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 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 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
Oceania Vanuatu Over 1.000 members of the Vanuatu Teachers Union, who have been on strike for the past 18 months, will return to the classroom following the signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the government
Oceania Papua New Guinea A fire destroyed a commercial building housing a number of businesses in Mendi, southern highlands; started at the generator house after a power failure, it was fought by local boys with buckets, lacking fire brigade service and water tankers
Oceania Tuvalu The first climate migrants to leave Tuvalu have touched down in Australia, ready to begin a new life as part of the landmark treaty, an unprecedented climate visa scheme signed two years ago and implemented along 2025
Oceania Solomon Islands Essential school furniture for newly built classrooms and dormitories has been delivered to 14 schools across the country; the initiative aims to build safe, comfortable and practical learning spaces supported by Australia and New Zealand with MEHRD
Oceania New Zealand A judge voided a South Auckland election result over voter fraud claims and the private company running the polls has admitted to a separate privacy breach; the Electoral Services MD released to councillor election results with confidential information
Oceania Palau For over three months, families and small businesses across Palau have been unable to ship packages through the mail, sidelined by a U.S. executive order that ended duty-free treatment for low-value imports