Regional
Apia, SAMOA — As of this Wednesday morning (Samoa time), the Ministry of Health is investigating one patient for Coronavirus (COVID-19). This is a suspected case only.
The patient was admitted Wednesday 18 March 2020, to the TTM Hospital Motootua after experiencing flu-like symptoms for 2 days....
Napier, NEW ZEALAND — A Hastings-based Samoan chief has been found guilty of 10 charges in human trafficking and 13 charges in dealing in slaves.
Joseph Auga Matamata, 65, was acquitted on one charge of trafficking.
The jury of five men and six women took seven-and-a-half hours to reach the verdict...
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Pacific countries have continued to introduce sweeping measures to try and offset the coronavirus.
Nauru has declared a national emergency, suspending all flights apart from a single fortnightly service to Brisbane.
All arrivals will be required to spend 14 days in...
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii now has seven positive cases of the new coronavirus, and Gov. David Ige announced Sunday that schools will be closed until March 30.
Schools were to be on spring break this week, but it’s been extended by a week to allow school leaders to prepare social distancing plans once...
HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines today announced it will temporarily suspend nonstop service between Honolulu and its Australia and New Zealand gateways starting later this month due to new government entry restrictions being imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hawaiian, which currently flies...
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Pacific countries have further tightened border measures to try to keep the coronavirus from gaining a foothold in the islands.
Six cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Pacific so far - the first three in French Polynesia and, last night, three more were confirmed in...
Napier, NEW ZEALAND — The jury in the trial of a Samoan chief accused of slavery has retired to consider their verdict.
Joseph Auga Matamata, 65, denies 11 charges of human trafficking and 13 charges of slavery relating to 13 Samoan nationals between 1995 and April last year.
Summing up the case...
Washington, D.C. — Defense officials announced restrictions on domestic travel yesterday (Saturday) for service members, Defense Department employees and family members in response to the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Deputy Defense Secretary David L. Norquist signed a memorandum halting all...
Honolulu, HAWAII — Hawaiian Airlines on Friday announced it will reduce flight capacity systemwide in April and May in response to declining demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The network adjustments will reduce Hawaiian’s capacity by 8-10 percent in April and 15-20 percent in May, compared...
Apia, SAMOA — There have been posts on social media falsely reporting a Coronavirus case in Samoa. These statements are not supported by any evidence, and all ongoing investigations have found no Coronavirus cases (no suspected and no confirmed).
The result of these false social media statements is...