French President Emmanuel Macron smiles from his motorcade as he departs Mo'orea island, French Polynesia on July 27, 2021, and heads back to Tahiti. Photo: AFP or licensors
Wallis delegation to meet Macron in Tahiti
A delegation from Wallis and Futuna is expected to fly to French Polynesia today to meet the French president Emmanuel Macron.
According to the French prefect in Wallis, Mr Macron originally had Wallis and Futuna on his itinerary, but called off a visit because of the restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The prefect Herve Jonathan has told local television Mr Macron wanted to mark this week's 60th anniversary of the territory's current status as a French overseas collectivity.
He said the 14-member delegation will include representatives of the three traditional kingdoms as well as the Catholic archbishop.
In March, Wallis and Futuna had a Covid-19 community outbreak, which prompted a strict lockdown.
An immediate immunisation drive inoculated about half the population within two weeks but almost half the population rejected the vaccination offer.
400 people caught the virus and seven died.
Drug raid in Samoa
Samoa Police have seized methamphetamine, firearms and cash in a raid at a home in Vaitele near Apia.
Six people have been detained and more than 20,000 Samoan Tala in cash was recovered late Monday afternoon.
A vehicle at the raided home was also seized along with drug paraphernalia and pistols.
Police are said to have had acted on intelligence from members of the public.
Strong uptake in Vanuatu for Astra-Zeneca vaccine
Vanuatu's Ministry of Health has confirmed administering 24,000 doses of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, calling it a milestone.
Our correspondent says there's been huge interest in the community to get the Astra-Zeneca vaccine.
The Daily Post Newspaper reports the Ministry of Health as saying the current vaccines in the country will expire on August 31.