Samoa

In preparation for the 48th Forum Leaders Meeting, the Forum Officials Committee Meeting, the governing council of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, will meet in Suva on 8 and 9 August preceded by the Smaller Island States Officials Meeting and the Pacific ACP Officials Meeting on 7 August, 20167.

A meeting of the Forum Foreign Ministers will also be held on 11 August 2017 in Suva.

The Smaller Islands States Leaders Meeting will be held in Apia on 4 September. This will be followed by the Pacific ACP Leaders Meeting.

There are 16 confirmed and two probable cases of typhoid in the city and 12 people are in hospital.

RNZ reports Samoa's Ministry of Health wants residents or recent travellers to Mt Roskill, Manurewa and Blockhouse Bay to report in.

The Ministry is also advising everyone to boil drinking water, wash fruit and vegetables with warm water and wash their hands before preparing food.

It warns people to get medical help if they've had a high fever, digestive problems or diarrhoea.

It is the country's third hydro project after other ground breaking ceremonies at Fuluasou and Tafitoala and Fausaga in Upolu Island.

RNZ reports the project, which is part of Samoa's move to push renewable energy development, will cost more than $US1.7 million.

The Vailoa plant is expected to save the Electric Power Corporation about 125,000 US dollars a year in fuel expenses.

The hydro power plant on Savaii follows failed efforts to build one in the villages of Sili and Ga'utavai over environmental concerns.

As he had always enjoyed cooking for his family, he jumped at the opportunity to further improve his cooking skills when he saw a TV advertisement inviting youths to apply for a Culinary Training Programme. 

For Tokelau, this is now underway with a special inception workshop held in Samoa, to plan implementation of the different activities.

With the Tokelau General Fono recently endorsing the Tokelau Climate Change Strategy – 'Living with Change' the protection of the ocean is featured as a high priority.

 Being part of the New Zealand Pacific Partnership on Ocean Acidification (NZPPOA) regional project to build resilience to ocean acidification is especially important for Tokelau and her community.

A deal hasn't yet been agreed but the Weekend Herald understands there is growing confidence among all parties that on Friday, June 16, the All Blacks will play Samoa in Auckland - with Tonga versus Wales as the curtain raiser.

The All Blacks are keen to play a meaningful contest before the first test against the Lions on June 24. They are conscious the Lions will have had six tough tour games before that first test, while the All Blacks will have had two weeks of training, but no opportunity to play.

The fight is laid down for Auckland's Vector Arena on May 6.

Stuff.co reports with Auckland and the New Zealand government not interested in providing any funding for the fight, Parker's promoter David Higgins, co-owner of Duco Events, is in Samoa for top level discussions.

While they are likely to be more around a cash injection similar to Samoa's late financial boost for Parker's world title win against Andy Ruiz in Auckland last December, Tuilaepa is thinking big.

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, United Kingdom, Germany and United States of America can also now apply for appropriate dual citizenship options.

Others eligible for dual citizenship and allowed to apply include investors, by marriage, long-term resident, sportsperson and by descent.

Post Courier reports Pato made the announcement in Port Moresby flanked by the chairman of the Citizenship Advisory Council Solan Mirisim and PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority acting chief migration officer Solomon Kantha.

The call comes after the judge sentenced a bus driver to four years and three months in prison.

The defendant, Faasaomotaeao Tausagi, had pleaded guilty to one count of mobile manslaughter, one of negligent driving causing injuries and one count of unlicensed driver.

RNZ reports he has also been disqualified from driving any motor vehicle for eight years.

The 37-year-old was the driver of Laumosooi bus which had veered off the cross island road at Tiavi after overtaking another bus in June last year.

The bus crashed into a nearby bush.

Hosts Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji will contest the championship on the Gold Coast, Australia, from April 28 to May 6.

Fiji Times reports the third edition of the tournament will provide invaluable preparation for Australia, New Zealand and Samoa as they build towards the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia from May 31 to June 18.