Australia

In Melbourne, mounted officers used pepper spray when elements of a 4,000-strong rally broke through police lines.

Police arrested 218 people, and at least seven officers were injured.

In Sydney, where lockdown measures have been extended for another month, more than 1,000 officers dispersed protests.

It came as the state of New South Wales (NSW), of which Sydney is the capital, recorded 825 new locally-acquired cases, the highest number for any Australian territory in a 24-hour period.

The Samoa Observer reports the National Emergency Operations Centre is leading the response for the Samoan government which sought salvage assistance from Canberra.

An advance team arrived on Friday to stabilise the vessel and prepare it for salvage.

The police patrol boat, which was donated by Australia in 2019, ran aground while transporting police officers to boost the Savaii force after the former ruling HRPP party planned a rally on the island.

Photo file 

He has raised concerns at the silence from New Zealand and Australia over recent decisions by the local judiciary that he claims plunged the country into "the law of the jungle".

Tuilaepa, speaking on local television, said decisions by the judiciary on election matters had made the constitution untenable and there had not been any international reaction.

The former prime minister accused the judiciary of hiding behind the Court of Appeal, which he said had shattered the constitution.

Since March last year, the country has banned its citizens from leaving the country as part of its COVID strategy.

That restriction has not previously applied to Australians who usually live in other countries.

But they will now need to apply for an exemption for outbound travel - in line with rules for other Australians.

Australia's tough border rules have been controversial. Critics say this change - in effect from 11 August - will further punish families and deter citizens from returning.

It is a historical moment for the Fijiana as they’re now in contention for a medal.

The side will meet New Zealand in the semifinal at 2pm (Fiji Time) today.

Aloesi Nakoci struck first after two minutes following some patient buildup up for a 7-nil lead.

Fiji went to a 14-nil lead when Ana Maria Naimasi sliced through the Australian defense to dot down between the sticks.

However, the Fijiana was reduced to six players when Vasiti Solikoviti was sent off for a high tackle.

Morrison took to his official Twitter page this week to show his appreciation for that Samoa's longest serving head of Government. 

“Thank you to outgoing Samoan PM Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi for his longstanding leadership and service to the people of Samoa and to the wider Pacific family, and for further strengthening Samoa-Australia ties,” Mr Morrison said in a tweet late Monday.”

Last weekend, Morrison tweeted that he was honoured to speak with Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.

Talalelei Pauga has been in custody in Queensland for nearly a year after the former Samoan government sought his extradition over an alleged assassination plot.

"It's had a real strain on him and also on his children, his whole family as well," said friend Tracey Nelson.

"They're all stressed out. They don't know what's happening."

The trans-Tasman travel bubble is paused for at least eight weeks as the Delta variant continues to spread.

Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran told Morning Report the airline would do everything to help New Zealanders wanting to return this week from Australia.

"Trust us," he said.

"We have seen plenty of people reach out over the weekend. We've got about 7500 people booked to return to New Zealand through to midnight this Friday."

James O’Connor’s groin injury will prevent the No 10 travelling to New Zealand and with border restrictions set to play havoc with the Wallabies’ upcoming test campaign, Rennie has done the unthinkable by bringing back the 70-test playmaker back into an Australian squad.

Cooper, who recently revealed he has had his application for Australian citizenship turned down four times, will travel to New Zealand with the rest of the team on Friday.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulated incoming Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and looks forward to working closely with her government to strengthen our longstanding partnership.

“We commend the institutions of the Samoan Government and the Samoan people for their patience and for allowing the democratic, constitutional and legal processes to take their proper course.”