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Australia, US commit $580 million to support Pacific Island nations

Australia, US commit $580 million to support Pacific Island nations

By Alasdair Pal and Kanishka Singh SYDNEY/WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Australia and the United States on Wednesday announced a combined $580 million in funding for the Pacific Islands as they battle China for influence in the region.

China warns of 'consequences' over Taiwan presence at Pacific leaders meeting

China warns of 'consequences' over Taiwan presence at Pacific leaders meeting

By Renju Jose and Lucy Craymer SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - China said it had serious concerns about Taiwan's presence at the annual Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, warning of "consequences" after the democratically ruled island attended the group's opening ceremony on Monday.

China warns of 'consequences' for Taiwan after Taipei envoys attend Pacific leaders summit

China warns of 'consequences' for Taiwan after Taipei envoys attend Pacific leaders summit

China has warned of consequences for Taiwan after officials from Beijing and Taipei attended a Pacific leaders summit

China-Taiwan tensions weigh on Pacific leaders meeting

China-Taiwan tensions weigh on Pacific leaders meeting

By Lucy Craymer and Lewis Jackson WELLINGTON/BEIJING, Sept 1 (Reuters) - China on Tuesday objected to Taiwan's presence at the Pacific Islands Forum saying the democratically ruled island was not qualified to attend the summit, but Australia and New Zealand said the Pacific bloc would decide the

Australia, US to boost defence ties as China's Pacific influence grows

Australia, US to boost defence ties as China's Pacific influence grows

By Renju Jose Sept 2 (Reuters) - Australia and the United States said they would boost their defence ties in a move that could expand the U.S. military presence in Australia, while strengthening deterrence across the Pacific, where China has been expanding its influence. After meeting U.S.

Symbolic funerals held in Nepal for those feared lost as some missing tourists make contact

Symbolic funerals held in Nepal for those feared lost as some missing tourists make contact

Some tourists previously reported missing in Nepal have made contact with authorities, officials said Wednesday

U.S. Critical Minerals Proposals to Brazil Unanswered Amid China's Influence

U.S. Critical Minerals Proposals to Brazil Unanswered Amid China's Influence

Brazil has not responded to two proposals from the United States aimed at formalizing cooperation on critical minerals, according to Matthew Lowe, economic counselor at the U.S. embassy in Brasilia. The U.S. invited Brazil to join the Minerals Security Partnership, a U.S.-led initiative coordinating investment in mineral supply chains, years ago, but received no response. A draft framework agreement sent in February also went unanswered. This lack of engagement leaves the U.S. without a bilateral deal with Brazil as it seeks to build rare earth supply chains independent of China. Brazil holds the world's second-largest reserves of rare earths after China, making it a crucial potential partner for the U.S. in securing these vital resources. The U.S. embassy is now pursuing agreements at the state level, though these efforts have faced scrutiny regarding the authority of state governors to strike mineral deals with foreign powers.

Exclusive-Lynas Rare Earths says it was in takeover talks earlier this year

Exclusive-Lynas Rare Earths says it was in takeover talks earlier this year

By Melanie Burton MELBOURNE, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Australia's Lynas Rare Earths, the world's largest producer of rare earths outside China, was in takeover talks earlier this year but the discussions did not proceed, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Pacific forum kicks off in Palau without several leaders

Pacific forum kicks off in Palau without several leaders

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - At least five heads of government were absent from talks at the annual Pacific Island Forum that began on Monday, as China-Taiwan tensions weighed heavily over the meeting that was intended to demonstrate regional unity.

New Zealand, US to fund Cook Islands port upgrade

New Zealand, US to fund Cook Islands port upgrade

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - New Zealand and the U.S. will jointly fund a major upgrade of a World War Two port on a Cook Islands atoll, the three governments said on Tuesday, in a fresh sign of Western efforts to reinforce ties in a Pacific region that is increasingly being

UN spotlights nuclear weapon states' refusal to ratify test ban treaty at divisive time

UN spotlights nuclear weapon states' refusal to ratify test ban treaty at divisive time

The United Nations is warning that any new nuclear test could trigger an arms race

UN Resident Coordinator and Special Envoy Participate in Ocean Partnership Roundtable in Koror

UN Resident Coordinator and Special Envoy Participate in Ocean Partnership Roundtable in Koror

Mamadou Kane, the UN Resident Coordinator for Micronesia, and Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, recently attended the Ocean Partnership Roundtable in Koror. This event, hosted by the Government of Palau and President Surangel Whipps, took place ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. The roundtable served as a platform for Pacific voices, including environmental organizations, to discuss critical priorities for the region's ocean future. A key focus was identifying the necessary partnerships to advance these priorities. Ambassador Ilana V. Seid, Permanent Representative of Palau to the UN, also addressed the participants at the beginning of the session. The discussions aimed to foster collaboration and strategic alliances to address the pressing challenges and opportunities related to ocean conservation and sustainable use in the Pacific.