Oceania

The Diocese of Tarawa and Nauru have joined all dioceses around the world ringing their church bells 88 times to honor the years of the Holy Father Pope Francis on this earth

The World Bank has committed US$7 million in new grants to support Tuvalu's financial management of and resilience to climate-related disasters, second and last of two operations aimed at mitigating climate impacts and strengthening disaster preparedness

The annual Secondary School Practicum Program has been launched: the practice provides hands-on experience to 357 students across ministries, agencies and private sector companies in Majuro, Wotje, Jaluit, Ebeye, and Enniburr, Kwajalein

Border security has been tightened in a direct response to growing concerns about foreign criminal activity, not specified; the measure resulted in an 88% denial rate for Chinese visa applications according to Tia Belau Newspaper

A plane loaded with asylum seekers landed in Nauru; they had landed in crocodile-filled waters north of Broome in Western Australia, evading authorities

A first-of-its-kind Data Protection Bill was passed during its first reading in parliament; the bill's author, Alexander Teabo told RNZ Pacific that protecting public information is the aim of his proposal, and the bill will protect the people

Hiri Moale Festival, an annual, week-long celebration of traditions and heritage of the Motu Koitabu culture, concluded this weekend; ax extended program offered this year canoe sailing and the rain on the grand finale did not discourage participants

1.991 students have successfully completed micro qualifications with Pacific PolyTech, most are working: quality hands-on technical education is successfully addressing the skills gaps faced in Fiji while providing employment to locals, especially youths

A 9,29% power tariff increase, approved by Energy Commission, came into effect on 1 April 2025

The Vanuatu Immigration Services has required larger office space to effectively manage points of entry at the airport and seaport, also considering the fact that the relaxation of visa conditions has contributed to issues of illegal border crossings

Doctors threaten to walk off the job for the first time in decades upon a pay dispute and exhausting shifts; thousands say they will strike for three days next week in a move that will dramatically impact non-urgent care and defy a court order

PM Albanese on the first day of campaigning for the general election touted his Labor party's credentials on affordable healthcare, after an extra $5.3 billion for Medicare were allocated earlier this year for the protection of universal healthcare scheme

The Community Development Agreement for the Porgera mine is approaching its final stage of completion: Mines Minister Wake Goi confirmed that the document is 95% finalised