14 dead and hundreds injured after a magnitude 7.3 quake in Vanuatu leaves some trapped in rubble

A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck just off the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction in the South Pacific island nation as the injured began arriving at a hospital and unconfirmed reports of casualties emerged.

Georgia teacher, Marine veteran to shine on Disney holiday special. Here’s a peek

A Marine veteran and current educator in Warner Robins, Ga., was recently honored Disney-style for her military service and community involvement.

EU investigates TikTok over Romanian presidential election safeguards

The European Commission is escalating its scrutiny of the popular video-sharing platform after Romania’s top court canceled results of the first round of voting that resulted in an unknown far-right candidate becoming the front-runner.

Kelly Clarkson surprises Michigan veteran family who lost their home twice

Tragedy struck this Michigan family after they lost their home not once, but twice in the span of four years. Kelly Clarkson helped surprise this family from Warren in Metro Detroit with an entire home makeover on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

Russian lawmakers approve a bill that could remove the terrorist designation for the Taliban

There is a deepening divide in the international community on how to deal with the Taliban, who have been in power for three years and face no internal or external opposition. Afghanistan’s rulers have pursued bilateral ties with major regional powers.

The US nuclear infrastructure is crumbling. There’s a way to pay for it

Our antiquated nuclear deterrent is a relic of the Cold War, with systems desperately in need of replacement, says Robert Peters, a Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense Fellow.

Taipei mayor calls for less confrontation as China continues sending ships, planes near island

The China-friendly mayor of Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, has called for less confrontation between the sides even as Beijing continues to send warships and fighter jets near the self governing island democracy.

Allies say Russian aircraft are creating safety hazards over Baltic Sea

NATO fighters scrambled seven times during the past week to track down Russian military aircraft violating international aviation regulations over the Baltic Sea, allied defense officials said.

Tom Cruise gets a top US Navy honor for boosting the military with his screen roles

Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s top civilian honor on Tuesday for “outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps” with “Top Gun” and other films.

Pacific Scoreboard: Dec. 17, 2024

DODEA-Pacific basketball results from Japan.

Nice day for a floral wedding, 1948

Heidelberg, Germany, June 19, 1948: Mary Joan Liddle of Wallasey, Cheshire, England, former secretary to the managing editor of Stars and Stripes, and Sheridan Louis Moyer, of Wheeling, W. Va., are heading to the Providence Church in Heidelberg to get married

State Department greenlights $300 million in upgrades for South Korean destroyers

The U.S. State Department on Monday approved the pending sale of approximately $300 million worth of upgrades and technical support for guided-missile destroyers in the South Korean navy.

Japanese troops defuse WWII-era American shell at Okinawa construction site

Japanese troops removed and defused an American shell believed to be from World War II on Tuesday at a construction site in Okinawa’s capital city.

Top Russian general killed in Moscow bombing claimed by Ukraine

Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the military’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed as he left for his office. On Monday, Ukraine’s Security Service, or SBU, opened a criminal investigation against him, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons.

Grassroots funding for Ukraine’s military declines as groups looks for creative ways to raise money

Advertisements along the sidewalk in Kyiv ask for donations to help fill financial gaps across the military. By scanning a QR code, people can help buy anything from body warmers and drones to armored cars for soldiers. But some charities are seeing a decline in individual donations in part because of the economic situation in the country.

Battle erupts over South Korean court that will determine the fate of impeached Yoon

South Korea’s acting leader has vowed to convey to the world that things are back to normal following parliament’s impeachment of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Americans’ trust in nation’s court system hits record low, survey finds

At a time of heightened political division, Americans’ confidence in their country’s judicial system and courts dropped to a record low of 35% this year.