Melanesia

UK records more than 1,000 new Covid-19 infections – latest updates

The coronavirus pandemic has now infected over 19.8 million people and has killed more than 730,000. Here are the latest updates for August 9:

Cyclone Harold flattens homes, brings injuries in Fiji

Cyclone Harold, its strength ranked in the highest category of five, passed over Fiji's south at about midday, levelling homes and snapping communications links in the archipelago, which has adopted curbs on movement to rein in the virus.

Monster cyclone tears through Vanuatu town

Tropical Cyclone Harold, which claimed 27 lives when it swept through the Solomon Islands last week, lashed Vanuatu's northern provinces overnight as a scale-topping category five superstorm.

Vanuatu braces as monster Cyclone Harold strengthens in Pacific

Tropical cyclone Harold, which claimed 27 lives when it swept through the Solomon Islands last week, strengthened overnight Sunday as it moved east towards Vanuatu.

Twenty-seven confirmed missing in Solomons ferry tragedy

The inter-island ferry sailed into a severe storm ignoring weather warnings. While a search of the area found plenty of debris, there was no sighting of any bodies, police superintendent Richard Menapi said.

Dozens feared dead after Solomons ferry ignores storm warning

The MV Taimareho set sail on Thursday night as tropical cyclone Harold bore down on the Solomons, and with weather forecasters warning against any unnecessary voyages.

One dead, more than 2,500 evacuated as Cyclone Sarai lashes Fiji

The Fiji National Disaster Management Office said one person was in intensive care and more than 2,500 people had moved to 70 evacuation centers.

Nearly 2,000 evacuated, one missing as cyclone hammers Fiji

National Disaster Management Office Director Vasiti Soko urged locals and the thousands of tourists in Fiji not to be reckless as Sarai lashed the Pacific island nation with heavy rain and destructive winds.

Bougainville votes for independence from Papua New Guinea

Bougainville Referendum Commission Chairman Bertie Ahern has announced that more than 98 percent of valid ballots favoured independence.

At least 24 killed in Papua New Guinea tribal massacres

The victims in Hela province included two pregnant women and eight children. Highland clans have fought each other for centuries, but the recent influx of automatic weapons has made the clashes more deadly.

Political disarray in Papua New Guinea rocks Oil Search shares

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill resigned on Sunday following a string of high-profile political defections that threatened his leadership. He handed over the reins to veteran politician Julius Chan, who has twice been prime minister.

Locals fear 'environmental disaster' in Pacific reef oil leak

The bulk carrier was stranded on a coral reef near World Heritage-listed waters in the Solomon Islands on February 5.