Author: ngewakl

The island nation of Palau, home to just under 18,000 people living on 500 small islands, has become an out sized player on the global stage as the U.S. and China compete for influence across the Pacific islands. The U.S. military has been building up infrastructure in Palau while Chinese investors have been buying up and leasing land in the islands. President Surangel Whipps Jr. said that “when I got into office, one of the things I was told was there was a lot of this Chinese organized crime operating in Palau, and that we needed to stomp it out.”…

Overview: A major legal battle unfolding in Palau’s Supreme Court could have far-reaching consequences for how the nation enforces its fisheries laws and navigates international maritime disputes. At the center is the Indonesian-flagged F/V Sinar Arindo-6, seized with roughly 40 tons of fish and accused of illegal activity inside Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone—claims the defense says rest on disputed waters. The case raises urgent questions about sovereignty, conservation, and the limits of international law. Supreme Court case tests fisheries laws, UNCLOS limits, and unresolved Palau–Indonesia maritime boundary  A high-stakes maritime forfeiture battle is unfolding in the Palau Supreme Court over…

Natabua High School stamped its authority on the track at the 2026 Coca-Cola Games, clinching both the senior boys and girls 400 metres titles in commanding fashion at the HFC Bank Stadium. Adi Ceva Lutumailagi delivered a composed run to secure gold in the girls final, while Mesake Turuva matched that performance in the boys event to complete a clean sweep for the Lautoka-based school in one of the meet’s most demanding races. In the boys division, Ratu Sukuna Memorial School settled for silver after a strong showing, with Bua Central College claiming bronze to round out the podium. The…

The Fiji police and their commissioner Rusiate Tudravu did not respond to questions sent by OCCRP. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Fiji Police have come under fire for seizing a phone belonging to an investigative journalist after she made a social media post about alleged corruption within the force. Meri Radinibaravi, an investigative reporting fellow with the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), said the police called her on Wednesday afternoon and informed her they needed to question her regarding her Facebook post, which she had deleted shortly after posting. According to OCCRP, her post referenced allegations of corruption…

Parliament has approved the expansion of the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Sugar Industry. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the committee needed stronger leadership to respond to the scale of challenges facing the industry. He moved the motion to include Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Minister Tomasi Tunabuna and Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna to the committee. The move comes as Fiji faces a continued decline in sugar production and serious structural problems within the sector.Article continues after advertisement The proposal was passed in Parliament without opposition. The PM pointed to falling production, climate…

Marine biologist and underwater photography guide Tiani Dun waxes lyrical about diving in the Palau Marine Sanctuary. Last month I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, on an expedition to Palau Marine Sanctuary. I was guiding an underwater photography group with my expedition company, Dive and More, and needless to say, we were not disappointed with our destination of choice! Palau is a leading nation in marine conservation, and has one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in the world. With 80% of its waters fully protected from fishing and other destructive activities, the marine sanctuary is kept in…

Overview: Can 1,500 tiny sea cucumbers help restore a disappearing fishery? Along the coast of Ngchesar, a new release effort is testing whether science, policy, and community action can bring back a resource that once thrived—but quickly collapsed under pressure. By: Laurel Marewibuel Ngchesar, Palau – In a vibrant display of conservation teamwork, the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), the Bureau of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MAFE), and the Ngchesar State Government released 1,500 sea cucumber juveniles along the rocky, seagrass-rich coast near Tabrengesang Park this week. The effort aims to resurrect a once-abundant marine resource now scarce along Palau’s shores.…

Villagers in Yasawa-i-Rara now pay $640 per person for a return trip to the mainland, a 78 per cent hike from the $360 they used to pay previously. Turaga-ni-koro Maikeli Dagatu says the increase kicked in even before the latest fuel price increase announced by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission. Survival for Fiji’s outer island communities is increasingly being put at risk as escalating fuel prices place growing pressure on daily life, making transport and access to essential goods more difficult. Dagatu says the sharp rise has disrupted everyday life in ways the community has never experienced before.Article continues…

The U.S. and the Republic of Palau concluded a highly productive working-level JCM, deepening the security partnership by connecting Palauan officials with a range of U.S. interagency experts to address shared challenges. The meeting utilized the JCM platform to facilitate direct dialogue between Palauan leaders and U.S. representatives from the departments of State, Justice, Homeland Security, and War. This interagency approach was designed to provide comprehensive, tailored solutions to Palau’s security priorities, including drug-related threats, criminal activity, and border security. Senior Palau officials highlighted that this JCM’s focus on countering illicit narcotics was both timely and aligned with President Surangel…

Overview: Palau is entering a neutral climate phase following the end of La Niña, with forecasters warning of drier weather and rising temperatures in the coming months. The latest outlook shows a possible shift toward El Niño later this year, raising concerns about reduced rainfall, water supply pressures, and hotter conditions nationwide. KOROR, Palau (April 2026) — Palau is moving into a neutral climate phase after a short-lived La Niña ended in early April, according to the latest Palau Climate Bulletin. Forecasters say this shift could bring less rain and warmer conditions in the months ahead, with a possible move…