French Polynesia

Tong Sang and two of his former ministers, Clarenntz Vernaudon and Fernand Roomataaroa, were convicted for signing contracts to seal a coalition deal with the Ai'a Api Party.

Tong Sang was fined $US18000.

The three have also been sentenced to jointly pay $US80000 to the public purse.

Their deal in 2008 was allegedly struck to firm up the government coalition.

It involved giving Roomataaroa the agriculture ministry and moving the incumbent into another job as well as upgrading the contracts of 20 of her staff.

The public broadcaster said two people were arrested shortly after the catamaran arrived at the yacht club in Arue on Tahiti.

The vessel was registered in Fort-de France, the capital of the French Caribbean department of Martinique.

There has been no official statement about the operation.

This comes just days after the French navy seized more than 400 kilograms of cocaine on a yacht near the Marquesas Islands.

In February, about 680 kilograms of cocaine was seized on a yacht in French Polynesia.

The French High Commission says the yacht was intercepted by the frigate Prairial about 1,500 kilometres off Tahiti.

It says two men, whose nationality was not given, were detained and will be taken to Papeete where they are expected to be tried.

RNZ reports a customs official said the two tried to sink the yacht to avoid being checked.

The yacht had reportedly sailed from South America.

In February, about 680 kilograms fo cocaine was seized on a yacht in French Polynesia.

Photo file: French navy  frigate Prairial

The senators approved an amendment to the 2010 compensation law by loosening the criteria for claims to be accepted.

It also opens other criteria, such as insufficient supervisory measures, where claims for compensation can be made against the state.

Finally, it provides that the nuclear compensation committee can re-examine applications that have already been amended.

The 2010 compensation law has been widely criticised because of 1,000 claims made, only 20 people have ever received compensation.

The measure is reportedly aimed at curbing travel to recruitment areas of Middle Eastern extremists.

Minors now need a completed form as well as a photo copy of one of their parents' identity cards.

According to media reports, this means that minors travelling between France and French Polynesia and New Caledonia need the authorisation even if they only transit via Los Angeles or Tokyo.

Photo: AFP Air Calin planes at Tontouta Airport in New Caledonia 

The decision follows the death of a 10-day old infant in France.

Uvesterol D was developed by the Crinex laboratory and is used against vitamin D deficiencies in children up to five years old.

The authorities say the concern is about how the supplement was being administered and not the substance itself.

Parents are advised to seek medical advice on what type of supplement to choose.

RNZ reports in France and many overseas territories, Mr Fillon won a resounding victory in last weekend's run-off against Alain Juppé, but in French Polynesia Mr Juppé was the winner, backed by Mr Fritch and his party.

Mr Fritch told local television that discussions are needed between his government and Mr Fillon, who has proposed big cuts to the public sector.

RNZI reports Toamua was the village of the late Aggie Grey.

The traditional ceremony was attended by Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, and members of Aggie Grey's family.

Thousands of malformed babies have been born in Brazil in areas hit by the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.

In Tahiti, the authorities say that - like in other French overseas territories - they have for decades used deltamethrin to fight mosquitoes and not pyriproxyfen as in South America.

He was speaking in Port Moresby on the eve of the Forum leaders' leaders session which is due to discuss the issue.

French Polynesia is an associate member of the Forum and its bid for membership is being considered by the group.

Mr Fritch says as a man of the Pacific he is deeply linked to the region's values and the French territory always acted in solidarity with its Pacific neighbours as the islands share the same DNA.

He said it was time for full membership after the territory's ten years' listening and learning as an observer and associate at the Forum.