Murder trial continues in Fiji for former New Zealand resident
The trial of a former New Zealand resident facing multiple murder charges in Fiji has heard poison was found in the stomach of two of the alleged victims.
Mohammed Isoof is accused of killing five people including two children in the Nausori Highlands in August 2019.
In the Lautoka High Court on Monday, forensics pathologist Dr James Kalounivaki said his findings of the post-mortem examination carried out on two of the deceased showed a "yellowish fluid, which was corrosive in nature."
Dr Kalounivaki told the court the yellowish fluid tested positive for a pesticide.
He testified that if consumed, the pesticide would bring about death within hours and confirmed that if consumed in large amounts, would be fatal.
Isoof is also being charged with attempted murder of a one-year-old girl whose cries alerted a farmer to the scene at the top of high cliffs.
Samoa economy continues to slide
The economic slide continues for Samoa as it grapples with the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, travel restrictions and global control measures reducing trade.
The Samoa Bureau of Statistics latest quarterly report shows the lowest quarterly period of output since March 2015, with the Gross Domestic Product for September 2021 at $459.1-million tālā.
The country's economic output dropped by 0.4 percent in the September 2021 quarter continuing the GDP drop, now in its eighth consecutive decline since December 2019.
The report said this has directly affected many sectors of the economy with retailing and wholesaling activities, food and beverage manufacturing, air and land transport and business services the hardest hit this quarter.
It also reported that commerce has again recorded another decline continuing three consecutive quarters of negative growth.
Captain of vessel in Samoa that ran aground demoted
The police tribunal in Samoa has opted to demote the commanding officer of the police patrol boat from superintendent to inspector.
The Nafanua II police patrol boat ran aground on reef in Savai'i waters in early August. Photo: Junio S Ami / Samoa Observer
Taito Sefo Hunt was found guilty by the tribunal last month on three counts of negligence and acquitted for two counts of misconduct.
Hunt was the Captain of the $30 million Samoan tala Nafanua II that ran aground in Savaii last year.
The demotion was confirmed by acting Police Commissioner Papaplii Monalisa Keti in response to questions from Radio Polynesia.
Tonga volcano threat declines says geologist
Tongan authorities say the active Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano no longer poses a threat to the country.
There was an explosive eruption on December 20th when gaseous emissions, including acidic dust and ash, reached altitudes of 16 kilometres
Tonga's head of geology Taaniela Kula said it's now safe to reconnect rainwater harvesting systems in the country.
"The volcano had gradually slowed down. The last detection of volcanic ash in the atmosphere was within eight kilometres above the volcano."
Kula said the volcano continues to be closely monitored for possible renewed increase.
The aviation colour code for the volcano has been reduced to yellow from red on January 1st.
Low pressure system located between Vanuatu, Fiji - Met Service
Fiji's Meteorological Service is closely monitoring a low-pressure system which could develop into a tropical cyclone between Vanuatu and Fiji.
A series of alerts and warnings linked to active low-pressure systems are expected to affect both countries in the next few days.
The Met Service is urging residents to prepare for possible flash flooding, lightning strikes, landslides, and reduced visibility on roads and at sea.
In a statement released yesterday, it said a strong wind warning is in place for Fiji's Lau Group and a heavy rain alert is in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni Lomaiviti and nearby smaller islands.
Fiji Met said a strong wind warning also remained in force for Lau Waters and Northern Vanua Levu Waters.
Vanuatu Christian Council seeks a grant from the government
The Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC) has written to the government to apply for a 13 million Vatu (local currency) grant for 2022.
VCC's Secretary General Pastor Shem Temar told the Daily Post newspaper that the money is to help tackle increasing moral issues in the country.
While he did not go into detail, he added that the concerns faced by all churches today is the increasing use of marijuana, alcohol and teen pregnancy.
In 2021, the government paid 50 million Vatu (local currency) to the Vanuatu Christian Council to support its budget.