Oceania

About eight people die daily in the Solomons as a result of the increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Disease related sickness; the figure was issued by one of the country’s top surgeon Dr Chester Kuma

Publisher Stuff has announced it will close around 15 community newspapers, including its 'historic' Auckland free press: the digital wave continues to wash through the industry that sees a number of well-known newspapers set to close in the next weeks

Doctors today urged that 1.200 Australian children get tested for infectious diseases for having been in contact with former daycare worker charged with over 70 sex crimes; the man worked at 20 nursery schools across Melbourne between 2017 and 2025

The Tonga Trade Fair 2025 will opens on 3 July at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall in Nuku'alofa under the theme “Buy Tonga Made”; over 40 local businesses will showcase Tonga-made products

The Tongan Government is refusing to pay a USD$1 million ransom demanded by hackers who have seized control of the National Health Information System for nearly two weeks

Lifeblood, national blood, milk, microbiota donation and manufacturing service will gradually scrap restrictions for gay and bisexual men and trans women; the pioneer move will start with removing sexual activity wait times for plasma donations on 14 July

Airbus replied to earlier news in the Vanuatu Daily Post saying it didn't held any talks with Government since October 2024, despite PM Napat’s recent claim that negotiations are underway to recover VT2 billion (€14 million) paid during COVID-19 pandemic

A new voter database system, GVRS Hybrid, has replaced the older software; according to the Palau Election Commission, it improves registration tracking introducing major upgrades in voter data management, fraud prevention and election transparency

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, leader of Human Rights Protection Party, has defended his party’s proposal to cut the 15% Value Added Goods and Services Tax as a direct response to the nation’s worsening cost of living

Unauthorized alluvial miners are invited not to use heavy machinery; the call comes from the Mineral Resources Authority following a number of reports that denounced systematic illegal mining activities with heavy machines

A public forum brought together government representatives, community members and business owners under the theme "Our Town, Our Future" to share ideas and map a collaboration path for Port Vila’s development after 2024 earthquake