Oceania Solomon Islands Speaking at COP29, Minister Manemahaga underscored the vulnerability to climate change, saying the impacts are not abstract future threats but real stories of loss, displacement, erosion of culture and heritage
Oceania Nauru The country is expected to have the highest percentage of children under the age of 14 by 2030 in the Pacific, 37%, closely followed by Papua New Guinea with 36% and Samoa with 35%
Oceania Vanuatu Mind Care Clinic is understaff and under-budgeted, said professional Psychiatric Nurse Norah Titus, needing more resources to ensure all patients are cared for; in the department only four people, with no vehicle, have to care for the entire Vanuatu
Oceania Palau A government proposed plan to allow fishing in 50% of Palau waters (now 20%) has heated a debate that is becoming one key issue dividing voters in this year’s general elections, which will take place on 5 November
Oceania Nauru The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre has spoken to almost all the people currently detained on Nauru and, according to its data, almost a quarter of them suffer from serious mental health conditions and one in ten have suicidal ideation
Oceania Australia For a study on the gut health of the population, the Australian government agency responsible for scientific research asked citizens aged 14 and over to collect data on their flatulence via an app called Chart Your Fart
Oceania Samoa The Samoa Conservation Society has enlisted the help of the public to help eradicate the invasive rattan palm; initial work to combat the plant began in 2006 after it was introduced in the 1990s
Oceania Tonga A medical team from China will provide free medical services at the Ngū Hospital in Vava'u, from 20 to 29 November, with 6 specialised doctors for diagnosis, health screening, orthopaedic and gynaecological surgery and medical tests
Oceania Nauru TMC, a metallurgical company for exploration of metals accumulated on the seabed, has set 27 June 2025 as the deadline for submitting an exploitation application to the ISA, supported by its subsidiary Nauru Ocean Resources Inc and the Government of Nauru
Oceania Micronesia Archaeologists have noted the high rate of betel nut chewing among the earliest Micronesian peoples, a pastime that brought people together to initiate social conversations and bond among friends
Oceania Papua New Guinea The new Milne Bay Teachers College, in the Alotau district, will welcome its first group of students in early 2025, after receiving approval for the operating licence
Oceania Marshall Islands The European Union and the Marshall Islands have a strong relationship that goes far beyond the aid provided to the country, said the EU ambassador during her first visit to Majuro last month
Oceania Vanuatu 216 people were awarded their Vanuatu Citizenship Certificates in a ceremony held at Iririki Island; under the Citizenship Act, applicants must meet specific requirements and pay fees to qualify for citizenship, thus contributing to government revenue