Verification finds only 83 valid signatures, below 97 required under Constitution By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (April 16, 2026)— The Palau Election Commission has rejected a petition seeking the recall of Ngchesar State Delegate Rebecca Sebalt Ngirmechaet after determining it did not meet the constitutional requirement for valid signatures. In a letter to Percy Rechelluul, […]
Category: Top Stories
Posted inTop Stories
Super Typhoon Sinlaku Batters Saipan, Guam; Widespread Damage, No Deaths Reported
Power, water outages and flooding hit Northern Marianas as strongest storm of 2026 moves north Northern Mariana Islands (April 16, 2026)— Super Typhoon Sinlaku tore across the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam this week, overturning vehicles, toppling utility poles and ripping roofs from homes, as authorities reported widespread damage but no confirmed deaths. The powerful […]
Posted inTop Stories
Indonesian Fishing Vessel Seized in Palau’s EEZ, Nets 40 Tons of Illegal Catch
First successful apprehension since 2021 highlights renewed crackdown on illegal fishing By: L.N. Reklai Koror, Palau — Authorities have seized an Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel operating illegally within Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), marking the first successful apprehension of its kind in years and highlighting enforcement efforts to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The purse […]
Posted inTop Stories
Palau Marks Earth Month With Nationwide Cleanups, Tree Planting and Reef Restoration
Council of Chiefs joins national push with traditional stewardship efforts across 16 states KOROR, Palau (April 2026) — Palau has officially designated April as Earth Month, launching a nationwide campaign of environmental activities ahead of Earth Day on April 22. His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps Jr. issued Presidential Proclamation No. 26-424, recognizing the observance and […]
Posted inTop Stories
Uherbelau Faces Senate Scrutiny in Fast-Tracked Hearing for Palau Ambassador to Taiwan
Lawmakers raise concerns over medical referrals and evacuation plans amid rising regional tensions By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau — Gaafar J. Uherbelau, President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s nominee for ambassador to Taiwan, appeared before senators Wednesday for a confirmation hearing marked by an unusually fast timeline. The April 15 hearing took place just two days […]
Posted inTop Stories
House Advances Bill Mandating Palauan Language Instruction in Early Grades
Measure requires K–3 teaching in Palauan, allows Sonsorolese and Hatohobeian options By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGERULMUD, Palau — Delegate Sebastian Marino of Hatohobei has introduced a three-page bill in the House of Delegates proposing a significant reform to Palau’s education system by requiring Palauan traditional languages as the primary language of instruction in early grades. […]