Regional
Bars and clubs make plea to PM
Friday 1 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
The Tonga Bar Club and Restaurant Association has added its weight to a call for the government to ease the six-week-long Covid-19 restrictions.
Tongan businesses want economy to 'get moving'
Friday 1 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
Businesses in Tonga are calling on the government there to ease Covid-19 restrictions to get the economy moving again.
Malaria adds to Vanuatu's woes
Wednesday 29 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
VANUATU – Vanuatu health authorities have another challenge to deal with after a local outbreak of malaria in the northern province of Torba following Tropical Cyclone Harold.
Emergency impacting on routine vaccinations
Wednesday 29 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
PACIFIC– Thousands of children in the Pacific are in danger of missing out on routine vaccines because immunisation services have been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Military boss defends need to control media freedom
Wednesday 29 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
One of Fiji’s leading military officers has defended the stifling of the media during the Covid-19 health emergency, prompting concern from press freedom advocates.
French Polynesia's opposition says schools should remain closed
Wednesday 29 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Regional
French Polynesia's opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira party says schools should remain closed until September because of the continued risks posed by the Covid-19 outbreak.
New Caledonia lifts most Covid-19 restrictions, borders remain closed
Wednesday 29 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Regional
New Caledonia will on Monday lift just about all restrictions imposed over the Covid-19 outbreak but keep the borders closed.
Samoa associate justice minister under investigation
Tuesday 28 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Regional
A criminal investigation has been launched in Samoa into allegations against the Associate Minister for Justice, So’oalo Mene.
Vanuatu ship visit puts island under lockdown
Tuesday 28 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Regional
Vanuatu’s Director of Public Health says the island of Malekula will remain in lockdown until a ship that visited there is cleared of Covid-19.
Recovery hampered by lack of boats
Tuesday 28 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Regional
Vanuatu – Disaster officials in Vanuatu say they’re being challenged by the small number of vessels available to transport relief supplies to communities devastated by Cyclone Harold.
Fiji warned to not 'drop the ball'
Tuesday 28 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Regional
FIJI – Fijians have been told the stakes of Covid-19 are higher than any game of rugby. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama called on people to stay the course as the country battled with the Covid-19 crisis.
Decimation of tourism may plunge Pacific into poverty
Tuesday 28 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Regional
The decimation of the Pacific’s tourism industry by Covid-19 could plunge thousands of people into poverty, according to a new assessment by the International Labour Organisation.
Tongan Lord's sentence suspended
Monday 27 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
TONGA – A former Tongan Prime Minister and current Noble MP has received a two year suspended sentence and a fine for passport, perjury and firearm offences.
More than 200 fly to Auckland from Apia
Monday 27 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
SAMOA – An Air New Zealand plane has repatriated 200 people from Apia to Auckland but did not take any passengers back to Samoa.
High Covid-19 rates for Pasifika in the US
Monday 27 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
PACIFIC – Pacific Islanders living in the United States have an infection rate two to three times the average in at least four American states, according to data released Sunday by the Pacific Islander Center of Primary Care Excellence, a California-based group.
Pro-China Kiribati president loses majority over switch from Taiwan
Monday 27 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
The Kiribati political party that switched recognition from Taiwan to China last year lost its majority in elections last week.
Mini Games postponed until 2022
Monday 27 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
NORTHERN MARIANAS – The upcoming Pacific Mini Games in the Northern Marianas are set to be postponed until May 2022 to avoid a clash with the Tokyo Olympics.
Covid cure rumours worry experts
Friday 24 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
UN warns of potentially disastrous impact of Covid-19 rumours in the Pacific.
Tahiti crime drops
Thursday 23 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
Figures released in French Polynesia say there has been a drop in crime, including reported domestic violence, during the lockdown following the Covid-19 outbreak last month, RNZ reports.
Holiday industry delivered another blow by Virgin Australia airline collapse
Thursday 23 April 2020 | Written by Gray Clapham | Published in Small World
The Pacific tourism industry will be seriously impacted with the collapse of Virgin Australia, the ABC has reported.