COVID-19

SA Rugby unveils crisis plan aimed at saving upwards of R1billion

The home of the 2019 World Cup winners has accepted they are in a fight for survival following the stoppage of rugby around the globe due to the coronavirus pandemic and an industry financial impact plan (IFIP) has been formulated to help guide them through turbulent times. 

In a statement, SA Rugby outlined that the country’s rugby industry has agreed in principle a wide-ranging plan to cut between R700m to R1b from its budget.

Vanuatu Volleyball gets back on track after SOE break

 The beach volleyballers had taken two weeks of break after a State of Emergency was declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The women’s beach volleyball team is one step away from the Olympic Games after winning the Asian Continental Cup’s Oceania Qualifier last month.

Vanuatu coach Michel was thrilled with his team’s performance.

“It’s pushing us a lot and we need this push to have good attitude and to work hard back in Vanuatu at home because we will not have many tournaments in the next two months because of the coronavirus.

SPC warns of threat to fisheries from Covid-19

The director of the SPC's fisheries division, Neville Smith, said they were working to minimise the impact on the tuna fishery, the coastal fishery and on aquaculture.

Mr Smith said exports from fisheries and Pacific food security were now more important than ever.

He said fisheries observers not being able to travel, along with port closures, were a threat to the finances of the hugely important tuna fishery.

Immigration to US to be suspended amid pandemic, says Trump

On Twitter, he cited "the attack from the Invisible Enemy", as he calls coronavirus, "as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens".

There are no other details so far.

It comes as the White House also argues the worst of the pandemic is over and the country can begin reopening.

The US has already agreed with both Canada and Mexico to extend border restrictions on non-essential travel until at least mid-May.

Idris Elba: 'Food will run out if farmers can't farm'

The actor, in his role as UN ambassador, helped to launch its $40m (£32,2m) International Fund for Agricultural Development on Monday.

The fund is intended to help support farmers and food producers in rural areas globally during the pandemic.

"It is about food," the Luther star told BBC News.

"It is about the basic necessity for human beings, and that will run out if the farmers can't farm."

Idris, and his wife, model and fellow activist Sabrina Dhowre Elba, have been quarantined in their London home since last month, having tested positive for coronavirus.

Stars take part in One World: Together At Home concert

Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Billie Eilish were among more than 100 artists who performed songs from their living rooms, due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The Rolling Stones even managed to play together from four separate locations.

The eight-hour show also featured real-life stories from those on the front line of the fight against Covid-19.

The event raised almost $128m (£102m), with proceeds going towards vaccine development and local and regional charities, organisers Global Citizen said.

Fiji schools to remain closed until June

Schools were scheduled to reopen today but the ministry said that with the country's 17th covid-1 case confirmed on Thursday, the government recognised the virus would be around for some time.

Fiji's Education Minister Rosy Akbar said teachers would ensure learning materials were distributed for home schooling.

"It is important that we keep our children safe and ensure schools remain closed for the health, wellbeing and safety of our children," she said.

Coronavirus: Little Mix and Tom Jones in Together At Home concert

A host of big names performed from home on the US broadcast earlier, before more British stars were added to the line-up for a UK edition on BBC One.

The event aimed to celebrate healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards said NHS staff and other key workers "all deserve such a huge thank you".

The girl group were among the UK acts who took part in the British version of the concert on Sunday, along with Rag 'N' Bone Man, George the Poet and The Kingdom Choir.

Pacific lockdown against Covid19 slows free satellite offer

Singapore-based company Kacific offered over 1,000 free satellite dishes to help with a rapid response to tracking the virus across the Pacific.

The support, worth more than US$1-million, would help healthcare departments connect rural and remote medical clinics to high speed internet.

Kacific's CEO Christian Patouraux said there was an overwhelming response to the offer.

But he said given lockdown logistics for island nations, there will be a delay before the technology can be used.

Vanuatu MALFFB signs PPSA with local institution to begin cyclone and COVID-19 disaster recovery

The seedlings will be distributed to disaster-hit communities.

The Vanuatu Agriculture Research and Technical Centre (VARTC) will produce coconut, fruit trees and spices seedlings by August 2020, while the Vanuatu Agriculture College (VAC) is engaged to produce eighty thousand seedling trays by June 2020.

When signing the PPSA on Friday 17 April 2020 in Santo, the Director General for MALFFB Moses Amos reiterated the fact that re-planting fallen trees and crops must start now instead of waiting for imported food to sustain livelihood for the next quarter.