Samoa

The Electoral Bill 2018 was introduced in Parliament this week by Justice Minister Fa'aolesa Katopau Ainu'u who said that it would be the duty of all registered voters to vote on election day because if they do not, they would be committing a crime.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi during a ministerial speech in Parliament this week said the bill will repeal the Electoral Act 1963, and will ensure elections are aligned with trends of today.

He went on and said that for the first time since Independence all members of parliament are matais or chiefs.

Kubee will be traveling from the US to Samoa on April 26th to bring medical care to children. 

It's all in an effort to reduce the burden of childhood Rheumatic Heart Disease, otherwise known RHD.

RHD is the condition of strep throat that if left untreated, may damage the heart and lead to potential fatal outcomes. 

Working with the Rheumatic Relief program, Kubee is now on a mission to find out why Samoans have the highest rates of RHD in the world. 

The Samoan Quota and the Pacific Access Category resident visas allow for a number of people from five Pacific countries to be selected for New Zealand residence each year, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

Each year up to 1100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and Fijian citizens and 75 Kiribati and Tuvaluan citizens can be selected by ballot to be considered, but a number of applicants who do win a place often have to forfeit it after failing to secure an acceptable job offer.

A new bill being considered by parliament says the commissioner must act independently and must not be subject to any direction or order of any other person - except for a court direction or order.

The commissioner will also head the Office of the Electoral Commissioner and be appointed for a three-year term.

Through his lawyer, Fepulea'i pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting the complainant at a function in December.

However, he denied three charges including one count each of actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm and armed with a dangerous weapon.

The court then set the trial date for the week commencing 23 April.

Fepulea'i is currently on leave with pay to await the outcome of criminal case.

The charge came after police investigations into the discovery of a young man's body by the roadside in the village last week.

Police spokesperson Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo said it was understood alcohol might have been involved in the incident that led to the man's death.

The accused, who has not been named and who will appear in court on 16 April, is being held in police custody.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour has advised the public to adjust their clocks and watches to 3am when the standard time strikes 4:00am on Sunday.

“However, we advise that you adjust your time an hour back before you retire to bed on Saturday night, 31 March,” said Chief Executive Officer, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling in a statement.

Daylight saving began on Sunday, 24 September last year.

Unbeaten champions Parker and Joshua will unify their WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO belts next weekend at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The 26-year-old Parker knows he is the underdog heading into the biggest fight of 2018, but speaking to reporters at his first press conference since arriving in the UK, the Kiwi is motivated by the fact he thinks "the public are underestimating my team and me".

"They're basing it on my last three fights and see Joshua as unbeatable but I have an element of surprise," he added.

At a certain time each year, sometimes-twice-a-year, masses of spaghetti-like strands rise to the surface of the sea. 

Its late night to early morning arrival usually takes place on a moonlit night at a time usually predicted by those who follow the lunar calendar. Palolo's arrival marks the start of an anciently practiced fishing tradition, warmly welcomed with the celebratory sounds of Samoa, that traditionally saw people dressed and scented to signal something very special.

The US multinational soap company's founder Emanuel Bronner is a third generation master soapmaker from a German-Jewish soapmaking family who used the labels on his organic soaps to spread messages of unity.

And 3000 litres of Samoa's premium coconut oil looks set to be delivered annually to the US mainland to make their soaps to service both US and European markets.

The Americans held meetings with a range of coconut oil businesses, but in the end Fanene Sefo's was picked.