Oceania

The bill postponing elections until 2024 has been approved; the 11th Parliament will dissolve on 31 December 2023 and the law will cease to be effective on 1 January 2024: national general elections will be held within four months of that date

Palau Electoral Commission has declared Eric Reklai the winner of the Imul legislative seat in the 12th Aimeliik State Legislature, filling the seat left vacant by the untimely death of previous legislator Jason Timulch

The National Committee of the United World College of the Marshall Islands has selected three as recipients of two-year scholarships to three different UWC schools abroad

A giant squid washed ashore was found yesterday at Farewell Spit at the top of the South Island; not including tentacles, it measured about 4m

The removal of pre-departure COVID-19 testing before entering the country will greatly help the recovery of the tourism industry supporting both aviation and cruise travel into the destination, said the Vanuatu Tourism Office

The Taiwanese Ambassador handed over two new patrol boats to President Lionel Aingimea, who is also Minister of Police, during a ceremony at Aiwo port; patrol boats are generally designed for coastal reconnaissance, border protection and water control

During the prime minister's visit to Taipei, Tuvalu signed a joint communiqué with Taiwan reaffirming their strong ties and agreements on police and coast guard cooperation

Greens have called for a Senate committee of enquiry into the 'nature and extent' of poverty in Australia, while the federal government continues to reject questions about cost-of-living relief and increased welfare payments

President Panuelo signed the executive order establishing and organising a public education task force on the proposed constitutional amendments adopted by the 4th FSM Constitutional Convention

The 28th National Congress of the Union of Moderate Parties in Tanna elected current Deputy Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau as the new party president

Newly reelected PM Marape said that coffee farmers, investors and stakeholders in PNG must pay attention and work closely with his government to revive the industry

The government-run television channel on the digital platform owned by Samoa Digital Communications Ltd remains disconnected, despite orders to restore service