Author: TMC Palau

On the evening of June 8 local time (afternoon of the same day Taipei time), Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao hosted a banquet for traditional Palauan leaders. In remarks, Vice President Hsiao noted the Austronesian cultural links between Taiwan and Palau, adding that both see the ocean as a home. She stated that on the strong foundation of the quarter-century of friendship between our two peoples, Taiwan and Palau will continue to collaborate in several areas. The vice president expressed hope that, as we are in an age of geopolitical challenges, globalization, and AI, we can find a balance between advancing…

[File Photo] Hotels and resorts hosting concerts, festivals and entertainment events could face increased scrutiny under proposed changes to Fiji’s Public Health Act. Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Salaseini Daunabuna says clearer definitions are needed around what constitutes a nuisance, warning that accommodation providers could face complaints from nearby communities if the provisions are not carefully drafted. “The bill defines nuisance as anything in the opinion of the environmental health practitioner is offensive to the public or injurious to health. This includes noise, smoke and even specific traits such as cover pounding. We wish to raise that this can create…

Fiji’s economic challenges are well known but a lack of urgent action is holding the country back. Fiscal Review Committee Chair Richard Naidu says extensive advice, policy recommendations and solutions are already available, yet government is failing to respond with the urgency the situation demands. Speaking at the State of the Economy Dialogue 2026, Naidu said Fiji faces serious challenges in poverty, health, education and productivity with more than a third of the population still living in or near poverty. “And the government is not doing that. The government is too distracted by other things. The government must, at political…

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Photo: AFP The Pickleball Federation of the Northern Mariana Islands has selected six players to compete at the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Vietnam in August. However, that number could reduce to four if the federation is not able to raise enough funds to get the team to the event. Players who have been selected are Mikayla Lopez, Chelsea Henzon, Joan Henzon, Ernie Henzon, Sean Ficke and Richard Asuncion. The 2026 Pickleball World Cup will be held in Da Nang from 30 August to 6 September, with around 4000 athletes…

[File Photo] Fiji Airways has partnered with VOU to support the Fijian Flying Circus on its first tour of Australia, promoting Fijian culture, talent, and storytelling on international stages. The announcement was made in Brisbane during the launch of the 2026 Brisbane Festival programme. The tour will feature Fijian performers travelling across Australia, with shows scheduled in Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, including appearances at the Brisbane Festival from September 4 to October 4. The production blends traditional Fijian myths, legends, and folklore with contemporary circus performance. Fiji Airways says the partnership goes beyond transport support, describing it as a…

The Fijian economy is now projected to grow by 1.5 percent, revised down from the three percent forecast last November. The Reserve Bank of Fiji, in its latest update, says that this is due to the strong momentum that was observed in the tourism sector observed in the first quarter has begun to soften. The RBF states that while visitor arrivals remain supportive of economic activity, the pace of expansion has slowed, weakening one of the key drivers of growth. Based on recent trends in arrivals, forward bookings, reduced flight frequencies, heightened concerns around energy security and tighter monetary conditions…

The US Department of State will coordinate the assistance, with funding provided by FEMA. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via CNN Newsource The United States has approved an initial US$8 million disaster relief package for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April. The disaster declaration, approved by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), allows relief and recovery assistance to be provided under the Compact of Free Association agreement between the US and the FSM. The US Department of State will coordinate the assistance, with funding provided by FEMA. According to FEMA,…

The oil tanker MT Marivex, carrying 24 Indian crew members and which reported a fire incident earlier on Monday, is a Palau-flagged vessel that is blacklisted and sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and is not Indian-owned, sources said.According to the sources, the vessel had made four attempts to evade a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and on Monday, during the fourth attempt, the vessel allegedly tried to pass through Omani territorial waters and switched off its signal devices to avoid detection.”This pattern makes it clear that its intention was not above board. The…

The coalition government’s debt at the end of next month is projected to reach $11.4 billion, which is equivalent to 80.9 percent of GDP. This comprises $7,529.0 million or 66.2 percent of domestic debt and $3,844.3 million or 33.8 percent of external debt. In its pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update, the Ministry of Finance says the government debt has increased significantly over recent years due to economic challenges, infrastructure development and recovery measures following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry states that despite this, gradual improvement is noted in the debt to GDP since 2022, attributed to strong growth in GDPArticle…

DefenseDeployment of system to detect aircraft and missiles expected next yearPalau President Surangel Whipps Jr. speaks to Nikkei Asia in an interview. He said that Taiwan is “a trusted ally” and his country will maintain diplomatic relations with it despite pressure from China. (Photo by Shogo Kodama)TOKYO — An advanced U.S. military radar system under construction in Palau will strengthen the country’s security, President Surangel Whipps Jr. told Nikkei Asia, as China expands its military and maritime presence in the western Pacific. Source link