Palau names 63 undersea mounts, extending its undersea claim
Palau has named 63 undersea mounts and basins on the Palau-Kyushu Ridge, the singular underwater ridge that connects Palau to Japan. These 63 mounts occur outside Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone, north of Palau’s
Resisting obsolescence
Palau’s traditional chiefs revamping their roles to catch up with modern times Palau’s traditional chiefs, called “Klobak,” have been a cornerstone of Palauan society for centuries, serving as protectors and
Palau president visits Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has called on Japan to raise the transparency of the decommissioning process at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Whipps made the statement on Tuesday in a meeting
Palau sees tourism revival with South Korea as economic security issue
Security means many things, climate security, human security, energy security, economic security, and maritime security, to name a few. Korea-Pacific Summit, held this week, called for regional security and a peaceful
Another Chinese research vessel disrespects Palau laws
Another Chinese research vessel, HAIYANG DIZHI LIUHAO entered Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone without permission or notification to the Palau government on 24 May 2023, at around 1:20 pm, disrespecting Palau’s laws
Palau and U.S. formally sign Compact Review Agreement
Palau and the United States formally signed the Compact Review Agreement in Papua New Guinea this week, witnessed by President Surangel Whipps Jr and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Palau Chief Compact
Second Compact Review Agreement created fundamental change in Palau/U.S. relationship: Farrow
The second Compact Review Agreement initialed last week by Palau Chief Compact Negotiator Kaleb Udui Jr and U.S. Special Envoy Joseph Yun is the “most significant since the first Compact relationship” with the
Employers say contract workers abandoning contracts; Using Palau as stepping stone to getting U.S. visas
Several employers in Palau complain that many foreign workers have abandoned their contracts in Palau after getting visas to the United States from the U.S. Embassy in Palau. They claim that obtaining U.S. visas from
Palau anticipates Compact to be signed next month
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr unveiled some of the details of the new economic package under the renegotiated provisions of the nation’s Compact of Free Association with Washington. Palau stands to receive
Bill seeks the establishment of foreign agents registry in Palau
A House bill is calling for the establishment of a foreign agents registry in Palau which will require persons representing foreign interests to make a public disclosure. House Bill 11-90-09 requires
Biden backs plan to restore benefits for COFA migrants
U.S. President Joe Biden has endorsed legislation sponsored by Hawaii’s congressional delegation to restore access to federal benefits for tens of thousands of Micronesian migrants living in the U.S. legally under the
Palau to establish digital residency programme physical office
Palau’s Ministry of Finance has announced its latest regulation pertaining to the digital residency programme. In a letter to President Surangel Whipps Jr, The Ministry of Finance said the new regulation
OEK joint to loan US$20 million approved in Palau
Palau Senate passed a joint resolution authorising President Whipps to execute a loan agreement between the Republic of Palau and Mega International Commercial Bank Co. Ltd. of Taiwan of up to US$20 million to fund
Tougher anti-human trafficking bill passed in Palau
Palau’s House of Delegates passed on its third and final reading a Senate bill 11-73 to expand, update and strengthen the anti-human smuggling and human trafficking act. The bill amends the current law ‘to bring
U.S. military providing cushion to Palau’s tourism
With efforts underway to boost its tourism-dependent market, Palau’s economy is seeing a glimmer of hope after emerging from more than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, Palau visitor arrivals more than
Solomon Airlines assists cyclone recovery, Fiji Airways’ advanced aircraft
Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer Gus Kraus has confirmed the national carrier has sent a De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft and operating crew, to assist Vanuatu’s recovery efforts following the devastation
Palau calls for halt on seabed mining until 2030
Palau President Surangel Whipps Junior said he wanted the seabed mining practice temporarily suspended until at least 2030. “The ocean for us is life. We depend on it for sustenance, we depend on it for our economy
World Bank opens new regional office in FSM
The World Bank has officially opened a permanent office in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, following several years of an expanding presence and portfolio across the North Pacific. The new regional hub
Marshalls air cargo crisis: search is on for alternative
The Marshall Islands government has been forced into making alternative air delivery options for everything from mail and medicines to fresh tuna and equipment for essential public services due to the mounting air cargo
Palau Shipping Registry claims ITF report ‘misleading’
The statistical evidence presented by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) on Palau-flagged vessels is “wholly inaccurate, misinterpreted and clearly misleading”. This was the statement made
Vessels registered to the Cook Islands, Palau targeted in shipping crackdown
Up to 1,000 ships flagged to the Cook Islands, Palau, Sierra Leone, and Togo will be targeted for safety, maintenance and seafarer welfare inspections across the Mediterranean Sea in the coming eight weeks by an army of
Palau Senate pass bill to prohibit e-cigarettes
Members of the Palau Senate in February voted unanimously to pass the proposed bill that prohibits the manufacturing, importation, sale, and distribution of e-cigarettes was passed on first reading this week. Senate
Palau joins world leaders in shift towards sustainable marine tourism
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr joined global leaders in support of a shift towards sustainable coastal and marine tourism to protect the ocean and the livelihoods of those who directly rely on it. In a joint