Court

The court found that Sanick should not have stood in last year's snap election, in which he won one of the six Malekula seats.

RNZ Pacific reports the court found that Sanick was under a suspended prison sentence for domestic violence and for breaching the Leadership Code, making him ineligible to stand.

At the time of the conviction he was a deputy speaker in Parliament.

The sentence is due to lapse in August this year.

The date for a by-election is yet to be announced.

Photo file Vanuatu Parliament 

The High Court in Suva has allowed an application by the public prosecutor to stop the superyacht Amadea belonging to Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov from leaving its waters.

Kerimov, who was not on board, is facing sanctions from the United States, Britain and the European Union over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Fiji's Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde filed the application on Tuesday - a week after the yacht moored at the Lautoka Wharf without customs clearance.

Mr Pryde confirmed that the US is seeking to seize the vessel.

The 35-year-old appeared in the Manukau District Court this morning.

He was due to stand trial this week on charges of importing methamphetamine and possessing methamphetamine for supply.

But he has now entered a guilty plea through his lawyer Vivienne Feyen to a representative importation charge.

Feyen told the court Vatuvei accepted responsibility for his offending.

Vatuvei has been remanded on bail ahead of his sentencing in December.

The Crown has indicated it will withdraw the remaining charges at sentencing.

They opened fire at Jitender Maan Gogi inside the courtroom in Rohini where a case was being heard against him.

Officials say police returned fire, killing the two men. Police suspect a rival gang planned the attack.

Gogi was on Delhi police's most-wanted list and he was also an accused in dozens of cases - including murder, kidnapping and fraud - in other states.

The incident has raised questions over the security of Delhi's courts. A senior politician said that the incident showed a serious lapse in security planning.

Up to 24 high chiefs from various islands belong to the parliamentary body and provide feedback on policy issues such as permanent residence and preserving traditions.

Last month a draft practice note written by the country's law society and judges was accidentally released which detailed proposed changes to occupational rights.

It suggested granting occupational rights for 60 years instead of indefinitely which was met with overwhelming opposition from traditional chiefs.