Samoa

Lakhan led a deputation to the Samoan capital of Apia to check the venues ahead of the 2019 edition of the Games.

Alongside PGC chief executive Andrew Minogue, they visited every competition venue and examined facilities at the Athletes' Village at Faleula Methodist Compound.

Samoa is due to host the Games from July 7 to 20 and Lakhan says he is satisfied the event is ready to go ahead.

He said: “I wish to personally thank the Prime Minister, the Minister for Sport and all Samoans for getting behind the hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games. 

Both sides went at it in the first half and were locked 5 all at the break.

In the second half Fiji were reduced to 14 players after a red card was shown to half back Rusila Tamoi.

Samoa capitalised on this scoring two tries.

Fiji then had the last say after Seini Tawa crossed over for a try.

The loss means the Fijiana side did not win a single match of the championship.

Athletes, officials, spectators, volunteers, and the workforce involved in the Games are reminded that the event is smokefree.

May 31, which is just 37 days until the Opening Ceremony kicks off a fortnight of sporting competition, is the annual No Tobacco Day organised by the World Health Organization.

The annual campaign raises awareness of the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and aims to discourage the use of tobacco in any form.

Alatise Le'afa Vitale is already in custody for alleged breaches of his release from jail six years ago.

Alatise was convicted alongside his father Leafa Vitale and Toi Aukuso who were both former government ministers almost two decades ago, for the assassination of the Minister of Works, Luagalau Leva'ula Kamu.

This week Alatise appeared in court for a bail application hearing but the probation service served Alatise with a report recalling him to jail and suspending his parole conditions.

“Many of the people we treated had been in pain for years,” said Lieutenant Rowe, who was part of a 13-member New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent that provided dental treatment in Samoa recently. The NZDF contingent, in collaboration with Samoa’s Ministry of Health, provided dental care and treatment through a clinic at Poutasi village on the southeast coast of the main island Upolu.

“Some of them travelled for hours to get to our clinic, so it felt rewarding to help them and relieve them of their pain.”

In April, Fepulea'i was convicted and fined $US2,500 dollars on a charge of causing actual bodily harm.

He reneged on a statement that he would resign after the decision and was instead suspended.

Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi said the inquiry will be the first of its kind.

The committee will report back to Parliament who will make the final decision in a two thirds majority vote either to terminate the president or let him remain in the position.

The Manusina finished runners up at the Oceania tournament in November, in their first international matches in four years, beating Papua New Guinea and Tonga before being outclassed 43-12 by eventual winners Fiji.

Head coach Ramsey Tomokino has selected 12 new caps in a 27-strong squad to face Hong Kong and Fiji and believes they can be competitive against difficult opposition.

Arrested for a second time last Thursday, he faces 13 charges of making false and defamatory comments against the Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi.

Justice Alalatoa Rosella Papalii has imposed a bail condition that the defendant not publish on social media until his case is heard.

The prosecution ealrier raised concern that if released on bail, Mr Atofu would continue what they called potentially defamatory social media rants.

Mr Atofu, an Australian resident who was originally arrested on arrival in Samoa last year, entered a not guilty plea.

Paul Raki, Theresa Magele and Asomua Saili have reached the top grade under the tutelage of Australian grandmaster Frank Frost.

It means they are eligible to compete at the Pacific Games which Samoa will host in its capital Apia between July 7 and 20.

"I'm thankful that Grandmaster Frost is here to do our grading for our black belt so we can qualify for the Pacific Games, and I'm happy to complete this phase," said 16-year-old Magele to the Samoa Observer.

Samoa's largest church is currently in a bitter dispute with the government over its ministers' refusal to pay income tax, which has led to several pastors being brought before the courts.

However, church treasurer Rimoni Wright recently told its general conference that its finances continued to grow.

Reverend Wright said much of the extra revenue is earmarked for missionary work.