Pacific

World 11 hours ago

After dozens die in floods, Indonesia seeds clouds to block rainfall

Indonesian authorities have seeded clouds in a bid to prevent further rainfall after flash floods that hit the country's Sumatra Island over the weekend left at least 59 people dead.

World 11 hours ago

France's Macron considers imposing state of emergency in New Caledonia over violent unrest

French President Emmanuel Macron is considering imposing a state of emergency in New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific, in response to a surge in violence.

World 11 hours ago

Curfew imposed in New Caledonia following 'high-intensity' violent unrest triggered by voting reforms

Authorities in New Caledonia have implemented a two-day curfew and banned gatherings following violent unrest in Noumea and other areas, officials said.

World 11 hours ago

More bodies recovered after Indonesia flash floods bring death toll to 44

In Indonesia, heavy rains and a landslide caused a river to overflow its banks, resulting in flash floods that have killed at least 44 people with 15 still missing.

World 11 hours ago

Indonesia's Mount Ibu volcano erupts, authorities prepare to evacuate thousands

Indonesia's Mount Ibu volcano erupted for five minutes. Authorities have prepared evacuation tents nearby but have not yet ordered an evacuation.

World 11 hours ago

Australia and Tuvalu's new security deal clarifies 'veto power' over defense agreements with other countries

Australia and the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu came to a new security agreement that eased the latter's concerns over the deal's effects on its sovereignty.

World 11 hours ago

Former Fiji prime minister sentenced to prison for interfering in criminal investigation

Former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been sentenced to prison for attempting to obstruct a criminal investigation during his time in office.

World 11 hours ago

China says Australian helicopter 'provoked' response after near miss encounter with Chinese jet

China blamed Australia for a recent encounter over the Yellow Sea in which a Chinese jet dropped flares near an Australian helicopter when it got too close to Chinese airspace.

World 11 hours ago

Australia accuses China of reckless behavior after fighter jet dropped flares in front of helicopter

Australia accused China of unsafe behavior when a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares in front of an Australian helicopter. Beijing has not commented on the incident.

World 11 hours ago

China reveals alleged 2016 'secret agreement' with Philippines regarding South China Sea

China alleges that in 2016, the Philippines entered into an unwritten agreement that restricted access by military and other official ships to islands in the South China Sea.

World 11 hours ago

Indonesia’s Ruang volcano spits more hot ash after eruption forces schools and airports to close

Authorities warned locals of possible super-hot volcanic clouds and a tsunami if the mountain falls into the sea following another eruption of Indonesia's Mount Ruang volcano.

World 11 hours ago

Chinese coast guard fires water cannons at Philippine ships as tensions mount in South China Sea

Philippine ships were blasted by water cannons from Chinese coast guard ships in the latest such incident as China asserts dominance in the South China Sea.

World 11 hours ago

Solomon Islands pro-Beijing prime minister will not retain position following general elections

Solomon Islands pro-Bejing Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will not remain head of the South Pacific island nation’s government following general elections.

U.S. 11 hours ago

Judge rules feds didn't properly implement plan to restore Pacific sardine population

Magistrate Judge Virginia DeMarchi ruled Monday that a federal plan to rebuild the Pacific's sardine population was not properly implemented.

World 11 hours ago

Taiwan president-elect chooses new foreign, defense ministers as China annexation threats intensify

In the face of continued aggression from China, Taiwan president-elect Lai Ching-te appointed new foreign and defense ministers. China sees Taiwan as its sovereign territory.

World 11 hours ago

IAEA experts review treated radioactive wastewater from Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan

Experts from the United Nations nuclear agency have inspected the treated radioactive wastewater that has been discharged into the Pacific from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant.

World 11 hours ago

North Korea tests missile arsenal, has date circled on calendar for more possible provocations, experts say

After North Korea conducted a new missile test on Monday, experts warn the hermit country has a date circled on its calendar for more possible provocations.

World 11 hours ago

Taiwan's military submarine program to proceed after resignation of project chief

Taiwan's indigenous submarine program remains on course despite the resignation of its leader, Huang Shu-kuang, who cited unfair criticism against him and the military.

Politics 11 hours ago

Last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War will lie in honor at the US Capitol

Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War, will lie in honor in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Congress' leaders announced on Tuesday.

Science 11 hours ago

Coral reefs around the world are experiencing mass bleaching in warming oceans, scientists say

Coral reefs around the world are experiencing global bleaching for the fourth time due to prolonged warming of the oceans, according to reef scientists.

World 11 hours ago

Bodies of 3-year-old girl and her mother recovered after deadly Indonesia landslide

Emergency crews recovered the bodies of a 3-year-old girl and her mother on Tuesday, who were both victims of a deadly landslide over the weekend.

World 11 hours ago

'Incredible' mom died trying to save nine-month-old baby from Sydney serial stabber: report

The first victim of the serial stabbing in Sydney, Australia, to be identified in news reports is Ash Good, a mother who died trying to save her nine-month-old baby, who was stabbed.

World 11 hours ago

Witnesses describe 'enormous courage' of hero cop who stopped Australia stabbing spree

An Australian police officer is being called a hero after she fearlessly confronted a suspect who stabbed multiple people at Westfield Bondi Junction and put an end to his rampage.

World 11 hours ago

Suspect among six dead in Australian stabbing spree at busy shopping center: police

At least six people, including the suspect, are dead and eight others are injured after a stabbing spree at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center in Sydney, Australia.

U.S. 11 hours ago

Swimming, surfing in waters near Hawaii wildfire site is safe, officials say

Hawaii's Department of Health announced Thursday that coastal waters off wildfire-ravaged Lahaina are safe for surfers and swimmers to use.

World 11 hours ago

US, Japan and South Korea run military drills in disputed East China Sea

While President Biden met with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines, the U.S. navy led drills with Japan and South Korea amid tensions between the allies and China and North Korea

World 11 hours ago

US Coast Guard, Navy rescue 3 fishermen from deserted island after spelling 'HELP' with palms

The US Coast Guard and Navy helped rescue three men who embarked on a fishing excursion from Polowat Atoll in Micronesia before going missing on March 31.

World 11 hours ago

South Korea's prime minister and top presidential officials resign en masse

South Korea’s prime minister and senior presidential officials submitted their resignations on Thursday after a nationwide election cemented the opposition's control of parliament.

World 11 hours ago

Philippines issues 'strongest protest' after Chinese water cannon assault on navy boat

The Philippines expressed its “strongest protest" against China over a water cannon assault by the Chinese coast guard against the Filipino navy in the disputed South China Sea.

World 11 hours ago

Chinese coast guard uses water cannon on Philippine boat as tensions rise near Second Thomas Shoal

Philippine officials said a Chinese coast guard fired a water cannon at a Philippine supply boat in the South China Sea, near the Second Thomas Shoal.

World 11 hours ago

US will not help Philippines build new port near Taiwan, governor of Batanes islands says

The U.S. will not help the Philippines build a new port near Taiwan after initial engagement on the subject, removing a potential point of friction between the U.S. and China.