Samoa

The aircraft operated by Hainan Airlines landed at Faleolo International Airport on Sunday evening.

The flight originated from the Haikou Meilan International Airport in Hakou in the Hainan Province.

According to the Samoa Government, there were more than 200 mainly business people from China in a major achievement that has been 10 years in the making.

The passengers on the direct flight will stay in Samoa for eight days before the next flight brings in another group of tourists.

The return flights from Samoa to China are available for travel and cargo.

According to the latest CPI report issued by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics, the Food and Non Alcoholic Beverages index increased by 23.7 percent.

The Restaurants index increased 18.4 percent and the Communication index also increased by 14 percent.

The Bureau of Statistics reports the Average Annual Inflation for the year ended April 2023 was 11.7 percent.

The CPI went up by 1.6 percent from March 2023.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April 2023 rose 12.4 percent compared to April 2022.

According to the Samoa Observer, the note features the faces of two prime ministers, current PM Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa and her father, and first PM, Fiamē Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II.

The note also features all-female signatories on a Samoan banknote for the first time.

The commemorative note - which is also legal tender - includes enhanced security features and the note is carbon neutral.

It will be issued into circulation through the commercial banks from Wednesday.

It holds deep cultural and historical significance in the Samoan culture. It is a traditional form of body art that has been practiced for centuries and continues to be a cherished part of Samoan culture.

The tatau represents not only a beautiful work of art but also serves as a symbol of identity, heritage, and personal achievements.

The exercise was conducted with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Noriko Horiuchi commended the efforts of the Samoa Government to enforce maritime security in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, as the U.S. is Samoa’s closest neighbor. Chargé Horiuchi also acknowledged the Australian government for their successful patrol and aerial surveillance earlier in the week.

The Samoa Observer reports this was signed off this week after Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazelhurst was bestowed with the matai title of To'osavili.

The two towns have had an agreement for 17 years for fruit pickers, but the new pact means Hastings will be able to help Poutasi in socio-economic projects, education and enable trade opportunities.

The formal signing of the protocol was done following a visit by a Hastings delegation to Samoa, for the Mana Trade Summit 2023.

Photo file ResearchGate   Caption: Waterfront at Poutasi Village

She says, “I can’t stop thanking the Lord for His gospel and the atonement of Jesus Christ. I believe without a shadow of doubt that this is His work and I’m so blessed to be part of it. The Lord will bless me and my family as I do His work.”

Sister Fulumua, called as an Area Organisation Adviser with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has a great love of teaching.

Construction workers have completed upgrading the landing strip and work is underway on the parking lot.

The American Samoa Government has been very keen for Fagalii to re-open because of its proximity to Apia.

This will be the third time Fagalii has re-opened after shutdowns - the most recent in 2020 on safety grounds.

Its re-opening was promised by Samoa's FAST Party when it was campaigning ahead of the last election.

These developments follow discussions in Parliament earlier this month, during which, the Human Rights Protection Party deputy leader Lauofo Pierre Lauofo, said that Samoa's "third gender" is accepted into the community and society reports RNZ Pacific.

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has said previously that while Samoan law is vague on matters such as same-sex marriage, it is still illegal for people of the same sex to have intimate relationships.

The 24-year-old took the decision to take time away from the game after helping his beloved Samoa reach the World Cup final last year.

After doing some travelling and spending a couple of months in his ancestral homeland of Samoa, Harris-Tavita wanted to return to the game he loves.

The Auckland-born back finished his fourth season with New Zealand Warriors in 2022, having made 54 appearances in the NRL to date.

Harris-Tavita has won seven caps for Samoa since making his international debut in 2019. He has also represented the Māori All Stars.