2021

The flight from New Zealand was initially scheduled for 27 November.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said the changes were made due to the availability of the quarantine sites.

“The quarantine process needs to have a (balanced) flow in terms of quarantine sites and we also need to consider those managing our quarantine sites because it’s not an easy job,” she added.

A second repatriation flight from New Zealand is due to arrive on 18 December instead of 11 December as earlier planned.

The ceremony, which recognises excellence in film and television, is being held virtually this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is the first major event of awards season, and often a good indicator of which films will go on to Oscar glory. But it has also attracted controversy.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of Sunday night's event.

Who is hosting?

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, truly the greatest combo since apple slices and Nutella, are returning to hosting duties this year.

And Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has urged everyone “to join us to thank God for the challenges we had come through in the past as well as the opportunities that have emerged with the crises.”

”May God remain at the helm of Samoa’s journey through 2021,” Tuilaepa said as part of his New Year’s message.

Here is the rest of the message.

In a message to staff and students this week the USP's senior management said starting on New Year's Day campus security will enforce the decision.

It said those who failed to comply with the new rule would be fined about $US24.

The university said the decision included a transition period so the necessary preparations such as signage could be in place by January, 2021.

However, the new rule excludes staff residences on campus.

The decision comes only weeks after qualifying events in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania were cancelled, with the remaining spots determined via world ranking points.

The World Youth Cup was scheduled to be held in Suva in June, with Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands set to represent the Pacific.

But the International Netball Federation said, given the ongoing uncertainty because of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the risk to people's health, restrictions on global travel and quarantine requirements, the decision was made to postpone the event.

Agreed? Agreed.

Well, fear not, because around the world some of the big-hitters are starting to re-commence production - which was of course halted by Covid-19 - in a variety of socially-distanced ways.

Here are just six of the films to keep your fingers crossed for then in 2021, when the cinemas are hopefully back in business.

Avatar 2

The long-awaited sequel to James Cameron's 2009 sci-fi blockbuster was able to re-start filming in New Zealand this week, because the country is almost coronavirus free.

The Telegraph says the proposed tournament would be a 16 team competition and be held in June and July next year.

The plan has been submitted World Rugby with a working title of the 'Coronavirus Cup of World Rugby'.

The plan has been drawn up by Francis Baron, the former head of the England RFU.

The Telegraph reports it would involve 31 matches over six weeks and would mean the postponement of the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

Baron said all of the profits would be distributed to the unions to support professional and community games.

Last week, the Olympics – which were due to start on July 24 – were postponed due to the global spread of coronavirus.

A joint statement from the IOC and Tokyo 2020 organising committee later clarified the Games would be moved "to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021".

The IOC has now ratified the new dates, while announcing the Paralympics will take place from August 24 to September 5.