Palau Court Convicts Coin Mint Operator in Tax Fraud Case as NDBP Pursues New Coin Agreement

The Supreme Court of Palau has convicted Ephram Polycarp, operator of the Palau Commemorative Coin Company, of multiple counts of tax fraud and failure to pay taxes spanning a decade of international coin-minting deals. The case, prosecuted by the...

Palau declares October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, urges early detection

By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (Island Times) — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. has declared October 2025 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Palau, calling for nationwide unity to strengthen early detection, prevention, and community support...

Myanmar Military News Updates – Oct 14, 2025 Morning

Myanmar Military News Updates – Oct 14, 2025 Morning 🚩🚩 1. At Least Four Clashes Occur Within a Week in Karenni State as Junta Forces Intensify Offensives and Conduct Arson Attacks October 13 Radio NUG According to a statement released by the...

As coral reefs pass tipping point, ocean protection rises up political agenda

Warm-water coral reefs have crossed a tipping point due to global heating and are dying at an accelerated rate due to repeated mass bleaching events, impacting hundreds of millions of people who rely on them for fishing, tourism and protection...

Myanmar Military News Updates – Oct 13, 2025 Morning

Myanmar Military News Updates – Oct 13, 2025 Morning 🚩🚩 1. Four Soldiers Killed and Four Injured in Landmine Ambush in Tatkon Township, Nay Pyi Taw October 12 Radio NUG According to the Myo Thit People’s Defense Force (PDF), a military unit of 16...

Pacific news in brief for 28 October

Angau Memorial Hospital (file image) Photo: RNZI Papua New Guinea Power outages in Papua New Guinea is affecting Angau Memorial General Hospital in Lae, Morobe province, the regional hospital's chief executive says. The National newspaper reports...

Balancing Gaming Tourism and Island Sustainability: Finding harmony in paradise

28-10-2025 Business Canarian Weekly Photo Credit: Freepik Gaming tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing niches in the travel industry, with a remarkable 37% increase in dedicated gaming trips since 2023. As of early 2025, this sector...

Palau Averts Shutdown With Stopgap Budget, but Delays Raise Accountability Questions

Palau narrowly avoided a government shutdown this week after the House of Delegates’ stalled negotiations forced lawmakers to pass a three-month stopgap budget. The temporary measure, signed Oct. 1, keeps operations running through Dec. 31 while...

Palau Still Needs to Do More to Stop Human Trafficking- TIP 2025 report

Palau has kept its Tier 2 ranking in the 2025 U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report, reflecting progress in victim support and investigations but continued challenges in prosecuting traffickers and addressing official complicity. The report warns...

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....

Government departments provide relief in Kyaukme to reopen administration and facilitate...

The Tatmadaw has regained control of Kyaukme town, which was temporarily controlled by the Palaung terrorist armed group (TNLA), and displaced residents are returning to their homes, according to sources. The Tatmadaw is conducting...

Myanmar Military News Updates – Oct 11, 2025 Morning

Myanmar Military News Updates – Oct 11, 2025 Morning 🚩🚩 1. Attack on Prison Compound and Police Station in Monywa Township — Three Police Officers Killed October 10 Radio NUG In Monywa Township, Sagaing Region, the Bamar Army announced that its...

Palau senator’s son on Fiji drug charge

THE sun dips low over Fiji’s western coast as a fisherman hauls his catch ashore. Hours at sea under the scorching sun have yielded bundles of fish, but when he sells them at the market, much of the profit slips away into the hands of middlemen....

The GGI advocates for global governance that seeks effectiveness and inclusiveness

Illustration: Liu Rui/GT Editor's Note: With the global governance system facing deficits in representation, authority, and effectiveness, the China-proposed Global Governance Initiative (GGI) offers an Eastern approach to addressing the...

Proposes $6 Million Deal for Palau to Accept 75 “Refugees”

Palau is facing a major diplomatic decision as the United States proposes a $6 million deal for the island nation to host 75 people identified as “refugees.” While the offer includes additional support such as drug experts and funding for care,...

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...

PM Davis: ‘Storms like this remind us, once again, who we are’

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis speaks during Joint Press Briefing with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Authority, on September 29, 2025 NASSAU, The Bahamas – While addressing a...

Palau President calls for Climate Justice, Ocean Protection and UN reform…

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has told the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) that small island states are “at war” with climate change, warning that 1.5 degrees is now a binding global obligation and calling for urgent reforms to deliver...

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...

Palau President Whipps warns against war, Calls out China on Taiwan

Palau President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr told the United Nations General Assembly last week that peace, justice, and inclusivity must guide the international community, warning that wars and political exclusions threaten global stability. “Palau...