Author: TMC Palau
Overview: Palau’s tourism industry continues to show strong momentum in 2026, with visitor arrivals rising 38% through April despite global concerns over fuel prices and geopolitical tensions tied to the Iran conflict. New data shows broad-based growth across major international markets and no visible signs of weakening travel demand. Broad-based growth across Asia, North America and Europe points to resilient travel demand and stable visitor confidence By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (May 25, 2026) — Visitor arrivals to Palau continued to climb steadily through April 2026, with tourism data showing no visible signs of weakening demand despite global concerns over…
[photo-Kelera] Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says his People’s Alliance Party will contest the upcoming General Election with full confidence. His comments come after the Electoral Commission yesterday declared that the campaign period for the upcoming General Election is open. Rabuka says while he is ready to serve the country for another four years, the decision on who will lead the nation rests with the people. “We will be confident going in for elections. And it’s the people who will have to work out whether, oh, this candidate will not last four years.”Article continues after advertisement While Rabuka is confident in…
Super Typhoon Sinlaku closes in on the CNMI as at 7pm NZT, Tuesday 14 April 2026. Photo: zoom.earth Guam Guam’s national power company is estimating US$10 million in damages and operations costs after April’s Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Last week, the Guam Power Authority reported the $10 million included $2.7 million in expenses incurred due to Sinlaku’s passage near Guam, and more than $7 million in damages. Pacific Daily News reported the Authority’s general manager saying they were back delivering about 99 per cent of regular energy demand for Guam by 23 April. Meanwhile, the grid in Saipan in the Northern…
Overview: Palauan students gained hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, taxation and AI during the 2026 Palau Development Symposium, capped by a Shark Tank-style business pitch competition in Koror. Students pitched startup ideas after hands-on training in finance, marketing, taxation and AI tools during a youth-focused symposium in Koror. By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — “Students were open-minded to learning different solutions and ways to develop a business and how to keep your business running and stable,” an event organizer said following the 2026 Palau Development Symposium on May 25, where students received hands-on training in entrepreneurship and business development. Students…
[file/photo] Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai says a total of 246 live rounds of 5.56mm ammunition were voluntarily handed over to the military in the Nausori area last week. Ro Jone says the surrender of the ammunition was a direct result of the ongoing joint security operations being carried out by the RFMF in partnership with the Fiji Police Force. He says several magazines and magazine pouches were also surrendered alongside the live rounds and are now in the custody of the RFMF for further assessment and investigation.Ro Jone says the RFMF commends those involved for…
[Source: File] New McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women assistant coach Tavaita Rowati believes the rapid growth of women’s rugby in Fiji is creating stronger pathways and producing more quality players for the future. Rowati previously worked with the Drua Women during the club’s early years in 2022 and 2023 as a strength and conditioning coach before returning this season in an assistant coaching role. The former strength and conditioning coach described the move into coaching as another major step in his rugby journey. “It’s a pretty big step to step into as an assistant coach now.”Article continues after advertisement Rowati says…
source: reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree providing debt relief to new Ukraine war recruits and their families, the Kremlin said, adding to support tools as Moscow seeks to boost its army in more than four-year-long war. People who signed a contract with the Russian defence ministry from May 1 and/or their spouses are free from their debts of up to 10 million roubles ($139,700) if a legal claim to collect those debts was in force before that date, the decree posted on the Kremlin’s website said. The contract to join the ‘special military operation’ – what…
Winston Peters says he would love to see Moana Pasifika carry on. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Winston Peters says there’s “good news” to come in regards to Moana Pasifika’s future, but wouldn’t provide any further detail saying “you have to wait”. Shareholders of Moana Pasifika have voted to appoint liquidators to the holding company of the Super Rugby team. However, New Zealand Rugby says there continues to be parties interested in Moana Pasifika’s future. Asked by RNZ at Parliament on Tuesday afternoon if the New Zealand First leader wanted to comment on the team, Peters said he did, “but…
source: reuters KPop band BTS was celebrated with the top award of artist of the year at the fan-voted American Music Awards. The group also claimed the song of the summer honor for the single “Swim” at the ceremony in Las Vegas, which aired live on CBS and Paramount+ (PSKY.O). BTS prevailed over Taylor Swift, winner of the most AMAs of any artist over her career, as well as stars including Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and others. Twenty-year-old indie musician Sombr was named the recipient of best rock/alternative song for his hit “Back to Friends.”Article continues…
Palau, a clump of about 350 small islands in the Pacific Ocean, has become increasingly important to the United States as China tries to build clout in the Indo-Pacific. This year, Washington finalized a long-delayed plan to give Palau hundreds of millions of dollars in aid over two decades.Hours before diplomats gathered at the U.S. Embassy in Palau to toast the agreement, the island nation was hit by an enormous cyberattack. More than 20,000 documents were stolen from the government.A few weeks later, in April, they appeared on the dark web. There was a presentation about a U.S. radar installation…