Solomon Islands officials call off search for missing people
Police and maritime officials in Solomon Islands have called off the recovery operation to find 13 people still missing at sea since New Year's Day.
A boat carrying 14 people including nine children had left Gizo for the Shortland Islands but failed to reach their destination.
One of the boats that left Gizo for the Shortland Islands on New Year's Day. Photo: Supplied
Police said the body of one of the passengers was found near Zinoa Island on January 4th - about 100 kilometres from the Shortlands.
Solomons' Head of Maritime Thierry Nervale said the trip would have taken between five to 10 hours.
He said the chances of finding anyone alive - nearly two weeks since the incident - are very slim.
Election date for Wallis and Futuna set in March
Voters in Wallis and Futuna will go to the polls on 20 March to elect a new territorial assembly for a five-year term.
The date has been set by decree issued by the French government which also chose the same day for elections in three of France's territories off North America.
Wallis and Futuna Photo: Supplied
The territory is divided into five electorates, with 20 villages each having a list of candidates to choose from.
Of the 20 assembly members, 13 will be elected on the island of Wallis and seven on Futuna.
The territory is run by a French prefect who is assisted by a council that includes the three traditional kings.
Drug raids in American Samoa leads to arrests
Six people have been arrested following police raids at two locations on American Samoa's main island of Tutuila.
Samoa News reports drugs, guns, ammunition and a police radio were discovered during a police raid when armed detectives and police officers of the vice and narcotic K-9 Unit executed two search warrants in different locations.
Four people were taken into custody when police raided one home in Alofau village.
Additionally a couple was also taken into custody after their house in Amouli village was raided by investigators.
All six defendants faced various criminal charges including unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
The defendants, whose bails have different amounts depending on the charges, will start appearing in court in the coming days.
The latest discovery of drugs on island have again raised concerns from policy makers and the community, especially with weapons discovered during this recent raid, that the drug problem in American Samoa continues to grow.
New Caledonian football coach in France criticises pre-match Covid-19 tests
A New Caledonian coach in France's top football league said the reintroduction of pre-match Covid-19 tests is an aberration.
Antoine Kombouare is the coach of Nantes whose 45 players and officials are all vaccinated.
He has criticised the requirement to undergo tests 48 hours before a league match, saying measures such as a health pass are already in place.
In the past two weeks, two Nantes players tested positive and were placed in isolation where they continue to practice according to an adapted programme.
Kombouare, who is a Noumea-born Kanak, played professionally in France, Switzerland and Scotland.
He has also managed Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse before rejoining Nantes where he played in the 1980s.
American Samoa proposes eight flights between Honolulu and Pago Pago
American Samoa's governor is proposing eight flights between Honolulu and Pago Pago for the second quarter of this year.
Lemanu Peleti Mauga has written to Hawaiian Airlines CEO, Peter Ingram, suggesting two flights a month from April to July - the proposed dates have been suggested by the American Samoa Covid-19 Task Force.
Governor Lemanu said the strategy with the Task Force is to remain vigilant and limit the amount of positive Covid-19 cases entering American Samoa.
Six flights have been approved between Honolulu and Pago Pago between January and March and everyone arriving in Pago Pago must quarantine for seven days.
Samoan and American Samoan leaders look to restart Two Samoa talks
The Samoan and American Samoan governments are considering re-staring the "Two-Samoa" talks in 2022.
American Samoa's Lieutenant Governor, Talauega Eleasalo Ale, made the brief announcement during the Governor's cabinet meeting.
Talauega said that there are plans to hold the "two-Samoa talks this year to reconnect with our family in Samoa".
KVZK-TV reports that the last inter-Samoa talks were held in 2017, in Apia.
Launched about 10 years ago, the summit focuses on issues on which the two Samoas can collaborate for mutual benefit.