Author: TMC Palau

New Zealand has been steadily pushing Pacific regional defence co-operation on a number of fronts. Photo: NZDF New Zealand’s government is increasingly eager to promote the buy-in of Pacific nations for closer defence force integration in the region, amid concerns about militarisation of the region. The security environment has been shifting rapidly, and regional defence is becoming more complex, leaving Pacific Islanders wondering if their “Ocean of Peace” is slipping out of their grasp. In recent months, the defence and police forces of Australia and New Zealand have been increasing cooperation with counterparts in Pacific countries including Fiji, Tonga, Samoa…

This is the second in a series of three articles examining how the Hormuz closure is reshaping energy, governance and inequality across Asia and the Pacific. To grasp the full extent of the current jolt across the region, it’s useful to look beyond the phrase “energy crisis”. That suggests that what is at stake is solely the price of fuel, which is a problem of affordability, temporary and bounded. What the Hormuz disruption has produced is something more significant: a layered shock in which the next level up is the productive economy — that is, the network of processes by…

[File Photo] Fijians should brace for another increase in living costs following the approval of higher electricity charges and bus fares by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission. The FCCC announced that from May 26, electricity customers will face an interim fuel surcharge increase of 5.91 cents per kilowatt hour, while bus fares across the country will rise by 22.5 percent. Speaking at a joint press conference with Esrom Immanuel, FCCC Chief Executive Senikavika Jiuta acknowledged the added burden the increases will place on households and businesses already struggling with financial pressures. “These are decisions that impact families, businesses, workers,…

This is the first in a series of three articles examining how the Hormuz closure is reshaping energy, governance and inequality across Asia and the Pacific. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has exposed a tremendous vulnerability of the Asia-Pacific: in 2024, the region received 84% of the oil shipped through the strait and 83% of its liquefied natural gas. But, while dramatic, these raw numbers are an inadequate lens for understanding what this crisis is actually doing to the countries of the region. The disruption is transmitted via the political and economic architecture through which food reaches markets,…

Handicraft Vendor Salanieta Adikoila.[Photo:PECELI NAVITICOKO] A well-known handicraft vendor in Labasa believes the success of small businesses, particularly among iTaukei entrepreneurs, depends heavily on changing mindsets around business management and financial discipline. Renowned business operator Salanieta Adikoila, who has spent the past 18 years in the handicraft industry, says one of the biggest challenges faced by many small business owners is the pressure from relatives and close friends for discounts, loans, and unpaid goods. Speaking from her years of experience at the Labasa Handicraft Centre, Adikoila says many promising businesses struggle to grow because owners often mix family obligations with…

Overview: A new report warns that billions in U.S. military spending in the Northern Mariana Islands may create only short-term economic activity while deepening long-term dependence on outside contractors and labor. The study argues that without policies prioritizing local businesses, workers and self-determination, military expansion could leave the CNMI with limited lasting economic benefits despite growing federal investment. WASHINGTON/SAIPAN, 18 MAY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—-Washington’s defence spending in the Northern Mariana Islands may temporarily boost economic activity, but it undermines long-term self-sufficiency and fails to sustain local wealth, according to a think tank’s report.  The report says the billions of…

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…