Oceania

Families at Vulankara, Turtle Bay, are facing eviction after a 30-day notice to vacate the land they've lived on for over 40 years, though they've had interest in the land since before Vanuatu’s independence, their elders working in Nitchikou Plantation

Murals featuring children and nutrition themes are popping up at schools in Majuro and on stores around the island upon a UNICEF-supported initiative to promote awareness of children's needs, painted by art teacher Aravapo Leo and a team of students

50 families from Levi Saleimoa have been given three months to vacate land they have occupied in the past years after the Lands and Titles Court rejected a leave to appeal a previous decision; the case shows a growing trend in small pacific island nations

PM Marane issued a nationwide call to government, communities and citizens to actively prepare for Papua New Guinea 50th anniversary of independence in September; he urged organizing meaningful celebrations to make it a day of reflection pride and unity

The development of the private sector is the primary focus of Tonga's new budget, the Prime Minister Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke said as his Cabinet finalized the budget for 2025-2026, to be presented to the Legislative Assembly this week

Ten kiwi have been released on the eastern side of Waiheke, Te Motuaarairoa, the most isolated side of the island; Save the Kiwi confirms it's the first urban Auckland area to have the national icon bird reintroduced

Speaking at a panel with the advertising industry at Cairns Crocodiles - an international festival - sitting President of Palau stressed the importance of consistent campaigns as powerful tools to address climate issues with impacting results

At a panel with the advertising industry at Cairns Crocodiles - an international festival - the groundbreaking campaign presenting Tuvalu as first 'digital nation' has been recalled as powerful tool to address climate issues with truly impacting results

The Vanuatu Chess Federation is celebrating a 40% rise in its memberships, increasing from 100 to over 140 active participants; weeks ago it was officially recognized by the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee

The Refugee Action Coalition says there is no future for the asylum seekers still on Nauru, following a funding deal for the Regional Processing Centre reached with Australia; of 93 transferred, 4 have been granted refugee status, 89 are still in progress

The traditional chief of Bava Island on Vella has voiced strong opposition to mining operations on the island due to mining’s potential destruction of ancestral land, environmental degradation, and threats to the livelihoods of local communities

Unauthorised entry to uninhabited Crown lands, including the remote ‘Ata Island, has been banned and similar uninhabited territories are off-limits without prior written approval; permission is needed for any purpose including tourism, research or filming

The only female candidate running for the Motu Koita chair - the landowner representative body of the Motu and Koitabu people - has launched her campaign: presenting her plans, she pledged special attention to the mothers and children