RNZ Pacific

Fiji has been struggling to deal with drug use and supply in its country.

The return of Fiji's chief prosecutor to his office has been delayed following new allegations.

Samoa's prime minister and the five other ousted members of the ruling FAST Party are reportedly challenging their removal.

David John Cutmore was the pilot of an aircraft trying to fly from Central Province to Australia, carrying 611 kilogrammes of cocaine.

Fiji's minister for tourism said cocktail ingredients were also being tested, using equipment not available in Fiji.

The UNDP said Fiji is experiencing a concerning rise in new HIV cases.

Parliament is scheduled to reconvene next Tuesday.

Four new Cabinet Ministers in Samoa have been sworn into their new roles.

Sevens series leaders Fiji will face New Zealand, Uruguay and Kenya in their group at the Perth Sevens.

Thirty-eight per cent of all cases have had hospital care.

The Cook Islands Meteorological Service says Tropical Cyclone Pita has been downgraded to a tropical low

Two decisions from the UN Human Rights Committee say Australia remained responsible for the detention of asylum seekers in Nauru.

Solomon Islands has the highest-ranked passport of Pacific Island nations, at 37th equal.

Multiple roads are closed in Fiji on Thursday morning due to flooding.

Kiti Bogidrau, who served as the President of Netball Fiji from 2010 to 2020, died on Tuesday.

Concerns over gender-based violence in Vanuatu have emerged in a government report following the devastating earthquake in Port Vila three weeks ago.

A whooping cough outbreak was declared in the country in November last year.

Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi told a news conference: "We're angry, frustrated and deeply saddened".

Fiji police say 18 people were arrested on drugs charges in the first five days of the year.

The British High Commission in Port Vila has given GDP£400,000 to UNICEF Pacific, to support children.

An active trough of low pressure hoovering over the Fiji group has brought with it heavy rain, causing major flooding in parts of the country.

The twenty-six members of the Tongan Legislative Assembly will choose the country's new Prime Minister, through secret ballot, in a special sitting in Nuku'alofa on Christmas Eve.

Viliame Gavoka revealed on Thursday there were no illicit substances or methanol found in the ingredients and liquor samples.

The company said it had been unable to clarify the extent of this security risk and made the decision in the best interest of customer safety.

The report says data from the past 70 years show striking climatic changes that have put SIDS at particular risk of heat stress, drought, vector-borne diseases, and food insecurity.