KOROR, Palau — Sept. 23, 2026 — Australia has supported an urgent response to a crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak in Palau, helping local partners cull more than 2,200 starfish and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to future outbreaks. The response followed a request from Palau for specialist assistance as crown-of-thorns starfish populations increased in several […]
Tag: Australia
Posted inTop Stories
Palauan youth and climate advocate joins COP31 engagements across Türkiye
ISTANBUL, Türkiye — Palauan youth and climate advocate Antoni “Toni” Soalablai is wrapping up a visit across Türkiye as part of a series of engagements between young people from the Pacific, Australia and Türkiye ahead of COP31. The visit took Soalablai through Ankara, Konya, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Istanbul alongside COP31 Presidency Youth Climate Champion Sally […]
Posted inIn Focus
U.S allies in Asia alarmed as think tank calls for pullback
Analysts warn that a U.S withdrawal from the western Pacific, as recently suggested by a think tank, would weaken deterrence and strengthen China’s position. By Julian Ryall WASHINGTON, 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 (DW)—A study by a U.S foreign policy think tank advocates a major military pullback from the western Pacific, prompting concern among long-standing allies of […]
Posted inTop Stories
Australia sends specialist drone operators to Nepal as death toll reaches 1,200
By Fergus Gregg In short: (ABC-Australia) Australia will deploy a team of drone specialists to support Nepal’s search-and-rescue efforts following devastating flash flooding. The latest figures put the death toll around 1,200, with the number of missing rising to 4,200. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australians must “hold on to hope” as Nepali authorities search […]
Posted inSports
Australia commits $15.6 million to boost Pacific sports and athletes
By: Leilani Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) — “The Pacific is home to incredible sporting talent,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said as Australia announced a $15.6 million investment to help Pacific athletes and officials reach major international sporting competitions. The Australian government will provide the funding over four years to support athletes and […]
Posted inPacific News
Taiwan foreign minister to attend Pacific islands leaders summit events
TAIPEI, 27 AUGUST 2026 (REUTERS) — Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will attend events related to a major summit of leaders from Pacific islands nations in Palau starting next week, his office said on Wednesday, though China said he had no right to take part. China’s test-firing in July of a missile into the Pacific […]