Taiwan’s return to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in 2026 should not be read as a simple diplomatic “comeback.” It is better understood as a rare inflection point in Pacific regionalism—one that gives Taipei a chance to reposition itself from a politically contentious presence to a consistently useful partner in the Blue Pacific’s long-term development […]
Author Archives: Island Times
Posted inWorld News
Donald Trump says he is considering pulling US out of ‘paper tiger’ NATO alliance
In short: (ABC-Australia) Donald Trump has scaled up threats to pull the United States out of NATO if European states do not help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with the UK’s The Daily Telegraph, Mr Trump called the defence alliance a “paper tiger” and said removing the US from the alliance was […]
Posted inWorld News
Powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake strikes Indonesia, tsunami warning issued
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-02/indonesia-molucca-sea-earthquake-tsunami-warning/106525262?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web (ABC-Australia) A powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake has struck in the Molucca Sea region north-east of Indonesia, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS reported aftershocks as high as magnitude 5, and Indonesia’s meteorology agency reported tsunami waves in West Halmahera at 0.3m high and Bitung at 0.2m high. The quake, which hit early […]
Posted inPacific News
China-U.S competition for rare earths sparks plan to mine Pacific seabed near Guam
TAMUNING, 02 APRIL 2026 (RADIO FREE ASIA) — A U.S plan to potentially mine an area of Pacific seabed roughly the size of Nevada near two U.S territories is the latest example of increasing competition in the region between the United States and China, a local government official told Radio Free Asia. The zones of […]
Posted inPacific News
Pacific financial system under threat as banking links shrink, Forum report warns
By Pita Ligaiula SUVA, 01 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Pacific’s access to global finance is under growing strain, with a new Pacific Islands Forum report warning that the steady loss of correspondent banking relationships is pushing the region toward a critical tipping point. The ‘2025 Annual Report on the Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships […]
Posted inTop Stories
Melairei Pushes Back on Whipps’ Plan to Amend Infrastructure Fund Law
Senator calls legislative approval a “vital check and balance” under Compact agreement By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (March 31, 2026) — “Eliminating the requirement for specific legislative appropriation risks institutionalizing a lack of transparency,” Sen. Brian Melairei warned, urging lawmakers to reject President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s proposal to remove congressional approval for infrastructure fund spending. […]