Samoa

The home biogas systems are designed to convert organic waste into biogas, which can be used for cooking and heating.

The process of producing biogas also results in a nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be used to improve soil quality and increase crop yields.

"We are grateful for the support of the UNDP GEF-SGP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in helping us bring this project to fruition," said Leausalilo Sanelivi I’a, President of the Falease’ela SMAT (Saili Manuia o Aiga mo Taeao) Co-Operative Society, which was in charge of the project.

Sydney-Apia services commenced last Tuesday, and flights from Brisbane resumed on 23 March — with both routes flying up to two return flights a week on the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The all-Samoan cabin crew and First Officer cordially greeted visitors, who were treated to a traditional song during the flight and a cultural welcome upon landing in Apia. Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley said the return was excellent news for passengers throughout the Pacific.

According to Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio the Government is continuing its services in sending local patients for overseas treatment.

“At the moment, New Zealand is the only country that patients are being sent to for overseas medical treatment that can’t be done in Samoa,” he said last week.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that the decision to add more funding to the already existing budget allocated for medical treatments was done last week.

Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church are the new owners.

It is not known what they paid for the hotel but an RNZ Pacific correspondent said it was not close to the asking price of 14 million tālā.

The hotel was owned and managed by the wife and daughters of former politician Tialavea Tionisio Hunt.

Attempts to seek comments from the new owners as well as the Hunt family have been unsuccessful.

This was revealed by Samoa’s Office of the Ombudsman.

Samoa’s National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) held community consultations with villages and young people for the Human Rights Report 2023 on safeguarding the rights of children.

To inform its analysis and recommendations, the Office held community consultations in five districts including Gagaifomauga, Fa’asaleleaga, Aleipata Itupa Lalo and Itupa Luga, Vaimauga 4 and Aiga le Tai (Manono-tai & Apolima uta).

The group are paying their own way and will take part in a jury trial workshop which will see mock trials take place and give opportunities for lawyers to be critiqued on their skills in the art of cross-examination and trial work reports Stuff.co.

Criminal barrister Marie Dyhrberg KC will be part of the contingent.

She said as well as running workshops, the New Zealand lawyers and judges would visit the prison, police, victim support and prosecution office.

“It’s not all beer and skittles and lying around in the sun.”

Home side Ifira Black Bird will play their group B matches in the capital and have been joined by Hekari United of Papua New Guinea, AS Pirae of Tahiti and Tiga Sport of New Caledonia.

Fiji's Suva are in group A with defending champion New Zealand's Auckland City, Solomon Warriors and Lupe Ole Solaga of Samoa who topped a qualifying section played in Apia.

RNZ Pacific reports the two highest placed teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. 

Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo signed the agreement on behalf of Samoa this week.

The ADB was represented by Aaron Batten, the Regional Director of the ADB Pacific Subregional Office (SPSO) in Suva, where he oversees the delivery of ADB operations in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu.

The grant assistance is a contingency disaster financing – a standby budget support that can only be triggered and disbursed to support and respond to shocks caused by natural disasters and health emergencies.

The victim was hit by a car while walking home after school on Friday afternoon.

Tala Fou reports the incident occurred at Mulivai Safata.

Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai Keti confirmed that the deceased was hit by a car while trying to cross the road.

She was immediately rushed to Motootua Hospital but she died from severe injuries.

The man was originally charged with negligent driving causing injury last Saturday, however police have changed the charge to negligent driving causing death.

The film premiered Tuesday night at the Wellington's Embassy Theatre and will make its first Auckland appearance on Wednesday night at the Hoyts Theatre in Sylvia Park.

Set during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the comedy follows a group of Tongan fans who form a brass band as the pre-game entertainment in a desperate attempt to get tickets.

"It's a film that anyone can enjoy, like you can take the kids to see it, or you can take the uncles and aunties to see it...that's the main thing for me is making a film that everyone can enjoy," said Fepulea'i.