Apia

The Samoa Meteorology Division reported that the distance of these earthquakes is about 150 kilometers south east of Apia at a depth of about 10 kilometers.

“There is no threat of tsunami generated from these earthquake events, however these earthquake events are continuously monitored for any tsunami or volcanic eruption that may occur.”

The next bulletin will be issued in the next 24 hours.

TV1Samoa reports the Acting Director General of Health, Tagaloa Robert Thompsen, saying the Ministry is finalising details but next month will mark 12 months since the vaccinations started.

Tagaloa said a lot of time has gone into administering the vaccines but the ministry has a lot of other work to be done.

He said they are now targeting April 14 as the last day for people aged 18 and over to be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Director General of Health Leausa Take Naseri says they are trying to identify people who were in the vicinity through security videos.

Leausa says the man was a repatriated seasonal worker from New Zealand who arrived last Thursday and had twice tested negative for Covid-19 since arriving.

He has been returned to quarantine and faces a fine of up to 2,000 tālā.

Leausa says the man must have been in contact with people on his way to the Western Union office and all these people need to come forward and be tested.

The Samoan attire retail outlet set up the gallery to promote local artists and their artwork.

The exhibition showcases artwork from over 20 artists who are both established as well as newcomers to the art scene.

Eveni Carruthers Retail Operations Coordinator, Selina Galuvao, said some of the artists are from the Manamea Art Studio as well as newcomers such as Moeloto Vitolia Tiatia who applied to showcase their art via Instagram.

“We’re excited to have this art exhibition in-store to help promote and show our support for our local artists on island,” she said.

The bookshelves are still empty, but the room is filled with bunches of flowers, sent by well-wishers keen to congratulate the new incumbent.

This week, after the most contentious election in the Pacific country’s history and three months of political turmoil and legal battles, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, the first woman to hold the country’s most senior role, moved in.

In her first in-person interview with foreign media, Fiame told the Guardian there was “a lot of excitement” among women and girls after her victory in the April election.

The temporary flea market at Fugalei was officially opened by caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

The Government’s Savali newspaper reports the vendors will operate at Fugalei while awaiting the construction of a new flea market at Sogi.

 The temporary location will host the stall owners until July 2022.

The project cost $500,000.00 tala and was fully funded by the Government.

A group of 20 youths are alleged to have thrown stones at a circus tent after being ejected for being drunk according to a TV1 Samoa report.

The owner of Magic Circus of Samoa Tupa'i Bruno Royale called the police but when they did not show up he decided to seek help from Tuila'epa in hurrying them up.

The prime minister turned up on his own to try and calm the situation, before police arrived shortly afterwards.

Six men have been charged over the incident.

Manufalealili Dr Viali Lameko wrote in the latest edition of the Journal of Samoan Studies, saying the move, along with the promotion of more sports in villages, could help address high levels of obesity.

The Samoa Observer reported a 2018 survey of the national education curriculum found the health and sports subjects lacking across most rural secondary schools.

Manufalealili said with people in power noticeably obese, work needed to be done to discourage any notion that obesity was positively linked to influence and success.

Land Transport Authority Chief Executive Officer, Galumalemana Ta’atialeoitiiti Tutuvanu Schwalger warns that drivers should note that heavy trucks are not allowed on the new bridge for now.

The new bridge is still a 2-lane as was the previous one, but is much wider with safer footpaths for pedestrians.

Schwalger said the construction of the bridge has taken a little over two years to complete since the plan was first drawn up.

She said several local companies participated in the construction works.

More than 160 American Samoans have been stranded in Apia since the Covid-19 lock down and dozens of Samoans are also keen to return home from Pago Pago.

Local media are reporting at least 40 people a day could be repatriated with both Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways operating flights.

The Samoa government has relaxed travel conditions on their end, so returning citizens do not need to be tested for Covid-19, providing they can prove they have been in the territory for at least 14 days.