Oceania

Fiji is facing one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world, with 1.226 cases in the first half of 2025; A new WHO study shows one of the cause is the rising reuse of needles and syringes for drug injection, mostly linked to methamphetamine use

Government expresses deep concern over the recent escalation of tensions in the Asia-Pacific region; an official post on Facebook reminded that Tuvalu strongly opposes any unilateral or coercive actions that threaten regional security, stability and peace

While up to a dozen major bushfire ravaged towns, leaving one dead, 300 structures destroyed and 350.000 hectares burned in Victoria, Pro-Palestine protesters have defied police calls to cancel their Melbourne rally

Concrete foundation for the Tarawa Kiribati Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was completed before the end of the year, and the work of installing the prefabricated modules is expected to begin in the next few weeks

In its first business session, the Nitijela - the country's unicameral parliament - focused on ENRA (universal basic income) and END (Extraordinary Needs Distribution) programs

Enduring ancestral, humanitarian, and family ties with the Banaban people have been reaffirmed during 80th anniversary of the Banaban people, relocated from their homeland of in 1945 following the devastation caused by phosphate mining

Tonga's Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, has announced an 11 member Cabinet on 5 January 2026 after the appointments were made by King Tupou VI as stipulated by the Constitution

The island of Motalava in TORBA Province shipped its a 5-tons copra cargo, the first one after a 15-year hiatus; recipient is Future Fund Company in Espiritu Santo and the operation follows a rise in local and global prices

NZ doctors are increasingly finding themselves caring for patients who require medical help following gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures undergone abroad; medical tourism is posing new threats as post-op complications cases rise

Hon. Hou, MP for Small Malaita Constituency, appealed to all landowners and community leaders in his region to allow development projects to proceed on their land, as land disputes still hinder and delay essential services and infrastructure delivery