Australia

One of the world's tightest set of regulations on vaping has just gone into effect in Australia. It's part of a broader campaign to cut down on a habit the country's health minister calls a “public health nemesis.” HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands has requested assistance from his Australian counterpart to expand the Solomon Islands' police force by adding over a thousand officers. HPR's Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

Hawai‘i will host the world’s largest celebration of Indigenous Pacific Islanders for the first time in June. It's only three weeks away and officials are still looking for a handful of volunteers.

One of the year’s biggest military exercises in the Indo-Pacific is coming to a close. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in this Asia Minute.

Defense chiefs from Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States have vowed to deepen their cooperation as they gather in Hawaiʻi for their second-ever joint meeting amid concerns about China’s operations in the South China Sea.

On Friday, the largest regional command in the United States will get a new leader in Hawaiʻi. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is already in Hawaiʻi for that ceremony and some unusual meetings. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

When Australia's national cabinet meets on Wednesday, the focus will be a growing national problem. It's not related to climate change, the economy or competition with China. It's violence against women. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

Australian winemakers will soon have a chance for a competitive return to what was once their biggest market. China has ended tariffs of up to 200% on Australian wine, but that’s not likely to mean an overnight boom in business. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The First Nations Writers Festival gives writers in the Pacific a chance for their books or short stories to win a cash prize or possibly be published. Book award winners may receive a cash prize of up to $5,000 in Australian currency.

The state will host FestPAC for the first time after the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the event in 2020. HPR's Cassie Ordonio hears from Pacific Islanders looking forward to attending.