Samoa's Supreme Court Photo: RNZ Pacific / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Jail for Samoan men in violent kidnapping case
Two men who pleaded guilty to kidnapping in Samoa have been sentenced to 14 months' jail.
Iopu Taimalie and Iapesa Elisara were initially charged with murder, in relation to an incident that occurred in 2018, but this was reduced after the prosecution told the court there was not enough evidence to proceed with the murder charge.
According to the prosecution summary of facts, the victim walked away after a taxi trip without paying the fare.
He was chased, caught and put in the boot of the taxi with the driver then taking him to the police station.
Along the way another taxi passenger heard banging and movement in the boot, but this then stopped.
Upon arrival at the station, the victim was found to be dead.
The cause of death in the pathologist's report is blunt force head injury.
The two men told Probation that they were involved in a fist fight with the victim.
Police destroy 160 marijuana plants
Solomon Islands police uprooted more than 160 marijuana plants in the Ruavatu area of Guadalcanal last week.
During the operation a 22-year-old man was arrested.
Provincial Police Commander of Guadalcanal Province, Rodney Kuma, said the plants were transported to Honiara to be destroyed.
He said chiefs and community elders had appealed to police to do more raids to get rid of the marijuana plants being planted on the Guadalcanal Plains.
Kuma said police need the assistance of the communities to get rid of the marijuana plants, which lead to many social problems.
Four Cook Islanders jailed over drug raid
Four men charged in connection with a cannabis bust in the Cook Islands earlier this year have been jailed.
Jeremiah Low, Ngametua Kirikava and John Tuimavave were given jail sentences of 16 months, and Rimamotu Paora a jail sentence of 12 months, when they appeared in the High Court at Avarua last week.
Cook Islands News reports the sentencing follows a massive early morning raid on January 13, when 20 police officers from Rarotonga arrived on Aitutaki to execute search warrants on nine properties.
Police seized multiple items, including cannabis plants, branches, pre-cut aluminium foils used for selling, drug utensils, cannabis seeds, cash including foreign currency, and potting mix soil.
Three others, all arrested in connection with the same operation, were also called in court and their matters were remanded.
Solomons police probing suspicious fires
Solomon Islands police are investigating after ten houses were burnt down in an alleged arson at Valuado Village.
Provincial Police Commander of Guadalcanal Province, Chief Superintendent Rodney Kuma, said no arrests have been made but suspects have been identified.
He said the motive behind the incident was related to land and property ownership rights.
Kuma said it is a really sad incident where the victims fled from their homes and returned to find them burned to ashes.
Tourist boom in French Polynesia
Hotels in French Polynesia have this year seen a recovery to nearly match pre-pandemic levels.
The figures for October show occupancy rates rose to a record 82 percent, which is a 24-percent increase over last year.
For the year so far, occupancy rates have gone up by 26 percent to just under 69 percent.
The growth is due mainly to a sharp rise in the number of tourists from the US and France.
The statistics office also says profitability in the sector has also risen sharply.
A survey by the publication L'echo touristique found that since 2019 air fares from France to French Polynesia dropped by three percent while to New Caledonia, they have gone up by 62 percent.
Air Moana to make maiden flight in January
Online reservations have opened for French Polynesia's newest domestic airline, Air Moana, which will start services on January 15.
Based in Tahiti, Air Moana will launch with flights to Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Nuku Hiva and Moorea.
The carrier, which was set up by local company Natireva last year, obtained an operating licence a year ago and originally wanted to start flying last April.
Eventually, the carrier plans to extend its network to 21 destinations and employ more than 200 people.
In a first phase, the airline is leasing two ATR aircraft.
Caledonian Union won't join nickel sector working group
The pro-independence Caledonian Union has ruled out joining a working group on the nickel sector.
The group is one of many announced by the French prime minister Elisabeth Borne in October as Paris plans to draw up a new statute for New Caledonia.
Nickel accounts for the vast bulk of exports from New Caledonia, which has about ten percent of the global ore reserves.
With one key producer, SLN, facing insolvency within months, the French interior minister Gerald Darmanin has refused to guarantee a further bail-out, saying a comprehensive long-term strategy needs to be developed.
The Caledonian Union's Gilbert Tyuienon said any discussion must take into account New Caledonian interests.
New Bishop of Polynesia unveiled
The Archbishops of the Anglican Church in New Zealand and Polynesia have announced the election of Rev Sione Ulu'ilakepa, Principal of St John the Baptist Theological College in Suva, as the next Bishop of Polynesia.
Fr Sione will become the one of the three Archbishops of the Anglican Church in New Zealand and Polynesia.
Over his 30 years in ordained ministry, Rev Sione has undertaken ten parish positions and ten diocesan roles in Polynesia, and has ministered in every country served by the Diocese.
