Oceania

Police motorcades, personal protection for VIPs and police with rifles in military uniform: Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara looked very un-Pacific with high level of security around leaders and limited police presence on the streets

$13 million have been pledged to the Marshall Islands by the US Department of State for the reconstruction of the Nitijela parliament building, which was gutted by fire last month

ED doctors nationwide have sent an open letter to Health New Zealand calling for a set of solutions to be rolled out as soon as possible, saying the immense pressure is compromising both patient care and staff safety

Three people died as a direct consequence of a technical failure caused by an Optus network update: hundreds of 'triple-0', or emergency, calls didn't go through in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia

An undersea mountain was discovered 400km north of Palau, rising 4.400 meters from the seafloor, its peak just 240 meters below the surface; the finding was made by Beyond the Blue expedition, mapping unexplored deep-waters of National Marine Sanctuary

Sugarcane field burning should be minimised due to its environmental and health impacts on surrounding communities; farmers are urged to reduce the practice during World Ozone Day celebrations, highlighting the link with greenhouse gas emissions

Marshall Islands' tribute to workers is Rijerbal Day, on the first Friday of September, when an international fishing tournament is held: teams from Asia, Africa and the Pacific fight to catch the biggest bite; 2025 Aussie winners caught a 143,7 kg marlin

Only Australian media were allowed to cover the press conference of Australia's PM Albanese speaking aside the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara; Solomon journalists called on their association to take a stand on banning Pacific Media

The Coffee Industry Corporation has budgeted K500.000 (€100.000) to revive the Wahgi Men Plantations in Banz, Jiwaka and a credit line of over K10 million, managed by National Development Bank, will provide accessible funds for small- or block-holders

2000 extra flights for Melbourne will be available for football fans heading for the 2025 AFL preliminary finals; from Monday, return services will be sold from Adelaide, Brisbane or the Gold Coast, following the semi-final matches this weekend

A call has been made to International Labour Organization to ensure fair pay, safe conditions, proper housing, medical support for Vanuatu and Pacific workers participating in the labour mobility schemes, one of the main drivers of migration in the region

FAST party will retain power as election results confirm its victory; but Samoa will have a new PM: Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, following incumbent PM resignation from FAST party leader earlier this year