Apia

Samoa Observer reports deputy Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti saying there are some factors contributing to the delay of the Safe-City Project and one of them is the privacy of members of the public.

But she said the project is still ongoing and it is a major boost for Samoa in terms of security.

The Safe City Project is funded by the Australian Government, under its Samoa-Australia Police Partnership.

The event, hosted by the Samoa Outrigger Canoe Association, is from August 10-19 in Apia Harbour.

A purpose-built stage on the seawall will be the main staging area for the championships.

Samoa's Tourism Minister Cedric Schuster said the event will be a major boost for tourism.

The announcement was made by Moana Pasifika in a statement ahead of the game last Friday.

According to the statement, this initiative is part of their celebration of its inaugural game on Samoan soil and their commitment of engaging with local communities to provide opportunities for young people to experience the thrill of professional rugby. 

Moana Pasifika went down to the Queensland Reds 40-28.

Photo Moana Pasifika/Facebook   Caption: Moana Pasifika players visited students of Vaiola College  

A welcoming reception was hosted for the team by Samoa's Minister of Tourism, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster at the STA Fale last night..

The team will host its first ever match in Samoa against the Queensland Reds on 14 April at Apia Park.

"I’m sure there’s plenty of excitement building in Samoa for the game on Friday," said Head Coach Aaron Mauger.

"The team is very excited to play in Samoa, especially our local players who will be able to introduce the team to our aiga in Samoa.

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.