Non-government organisations are frustrated with the Cook Islands government seabed mineral consultations that are being held in New Zealand, calling for a 10-year moratorium to allow for independent research and capacity building within the Cook Islands.
The University of the South Pacific Students’ Association (USPSA) from 14 campuses spanning 12 member countries convened in Rarotonga yesterday representing the voice of 14,000 students.
Prime minister closes government offices in effort to fight measles Samoa’s government is to shut down on Thursday and Friday this week so all public sector workers can help with the country’s mass measles vaccination campaign.
Samoa’s top health official says the measles epidemic is yet to peak
SAMOA – Samoa’s measles epidemic and national efforts to immunise have put Red Cross workers under huge pressure as the death toll continues to rise.
SAMOA – Children in Samoa between six months to four years of age remain the most vulnerable as Samoa’s measles emergency deepens.
Another child dies as Kiwi medic says situation is ‘incredibly serious’ There has been another measles death in Samoa bringing the total to 33. Sixteen of those to die were aged between one and four years, seven were between six and 11 months– and six were under six months old.
PACIFIC – The leaders of five Micronesian states have called on the Pacific Islands Forum to recognise Taiwan and China as equals at its meetings.
Funding for infrastructure bank worries aid groups
FIJI – Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has issued a warning to foreign developers who plan to do business in the country.
TONGA – Three petitions with over 10,000 signatures calling for the King of Tonga to dissolve parliament and launch an investigation into the government have been presented to the palace in Nuku’alofa.
NAURU – Nauru’s government has rushed through new laws to prevent residents being granted medical transfers based on online recommendations.
FIJI – A Fiji opposition MP says events on the island of Malolo should be a warning to all landowners in the country.
SOLOMON ISLANDS – More than 1000 Solomon Islanders are competing for 200 places in a “work ready pool” which could land them jobs in Australia.
PAPUA NEW GUINA – Papua New Guinea police are still seeking the return of nearly 300 imported cars loaned to officials for driving world leaders around its capital during last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.
TONGA – Some Tongan rugby players would return from Europe “in a heartbeat” to play for a Pacific Super Rugby team, Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu says.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The Papua New Guinean government is to ban Facebook for a month in a bid to crack down on “fake users” and study the effects the website is having on the nation’s population.
NEW ZEALAND – Samoans in New Zealand are celebrating their culture and identity as part of annual efforts to encourage more people to be bilingual.
SAMOA – The Salelavalu village council on Samoa’s Savai‘i Island has handed two men to police over a brawl last Saturday with youths from Salelologa village.
TONGA – The Pacific Games Council and Tonga’s Olympic Committee (TASANOC) have lodged a claim for millions of dollars of damages against the Tonga government for its late withdrawal from hosting the 2019 event.
TONGA – Four whales have washed up dead on a remote Pacific island, with witnesses claiming all of the whales had been shot in the head.
PACIFIC – A proposed combined Pacific Islands Super Rugby team has the backing of a number of former players and administrators.