Author: TMC Palau

4.4K Washington, D.C: The Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy has, in capitals across the world, triggered fear, anger and above all confusion about direction and methods. The “deconstruction” has been easy to see, with the absorption of USAID into State, the recalling of Ambassadors and more. With the release of the National Security Strategy, and a detailed look at how one key relationship is being handled, we might now be able to start to see what the “reconstruction” looks like. And, if it’s an indication of things to come, some capitals—not including Beijing—might be less worried. On December 23,…

Safety Index: * Based on Research & Crime Data User Sentiment: * Rated 84 / 100 based on 5 user reviews. Palau feels like a place the modern world somehow forgot to overbook. This island nation sits in the western Pacific, east of the Philippines and north of Indonesia, made up of more than 300 islands scattered across brilliant blue water. Most travelers stay in Koror, the compact hub near the famous Rock Islands, while the larger island of Babeldaob holds forests, waterfalls, and much of the country’s interior life. Palau’s story is layered. Long inhabited by Micronesian peoples, it…

Andrea Motis grew up studying and performing the music of jazz icons such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and Sarah Vaughan, among many others. But there is one artist she feels especially close to, because her music became a kind of therapy during a difficult personal period in her life, between the ages of 15 and 18: “I listened to Amy Winehouse’s music and felt very close to her, like a friend who tried to comfort me during a personal healing process.” “I would play her music in the morning,” Motis continues, “and I felt truly empowered. I…

Panguna open pit copper mine in Bougainville. Photo: 123RF A group of landowners in the area of the Panguna mine in Bougainville has issued a public warning to companies trying to redevelop the mine to stop work and leave. Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) and Indian company Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd have been told by the landowners via a public notice to stop what the group called ‘unauthorised entry and activities’ at Panguna. ASX-listed BCL is the long time exploration licence-holder for Panguna, while Lloyds is the company that the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) recently nominated as a partner to…

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…