Japan reaffirms Pacific regional support
Japan, Fiji and Palau share the same concerns over a security pact China recently signed with the Solomon Islands, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Sunday as he wrapped up a trip to the two Pacific island
COVID-19, climate change and non communicable diseases
Pacific health ministers respond to health crises COVID-19 is a big opportunity for Pacific countries to transform their health systems, the region’s health ministers have heard. COVID-19, non communicable diseases
Samoa international borders to open in August
Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has announced the returning of students to school and resumption of international flights this month, although restricted to Samoan citizens travelling in for various
Moana Pasifika takes a stand, request forfeit from Force
After copping another postponed game in their debut Super Rugby season, the Moana Pasifika are now seriously taking a closer look at other options available to them. The Moana Pasifika was scheduled to play against the
Vanuatu curfew lifted, schools and workplaces to reopen
Vanuatu’s government has decided to lift the 8pm-6am curfew and relax other restrictions which were in place for almost two months, as COVID-19 cases decline on Efate and offshore islands. From Friday, there are
Australia drops mandatory COVID pre-departure test
International travellers entering Australia no longer need to provide evidence of a negative pre-departure COVID-19
COVID-19:Tackling the pandemic of inequality in Asia and the Pacific
For countries in Asia and the Pacific, meeting the challenge of COVID-19 is challenging due to deeper structural economic
Samoa prisoners COVID-positive
Nine prisoners and 22 guards in Samoa tested positive for COVID-19 and have been placed in isolation to avoid its
Nauru records first COVID cases
Nauru's President Lionel Aingimea has announced the first two COVID-19 cases in Nauru, and says there is no cause for
Tonga lockdown restrictions eased
Lockdown restrictions in Tonga will be eased with businesses able to operate for three days starting on Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday, said the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siasoi Sovaleni. This means businesses
Tonga health ministry confirms six COVID-19 deaths
Six deaths from COVID-19 in Tonga have been confirmed, while another five people with the virus died from underlying illnesses, Tonga’s Minister for Health, Dr Saia Piukala said. The confirmation comes after
New Zealand Foreign Minister visits Fiji this week
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for Fiji this week, her first trip to the Pacific since announcing New Zealand’s Pacific Resilience approach last year. “This visit is an important step in
Kiribati cancer patient returns home as border reopen
A Kiribati teenager has safely returned to his home country on Monday after being stranded in Taiwan for over two and a half years due to strict COVID-19 border controls, the Taipei-based MacKay Memorial Hospital said.
$50m drug bust, COVID eases in French Polynesia
Police in French Polynesia have seized almost US$50 million worth of methamphetamine (‘ice’) on a cruise ship from the United States. A 27-year-old Tahitian passenger has been arrested after the discovery of
Vanuatu withdraws from FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Vanuatu have pulled out of Oceania’s qualification tournament for the World Cup finals in Qatar after a majority of their players and staff tested positive for COVID-19, the country’s football federation
Samoa COVID-19 positive cases on the rise
Samoa’s total number of active COVID-19 cases has increased to 196, with the government confirming 192 cases in Upolu and four cases in Savai’i. The Government Press Secretariat’s community transmission update
“People want to travel, they want to live again”
As coronavirus began spreading around the world in early 2020, even the far-flung islands of French Polynesia were affected. The first case of COVID-19 was recorded in Tahiti on 10 March 2020, after politician Maina
“AKIN TO A DECLARATION OF WAR”
France boosts police and military before New Caledonia vote By Nic Maclellan As New Caledonia moves towards a referendum on self-determination on 12 December, France is deploying new police and military forces to the
We need art now more than ever
By Ariela Zibiah The cultural and creative sectors are among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many artists in Fiji, this means many are relying on one meal a day and doing what they can to plant and grow
Nine COVID-19 cases in Fiji travellers to NZ
Nine cases of COVID-19 have been detected among travellers from Fiji to New Zealand in the past week, a senior health official said. Fiji is grappling with a worsening Covid crisis, with over 15,686 people reported to
Oceania Hospitals Response to Recent Media Coverage
The Board of Oceania Hospitals (Pte) Limited released a public statement today in response to recent developments and media publicity involving the Private Hospital. The recent allegations against personnel at the
UniFiji Holds First Ever Virtual Careers Teachers Workshop
The University of Fiji held the first ever Virtual Careers Teachers Workshop on July 12, 2021. Careers Teachers, Principals and student leaders from all over Fiji participated in this innovative workshop. A similar
No progress on Fiji bubble until COVID is controlled: Australia
Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific says Australia will want to see COVID cases under control in Fiji before any commitment can be made on a travel bubble. When Fiji’s Minister for
