Covid-19 spreads to Tuvalu outer islands
Tuvalu's Ministry of Health has recorded 401 new Covid-19 cases.
It said the latest figures include last Thursday and Friday, taking the number of cases now to 1236 with six people in hospital.
The ministry said three outer islands have reported community transmission cases, Vaitupu, Nukufetau and Nui.
It also reminds people to follow health guidelines by getting vaccinated or updating booster shots, wearing masks, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces and also crowds.
No Covid-19 deaths have been reported.
Date set for Tonga by-election
A by-election will be held in Tonga in January for the people's representative to the Tonga Legislative Assembly for the Tongatapu 8 constituency.
The seat was vacated when Semisi Fakahau, who was also the Minister of Fisheries, died last month.
On November 11, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Lord Fakafanua issued to the Electoral Commission the writ of election for this by-election.
At the same time, the writs of election informing the results of the by-elections held for Tongatapu 4, Tongatapu 6, and Tongatapu 7 on November 3 were also returned to the Speaker.
They will take their oaths as representatives at the next meeting of Parliament, on a date yet to be decided.
RSE employers now directly targetting Samoa workers
Employers in the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme are now directly targetting Samoa workers who have proven records from past deployments.
The Samoa Observer reports agents for a New Zealand fruit pack house conducted interviews with prospective workers at Vailoa and nearby villages at Aleipata.
Many returned workers are amongst those preparing to head back to pick kiwifruit and avocado for the Trevelyans company.
Local resident Ololua Faanai, who just returned from seasonal work deployment in the New Zealand horticulture industry, returns to Aotearoa next year.
She said the money is very good but they still have to ensure their families look after things when they are working overseas.
No damage from weekend quake in Tonga
No damage has been reported from a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Tonga over the weekend.
Tsunami sirens alerted residents accross the Kingdom, prompting evacuations to higher ground.
The underwater earthquake occurred about 200 kilometers from Tonga second's largest island, Vava'u.
A disaster response officer on Vava'u, Mafi Penisoni, said the quake generated high waves but they were non-damaging.
"In Tongatapu, only those at the coastal areas...they all evacuated to the evacuation points located inland, and there were reports from some of some of the outer islands, people evacuated to their evacuation points until the tsunami warning was cancelled at almost 4 o'clock in the morning," Penisoni said.
Pacific lavalava approved as new dress code for French National Assembly
The wearing of a Pacific lavalava or pareo has been approved in the new dress code for the French National Assembly.
Pacific lavalava or pareo Photo: RNZ
The amended regulations take into account so-called traditional outfits of parliamentarians from France's overseas territories, in particular the pareo worn by French Polynesia's Moetai Brotherson.
Parliamentarians are advised to wear an outfit in keeping with the solemnity of the National Assembly.
This prohibits the wearing of shorts and Bermuda shorts.
Male parliamentarians must wear a jacket and wearing a tie is recommended.
In 2017, it was decided that wearing a tie was no longer mandatory.
Ostensibly religious symbols or commercial messages are also banned from the Assembly.
Free screening for diabetes offered in Tahiti
Free screening for diabetes is being offered in French Polynesia today to mark World Diabetes Day.
Non-communicable diseases and obesity are at record levels, with the number of diabetes sufferers growing ninefold between 1995 and 2020.
About 800 people are expected to get tested in Papeete today in a campaign run by the Association of Diabetics and Obese of French Polynesia.
The chronic disease affects about a fifth of the population, with about half of French Polynesians now being obese.
The Association said there is a need for education to warn against excessive consumption of sugar and salt.
A doctor said obesity paves the way for diabetes as many eat too much and don't move enough.
Oceania Sevens Challenge tournament to kick-off in Australia
The Oceania Sevens Challenge tournament kicks-off this weekend in Brisbane, Australia.
The Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Tonga will compete in the Women's competition.
In the men's, Kiribati, Australia A, Tonga, the Solomons, Cook Islands, Niue and Papua New Guinea will compete.
Pacific Powerhouses Fiji and Samoa are not participating in the tournament.