Samoa

The Samoa Observer reports the changes will allow district offices to select workers to join the seasonal programmes in Australia or New Zealand.

Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo said currently village agents deal with the seasonal work companies, rather than the Government, and this was causing problems.

The ministry said the Medical Imaging & Radiology Department at TTM Hospital has only one senior technician and a trainee in employment.

Another senior staff member is currently away on further studies in Fiji, whilst others who have been trained in this field have resigned, and/or moved to private practice.

The Island nation was rated last week by one of the world’s leading online travel companies, Expedia in Seattle.

Expedia said "The top island destinations to travel to this winter have been revealed in the Expedia Island Index.”

"New data has shown islands are seeing a strong travel resurgence, with accommodation searches for islands on the index increasing by an average of 315 per cent in the last year.”

Samoa dominated the first half from the on-set but could not find a way past the outstanding Madison Tenifa in the Tonga goal, who produced numerous fantastic saves to keep the score level.

In only the 5th minute Lilly Dowsing was put through on goal but Tenifa reacted quickly to deny the forward. The keeper then thwarted three separate attempts from Samoa No.9 Maylania Mikaele, including an incredible save in the 17th minute, rushing out to narrow the angle and making herself big to parry Mikaele’s effort.

The delegation also toured the soon-to-be launched diagnostic pathology lab based at SFHA.

A statement said “The Governor-General and Mrs. Hurley had the privilege of engaging with health practitioners and volunteers at SFHA to learn more about their meaningful work.”

“This included meeting with SFHA’s Executive Director Lealaiauloto Lia’i Si’itia, board member and church representative Reverend Asalele Lefauaitu, and youth champion Gutu Fa’asau.”

CHOGM – customarily held every two years – is the Commonwealth’s primary political meeting. Building on progress since CHOGM 2022, leaders will deliberate on global economic, environmental and security challenges, and discuss how the contemporary Commonwealth can work together to build resilience, boost trade, innovation, growth, and empower the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion young people to build a more peaceful, sustainable future. 

A statement said “The Governor General of Australia and his delegation arrived yesterday at Faleolo International Airport on an Australian Defence Force Aircraft and were welcomed by the Hon. Prime Minister, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa.”

The Samoa Police performed the Guard of Honour for their first official visit to Samoa.

In Samoa, they will meet with Head of State Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II as well as Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to pass on Australia’s congratulations for Samoa’s recent 61st Independence celebrations.

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa made the following statement in her speech for the International Yoga Day at the Matagialalua Friendship Park, today.

Mata’afa said “These international days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.”

The ceremony was held this morning at the Official Residence of the Head of State at Vailele.

Hoar assured to continue to strengthen bilateral relations between Samoa and the United Kingdom during his tenure by focusing on our shared goals of social and economic development.

Hoar was Consul General to various posts including Wuhan, Melbourne and Guangzhou.

He was also posted as First Secretary of Trade & Investments to Beijing, as Third Secretary for Press and Public Affairs to Washington and to Santiago as an Administrator Officer.

TV1Samoa reports this was in support of the Malu i Fale initiative promoting the end of domestic violence.

Research done in 2017 found 60 percent of women face some form of violence in the home, an increase from 46 percent in 2000.