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Palau

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Palau. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Ngerulmud

Head of State

President Surangel Whipps Jr.

Head of Government

President Surangel Whipps Jr.

A Chinese police officer demonstrates a restraint technique during a training session with Solomon Islands police. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

US, allies and China vie for influence through Pacific security deals

New mapping tool highlights contrasting approaches, with Beijing expanding policing ties as Washington maintains defence pacts.

24 Oct 2026 - 6:29AMvideocam

Trending in China

Taiwan Mandopop band member allegedly assaulted by South Korean diver underwater

18 Oct 2026 - 10:24AM

US-China relations

How a new US Army unit could challenge the PLA’s strategy in a Taiwan conflict

15 Oct 2026 - 12:19AMvideocam

Africa

Somali pirates kill 5 crew on hijacked tanker before rescue

Deaths aboard the Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 appear to be the first involving Somali pirates in over a decade.

30 Sep 2026 - 1:33PM

An armed Somali pirate in 2010. A previous wave of piracy from 2008 to 2014 disrupted one of the world’s busiest ‌shipping routes. Photo: AFP

Taiwan

Taipei donates coastguard vessel to Manila amid South China Sea tensions

As it faces off against Beijing in the region, Manila has been expanding its unofficial security cooperation with Taipei.

17 Sep 2026 - 11:27PMvideocam

Japan

Japan to expand security aid to 12 Indo-Pacific nations

Tokyo has more than doubled its security assistance programme to US$114 million in a strategic push.

28 Aug 2026 - 3:07PM

Pacific nations

China’s missile test exposes lack of unity among Pacific island nations

While some Pacific Islands Forum members have criticised the test near Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea appears to have backtracked, analysts say.

22 Jul 2026 - 10:00AM

A ballistic missile test launched from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine in the South Pacific on July 6. Photo: Xinhua/AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump shows no regret over deaths of 3 Indian sailors in Iran war strike by US

In their first bilateral meeting in 16 months, US president only goes as far as calling commercial vessel operations ‘a rough profession’.

18 Jun 2026 - 4:02AMvideocam

Asean

Aid and diplomacy: US Navy’s renewed bid for Southeast Asian influence

Pacific Partnership 2026 aims to counter China’s rising influence in the region, amid growing doubts about US leadership, analysts say.

17 Jun 2026 - 5:21PM

India

Indians grieve and demand action after US strike kills sailors

Calls are mounting for Modi to take up the matter with Trump at next week’s G7 summit.

13 Jun 2026 - 7:38AMvideocam

Sushila Devi, wife of Shivanand Chaurasia, mourns her husband in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

India summons US diplomat again in rare display of anger over sailors’ killings

US military says the tanker ignored repeated warnings before being disabled for violating the Iran blockade.

12 Jun 2026 - 10:58PMvideocam

India

3 Indian sailors dead after US attacks commercial vessel off Oman

New Delhi summoned a top US diplomat after the strike on MT Settebello to lodge ‘a strong protest’.

11 Jun 2026 - 9:52PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel and Iran hold fire after exchange, but warn of escalation if provoked

Middle East foes lift immediate safety restrictions while actively preparing for the next wave of retaliation.

9 Jun 2026 - 3:47PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Rising seas: Japan makes pitch to Pacific nations caught in US-China rivalry

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi tells summit that Tokyo is committed to helping regional partners strengthen ‘autonomy and resilience’.

3 Jun 2026 - 3:00PM

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (centre) poses with representatives from the region during the opening of the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

United States

US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian exchange house, 19 ships from shadow fleet

The Treasury’s move came after Iran ‌said its latest peace proposal to the US involved ending hostilities on all fronts.

19 May 2026 - 11:37PM

US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent poses for a family photograph of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors ahead of a meeting on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Indonesia

‘I started crying’: Indonesian captain’s wife in agony over pirate attack

Captain Ashari Samadikun had sent a chilling warning to his wife before his fuel tanker was hijacked by pirates last month.

6 May 2026 - 7:49PMvideocam

Japan

Fears of ecological crisis as Okinawa’s wildlife falls prey to poachers

Conservationists urge stronger protections to deter the growing illegal trade and overseas demand for Okinawa’s endemic species.

2 Nov 2025 - 11:52AM

Pacific nations

Pacific Islands leaders call for ‘ocean of peace’ but face rough seas at summit

The Pacific Islands Forum has been clouded by allegations that host Solomon Islands did not invite Taiwan to please its close backer.

10 Sep 2025 - 5:18PM

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa receives a gift from a Solomon Islander during the opening ceremony on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Environment

Deadline looms as nations remain divided on global plastic pollution treaty

A coalition of oil-producing states remains at odds with an ‘ambitious’ group that wants radical action written into a treaty.

11 Aug 2025 - 1:45PM

Israel-Gaza war

My Take | Taiwan donation vow to Israeli settlement is cynical and foolish

Fulfilling the pledge would be a violation of international law, as Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank is universally recognised as illegal.

23 Jul 2025 - 9:00PM

Pacific nations

Most Pacific island women don’t work. The World Bank wants to change that

Outdated laws and social norms keep 57 per cent of working-age women across the Pacific out of the labour force, the bank says.

17 Jun 2025 - 12:03PM

A stallholder displays her wares to tourists at a market on Rarotonga in the Pacific nation of the Cook Islands earlier this month. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

My Take | The United States, not China, turns out to be the real bogeyman

The significance of Trump’s tariffs is that they have destroyed the credibility of America on which its global alliances have long depended.

6 Apr 2025 - 9:00PM

A screen showing stock prices at the end of the trading day on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on April 4, 2025. World financial markets are continuing to react to reciprocal tariffs that US President Donald Trump implemented. Photo: EPA-EFE

United States

My Take | Donald Trump’s tariff madness targets not only allies but animals

Penguins, seals and seabirds have not been spared in America’s global trade war, likewise territories with significant US or allied military assets.

4 Apr 2025 - 9:00PM

Asia travel

Diving aside, Pacific paradise Palau wants you to visit for its culture

The island nation and diving paradise is pushing its cultural heritage, with village tours and handicraft workshops.

24 Feb 2025 - 1:47PM

Taiwan

Why the ‘Out of Taiwan’ language theory is a cross-strait battleground

Mainland Chinese academics are countering the hypothesis that the island was the ancestral homeland of the Austronesian peoples.

12 Feb 2025 - 7:08PMvideocam

The Austronesians are a group of ethnic communities spread across a vast region of the world – including Taiwan. Photo: Shutterstock

Pacific nations

Palau seeks US missile system citing ‘direct threat’ from China ICBM test

President Whipps said he and incoming US leader Trump are ‘very much in agreement’ regarding the Pacific island nation’s security.

14 Nov 2024 - 12:30PMvideocam

China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in September. Photo: PLA Army News and Communication Centre/AFP

Asia travel

How the rangers of Palau’s Helen Reef keep the poachers at bay

Helen Reef, in Palau, has its own dedicated guard force, deterring poachers and protecting its incredible variety of life.

21 Oct 2024 - 5:15PM

US-China relations

As No 2 US envoy ends Pacific tour, Beijing scores a diplomatic win on Taiwan

After Beijing envoy demands ‘correction’, Pacific Islands Forum scraps Taiwan reference from its annual summit’s final communique.

1 Sep 2024 - 12:39AMvideocam

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Palau

US, allies and China vie for influence through Pacific security deals

New mapping tool highlights contrasting approaches, with Beijing expanding policing ties as Washington maintains defence pacts.

Taiwan Mandopop band member allegedly assaulted by South Korean diver underwater

How a new US Army unit could challenge the PLA’s strategy in a Taiwan conflict

Somali pirates kill 5 crew on hijacked tanker before rescue

Deaths aboard the Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 appear to be the first involving Somali pirates in over a decade.

Taipei donates coastguard vessel to Manila amid South China Sea tensions

As it faces off against Beijing in the region, Manila has been expanding its unofficial security cooperation with Taipei.

Japan to expand security aid to 12 Indo-Pacific nations

Tokyo has more than doubled its security assistance programme to US$114 million in a strategic push.

China’s missile test exposes lack of unity among Pacific island nations

While some Pacific Islands Forum members have criticised the test near Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea appears to have backtracked, analysts say.

Trump shows no regret over deaths of 3 Indian sailors in Iran war strike by US

In their first bilateral meeting in 16 months, US president only goes as far as calling commercial vessel operations ‘a rough profession’.

Aid and diplomacy: US Navy’s renewed bid for Southeast Asian influence

Pacific Partnership 2026 aims to counter China’s rising influence in the region, amid growing doubts about US leadership, analysts say.

Indians grieve and demand action after US strike kills sailors

Calls are mounting for Modi to take up the matter with Trump at next week’s G7 summit.

India summons US diplomat again in rare display of anger over sailors’ killings

US military says the tanker ignored repeated warnings before being disabled for violating the Iran blockade.

3 Indian sailors dead after US attacks commercial vessel off Oman

New Delhi summoned a top US diplomat after the strike on MT Settebello to lodge ‘a strong protest’.

Israel and Iran hold fire after exchange, but warn of escalation if provoked

Middle East foes lift immediate safety restrictions while actively preparing for the next wave of retaliation.

Rising seas: Japan makes pitch to Pacific nations caught in US-China rivalry

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi tells summit that Tokyo is committed to helping regional partners strengthen ‘autonomy and resilience’.

US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian exchange house, 19 ships from shadow fleet

The Treasury’s move came after Iran ‌said its latest peace proposal to the US involved ending hostilities on all fronts.

‘I started crying’: Indonesian captain’s wife in agony over pirate attack

Captain Ashari Samadikun had sent a chilling warning to his wife before his fuel tanker was hijacked by pirates last month.

Fears of ecological crisis as Okinawa’s wildlife falls prey to poachers

Conservationists urge stronger protections to deter the growing illegal trade and overseas demand for Okinawa’s endemic species.

Pacific Islands leaders call for ‘ocean of peace’ but face rough seas at summit

The Pacific Islands Forum has been clouded by allegations that host Solomon Islands did not invite Taiwan to please its close backer.

Deadline looms as nations remain divided on global plastic pollution treaty

A coalition of oil-producing states remains at odds with an ‘ambitious’ group that wants radical action written into a treaty.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Taiwan donation vow to Israeli settlement is cynical and foolish

Fulfilling the pledge would be a violation of international law, as Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank is universally recognised as illegal.

Most Pacific island women don’t work. The World Bank wants to change that

Outdated laws and social norms keep 57 per cent of working-age women across the Pacific out of the labour force, the bank says.

My Take | The United States, not China, turns out to be the real bogeyman

The significance of Trump’s tariffs is that they have destroyed the credibility of America on which its global alliances have long depended.

My Take | Donald Trump’s tariff madness targets not only allies but animals

Penguins, seals and seabirds have not been spared in America’s global trade war, likewise territories with significant US or allied military assets.

Diving aside, Pacific paradise Palau wants you to visit for its culture

The island nation and diving paradise is pushing its cultural heritage, with village tours and handicraft workshops.

Why the ‘Out of Taiwan’ language theory is a cross-strait battleground

Mainland Chinese academics are countering the hypothesis that the island was the ancestral homeland of the Austronesian peoples.

Palau seeks US missile system citing ‘direct threat’ from China ICBM test

President Whipps said he and incoming US leader Trump are ‘very much in agreement’ regarding the Pacific island nation’s security.

How the rangers of Palau’s Helen Reef keep the poachers at bay

Helen Reef, in Palau, has its own dedicated guard force, deterring poachers and protecting its incredible variety of life.

As No 2 US envoy ends Pacific tour, Beijing scores a diplomatic win on Taiwan

After Beijing envoy demands ‘correction’, Pacific Islands Forum scraps Taiwan reference from its annual summit’s final communique.

My Take | Taiwan donation vow to Israeli settlement is cynical and foolish