Samoa

A Severe Weather Information issued at 5am today (local time) said Tropical Depression (TD11F) was located at about 310 km to the West of Asau or 400 km West of Apia at 2:00am early this morning.

“The potential for this system to develop into a Tropical Cyclone in the next 24-36 hours is HIGH. The system is forecast to continue slow moving southward from its current position.”

The meteorology division also said there would be heavy rain and strong Northerly winds.

Pacific ACP meeting is to engage with the European Union on further discussions and dialogue in the lead up to finalising a new agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, or ACP Countries.

The Dialogue is convened as part of the process of political consultations between the different ACP regions and the EU on the negotiations for a Post-Cotonou Treaty in line with the processes endorsed to by ACP Group and EU at the launching of the negotiations in November 2018.

Fiji’s outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Josefa Koroivueta said the two countries indicated strong interest in adopting the model after recognizing its success in Fiji.

Dr. Koroivueta said the REACH Pilot Initiative will promote peacebuilding, social cohesion, and inclusiveness in Samoa and Tonga.

“Our trip into the Pacific was basically to share with Samoa and also Tonga the best practices and also the benefits that REACH as a platform would bring to the people, will bring to the government and to the nation,” Dr Koroivueta told FBC.

The European Commission said last week it had been added to a list of 21 countries which had strategic deficiencies for dealing with suspicious money flows.

But on Thursday, the Central Bank stressed the list has to go before the European Parliament for a vote before it is official.

It said there were flaws in the process, including limited information and warning from the EU, and no opportunity to respond.

The criticisms echo those of the US Treasury Department last week, which rejected the inclusion of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

The threat was posted by Saute Sapolu, a Samoan man living in the United States.

The threat was made in a video that went viral in Samoa before being taken down by police.

Mr Sapolu is a brother of the Samoa based lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu, who condemned the threat and called for the prime minister to be respected.

In his weekly radio interview, Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said the police were communicating with US authorities on the matter.

The sponsorship is worth $200,000.

The Chairman of the Pacific Games Committee, Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio expressed the Government’s appreciation for the generous support given by McDonald’s Family Restaurant.

“On behalf of the Government of Samoa and the Management of the Pacific Games Office, I would like to convey our sincerest gratitude to the Management of McDonald’s Family Restaurant, one of the most renowned Fast Food Restaurants in the world.

The foreigners who were identified as Asians were intending to transit through Apia and travel onwards to American Samoa.

Newsline Samoa reports local immigration officials discovered that they arrived Sunday without visas to enter the territory but were planning to apply while on transit in Samoa.

According to Chief Immigration Officer, Valavala Siaopo Pese, the visitors did not have proper documents to do that and were sent back to Fiji.

The regional team failed to win a match in their first appearance in 18 years after being swept 3-0 by China, Indonesia and South Korea to finish bottom of Pool B, consigning them to automatic relegation back to Group Two in 2020.

Team Captain Gilles De Gouy said the players failed to take their chances against more experienced opposition.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed in November between the Samoa Government and accommodation providers in Upolu and Savai'i.

But the majority of athletes will now base themselves at the Methodist Church of Samoa's Faleula compound for the July Games after officials were only able to convince 30 hotels to come on board, which will only cater for one quarter of the 4000 beds required.

The Vice President of Tahiti's Olympic Committee, Charles Villierme, said they have concerns the facilities will not enable athletes to perform to their best.

A source at the hospital confirmed to KHJ News that the problem was not discovered until Sunday evening.

That source also said a second body that of a woman, was transferred to the only private mortuary on Savaii.