Oceania Tonga Community leaders on the island of Ovaka and Neiafu, Vava'u, received fishing boat engines, sewing machines, greenhouses and poultry facilities, donated by the Chinese Embassy in Tonga, to help increase the communities' livelihoods
Oceania Tuvalu Given the severe economic and social impacts of climate change at local level on agriculture, fisheries, tourism and health, leading to widespread forced migration, a diversified economy would incentivise Tuvalu's citizens to employ their skills there
Oceania Palau The Civil Service Pension Plan in Palau faces a potential financial crisis after a drop in the investment fund, which prompted the proposal of an 8% increase in employee contributions
Oceania Papua New Guinea An extensive reshuffle of ministerial portfolios was announced, revealing key changes and strategic assignments aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the government and fostering opportunities for the main coalition parties
Oceania New Zealand From 1 April 2024 electric vehicles will have to pay road user charges (RUC); initially exempted, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids inclusion is the first step in fulfilling the National-ACT coalition's commitment to include all vehicles in RUC system
Oceania Marshall Islands A state of emergency has been declared for Kili Island due to food and fuel shortages caused by mismanagement of trust fund covering expenses; local government of Kili-Bikini-Ejit represents the population exiled by the nuclear tests in the Bikini Atoll
Oceania Nauru The country has announced it is severing diplomatic relations with Taiwan and will recognise China, becoming Taipei's first diplomatic ally to switch to Beijing following the weekend's presidential election
Oceania Tuvalu The government is trying to reduce greenhouse gases and use sustainable energy, but it has too few resources to deal with it alone, and after the pandemic in 2020, the most important climate adaptation projects in the government's plans have been delayed
Oceania Nauru The island's main phosphate mines were closed in the 1980s, although phosphate mining and exports resumed in 2005; the government estimates that the secondary deposits have a remaining life of about 30 years, but the island's landscape has been devastated
Oceania Micronesia 'Nothing Micro About Micronesia', a local show, follows the story of two Micronesian boys who grew up on opposite shores of the Pacific Ocean, one in Hawaii, the other in Chuuk
Oceania Vanuatu Cruise ship Celebrity Edge docked in two ports in Vanuatu earlier this week, an entry welcomed by the Department of Tourism
Oceania Australia Plans for a referendum on monarchy, to proclaim the country a Republic, have been postponed, as it is 'not a priority at the moment', despite plans of Albanese and his executive; King Charles is expected to pay an official visit to Australia in late 2024
Oceania Fiji The Fiji Police Fraud Investigation Unit has received numerous reports of MPAiSA accounts being hacked by unknown persons in recent months; head of the anti-crime unit says victims are often people who may not be familiar with modern technology