Qantas extends direct flights between Brisbane and Palau for another year

Qantas has extended its direct flights between Brisbane and Palau for another year following the success of the route which Qantas commenced in December 2024. The service, known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’, will continue to operate as part of...

QANTAS EXTENDS DIRECT PALAU FLIGHTS AMID GROWING TOURISM DEMAND

Qantas has extended its direct flights between Brisbane and Koror, Palau’s capital, for another year following the success of the route which Qantas commenced in December 2024. The service, known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’, will continue to...

Lessons from legend of Palau fisherman drawn upon in critical juncture of COP29

As global attention turn to what and how COP29 would decide on a new finance goal, the legend of a Palauan fisherman from the village of Ngarchemai has been used to illustrate the risks of indecision, and the need for world leaders to choose...

Palau, DoD host public meetings on improvements to Peleliu South Dock

Representatives of the Palau government and the Department of Defense host a public meeting at Peleliu State Building to share information on proposed Peleliu South Dock rehabilitation and improvements, Aug. 12. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr....

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 US$890 million in economic...

Palau weighs $500 Foreign Worker Fee Amid Employer concerns and Labor shortages

KOROR, Palau — Palau’s plan to more than triple the annual fee for foreign worker permits from $150 to $500 is sparking concern among employers and retirees who depend on overseas labor. The increase, embedded in the FY 2026 budget bill, would...

Construction Accelerated

PALAU — The new Palau Correctional Facility, located between Airai and Ngchesar states, is now expected to be completed by December 2025. Construction on the $4 million facility began in 2018 with local funding and later received supplemental...

Palau High School reopens amid ongoing construction 

US to rehabilitate postwar dock in Palau to boost military readiness in the region

By Pacific Island Times News Staff Peleliu—The U.S. Department of Defense proposes to rehabilitate an 80-year-old dock in Palau to enhance the U.S. military forces’ capabilities in the region. According to Joint Task Force Micronesia, the $12...

4 new JICA volunteers arrived in Palau

On the 24th of July, 4 new JICA Volunteers arrived in Palau. The four volunteers are, Mr. SUZUKI Satoshi assigned to Belau Modekngei School for Science Education Kume Kokoro assigned to Palau Community Action Agency (PCAA) for Nutrition. KITAYAMA...

US Sides with Nauru on Deep-Sea Mining, Splitting Pacific Leaders

By: Bernadette Carreon NAURU – The United States has thrown its weight behind Nauru’s push to fast-track deep-sea mining, backing a Canadian partner’s bid despite warnings from other Pacific nations about risks to fragile ocean ecosystems. The...

The Soviet Vibes of Trump’s Assault on Science

This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter here. In the fall of 1925, agronomist Trofim Lysenko arrived on the dusty plains of what is now Azerbaijan, hoping to keep cows from starving to death over the...

Palau’s Blue Economy Project showcases Progress in fisheries Development

The BOF-JICA Blue Economy Project held a seminar on August 7 to present the achievements of the Project, which aims to promote the sustainable development of Palau’s fisheries sector. The event brought together stakeholders, including fishing...

Q&A: Palau pledges cleanup of abuse-riddled ship-flagging system

President Surangel Whipps speaks with Context about the challenges Palau faces in regulating ships that sail under its flag. NICE, France - The leader of the island nation of Palau, whose ship registration system has come under fire for allowing...

How shipping's flags of convenience endanger seafarers

What’s the context? Abuses are more likely on vessels that fly the flags of countries other than where the owners are based, rights groups find. A loophole in global maritime law enables shipowners to sidestep labor protections and safety rules by...

Zambales marine protected area finalist in 2025 Para el Mar Awards

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Masinloc and Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (MOBPLS) in Zambales, the lone marine protected area in Central Luzon, has been named finalist in the 2025 Para el Mar Awards to be held September...

56 Years of Service: Palau, U.S. Mark Civic Action Team Handover

By: Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau — Palau and the United States marked 56 years of partnership Friday during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, as the outgoing Navy Civic Action Team (CAT) 133-32 formally handed over...

New Wine, Old Wineskins: Palau’s xall for a new Industry and a New Mindset

Dear Editor, In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus says, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined.” This powerful teaching is not just spiritual, it’s deeply...

Ukrainian intelligence publishes data on 42 vessels in Russia's shadow fleet, looters of Ukrainian resources

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has published on the War & Sanctions portal data on 42 vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet, a floating storage unit used by Lukoil, and ships involved in stealing...

Satellite and AI study finds most marine reserves free of industrial fishing, despite enforcement fears

“There is a catch-22 in ocean conservation,” said Dr. Jennifer Raynor. “The better fish recover inside protected areas, the more attractive they become to poachers.” That paradox drove Raynor and her colleagues to ask a hard question: Are marine...