Oceania >>

...

Palau’s Attorney General’s Office and the Bureau of Public Safety are cracking down on prostitution and human trafficking cases in the Republic. On January 13, 2014, the AG’s office named Peleliu State Governor Temmy Shmull and Philippine national Mary Claire Batiancila defendants of a new case where they face criminal charges in relation to the read more... ...

One of Palau’s most senior and experienced lawmaker has resigned from his committee chairmanship position claiming lack of leadership in the Senate. On January 14, 2014, during the first day of first regular session for the new year, Senator Hokkons Baules submitted his resignation letter to Senate President Camsek Chin. Senator Baules, who previously served read more... ...

Palau’s Attorney General’s office has filed charges against another individual in relation to the ATT Karaoke Bar and Disco human trafficking and prostitution case.   On January 13, 2014, the AG’s office filed criminal charges against Philippine national Mary Claire Batiancila for committing perjury during a deposition at the Supreme Court on Friday January 10, read more... ...

...

The Marshall Islands is facing a new bribery scandal with more than a handful of employees forced to take their administrative leaves pending further investigation.   The Marshall Islands Journal, the nation’s newspaper reports that on New Year’s Eve the Auditor General, Attorney General’s Office and the National police launched an investigation regarding allegations that read more... ...

The Marshall Islands is facing a new bribery scandal with more than a handful of employees forced to take their administrative leaves pending further investigation. The Marshall Islands Journal, the nation’s newspaper reports that on New Year’s Eve the Auditor General, Attorney General’s Office and the National police launched an investigation regarding allegations that employees read more... ...

One of Palau’s most senior and experienced lawmaker has resigned from his committee chairmanship position claiming lack of leadership in the Senate. On January 14, 2014, during the first day of first regular session for the new year, Senator Hokkons Baules submitted his resignation letter to Senate President Camsek Chin. Senator Baules, who previously served read more... ...

    The government of the Republic of Palau has signed an agreement with Japan that would allow Japanese companies to earn carbon credits by helping the island nation cut greenhouse gas emissions. On Monday January 13, 2014, Japan’s Minister of Environment Nobuteru Ishihara and Palau’s Minister of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce Charles Obichang read more... ...

A quarantine officer from Palau national government is set to serve two years in jail for his involvement in an illegal cigarette smuggling scheme. On January 16, 2014, Jeff Tewid pled guilty to three counts of bribery and one count of misconduct in public office. According to information from the Attorney General’s Office, Tewid accepted read more... ...

Palau’s Attorney General’s office has filed charges against another individual in relation to the ATT Karaoke Bar and Disco human trafficking and prostitution case. On January 13, 2014, the AG’s office filed criminal charges against Philippine national Mary Claire Batiancila for committing perjury during a deposition at the Supreme Court on Friday January 10, 2014. read more... ...

About 2,000 residents of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands received an early Christmas gift last month when high-speed Internet was extended to them. An agreement between the Marshall Islands National Telecommunication Authority (NTA) and a U.S. Army contractor allowed for the access of high-speed Internet to the residents, who in the past dealt with read more... ...

A stabbing incident on the eve of New Year’s Day has led to the death of one of the victims in Palau. At around 8:00 pm on January 1, 2014, two young Palauan men where rushed to the Belau National Hospital with reported stab wounds. One individual suffered stab wounds to the chest and stomach, read more... ...

An American suspect who is facing first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of a young Palauan U.S. soldier reportedly admitted his involvement in the shooting. As reported by Colorado’s Fox 21 News online, 30-year-old Matthew Dejong admitted to shooting at 19-year old U.S. Army Private Olajuwon “Olai” Kumangai on New Year’ day in Colorado read more... ...

A halfway house is being eyed for the Bureau of Public Safety as a way to segregate inmates and improve security at the Division of Corrections. In an interview with OTV, Bureau of Public Safety Director Ismael Aguon disclosed that the Bureau is looking into constructing a halfway house this year. One of the Bureau’s read more... ...

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is set to launch its first maritime training program this month. The Marianas Variety reports that the College of the Marshall Islands in the capital city of Majuro will be launching the program this January, with a more comprehensive program planned for later in the year. Classes will consist read more... ...

The Supreme Court of Palau has sentenced a man who brutally attacked a Filipino employee of a popular burger joint in July 2013 to 30 years in prison. Following a six-day jury trial in November 2013, Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong on January 8, 2014 sentenced Zylden Yano aka Sheldon Yano to 30 years in prison read more... ...

After spending the holiday season in Palau, United States Senator John McCain appeared on the Tonight’s Show, a popular American television program. During his appearance with his daughter Meghan McCain who also made the trip to Palau, Senator McCain mentioned the trip describing Palau as a beautiful island in the Pacific when Jay Leno, the read more... ...

Defendants of the ATT Karaoke Bar and Disco case have entered not guilty pleas to numerous criminal charges including soliciting prostitution, money laundering, advanced prostitution and unlawful employee restrictions. Peleliu State Governor Temmy Shmull, local businessman and ATT sponsor Haruo Esang, and two Filipino nationals Grace Baconga and Jeryl Blas all entered not guilty pleas read more......

Two Angaur fishermen remain missing after the 19-foot boat they where on capsized on Sunday December 29, 2013 off the coast of Angaur, an island state south of the main island of Babeldaob. The five-day search and rescue operation for the two missing fishermen identified as Jesse Abraham and Gino Henry officially ended on Friday read more... ...