Tahiti

Indigenous advocates sign petition for a total ban on deep sea mining

More than one thousand signatures from 34 countries and 56 indigenous groups are calling for a total ban on this industry. 

The 28th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting resumed discussions in Kingston over a week ago, where delegates had to decide whether to give course to the first commercial plan to mine the seabed which could begin operations as early as this year.

PMN News reports the activists are challenging governments and the International Seabed Authority to enact a ban on Deep Sea Mining effective immediately.

PNG leads Group B of OFC Women’s Nations Cup

The side beat Tahiti 2-1 at the HFC Stadium in Suva, Sunday.

Ramona Padio’s first-half penalty put PNG in the lead just before the break.

Meagen Gunemba’s second-half breakaway finish ensured PNG advanced as group winners.

Tahiti pulled one back with a penalty to Tahia Tamarii to end the game at 2-1.

The final game in Group B takes place on Wednesday when Tahiti face Vanuatu with both teams hunting for a positive result to ensure safe passage into the last eight.

     

Ten Covid-19 cases recorded in Tahiti

The number of active cases has dropped sharply and is now 38.

The health authorities say one patient remains in hospital.

The death toll of the pandemic is 648, with most fatalities registered during last year's outbreak with the Delta variant.

Vaccinations have continued and 81 percent of those 12 years and older have had two jabs.

International travel options have been expanded with last week's resumption of flights between Tahiti and New Zealand.

     

Lea’i the hero as the Solomon Islands topple Tahiti

The game was played in unusual circumstances, with both teams assured of making the semi-finals, due to the Cook Islands and Vanuatu unfortunately having to pull out of the tournament during the week.

World Cup qualifier disrupted by Covid

The tests were conducted prior to the Vanuatu squad departing their team hotel for the stadium.

Vanuatu would not have had enough players to field a team.

OFC is yet to make a statement on the future of the game.

In the other game on the opening day, beaten finalists from the last tournament in 2017, the Solomon Islands beat the Cook Islands 2-0.

New Zealand's opening game is against Papua New Guinea tomorrow.

 

Photo: Screenshot  Caption: The FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifying match between Tahiti and Vanuatu did not go ahead. 

Meth use widespread in Tahiti - prosecutor

Thomas Pison said such high use of the illegal drug is not only a crime issue but has become a public health problem.

After initially being used by the elite, methamphetamine has spread to all levels of society, including to schools.

Figures for last year show crime has dropped due to prolonged periods with curfews but that the number of methamphetamine consumers reportedly remained unchanged.

Mr Pison says the drug is highly addictive and cuts people off from society.

The drug is smuggled in from the United States and sells for up to $US8,000 a gram.

Tahiti to host 2027 Pacific Games

The French territory previously staged the multi-sport event in 1971 and 1995, and has staged other major events, including the Beach Soccer World Cup and Va'a World Sprint and Distance Championships in recent years.

French Polynesia bid unsuccessfully to host the Pacific Games in Papeete in both 2019 and 2023, losing out to Tonga and Solomon Islands respectively.

But the Pacific Games Council's General Assembly voted in its favour at the weekend, as it beat out Vanuatu for the right to host the games for a third time.

Tahiti or Vanuatu set to be chosen as 2027 Pacific Games host next month

This was confirmed by PGC chief executive Andrew Minogue today, who said the Executive Board elections and the host-selection process would be conducted on the second day of the PGC General Assembly, scheduled for November 5 and 6.

"We want to wish Tahiti and Vanuatu all the best," Minogue said at the Oceania National Olympic Committees General Assembly, confirming the two as the final candidates for he 2027 event.

Lumi is to manage the online voting and an auditor from Ernst and Young will act as the scrutineer of the votes.

Protest against compulsory vaccination in Tahiti

Lawmakers last month passed legislation making vaccination against Covid-19 compulsory for anyone dealing with the public and individuals deemed to be vulnerable.

They have been given two months to be inoculated or risk a fine of $US1,700 and a suspension of their work contracts.

Legal challenges are being mounted in both French Polynesia and in France's highest court to quash the law adopted in Tahiti.

The new law will come into force on 23 October.

Record methamphetamine seizure at Tahiti airport

The deputy public prosecutor said they found almost 9kg of the banned drug concealed in baggage of passengers arriving in Tahiti from Los Angeles last week.

The drugs were reportedly hidden in an overhead projector and in chocolate boxes.

Four people were arrested at Faa'a International Airport while a fifth person surrendered to investigators a day later.

The prosecutor says some of them claimed they didn't know about the drugs in their luggage.