Palauans Divided As Japan Lobbies For More Fishing Ground

Economic Gains or Environmental Loss? Palau Debates Marine Sanctuary Cuts KOROR, Palau — Japan’s fishing industry is urging Palau to cut its protected ocean area from 80% to 50%, sparking intense debate over the future of the Palau National Marine...

CITES Parties in the Pacific take part in training on implementation through fisheries legal frameworks

The waters of the Pacific Islands countries (PICs) are home to numerous aquatic species that are listed in the CITES Appendices, and which support livelihoods and economic opportunities for communities in over a dozen Parties to the Convention....

Pacific Islands News Roundup – October 3 – 9, 2025

Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...

Palau Senate still opposed to US proposal on people seeking protection

Palau Senate Photo: SPREP Palau's Senate is standing firm on its position against a US proposal on people seeking protection. Senate President Hokkons Baules has advised against proceeding further, saying there are practical issues around...

DOJ seizes $15 billion bitcoin in SE Asia crypto scam bust

OFAC has designated the Prince Group TCO and 146 associated targets for operating massive “pig butchering” scam operations, including individual Chen Zhi. The network’s crypto operations include bitcoin mining through Warp Data Technology and the...

Palau leader in ‘world first’ underwater interview

SYDNEY – The President of tiny Pacific island nation Palau has sunk to new depths – claiming to be the first world leader to conduct a live interview immersed entirely underwater. In a bid to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the...

Palau leader in 'world first' underwater interview

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr addresses the opening session of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which gathers leaders, researchers and activists to discuss how to protect marine life until June 13, at the Centre des...

Palau Congress holds firm on stance against accepting asylum seekers

Palau's Senate stood pat on its position to balk at Washington’s proposal to resettle asylum seekers in the Pacific island nation, rejecting President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s appeal for reconsideration. "We advise against proceeding further on this...

'We want peace:’ Pacific island leaders seek to steer clear of geopolitics

Pacific island leaders gathered in Honiara, Solomon Islands, for the Pacific Islands Forum's 54th Leadership Meeting from Sept. 8 to 12, 2025. Photo courtesy of PIF (Note: Due to a technical glitch, the text of this story in the print edition of...

Passport stamps are a map of my life in travel. I’ll miss them

Surely I can’t be the only one who stands in line at the airport thumbing the pages of my passport as if I’ve just got my hands on a first edition of my favourite book. Nor can I be alone in handing my passport to border control in the quiet hope...

Canadian Government Updates Travel Advisories After Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warning In Southeast Asia

On Friday, October 10, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck offshore in the region of Mindanao in the Southern Philippines. According to civil defense deputy administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, one person passed away after being hit by...

Snack tourism, in-flight skincare, and library hotels: This is what travel in 2026 will look like, according to experts

Skyscanner just dropped its 2026 Travel Trends report, and the vibe shift has never been more apparent: travel isn’t about getting away from life anymore, it’s about turning your passport into a personality quiz. The report, built from the...

The biggest travel trends for 2026 prove the way we vacation is completely changing

January may be several months away, but we're already mentally planning how next summer is going to look - and if 2026's predicted travel trends are anything to go by, we could be changing the way we vacation. It's thought that 59 per cent of Gen...

Taiwan’s 114th National Day in Palau Reflected Close Ties and Democratic Partnership

Palau and Taiwan reaffirmed their enduring friendship and democratic partnership during Taiwan’s 114th National Day celebration in Koror on October 7. The event, hosted by the Taiwanese Embassy, highlighted shared values, strengthened cooperation...

Philippines, Indonesia Issue Tsunami Warnings

(BBC) Authorities in the Philippines have issued a tsunami warning after a magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck the country’s Mindanao region on Friday morning. Tsunami warnings have also been issued in Indonesia's northern Sulawesi and Papua regions,...

Is it safe to travel to the Philippines? Latest advice after 7.4 magnitude earthquake

Just two weeks after 74 people were killed by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the Philippines, a stronger 7.4 tremor struck parts of the country at 9.43am local time on Friday October 10. Buildings have been damaged and two fatalities have been...

Refugees or Deportees? Palau Must Put Its People First

Dear Editor, When President Whipps announced the creation of a Refugee Working Group, many Palauans paused in confusion. The United States proposal, as it turns out, does not speak of refugees—it speaks of deportees. That single word changes...

Earthquake strikes Philippines: US Tsunami Warning Center issues big update; 'minor tsunami' recorded in Indonesia; check key updates

Chaos unfolded in the southern Philippines after an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck offshore in the southern region on Friday (October 10, 2025), the country's seismology agency said, news agency Reuters reported. The tremors triggered tsunami...

Tsunami threat passes for Philippines, Indonesia after 7.4 quake hits Davao

At least two people have been killed, hospital, schools damaged and power hit amid evacuations of coastal areas nearby. Published On 10 Oct 202510 Oct 2025 | Updated: 25 minutes agoUpdated: 25 minutes ago A magnitude 7.4 earthquake off the...

Tsunami threat widens to parts of Indonesia and Palau after earthquake off southern Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Tsunami threat widens to parts of Indonesia and Palau after earthquake off southern Philippines. MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Tsunami threat widens to parts of Indonesia and Palau after earthquake off southern Philippines....