By Laurel Marewibuel | Island Times HAGÅTÑA, Guam — Palauans living in Guam marked Palau’s 31st Independence Day on October 11 with a vibrant celebration that highlighted cultural pride and strengthened ties with the island’s local community. Palau Club Representatives with celebratory cake of 31st Palau Independence Day celebration in Guam The event, held at […]
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Palau’s Wage Hike May Spur Short-Term Price Rises, Economic Advisory Report Warns
By: Leilani Reklai KOROR, Palau — Palau’s recent wage and salary increases, aimed at easing the burden of post-pandemic inflation, may deliver limited short-term relief and could instead fuel higher living costs, according to the Economic Advisory Group’s (EAG) May 2025 report. The proposed bill before Olbiil Era Kelulau seeks a 10% across-the-board pay increase […]
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Ten Years After Law Passed, Palau’s Sex Offender Registry Still Offline
Attorney General: Palau Maintains Internal Sex Offender Records, But No Public Database By: Summer Kennard Koror, Palau (October 14, 2025) After months of questions regarding the implementation of Palau’s Sex Offender Registration Law, Attorney General Ernestine K. Rengiil confirmed that the country still lacks a public online registry, though internal records are maintained and accessible […]
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Palau, Japan Discuss Clean Energy and Tourism Cooperation
By: Faith Chen TOKYO, Japan (October 12, 2025) — Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl and Bureau of Tourism Director Elangel Yanni Mesubed completed a working visit to Japan from October 10 to 12, focusing on cooperation in sustainable development, clean energy, and tourism-related innovation. On October 10, the delegation met […]
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Palau Reported No Impact After 7.4-Magnitude Mindanao Quake
By: Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau — The National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) issued a tsunami advisory Friday morning after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near the eastern coast of Mindanao, Philippines, prompting brief concern but little impact across Palau. According to the Palau National Weather Service Office (WSO), the quake occurred at 10:44 a.m. […]
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Guam Customs Officers Confiscate Betel Nut Following Permit Misapplication
By: Faith Chen Hagåtña, Guam (Oct. 8, 2025) — Palauan nationals arriving in Guam on Oct. 7, 2025, were subject to secondary inspection at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, where their buuch (betel nut) was confiscated by airport-based Customs officers under the assertion that a federal permit was required for importation. However, a memorandum […]