Palau

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's National Congress has voiced its support for the president's decision to withdraw the country from the Pacific Islands Forum. Audio

Palau's president says it is preparing to leave the Pacific Islands Forum, the region's premier political and economic policy organisation. Audio

The new president of Palau is standing by an ultimatum issued by Micronesian leaders over the top job in the Pacific Islands Forum.

Palau is leading the US on Covid-19 vaccination stats with 17 percent of the population having received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Audio

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says the international community now understands "what China is about", and that more countries are questioning Beijing's activities in the Pacific Islands region.

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.

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.

Surangel Whipps Jr, the brother-in-law of outgoing President Tommy Remengesau, is to be Palau's new leader.

Palau's efforts to ensure reliable, secure digital connectivity in the country are back on track.

Palau's President says it would make Micronesia a "joke" if the region's nations remained in the Pacific Island Forum and their nominee for Secretary-General was not given the role.