News In Brief

A free association with US backed by voters in Palau

Voters in the Pacific republic of Palau have approved a compact of free association with the United States. The results of last week's voting, released Monday, showed 4,209 people, voted in favor, while 2,013 opposed the compact, which grants the US authority to control military activities in return for aid.

The islands are in the western Pacific, 1,765 miles south of Japan.