China offers assistance to Tonga
China has offered Tonga assistance to cope with the aftermath of the volcanic eruption and tsunami.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has told the Global Times that China is ready to provide support within its capacity upon a request of Tonga.
This picture was taken on January 5 Photo: Tonga Geological Service
The Global Times said the Chinese Embassy in Tonga confirmed last night that so far there are no reports of deaths or injuries of Chinese nationals.
A Chinese professor of Pacific affairs at Liaocheng University, Zhao Shaofeng, said Chinese companies helped build roads and other infrastructure in Tonga, and Chinese people are also engaged in retail, hotel and tourism industries in Tonga too.
Japan to New Caledonia flight rerouted due to volcanic ash
A flight from Japan to New Caledonia has been rerouted to Australia because of the risk posed by volcanic ash from the Tonga volcano.
The Aircalin flight from Tokyo was due to land in Noumea just before midnight, but it was decided to reroute the airliner to Brisbane.
Today's Noumea to Sydney flight is on hold.
The airport's website shows that tomorrow's flight to Japan is still expected to go ahead as planned.
Wednesday's flight from Noumea to Auckland has been cancelled as has the flight to Wallis and Futuna.
Domestic flights in New Caledonia are operating according to schedule.
Covid infections continue to rise in the CNMI
Covid-19 infections continue to rage in the Northern Marianas even as the islands recorded its 21st Covid-19-related death.
The Governor's Covid-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation confirmed the latest Covid-19-related fatality in a news release, but did not disclose more details about the case.
Meanwhile, a total of 103 individuals were confirmed positive for Covid-19 in the CNMI between January 13 and January 14, including four on Tinian.
Funeral held for former New Caledonia minister Poidyaliwane
The funeral has been held in New Caledonia of a former government minister Didier Poidyaliwane who died last week at the age of 55.
Mr Poidyaliwane, who had been ill for a long time, was buried at the family grave in Tiwaka near the northern town of Poindimie in the presence of a large crowd.
There had been many tributes from across the political spectrum, with praise for his commitment to finding consensus.
He had served in two collegial governments from 2017 to last year when he and other pro-independence ministers resigned, bringing down the government of Thierry Santa.
He had been the minister in charge of sustainable development and customary land issues.
Mr Poidyaliwane, who had long worked in the rural development agency, was also involved in setting up water conservation strategies.
He was a member of the pro-independence Caledonian Union he contested the 2020 mayoral race in Poindimie, which was won by the president of the Northern Province Paul Neaoutyine.
Landslides in French Polynesia due to heavy rain
A ban is in force until midnight in French Polynesia on any outings into the mountains of Tahiti following days of torrential rain, which has triggered landslides.
The French High Commission had also banned any pleasure craft to leave the coast but lifted the restriction this morning.
However, rain warnings remain in force in the Society Islands, where up to 432 mm of rain fell in just two days.
According to the met service, this January has already become the fifth wettest since records began more than 60 years ago.
The rain damaged roads and cut water supplies in some areas.
A bridge in Pueu on Tahiti has been damaged and is now closed to heavy vehicles.
The downpour prompted schools to stay shut on Friday.