U.S. nears new cooperation deals with Pacific Island nations
The Biden administration is nearing deals with two Pacific Island nations to extend ties that are considered critical to maintaining balance in the U.S-China rivalry for influence in a region where the Chinese are
Alternergy says Palau battery project nearly complete
Renewable energy pioneer Alternergy on Monday said that a solar PV and battery storage project in Palau, which is expected to commence commercial operations by April 2023, was nearing completion. In a statement,
Pacific gambit: Inside the Chinese Communist Party and Triad push into Palau
Palau is a key hotspot in the growing rivalry between China and the West. Organised criminals with links to the Chinese Communist Party are trying to find a way in — and many in the local elite have welcomed them,
Australian delegation visits the Pacific amid security concerns
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is this week leading a bi-partisan parliamentary delegation to the Pacific to demonstrate Australia’s unwavering commitment to the region amid growing strategic competition.
U.S. aims for ‘top line’ deal on aid to three Pacific nations
The United States hopes to reach agreement on “top line” numbers for assistance to three Pacific Island countries by the year end, a State Department official told Reuters on Thursday, part of negotiations
EU adding tax-haven blacklist unfair: Chikoti
The European Union (EU) blacklisting member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific (OACPS) has been described as a “fig leaf” exercise. OACPS Secretary General, Georges Rebelo Chikoti told
Palau businesses likely to participate in military tourism
For the first time, the U.S. MWR (Military Morale Welfare & Recreational Centre) has reached out to Palau businesses to discuss opportunities to participate in military tourism. The Joint Region Marianas Warfighter
Pacific groups welcome call to ban deep sea mining
The Pacific Blue Line collective has welcomed the call by France for a ban on deep sea mining, a call that Pacific civil society groups and movements have been pushing for since 2012. French President Emmanuel Macron
New Australia-Palau Connector flight to start December
A new flight connecting Australia to Palau will start this December 13, 2022, announced the Australian government. The flight dubbed “Australia-Palau Connector” is a flight route between Brisbane, Port Moresby,
Pacific Islands increasingly used as crime transit point, experts say
The Pacific islands are increasingly being used as a transit point for transnational crime, including drug trafficking and money laundering, experts say. Criminal organisations from Asia and the Americas are exploiting
Palau: More flights announced, Taiwan to assist tourism promotions
More flights to Palau are coming this November, with United Airlines (UA) adding two more flights a week, revealed Peter Polloi, Director General of Civil Aviation at Palau National Aviation Administration. UA’s
Biden Administration vows to renew Compacts with Palau, FSM and RMI
The Biden administration has committed to renewing the Compacts of Free Association, with Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. The promise of renewal of the partnership agreements from the United
Palau’s 2023 Budget law passed
Palau budget FY 2023 was signed into law on September 22 at the Ngerulmud Capital rotunda after a brief signing ceremony. Senate and House of Delegates worked round the clock to get it ironed out in time for President
Palau to launch stablecoin in October
Setting a digital currency trend in the region, Palau is slated to launch a dry run of its stablecoin in October, according to Kaleb Udui Jr., the country’s finance minister. “Initially, we are starting a very small
Washington and Australia should focus on climate change, says Pacific leaders
Washington should accept Pacific Island priorities for the region, making climate change – not superpower competition – the most urgent security task, the region’s leaders said in Hawaii, ahead of a
Crypto ‘an unstable financial asset’ says UNCTAD
Cryptocurrency is an “unstable financial asset that can bring social risks and costs”, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned in three policy briefs on Wednesday. UNCTAD said their benefits to
Palau’s microplastic crisis, study shows
A new study conducted by marine scientists found plastic waste has polluted islands, reefs and beaches of the island nation of Palau. Researchers from the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and the Center
Palau’s new tax law to cause ‘substantial impact’: Kyota
The Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) has expressed concerns on the country’s new tax law on goods and services. PPUC says the Palau Goods and Services Tax (PGST), going into effect on January 1, 2023,
Palau Congress paves way for Blue Prosperity funding
Members of the Olbiil Era Keluau Monday adopted amendments to the supplemental budget to pave way for the Blue Prosperity funding assistance, while Palau Congress gave approval to the marine spatial planning. The new
Oceans emergency declared
Updates from the UN Oceans conference The United Nations Secretary General has declared an “ocean emergency” at the 2022 UN Oceans Conference co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya in Lisbon. Addressing delegates attending
Binance wants to make the “Palauan Dream” come true
Palau is hoping its new partnership with the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange company Binance will create the “Palauan Dream” to help curb the brain drain among its young people. Binance
Second submarine fibre optic cable laid in Palau
Belau Submarine Cable Corporation (BSCC) celebrated the next segment of the second submarine cable project laying from Ngardmau State port in Palau this week. The Strider, a specialised cable-laying vessel, started the
Palau’s Ngchesar State endorses oil refinery plant
Palau’s Ngchesar State Government recently endorsed a proposal to build a deep-water petroleum refinery plant and port in Ngchesar State. The presentation by Belau LLC to the House of Delegates in
