![Biden calls Papua New Guinea leader after cancelling meeting](https://cdn.magzter.com/1617717947/1684448518/articles/q06N-l1rQ1684454309495/BIDEN-CALLS-PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA-LEADER-AFTER-CANCELLING-MEETING.jpg)
PORT MORESBY - US President Joe Biden telephoned his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape on Thursday, after cancelling a historic meeting in the Pacific island nation, to tell him Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in his place, the two leaders said.
Pacific island leaders will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a high-level United States delegation in Papua New Guinea on Monday.
Mr Biden pulled out of the visit to Papua New Guinea because of debt ceiling negotiations in Washington, a move seen by some as a blow to US diplomacy in the region.
The US President had been expected to meet 18 leaders from the region's main bloc, the Pacific Islands Forum, and sign a defence cooperation pact with Papua New Guinea on Monday.
Mr Marape told a press conference on Thursday that Mr Biden had called him and invited him to a US-Pacific island summit in Washington in September.
"I was privileged on behalf of the people that (Biden) placed a call directly to my cellphone... He conveyed his sincerest apologies that he cannot make it to our country," Mr Marape said, adding that Mr Biden said Mr Blinken would travel in his place.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 19, 2023-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 19, 2023-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
![Malfunctioning component among reasons for N-S Line disruption: LTA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/JOl1vhCWu1718496325701/MALFUNCTIONING-COMPONENT-AMONG-REASONS-FOR-NS-LINE-DISRUPTION-LTA.jpg)
Malfunctioning component among reasons for N-S Line disruption: LTA
A component meant to protect outdoor equipment from power surges, like those from lightning strikes, did not work as intended on June 3, resulting in a traction power fault that disrupted commutes along the northern stretch of the North-South MRT Line for more than two hours during evening peak hours.
![WHO warns of escalating health crisis in West Bank](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/_UhsMKu731718497853050/WHO-WARNS-OF-ESCALATING-HEALTH-CRISIS-IN-WEST-BANK.jpg)
WHO warns of escalating health crisis in West Bank
Attacks on health infrastructure, growing restrictions obstructing access to care
![Young and old bond over dialect lessons at senior daycare centre](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/WKjM-ZZ1L1718498310557/YOUNG-AND-OLD-BOND-OVER-DIALECT-LESSONS-AT-SENIOR-DAYCARE-CENTRE.jpg)
Young and old bond over dialect lessons at senior daycare centre
Programme brings sense of purpose to seniors, helps kids develop social skills
![Inspiring, strong, loving: Dads show it their way](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/QpCAo1F-Y1718493258473/INSPIRING-STRONG-LOVING-DADS-SHOW-IT-THEIR-WAY.jpg)
Inspiring, strong, loving: Dads show it their way
This Father’s Day, meet four emotionally involved fathers who show true dad-ication
![World leaders join peace summit in test of Kyiv's diplomatic clout](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/b3dFucl9l1718491609020/WORLD-LEADERS-JOIN-PEACE-SUMMIT-IN-TEST-OF-KYIVS-DIPLOMATIC-CLOUT.jpg)
World leaders join peace summit in test of Kyiv's diplomatic clout
Absence of Moscow's powerful allies such as China set to blunt potential impact of talks
![Cleanup under way after oil slicks hit Sentosa, East Coast Park and other areas](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/Lms4STqiQ1718492068422/CLEANUP-UNDER-WAY-AFTER-OIL-SLICKS-HIT-SENTOSA-EAST-COAST-PARK-AND-OTHER-AREAS.jpg)
Cleanup under way after oil slicks hit Sentosa, East Coast Park and other areas
Oil slicks stained the coastlines at East Coast Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, Keppel Bay, the Southern Islands and Sentosa on June 15, a day after a damaged cargo tank leaked oil into the sea at Pasir Panjang Terminal.
![PM Wong kick-starts series of visits to districts across S'pore](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/4pt_UyG2Q1718492918884/PM-WONG-KICKSTARTS-SERIES-OF-VISITS-TO-DISTRICTS-ACROSS-SPORE.jpg)
PM Wong kick-starts series of visits to districts across S'pore
A month after being sworn in to the top post, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong says he plans to visit different constituencies across the island over the coming months to meet as many Singaporeans as he can.
![ANYWHERE FITNESS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/JM8yKAc9d1718494487986/ANYWHERE-FITNESS.jpg)
ANYWHERE FITNESS
Experts say daily exercise of at least 20 minutes is best for a healthier mind and body for all ages. Here’s how to get ina workout without going to a gym
![MAD ABOUT INDIAN MANGOES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/imOkXYnNY1718495404287/MAD-ABOUT-INDIAN-MANGOES.jpg)
MAD ABOUT INDIAN MANGOES
Taste these seven varieties here before the season is over
![NTU marketing professor introduced as new face in Tampines East](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1734226/s7AMXHYjY1718496497866/NTU-MARKETING-PROFESSOR-INTRODUCED-AS-NEW-FACE-IN-TAMPINES-EAST.jpg)
NTU marketing professor introduced as new face in Tampines East
A new grassroots leader for the Tampines East ward of Tampines GRC was introduced to residents by anchor minister Masagos Zulkifli on June 15.