Oceania

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

Okubo Hideaki, currently director of the ENEOS baseball team, one of the strongest in Japanese amateur baseball, has visited Palau to observe Little League games, hold a meeting, and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Japan introducing “Iakiu” to Palau

The RMI passport facility, now tiny, will soon get a more convenient site near the Majuro Water and Sewer Company to turn it into an office for the passport program; renovations have been approved at Presidential level

During his recent visit to Tuvalu, WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala emphasised the unique health needs of Pacific Island countries, as climate resilience healthcare facilities, and stressed the WHO commitment to the smallest nations

A rehabilitation centre for illicit drugs is urgently needed, said chief psychiatrist Dr. Mapa Puloka and consultant Mele Prescott, taking stock of the growing number of drug addicts in Tonga

A new book of Palauan legends written in the Palauan language, financed by the Sasakawa Foundation, the Palau High School Student Science Club, offers people the opportunity to learn about traditional stories and strengthen their language skills

Consultations with key stakeholders continue on the project to improve urban transport management capacity in Honiara; the initiative is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency

All new applications under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan have been suspended until further notice upon initiative of the Citizenship Commission

Power outages and power rationing in several districts of Upolu prompted the hiring of generators to power drilling operations, ensuring the continuity of water supply in the affected areas

Fiji's Emergency Medical Assistance Team FEMAT celebrates maintaining its status as a WHO-classified Type 1 Fixed Emergency Medical Team; Having achieved its status in 2019, FEMAT demonstrated continued compliance with global standards in 2025 evaluation

The press conference of the Aelan Riddim Music Festival announced the highly anticipated presence of trending Solomon Island performers and introduced the five headlining guest artists from Papua New Guinea who will be hosted in Honiara this year