Samoa

Samoa's parliament unanimously voted to reinstate a criminal libel law previously repealed by the ruling Human Rights Protection Party four years ago.

The bill targets unidentified bloggers the government says write defamatory remarks about others.

One such blogger, O Le Palemia, regularly attacks the government of Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi with accusations of corruption and nepotism.

The Samoa Observer's editor Mata'afa Keni Lesa said the new law wouldn't affect bloggers.

The financial assistance will help strengthen Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu’s resilience to disasters.

ADB’s assistance will include loans worth US$3.1 million each to Samoa and Tonga. It will also include grants worth US$2.9 million each to Samoa and Tonga and $3 million to Tuvalu. All three grants are financed from the Asian Development Fund, ADB’s grant-based development financing vehicle. An ADB-supported US$2 million technical assistance grant will help the three countries implement priority resilience building activities and share their experiences. 

On Saturday about 200 people marched through Apia protesting against the Lands Title Registration Act 2008, which they claim violates customary land rights by breaking communal land into individual titles.

The government denies the law infringes on customary rights, saying it only applies to freehold land.

RNZI reports the march was well attended by both the public and a high police presence.

The march ended at Mulinu'u where speeches were made expressing public concern about the possibility of land falling into the hands of foreign investors.

She is the news and current affairs manager of TV1 in Samoa for both television and radio after a 10-year career with Māori Television.

"You get to a stage in your career where you need to leave to further develop and take on new challenges."

"Helping to train and lead where the need is great was one of the reason why me and family decided to make the move to Samoa and take up the post at TV1 Samoa."

"I have a team that is eager to learn and take direction, they have welcomed me into their fanau," says Kahukura-Iosefa.

The Samoan delegation was led by Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff.

"Samoa has the smallest Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific region. As members of the Cabinet appointed National Maritime Boundaries Committee for Samoa, we have an extremely important task with plenty of work ahead. This gathering was a positive step forward," said Lemalu. 

The court heard that in February, a heavily drunk Afereti Talato Mapusua struck his 15-year-old son in the neck with a machete, killing him instantly.

The prosecution said Mapusua was angry at his son, who he suspected was hiding his mother.

The judge, Vui Clarence Nelson, said Mapusua - who has six other children - had a history of family violence, and had been referred to an anger management programme before.

In sentencing Mapusua, Justice Vui said Mapusua had not learned any lessons.

They were marching against the Registration of Land and Titles Act of 2008, which requires the registration of public land, freehold land, and customary leases and licences.

Critics say the law violates customary land rights by breaking communal land into individual - private - titles.

A paramount chief, lawyer, and former opposition politician, Leota Su'atele Manusegi, who was at the protest, says the law opens land for sale and exploitation.

At least that's what their coach and former Manu Samoa star Tino (formerly Junior) Poluleuligaga is hoping transpires on the back of the gutsy, and unprecedented, decision by his star duo to turn their back New Zealand schools selection and instead turn out for their nation of heritage.

This week Justice Mata Tuatagaloa of the Supreme Court allowed the appeal and ordered the conviction quashed which put an end to a longstanding matter which started after a night out with a fellow Member of Parliament in October 2013.

Fonotoe, who is still a Member of Parliament but relegated to the back benches, was charged and found guilty in 2014 of inciting or encouraging the obstruction of a Police officer from executing his duties.

The appeal was based on the premise of error in the facts of law and inconsistencies in evidence provided.

The Samoa Solidarity International Group said the Land Titles Registration Act 2008 alienates the rights of customary owners.

The group's Faleauto Taua said a notice of opposition would be presented to the Prime Minister next week.

Mr Taua said the law changes property in Samoa.