Local 59-member delegation for XII Pacific Mini Games in Palau begin departing tonight

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Following determined, last-minute efforts by American Samoa's national women’s softball and volleyball teams to raise the remaining funds for their airfares, a 59-member delegation is set to begin departing tonight to...

Team Samoa off to Palau despite cash issues

The Samoa Association of Sports and the National Olympic Committee challenged the 46 athletes to the Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games to bring 49 medals amidst financial challenges. President Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork said they only received $168,000...

Bryan, Plaskett Defend Federal Tax Exemption for EDC Companies

A provision included in the Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” would exempt some Virgin Islands companies owned by U.S. businesses from paying a tax typically applied to American companies operating in foreign countries. (Source file...

André Rieu, the rockstar of classical music: millions of followers and a castle for a home

In Vrijthof, the largest square in Maastricht, someone has taped a piece of paper to a lamp-post with the handwritten words 'André Rieu is unne wikser' ('André Rieu is a magician' in Limburgish, the language of the region). A few metres away, his...

World Bank: Uncertainty reigns for PIC-11

THE tourism outlook for the Pacific is currently facing uncertainty, due mainly to an expected weakening in global economic growth, projected to slow to 2.3 per cent in 2025, the World Bank revealed in its latest economic update released...

Pacific Islands need to boost women in jobs: World Bank

Less than half of working age women are employed across the Pacific Islands due to outdated laws and other barriers, the World Bank said in a new report yesterday, adding that closing the gender gap could boost economic growth. The World Bank...

Pacific Economic Update: Slowing Growth Highlights Need for More Inclusive Workforce

HONIARA, June 17, 2025 — Economic growth is slowing across the Pacific as countries face weak global growth, natural hazards and climate related shocks. The World Bank’s flagship Pacific Economic Update, released today in Honiara, projects...

As economic growth slows, Pacific Islands should boost women in jobs, says World Bank

By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -Less than half of working age women are employed across the Pacific Islands due to outdated laws and other barriers, the World Bank said in a new report on Tuesday, and said closing the gender gap could boost...

Palau, escaping Trump tariffs, says strong U.S good for Pacific03

SYDNEY (REUTERS)—-The president of the tiny Pacific Islands nation of Palau, one of the few countries to escape U.S. tariffs, said he remains “positive” the Trump Administration will keep a strong focus on the region and not permanently retreat....

The Government and Esquerra seal the deal for the commuter rail operator while awaiting special financing.

BarcelonaThe PSC and ERC governments sealed the agreement this Thursday to establish the new joint venture that will operate the commuter rail service once it is transferred to Catalonia. The agreement is not yet in place and the pact signed...

Destination Palau: Lae Fun Run nets K150,000

TRUKAI Industries, in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC), has raised K150,000 through the Fun Run T-shirt auction in Lae at the International Hotel on Friday evening. The event saw an outpouring of support from...

Palau moves to protect 28 health workers after US grant cuts

Raynold Oilouch KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — Twenty-eight employees at the Ministry of Health and Human Services faced possible layoffs due to cuts in U.S. federal funding under the administration of President Donald Trump. However, Palau’s...

Business Fined $75K for Tax Violations; Tax Office Urges Better Recordkeeping

KOROR, Palau — A local business has been fined more than $75,000 by the Bureau of Revenue & Taxation for breaking Palau’s tax laws, after an audit revealed the company failed to properly record and report sales. According to the Bureau, the...

Covid-free Pacific islands look to rejoin the world

Two of the last four remaining Covid-free nations in the world are preparing to open their borders to re-join the Covid world. The Federated States of Micronesia has announced its plan to open its borders without quarantine beginning 01 August....

Palau’s tourism sector boosts economic growth

The ongoing recovery in Palau’s tourism sector has contributed to the island nation’s economic growth in the Fiscal Year 2024, according to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) latest economic forecast for Asia and the Pacific: April 2025. “Palau’s...

Deadly Or Disruptive? XRP Gets The COVID-19 Comparison From Finance Expert

Financial commentator Gary Cardone ignited a heated debate this week after he accused XRP of siding with authoritarian powers to stay relevant. His statements followed speculation that the European Central Bank (ECB) could use the XRP Ledger to...

Palau’s economy forecasted 9.5% growth, driven by tourism and construction boom

Palau moves to Protect 28 Health Workers after U.S. Grant cuts

KOROR, Palau — Twenty-eight employees at the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MHHS) faced possible layoffs due to cuts in U.S. federal funding under the administration of President Donald Trump. However, Palau’s leadership has committed to...

Palau, escaping Trump tariffs, says strong US good for Pacific

By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) - The president of the tiny Pacific Islands nation of Palau, one of the few countries to escape U.S. tariffs, said he remains "positive" the Trump Administration will keep a strong focus on the region and not...

Good news for Indians, after Thailand, Philippines, Maldives, Palau, this country has eased visa rules for travellers to boost tourism, it is...

The goal is to increase tourism, promote cultural exchanges, and build closer ties between the two nations. In a move to strengthen ties with India and promote tourism, Georgia has relaxed its visa rules for Indian citizens. As per a report by The...