Fijian MP found guilty, voting begins in American Samoa, and Aircalin back in the air
Opposition MP guilty of corruption
In Fiji, Sodelpa MP Salote Radrodro has been found guilty of corruption.
Sentencing submissions are set to be heard today, local time, after Radrodro was found guilty on one charge of Giving False Information to a Public Servant, and one charge of Obtaining Financial Advantage.
Salote Radrodro. Photo: Supplied
She falsely stated that her permanent place of residence was in Namulomulo Village, Nabouwalu, Bua, and allegedly obtained about $FJ37,900 in parliamentary allowances between August 2019 and April 2020.
While delivering the judgment, High Court Judge, Justice Thushara Kumarage said the court is content Radrodro knew or believed the information she provided to the Parliament, mentioning her permanent address as Namulomulo to be false.
Justice Kumarage said the court was shocked by the callous disregard of law by a seasoned politician, with regard to her address being Tacirua with the Fijian Elections Office.
She is to report in to the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption every other day while awaiting sentence.
But the commissioner said she has not been consistent with reporting in.
Voting begins in American Samoa
American Samoa's chief election officer has announced that absentee voting has begun for the mid-term election in November.
Casting ballots began last week for qualified electors who reside in American Samoa but will be temporarily absent on Election Day, November 8.
The deadline to request an overseas absentee ballot is October 25.
Uiagalelei said these travellers who wish to vote must present proof of their temporary absence from the territory, such as a plane ticket or medical referral.
Meanwhile, several candidates are guaranteed a seat due to a lack of opposition.
The House of Representatives has 21 seats, 20 of which are elected by vote and one decided by a public meeting for the Swains Island delegate.
Overall, there are 38 candidates vying for a place in the House.
For the Delegate seat to the US House of Representatives, incumbent Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is running unopposed.
Aircalin back in the air
New Caledonia's international airline is returning to its normal schedule after a strike at the weekend.
Aircalin was forced to cancel a flight from Noumea to Tahiti in French Polynesia because some ground staff took industrial action.
Unions have been seeking a remuneration review, and the reinstalment of working conditions which were in place before the pandemic.
The flight to Tahiti went ahead yesterday.
Aircalin says today's flight to Sydney has been delayed, but no reason for it has been given on its website.
Last month, domestic flights were disrupted for weeks because of a strike at Air Caledonie.
Samoan govt channel back on air
The Samoan Government's digital television channel is back on air but without programming.
The Samoa Observer reports the channel was turned off by the owner of the digital broadcasting platform, Samoa Digital Company Ltd, after the Covid-19 State of Emergency had lifted.
But the Office of the Regulator warned the company to turn the channel back on and honour its license.
The regulator, Lematua Gisa Fuatai Purcell, cited important matters discussed in Parliament, and the Government being restricted from performing its duties of accountability and transparency to the people, as reasons why the service should be restored.
The Government TV channel is managed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and has been using the digital platform free of charge since its establishment.
The Ministry said staff are working on putting together programmes to show on the channel.
The channel cannot broadcast commercial programming, only government informational programmes.
Second half blitz gives Fiji football win
Fiji overcame a tough Tongan team to secure a 3-0 win in the Oceania Football Under-19 Championships in Tahiti.
All three goals came after the half-time break.
Earlier, Solomon Islands beat the Cook Islands 3-0 in Papeete, their second win in the tournament pool stages.
Meanwhile, tournament favourites New Zealand eased past American Samoa 9-0 at Stade Fautaua.
Selwyn Hou scored after only two minutes, and Paul Francis added a second on 27 minutes. Junior Rocky added a third in the second half.
Oliver Colloty bagged a hat-trick and both Charlie Beale and Kian Donkers scored twice.
In their opening match, New Zealand beat the Cook Islands 8-0.
Peace Corps returning to Samoa
The American Peace Corps is returning to Samoa next February, nearly two years after being evacuated because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Country Director Gini Wilderson said the volunteers had been missed, but their programme is now back to full strength.
She said the corps can't wait to get back out into villages and into schools to continue their important work together with their Samoan partners.
New Miss Samoa
A former Mormon missionary has been crowned Miss Samoa.
Haylanni Pearl Mataupu-Kuruppu, 24, received the title last week, beating seven other contestants from New Zealand, Australia and Samoa.
Representing the Melbourne Samoan community, Mataupu-Kuruppu won the Miss Photogenic, Best Talent and Best Puletasi categories.
She is a youth worker and personal trainer, and has vowed to serve the people of Samoa with all her heart.