Oceania Marshall Islands The RMI ship registry in 2024 kept its 3rd position among largest ship registries in the world by gross tonnage, deadweight tonnage and number of vessels operating under its authority; the result is mainly driven by its flexible registry and low taxes
Oceania Kiribati Like every year, Kiribati has been the first country to celebrate New Year's Eve; neighbouring island of Baker, separated by a stretch of sea of just 1179 km, will be the last
Oceania Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. proclaimed the months of December 2024 to February 2025 as Red Ribbon Months, under the theme 'Life is a movie, live drug-free' to promote drug-free lifestyles
Oceania New Zealand The first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, one of the most elusive creatures in the world found beached, revealed vestigial teeth and 9 stomachs chambers; to date only six specimens have been found and nobody has ever seen this whale alive
Oceania Vanuatu The Vanuatu Elections Office received more than 200 applications from political parties, customary movements and individuals wishing to participate in the elections independently
Oceania Marshall Islands Six schools in Majuro now have access to safe drinking water systems using filtered rainwater thanks to the Environmental Protection Authority's Reliable and Safe Drinking Water Programme
Oceania Micronesia The Micronesian Climate Change Alliance announced the recipients of community grants for food sovereignty and energy democracy in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Oceania Nauru Matthew Barclay was announced as Australia's next High Commissioner to the Republic of Nauru; Australia is Nauru's main development, trade and security partner
Oceania Kiribati Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, an offshore support vessel operating in the Pacific, departed Brisbane for its first deployment of 2025, during which it will also deliver fire trucks to Kiribati
Oceania Australia Two sailors have died in separate incidents on the first night of the 79th Sydney to Hobart sailing regatta, after they were both hit by sail booms; they mark the first deaths in the famed race since six men lost their lives in the 1998 event
Oceania Fiji Fiji Police Forces have imposed travel restrictions in the city of Nadi, severely affected by continuous rains
Oceania Samoa Samoa started celebrating Christmas 13 days before the day itself; in these 13 days, government ministries and other congregations are invited to sing Christmas carols in their own style which are aired on TV
Oceania Papua New Guinea The country took an important step in the energy sector with the signing of an agreement to develop the country's first offshore gas project, Pasca A, in the Gulf Province with Twinza Oil Limited