, presided over by the Speakers of the Parliament and the Generalitat, Josep Rull and...
Worth more that the GDP of 100+ nations, Atlassian acquires The Browser Company for $610 million
The Economic Times
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September 4, 2025
Atlassian announced Thursday, September 4, it will acquire New York-based startup The Browser Company for $610 million in cash, marking the enterprise software company's entry into the competitive AI-driven browser market. The acquisition price...
PIF calls for increase of EU-NDICI for Pacific
The Islandsun
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September 9, 2025
BY SAMIE WAIKORI The Secretary General of Pacific Island Forum (PIF), His Excellency Baron Divavesi Waqa has called for an increase to the EU’s Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), if it remains fit for the...
Cast Change: Palau de les Arts Finds New ‘Luisa Miller’
Opera Wire
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September 4, 2025
The Palau de les Arts has announced a cast change for “Lusia Miller.” The company said that Mariangela Sicilia will sing the title role replacing Federica Lombardi, who is pregnant and has announced she was canceling her role debut in Vienna and...
‘ACT NOW’
The Islandsun
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September 9, 2025
Prime Minister Manele calls for urgent action on climate change as PIF leaders meeting goes underway BY BEN BILUA PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has called for urgent action on climate change and its impacts in the Pacific region. He made the...
Tourist Crowds Aren’t Good for Tourists, Either
Breeze Courier - Illinois
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September 9, 2025
Froma Harrop My sister and her guy just returned from Portugal after their second big travel venture of the year. I asked, naturally, “How was it?” She said, “Awful.” They were crammed in Porto alongside a zillion other tourists. A crush of bodies...
EU delivers on investment promise with launch of first Pacific Business...
Pacific News Service
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The European Union officially launched the first-ever EU-Pacific Business Forum in Nadi, Fiji, with senior leaders promising deeper cooperation, concrete investments, and stronger ties under the Global Gateway strategy. “It is with great pleasure...