In short: (ABC-Australia) At least one person has died and twenty-one people are missing after a building collapsed in the Philippines. A nine-story building under construction in Manila collapsed on Sunday morning, local time. What’s next? Officials say rescuers are in contact with two of those trapped, with the operation ongoing. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-24/dozens-feared-trapped-in-philippines-building-collapse/106715858 Share article At […]
Author Archives: Island Times
Australia gives U.S ‘edge’ against China, says Trump’s pick for Canberra
WASHINTON, 22 MAY 2026 (AFR)—Donald Trump’s pick to lead diplomatic efforts in Canberra says having a strong relationship with Australia gives the U.S an edge over China in the Indo-Pacific and is crucial to its attempts to break Beijing’s stranglehold on critical minerals processing. David Brat told senators on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) that if confirmed […]
U.S removes negative travel advisory for New Caledonia
NOUMEA/WASHINGTON, 25 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — The United States’ State Department has officially lowered its travel advisory for New Caledonia. As of 21 May the advisory was reduced from Level Three (“Reconsider Travel”) to Level Two (“Exercise Increased Caution”). The decision comes more than a year after deadly civil unrest swept the archipelago in […]
Population loss strains Micronesia, Marshall Islands economies
PONPHEI/MAJURO, 25 MAY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The populations of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Marshall Islands have dropped sharply over the past decade as thousands of residents leave for better jobs, education and health care abroad, creating labor shortages and raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of essential services across […]
Pacific Tuna Initiative expands to include Palau, Advancing Sustainable, Equitable Ocean Governance
[Apia, Samoa – 25 May 2026] Conservation International today announced the expansion of its Pacific Tuna Initiative to Palau, marking the launch of its third phase to improve the sustainability and governance of South Pacific albacore tuna fisheries. The initiative brings together governments, industry, and communities across the Pacific to strengthen fisheries management, align policy […]
Vanuatu to sign Nakamal Agreement with Australia, Namele Agreement with China: PM Napat
PORT VILA, 22 MAY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) —-Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has confirmed the government will sign the landmark Nakamal Agreement with Australia, as well as the Namele Agreement with China. PM Napat revealed this in Parliament after Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) Member of Parliament for Tanna constituency, Andrew Wilbur Napuat, asked […]
