Tuvalu looking at worst case scenarios; Samoa police net massive drug haul; Samoa's ruling FAST party to conduct audit of govt finances;

Tuvalu looking at worst case scenarios

Tuvalu is looking at legal measures to ensure it retains ownership of its maritime zones and recognition as a country even if it is completely submerged due to climate change.

The Foreign Minister Simon Kofe said Tuvalu is looking to the future and preparing for the worst case scenario, where their lands disappear and their people must leave.

"We will not stand idly by as the water rises around us. We are not just talking in Tuvalu; we are mobilising collective action at home, in our region, and on the international stage to secure our future," he said.

This includes pursuing legal avenues to ensure Tuvalu's existing maritime boundaries remain intact and the country will still be recognised as sovereign even if its land territory is lost.

Mr Kofe made a virtual address at side event at COP 26 saying Tuvalu is living with the realities of climate change and sea level rise.

"We cannot wait for speeches when the sea is rising around us all the time. Climate mobility must come to the forefront; we must take bold, alternative action today to secure tomorrow," he said.

Samoa police net massive drug haul

Samoan Police have netted a massive drug haul on the island of Savaii during an early morning raid.

The Police say 1,152 marijuana plants were taken from a plantation.

They also arrested two men, aged 23 and 35, who now face charges of cultivating and possessing illicit drugs.

The Police also say they seized three rifles during the raid which was launched after a tip off.

It is not known when the two men will appear in court.

Samoa's ruling FAST party to conduct audit of govt finances

Samoa's ruling FAST party has reiterated its intention to conduct a forensic audit of government financial records.

The Samoa Observer reports Finance Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o saying the audit was a vital part of the transition to the new government after 40 years of Human Rights Protection Party governments.

Mulipola added that any recommendation from the audit will guide the government's further actions.

A total of $WST250,000 tālā was appropriated in the 2021/2022 budget to engage an expert to undertake the audit.

A former HRPP Minister of Finance, Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang queried the allocation during the budget debate.

Police urges public to be vigilant against scams

Samoan police have issued a warning against what they call 'con artists' following a surge in scam cases.

Speaking on Talofa FM, Police Superintendent Tuaena Lomano Paulo urged the public to be vigilant against scams.

Tuaena noted the recent case of two men who pleaded guilty to falsely recruiting for seasonal workers overseas.

He said others claim they can import vehicles, leaving clients waiting months before they realise they have been misled.

Vanuatu's John Frum Movement mourn loss of leader

Members of Vanuatu's John Frum Movement are mourning the loss of their leader, Chief Isaac Wan, who died on Sunday on Tanna.

The John Frum Movement is a cargo cult, most often linked to a mythical American serviceman in World War Two.

The military man is expected, by the movement's members, to return and bring them wealth.

The president of the Nikoletan Council of Chiefs of Tanna, Willie Lop, said John Frum believers and people on the island applauded Chief Isaac Wan's leadership and will miss him.

Chief Wan led the ceremony to raise the American flag and mark John Frum Day on February 15th each year.