Oceania

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's plane makes its landing approach on Pohnpei International Airport in Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Monday, Aug. 5, 2019.

The US is building a military base in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Micronesian residents have questions.

The base is seen as another component of the Biden administration’s continued effort to increase its footprint in Oceania.

The US is building a military base in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Micronesian residents have questions.
Feri Yadi, a resident of Muara Baru in North Jakarta, stands atop the seawall recently built to protect his neighborhood. He has little confidence that the wall will work as expected. "Like in the past, this will be broken somehow" he says.

Need the latest news on flooding? In Jakarta, there's an app for that.

Need the latest news on flooding? In Jakarta, there's an app for that.
An abandoned mosque outside the seawall in Muara Baru, Jakarta. The city is sinking as a result of massive groundwater extraction, and the problem is especially bad in Muara Barus, which is already below sea level.

Trying to confront a massive flood risk, Jakarta faces 'problem on top of problem'

Trying to confront a massive flood risk, Jakarta faces 'problem on top of problem'
Kiribati beach

Former Kiribati president eyes massive infrastructure projects to save his island nation

Former Kiribati president eyes massive infrastructure projects to save his island nation
An Islamic State fighter gestures from a vehicle in the countryside of the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani, after the Islamic State fighters took control of the area in October.

The so-called Islamic State looks bleak to outsiders, but supporters see it as 'liberating'

The so-called Islamic State looks bleak to outsiders, but supporters see it as 'liberating'
Tim Adams (center, in glasses) suffered a stroke several years ago that affected his ability to speak. But he's been singing with the Stroke a Chord choir outside of Melbourne, Australia.

These stroke victims can't speak, but they're still singing

The Stroke a Chord choir in Melbourne, Australia, is made of people who have lost their abilities to speak normally because of strokes. But thanks to a quirk of the brain, they're still able to express themselves in song.

These stroke victims can't speak, but they're still singing
Australia's Phil Hughes celebrates a high score during an international match in 2009. Hughes died on November 27, 2014, after being struck in the neck by a bowled ball during a match in Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition.

Cricket fans worldwide pay tribute to young star who died tragically from on-field injuries

The genteel world of cricket was rocked this week by the death of Phillip Hughes, an Australian star who was seemingly on his way to greatness. Hughes was hit in the neck by a bowled ball, highlighting the dangers of a sport many think of as an easygoing pastime.

Cricket fans worldwide pay tribute to young star who died tragically from on-field injuries
A pig-nosed turtle, which is becoming a favorite as an exotic pet.

Pig-nosed turtles are adorable — and that's made them the target of traffickers

Pig-nosed turtles are so cute that thousands of them are being smuggled by animal traffickers to be sold as exotic pets. But while they're adorable as babies, they grow up to become big, feisty animals that many people abandon  — a problem for a species that's considered threatened.

Pig-nosed turtles are adorable — and that's made them the target of traffickers
Bluefin trevally at Palmyra Atoll, Pacific Ocean.

One scientist calls the largest marine sanctuary in the world a volcano of fish

In the Pacific Ocean, west and south of Hawaii, is what was until recently one of the largest marine sanctuaries on earth. Now, however, it has been expanded — to nearly six times its original size. And scientists are thrilled.

One scientist calls the largest marine sanctuary in the world a volcano of fish
The World

The UN climate summit opens with a voice from an endangered nation

Leaders from all over the world have gathered in New York to attend the UN Climate Summit. The first thing they heard was an impassioned poem from a mother and activist from the Marshall Islands, a tiny nation in the Pacific that may no longer exists if climate change isn't halted.

The UN climate summit opens with a voice from an endangered nation
NOAA researchers Carrie McAtee and Kristine Meise board a rigid hull inflatable boat deployed from the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island.

For a team of researchers stranded on an island with a storm coming, the solution was simple. Send in the Navy

A team of NOAA researchers were counting Hawaiian monk seals on a small chain of Pacific islands when they discovered that Tropical Storm Iselle was headed their way. It took a rescue mission by the US Navy to get them out safely.

For a team of researchers stranded on an island with a storm coming, the solution was simple. Send in the Navy
Author Germaine Greer's latest book chronicles her efforts to reclaim part of Australia's ancient rainforest.

Feminist icon Germaine Greer is getting down in the dirt for a new challenge

Writer and journalist Germaine Greer is an icon of the feminist movement. More than 40 years on from her famous book, "The Female Eunuch," Greer has taken up a new challenge: restoring a patch of ancient rainforest in her native Australia.

Feminist icon Germaine Greer is getting down in the dirt for a new challenge

A new study shows that koalas cuddle trees to keep cool

Koalas are tree huggers for a reason - it keeps them cool.

A new study shows that koalas cuddle trees to keep cool
Jack Brabham

Saying goodbye to the man who built his very own Formula One race car, and drove it to victory

Sir Jack Brabham pushed a racecar to victory, won a title in a car he built himself, and took Formula One to new levels and faster speeds. The 'colossus of the sport' died Monday the age of 88.

Saying goodbye to the man who built his very own Formula One race car, and drove it to victory

This year's Eurovision Song Contest has become a political and social minefield

Eurovision is supposed to be fun, family entertainment, though politics occasionally intrudes. This year, Russia and Ukraine may be fighting over who controls Crimea's vote. And then there's the issue of Austria's drag queen performer.

This year's Eurovision Song Contest has become a political and social minefield