The citizens welcomed the New Year first after the 1994 presidential candidate promised, if he won, that the locals would celebrate the New Year first; the country is divided into three time zones and the easternmost region actually now celebrates first

At the 68th Session of the Commission of the Status of Women, Kiribati's Minister of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs Mr. Martin Moretti declared the island nation's dedication to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls

Daniel Kritenbrink, the top U.S. diplomat for Asia-Pacific, said officials will engage with Kiribati and Vanuatu to open new embassies, following the opening in Tonga

US lawmakers have expressed concern over Kirabati's use of Chinese police for security, just as the US State Department warns that such cooperation could pose new risks to the country