Samoa reschedules repatriation flights from New Zealand and Australia
The Samoa government has agreed to reschedule repatriation flights from New Zealand and Australia, that had been planned for the next three weeks.
Flights will now take place from the middle of November through into December.
The government had responded to a request for a delay from the National Emergency Operation Centre, which is tasked with co-ordinating and monitoring the flights.
Two more players join Moana Pasifika
Another two players have signed to join Moana Pasifika ahead of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season in 2022.
Hawkes-Bay duo Lolagi Visinia and Danny Toloa are shifting north after spending the 2021 season together at the Hurricanes.
Nineteen players have been announced so far by the incoming franchise, including former Wallabies internationals Christian Leali'ifano and Sekoke Kepu.
More players are expected to be announced this week.
Samoa Deputy Ombudsman faces criminal charges
Deputy Ombudsman, Pepe Maualaivao Seiuli has been charged by the police following an incident in Malie last year during a heated village council meeting discussing candidates for the last General Election.
The criminal charge was confirmed by Deputy Police Commissioner Papali'i Monalisa Keti in response to questions from Radio Polynesia.
Papali'i said Pepe Maualaiavao is facing one count of making insulting words and confirmed that he is scheduled to appear in the District Court on November 10.
The complaint was lodged with the Ministry of Police and Prisons by Maualaivao Pat Ah Him last November, over an alleged verbal spat between the two men during a village council meeting.
Vanuatu Court of Appeal to deliver judgement on former speaker this week
The Court of Appeal will deliver its judgement on the appeal of former Speaker of Parliament, Gracia Shadrack, this Friday.
Five judges heard the appeal on Monday which was centered around the word "absence".
The urgent application appeals the decision of the Supreme Court on the election petition of 19 Members of Parliament including Prime Minister Bob Loughman and Deputy Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau.
The 19 MPs had challenged Shadrack's actions in his capacity as the Speaker, claiming only the Supreme Court has the right to declare the seat of a member of parliament vacant, not the Speaker.
This came about after Shadrack made an announcement on June 8th in accordance with Section 2(d) of the Members of Parliament (Vacation of Seats) Act.
The 19 government MPs challenged Shadrack's announcement and the court ruled in their favor.
CNMI delegate to US Congress keen to return for eighth term.
While there have been calls for him to run for governor, the Northern Marianas delegate is aiming to return to the US Congress for an eighth term.
US Congress Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan has introduced a bipartisan bill to ban the shark fin trade across the United States. Photo: USDA/Lance Cheung.
Gregorio Kilili Sablan, who in 2008 became CNMI's first elected delegate, said he felt he could better serve the people of the territory by sitting in the House of Representatives.
He has previously run as an independent but will stand this time as a member of the Democratic Party.
On the governorship he said corruption is so imbedded in the CNMI that even a change of leadership won't solve it overnight.
"We have allowed a culture of corruption to grow in our society, where many see what is happening, but too few are willing to say stop. Until more say enough, the corruption will continue, no matter who is Governor," Sablan said.