Author: TMC Palau

The tiny Pacific island nation of Palau has agreed to accept up to 75 non-American migrants from the United States under a deal worth $7.5 million, the two countries have said.U.S. President Donald Trump, who campaigned on a promise to expel undocumented migrants, has accelerated deportations and cracked down on border crossings since returning to power this year.Under a new memorandum of understanding, Palau will let up to 75 third-country nationals from the United States live and work on the sparsely populated archipelago, officials said Wednesday. Source link

The Palau government has taken control of its national ship registry after its private-sector partner became subject to U.S. sanctions, raising oversight and reputational concerns. Palau has formally terminated the operator of its Open Ship Registry following months of operational failures, sanctions-related financial freezes and growing reputational risks. The decision has also prompted debate within Congress over who should manage the registry during the transition period. According to local media reports, the government issued an initial notice of termination in September 2025, citing inadequate oversight, reputational damage tied to Palau-flagged vessels, blacklisting, sanctions-related bank account freezes and a pattern of…

The government says all services under the Palau flag continue as normal despite the change in management. File Image / Pixabay The Government of Palau has taken control of the Palau Open Ship Registry after its private-sector partner became subject to US sanctions. The move was made to protect oversight and the reputation of the Palau flag, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries (MPII) said in a press release on Saturday. The registry is now being managed directly by the Bureau of Marine Transportation, which is responsible for vessel registration, certification and other flag-state services. The government said…

Rodney Byrn, from Auckland, made the short but meaningful trip with his son, marking the end of university with an experience they say they won’t forget. What started as a graduation celebration turned into a cross-border show of rugby passion, as a New Zealand father and son flew into Ba for one reason, and that is to watch the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua play at home. Rodney Byrn, from Auckland, made the short but meaningful trip with his son, marking the end of university with an experience they say they won’t forget. “We’re here celebrating his graduation and we thought…

Moana huddle, after the game on Saturday: On the same ground the team produced its greatest hour in 2025, their historic win over the Blues now feels like an even more distant memory. Photo: Photosport What began as a heated inter-city rivalry has eased significantly as any resentment the Blues felt for Moana turns to empathy. The Blues gave their little brothers one last lesson as they closed out their brief but fierce history on Saturday night. On the same ground where Moana produced its greatest hour, their historic win over the Blues 12 months earlier now feels like an…

Fiji is strengthening its innovation economy with the launch of the Fiji Innovation Hub’s Activator 2026, a nine-week programme designed to turn early-stage ideas into market-ready solutions. Launched yesterday, the initiative brings together founders, government agencies, and private partners to bolster Fiji’s startup ecosystem and align solutions with national economic priorities. Reserve Bank of Fiji Deputy Governor Esala Masitabua says the programme aims to strengthen the entire innovation system, moving beyond mere concepts to build viable ventures through mentorship, coaching, and AI-enabled tools. He warned that while Fiji has strong creative potential, ideas require structure, discipline, and sustained support to…

Today, we welcome Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manele, Tongan Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, Palaun President Whipps and the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Baron Waqa to Australia for a meeting of the PIF Troika in Brisbane. The Albanese Labor Government will strengthen our commitment to backing Pacific-led climate solutions by investing a further $550 million for the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP). At the invitation of the PIF Secretariat, Minister Bowen will join the PIF Troika, consisting of the current PIF Chair (Solomon Islands), incoming Chair (Palau) and outgoing Chair (Tonga), to discuss progress…

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has warned that any enforcement strategy to combat the illicit drug crisis must be carefully designed to avoid discrimination or social profiling. The Commission emphasized that efforts to dismantle drug networks must not lead to the stigmatization of individuals or the targeting of vulnerable groups. This caution comes as the government considers a State of Emergency and continues joint operations between the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police. While acknowledging the grave social and health impacts of drugs, the Commission stressed that a potential SOE must remain a measure of…

Changwu Ruan and other detainees are brought to Saipan Immigration Court by ICE ERO agents for removal proceedings on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. Photo by Bryan ManabatBy Bryan Manabat[email protected]Variety News Staff A CHINESE national in removal proceedings has asked the Saipan Immigration Court to deport him to the Republic of Palau.Changwu Ruan, represented by attorney John Lee, appeared before Immigration Judge Clarence Wagner of Honolulu via teleconference on Friday. Lee told the court that Ruan has filed for asylum and does not want to be deported to the People’s Republic of China.Ruan, speaking through an interpreter, said that if he could…

A high-level taskforce has been established to address challenges surrounding sugarcane lease renewals and secure the long-term future of the industry beyond 2030. Minister for Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna says the multi-agency body brings together key institutions, including the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture, Lands, and Strategic Planning, alongside the iTaukei Land Trust Board. The taskforce has been mandated to identify and resolve bottlenecks in the lease renewal process while developing sustainable, long-term solutions for agricultural land use. Tunabuna says land security remains a critical issue for the sugar sector.Article continues after advertisement “The goal is in two folds, to ensure…