World

MANILA (Reuters) — Philippine troops stationed on a warship grounded on a disputed South China Sea shoal held on to their weapons after Chinese coast guard boats came very close to the ship but they did not point their guns at them, military officials said on Tuesday. Armed Forces of the Philippine…

KOROR  (New York Times/Pacnews) — Palau’s claims that China orchestrated the attack remain unproven. But it’s clear that the breach presents a danger for another ally of Palau: the United States. Palau, a clump of about 350 small islands in the Pacific Ocean, has become increasingly important to th…

Presidential candidate of the ruling Morena party Claudia Sheinbaum reacts while addressing her supporters after winning the presidential election at Zocalo Square in Mexico City, Mexico, June 3, 2024. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) — Claudia Sheinbaum basked in the glow of a thumping presidential win late …

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 1, 2024. SINGAPORE (Reuters) — Australia has asked for military talks with China and is comfortable growing closer to the Philippines, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said …

U.S. soldiers participate in the live fire exercise during the annual joint military exercises between U.S. and Philippine troops called “Balikatan” or shoulder-to-shoulder, at Laoag, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, May 6, 2024. BEIJING/MANILA (Reuters) — China’s defense ministry o…

Surangel Whipps Jr. KOROR (Pacnews/Island Times) — Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. has retained an attorney in Texas to address a civil case filed against him in Sherman, Texas.  The case was brought by Christa Nastad-Toribiong, the wife of former President Johnson Toribiong, alleging a violati…

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during the National Memorial Day Wreath-Laying and Observance Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, May 27, 2024. WASHINGTON (Reuters) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will reassure Asian allies that Washington is committed to…

Lawmakers take part in a session of parliament in Taipei, Taiwan, May 28, 2024. TAIPEI (Reuters) — Thousands of people protested outside Taiwan’s parliament on Tuesday after it passed a reform package to increase oversight of the government pushed by the opposition but opposed by the ruling p…

Locals gather amid the damage after a landslide in Maip Mulitaka, Enga province, Papua New Guinea May 24, 2024. SYDNEY (Reuters) — Papua New Guinea’s massive landslide three days ago buried more than 2,000 people, the government said on Monday, as treacherous terrain impeded aid and lowered h…

Locals gather amid the damage after a landslide in Maip Mulitaka, Enga province, Papua New Guinea May 24, 2024. SYDNEY (Reuters) — Papua New Guinea’s massive landslide three days ago buried more than 2,000 people, the government said on Monday, as treacherous terrain impeded aid and lowered h…