Samoa

The Minister of Health Tuitama Dr Talalelei Tuitama told TV1Samoa there are now agreements with two Indian chains.

The Fortis chain of hospitals also operates in Singapore, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Australia and Hong Kong.

It has an annual turnover of $US6.4billion.

The Samoan government scheme which sends patients to New Zealand for specialist treatment has been operating for more than 20 years and costs 2-point-4 million US dollars a year. ($US2.4 million).

China has given a six-month warning about the 24 categories of solid waste it will no longer accept, including some plastics, paper and textiles.

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme SPREP's Pollution Advisor Anthony Talouli said Samoa had no management system for plastic waste, but it would need one to avoid polluting the environment and marine life.

He said the large amount of plastic debris, particularly water drinking bottles found on roadsides, riversides and beaches in Samoa was shocking as those items could be re-used.

Samoa Police Service media officer Superintendent Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo confirmed with KHJ News that the prison authorities had advised them of the escape.

Fili Faulalo and Tusi Samuelu are both serving time for burglary and aggravated robbery.

Police have now launched a search for the escapees and the public have been warned to be on the look out for them but not to approach them as they are considered dangerous.

Our correspondent said this comes as the search for an inmate who escaped the week before Christmas, Uili Manuleleua, was still on going.

In Parliament yesterday, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi called on the Minister of Communications to start a nationwide manhunt for those who use the internet to launch attacks on the government and spread untruths.

"We must stop this rude and inappropriate behavior," he told Parliament.

The ruling HRPP recently reintroduced the Criminal Libel Act because of abuse on social media.

Students are required to have a Certificate in Journalism and will be able to contribute stories to a new online news website.

The course has received funding from the UN, the US Embassy and the Australian High Commission and will receive lecturer support from Australia's James Cook University.

RNZI reports it's an opportunity not only for students but working journalists who would otherwise have to travel overseas or study online.

Registrations for the course open next week.

Photo file caption: Students at National University of Samoa 

The government will merge the Ministry of Health with the National Health Service, but the question of how many jobs will be retained has not yet been answered.

Speaking to Samoa television last night, the minister, Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama, said many jobs would be re-advertised and the best candidates retained.

He said the ministry is putting together some kind of redundancy package for affected employees.

Some people jailed for low-level offences had previously been allowed to go for home visits on Saturday, before returning on Monday afternoons.

But Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi last week called for the privileges to be revoked after the spate of escapes.

He also called for guards to improve their fitness so they can chase after them.

Now, prisoners will only be released for hospital appointments or to attend funerals, where they will accompanied by a police officer.

The law was passed last year, making the country's Head of State and church pastors pay income tax for the first time.

At the time, the prime minister said there was nothing in the Bible that prohibited church pastors from paying tax.

But this week, Laauli Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, called for a review, saying the Congregational Church of Samoa was telling its parishes not to heed the decision until its general assembly.

A Joint Communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed in New York on 19 January.

The Joint Communiqué was signed by Permanent Representatives of both countries to the United Nations Yashar Aliyev and Ali'ioaiga Feturi Elisaia.

PACNEWS reports the document expresses the desire of Azerbaijan and Samoa to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between their countries and peoples.

The Samoa Observer reported Patu Tiava'asu'e Falefatu Sapolu gave the nod to four parties of the Malietoa family for more time to prepare.

The Land and Titles Court ruled in favour of Papalii Fa'amausili Moli as the next holder of the paramount title of Malietoa just before Christmas.

He's the son of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II.

The Malietoa title had been vacant for a decade since the death of the former Head of State, susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II.

An appeal can be filed or an extension requested within 21 days.