Page 2 - Pacific Sea

Flights and ferries halted in SK ahead of storm that's dumped rain on Japan

Dozens of flights and ferry services were grounded in South Korea on Wednesday ahead of a tropical storm that has dumped rain on Japan's southwestern islands for more than a week. Khanun's heavy rains and winds were expected to arrive in South Korea's southern and eastern regions Wednesday afternoon, South Korea's weather agency said. It is expected to reach the southern resort island of Jeju hours later and then make landfall near the mainland port of Tongyeong early Thursday. The agency says Khanun could have a punishing impact as it will likely slice through the centre of the country over several hours, with the storm's eye brushing the capital city of Seoul, while packing winds blowing at 90 to 154 kph (56 to 97 mph). The storm was expected to weaken by the time it blows into North Korea early Friday. The Korean Meteorological Administration measured Khanun at typhoon strength with maximum winds of 126 kph (78 mph) as of 9 am Wednesday, as it passed through waters 360 kilometr

Large ocean countries, not small island states: PM Modi at Pacific Forum

While co-chairing the 3rd FIPIC Summit in Papua New Guinea on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India believes in multilateralism and supports a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific

MT-1 satellite brought down successfully, disintegrates over Pacific

The Indian and French space agencies on Tuesday successfully brought down the decommissioned climate satellite Megha-Tropiques-1 (MT-1) in a controlled manner.

Fukushima's nuclear wastewater can produce cancers on release: Scientists

Treated nuclear wastewater from Japan's damaged Fukushima power plant, which, if released into Pacific Ocean will reach the High Seas, is "capable of producing cancers", New Zealand scientists said

Russian, Chinese bombers fly joint patrols over Pacific to show close ties

Russian and Chinese strategic bombers on Wednesday flew a joint patrol over the western Pacific in a show of increasingly close defense ties between the two countries. The Russian Defence Ministry said that the Tu-95 bombers of the Russian air force and the Chinese H-6K bombers flew over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea during an eight-hour mission. As part of the drills, the Russian bombers for the first time landed in China and the Chinese bombers flew to an air base in Russia, the ministry said in a statement. It noted that the joint patrols weren't directed against any other country. The exercise follows a series of joint drills intended to showcase a growing military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing as they both face tensions with the United States. In September, Beijing sent more than 2,000 troops along with more than 300 military vehicles, 21 combat aircraft and three warships to take part in a sweeping joint exercise with Russia. The maneuvers marked the firs

Tropical storm Darby forms far off Mexico's Pacific coast as Bonnie fades

A new tropical storm formed far off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday while another faded after a long march from ocean to another

First aid flight leaves for Tonga after big volcano eruption, tsunami

The first flight carrying fresh water and other aid to Tonga was finally able to leave on Thursday after the Pacific nation's main airport runway was cleared of ash left by a huge volcanic eruption. A C-130 Hercules military transport plane left New Zealand carrying water containers, kits for temporary shelters, generators, hygiene supplies and communications equipment, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said. Australia was also preparing to send two C-17 Globemaster transport planes with humanitarian supplies. The flights were all due to arrive in Tonga on Thursday afternoon. The deliveries will be done with no contact because Tonga is desperate to make sure foreigners don't bring in the coronavirus. It has not had any outbreaks of COVID-19 and has reported just a single case since the pandemic began. "The aircraft is expected to be on the ground for up to 90 minutes before returning to New Zealand," Defense Minister Peeni Henare said. UN humanitarian officials report t

Water crisis looms for tsunami-hit Tonga; New Zealand help on the way

Two New Zealand navy vessels will arrive in Tonga on Friday carrying critical water supplies for the Pacific island nation reeling from a volcanic eruption and tsunami

Tsunami-hit Tonga islands suffered 'catastrophic' damage: UN report

Tonga's small outlying islands have sustained major damage from a massive volcanic eruption and tsunami, the United Nations said

Pacific island nation rejects China undersea network over security concerns

The Pacific island nation of Nauru rejected a low bid of undersea communications network amid security concerns

China's 'wolf warrior' diplomacy in focus as scuffle hurts Taiwan official

A ministry spokesperson told Bloomberg News by text that the injury was a "mild concussion."

Pacific sea level predicts global temperature changes: Study

In 2015 alone, the average global surface temperature increased by 0.18 degrees Celsius