Samoa

New Zealand lifter Laurel Hubbard won the over 90kg divison at the Australian International event in Melbourne earlier this month.

The 39 year old lifted a combined total of 268kg, 19kg better than silver medallist Iuniarra Sipaia of Samoa.

The President of the Samoa Weightlifing Federation, Jerry Wallwork, said the move will discourage women from participating in the sport.

It is the world’s largest of its kind and continues the global Pasifika wave made by Disney’s Moana last year and at this year’s Oscars.

The Moana link was highlighted by Auckland band Resonate performing their famous ‘Moana Mash Up’ that’s gone viral online with millions of hits and a thumbs-up from United States talk show queen Ellen DeGeneres.

It comes as India was also offering to send doctors to Samoa to undertake surgeries and provide additional skills training for Samoa medical personnel.

The first two patients, one for heart surgery and the other with a liver condition, were sent earlier this month.

RNZ reports the Prime Minister Tu'ilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, made the announcement two weeks ago, saying it costs the country a fortune to send people overseas.

The company is owned by Etu Tuala and his wife Elena. Tumeric products have grown in popularity in recent years as natural health supplements. It is said to hold many properties that can contribute to relieve symptoms associated with a range of ailments.

This week Opeloge was awarded a silver medal after two medal winners were exposed as drug cheats.

"I am so happy and thankful to God and the people of Samoa, supporting me," said Opeloge.

1 News reports in 2008 Samoa expected her to bring home the country's first Olympic medal, so her fourth place in China was devastating.

The Ukranian silver and bronze medal athletes tested positive for banned substances, cheating Opeloge of her Olympic moment.

In Samoa Opeloge was presented with her Olympic silver medal on Thursday night.

Dr Christopher Hair and nurse Catherine Conway are providing education to physicians and general trainees and provide endoscopy education to local surgical trainees at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.

The RACS Pacific Island Program is supported by the Australian Government and the team met with Australia's new Deputy High Commissioner Amanda Jewell today to discuss the progress of their work in Samoa.

The training includes promoting the safety of endoscopy - a surgical procedure where an instrument is introduced into the body to give a view of its internal parts.

There has long been criticism that countries such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga do not face enough tier-one opposition outside of World Cups every four years and that this diminishes their chances of performing at their best in the global showpiece, where they have nevertheless made a significant contribution over the years.

This is something officials have tried to address in the new global calendar unveiled by World Rugby last week, but that doesn't kick in until 2020.

Tuiasau Uelese Petaia, who plays Maea, has urged matai to speak for "sisters" against the big problem of domestic violence.

RNZ reports Mr Petaia, himself a matai, is hoping for change.

He said some Samoan men depended too much on their fists to rule their families at the detriment of wives, daughters, sons and extended family.

Mr Petaia addressed the crowds that attended this week's gala premiere of the movie in Wellington, an audience that included Samoa's Head of State Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi and dignitaries of the Samoan community.

Over a dozen Samoan journalists took time out of their busy schedules to attend the workshop for journalists and other media workers organised by JAWS and ANZ Samoa, covering the critical and evolving role of corporate journalism, writing corporate news and understanding and reporting on basic financials.

“Today’s workshop is about sharing insights and skills, and we’re happy to have Mark in town this week to share his expertise with Samoan journalists to help them report on financial matters and local business developments,” said ANZ Samoa Country Head, Bernie Poort.

The students spent a good part of their Wednesday morning hearing from presenters in the various divisions in SPREP, such as Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management, Climate Change and Waste Management and Pollution Control.

Ms Amber Carvan of the PacWaste project presented on behalf of the WMPC division on Persistent Organic Pollutants and how they can enter our environment through the burning of rubbish.

 Students were taught of different ways in which rubbish can be disposed instead of burning, such as composting and recycling.