Author: TMC Palau

SANTA RITA, Guam — Following the signing of an expanded bilateral law enforcement agreement in August, during the Joint Heads of Pacific Security conference, representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Republic of Palau embarked on a series of meetings and initiatives to advance maritime partnership and promote regional stability Oct. 6 to 13, 2023.”Our work with Palau goes beyond signatures on an agreement; it’s about the actions we take together. It’s about standing side by side to safeguard our shared maritime environment and ensure regional security,” said Capt. Nicholas Simmons, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam.In a strategic…

The Central Bank of Samoa, on 24 April, issued a warning about BG Wealth. Photo: RNZI/ Koroi Hawkins Samoa’s government has distanced itself from a cryptocurrency scam after three senior ministers, including the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, were pictured with individuals promoting an alleged wealth creation entity. Last month, Samoans associated with ‘BG Wealth’ shared photos online with Samoa’s Finance Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo, Health Vaaaoao Salumalo Alofipo, Commerce, Industry and Labour Minister Fata Ryan Schuster. The Central Bank of Samoa (CBS), on 24 April, issued a warning about the entity, stating “BG Wealth shows strong…

At the invitation of host nations, Pacific Partnership’s mission partners will conduct tailored humanitarian civil action preparedness activities in areas such as engineering, disaster response, public health, and host nation outreach events.This year’s mission will feature military personnel from Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, and New Zealand. The Pacific Partnership 24-1 mission has completed stops in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Its final mission stop will be in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia.“The United States is committed to the people of Palau as we share deep ties and a…

[Photo: PECELI NAVITICOKO] The remote interior of Drawa in Wailevu, Cakaudrove, is now home to a new eco-tourism destination following the official opening of the Ideal Drawa Eco Retreat. The new venture is expected to open doors for visitors to experience the rich cultural history, ancient village sites, and natural beauty hidden deep within the Vanua o Drawa in Vanua Levu. Surrounded by rivers, rainforest, and mountainous landscapes, the retreat is located within the Drawa Forest Conservation Area, known as Fiji’s first verified forest carbon trading and conservation project. Manager Mary Qiqi says the project is focused on ensuring tourism…

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[Photo: FILE] The Ministry of Women says that women living in rural and remote communities continue to face greater barriers to safety, economic empowerment and access to support services. Speaking during a workshop focused on strengthening Fiji’s response to gender-based violence, Minister for Women Sashi Kiran says many women in remote areas struggle with limited access to finance, leadership opportunities, and essential protection services. She says service delivery challenges in rural communities often leave vulnerable women with fewer support systems and limited access to assistance when facing violence or economic hardship. Kiran highlighted that women’s labour force participation in Fiji…

Issued by: on KOROR, PALAU (June 6, 2025) – Steelworker Constructionman Fernandon Cruz measures out bike racks for the Pacific Mini Games. Detail Palau played a key role in providing high-quality construction support, contributing to the successful preparation and execution of the Pacific Mini Games. NMCB-3 serves as the stand-in engineering force for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, executing high-quality construction operations, activities, and investments, and is capable at the unit-of-action level to support major combat operations in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility with efficient airfield, waterfront, and advanced base…

[Photo: FILE] A newly released National Skills Gap Assessment Survey has revealed significant labour shortages across Fiji, with employers reporting difficulty filling 95 different job categories despite growth in overall employment. The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation says the findings highlight urgent gaps in labour market coordination and the need for stronger policy responses to address supply-side challenges. Chief Executive Edward Bernard says the survey shows structural issues in Fiji’s labour system, including mismatches between skills produced by training institutions and employer needs. He says in addition, the qualifications required for those positions range from high school graduates, TVET graduates…

Photo: Supplied: Bateman Books A Samoan-Chinese-Pākēhā author says his new fantasy book provides a type of character he didn’t have as a 10-year-old in love with reading. Kenneth Chapman said growing up, he loved series like Harry Potter, Lemony Snickets, and His Dark Materials but those fantasy worlds were different to the mixed-race Polynesian family he came from. Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove is about an 11-year old and her older sister who move into their mother’s childhood home – a mansion full of mysterious paintings created by their estranged aunt. He said it places a Polynesian character…

Date: Monday, July 24, 2023Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov NGERULMUD, PALAU — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has completed a visit to the Republic of Palau as part of her weeklong visit to the Pacific Islands, where she highlighted the United States’ historic and long-standing relationship with Palau, one of three freely associated states in the Pacific whose relationship is underpinned by a Compact of Free Association (Compact). Secretary Haaland, Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor, and Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison Erika L. Moritsugu met with President Surangel Whipps, Jr., and…