Palau

Palau abstained from a UN vote on a resolution on Russian aggression in Ukraine, focused on cooperation with the Council of Europe; in February, Palau had aligned with the US voting against another resolution condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

Border security has been tightened in a direct response to growing concerns about foreign criminal activity, not specified; the measure resulted in an 88% denial rate for Chinese visa applications according to Tia Belau Newspaper

Okubo Hideaki, currently director of the ENEOS baseball team, one of the strongest in Japanese amateur baseball, has visited Palau to observe Little League games, hold a meeting, and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Japan introducing “Iakiu” to Palau

A new book of Palauan legends written in the Palauan language, financed by the Sasakawa Foundation, the Palau High School Student Science Club, offers people the opportunity to learn about traditional stories and strengthen their language skills

The Senate is again considering a proposal to lift the ban on the export of reef fish, with a bill that would allow limited shipments abroad of certain species for personal use

An innovative genetic study of ancient remains has revealed new insights into the ancestry and migration patterns of Palau's early inhabitants, distinguishing them from other Pacific island populations

A newly introduced bill allocates $1,4 million in social assistance funds with a one-time payment of $450 for retirees who have no other source of earned income and for individuals receiving disability insurance benefits

Aimeliik primary school students have now access to a music and dance programme, German-funded, that provides teaching, tools and practical training

Faced with what law enforcement officials described as a drug crisis, President Surangel Whipps Jr. identified the fight against illegal drugs as a top priority, pledging to toughen penalties for related crimes and offenders

President Surangel Whipps Jr. signed into law RPPL 11-40, a comprehensive amendment to the government wage structure, which introduces a 10% across-the-board wage increase for all public and contract employees which will be in force from 1 October 2025

President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. proclaimed the months of December 2024 to February 2025 as Red Ribbon Months, under the theme 'Life is a movie, live drug-free' to promote drug-free lifestyles

A spawning monitoring dive will be conducted the Koror State Government Department of Conservation Law and Enforcement through the Palau Pledge Dive Club as part of Koror State's Resilient Reef Initiative Sustainable Fisheries Project

The proclamation for National Diabetes Day has been signed by President Surangel Whipps Jr. who emphasised the urgent need to combat diabetes in Palau, noting that 'more than 50% of Palau residents suffer from diabetes or prediabetes'