Samoa

The Manatua Cable will link Samoa (with onward connections via Tui-Samoa and the Southern Cross cable) and French Polynesia (with onward connections to Honotua Cable), with branches to Niue and the Cook Islands (Rarotonga and Aitutaki), enabling two primary gateways to the global internet for the country.

And the target is by the year 2020, Samoa will be connected to four international fibre optic cables which includes Tui Samoa and the Manatua Cables.

The organisations received funding from the U.S. Embassy Apia’s 2018 Public Diplomacy Grants programme as well as other funding support.

The recipients will or have participated in United States Exchange Programmes, such as the International Visitor Leadership Programme and Professional Fellows Programmes.

The keynote address at the ceremony was delivered by Ambassador Scott Brown, U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.

Tuilaepa made the comment while addressing concerns about the Government’s initiative to amend local adoption laws.

“If you are caring for that child as your biological son or daughter, then why worry? Why panic when you are innocent of any wrongdoing? “Why fret when you know that you’re not breaking any laws by exploiting the adopted child for financial gains or used him or her as free labour under unearthly conditions?,” he added.

The Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, has hit out at the opposition, saying social problems associated with alcohol consumption existed in Samoa long before the Liquor Board made the decision.

Tialavea told the Samoa Observer the move was due to demand from store owners.

The minister said it was unfair for the government to allow hotels and night clubs to have extended hours and yet ban small retail outlets.

Tialavea also emphasised that the decision to extend the sales hours came after thorough discussion with the board and the Ministry of Police.

According to a police report, a nurse reported that a girl was declared dead on arrival at Foalalo District Hospital last Thursday night.

Family members claimed that the girl suffered from prolonged health issues.

The deceased was transferred to Malietoa Tanumafili II Tuasivi awaiting the doctor’s findings for the cause of death.

Vaitoomuli Police Post responded to the call and an investigation is underway.

Samoa's agriculture minister, Lopao'o Natanielu Mu'a said the industry was buoyant after the initial sales indications from New Zealand.

He said he was pleased farmers' efforts are bearing fruit, but they're still cautious about the future of exports.

The New Zealand market for ripe bananas is valued at over $US160 million.

The rich dark chocolate bar is topped with a scattering of roasted coffee beans.

A caffeine hit — more an adult treat rather than for kiddies around bedtime.

In the past, the Pacific Islands have exported commodities such as, copra, cocoa and coffee beans.

But value-added items such as chocolate and coffee gains higher returns in the market.

The partnership is a significant forward step for the two small companies by bringing together their resources into a single product with wide international appeal.

According to a government statement, some children are allegedly being used to seek funds from the overseas government, and some treated as ‘kavigi’s’ or ‘slave labourers’ in their adopted homes. 

Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi has initiated measures towards tightening up local laws, to ensure that innocent children adopted by their Samoan relatives are not exploited.

The Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme is by far the largest with 1,800 Samoans working in horticulture and viticulture.

This was revealed by Samoa's New Zealand based RSE Liaison Officer, Lemalu Nele Leilua to clarify confusion over 100 workers from Samoa who are preparing to depart for New Zealand to work in the meat industry under a separate scheme.

The charges are related to an incident on July 31 this year where the two accused drove their vehicles doing smoking wheelies on the road which the Judge described as a "beautiful tribute" during the funeral procession of a boy racer killed while racing along one of Apia's main streets.

The Samoa Observer reported that Orlando Keil and Scott Levi were charged by the police with reckless driving, with the former also facing a charge of driving an unregistered vehicle.