Samoa

Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, who is also a Radio New Zealand correspondent said, "This would be a good opportunity for New Zealand to show what New Zealand can do to beautify our town, especially on the waterfront.”

“This would be a good opportunity for China to show the tourists coming to Samoa this is what they can do to beautify our waterfront," said Autagavaia.

China’s investment includes a Friendship Park that is backed by the Guangdong provincial.

The park will have a sports field, outdoor performance space and arts and cultural centre.

The treaty was signed in August 1962 after the Pacific nation became independent.

In his address Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, said the two countries would never be parted until the end of the world as they were very close and had a great relationship.

Tuilaepa said the treaty had lifted the relationship above the norm for two countries.

The government has set up a three person commission of inquiry to be headed by prominent Samoan judge and diplomat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.

The other two members include highly qualified medical practitioner Leo'o Tautalatasi Dr. John Adams and Lilia Si'itia, who has years of experience in the nursing profession with the Ministry of Health.

It will look at Ministry of Health procedures for the administering of the MMR vaccine injections and alleged discrepancies relating to the deaths of the two young children.

It will be part of the country's recently approved digital television initiative.

Cabinet has given the rights to develop the new platform to a local company after a tender process attracted two bids.

Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi says the digital platform will bring television to every corner of Samoa including parts that currently can't receive it.

He says privately owned broadcasters can link to the government's digital platform to improve their coverage.

They said four suspects have been arrested so far.

The operation followed the death of a 17-year-old boy earlier this month, who was killed in a car accident related to a suspected road race.

The police said they have set up static posts and are patrolling parts of Apia at specific times of the night.

They say social media posts by concerned members of the public could lead to charges being laid against people filmed driving recklessly on Saleufi Road last Saturday

More than 30-thousand imported banana suckers scientifically developed in Israel and commercialised by a South African company have arrived in Apia for distribution to banana growers.

“The consignment is being distributed evenly with 15-thousand for Upolu farmers and the rest for Savai’i banana growers,” said the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lopao’o Nataielu Mu’a

The Ministry is hopeful that the first harvest will advance and be ready for the first export delivery guaranteed for New Zealand.

 ‘E au le inailau a Tina.’ I therefore am pleased to address you at this auspicious occasion and to see so many friends with whom I have had the pleasure to deliberate and work with in Agriculture and Floriculture over the past years,”  said Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

Tuilaepa made the comments while opening the inaugural National Forum for Women in Agriculture, Floriculture and Agri-Business in Apia.

The two one-year-olds died after receiving the jab against measles, mumps and rubella at Safotu District Hospital on the island of Savai'i.

Samoa uses an MMR vaccine assessed and approved by the World Health Organization and distributed by the UN children's agency UNICEF.

New Zealand's Immunisation Advisory Centre said while the vaccine was extremely safe, medical error or contamination were the two most likely causes of the tragedy.

Samoa's Electoral Commissioner has confirmed the Samoa First party has been registered.

A source told Talamua Online that the party hoped to bring change to Samoa's political landscape and would push to benefit the lives of the people, especially their rights to customary land.

Samoa's 49 seat Fono or Legislative Assembly is dominated by two political parties.

The ruling Human Rights Protection Party of Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has 29 seats while the Tautua Samoa Party has 13.

There are seven independents.

Framework Agreements for the Construction of the China-Samoa Friendship Park and the Arts and Culture Centre were signed by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Ambassador, Wang Xuefeng were signed Friday.

Funding of these projects is from grant aid assistance provided by Huizhou city, Guangdong Province, China.

The main facilities for the park include an outdoor performance space, open sports field, tidal garden, café /dining area and a children's playground.

The park will provide a range of activities and facilities for the public.