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Day 8: Search Ends for Two Experienced Divers Missing at Palau’s Peleliu Wall
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Sept. 14, 2026) — Eight days after two tourist divers disappeared during a dive at Peleliu Wall, the chances of survival have significantly diminished, while questions remain about what caused the experienced divers to descend after beginning their ascent. The two divers, identified as 62-year-old Tan Soon Liang, also known as Robert, of Singapore, and 43-year-old…
Former Ngeremlengui Governor and Senator Ngiraklang John Skebong dies at 79
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau – Ngeremlengui State and the nation are mourning the passing of former Ngeremlengui State Governor and Senator Ngiraklang John Skebong, who passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the age of 79. Skebong died following a period of hospitalization at Belau National Hospital, marking the end of a decades-long career in public service that…
Public Support Alone Cannot Determine Who Is a Security Risk
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — President Surangel Whipps Jr. says one of the challenges in determining who should be placed on Palau’s “Undesirable Aliens List” is distinguishing a genuinely good person from someone who may be using relationships and public support to mask activities that could threaten Palau’s interests. Responding to a Senate inquiry, Whipps pointed to two recent cases…
Four Seasons Ngerchelngael Project on Hold Pending UNESCO, ICOMOS and IUCN Talks
Koror State says the resort plans are being reviewed to determine what development is allowed within the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon World Heritage Site By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — Plans for a proposed Four Seasons resort on Ngerchelngael Island in Koror State will not proceed in full until consultations with UNESCO and its advisory bodies determine what development can be…
Pacific Civil Society Demands a Permanent Seat at Forum Table
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — Pacific civil society organizations are demanding a permanent place in the Pacific Islands Forum’s decision-making processes, saying they should no longer be treated as invited guests or outsiders who are consulted only after regional priorities have been set. Ridep Okada Techitong, president of Belau Offshore Fisheries Inc. and a representative of the Ngaimis Men’s Traditional…
August arrivals lift Palau tourism outlook
By: L.N. Reklai Palau recorded 7,565 visitor arrivals in August, a 25% increase from the same month last year, as stronger performance in Japan, Taiwan, Australia and several other markets offset declines from China and North America. Based on the January-August pace, Palau is on track to finish 2026 with roughly 88,000 visitor arrivals, about 26% above the comparable 2025 trend.…
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Warns the Public That Online Financial Scams are on the Rise in Palau & Here’s What You Need to Know
Koror, Palau—September 14, 2026 People in Palau, of all age groups, have increasingly become targeted by criminals engaged in online fraud and financial scams. The financial and human costs are devastating and can last a lifetime. Spotting a scam, however, is not always easy. There’s no playbook. Scammers are elusive, creative, and quick to change their approach and tactics. Additionally, with…
Palau Tests Wave Power Future as Survey Team Scours Seabed for Renewable Energy Sites
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — A Taiwanese company is advancing plans for a gravity-based wave-energy generator off Palau’s east and south coasts, entering a site survey phase that could position the island nation as a leader in renewable ocean power. RHINOSHIELD, known globally for its protective phone cases, has expanded into marine energy through its CircularBlue initiative, presenting the wave-energy…
Ngirblekuu, Mendiola Lead BIIAA Cross Country Opener
By Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau (Sept. 14, 2026) — Palau High School seniors Dechel Ngirblekuu and Kainan Mendiola opened the 2026 Belau Interscholastic Athletic Association (BIIAA) cross country season with first-place finishes in the girls and boys 5K at the Sept. 9 meet hosted by Emmaus-Bethania High School. Ngirblekuu, a 12th-grade senior, was the top overall female finisher, completing the course…
Kenny Reklai Completes International MEMOS Master’s Programme, Advancing High-Performance Sport in Palau
KOROR, PALAU — The Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC) proudly congratulates Mr. Kenny Reklai on successfully completing the Executive Master’s in Management of Sport Organisations (MEMOS), an internationally recognized Master’s Degree programme developed with the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and delivered through leading universities within the MEMOS network. The MEMOS programme is specifically designed for professionals working in…
To the Editor:
The Poverty Among the Palauans By: K.B. Toichi Palauans have been struggling to keep up with the high cost of living, including electricity bills, fuel prices, and goods and services taxes. The high cost of everything has affected the everyday lives of citizens. With the minimum wage starting at $5.00 per hour, it doesn’t cover most of the basic needs of…
Training Our Youth for Palau’s Future
Let me share with you what history is teaching us: the difference between nations that prosper and those that struggle is not age, race, or natural resources. It is attitude. Nations that rise teach their children ethics, integrity, responsibility, respect for law, love for work, saving and investing, productivity, and punctuality. These are the secrets of developing nations, and they are…
Pacific groups urge CNMI governor to oppose deep sea mining lease sale
SAIPAN, 11 SEPTEMBER 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) —Environmental and community groups from across the US Pacific and Caribbean territories are urging the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) governor to formally oppose a proposed federal deep sea mining lease sale near the Marianas. Representatives from the Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S Virgin Islands have written to Governor…
Cook Islands PM Mark Brown targets cost of living, housing in first 100 days
RAROTONGA, 14 SEPTEMBER 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) —Cost of living and housing are among the major items on the agenda for the incoming Cook Islands Party-led government in their first 100 days in office, Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed. Brown led the CIP to a 13-seat majority win in the 2026 general election last month to secure a historic fifth…
Six dead, 129 missing as Indonesian ferry carrying more than 240 capsizes
Sept. 13, 2026 In short (ABC-Australia) At least six people have died, and 108 others have been evacuated from an Indonesian ferry that capsized after encountering bad weather. The ship, carrying 243 people, had departed from Surabaya in East Java province, and was bound for Banjarmasin. What’s next? Local authorities say they are coordinating with all relevant agencies in the search.…
The world just had the hottest August ever
GENEVA, 14 SEPTEMBER 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—Earth just had the hottest August on record, according to newly released weather data. The planetary heat record was documented by monthly reports from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Service, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA. Its effects were felt around the planet, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on…
Koror governor urges discipline over $29.1M port proceeds
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Sept. 9, 2026) — “We had $25 million before and it was gone in four years. This money for the port is not a lot,” Koror…
Palau Ambassador Uherbelau Presents Credentials to Taiwan President Lai
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang TAIPEI, Taiwan (September 9, 2026) — Palau Ambassador Gaafar J. Uherbelau formally presented his Letters of Credence to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Sept. 9, marking the…
PCC extends President Tellei’s tenure through 2029
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (September 10, 2026) — Palau Community College will continue under the leadership of President Dr. Patrick U. Tellei for another two years, with the college’s Board…
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Palau Seeks $130,000 to Clear Taipei Embassy Rent Arrears
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (Sept. 10, 2026) — Palau’s Ministry of State is seeking $130,000 in the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget to pay rent arrears owed…
Consumer Reports Raise Food-Safety Questions
By: Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau — “I just threw away the food and had to buy another one.” One consumer’s response after finding a bandage in prepared food points…
Palau Could Become World’s 13th Rocket Launch Nation, Entrepreneur Tells Students
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — A New York-born engineer and four-time founder is urging Palau to pursue an unprecedented economic transformation: becoming the world’s 13th country capable of…
Taiwan Youth Ambassadors Discover Palau’s Culture, People and Natural Beauty During Two-Week Visit
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — “I got to meet with some elderly at the old age center and got to spend some time with them. Hearing their stories…
Palau Medical Hub Begins Health Collaboration With Four Initial Agreements
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — A new Palau-based health collaboration platform has moved from planning to its first practical partnerships, signing a statement of collaboration and four nonbinding…
Taxing the People, Forgetting the Principles
Dear Editor, Economic development has become the obsession of governments worldwide. Leaders talk endlessly about GDP growth, foreign investment, and infrastructure projects. Yet the people who make up the…
PICRC Welcomes The Nature Conservancy CEO to Discuss Research Progress and Strengthen Partnership
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental organization working to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends and promote thriving communities in harmony with nature.…
Deep Dive: Navy Divers Clear Wreck from Palauan Waters During Pacific Partnership 2026
KOROR, PALAU 09.08.2026 By: Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific KOROR, Palau – U.S. Navy divers completed the removal and at-sea disposal of three abandoned derelict vessels (ADV) and significant…
From EEZs to high seas: Pacific leaders discuss BBNJ implementation
By Elilai Rengiil KOROR, Palau – With the High Seas Treaty now in force and its first global meeting expected by January 2027, Pacific leaders, conservation groups, and young…
Pacific dialogue hears call for survivor-led response to wartime explosives
By Elilai Rengiil KOROR, Palau – Pacific governments and international partners must measure progress against unexploded ordnance not only by the bombs they clear, but by whether survivors and…
Health concerns grow as volcanic ash spreads across Indonesia after eruption
By Tri Ardhya https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-09/ash-impacting-indonesians-who-live-near-volcanic-mountain/107130458 Share article (ABC-Australia) Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau has sent volcanic ash across parts of Java and Sumatra islands, disrupting thousands of flights, hundreds of thousands…
At least five people killed, 87 missing as ferry catches fire in Philippines
In short: (ABC-Australia) At least five people are dead and scores missing after a ferry fire in the Philippine province of Palawan. The coastguard says 42 people have been…
16 Brush Fires in August Strain Palau’s Firefighting Resources Amid Severe Dry Weather
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Sept. 7, 2026) — “With more fire incidents, resources are strained,” said Chief Jeff Eriich of the Division of Fire & Rescue, as Palau…
Palau’s Clean Air Tested as Haze Carries Smoke Across the Pacific
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — The haze hanging over Palau in recent weeks is an unusual sight in a country scientists describe as having some of the cleanest…
Palau Flags Lowered to Half-Staff to Honor Three National Leaders
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Sept. 7, 2026) — Palau flags are being flown at half-staff across the country and at Palau’s embassies and consulates overseas…
UN sea-level rise report launched in Palau, calls for urgent action, stronger climate finance
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — “They should not be asked to surrender their land or their future because others failed to cut their emissions.” That…
Pacific Voyagers Seek Regional Recognition of Traditional Navigation as Living Heritage
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — “Although we are many nations, we remain one ocean people.” That message from Grand Master Navigator Ali Haleyalur captures the…
PICRC joins more than 40 other Global Organizations in support of Commitment to protect Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs
The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) is proud to announce that they’ve joined more than 40 other global organizations and more than 20 governments in…
Palau passport ranks 83rd globally, with access to 120 destinations
KOROR, Palau — The Palauan passport ranks 83rd globally in the latest 2026 passport ranking, with a Mobility Score of 120 and access to 60.6% of…
China’s Attempts To Create Distrust Within Palau Shows Where the CCP Vulnerable
By: Cleo Paskal “The crumbling of a regime always starts in the realm of ideas. Changing the way people think is a long-term process. Once the front lines of human thought have…
Debt in the Pacific: Systemic and Current Threats to Regional Economic Sovereignty
By Antonia Bhagwan SUVA, 07 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PANG) — The Pacific may have moved beyond the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but its economic consequences continue to weigh on governments across the…
Pacific leaders endorse regional Labour Ministers Meeting
KOROR, 07 SEPTEMBER 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Pacific Island leaders have endorsed the establishment of a regional Labour Ministers Meeting as a dedicated ministerial mechanism within the Pacific Islands Forum architecture. The…
Indonesian wildfires spurred by super El Niño choke South-East Asia
By Tim Swanston and Ari Wu in West Kalimantan, with Raffa Athallah, and Erwin Renaldi https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-07/indonesia-wildfires-haze-poor-air-quality-smog-drought-el-nino/107122922 Share article (ABC-Australia) For three exhausting months, Andri Susanto and his crew have been fighting raging…
Pacific Leaders Put Unity, Climate Action and 1.5C at Heart of Palau Forum
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (September 4, 2026) — Pacific leaders in their 55th PIFLM’s communique are calling for stronger regional solidarity and practical collective action as they confront climate change, economic…
Authorities Investigate Reports of Alleged Harassment of Women at Long Island Park
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (September 4, 2026) Authorities are investigating reports involving two women visitors who allegedly encountered the same man while hiking at Long Island Park in Ngermalk, with the…
Australia Delivers Battery Storage to Boost Palau’s Renewable Energy Transition
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Sept. 3, 2026) — “Today we saw firsthand how Australia and Palau’s close collaboration is delivering tangible benefits by helping provide cleaner, more reliable energy for homes,…
Palauan Poet Turns Personal Pain Into Powerful UN Women-Winning Poem
By Elilai Rengiil KOROR, Palau (Sept. 3, 2026) “The more I wrote, the deeper…
If Palauans Have to Move, What Happens to Home?
By: Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau (Sept. 2, 2026) As Pacific countries prepare for the possibility…
Palau Students Turn Island Challenges Into Business Ideas During Forum Week
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (Sept. 2, 2026) — “Start small, start ugly, start now.”…
Political will and better coordination needed to translate security commitments into action
KOROR, Palau (2 September 2026) – Sustained leadership, strengthened regional architecture, people-centred planning, and coordinated…
ADB puts Pacific at center of new regional strategy, Kanda says
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Sept. 3, 2026)— The Pacific is…
Pacific Leaders Warn 1.5C Overshoot Threatens Ocean, Tuna Stocks and Island Survival
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Sept. 3, 2026) — “One point…
Palau launches first Pacific Reef Seeding Hub to strengthen coral resilience
KOROR, Palau (September 2, 2026) — “For Pacific Islands, coral reefs…
CORAL REEFS AND A GLOBAL COMMITMENT: THE PACIFIC STANDS TOGETHER
Coral reefs are among the most precious resources in the Pacific.…
Australia sends specialist drone operators to Nepal as death toll reaches 1,200
In short: (ABC-Australia) Australia will deploy a team of drone specialists…
Pacific leaders urged to put unity behind 2050 vision
Outgoing and incoming chairs urge Pacific nations to speak with one…
Prominent Palauan businessman, Rechesengel Ignacio Anastacio, dies in Philippines
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Aug. 31, 2026) – One of Palau’s most prominent businessmen, former legislator and traditional leader, Rechesengel Ignacio Anastacio, died Saturday morning in the Philippines, according to sources close to…
Resident visa for long-term Palau residents proposed
By L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — A new permanent resident visa category for certain non-Palauans who have deep and longstanding ties to Palau, has been proposed to address the current immigration system that leaves…
Forum Chair Whipps pushes for fixed annual date for PIF Leaders Meeting
By Elilai Rengiil KOROR, Palau (August 30, 2026) — Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting Chair and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. wants Pacific leaders to consider setting a fixed annual date for the Forum,…
Australia pledges stronger support for Pacific priorities, renewable energy
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) — “Australia’s commitment to the Pacific is unshakeable,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, reaffirming Canberra’s support for Pacific Islands Forum unity while emphasizing that…
U.S. DFC enters Pacific with $205 billion global investment capacity, seeks projects aligned with island priorities
By L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) — The U.S. International Development…
Pacific Pushes to Turn ICJ Climate Opinion Into Action
By: Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) – “It is the kind…
Deep Sea Mining could leave countries liable: Civil Society warns Pacific Leaders
By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau KOROR, 31 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS)—Pacific civil society…
Pacific Nations Urged to Strengthen Response to Transnational Crime
By Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) — Pacific Island nations must…
PICRC Welcomes Back Masasinge T. Hideos as Program Development Manager
The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) is excited to welcome Masasinge “Singeh” T. Hideos back…
PIF Chair Whipps Says Partners Must Show How They Will Support Pacific Priorities, Renewable Energy Goals
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 30, 2026)— As Pacific…
Pacific Elders call for climate accountability, stronger regional unity
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Aug. 30, 2026)— Pacific leaders…
Tonga’s future is unfolding in Antarctic waters
By H.E. the Honorable Lord Fakafanua, Prime Minister of Tonga…
Divide and Conquer: The Oldest Trick in the Book
Dear Editor, History teaches us that one of the most…
Australia commits $15.6 million to boost Pacific sports and athletes
By: Leilani Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 31, 2026) — “The…
Nepali teacher saved hundreds of students from flood, minutes before it arrived
In short: (ABC-Australia) A teacher saved about 1,600 students in…
Whipps calls for ‘One Pacific’ airline alliance to tackle high airfares
By Elilai Rengiil KOROR, Palau — “Maybe we need to build our own…
SIS Leaders urged to turn 2025 decisions into action
By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau KOROR, 31 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS) —Pacific Islands…
Vanuatu journalist denied entry to Palau while traveling to cover Pacific leaders meeting
By L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Aug. 27, 2026) — “If the problem is…
Indonesian Fisherman Survives 13 Days Adrift Before Reaching Peleliu
By: L.N. Reklai PELELIU, Palau (Aug. 27, 2026) — After what he told…
Ngarchelong Elects Dwight Ngiraibai Governor; Voters decide on Key Constitutional Changes
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Ngarchelong, Palau (Aug. 27, 2026) — In a decisive…
Palau Digital Residency Program Surpasses 47,000 Active Residents
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Aug. 27, 2026) — Palau’s Digital Residency Program…
Palau Supreme Court Upholds Ngardmau Governor Impeachment, Clearing Way for Sept. 18 Ngardmau Election
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Ngardmau, Palau (Aug. 27, 2026) – The Palau Supreme…
Nicole Yamase’s Story Highlights Ocean’s Importance to Pacific Communities
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — The visit of Micronesian marine biologist Dr.…
Palau House Staff Join Roadside Cleanup, Promote Community Responsibility Ahead of PIF Leaders Meeting
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (Aug. 27, 2026) — “When people see their neighbors actively caring for the community, it can establish a positive social expectation that discourages littering and promotes responsible behavior,” House Clerk Leilani Senior said, emphasizing the role of community participation in keeping Palau clean. Staff members of the House of Delegates…
Palau Earth Day Committee Celebrates World Mangrove Day with Clean-Up at Ngemai Conservation Area
To celebrate World Mangrove Day, the Palau Earth Day Committee partnered with Ngiwal State to organize a community clean-up at the Ngemai Conservation Area. World Mangrove Day, officially known as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, is observed annually on July 26. Established by UNESCO in 2015, the day aims to…
Setting the Record Straight: the U.S. Commitment to the Pacific
The United States is a Pacific nation, and thus strong ties with the Pacific Islands are a top priority for our foreign policy. On…
Nepal flash flooding sparks fears for missing Australians as death toll passes 160
By China correspondent Allyson Horn, Claire Campbell and Girish Sawlani In short: (ABC-Australia) More than 160 people have died after a flash flood hit…
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…
Kiribati considers constitutional change to cement diplomatic recognition of China
TARAWA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (ABC) — Kiribati could be on the brink of amending its…
Palau Expects More Than 2,000 Attendees for 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Aug. 24, 2026) — More than 2,000 people are expected to arrive…
President Defends Airai Site for New National Hospital
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (August 24, 2026) – President Surangel Whipps Jr. is defending the…
PHA Theft Case Delayed More Than a Year; President Calls for Review of AAG Private Practice
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (August 24, 2026)— Justice Minister Jennifer…
Ngarchelong Set for 12th General Election Today
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Ngarchelong, Palau (August 24, 2026) – Ngarchelong State…
Jerry Ngiraremiang Earns Micro Cup All-Star Five Recognition
By Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (Aug. 24, 2026) — For Jerry Ngiraremiang,…
Masami Siksei Memorial Scholarship Marks 10th Award With $5,000 Scholarship to Yuri Hosei
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Aug. 24, 2026) — The Masami Siksei Memorial Scholarship has reached a…
Palau Wrestler Competes at U20 World Wrestling Championships
Bratislava, Slovakia — August 23, 2026 Palau’s young wrestling standout Raiden Soaladaob Hobson Decherong represented Palau with…
China ‘likely’ ran targeted campaign to align Pacific with its latest five-year plan
WASHINGTON, 21 AUGUST 2026 (RADIO FREE ASIA)—China “very likely” coordinated a targeted campaign across the Pacific to…
Russia’s missile tests around disputed islands anger Japan
TOKYO, 24 AUGUST 2026 (THE GUARDIAN) — Japan has criticised missile tests carried out by Russia’s navy…
Fears unregulated mining could imperil Pacific nations
CANBERRA, 24 AUGUST 2026 (AAP) — Commercial deep-sea mining in…
U.S imposes visa bonds of up to $27k for several Pacific countries
CANBERRA, 24 AUGUST 2026 (ABC) — Clients never used to…
Palau Housing Authority Employee Charged Over Alleged $7,281.98 Theft From 19 Clients
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (August 20, 2026) — A Palau Housing Authority (PHA) employee has been charged with four counts…
Firefighters Battle Major Babeldaob Fires as Drought Raises Wildfire Risk
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (Aug. 20, 2026) — “Refrain from burning,” the Division of Fire and Rescue urged…
NDBP CEO David Proctor’s Contract Not Renewed
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 20, 2026) — The National Development Bank of Palau’s Board of Directors has decided…
Young Palauan Entrepreneur Turns Reef-Safe Sunscreen Into Social Enterprise
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (August 20, 2026) — For young Palauan entrepreneur Miel Sequeira-Holm, building a business has been…
Man charged after suspected methamphetamine shipment allegedly hidden in books
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (August 20, 2026) – A man has been charged with attempted importation, trafficking and…
President Whipps Authorizes Pacific Police Officers to Serve in Palau During 55th PIF Leaders Meeting
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 20, 2026) — President Surangel Whipps Jr. has…
Ekei Women’s Organization Awards Annual Scholarship to Ylianna Rudimch
By: Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau (August 20, 2026) “Hard work goes a long way,”…
Australia supports Palau to deliver a successful 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting
19 August 2026 With the Opening Ceremony of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting…
EMBASSY CONGRATULATES AUSTRALIA AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP GRADUATES
18 August 2026 After years of study and dedication, Ms…
Palau Judiciary Building in Melekeok Rehabilitated through Japan’s Grassroots Grant Projects (GGP)
On August 13, 2026, the handover ceremony was held at…
Who controls the Pacific’s communications?
By Sue Ahearn MELBOURNE, 20 AUGUST 2026 (DEVPOLICY.ORG) — The…
Three ships hit in the Strait of Hormuz as oil reaches three-week high
By business reporter Jasper Wells with wires In short: (ABC-Australia)…
CNMI leader urges caution as U.S advances Pacific seabed mining plan
SAIPAN, 20 AUGUST 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Governor David Apatang says…
Pacific Civil Society calls for Ocean protection, demilitarisation and regional control
SUVA, 20 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS)—Pacific civil society and regional leaders have called for stronger Pacific control over…
U.S. Navy begins removing derelict vessels from Koror waters
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 17, 2026)— The U.S. Navy has begun removing long-abandoned and derelict…
Ngardmau Sets Special Governor Election for Sept. 18 as Court Case Nears Trial
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Ngardmau, Palau (August 17, 2026) – The Palau Election Commission (PEC)…
Palau tourism rebounds in 2026 as major markets post strong gains
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 17, 2026) – Palau’s tourism sector is showing a…
Palau Enters Drought as El Niño Brings Prolonged Dry Conditions
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau (August 17, 2026) – Palau has officially entered a…
Palau’s renewable energy push moves toward larger battery storage
By: Ngeldei Tulop KOROR, Palau — Palau’s transition toward renewable electricity is entering another phase…
Foreign influence could quietly weaken Pacific unity, expert warn
WELLINGTON, 17 AUGUST 2026 (PMN)–Pacific countries may need to look beyond the obvious signs of foreign interference with an international law expert warning that the bigger threat could…
Trump scales back joint military drills with South Korea, calling them ‘hostile’
In short: (ABC-Australia) US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea, saying the nation had declined to help…
Pacific communities urged to guard against surging online scams
AUCKLAND, 17 AUGUST 2026 (PMN)—As online scams become increasingly sophisticated, cybersecurity experts are urging Pasifika and Māori whānau across the moana to slow down and protect themselves online. …
Operation Island Chief identifies 16 vessels of interest in major regional surveillance effort against illegal fishing
HONIARA, 17 AUGUST 2026 (FFA)—Sixteen vessels of interest (VOIs) were identified during Operation Island Chief 2026 (OPIC26), one of the higher numbers recorded in recent FFA coordinated regional surveillance operations, as Members and partners stepped up fisheries…
China rejects New Zealand spy allegations as false
WELLINGTON,14 AUGUST 2026 (REUTERS)—- China has rejected allegations that it is conducting widespread espionage on New Zealand, saying the claim in the country’s latest security assessment stemmed from a Cold War mentality. The Chinese embassy in Wellington…
Ngatpang Conveys 404,369 Square Meters to National Government for Multipurpose Port
By: L.N. Reklai NGATPANG, Palau – (August 12, 2026) – Ngatpang State has conveyed 404,369 square meters of reclaimed land, along with the immediate waters in front of its port known as Raelkelat, to the Palau Public…
Palau Faces Very Dry Months as Strong El Niño Strengthens
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 13, 2026) – Palau is facing a high risk of unusually dry conditions beginning in September, with a strong El Niño…
Palau Entrepreneurs Gain New Business Skills Through AI, Community Partnerships
KOROR, Palau — Women entrepreneurs, farmers, aspiring business owners and community members across Palau are gaining practical tools to strengthen their businesses as the Palau Small Business…
Ralm and Palm Spring Bottled Water Recalled Until Further Notice
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau (August 13, 2026) -The Ministry of Health & Human Services, through its Division of Environmental Health (DEH), has ordered an immediate…
Palau Government Auditees Receive EY Training on Federal Compliance, GASB Updates
KOROR, Palau (August 13, 2026) — About 40 representatives of the Republic of Palau National Government, its component units and a nonprofit organization took part in a…
Ngaraard Begins Experimental Sea Urchin Cage Culture Trial
By: Laurel Marewibuel NGARAARD, Palau — Efforts to understand and restore sea urchin resources in Ngaraard State have moved into a new phase with the completion of…
PICRC Invites Major Donors to Visit Its Marine Research Sites
The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) relies on the continued support of its partners and donors to advance scientific research, conservation, and public awareness of Palau’s marine ecosystems. In appreciation of their valuable contributions and to provide a closer look at the impact of their support, the Center recently hosted a snorkeling tour where…
Ms. Auryn Benhart’s APIC Program Experience
On August 12, 2026, Ms. Auryn Uriik Benhart gave a presentation at the Embassy of…
FIC strengthens bank supervision through three-day examination training
KOROR, Palau — The Financial Institutions Commission has strengthened its bank supervision capabilities through a…
PICRC shares coral restoration work at Taiwan international symposium
KOROR, Palau — Coral reef scientists and conservation experts from across the Indo-Pacific gathered in…
PIF 2026: Palau prepares for a Pacific meeting shaped by regional divisions
By: Ngeldei Tulop KOROR, Palau (August 13, 2026) — Palau is preparing to host Pacific…
Palau Men’s Volleyball Team Qualifies for Tahiti 2027 Pacific Games
Palau’s men’s national volleyball team has secured a place at the 2027 Pacific Games in…
Palau returns to Micronesian Cup as regional basketball competition begins
By: Ngeldei Tulop KOROR, Palau — Palau’s national basketball teams are set to compete in…
Bill Seeks to Raise State Borrowing Limit
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau (August 10, 2026) – A bill had been introduced in…
Palau Draws $45.8M in CRA, Compact Trust Funds Through Third Quarter of FY 2026
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 10, 2026) — Palau has drawn $45.8 million in funding…
Whipps Proclaims National Tribute to Late Navigator Sesario Sewralur
KOROR, Palau — Palau is mourning the loss of a master of a dying art. President…
Merar Begins Mission as Palau’s First Resident Ambassador to Australia
CANBERRA, Australia — Palau’s diplomatic presence in Australia has entered a new chapter with the formal…
Airai Hosts 2026 Lmall ra Belias Fishing Derby
AIRAI, Palau — Rough seas tested anglers at the 2026 Lmall ra Belias Fishing Derby on Aug. 8, but Team SO powered through the conditions to claim the Barracuda Category title with a 33-pound catch. The Palau Sport Fishing Association partnered with Airai State to host the derby at the Airai Marina, drawing anglers and…
Palau’s Renewable Energy
KOROR, 10 AUGUST 2026 (THE BORGEN PROJECT) —Palau has set ambitious renewable energy goals, aiming for 100 percent of energy to come from renewable sources by 2050. The nation has…
World-view ‘gulf’ leaves closer China ties out of reach
CANBERRA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (AAP) — Australia is unlikely ever to have a true partnership with China due to a mismatch of world views, rendering it pointless to pursue that…
Israeli government rejects Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan
By Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran In short: Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu says Hamas’s proposed plan for disarming is “unacceptable”, rejecting the Trump administration’s plans to end fighting in…
Pacific families are caught between fossil fuel gamble and push for clean energy
WELLINGTON, 10 AUGUST 2026 (PMN) — For Pacific families already feeling the squeeze from higher power, petrol and grocery prices, New Zealand’s energy debate is becoming a choice between doubling…
Taiwan to attend Pacific leaders meet: Pacific official
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (AFP)—– Taiwan will attend an annual gathering of Pacific Island leaders in Palau in August, the regional bloc said, overcoming protests from China that saw Taipei…
Divisions on China missile test threaten to destabilise Pacific Islands Forum
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026N (TVNZ)—Deep divisions are threatening to destabilise the Pacific Islands Forum after foreign ministers walked away unable to come to any agreement on action against China’s ballistic missile test. Last month the missile landed close to Tuvalu’s exclusive economic zone, resulting in harsh criticism from most of the Pacific. But New Zealand…
Community turnout surges for free dental services during Koa Moana 26
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 6, 2026)— Citizens and residents of Palau are turning out in large numbers at the Palau Civic Center in Koror to take advantage of free dental services provided…
Office of President recommends Airai for new Belau National Hospital
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau (August 6, 2026) – The Office of the President has recommended Airai as the site for the new Belau National Hospital, a decision that members of Congress are…
CIP clarifies damaged sewage pipeline in Malakal
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (August 6, 2026)— The Office of Capital Infrastructure Projects, which oversees the implementation of public infrastructure projects, has clarified information published in the July 31, 2026, edition of Island Times…
AG’s Office moves to open public access to Palau sex offender registry
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau (August 6, 2026) — The Office of the Attorney General is preparing to provide the public with on-site access to Palau’s sex offender registry, marking the first step in…
Whipps urges deep-sea mining pause at ISA meeting in Jamaica
By Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. called for greater protection of the deep ocean and renewed Palau’s push for a moratorium and precautionary…
Palau Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Teams Earn Four Wins at 2026 Oceania Championships in Guam
By: L.N. Reklai GUAM — Palau’s men’s and women’s national volleyball teams are off to a strong start at the 2026 Oceania Volleyball Championships, with the women’s team…
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Osebelel a Charm Animal Care and Learning Center Donates Microchip Scanner to the Division of Biosecurity
July 31, 2026 – On Friday, Dr. Kristen Decina, the Veterinarian from the Osebelel a Charm Animal Care and Learning Center, donated a DATAMARS microchip scanner to the Division of Biosecurity. The scanner will assist Biosecurity Officers in verifying the identification and health information of dogs and cats, including vaccination and immunization records. The donation…
Taiwan Technical Mission, PCAA, and JICA Join Forces for Historic School Chef Cooking Competition
In a landmark trilateral collaboration, the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), in partnership with the Palau Community Action Agency (PCAA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), hosted the nation’s first-ever “School Chef Cooking Competition” on July 28, 2026. The event aimed to elevate the quality of school meals and promote the integration of locally grown…
Top U.S admiral warns against coercion, says no nation will dominate Indo-Pacific
KUALA LUMPUR, 04 AUGUST 2026 (AP) — The head of U.S Pacific Command said Monday that coercive actions by China and other actors are challenging regional stability, warning the United States will not allow any nation to dominate the Indo-Pacific. Admiral Samuel Paparo said some actors were using “false claims of legitimacy” to justify intimidation…
Pacific preparations underway ahead of Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau
SUVA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS/PIFS)—The Pre-Forum Officials Committee (FOC) Meeting has begun, bringing together senior government officials to discuss key governance issues for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and review progress on regional priorities…
Calls growing to sack Winston Peters after his ‘go back to your own country’ remarks to NZ MP
WELLINGTON, 06 AUGUST 2026 (PMN) — Opposition parties say Winston Peters can no longer serve as New Zealand’s Foreign Minister after telling Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan to “go back to your own country”. The…
Strait of Hormuz disruption hits energy, fertiliser and industrial trade
GENEVA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) —Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has exposed the vulnerability of global trade to a single maritime chokepoint, with early data showing sharp falls in exports of…
Taiwan launches annual war games as pressure from China grows
TAIPEI, 06 AUGUST 2026 (AFP)—Taiwan’s largest military drills of the year began Wednesday as the island democracy attempts to prepare its population for a potential Chinese invasion. The annual “Han Kuang” exercise, which runs from 05-14 August, stages combat…
Chief’s Blockade of Ngardmau Waterfall Reignites Land Dispute With State
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGARDMAU, Palau (August 4, 2026) — A chief’s move to block access to the popular Ngardmau Waterfall on July 25 has reignited a long-running land dispute between the Ngedilingel clan and the state government, temporarily…
Two women charged with drug trafficking after Meyuns apartment search
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (Aug. 4, 2026) — Two women face drug trafficking and possession charges after police searched their Meyuns apartment last month and allegedly found methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and more than $25,000 in cash,…
Coach Says Youth Basketball Is About More Than Wins
By: Laurel Mariwebuel KOROR, Palau (August 4, 2026) – For Kaeb Udui of Angaur, basketball…
Japanese Defence Official Visits Palau, Highlights Security and Wartime Remembrance
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (Aug. 4, 2026) – A visit by Japan’s parliamentary Vice…
PCC-CRE Hatchery Reports Rabbitfish Breeding Milestone
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (August 4, 2026) – The PCC-CRE hatchery has successfully established…
PICRC Publishes New Climate-Smart Framework to Strengthen Coral Reef Restoration in the face of Climate Change
The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) is pleased to share its latest publication, The…
Four Palau States Launch Kiwa Initiative Women’s Work Project and Strengthen Dmakeiukl Partnership
KOROR, Palau (June 2026) — The States of Aimeliik, Ngardmau,…
From Taiwan to Palau: 16 Youth Delegates Complete 14-Day Public Health Mission, Opening New Chapter in Bilateral Health Cooperation
Under the GRACE Practicum program, young health professionals delivered community…
Palau Conservation Society Hosts Successful Second “Grow Local for a Healthy Palau” Workshop, Inspiring Communities to Embrace Healthy Living Through Home Gardening
Koror, Palau — July 30, 2026 — The Palau Conservation…
Taiwan to stop buying PNG gas on spot market over ‘One China’ spat
By foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic and Papua New Guinea correspondent Marian Faa In short: Taiwan has suspended some imports of Papua New Guinea’s liquid natural gas…
Australia helps Pacific Islands dodge worst of aid cuts
SYDNEY, 29 JULY 2026 (AAP)—International funding and financing for the Pacific Islands has largely avoided the worst of aid cuts as Australia leads the…
U.S offers disaster loans to Guam’s nonprofits but nixes aid for households hit by Sinlaku
HAGATNA, 29 JULY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) —The U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined that Typhoon Sinlaku did not cause damage severe…
U.S. Veterans in Palau Invited to File VA Benefit Claims During August 5-7 Outreach Clinic
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 30, 2026)— Palauans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces are being encouraged to take advantage of an…
Court Denies Injunction; Miozawa Remains Ngardmau Acting Governor
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGARDMAU, Palau (July 30, 2026) — The Supreme Court of Palau has denied former Ngardmau Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet’s request for a preliminary injunction, allowing Speaker Terence Miozawa to remain acting governor while her legal challenge to her impeachment moves toward trial. In a nine-page order issued Thursday in Civil Action No.…
California parcel containing 106 grams of meth leads to meth trafficking charges in Palau
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau — A 38-year-old man has been charged with attempted importation and trafficking of methamphetamine after customs and narcotics officers intercepted a package from California containing more than 100 grams of meth concealed inside silicone sealant tubes. Dexter Dbrikt Sadang faces three felony charges in the Trial Division of the…
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Palauans Pray for Dr. Victor Yano After Medivac to Manila for Emergency Care
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — Dr. Victor Yano, one of Palau’s most respected physicians and longtime healthcare leaders, was medivaced to Manila on Wednesday, July 29, for emergency medical treatment after falling ill…
Palau students celebrate Whale Day with hands-on learning at Ngeremlengui
By: Laurel Marewibuel Ngeremlengui, Palau — Students at Ngeremlengui Elementary School got a close-up look at the importance of whales and dolphins during Whale Day outreach activities supported by the Palau International Coral Reef…
Broken Sewage Pipeline Beneath Minatobashi Bridge Prompts Swimming Ban in Malakal
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 30, 2026)— Swimming and all other water activities have been temporarily prohibited in waters stretching from the former CIP office to Happy Landing, Long Island Park and Ice…
Rechemang wins Ngeremlengui special election
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 31, 2026)— Walton Jamboi Rechemang is the official winner of the special election held to fill the vacant Legislator-at-Large seat in…
No Drought Yet in Palau, But Forecasters Warn of Drier Months Ahead as El Niño Strengthens
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 30, 2026)— Forecasters say El Niño conditions are strengthening and are expected to persist through early 2027, raising the risk of…
PICRC Engaged with Dmakeiukl Women’s Group on MPA Monitoring Efforts
The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) participated in the Dmakeiukl Women’s Group meeting organized by The Nature Conservancy that was held at Ngatpang Community Center on…
“Trapped Behind the Scam”: IOM Warns Trafficking Victims Are Being Forced into Scam Networks
Geneva, 28 July 2026 — Hundreds of thousands of people…
Contested and Congested: Pacific Regional Architecture getting complex, security expert says
WELLINGTON, 30 JULY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) —A Pacific geopolitical expert…
Japan’s earthquake death toll rises amid ongoing search for survivors
By North Asia correspondent Natalie Whiting and Akane Saiki in…
Poor government records continue to hurt Pasifika, Chief Archivist warns
WELLINGTON, 30 JULY 2026 (PMN)—Poor government record-keeping is continuing with…
Pacific group urges public submissions on U.S-backed deep-sea exploration proposal
By Sanjeshni Kumar SUVA, 30 JULY 2026 (PACNEWS)—A proposal to…
Koror State Declares Traditional Taor After Death of Chief Ngiraikelau
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (July 28, 2026) — A traditional mourning period, known as a “taor,” began Sunday in Koror State to honor Chief Ngiraikelau Francisco Gibbons, who died last Wednesday. The Koror State House of Traditional Leaders, which includes the Ngaramaketii and the Rubekul Kldeu, issued the taor. Ngiraikelau was Koror State’s…
Ngiraiwet Challenges Impeachment, Fights Lockout at Ngardmau Governor’s Office
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGARDMAU, Palau (July 28, 2026) — Ngardmau Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet is challenging her impeachment in court and seeking a temporary restraining order against the 11th Kelulul…
Taiwan Awards 20 MOFA Scholarships to Palauan Students as Applications Surge
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Koror, Palau – Taiwan Embassy awards 20 MOFA scholarships to Palauan students, with strong turnout this year The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has…
Palau hosts regional, international security partners for PIF preparedness exercises
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — The Ministry of Justice, together with regional and international law enforcement and security partners, led training…
Team OEK wins 2026 Department Softball League
By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — Team OEK clinched the 2026 Department Softball League championship Friday, capping a season that began April…
Palau Extends Interim Ship Registry Contract Through Cybersecurity Act Rider
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — President Surangel Whipps Jr. signed legislation this month extending the operation of Palau’s temporary Open Ship Registry management contract, using a rider attached to the country’s new cybersecurity law rather than a standalone bill. The extension, tucked into RPPL 12-8, the Palau Cybersecurity Act, allows the current interim operator…
Palauans praise U.S. partnership as nation marks U.S. 250th Independence Day
By: Laurel Marewibuel Koror, Palau — Palauans on Monday marked the United States’ 250th Independence Day by reflecting on the long-standing partnership between the two countries and…
Palau Pledge Dive Club: Staying Active beneath the Surface
On July 17, 2026, members of the Palau Pledge Dive Club gathered for a Summer Fun Dive Activity in the beautiful waters of Ngerchong. Supported by the…
MURAL collaboration CelebratEs cultural connections between PALAU and Australia
(July 22, 2026) The Australian Embassy is supporting a new large-scale mural at Palau High School as part of a vibrant program…
Love in Palau: NCHU Teacher Education Team Launches Sustainability Education Exchange
A team of faculty and student teachers from the Center for Teacher Education at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) traveled…
HOUSE OF DELEGATES WELCOMES THE PUBLIC TO THE OFFICIAL OLBIIL ERA KELULAU WEBSITE
NGERULMUD, PALAU | JULY 22, 2026 On July 15, 2026, the Senate and the House of Delegates of the Palau National Congress jointly announced the launch of the official Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) website, marking an important milestone in expanding public access to legislative information and strengthening transparency, accountability, and public engagement. The official website,…
“NDBP Must Put the Safety of Palauan Families First”
A home is more than just concrete and wood—it is where families build their future. That is why every Palauan has the right to expect that homes financed through NDBP are built with quality materials and inspected to the highest safety standards. Many homeowners have expressed serious concerns that some houses were approved despite alleged…
Vanuatu Won the Legal Argument. Now to Change Climate Finance.
By Kanni Wignaraja and Munkhtuya Altangerel One year ago, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled, unanimously, that states have binding legal obligations to protect global climate systems. It found that a state’s failure to act, including through fossil fuel production, consumption, new exploration licences, or continued subsidies, may constitute an internationally wrongful act attributable…
Tongan women taken to China for marriage triggers police investigation
By Tonga reporter Marian Kupu and the Pacific Local Journalism Network’s Nick Sas In short: (ABC-Australia) The ABC has spoken to multiple Tongan women who have been lured into an arranged marriage syndicate operating in China. One woman says she was locked in a room and had her passport confiscated. What’s next? Tongan police say…
Senator Schatz introduces bill to expand U.S diplomatic footprint in Pacific Island nations
HONOLULU/WASHIGTON, 24 JULY 2026 (MAUI NOW) — U.S Senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat, joined…
Feed Vanuatu before exporting Taro – Chiefs
PORT VILA, 24 JULY 2026 (VBTC) — The President of the Malvatumauri National Council…
‘Everyone will be loser’: Taiwan deputy minister says war with China would be bad for the Pacific
TAIPEI, 27 JULY 2026 (GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS) — Taiwan’s deputy Minister of Foreign…
Koror Rallies to Capture 2026 Belau Games Title as Closing Ceremony Ends Competition
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (July 23, 2026) — The 2026 Belau Games…
Ngardmau Legislature Impeaches Governor Over Dock Contract, Alleged Illegal Acts
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGARDMAU, Palau (July 23, 2026) — The Ngardmau State Legislature…
President Whipps Outlines Progress, Challenges in State of the Republic Address
By: L.N. Reklai NGERULMUD, Palau (July 22, 2026) – President Surangel S. Whipps Jr.…
Palau’s NDBP Ends Unsecured Loans, Sparking Backlash Over Land Collateral Requirements
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — The National Development Bank of Palau…
OEK passes cybersecurity bill as new presidential tech office raises overlap questions
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR — The Senate gave final approval July 20…
Guam’s ASC Trust Expands to Palau With Employer-Sponsored Retirement Savings Plans
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 23, 2026) — ASC Trust, a…
Wallace Worswick’s Basketball Journey Built on Passion, Purpose and a Championship Legacy
By Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — For Wallace Worswick, basketball has never…
Ngiwal Highlights Mangroves’ Vital Role Ahead of World Mangrove Day
By: Laurel Marewibuel NGIWAL, Palau — Residents of Ngiwal and government partners…
Palau’s role at UNESCO highlights the stakes for local heritage and tourism
By: Laurel Marewibuel For Palauans, the Busan meetings were not just another overseas conference. They were a chance to put Palau’s heritage, tourism priorities and island concerns in front of the people helping shape the future of UNESCO World Heritage work. From July 17–22, three Palauan representatives took part in a capacity-building workshop on sustainable…
China warned Pacific missile sparks ‘strong concerns’
MANILA, 22 JULY 2026 (AAP) — Australia has raised its…
Fresh concerns over radioactive risks from deep sea mining near American Sāmoa
PAGOPAGO, 22 JULY 2026 (PMN) — A new scientific warning…
China urges openness after Solomon Islands announces U.S Coast Guard patrol deal
BEIJING, 23 JULY 2026 (PACNEWS) — China says it is ready to deepen cooperation with the Solomon Islands while calling on all countries engaging…
Pacific minister says government won’t ‘dictate’ to PIF on China missile statement
ADELAIDE, 23 JULY 2026 (ABC PACIFIC)—Pacific Minister Pat Conroy has brushed off questions about whether the Pacific’s premier regional body will issue a statement…
Pacific ICT officials meet to advance digital priorities ahead of Ministers’ talks
PORT MORESBY, 23 JULY 2026 (PACNEWS)— Senior ICT officials from across the Pacific met in Port Moresby Wednesday to finalise recommendations for ICT ministers, with discussions focusing on artificial intelligence, social media and implementation of the Pacific’s digital transformation agenda. Opening the Forum ICT Senior Officials Meeting, Chair Lume Polume acknowledged the leadership of Solomon…
Sonsorol Holds Top Spot as Belau Games Medal Race Heats Up
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 20, 2026)— Sonsorol State continues to set the pace at the 2026 Belau Games, holding onto the overall lead with a commanding medal haul of 64 gold, 36 silver and 25 bronze medals as the competition enters its final stretch. Koror State sits in second place with 51 gold,…
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Ngarkeai Chiefs Back Antonio Ngirturong as Rengulbai Despite Rival’s Objection
By Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang AIMELIIK, Palau (July 20, 2026) — A majority of…
MHHS Warns as TB, COVID-19 and Whooping Cough Cases Rise
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (July 20, 2026)— Rising cases of tuberculosis…
Senate advances bill to close fraud loophole, strengthen protection for victims
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 20, 2026)— The Palau Senate has approved…
Top Stories
Schools push for fresher local produce in meals; cooks receive training ahead of chef contest
By: Laurel Marewibuel Koror, Palau — An effort to bring more fresh, locally grown food into school meals took a step forward after the completion of Stage 1 training for preschool cooks, organizers said, part of a partnership with the Palau Community Action Agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The training included farm tours…
Tmetbab Clan sues PPUC over expired lease for Koror water tank site
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau – Tmetbab Clan, represented by Rimuu Dominica Ngoriakl, has filed suit in the Palau Supreme Court seeking to force Palau Public Utilities Corporation to vacate a water-tank site in Ngerkesoaol Hamlet, Koror State, after a lease on the property allegedly expired last year. In a verified complaint filed May 11,…
Woman charged after THC gummies allegedly hospitalized three women at Koror luncheon
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (July 16, 2026) — An Airai woman is facing drug trafficking and reckless endangerment charges after allegedly distributing THC-infused gummies during a luncheon that resulted in three elderly women seeking emergency medical treatment. According to court documents filed June 22 in Criminal Case No. 26-038, Kimberly Elarionoff has been…
Ngiwal Elects Seven Legislators as Ngarchelong Voters Review Constitutional Changes
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (July 16, 2026) — Voters in Ngiwal and Ngarchelong are carrying out key civic responsibilities this month, with Ngiwal electing members of its 22nd Legislature while Ngarchelong prepares residents to vote on a series of constitutional amendments ahead of its August state election. Ngiwal elects seven legislators Residents of…
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Koshiba edges rivals in tightly contested women’s 60-meter final
By: Ngeldei Tulop KOROR, Palau (Island Times) — Speed and precision defined the women’s…
Sonsorol claims one-two finish in men’s 400-meter dash
By: Ngeldei Tulop KOROR, Palau (July 16, 2026) — Sonsorol showcased its depth and…
Kintaro Blazes to Men’s Masters 60-Meter Gold at Belau Games
By Ngeldei Tulop KOROR, Palau (July 16, 2026) — Sonsorol’s Benedict Kintaro exploded out…
Defending champion Argentina reaches World Cup final by beating England 2-1
ATLANTA, 16 JULY 2026 (AP)—-Defending champion Argentina rallied to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday…
Belau Games Open With 1,200 Athletes, All 16 States Competing
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (July 13, 2026) — All 16 states of…
Palau Braces for Choppy Seas, Gusty Winds as Tropical System Develops Near Yap
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 14, 2026)— Weather forecasters are tracking a developing…
Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur, Son of Mau Piailug, Passes Away at 56
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau — Grandmaster navigator Sesario Sewralur, who carried on…
Palau’s Australia Embassy to Open in July or August, Whipps Says
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau — Palau’s embassy in Australia is expected to…
Pacific leaders seek to preserve regional unity amid growing geopolitical competition
By Ngeldei Tulop KOROR, Palau — The Pacific has increasingly become a region of…
Palau Tourism on Pace for 80,000–85,000 Visitors in 2026 as Recovery Continues
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 13, 2026) Palau’s tourism industry is on track…
Japan Donates Navigation Aids, Vessel to Boost Palau Maritime Safety
By: Laurel Marewibuel MALAKAL, Palau — Japan has donated 81…
Remembering Sesario: A Legacy Anchored in Our Hearts
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that…
Palau’s Leadership, Shared Prosperity for the Blue Pacific
OP-ED by: Amb. Andy Kang-I ChenAmbassador of the Republic of…
Climate Change: Pacific leaders shift focus from awareness to accountability ahead of Forum
By Ngeldei Tulop KOROR, Palau — As Palau prepares to…
China as a future hegemon? Easier said than done
By Graham Fletcher SYDNEY, 16 JULY 2026 (LOWY INSTITUTE) —Donald…
Ocean of peace requires one standard for all
PORT MORESBY, 15 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —Papua New Guinea…
World
Fuel, Wages, and the Stress of Governance
Dear Editor: When the price of fuel is higher than the hourly wage of the average worker, something is deeply wrong. In Palau today, fuel remains above $7 a gallon while wages hover at $5 an hour. Yet instead of relief, President Surangel Whipps has chosen to slash the PPUC subsidy while maintaining the Palau Government Stress Tax (PGST). This decision leaves ordinary citizens…
Oil reserves eased Iran war price shock, but now they are ‘spent’, IMF says
In short: (ABC-Australia) The global economy was spared from the worst of the biggest oil shock in 50 years because of large oil reserves, according to the International Monetary Fund. It says lower consumption in Asia and higher oil production outside of the Gulf helped absorb further price shocks. What’s next? Experts say global oil prices are likely to increase as reserves dwindle. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-15/oil-reserves-spent-imf-us-iran-war/106918074…
How Lindsey Graham’s death could affect Donald Trump’s agenda
By Elissa Fitzgerald with wires https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-13/lindsey-graham-death-senate-donald-trump/106908576 Share article (ABC-Australia) US senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly on Saturday night, local time, creating an unexpected vacancy in Congress. Graham was in the middle of a campaign for his fifth term and his death has triggered a process to elect someone to take his place on November’s midterm election ballot. Here’s what we know about what comes…
China ballistic missile test pushes forward case for Pacific Security Agreement
By political reporter Holly Tregenza In short: (ABC- Australia) Pacific Minister Pat Conroy says China’s launch of a nuclear-capable test missile in to the Pacific has damaged its reputation in the region. He argues the incident has strengthened the case for a regional security agreement. What’s next? Pacific leaders are expected to discuss a regional security agreement at a meeting of the Pacific Island…
Peace alliance hits China’s missile test, nixes U.S-led war games in Indo-Pacific
SUVA/HAGATNA, 14 JULY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — An alliance of peace organisations has called on Pacific Island leaders to oppose missile tests and military exercises in the region, which is increasingly becoming a theater for geopolitical competition among the world’s superpowers. “The Pacific Ocean is far more than a strategic waterway; it is the foundation of our cultures, identities, livelihoods and futures,” the…
Uneven progress, significant gaps: New immunisation estimates must accelerate urgent action in the Western Pacific
MANILA, 16 JULY 2026 (WHO PACIFIC) — New WHO and UNICEF estimates reveal that while overall immunisation coverage in the Western Pacific region has stabilised following the COVID-19 pandemic, progress remains uneven and far too many children continue to miss life-saving vaccines. Governments must significantly accelerate action as the Region is currently not on track to meet global immunisation targets for 2030. The 2025…
Tuna Wars: one of the world’s most dangerous jobs
HONIARA, 13 JULY 2026 (SBS)—According to fisheries officials in the Pacific, one of the most difficult to pin down breaches when it comes to overfishing is the ability to monitor catch – and ensure compliance with fishing licences. In an effort to combat this – fisheries observers are stationed on many commercial fishing vessels to keep watch – but it is also considered one…
Nauru Airlines ends Pohnpei and Koror service
BRISBANE/YAREN, 13 JULY 2026 (CHAVIATION)—Nauru Airlines has ended scheduled services to Pohnpei and Koror, revising its weekly North Pacific Connector route from 03 July 2026. The airline’s published timetable now shows the B737-300 service operating between Brisbane International, Nauru, Tarawa, and Majuro, without the previous extension to Micronesia and Palau. The revised schedule is effective until 04 January 2027. The airline has not disclosed…
Pacific Islands reject missile test in ‘blue continent’
SYDNEY, 13 JULY 2026 (AFP)—Pacific Islands denounced China’s ballistic missile test because they say it landed in the heart of their shared “blue continent”, politicians and analysts told AFP. Even Pacific nations indebted to Beijing joined criticism of 06 July’s submarine-launched ballistic missile test, which reached far into the Pacific Ocean. The term “blue continent” is used by Pacific Islands to describe a joint…
Palau Ramps Up Security, Lodging Plans as 55th PIFLM Nears
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (July 8, 2026) — Palau is 51 days from hosting the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, with government officials laying out preparations for what could be one of the largest gatherings in the forum’s history. The forum, themed “BELAU: Building Economies. Life. Action. Unity.,” is expected to draw about 2,000 guests, including delegations from member states and…