Samoa

Fiamē is in Australia on her first bilateral visit as Samoa’s leader.

A joint statement said the Prime Ministers’ bilateral talks reflected the longstanding relationship between Australia and Samoa, underpinned by mutual respect and trust.

The Prime Ministers affirmed their strong partnership and commitment to work together on shared challenges and priorities to support a stable, prosperous and resilient Pacific region.

The bus flipped over and landed on its roof leaving the driver critically injured and was fighting for his life at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital.

The Samoa Observer reported the driver died on Sunday night, just over a week after the accident.

The MP for Vaa-o-Fonoti, Mauu Siaosi Puepuemai, has blamed poor road conditions for the fatality and warned local authorities of more accidents if the roads are not fixed.

Images: Naitofuā Tiatia.

Sydney-Apia services commenced today and Brisbane flights will take off on 23 March – with both routes operating up to two return flights a week on the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The all-Samoan cabin crew and First Officer warmly greeted guests, who were also treated to a traditional song during the flight and cultural welcome upon landing in Apia.

To celebrate the resumption of services to Samoa, Virgin Australia has launched a 72hr Samoa sale today, with return airfares from $549 (Economy Lite).

The celebrations were held at the Samoa International Cricket compound, at Tuana’imato on Tuesday.

The event was hosted by Samoa International Cricket Association (SICA), in collaboration with Samoa Special Olympics (SOS), the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, SENESE Inclusive Education Support Services and partners Aoga Fia Malamalama and Loto Taumafai Society for People with Disabilities.

Children with Down Syndrome joined their peers and friends to play together and enjoy a day of inclusive cricket.

Acting Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster told the Samoan Parliament the new process will go into effect next month.

The committee's chairperson Niuava Eti Malolo advised that the ministry thoroughly consider the selection of seasonal workers to ensure that everyone in the country had an equal opportunity to apply.

The committee has also recommended that the Ministry considers a code of conduct for seasonal workers.

Marie Dyhrberg and a King's Council​ team will be in Apia to carry out a two-day jury trial workshop. 

Dyhrberg told Pacific Mornings with Aggie the idea started from a similar trip to Vanuatu two years ago. Samoa was on the cards, but was delayed by Covid-19.

“We’re hoping that we will be able to continue developing the workshop. Continue our lengths with Samoa, but we also intend to taking it to the Cook Islands, and Tonga as well and others as well.

Dyhrberg says Vanuatu judicial system did need help.

In the last three weeks, several children suspected to have measles have been under observation.

But Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma said all blood tests that have returned from New Zealand have come back negative.

The health ministry is awaiting on the remainder of those results but Dr Ekeroma expects the lastest cases will also prove to be negative on the basis that more children would have presented to the emergency department with symptoms.

Aiono said the 2019 outbreak that killed 83 people was off the back of an outbreak in Auckland.

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said more needed to be done to combat climate change as she called on the government to ensure regional perspectives remained on the agenda.

"The best example of that is an opportunity for ensuring civic participation - either by sponsorship or using your airplanes just to get us around," she told the Lowy Institute on Monday.

"Also helping refine the message, taking the message to other forums that the Pacific doesn't necessarily have a voice at."

The draw will take place at 1pm NZT at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland, New Zealand.

OFC Competitions Director Chris Kemp will conduct proceedings.

There is no seeding system for this edition of the OFC Champions League so teams will be drawn from a single pot and will be drawn into two groups of four, Group A and Group B with matches to be played in Port Vila and Luganville.

The Syndromic Surveillance & Covid-19 Update report features data collected from 6-12 March 2023.

According to the report, a total of 1207 ILI cases were reported during the period under review.

An ILI case refers to an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with onset within the last 10 days.