Regional
Nuku'alofa, TONGA — Tonga's main island of Tongatapu has been spared the full force of Tropical Cyclone Tino.
The storm was expected to pass directly over Tongatapu overnight with the capital, Nuku'alofa on track to take a direct hit, instead the cyclone just passed to the North of Tongatapu...
Hollywood, CALIFORNIA — Samoan megastar Seiuli Dwayne Johnson has broken his silence following the death of his father this week, speaking of his immense pain but also the pride he had for a man he remembers as a pioneer but also his most important role model.
Seiuli’s father, wrestling legend...
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND — Proceeds from this weekend's Pasifika festival in New Zealand's capital will go to the Samoa Measles Response Fund. About 15,000 people attend the Wellington event each year and this year festival workshops are asking for donations to help Samoa recover from the measles...
Apia, SAMOA — Melbourne-based Girl Geek Academy has launched in Samoa, further extending its mission to inspire women to develop skills in technology.
The launch in Samoa is the first Pacific program for the Australian educators and saw nearly 50 women and girls learn how to code.
Dubbed #...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's government is looking to place controls on alcohol advertising in a bill to be introduced to Parliament this year.
The chair of the Liquor Board, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, confirmed the Bill was being drafted and would include "criteria for the advertisement of alcohol," the...
Nadi, FIJI — People on Tonga's main islands are being told to stay home and secure their properties, as Cyclone Tino moves closer to the country.
The storm was upgraded to a category three on Saturday morning as it continued to intensify in the waters near Fiji's Lau group, with sustained winds...
Apia, SAMOA — The proposed ban on styrofoam products in Samoa has been deferred for six months.
The ban, which was to start 30 January, has been put back to 30 June.
A senior officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment confirmed the ban had been postponed to allow local companies...
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND — The heat in the world's oceans reached a new record last year, reveals a new analysis.
The authors - a team of US and Chinese scientists who compiled data from nearly 4000 sensors across the oceans - say it shows the irrefutable and accelerating heat of the planet.
The...
Nadi, FIJI — A tropical depression continues to strengthen as it moves towards Fiji, and is forecast to intensify into a cyclone tonight.
The system is forecast to swerve south of Rotuma tonight, before tracking close to a major town, Labasa, tomorrow as a category one or two cyclone.
The Fiji...
Apia, SAMOA — A former primary school teacher from Ti'avea is facing indecent assault charges related to four students in Samoa.
The victims are from the age of 12 to 15 years.
The alleged offences occurred between 2017 and 2019.
The accused, Sola Alimanu, 69, is in police custody and will appear...

![Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Tuvalu, with strong winds and giant waves churned up by Cyclone Tino causing extensive damage across the country. Pictured, debris swept in by the lagoon on Tuvalu's main island, Funafuti. [photo: Supplied / Aselu Lopati] Pictured, debris swept in by the lagoon on Tuvalu's main island, Funafuti.](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_tuvalu_lagoon.jpg?itok=eGeKaE_p)

![Wellington Pasifika Festival - Tongan dancers ready to go on stage. [photo: Mark Coote/WCC via RNZI]] Tongan dancers ready to go on stage](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/festival.jpg?itok=MOJmdP1e)
![[photo: Business News Australia Facebook] Girl on her laptop computer](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/girl_geekweb.jpg?itok=aWCvBZTL)
![Red wine glass and glass of light beer. [Photo: 123RF via RNZI] Red wine glass and glass of light beer](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_beer_wine.jpg?itok=hB6M3AjQ)

![[photo: vis RNZI]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/styrofoam.jpg?itok=8ICNuGZB)
![Coral bleaching in Moorea. [photo: Andrew Thurber via RNZI] Bleaching coral](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/coral_bleaching.jpg?itok=-tIE-p3f)
![The tropical depression is likely to continue to strengthen into a cyclone on Thursday, according to this forecast from the Fiji Meteorological Service. [photo: Fiji Meteorological Service] Forcast path of tropical depression](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_depression_fiji.jpg?itok=bJwIjGCW)
![View of Apia, Samoa. [photo: Sally Round / RNZI] View of Apia, Samoa](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/apia_view-rnzi-sallyround_0.jpg?itok=T70ccr6x)