Oceania

Maritime Safety Authority assured the public Rotuma and Northern routes are safe, confirming that the vessel Ohana met strict safety requirements before sailing, following videos on social media showing a leakage being repaired on the ship on its way

'Our Freshwater 2026' report highlights worsening quality of groundwater, rivers and lakes, with increasing levels of nitrates, E.coli above legal limit, and nearly half of New Zealand's river network unsafe for swimming due to faecal contamination

A historic $15 million financing agreement has been signed with Saudi Arabia, marking a shift in how Palua's National Development Bank will now operate, as the loan will be directly invested into building affordable housing

Ambassador Akillino H. Susaia presented his credentials to UNESCO Director-General during a formal ceremony at the organization's headquarters, officially beginning Susaia’s tenure as Permanent Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia

A brand-new dental clinic opened at the RON Hospital-based Medical Centre; it includes a panoramic X-ray equipment and it will upgrade dental services meeting the needs of the community, in line with government's efforts in health services

A 7,3 magnitude earthquake hit around 35 kilometres northeast of Luganville, Vanuatu's second-largest city, with tremors felt across various islands but with no threat of a tsunami

KAMORALE, spirit of unity, has been celebrated across Micronesia, honoring the traditions, languages, and customs that define its people, reminding that while cultures on the islands are diverse, a shared spirit of KAMORALE unifies them all

Tens of thousands of people attended the annual rock and car festival Beach Hop in Whangamatā; the Beach Hop, established in 2000, has degenerated in 2026 into cases of unsuitable behavior that brought to 30 arrests, more than in the last years combined

FSM and Australia will sign a MoU to implement the Pacific Policing Initiative, the key policing cooperation mechanism in the Pacific, and to enhance maritime security cooperation harnessing Australia's investments in regional security partnerships

Tuvalu would be looking at signing a treaty with New Zealand by 2028; The island nation has recently entered into treaties with Australia and Taiwan on climate and migration issues

Evictions could violate human rights: this is the concern expressed by the head of PNG Church, Sir John Cardinal Ribat, who warns against evictions that don't follow proper procedures, leaving families homeless

Hundreds of Faleata No.2 residents were turned away from Gym 1 in Tuanaimato as they were collecting the $150 back-to-school support which the district council, run out of funds, couldn't pay