Oceania Tonga 3.402 senior students throughout Tonga are starting their national exams this week, including 1.321 Form 5 students who have been discontinued from the national exam since 2022, under a decision taken during the COVID-19 restrictions
Oceania Nauru A memorial service was held at dawn on 27 October at the World War II Memorial in Aiwo to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the return of Nauruans who were exiled to Chuuk and 93rd anniversary of Angam Day, celebrating recovery from possible extinction
Oceania New Zealand A popular brand of coloured sand sold in New Zealand has been urgently recalled over concerns it may contain asbestos following independent testing in Australia that confirmed asbestos contamination in similar products
Oceania Kiribati A last-minute visa mix-up nearly prevented Kiribati from joining the 65th Board of Directors Meeting of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures general assembly; people need to fly to Fiji to get the US visa to enter the Northern Mariana Islands
Oceania Micronesia The opening of the 2025 American College of Trial Lawyers Trial Practice Training, hosted by the Pacific Judicial Council, brought together legal practitioners from FSM and the region focusing on promoting excellence in the administration of justice.
Oceania Solomon Islands The Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands has officially certified the Drone Support Unit as an authorized Unmanned Aircraft Operator under Part 102 of the Civil Aviation Act 2008; the certification marks a key step in modern policing capability
Oceania Fiji The Fiji Council of Social Services has voiced concern over the government’s recent restructuring of key ministries, warning that the changes could undermine progress on crucial development reforms
Oceania Solomon Islands According to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index CPI released by Transparency International, the Solomon Islands has been ranked 43rd most corrupt country in the world
Oceania Marshall Islands The 177 Healthcare Clinic at Majuro hospital reopening after renovations has been celebrated with traditional singing and dancing; it provides healthcare services for the nuclear test-affected communities of Enewetak, Bikini, Rongelap, and Utrok atolls
Oceania Papua New Guinea 191 foreigners have been detained in five days for breaching their visa or work permit; the Special Spot Check Operation in Morobe aimed at discouraging illegal practices that affect national revenue and security
Oceania Samoa Five Samoans top the list of Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards 2025 that celebrate excellence and innovation across the Pacific creative sector; director and actress Anapela Polataivao is the winner of the Senior Pacific Artist Award
Oceania Tonga Celebrating 150 Year of the Tonga Constitution, a float parade led by government ministries, diplomatic corps, and expats brought festivities to Nuku'alofa; donor partner countries were the People's Republic of China, Australia, and New Zealand
Oceania Australia City suburbs in Australia show plots of lands at convenient prices that lure customers into buying properties that will not be transformed into homes; they come from ‘paper subdivisions’ lacking water, sewage and roads that haven’t been and aren't planned