Court ruling

Russian superyacht leaves Fiji for US following a court ruling

Fiji's Supreme Court lifted a stay order which had prevented the U.S. from seizing the superyacht Amadea.

A US Justice Department's Taskforce has focused on seizing yachts and other luxury assets of Russian oligarchs in a bid to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

The 106m Amadea arrived in Fiji on 13 April after an 18-day voyage from Mexico.

It was seized by Fiji authorities after the country's High Court granted a US warrant last month that linked the yacht to sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov.

Vanuatu Supreme Court upholds former Speaker’s decision to declare 19 government seats vacant

Justice Oliver Saksak delivered his ruling this afternoon.

The Government members who lose their seats as a result of the ruling are Prime Minister Bob Loughman, Deputy Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, Marc Muelsul, Joshua Pikioune, Nakou Natuman, Samson Samsen, Edward Nalyal, Silas Bule, Mark Ati, Seule Simoen, Lenkon Bruno, Willia Pakoa, Willie Daniel, James Bule, Jay Ngwele, Johnny Koanapo, Anthony Harry, Xavier Harry and Edmund Julun.

Vanuatu Govt dealt legal blow in Parliamentary Secretary row

The Opposition accused the government of using the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries to prop up their support and effectively become a majority.

Opposition Leader Ishmael Kalsakau said it was against the spirit of the Constitution and against the rights of MPs.

He welcomed the latest ruling, calling it 'a victory for the people of Vanuatu.'

PNG Supreme court rules Australian offshore detention centre illegal

The five-man bench ruled that the detention breached the right to personal liberty in the Constitution. Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Justices Sir Bernard Sakora, Ambeng Kandakasi, Don Sawong and Terence Higgins also ordered that both Australia and Papua New Guinea Governments take all necessary steps to stop the operations of the regional processing centre.

Around 900 men are in the detention center on the Papua New Guinean Island, according to Australian immigration authorities.