By: Laurel Marewibuel Koror, Palau (December 29, 2025)— Three Pacific scholars heading to Australia on Australia Awards scholarships emphasized blending personal passions with community service in recent reflections. Klei Andreas, pursuing a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Adelaide, connected his number-crunching comfort with environmental passion. “Growing up in Palau, I’ve seen how closely […]
Author Archives: Island Times
Posted inBillboard
PPR Annual Associates Xmas Party 2025
Koror, Palau – Saturday, December 20, 2025 – Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) proudly hosted its Annual Associate Christmas Party on Saturday evening, December 20, 2025, marking the resort’s 41st year of service and celebrating the dedication of its valued associates. Photo from left: Motol Brell, HumanResources Manager. ChontichaPongpun, Director of Finance.Peter Bonini, Director ofHuman Resources. Held beachside under the stars, the […]
Posted inBillboard
PICRC launches new program with the Australian Institute of Marine Science
The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) has launched a new project with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), titled “Enhancing coral reef monitoring and management in Micronesia”, which will run through to 31st May, 2026. PICRC launches new program with the Australian Institute of MarineScience to enhance coral reef monitoring and man. AIMS, a world-class […]
Posted inWorld News
Parents in China use AI technology to monitor children’s homework
By Sunny Wang Sun 28 DecSunday 28 December (ABC-Australia) When she is busy, Lu Qijun places her phone on her son’s desk before he starts his homework. The camera is on — and it stays on. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-28/parents-in-china-using-ai-monitor-children-homework-social-media/106176546 When Ms Lu’s son slouches, a calm voice on the phone reminds him to sit up. When he […]
Posted inWorld News
Japan prepares to restart world’s biggest nuclear plant, 15 years after Fukushima
TOKYO, 23 DECEMBER 2025 (REUTERS) — Japan took the final step to allow the world’s largest nuclear power plant to resume operations with a regional vote in Niigata prefecture. It was a watershed moment in the country’s return to nuclear energy nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, located about 220 kilometres north-west of […]
Posted inPacific News
Crown Prince renominated as Foreign Minister amid failed bid to block U.S travel sanctions
NUKU’ALOFA, 23 DECEMBER 2025 (KANIVA TONGA) — Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala has been renominated as Tonga’s Foreign Minister, a decision announced just one day after the United States imposed a travel ban on Tongan nationals last week. In a June advisory to 36 countries including Tonga, the State Department said its concerns included the inability […]