SINGAPORE, 01 JUNE 2026 (AP)—- U.S Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Pacific allies on Saturday that Washington remained committed to the region, but toned down previous comments calling China a threat. Speaking to a group of world leaders, diplomats and top security officials at the Shangri-La defence conference in Singapore, Hegseth said that the region […]
Author Archives: Island Times
Posted inWorld News
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement sued over alleged inhumane conditions at detention camp
In short: (ABC-Australia) Civil rights groups are suing the largest immigration detention centre in the United States over alleged human rights abuses. The lawsuit alleges guard beatings, poor medical care and indiscriminate use of solitary confinement for detainees. It is the first lawsuit against the facility following three deaths in nine months at the camp. […]
Posted inPacific News
Concern over organised crime networks in Pacific after Vietnam killing
AUCKLAND, 01 JUNE 2026 (TVNZ)—New Zealand is among the countries facing growing concern a gang-related killing spanning multiple nations signals an escalation of organised crime networks across the Pacific. Last week, two men living in Samoa were arrested in Vietnam following the killing of Australian gang “Coconut Cartel” leader Lamalu Lorenzo Tovia outside a Ho […]
Posted inPacific News
Pacific leaders train in solar technology as fuel costs rise
SUVA, 01 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN)—A deepening global fuel crisis is pushing Pacific communities towards energy independence, with leaders from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu training in solar technology to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. With fuel and electricity costs rising across the Pacific, 15 community representatives gathered in Wailoaloa, Nadi, last week to learn […]
Posted inTop Stories
PPUC targets 200-minute annual outage benchmark with major grid upgrades
Battery storage systems expected to cut solar curtailment costs by 95% and reduce diesel dependence By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (May 27, 2026) — The Palau Public Utilities Corporation is targeting a major improvement in power reliability by reducing annual outage times from about 1,200 minutes to 200 minutes while advancing renewable energy management through […]
Posted inTop Stories
Recycling Business Proposal Wins Top Honors at 2026 Palau Development Symposium
By: Ngeldei Tulop KOROR, Palau — A student-led recycling business proposal focused on turning reusable waste materials into marketable products earned top honors at the 2026 Palau Development Symposium this week, highlighting the growing interest among Palauan youth in entrepreneurship and sustainable business development. The winning proposal, “Komi Step Up,” presented by the Palau High […]