You’re reading The Husk's Friday edition, our Weekender, a countdown/roundup of miscellanea from Micronesia, Guam, and Earth.

…things from Micronesia

• Palau is going to create its own national digital currency?! Woah. According to the Island Times, President Surangel Whipps Jr. announced his office and Ripple, a crypto and blockchain company, signed an MOU and will partner on the project. Island Times also notes that Ripple and the U.S. SEC are involved in a lawsuit.

• Jovani Adachi took the Palau flag to new heights, waving it over Iraq while riding in a helicopter. Represent.

• Dr. Perpetua S. Konman is elected the first female FSM Congressmember by Chuukese voters, per the Kaselehlie Press. The FSM government also notes she is the most highly educated person to be elected senator in the FSM Congress. Dr. Konman hails from Fefan island and graduated from the College of Micronesia FSM before moving on to the Fiji School of Medicine. Congratulations, Senator-elect Konman!

…military things

• A Nov. 30 report from CNN notes that the Pentagon is looking to build up the bases on Guam¹ and in Australia “to better prepare the U.S. military to counter China.”

  The article also reads:

  To counter China, the review directs the Department to enhance "infrastructure in Guam and Australia," and to prioritize "military construction across the Pacific Islands," the official said, as well as "seeking greater regional access for military partnership activities."

  This checks out. It’s been reported that Palau has invited the U.S. to build an American military base in their country and the Federated States of Micronesia and America agreed on a plan to build an American base in their country as well.

• In somewhat related news, Taiwan is looking to establish a military attaché in Guam.

…very compelling reason to watch Netflix

• You can see our fave Jennifer Dugwen Chieng, famous Yapese-Filipino fighter/author/badass, spar with Halle Berry, er, I mean Halle Berry’s character. Jennifer was cast in the Netflix film “Bruised” which debuted last week. It earned the #1 spot in the U.S. on Netflix. According to Deadline, “Bruised” was watched for 47.7 million hours in its first five days. Congratulations, Jennifer! Go, Jennifer, go!

As always, thank you for reading. Subscribe if ya want to. Wishing you a nice, relaxing, restful weekend if that’s what you’re into, otherwise, go wild.

Also, if you didn’t know, Palau’s first newspaper, Tia Belau, launched its website, tiabelaunews.com. Check it out.

See you all² in your inbox on Monday. Until then,