Samoa

Samoa's parliament dissolved ahead of March election

In closing the parliament, the Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, praised the Ombudsman's Office for achieving the first human rights report.

He reflected on the parliamentary term, acknowledging Samoa's approach to advance technology with the privatisation of the Samotel Company, and the move to invest in new technical submarine optical cables.

Kiwi FC through to OFC Champions League

The Samoa club champions headed into Match Day 3 requiring only a draw to guarantee them the title, but celebrated in style with a 7-1 drubbing of Veitongo FC.

It means they secure the last remaining spot at the 2016 OFC Champions League, where they will join Nadi FC from Fiji, AS Magenta of New Caledonia and Tahiti’s AS Tefana in Group C.

Kiwi FC coach Martin Tamasese says it was pleasing to see his side get through the match after a slow start which saw them go down 1-0 after 23 minutes.

McPeake stands up for Kiwi FC

The New Zealand-based stopper was instrumental in the 2-1 victory over Tupapa Maraerenga FC on Match Day 2, saving an early penalty and producing a number of quality saves in open play throughout the match.

The penalty save in the 36th minute was particularly crucial, changing the momentum of a match which up until that point had been dominated by host side Tupapa.

“It’s a little bit hit and miss with penalties, but you make an educated guess,” McPeake explains.

Next step for television services in Samoa

The scheme enabled an initiative called SAMPOD or Samoa Alliance of Media Practitioners for Development to train cameramen, and news editors to further the growth of their knowledge in how they work.

Samoa Basketball gets a makeover

The SNBA is now the Samoa National Basketball Federation, and it will be the umbrella body to two associations.

 

Kiwi FC beats Tupapa 2-1

For Kiwi the victory means a win on the final match day on 30 January will guarantee them qualification through to the group stages of the 2016 OFC Champions League in New Zealand.

After conceding two penalties inside the opening 25 minutes – one of which was missed by Jared Colligan, the other saved by keeper James McPeake – Samoa club champions Kiwi found their way into the game and did enough to see off their rivals from the Cook Islands.

Former Toa Samoa star Pita Godinet switches allegiance

The 28 year old former New Zealand Warriors utility has returned home after two years playing for Wakefield in the UK Superleague.

He last played for Samoa in the 2014 Four Nations and 'Amerika Samoa' coach Paul Roebeck says he will add further strength to their line-up.

Prime Minister Tulilaepa says Samoa is financially secure

In a Ministerial statement in the 15th parliaments’ final session before the March general elections, Tuilaepa “clarified and corrected the Oppositions Party’s accusations that Government loans from international banks have reached a billion dollars.”

The Opposition has also claimed during their weekly press conferences, that Samoa’s economy has dwindled due to Governments negligence.

Tuilaepa unanimously reconfirmed as HRPP Leader

The 37 member HRPP caucus unanimously re-elected Tuilaepa as Party leader in a caucus meeting Wednesday .Also reconfirmed is the Deputy Prime Minister Fonotoe Nuafesili Lauofo.

The re-elections in caucus mean that Tuilaepa will resume as Prime Minister if HRPP gets back to power after the general elections, as well as his Deputy.

Party sources told Talamua, the party also elected two candidates for the Council of Deputies which should be confirmed by parliament in its current session.

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Fake note found, police hunt for culprits

This follows the discovery of counterfeit $100 tala bill at a gas station in town.