Return of WWII airman’s remains after 65 years brings comfort to Southern California family

Family welcomes home remains of WWII airman

Uighur leader says Chinese detainees at Guantanamo should be allowed to stay in US

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A group of Chinese Muslims detained for years at the Guantanamo Bay military prison should be allowed to settle in the United States, an exiled leader of the ethnic minority said Wednesday.

AP Exclusive: Tiny Palau with just 1 patrol boat creates world’s first shark sanctuary

UNITED NATIONS — The tiny Pacific nation of Palau is creating the world’s first shark sanctuary, a biological hotspot to protect great hammerheads, leopard sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks and more than 130 other species fighting extinction in the Pacific Ocean.

Obama administration says 6 to 8 Uighurs will soon leave Guantanamo for freedom in Palau

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration says at least six, and as many as eight, Chinese Muslims held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will soon leave their island prison for freedom in another island nation, Palau.

Lawyer: 2 more Uighur detainees at Guantanamo agree to move to Palau

KOROR, Palau — Two more Chinese Muslim detainees held at Guantanamo Bay have agreed to be relocated to the tiny Pacific nation of Palau, their lawyer said Saturday, bringing to six the total who will resettle.

4th Guantanamo Bay detainee agrees to move to Palau, and US says more may accept offer

KOROR, Palau — A fourth Chinese Muslim detainee held at Guantanamo Bay has agreed to be relocated to the tiny Pacific island nation of Palau, officials said Tuesday.

First batch of Uighur detainees at Guantanamo agree to go to Palau

KOROR, Palau — Three Chinese Muslims detained at Guantanamo Bay have formally accepted an offer to take up new lives in the Pacific island nation of Palau and could be moved there as early as next month, lawyers say.

Government blip gives away New Englanders’ Social Security numbers to Pacific Islanders

CONCORD, N.H. — When Tropical Storm Chata’an struck the Federated States of Micronesia in 2002, the U.S. government sent 1,300 blankets, 4,000 disposable diapers, 30 cases of sardines — and my Social Security number.

Lawyer says some Uighur Guantanamo detainees have agreed to go to Palau, formal deal is close

KOROR, Palau — Some Chinese Muslims still detained at Guantanamo Bay have overcome reservations about being sent to the remote Pacific nation of Palau, and a final deal on their relocation was close, a lawyer for two of them said Wednesday.

Palau to ask US for more aid as it awaits arrival of Guantanamo detainees

KOROR, Palau — Palau is asking longtime benefactor the United States for a 35-year extension on direct aid funding — and hinting Washington should say yes because of its offer to take in 13 Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Guantanamo detainees worry that Palau is too small to protect them from China, president says

MELEKEOK, Palau — Some Chinese Muslims detained at Guantanamo Bay are hesitant about accepting this tiny Pacific nation’s offer to take them in because they fear it cannot shield them from China, Palau’s president said Tuesday.

Palau says some Guantanamo detainees reject move to Pacific islands over security fears

MELEKEOK, Palau — Some Chinese Muslims detained at Guantanamo Bay who have been offered resettlement in Palau are leery of moving to the tiny Pacific island nation for fear that it cannot protect them from China, Palau’s president said Tuesday.

Palau leaders reiterate US ties after visit to aircraft carrier near their Pacific nation

ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON — Palau’s leaders got a close look Sunday at one of the world’s largest warships and said it convinced them of the importance of close U.S. ties for the tiny Pacific nation recently thrust into the global spotlight for agreeing to accept 13 Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Palau’s Muslims have mixed feelings on arrival of Guantanamo detainees in their community

KOROR, Palau — At the call to prayer, the men turn one-by-one down a narrow path through the jungle, marked only by a towering coconut tree.

Guantanamo detainees’ expected arrival in Palau doesn’t scare off tourists

KOROR, Palau — Palau can probably stop worrying that the expected arrival of 13 Guantanamo detainees might scare off tourists.

Guantanamo Uighurs may not want to move to Palau, official says

KOROR, Palau — A group of Guantanamo detainees expected to be resettled in Palau may not want to move to the remote Pacific nation, a Palauan official said Wednesday.

Pacific nation of Palau mourns soldier’s death amid worries about Guantanamo detainees

NGARDMAU, Palau — The war in Afghanistan hit too close to home for the tiny village of Ngardmau in this remote, close-knit Pacific nation.

Palau’s acceptance of Uighurs comes amid talks to renew key US accord

KOROR, Palau — Palau’s decision to take in 13 Guantanamo detainees is a humanitarian gesture from a country that prides itself on welcoming society’s castaways.

Palau helps Myanmar asylum seekers as residents await arrival of Guantanamo detainees

KOROR, Palau — The newcomers on this tiny Pacific nation are young and in limbo, scared that they’ll be arrested if they’re sent back to their native land. Most speak no English, but they say they’re astounded by the generosity of Palau and its people.

AP Interview: Guantanamo detainees’ move to Palau not a done deal, president says

KOROR, Palau — The tiny Pacific island nation that agreed to accept 13 Chinese Muslims from Guantanamo prison has offered itself as a safe haven before.

White House won’t rule out freeing some Guantanamo detainees in US, speeds overseas relocation

WASHINGTON — Despite fierce opposition in Congress, the White House insisted Friday it has not ruled out releasing Guantanamo Bay detainees in the United States. But with narrowing options, the administration has begun shipping newly cleared inmates abroad to regain momentum in its effort to close the Cuba-based prison camp.

Chinese Muslim detainees may find new home in Palau just as strange as Guantanamo Bay

KOROR, Palau — They came from a land of scorching deserts, snowcapped mountains, camels and mosques. Now after several miserable years imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, 13 Muslims from China will try to resettle on the tiny Pacific nation of Palau — a land of lush beach resorts.

Public backlash mounts in Palau against accepting Chinese Muslims from Guantanamo Bay

KOROR, Palau — The tiny Pacific nation of Palau’s decision to allow 13 Chinese Muslims from the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to resettle there has sparked anger among islanders who fear for the safety of the tranquil tourist haven.