A Micronesian republic of atolls and islands in the western Pacific
Pacific Islands Forum opens in Palau as Beijing objects to Taiwan’s attendance. Pacific leaders press for autonomy in agenda; China warns of consequences. Taiwan’s foreign minister attends, sparking diplomatic friction.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dwindled to a trickle, even as Middle Eastern producers continue exporting oil risking transponders-off shipments. Trackable vessels show several departures and arrivals, with Saudi exports recovering and Iraq contributing a substantial share. Analysts say flows remain resilient despite disruptions.
Bularia has reported that sea and aerial drones have attacked two merchant vessels 70–80 nautical miles off its eastern coast, sinking the Togolese‑flagged Alfa Watan and setting the Palau‑flagged Able on fire. Eighteen crew from the Able have been rescued, two are hospitalized; the fate of the Alfa Watan crew remains unknown. The strikes follow a separate grain‑ship fire off Romania a day earlier that Ukraine blamed on Russian drones.
The United States has continued to pressure Iran by blocking oil exports and freezing cryptocurrency, while Iran-backed groups face financial strain. US Central Command reports that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, with significant oil shipments moving daily, even as Iranian attacks on ships increase and tensions spike across the region.