Samoa

In recent months, officials from the State of Israel and Government have been engaged in negotiations for Samoans to be granted free visitor’s visa access to the Holy Land.

And the Prime Minister has given the green light for local officials to “execute the necessary documents for visa free entry for Samoans to enter Israel,” says Tuilaepa.

“It’s a must considering Samoa is a Christian Country founded on God as prescribed by our constitution.” 

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has welcomed representatives of the European Union Council and Australia's Attorney-General's Office, who are assisting Samoa with their efforts to update legislation and public awareness about cybercrime.

Tuilaepa said the issue of cybercrime is already affecting Samoa with a number of people being prosecuted for related offences.

He said people who are hiding behind social media to attack others have caused divisions and created hatred.

The Samoa Observer reported the ministry's Assistant CEO Ve'etauia Fa'atasi Puleiata as saying that he has been charged with theft as a public servant because the gun belongs to the court.

Lesa is in custody until his court appearance on 9 July.

The gun was an exhibit in the court hearing of a police officer in the District Court, but it went missing last year while in the court's custody.

Samoa Observer reported Fepulea'i Mark Alesana was sacked on Monday afternoon as he tried to resign his post amid allegations of corruption in connection with a Malaysian based, Indian maritime company.

Earlier this month the commission laid six charges against Fepuleai under the Public Service Commission Act.

An investigation by the commission found he failed to disclose a conflict of interest in dealings between the Ministry and the company, Ascent Navals, with which he had connections through his own shipping company Paramount Shipping.

The church has responded to a letter from the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi telling them the law will stand by saying if "they have to carry the cross, they will carry the cross".

The church General Secretary Reverend Vavatau Taufao told KHJ News that they had received a written reply from government to their concerns in which it was made known the new law will stand including legal ramifications if not obeyed.

Mr Taufao said the move belittles ministers who are not employees but serve the church.

Bennett-Tuionetoa’s story ‘Matalasi’ is set in a conservative Pacific Island society and it takes the reader into the inner world of an individual forced to choose between identity and survival. The story is about the lifetime of a young transgender man, set on the day of his agreed wedding – as a woman.

“Winning the regional prize is the highlight of my writing career so far and I am sincerely grateful to the judges for their decision.”

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi thanked the government and people of Japan for funding the project, under Japan’s Grant Funding Arrangement through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“The completion of this important project brings us closer to the achievement of our Government’s development aspirations in terms of ensuring we ride a sustainable safe, secure and environmentally responsible transport network that supports Samoa’s economic and social development,” Tuilaepa said.

The Congregational Christian Church hit out at the law, saying ministers paying income tax went against its faith and it wouldn't pay.

However this week a bill was rushed through the House which provided that monetary gifts received by ministers during funerals, weddings and other traditional occasions would not be taxed under the new law.

Earlier the Congregational Church sought a meeting with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to clarify their position and to hopefully receive alternative measures.

But it is the chosen tool for Auckland based artist Vaimaila Urale whose contemporary take on tatau involves the use of four traditional Samoan symbols which exist on a standard keyboard as less than, greater than, forward slash and back slash.

Vaimaila was born in Samoa and grew up in Wellington after moving to New Zealand as a child.

She said growing up she was intrigued by her father only ever having western style tattoos on his body.

Her curiosity continues in her current project Typeface which she carefully selected the characters for.

The traveller said his family had eaten the rest of the bat in Samoa and he wanted to show the head to his relatives in New Zealand.

Biosecurity New Zealand says the head was in a poor condition - partly mummified with loose flaps of skin. 

Passenger manager Craig Hughes says they've seen some strange things from passengers and this incident is definitely up there on the list.

"It was a biosecurity nightmare. Bats have a terrible reputation as disease carriers and the remains could have harboured hitchhiker pests."

The bat's head has been destroyed.