Pacific Islanders

Leaders of Pacific island nations used their addresses at the UN General Assembly to highlight the existential threats climate change poses to their countries, including rising sea levels and extreme weather. They urged the international community to take stronger action on emissions and to support vulnerable states facing displacement and loss of land.

Two Pacific hurricanes are prompting warnings on opposite sides of the ocean. Hurricane Nolo remains a threat to Hawaii, with officials watching its track toward the islands, while Mexico's Baja California peninsula is bracing for a major landfall from Hurricane Polo. Residents in both regions are being urged to monitor forecasts and prepare for strong winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding.

Hurricane Nolo has intensified into a Category 3 storm in the Pacific and is tracking westward toward the International Date Line, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The storm's strengthening and unusual westward path are drawing attention, though forecasters say it is moving away from the Hawaiian islands and does not currently threaten land.

Hilda Heine, President of the Marshall Islands, delivered a statement at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. As leader of a low-lying Pacific nation, Heine has frequently used UN addresses to press for stronger global action on climate change and rising seas threatening island states. Details of her specific remarks were not available.

Japan is tracking Typhoon No. 27, known as Choi-wan, which has developed a clear eye and is forecast to intensify into a very strong storm, with the Japan Meteorological Agency warning of maximum gusts up to 60 metres per second. It is expected to approach the Ogasawara Islands from late this weekend before moving north, bringing dangerous high waves and possible storm surge, with alerts extended to Hokkaido's Pacific coast early next week. Forecasters are also watching a new tropical depression that could develop into the next typhoon.

The president of Palau addressed the United Nations General Assembly, pressing the international body on climate change and rising global tensions. As leader of a small Pacific island nation highly vulnerable to rising seas, the president used the speech to call for stronger global commitments on emissions and to highlight how geopolitical instability compounds the threats facing small island states.

Palau's President is speaking out about his country's mission to combat climate change. As leader of a small Pacific island nation highly vulnerable to rising seas, he has made climate action a central cause, pressing for stronger international commitments to cut emissions and protect low-lying island states facing existential threats.

Japan is tracking Typhoon No. 27 (Choei-wan), a large and strong storm forecast to intensify to a central pressure of 925 hPa as it approaches the Ogasawara Islands around 5 October. It is expected to pass away from Honshu, but strong north winds could hit coastal areas of Chiba and the Kanto region around 6 October, and high waves and storm surge are a concern for Hokkaido's Pacific coast early in the week. Forecasters also warn a new tropical depression may form, and clear autumn weather is expected nationwide from around 7 October.

A centuries-old natural sea arch in Hawaii has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean following a series of rough storms. The dramatic loss of the landmark, photographed over generations by visitors and locals, has drawn wide attention, with observers expressing sadness at the destruction and noting the power of recent severe weather along the islands' coastlines.

Ministers and world leaders from more than 50 countries are meeting in Nadi, Fiji, for the Pacific Pre-COP31 climate talks. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka opened the gathering by saying the science has spoken and that doing nothing on climate change is no longer a neutral position. The Pacific meeting is expected to build momentum ahead of the COP31 negotiations.

Two storms are being tracked in the Eastern Pacific. Hurricane Rachel has strengthened, while Tropical Storm Nolo is moving away from Hawaii, reducing the immediate threat to the islands. Forecasters are monitoring both systems for further development and any potential impacts on shipping, coastal communities and surf conditions across the region.

Tropical Storm Nolo has strengthened back into a hurricane over the Pacific Ocean, according to reports from ABC News, AP News and other outlets. The storm had earlier weakened before regaining hurricane-force winds, and forecasters are tracking its movement and possible impact on shipping routes or nearby islands.

Pacific Island leaders are pressing Australia to curb its fossil fuel expansion ahead of pre-COP31 talks in Fiji. With Australia expected to co-host COP31, leaders from climate-vulnerable island nations argue new coal and gas projects undermine regional climate goals and their countries' survival, raising pressure ahead of negotiations.

Three earthquakes of around magnitude 5.0 struck off the coast near Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The quakes, hitting in quick succession, were recorded by seismologists in the seismically active Cascadia region off the Pacific Northwest coast. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and authorities did not issue tsunami warnings. Residents along the coast reported feeling light shaking, and monitoring agencies continue to track aftershocks in the area.

Tuvalu, hosting a Pacific Islands Forum gathering, is at the frontline of climate change, with the low-lying atoll nation facing existential threats from rising seas. The event is drawing attention to the country's vulnerability and its calls for stronger global action on emissions and support for small island states confronting potential loss of their territory.

Japan's new leadership under Sanae Takaichi is presenting a policy speech outlining her government's priorities, while Malaysia unveils its national budget and Pacific island leaders gather for a climate summit. The three developments are drawing regional attention together, touching on Japan's political direction, Malaysia's spending plans, and climate concerns across the Pacific islands.

Hurricane Polo has made landfall along the Baja California peninsula, bringing storm conditions to the region. Meanwhile, Hurricane Nolo, staying farther out at sea, continues to send swell toward Hawaii, where surfers are riding the waves it generates. The two storms are being tracked closely for their differing impacts on the Pacific coast and islands.

A well-known sea arch in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean. The arch, a popular sight for visitors along the park's coastline, was formed by years of volcanic and wave erosion, and its collapse highlights the constant geological change shaping the island's shores. Officials have not detailed what triggered the failure.

A Fijian climate activist has issued a call for concrete commitments ahead of UN climate talks being held in the Pacific region, saying communities 'want action' rather than words. The message highlights the stakes for low-lying island nations facing rising seas and extreme weather as negotiations approach.

The European Union has told small island nations that sell citizenship through investment schemes, often called golden passports, to end the practice by 2028 or face consequences such as visa-free travel restrictions. The bloc argues such programmes pose security and money-laundering risks by allowing outsiders to obtain passports with little scrutiny. Caribbean and Pacific states that rely on the schemes for revenue are expected to resist or seek negotiations.

Tuvalu, the low-lying Pacific island nation, is hosting the Pre-COP climate negotiations as one of the countries most threatened by rising sea levels. Delegates and observers are focused on how a nation whose very existence is at risk is shaping the agenda ahead of the main UN climate summit, with attention on calls for stronger emissions cuts and support for vulnerable states.

The UN human rights office has highlighted the plight of the Marshall Islands, saying the Marshallese people have waited with extraordinary dignity for the world to keep its promise. The statement refers to longstanding commitments owed to the people of the Marshall Islands, who have endured decades of consequences from nuclear testing carried out in the Pacific and are still seeking justice and redress.

Major world powers have gathered in the Pacific region for talks aimed at coordinating the fight against climate change. The meeting, covered by international outlets including RFI and Arab News, comes as Pacific island states face acute threats from rising seas, giving the region heightened symbolic weight in global climate diplomacy.

Pacific island countries are calling for the ocean to be given a central place in international climate negotiations. The region, whose low-lying nations face existential threats from rising seas, argues that ocean protection and climate policy cannot be separated. The demand reflects growing frustration among Pacific leaders that existing global climate agreements do not adequately address marine ecosystems.