Samoa

Two men to face murder charge

The suspects, aged 23 and 24 years respectively and the victim are understood to be from the Vaimea area.

 “The victim is believed to have been on his way home from a night out at a nearby pub. He noticed the two men talking at the side of the road and police believe he decided to stop by them,” said Police spokesperson, Inspector Maotaoalii Kaioneta Aliisolia.

“However, the conversation led to a brawl and resulted in the death of the victim. The suspects will stand in court on the 15th of August for charges of murder,” he added.

Samoa’s Electric Power Corporation announces reduction in electricity rates

“This is to ensure that EPC continues to provide sustainable and affordable electricity rates for all our consumers”, the General Manager, Tologata Tile Lei’a says.

The reduction in electricity rates for both homes and businesses was approved by Cabinet at its sitting last Wednesday.

Samoa and American Samoa police to get closer

21 countries that make up the Pacific Transnational Crime Network have been trying to get American Samoa as a member, and according to Fuiavailili American Samoa has finally come on board.

The Samoa police commissioner said illegal substances were entering Samoa from American Samoa and vice versa. He said the unit would mean improved communication between the two island groups.

Last Friday night, a passenger on the Lady Naomi trip from Pago Pago to Apia was taken into custody after he was found with drug paraphernalia.

     

Focus group trained to address social issues faced by persons with disabilities

The training consists mostly of persons with disabilities, as NOLA believes the message they are trying to portray would echo a lot louder when it comes from those who have a disability of their own.

“Not only that, we hope the project would reach out to families who have people with disabilities, so they can implement these policies within their family environment and that is very important,” said Pei Iefata, NOLA counselor for the programme.

Gene linked to Samoa's obesity epidemic

Figures from 2010 show 80 percent of Samoan men and 91 percent of women are overweight, placing them sixth out of 196 countries.

Scientists have now found a small part of the epidemic can be blamed on a gene. Rare globally but present in half the Samoan population, its role in fat storage had gone unnoticed until now.

Three Samoan Carpenters Selected for Christchurch Rebuilding Project

The programme gives the same type of opportunity as the seasonal workers scheme, but follows more strict qualifications.

Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi met with the three men today, a week before they depart for Aoteroa.

He offered them a word of advice, as he has done with other seasonal workers in the past.

“These men have been selected through a strict process by a group from New Zealand that was here last week. The process includes an interview, to see if they are fluent in English,” he said.

Bus crash survivor had bad feeling prior to accident

The accident claimed the life of one of the passengers and injured several others.

Helen Sola, who is a student at National University of Samoa, was travelling home on the 3pm bus.

Sola says she had a gut feeling there was going to be an accident as she sat in the bus.

Fire breaks out in Chan Mow Wholesales in Samoa

The fire broke out around 3.30pm (local time) and fire fighters and emergency service personnel battled for almost two hours to try and contain it.

Police Commissioner Egon Keil told Loop Samoa that it is too early to call what caused the fire.

Bongo,Shampoo Theft Lands Employee in Trouble

The accused allegedly stole two boxes of Bongo’s worth $64.40, and a box of shampoo worth $171.80. and he has been charged with theft as a servant.

Police spokesperson, Maotoalii Kaioneta Aliisolia says thefts are on the rise and its proper that the Police address them, no matter how big or small.

“We apprehended the man on the 12th of this month after the company called in to lodge the complaint. The accused is set to stand trial on the first of August to the charges of theft as a servant,” said Maota.

Legal framework for civil society engagement on SDG still needed in Samoa

These sentiments were echoed at the Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD) facilitated side event at the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York this week, by Samoa Umbrella for Non Governmental Organisation (SUNGO), President, Roina Faatauvaa-Vavatau.