Stories by Bernadette Carreon

Over 100 tourists have descended on Palau to kick off the first travel bubble with Taiwan.

Palau's President has welcomed a travel bubble with Taiwan as a lifeline for his country's economy, devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Palau has received 200 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine this month and has immediately started the rollout to one of the outlying states.

Palau has a new president and first in his agenda is assuring close allies like the United States and Taiwan that the nation will stand strong with them.

Palau's president and president-elect received their coronavirus vaccines this week, as the country aims to become one of the first in the world to innoculate its population against Covid-19.

The first batch of coronavirus vaccines arrived in Palau early on Saturday morning, greeted on the tarmac by the president-elect and health minister.

The crew of a Chinese vessel who have been detained in Palau since 12 December will be released without charge and ordered to leave the country.

The United States Embassy in Palau has commended the action the nation has taken against a Chinese fishing vessel and its crew members for alleged unlawful entry.

Palau health officials said they are on track to conduct its first Covid-19 vaccination by January and according to the Center for Disease Control website.

Palau is still determining if the 28 crew of a detained Chinese fishing vessel will be formally charged in court, as the case is still being investigated.

The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum has recommended an elimination process for candidates in the election of secretary-general at the regional body.

In what will be the first of its kind in the Pacific, Palau is building a facility to house newly acquired K-9 military dogs.

Palau's president has reiterated his call for the US military to establish a permanent presence in Palau.

Leaders of five Micronesian nations say they will withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum if their nominee is not chosen as Secretary-General.

The US is committed to finalising the extension of the economic provision of the Compact of Free Association with Palau this year, according to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Audio

Tourism between Taiwan and Palau will not restart anytime soon, according to the Taiwan Ambassador to Palau.

The US Secretary of Defense is scheduled to visit Palau for five hours on Friday, with President Tommy Remengesau Junior calling it a historic visit.

Palau is to open up its borders to travellers but still under strict protocols.

Leaders of Covid-free nations in Micronesia are planning an in-person meeting this year.

A US military vessel has docked in Palau, with the government describing the visit as a humanitarian mission designed to strengthen relationships and provide technical assistance and training.

Palau has scheduled another flight on July 23 from Guam to repatriate its nationals and residents stranded abroad especially from the United States.

The suspension of 100 percent fisheries observer coverage on all purse seine fishing vessels in the Pacific is set to be extended.

The Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, has requested the postponement of the appointment of a new Secretary-General.

Palau's President Tommy Remengesau says "it is Micronesia's turn to provide the next Pacific Island's Forum Secretary-General".

There may never be a flight to Palau more unpopular than the one scheduled to arrive this morning.