Oceania Vanuatu The island of Motalava in TORBA Province shipped a 5-tons copra cargo, the first one after a 15-year hiatus; recipient is Future Fund Company in Espiritu Santo and the operation follows a rise in local and global prices
Oceania New Zealand NZ doctors are increasingly finding themselves caring for patients who require medical help following gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures undergone abroad; medical tourism is posing new threats as post-op complications cases rise
Oceania Solomon Islands Hon. Hou, MP for Small Malaita Constituency, appealed to all landowners and community leaders in his region to allow development projects to proceed on their land, as land disputes still hinder and delay essential services and infrastructure delivery
Oceania Micronesia VP took part in the official kick off of the 74th Operation Christmas Drop, a tradition begun in 1952 when aircrew dropped a bundle of supplies attached to a parachute to waving islanders; OCD involves over 60 islands in FSM, Palau, Marshall Islands
Oceania Samoa Young girls are increasingly turning to prostitution to buy meth, as the narcotic has taken a grip over the young; light on the new social plague has been shed by the team leader of Addiction Services with the Salvation Army
Oceania Fiji Random Fiji Police sweeps in hotspot areas across urban centres are address the growing number of beggars and street children proving food rations; the operation begun weeks ago is continuing during the festive season
Oceania Palau Scholarship awards from the Palau National Scholarship Board are set to increase by 26% in 2026 after Congress approved a major budget boost, bringing more financial relief for tuition, books and living expenses
Oceania Nauru ODA graduation to high-income country is postponed until 2027; previously set to 1 January 2026, the one-year deferral recognizes UN’s new MVI ranking Nauru as the most vulnerable in the Pacific, 5th globally, and that GDP figures don't reflect reality
Oceania Samoa The Samoa Customs Office seized US$2.28 million worth of methamphetamine; the illegal drug was intercepted as it was brought in by two separate travelers from American Samoa
Oceania Kiribati Tourism is now a frontline response to plastic pollution and climate pressure: a regional workshop in Tarawa highlights how small tourism businesses, circular economy principles and marine protection initiatives are reshaping travel benefiting Kiribati
Oceania Palau Inmate was set on fire at Koror Prison when he was alone in his cell, suffering non-life-threatening burns; authorities are probing how gasoline entered the premises
Oceania Micronesia Micronesian and Palau artists are highlighted in new group exhibition Ocean of Peace, at Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Hawaii, USA); sculpture, digital media, weaving, poetry and painting, six artists explore the Pacific’s path toward harmony
Oceania Marshall Islands The Marshallese Christmas is celebrated with Jepta, or 'group', dancing and signing competitions, Wojke - a handmade container filled with small gifts and Biit Dancing - an energetic, modern church dancing, often loud and with amplified music