US

Pacific grim: Australia torn between US and China

It's a storyline that's telling about Australia's attitude to Asia's pre-eminent power. On the one hand, China is the country's biggest trading partner, but it also poses a potential regional military threat that's drawing the attention of the US, Australia's closest defence ally.

China, for its part, appears keenly aware of Australia's apparent reluctance to embrace it fully. In recent months, a series of bilateral irritations have sent relations between the two countries plunging to their lowest point for nearly a decade.

Syria war: US warns over Turkish-Kurdish violence

Clashes in places where so-called Islamic State (IS) was not present were a "source of deep concern", the US envoy to the anti-IS coalition tweeted.

Turkish forces have attacked what they say are Kurdish "terrorists" since crossing the border last week.

But the Kurdish YPG militia says Turkey just wants to occupy Syrian territory.

US: Iran cash linked to prisoner release

Spokesman John Kirby maintained the payment was negotiated separately from the release, but said it was withheld until the Americans had left Iran.

Five Americans held in Iran were released in January in exchange for seven detained Iranians.

The US airlifted $400m (£300.8m) worth of cash to Iran on the same day.

The exchange came as the US lifted international sanctions against Iran as part of the country's historic nuclear deal.

The timing of both incidents has prompted an outcry from Republicans, who accused the Obama administration of quid pro quo.

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Iran MPs want US to pay damages for 'hostile action' Posted 9 minutes ago

"The Government has the duty to take the necessary measures seeking compensation for material and moral damages caused by the United States" to the country and Iranians over the past 63 years, the text reads.

It cites "material or moral damage" caused by the US during the coup against nationalist leader Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953, in the Iran-Iraq war between 1980 and 1988, in the destruction of oil platforms in the Gulf and in espionage against the Islamic republic.

US unconcerned about China and Russia's influence in Pacific

China has developed a growing influence in the Pacific over recent years and this month Russia sent nearly US$9 million worth of weapons to Fiji with the negotiations for a second shipment underway.

However the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Russel, said all countries could operate in the region effectively.

US tourist makes spelling error, gets lost for six hours in Iceland

Noel Santillan had planned to drive from Keflavik International Airport to a hotel in central Reykjavik – but a spelling mistake sent him six hours away to a remote fishing town in Siglufjorour, North Iceland, reported theIceland Monitor.

A Siglufjorour resident who answered the door at midday was astonished when a weary-looking Santillan held out a piece of paper and politely enquired if he was at the right address.

Passenger takes turkey on US plane as support animal

A hilarious image has been doing the rounds on the internet, showing the large bird sitting on the plane, with what looks to be an arm around its back.

According to a Reddit thread, it is thought the turkey was taken on onboard the flight as an "emotional support animal".

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Lotto frenzy sends US Powerball jackpot towards record $1 billion

The grand prize for Powerball, played in 44 states, Washington, and two US territories, is worth US$558 million if a winner chooses an immediate cash payout instead of annual payments over 29 years, California lottery officials said in a statement.

 

US tuna fleet shut out of lucrative Pacific region

The US Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has told all US vessels they are prohibited from fishing in the region from January 1 until new licences are issued.

Nearly 40 US vessels usually work in the region and are estimated to catch US$300-$400 million worth of tuna annually.

Mike Tosatto, Honolulu director of the NMFS confirmed Friday he had written to tuna fleet operators to get out of the water by New Year's Day if the agreement to pay was not honoured.

US give climate change aid to Pacific

The United States says it is providing US$5 million dollars for a Pacific climate change strengthening project.
 
The US Ambassador to Fiji, Judith Cefkin, made the announcement during the Pacific Community Conference underway in Niue.