Regional

KOROR (Palau Horizon) — Pacific island legislators deferred discussion on a proposed resolution urging member governments to enact a building code in order to prevent damages caused by natural disasters in the region. The members agreed to postpone deliberation on the resolution following a recomme…

KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The Environmental Quality Protection Board has prevented Daewoo-Palau from removing the tugboat and a barge that slammed into a reef outside the Ngaremlengui Passage on western Babeldaob. According to the cease and desist order issued by EQPB, Daewoo is the contractor of Tug…

KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The Supreme Court Appellate Division has upheld the ruling of the trial court convicting the manager of a karaoke bar in Koror for prostitution activities. Tsai Chien Chun, or Kenny Tsai, owner of Hot Chil Bar was convicted of attempted profiting from prostitution and obstru…

KOROR (Palau Horizon) — Senate President Seit Andres and Sen. Joshua Koshiba have asked the Supreme Court to stop the Palau Elections Commission from holding the recall election scheduled on July 11, saying that the process of the petition’s circulation and collection of signatures was done fraudul…

KOROR (Palau Horizon) – The Palau Supreme Court Trial Division sentenced a Chinese national to 50 years in jail and also ordered him to pay a fine of $200,000 for importing 300 grams of methamphetamine or “ice.” Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong said Liu Man Chuen will serve the sentence consecutive…

KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The Ministry of Health will launch a 24-hour, seven days a week crisis hotline next month. Public Health Director Caleb Otto said that through the joint efforts of the bureau, Palau Community College and the Committee on Population and Children, the hotline will soon be set …

KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The Palau Supreme Court has convicted a Chinese national for bribing an immigration officer. Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong found Cheng Zhong Ping guilty of one count of bribery. Cheng, who worked in Palau several years ago, was charged for bribing Immigration Officer Hose…

KOROR (Palau Horizon) — President Tommy Remengesau expressed disappointment over the Senate’s failure to pass legislation on the planned purchase of property in the United States for the Palau Embassy in Washington, D.C. Remengesau said the leaders of the Olbiil Era Kelulau promised to consider the…

KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The Palau Elections Commission says it has enough money to proceed with the recall elections set for July 11 and will no longer wait for the approval of the supplemental budget the commission recently requested. Baudista Rengulbai, the commission’s executive director, said t…

KOROR (Palau Horizon) — Palau’s Environmental Quality Protection Board has declared the nation’s drinking water unsafe after the turbidity level exceeded the limit set by the agency. EQPB Executive Director Marhence Madranchar said water samples taken by the agency in several areas indicated high l…