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☆ Musk and Ramaswamy's ideas for DOGE and Mike Tyson and Jake Paul to fight: Morning Rundown
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Elizabeth Robinson | Elizabeth Robinson Is A Newsletter Editor For Nbc News | Based In Los Angeles. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

And Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will face off in a boxing match. The ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ won’t be an actual ‘department’ — or be inside the governmentElon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy. The two were tapped to lead the “Department of Government Efficiency” (or “DOGE,” a play on a cryptocurrency Musk has promoted). But DOGE isn’t a “department” like the Department of Education or the Department of Homeland Security. Trump said DOGE will “provide advice and guidance from outside of Government,” and Musk and Ramaswamy’s work will be completed by July 4, 2026.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Laken, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, ”, isn’t, Trump, Ramaswamy, Musk, Max Stier, Alex Jones ’, Alex Jones —, Sandy Hook, Jones, Alex Jones, Laken Riley Laken Riley, Laken Riley, Jose Antonio Ibarra, Ibarra, Riley, Jeff Clark, Clark, Tyson, Paul, Shayne Copeland, Rudy Giuliani, — Josh Feldman, Elizabeth Robinson Organizations: ‘ Department, Government, AFP, Getty, “ Department, Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Education Department, Trump, Partnership for Public Service, “, NBC, Prosecutors, University of Georgia, University Police, Netflix, WHO, CDC, Staff Locations: Government, Athens, Venezuelan, Georgia’s Fulton County, Iran, Solomon Islands

HONG KONG — For at least three centuries, it grew in secret on the seabed of the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Now, the largest coral ever recorded has been discovered, scientists said Thursday, and it’s so big it can be seen from space. It was found by a National Geographic team conducting an expedition in the Solomon Islands in October to study ocean health. From the surface, “it looked like a shipwreck,” said Molly Timmers, lead scientist of the Pristine Seas expedition. But the team’s cinematographer dove to take a closer look and found a “mega coral hiding in plain sight.”“It was a very exciting discovery,” Timmers told NBC News in an email Thursday.

Persons: ”, Molly Timmers, ” Timmers Organizations: National Geographic, NBC News Locations: HONG KONG, Solomon Islands

☆ Scientists discover the world’s largest coral — so big it can be seen from space
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The world’s largest coral has just been discovered in the southwest Pacific Ocean, scientists announced Wednesday. It’s three times larger than the previous record-breaker in American Samoa, according to Pristine Seas, and longer than a blue whale, the planet’s biggest animal. Steve Spence/National Geographic Pristine SeasA diver swims alongside the mega coral, which is made up of nearly 1 billion polyps. “Making a discovery of this significance is the ultimate dream,” said Paul Rose, a National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition leader. Yet while the mega coral remains vulnerable, he believes its health and longevity do provide a glimmer of hope.

Persons: CNN CNN —, “, ”, Enric Sala, Manu San Félix, It’s “, Steve Spence, Féliz, it’s, Paul Rose, Dennis Marita, Sala, Derek Manzello, Manzello, Emily Darling, Darling, ” Sala Organizations: CNN CNN, National Geographic, Geographic, Ministry of Culture, Tourism, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, International Union for Conservation, Reef, CNN, Wildlife Conservation Society, COP29, UN Locations: Ocean, Solomon Islands, American Samoa, Solomon, Indonesia, Philippines, Baku, Azerbaijan

☆ Climate Action 15: 2024's Leading Innovators for a Sustainable Future
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-11 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +40 min

Editor's note: Business Insider's reporters and editors nominated leaders based on insights from past Climate Action honorees, expert sources, and reader submissions. Courtesy of Jayson RicamaraSaudi Arabia, with its hot desert climate and little fresh water, is one of the most difficult farming environments. AdvertisementIyris in October also launched a sustainable-farming pilot in Saudi Arabia with chemical and plastic manufacturers as well as companies including Red Sea Global, a luxury tourism developer. A UN climate panel estimated that harnessing wave energy could supply 20% more electricity than the world produced in 2022. The US is trying to shore up its own mining and manufacturing base to curb China's power, including in battery recycling.

Persons: Derya Baran, Iyris Derya Baran, Jayson Ricamara, Baran, SecondSky, who's, Inna Braverman, Braverman, David Leb, Charles Callaway, Environmental Justice Charles Callaway ., Callaway, Clara, Gretchen Cara Daily, Stanford University Gretchen Cara Daily, Daily, NatCap, Juan Carlos Navarro, Panama Juan Carlos Navarro, Panama Navarro, José Raúl, Haiti —, Navarro, del, Reinhold Gallmetzer, Reinhold, Gallmetzer, Brazil's JBS, packer, Diane Gilpin, Smart Green Shipping Diane Gilpin, Gilpin, Drax, Roberta Tuurraq Glenn, Borade, Savok Glenn, Glenn, Cynthia Houniuhi, Houniuhi, it's, Arvind Kumar, Prasad, Rice, Kumar, Ari Matusiak, Gazur, Matusiak, —, Duncan McIntyre, McIntyre, Altenex, Ozane, Biden, It's, Delta, Liz Ricketts, Charlie Engman Ricketts, Ricketts, Ricketts didn't, Chao Yan, Princeton NuEnergy Chao Yan, Yan Organizations: Iyris, United Arab, King Abdullah University of Science, Technology, Red, Eco, UN, Eco Wave Power, Shell, Environmental Justice, Proctor Academy For Callaway, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Green Institute, Callaway, Natural, Stanford University, Stanford, Facility, Ministry, Environment, Panama's, UNESCO, US State Department, National Association for, Nature, Center, for, Carrefour, Nestlé, Smart Green Shipping, Scottish Enterprise, International Windship Association, Maritime Organization, Union, Alaska Arctic Observatory, National Weather Service, AAOKH, University of Alaska, Pacific Islands, University of, International Court of Justice, United Nations, Prasad Seeds, Labor, Prasad, International Rice Research Institute, Rewiring, Reduction, Communities, Highland Electric, Schools, Highland, Beverly Public Schools, Fortune, Edison International, Louisiana, US Department of Energy, Ozane, White, LNG, Vessel Project, Biden, Department of Energy, Kantamanto, London . Brands, McKinsey, Princeton, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Princeton NuEnergy, Energy, Laboratory, EV Locations: Jayson Ricamara Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Spain, Ukraine, Cherkassy, Israel, Gibraltar, Port of Los Angeles, Porto, Portugal, West Harlem, New York City, Clara Hale, Costa Rica, Belize, China, NatCap, Stanford, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Haiti, Panama City, Brazil, Peru, Brazilian, , Norway's, Barrow, Furness, Alaska, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Utqiaġvik, Fanalei, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Asia, Saharan Africa, India, Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, Africa, Hyderabad, South, Southeastern Asia, Subhanpur, Rewiring America, Massachusetts —, Sulphur , Louisiana, Calcasieu, Vessel Project Louisiana, Accra, Ghana, New York, London, Kantamanto, Taiyuan, China's Shanxi, Argonne, South Carolina

☆ Catholic Church still failing to ensure clerical abuse is reported, Pope Francis’ commission says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Antonia Mortensen | Christopher Lamb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Parts of the Roman Catholic Church are still failing to ensure clerical sexual abuse is reported adequately, Pope Francis’ commission for child protection said Tuesday, raising concerns about a “lack of transparency” in the Vatican’s handling of cases. “At times, the commission found a troubling lack of reporting structures and victim/survivor accompaniment services,” the report said. “The commission found a persistent concern regarding the transparency in the Roman Curia’s (the church’s central administration) procedures and juridical processes. The commission notes that this will continue to foment distrust among the faithful, especially the victim/survivor community,” it added. Francis asked the commission two years ago to produce an annual report on child protection initiatives which he wanted to help bring “transparency and accountability” on abuse.

Persons: Pope Francis ’, “, Maud de Boer, Francis, ” Organizations: CNN, Roman Catholic Church, Pontifical Commission, Minors, UN Locations: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Cameroon

☆ John Kinsel Sr., Navajo Code Talker During World War II, Dies at 107
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-20 | by ( Alexandra E. Petri | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“That’s how I spent the war,” Mr. Kinsel said in the interview with The Arizona Republic. The Associated Press reported that the only two surviving Navajo Code Talkers are Thomas H. Begay and Peter MacDonald, a former Navajo chairman. John Kinsel Sr. was born in 1917 in Cove, Ariz., according to the Navajo Times. He completed boot camp and was sent to Camp Elliott, where he underwent training to become a Navajo Code Talker. He was sent to New Zealand, where he trained for eight more months before being deployed to Guadalcanal, one of the Solomon Islands, with the Third Marine Division, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Persons: Kinsel, Camp Elliott, Mr, Thomas H, Begay, Peter MacDonald, John Kinsel Sr Organizations: The Arizona, Ninth Marine Regiment, Third Marine Division, U.S . Department of Veterans Affairs, The Arizona Republic, Associated Press, Navajo, Navajo Times, Marines, Department of Veterans Affairs Locations: The Arizona Republic, Camp, Bougainville, Papau New Guinea, Guam, Iwo Jima, Ariz, New Zealand, Guadalcanal, Solomon

☆ Auction house withdraws shrunken heads and other human remains from sale following outcry
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —An auction house in England has withdrawn human remains, including shrunken heads and ancestral skulls, from sale following an outcry. Other withdrawn lots include an ancestral skull from the Solomon Islands, another from the Fon tribe in Benin and a double ancestor skull from Congo. The planned sale of another piece, described as a 19th-century horned Naga human skull, drew criticism from Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of the Indian state of Nagaland. CNN has contacted The Swan auction house, the FNR and the Pitt Rivers Museum for comment. Museum staff removed human remains from its collection of more than 500,000 artifacts, following a three-year review of displays and programming “from an ethical perspective.”Overall, 120 objects containing human remains were removed from view, along with an additional 71 non-biological objects that were in the same displays, the museum told CNN at the time.

Persons: Hugh Hefner, Neiphiu, “, ”, Rio, Laura Van Broekhoven, Swan, Lianne Kolirin Organizations: London CNN, Playboy, Affairs, Forum, Naga Reconciliation, Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford, “, CNN Locations: England, Tetsworth , Oxfordshire, Solomon Islands, Benin, Congo, Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland, Rio, India, Naga, Kota, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, Ecuador

The World, a luxury liner, has many descriptions, but "cruise ship" is not one of them, said resident Jim Minarik. "The only thing that's similar between the world and a cruise ship is they float on the water," he said. Minarik and his wife bought their apartment in 2020 with plans to spend one to two months a year on the ship. Source: The WorldYet money is not a big topic aboard The World, Minarik said. Wong said that while other companies have tried, The World is still the only ship of its kind.

Persons: Jim Minarik, we're, Minarik, Eddie Wong, Wong, There's, I'd Organizations: CNBC, CNBC Travel Locations: Singapore, Antarctica, French Polynesia, Easter, Amalfi Coast, Australia's Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, Solomon, South America, South Africa, Cape Town, Orange County , California, Africa's, Penola Strait

Villagers watch the sunset over a small lagoon near the village of Tangintebu on South Tarawa in the central Pacific island nation of Kiribati May 25, 2013. CHINESE INTEREST AS WESTERN BANKS EXIT"The proposed World Bank project is a creative way of addressing the challenge of de-risking and small scale in Pacific Island countries," said Lalita Moorty, the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific director for prosperity. Without access to overseas banks, Pacific countries would struggle to receive remittances - a key component of their economies - welcome holidaymakers or trade with the wider world. "It can create instability for the financial system," said Denton Rarawa, senior economics adviser at the Pacific Islands Forum. "What we're saying is that if you're not going to address concerns and issues we have, Pacific countries will start looking elsewhere for support."

Persons: David Gray, Solomon, Lalita Moorty, Denton Rarawa, Mark Brown, Janet Yellen, Ariff Ali, Lewis Jackson, Lucy Craymer, Ziyi Tang, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Villagers, WELLINGTON, Bank, U.S, Pacific Islands, World Bank, Pacific, ANZ Bank, Westpac, Bendigo Bank, Bank of China, Reuters, Cook, U.S . Treasury, Federal Reserve, Reserve Bank of Fiji, Thomson Locations: Tangintebu, South, Pacific, Kiribati, SYDNEY, Australia, China, Washington, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Beijing, U.S, East Asia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Brisbane, Pacific Islands, Sydney, Wellington

☆ Peleliu: US Marine Corps rebuilds runway on site of ‘nightmare’ World War II battle
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Marines named the rebuilt landing strip the “Sledge” runway in honor of a veteran of the Peleliu battle, Pfc. The United States must recapitalize islands gained during World War II to form a Second Island Chain of strategic expeditionary points,” Georgulis wrote. For Washington, establishing strong ties to Pacific island states is also seen as a way to keep China from gaining footholds in the region. Along with the runway, US Marines are helping make improvements to the Peleliu Civic Center Museum, to house artifacts from the World War II battle. At an event last month marking the landing of the Marine aircraft on Peleliu, island Gov.

Persons: weren’t, Eugene Sledge, Corbis, Sledge, Grant Georgulis, ” Georgulis, Xi Jinping, Biden, Palauans, Carlos Del Toro, Del Toro, Surangel Whipps, Emais Roberts, ” Organizations: CNN, Marine Corps, Marines, KC, Heritage Command, 1st Marine Regiment, HBO, ” Troops, First Marine Division, Pentagon, “, US Air Force, US Defense Department, Marshall, Xinhua, US Coast Guard, US, Palau, Peleliu Civic Center Museum, Marine, Gov Locations: Peleliu, China, Palau, Okinawa, ”, Beijing, Japan, Philippines, United States, Marianas, Guam, China’s, Yap, Federated States, Micronesia, Pacific, Washington, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Palau’s, Koror, South Korea, Taiwan

☆ Election Updates: As the V.P. race heats up, Tim Scott will hold a fund-raiser with Trump-resistant donors.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Michael C. Bender | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

“You know, I’m a fan of his father,” Mr. Schlossberg says, as Jimmy. Mr. Schlossberg has long been in Mr. Biden’s corner. The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to questions of whether Mr. Schlossberg’s video barrage had been coordinated with the campaign. At minimum, Mr. Schlossberg, who has hinted in the past that he has his eye on elected office, has demonstrated a willingness to take comedic risks. Whatever his flaws, and however reliant he may be on hackneyed stereotypes, Mr. Schlossberg is plainly a committed performer.

Persons: John F, Kennedy, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Jack Schlossberg, ”, Donald J, Ben Affleck, ” Mr, Schlossberg, Jimmy, Wade, Anthony, Mr, “, Caroline Kennedy, Solomon, Matthew Abbott, Joshua, Camelot, John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg, Biden, Jim Wilson, —, — “ Organizations: Trump, Kennedys, The New York Times, New York Jewish, Federal Reserve, Convention, Mr, Democratic, Ivy League, New York Times Locations: America’s, Russian, Massachusetts, China, Russia, New, England, Biden’s, Australia, New York City

☆ Why Australia's National Rugby League could help curb China's Pacific influence
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Australia's National Rugby League could help stop China from gaining more influence in the South Pacific. AdvertisementThe US appears to be courting an unlikely ally to help stop China from building its political and economic influence in the Pacific: Australia's National Rugby League. The Australian Financial Review reported that the White House will support those plans, which policymakers believe could help counter China's efforts to assert itself in the South Pacific. The South Pacific has emerged as a key battleground between Beijing and Washington in recent years. It's popular in Australia, New Zealand, northern England, France, and across the Pacific Islands and has slightly different rules to rugby union.

Persons: Joe Biden, —, Peter V'landys, Biden, Kamala Harris, Spencer Leniu, Ezra Mam Organizations: Australia's National Rugby League, Service, Financial, Biden, NRL, Sydney Morning Herald, Kiribati . Rugby, The Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, Roosters, Broncos Locations: China, South, Papua New Guinea, New South Wales, Queensland, United States, Australia, Washington , DC, Beijing, Washington, Solomon, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, New Zealand, England, France, Las Vegas

☆ ‘Scandals and secrets’: On board the world’s most exclusive private residential ship
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Welcome to The World, an exclusive private residential ship home to 165 superluxe apartments. Antonucci’s children were in their early 20s during his stint as a World resident, but they came and visited their parents on board from time to time. Unlike on an ordinary cruise ship, residents are able to make renovations and decorate according to personal tastes. Peter AntonucciFor many residents, the social life on board The World is also a big part of the appeal. The World’s owners also chose not to respond to Antonucci’s account of life on board.

Persons: CNN —, – you’ve, “ I’m, Peter Antonucci, you’ve, Antonucci, he’d, ”, he's, Peter Antonucci Antonucci, “, Antonucci didn’t, they’d, Antonucci can’t, ” Antonucci, –, aren’t, “ They’re, I’ve, ’ Antonucci, There’s, carousing ”, wasn’t, I’d, ‘, Antonucci “, he’s Organizations: CNN, HBO, CNN Travel, “, Street, Wimbledon, ” Locations: Antonucci, Belize, Panama, New York, Europe, Maldives, Seychelles, Australia, New Zealand, London, Rio de Janeiro, Florida, Solomon Islands, South Africa

☆ PNG Assures Australia on Security Ties as Leader Marape Arrives on Visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Australia and the United States have been alarmed by China's security ambitions in the Pacific Islands region since Beijing struck a security and policing deal with Solomon Islands. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma urged PNG to reject a security deal with China, in comments reported by the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday. PNG would not strike a security agreement with China, he said in an interview with the ABC broadcast on Wednesday. China "understand clearly where we stand on security in the region and that is with our close traditional partners, Australia, U.S., New Zealand", he added. Even before the riots, he had pointed to law-and-order concerns and said boosting security would help to attract foreign investment in PNG's burgeoning resources sector.

Persons: James Marape, Marape, Justin Tkachenko, Tkachenko, Richard Verma, Tkatchenko, Penny Wong, Kirsty Needham, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, Papua New Guinea, Reuters, U.S, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian, ABC Locations: Papua New, Canberra, Australia, China, United States, Beijing, Solomon Islands, Port Moresby, U.S, , New Zealand

☆ US Official Urges Papua New Guinea to Reject Chinese Security Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A senior U.S. state department official urged Papua New Guinea(PNG) to turn down China's offer of a potential security pact, warning the Pacific nation that any security guarantee with Beijing comes with consequences and costs. "We've seen that the Chinese commitment in defence or investment comes with a high cost. That's what we'd say to PNG," United States Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma told the Sydney Morning Herald in an interview published on Monday. Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko told Reuters last week that it was in early talks with China on a potential security deal. PNG has previously said Australia and the U.S. were its security partners, while China was an important economic partner.

Persons: Richard Verma, Justin Tkachenko, Tkachenko, Verma, James Marape, it's, Renju Jose, Stephen Coates Organizations: SYDNEY, Beijing, United States, Sydney Morning Herald, Papua New Guinea, Reuters, Solomon Islands, South Locations: U.S, Papua New Guinea, Papua New, China, Australia, Beijing, Solomon, Sydney

☆ Pacific Islands Need to Boost Digital Security to Join Undersea Cable, Says US Official
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Kirsty NeedhamSYDNEY (Reuters) - Pacific Islands nations that want to connect to U.S.-funded undersea cables will need to secure their digital ecosystems to guard against data risks from China, a senior U.S. State Department official said. The United States pledged last year to jointly fund two undersea cables, to be built by Google, connecting the U.S. territory of Guam with hubs in Fiji and French Polynesia, and further branching out across remote Pacific Islands. The proposed intra-Pacific cable project has offered to branch out to Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, Fiji, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Wallis and Futuna and the Federated States of Micronesia. China and the U.S. are jostling for influence in the Pacific Islands with competing offers for infrastructure. The Solomon Islands, which struck a security pact with Beijing, is rolling out a Chinese-funded mobile network built by Chinese telecommunications company Huawei.

Persons: Kirsty Needham SYDNEY, Nathaniel Fick, Kirsty Needham, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Pacific, U.S . State Department, United, Google, Futuna, Federated, The U.S . Department of, Washington, Sydney, Huawei, Telstra, Microsoft, U.S Locations: U.S, China, Guam, Fiji, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Wallis, Federated States, Micronesia, The, Solomon, Beijing, Australia, Asia, Pacific

☆ Papua New Guinea to recruit Australia police in security deal - minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape will travel to Canberra on Thursday to sign the security agreement, his office said. "The security arrangement is in the best interest of Papua New Guinea and also for Australia and its regional security interests," Marape said in a statement on Tuesday. The Australian Federal Police and the defence minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the security agreement. "Its a big issue and Australia can help us out considerably," said Tkatchenko, who began negotiations with Australia on the deal last year. They will be contracted officers reporting directly to the police commissioner of Papua New Guinea and they will be under all the laws of PNG.

Persons: James Marape, Lillian Suwanrumpha, Marape, Justin Tkatchenko, Tkatchenko, Kirsty Needham, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Guinea's, APEC, APEC Business, Economic Cooperation, Rights, Papua New Guinea, Australia, U.S, Reuters, Defence, Australian Federal Police, PNG Royal Constabulary, CID, Australian, Thomson Locations: Papua, Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, biosecurity, Papua New, Canberra, United States, China, Solomon Islands, Australia, France

☆ Giant guinea pig-sized rats that climb trees and chomp coconuts were photographed for the first time by researchers
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Vangunu giant rat is a species that exists only on one of the Solomon Islands. They were trying to capture evidence of the Vangunu giant rat, Uromys vika. It's been known to eat green coconuts , but researchers had never seen a live rat. Despite its large size, the giant rat was difficult to spot. The Vangunu giant rat is critically endangered, and logging has destroyed its habitat.

Persons: —, Tyrone Lavery, It's, Lavery, vika, it's, " Lavery, Vika Organizations: Service, University of Melbourne, Solomon Islands National University, Solomon, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Locations: Solomon Islands, Vangunu, Zaira, Solomon, New Guinea

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (AP) — From underwater drones to electronic warfare, the U.S. is expanding its high-tech military cooperation with Australia and the United Kingdom as part of a broader effort to counter China’s rapidly growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with defense chiefs from Australia and the United Kingdom at the U.S. military’s defense technology hub in Silicon Valley on Friday to forge a new agreement to increase technology cooperation and information sharing. The three nations have laid out plans for the so-called AUKUS partnership to help equip Australia with a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines. AUKUS is an acronym for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. He added that as an island nation, Australia has a need for improved maritime drones and precision strike capabilities.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Richard Marles, Grant Shapps, Austin, Marles, Shapps, we’ve, aren’t, Adam Bry, Alex Horn, Horn Organizations: Pacific . Defense, Australian Defense, Defense Innovation Unit, Britain, U.S, Australian Navy, Solomon Islands, warfighters, Air Force, Morris Air National Guard Base Locations: California, U.S, Australia, United Kingdom, Silicon Valley, United States, Virginia, Adelaide, China, Pacific, South China, Beijing, Solomon, Taiwan, DIU, Arizona

☆ Rare Giant Rat Is Photographed Alive for First Time
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Rebecca Carballo | More About Rebecca Carballo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For years, the Indigenous people on Vangunu, one of the Solomon Islands, had insisted a critically endangered giant rat that could chew through coconuts still lived among the trees of the forest, though its numbers had dwindled as loggers destroyed its habitat. But it turned out the people of the village of Zaira were right. Researchers from the University of Melbourne and Solomon Islands National University, with help from the local community, recently captured photos of the Vangunu giant rat, or Uromys vika. It is one of the world’s rarest rodents and Vangunu is the only island it is known to inhabit. The rat, called Vika by the people of Vangunu, is at least twice the size of a common rat, at about 18 inches, half of which accounts for the tail, researchers said.

Organizations: University of Melbourne, Solomon Islands National University Locations: Solomon, Zaira, Vangunu

☆ Fiji PM: China likely to collaborate on key port, shipyard project
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Lincoln Feast/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told parliament on Wednesday the Pacific Islands nation was likely to collaborate with China on a key port modernisation and shipyard project, after discussing it in a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping. Fiji previously sought Australia's involvement to build a modern ship-building facility at Lautoka, officials and a consultant to Rabuka on the project told Reuters. Rabuka told Fiji's parliament on Wednesday his government was focused on upgrading infrastructure, "particularly the modernisation of port facilities and shipyards". An Australian-based ship design company said Rabuka had earlier sought the involvement of Australia, Fiji's largest aid donor, in the shipyard project. China has been pushing for greater security and trade ties with Pacific Islands countries.

Persons: Sitiveni Rabuka, Xi Jinping, Rabuka, Xi, Stuart Ballantyne, Ballantyne, Vajira Piyasena, Kirsty Needham, Lincoln, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Lincoln, Rights, Fiji Prime, Wednesday, Reuters, APEC, Wednesday Fiji, Fiji Ports, Fiji Ships, Heavy Industry, Pacific, Thomson Locations: Fiji, Suva, China, Lautoka, Australia, San Francisco, Australian, tradespeople, Pacific, Solomon Islands, United States, Papua New Guinea

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The eruption of Papua New Guinea’s tallest volcano subsided Tuesday, but thick ash still billowed into the sky and coated roofs and palm trees nearby. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia, reported volcanic smoke rising as high as 15,000 meters (50,000 feet) on Monday. The nearest large town is Bialla, which is established among palm oil plantations on Ulawun’s slopes 47 kilometers (29 miles) to the southwest, the division said. Hargy Oil Palm Ltd., a company based in Bialla, did not immediately respond to an email request for comment. The division said heavy coatings of black ash were causing leaves to droop in palm oil plantations near the volcano and were accumulating on roofs.

Persons: Ulawun, Mount Ulawun Organizations: Pacific, Guinea’s Geohazards Management, Ash Advisory, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Ltd, World Bank, Papua New, ” Locations: CANBERRA, Australia, Papua, New Britain, Darwin, Papua New Guinea, Mount, Port Moresby, Honiara, Solomon, Bialla, Japan, ” Papua New Guinea

☆ Australia criticises China for 'unsafe, unprofessional' naval interaction
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles attends a joint news conference with France's Foreign and Defence ministers at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Australia's government said on Saturday it had expressed serious concerns to China after an "unsafe and unprofessional" interaction between an Australian navy vessel and Chinese warship left Australian military divers injured. He said despite the Australian vessel notifying the Chinese warship of the diving operation and requesting that it keep clear, the destroyer approached "at a closer range". "Soon after, it was detected operating its hull-mounted sonar in a manner that posed a risk to the safety of the Australian divers who were forced to exit the water." The conduct was "unsafe and unprofessional", Marles said.

Persons: Richard Marles, Sarah Meyssonnier, Marles, Sam McKeith, Tom Hogue Organizations: Australia's, France's Foreign, Quai d'Orsay, REUTERS, Rights, Defence, PLA, HMAS, People's Liberation Army Navy, Solomon Islands, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, China, Australian, Toowoomba, HMAS Toowoomba, Australia, Solomon, United States, Sydney

☆ Australia Criticises China for 'Unsafe, Unprofessional' Naval Interaction
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's government said on Saturday it had expressed serious concerns to China after an "unsafe and unprofessional" interaction between an Australian navy vessel and Chinese warship left Australian military divers injured. "While diving operations were underway a PLA-N destroyer (DDG-139) operating in the vicinity closed towards HMAS Toowoomba," Marles said in a statement, referring to a ship of the People's Liberation Army Navy. He said despite the Australian vessel notifying the Chinese warship of the diving operation and requesting that it keep clear, the destroyer approached "at a closer range". "Soon after, it was detected operating its hull-mounted sonar in a manner that posed a risk to the safety of the Australian divers who were forced to exit the water." The conduct was "unsafe and unprofessional", Marles said.

Persons: Richard Marles, Marles, Sam McKeith, Tom Hogue Organizations: SYDNEY, Defence, PLA, HMAS, People's Liberation Army Navy, Solomon Islands, U.S Locations: China, Australian, Toowoomba, HMAS Toowoomba, Australia, Solomon, United States, Sydney

☆ China Hopes Fiji Will Continue 'Firm' Support for Chinese Issues - Chinese State Media
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said it hopes Fiji will continue to give 'firm' support to it on issues concerning Chinese core interests and major concerns, Chinese state media cited President Xi Jinping as saying to Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Xi told Rabuka that China will continue to support Fiji in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Chinese state television said. China supports Fiji in independently choosing its own development path and achieving national development and revitalisation, Xi said. China is also willing to increase Fijian imports, support commercial investments into Fiji and encourage more tourists to visit Fiji. China has been pushing for greater security and trade ties with Pacific Islands countries, signing in July a policing pact with Solomon Islands and raising alarm for the United States.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Sitiveni Rabuka, Xi, Rabuka, Liz Lee, Christopher Cushing, Stephen Coates Organizations: Fijian, Economic Cooperation, Fiji, Pacific Locations: BEIJING, China, Fiji, Asia, San Francisco, Pacific, Solomon Islands, United States, Beijing

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