Oceania

Prime Minister formally submitted Tuvalu’s Instrument of Ratification for the Pacific Resilience Facility to the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, thus officially committing to regional cooperation and climate resilience

The long-awaited Technical and Vocational Education and Training Policy has been launched; unified guidelines for all TVET providers in the country will guarantee high-quality skills training to streamline career pathways, increasing national productivity

A contest opened celebrations for the anniversary of Nauru's 58th Independence Day and 80th anniversary of the return from Chuuk: 11 choirs from government departments and state-owned enterprises competed for a $25000 prize with songs reflecting the theme

Armed carjackings have almost doubled in Victoria, increasing to an unprecedented extent, despite “tough new laws” being introduced to combat the crime in 2016, with rideshare drivers and delivery workers increasingly targeted

With Lyon Farrell, Rocco Jamieson and Dane Menzies qualifying for the men’s snowboard big air final, the Kiwis accounted for a quarter of the 12-strong field at Milano-Cortina Olympics, but no medals came to New Zealand in the first day of races

Food sales and food-related gatherings in Hofoa have been restricted from 27 January to 27 March 2026 as a preventative measures to contain the spread of typhoid fever; the announcement came from the Ministry of Health earlier this week

Bryan Chan Pokiton, from the Institute of Business Studies University in Boroko, has been selected as Pacific regional representative at the Commonwealth Student Association, and will soon join the upcoming meeting of fellow young leaders in London

A 'Countdown for Service' ceremony was held for the East Micronesia Cable EMC Project, an undersea telecommunications system that will now provide submarine fiber optic connectivity to Kosrae, completing cable access for all four FSM states

Legislator Marie A. Nabeyama was selected as Speaker of the 13th Legislature, becoming the first woman to hold the position in Koror State’s history

Kava sector exports are estimated at over $190 million, from $4 in 2008 at the start of the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access PHAMA Program that radically transformed the crop from subsistence to Fiji's most valuable agricultural export

Rising harassment and intimidation of migrants and faith groups prompted protests across Auckland; organizers have been denied a permit to walk across the harbour bridge last month for safety reasons and the pressure placed on the bridge's infrastructure

Majuro Atoll Waste Company launched a recycling facility at Batkan landfill, handling over 10 million cans and plastic or glass bottles every year with multi-million dollar revenues; for a new recycling and export pilot project it seeks community support

Samoa has hosted the King’s Baton Relay on Upolu Island, with a five-day program from 26 to 30 January, blending sport, culture and environmental action ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026