By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau (Aug. 4, 2026) – A visit by Japan’s parliamentary Vice Minister of Defence brought Palau’s security cooperation and wartime history into focus as Hon. Yoshida Shinji made his first overseas trip since taking office. For Palauans, the visit touched both present-day concerns and shared history. Yoshida paid a courtesy call […]
Tag: Jennifer Olegeriil
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Palau Names US Veteran Rallen Ngiraidong Director of New Police Standards Office
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — The Ministry of Justice has hired Rallen Ngiraidong, a retired U.S. military veteran and former U.S. law enforcement officer, to lead its newly created Office of Professional Standards. Ngiraidong took the oath of office July 14 to head the office, which operates under the Ministry of Justice. The office […]
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Woman charged after THC gummies allegedly hospitalized three women at Koror luncheon
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang KOROR, Palau (July 16, 2026) — An Airai woman is facing drug trafficking and reckless endangerment charges after allegedly distributing THC-infused gummies during a luncheon that resulted in three elderly women seeking emergency medical treatment. According to court documents filed June 22 in Criminal Case No. 26-038, Kimberly Elarionoff has been […]
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Two More Third-Country Nationals Arrive in Palau Under U.S. Agreement
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (July 8, 2026) Two third-country nationals arrived in Palau Wednesday night under a migration agreement between Palau and the United States, according to sources familiar with the arrivals. Minister of Justice Jennifer Olegeriil confirmed to an Island Times reporter that the arrivals were expected this week but declined to confirm […]
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Pacific leaders unite against rising transnational crime threat at first regional summit in Fiji
Palau officials join Pacific ministers, police chiefs in push for stronger regional response to drug trafficking and organized crime ahead of Pacific Islands Forum in Palau By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (May 21, 2026) — Pacific leaders, police commissioners and justice officials gathered this week in Fiji for the region’s first ministerial-level Transnational Crime Summit, […]
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THC-Laced Gummies Send Three to Palau ER, Including Child
Justice Ministry says knowingly distributing marijuana-laced food could lead to trafficking charges under new drug law. By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — Three people, including a child, were admitted to the emergency room after consuming marijuana-laced gummies, commonly known as THC “edibles” or “eddies” among younger users, according to Palau health and law enforcement officials. […]