Samoa

The MP's Maota o Samoa investment group business, which his family operates, has also been removed from the list of four applicants in the legal action.

This has been revealed in a decision by the Supreme Court on the application by the plaintiffs to enforce the undertaking claim for damages.

That claim has been filed by two of the three directors of the Local Partners and Associates nonu company, in which Laauli Leuatea Schmidt was involved.

The series resumes on Saturday after an extended seven week break over the Christmas and New Year period.

Fiji are not taking recent form for granted as they attempt to defend their Hamilton title.

They defeated reigning series champions South Africa and current leaders the United States en-route to the Cape Town title last year, to climb to third in the overall standings.

Despite winning the inaugural Hamilton event last year, coach Gareth Baber says Fiji have no right to be complacent.

A notice from the Ministry of National Resources and Environment said the inspection would take place on 30 January and would mainly focus on retail outlets.

It warned that failure to comply could result in a fine of over $US3800.

Exempt from the prohibition are plastic bags used to package frozen goods such as meat and ice cubes, the ministry said.

Also exempt are bags used for local products including chips, kekesaina or Chinese cake, ava, biscuits, coffee, tea, sugar, flour and cocoa.

Newsline Samoa reported applicants must now produce a current police report.

The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Lautafi Selafi Purcell, has urged village mayors to be more truthful in their reports on applicants from their villages.

Lautafi said his government continues to ask the New Zealand government to increase the number of Pacific Islanders on its seasonal worker programme.

He said Samoa has a quota of 1,500 workers but currently close to 2000 are on the seasonal programme.

Tagatauli, 27, was playing for Vaimoso Rugby Club on Saturday when he indicated he wanted to be replaced 10 minutes from the end of game.

He left the field unaided but lost consciousness on the sidelines and went into cardiac arrest.

Emergency services revived the 27-year-old before he was taken to the National Hospital, where he spent four days in the high dependency unit before dying on Thursday.

Finance for the project has been made available by the government of Japan.

The school is the first recipient of this year to receive a grant funding under the Government of Japan’s ongoing Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

Prime Minister and President of the School committee, Tuilaepa Fatialofa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi secured the funding grant to uplift the services of the school.

The awards will include tuition, room and board as well as assistance with immigration visas for the fortunate students.

The scholarships are an incentive from a former Samoan couple living in St George, Utah.

Faalogo Situtuila Sissy Vuki and husband Tupuola Sione Vuki have set up a programme that offers educational assistance to children of first responders at the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services and the Ministry of Police.

The qualifying stage of the Champions League is scheduled to kick off on 26 January until 1 February in the Cook Islands.

Coach Martin Tamasese acknowledges that it’s going to be a challenging tournament especially since their opening match is against Tupapa FC the Cook Islands National Champions.

“Seeing the draw and playing them (Tupapa FC) in the opening match will really challenge our preparations” he said, “they will be playing on home ground and we know they prepared well including the recruitment from abroad form some experienced players.”

The justice ministry's chief executive, Palai'i John Taimalelagi Afele, said outside work programmes have been suspended until an investigation is completed.

Meanwhile two prisoners, who escaped from Tafa’igata Prison on Sunday, are still at large.

Pati Chong Nee and Aniseko Vaelei are considered dangerous.

Chong Nee is a notorious prison escapee. He and Vaelei are serving time at Tafaigata for a history of crimes including burglary, robbery and being armed with a dangerous weapon.

A commissioning ceremony was held to mark the completion of the construction and installation of the 200 Kilowatt Vailoa New Hydro Power Plant.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who was the chief guest, said the project is part of the government’s strategic plan to be one hundred percent on renewable energy by year 2025.

“In order to reduce Samoa’s dependency on diesel fuel to generate electricity and reduce the emission of poisonous gas into our environment that has resulted in major changes in climate.”