Stay on mandatory vaccinations in New Caledonia; French Polynesian schools to teach nuclear legacy; Former Manu Samoa coach to stand for FAST; Vanuatu minister admits drink driving; and Samoa police saying little about long time escapee
Stay on mandatory vaccination requirement in New Caledonia
A roundtable in New Caledonia has agreed to put off the application of a new law making it mandatory for key personnel to get a Covid-19 vaccination.
There have been mass protests against the law, which gives those concerned until the end of this week to get vaccinated or face a $US1750 fine.
However, the roundtable in Noumea, attended by government, unions, employers and customary leaders, agreed to work with Congress to amend the law as soon as possible.
While the meeting was under way, the group Antivax held a rally outside the venue, during which a cameraman of the public broadcaster was assaulted.
The broadcaster has condemned the attack and lodged a complaint with the police.
The Covid-19 community outbreak in early September has to date led to more than 10,000 people getting infected of whom more than 250 have died.
French Polynesian schools to teach the region's nuclear tests legacy
Schools in French Polynesia plan to teach about the territory's history of the French nuclear weapons tests.
The education minister Christelle Lehartel has been briefed by the team which is preparing audiovisual material to train teachers to present the subject.
The Directorate-General for Education and Teaching is tasked with producing material for a variety of subjects taught at all school levels.
A test at Mururoa in 1971 Photo: AFP
France carried out more than 190 nuclear weapons tests between 1966 and 1996 at Moruroa and Fangataufa, which are still under French military control.
A memorial marking the nuclear legacy is being planned in Tahiti.
Many compensation claims remain unresolved, but France has said it will release relevant documents about the tests.
Former Manu Samoa coach to stand for FAST in by-election
Former Manu Samoa coach Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua is contesting the Aleipata-Itupā-i-Lalo constituency next month.
The Samoa Observer reports Faleomavaega will be standing for the governing Faatuatua I Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi party, in the November 26 by-election.
Faleomavaega's brother, Tafua Maluelue, held the seat before the April 9 General Elections this year but lost to another HRPP candidate Fiugalu Eteuati.
Tafua filed a petition against Fiugalu which led to the court upholding charges of treating and bribery and voiding the Fiugalu win.
Faleomavaega will be running against two other candidates in Faagasealii Sapoa Feagia'i, the female candidate for HRPP and Su'a Samuelu Su'a of Tautua Samoa party.
Aleipata-Itupa-i-Lalo is made up of the villages of Ti'avea, Samusu, Amaile, Utufalafala, Saleaumua, Mutiatele, Loto-i-pu'e, Malaela and Satitoa.
Vanuatu minister pleads guilty to drink driving
Vanuatu's Minister of Justice and Community Services has pleaded guilty to breaching traffic laws.
Esmon Saemon was detained for drink driving in December last year, after initially refusing to stop when was asked by police officers.
Judge Oliver Saksak will sentence the minister on November 30.
Samoa police saying little about long time escapee
Samoa's Ministry of Police and Prisons is saying little about escapee Pati Chong Nee, who escaped two years ago during a church service.
He remains on the Ministry's "Wanted Persons" list.
Chong Nee was serving time for theft and burglary convictions.
He escaped with another prisoner, Aniseko Vaelei, who had been implicated in a chain of armed robberies at the time.
Vaelei was later re-captured.
Our correspondent says repeated efforts to get comments about Chong Nee from the Police Minister, Faualo Harry Schuster, have been unsucessful.