It’s an easy choice. The most exciting event taking place in Samoa this weekend is the Vailima International Marist Sevens, which kicked off at Lotopa yesterday. An annual fixture on the nation’s sporting calendar, the tournament has become more than just another Sevens rugby competition.
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It was only two weeks ago when the Government announced plans to introduce legislation to make it legal for an 18-year-old to sell alcohol. And just the other day we were alerted to another Government-sponsored legislation – which Parliament passed into law last month – that now gives a child 15-years or older the authority to sell cigarettes.
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Jo Mikarna. Now that’s a name to remember folks, she’s a true friend of Samoa. A Policewoman in Melbourne Australia, she has been dubbed Samoa’s “most prolific tourist” for obvious reasons, and has perhaps been to Samoa more times than most Samoans residing overseas.
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This much is undeniable. The language used by Saute Sapolu to attack Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi – in a video that has since been watched by thousands of Samoans here and around the world – is low. Even worse, the threat he made to shoot him is not only criminal; it cannot be ignored.
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Let’s see. The story titled “Govt. law to legalise 18 year olds to sell alcohol” published on the front page of the Samoa Observer last Friday immediately raised the alarm bells. Coming at a time when the leaders of this country are struggling to find answers to countless alcohol-related problems, including the needless loss of lives, the story definitely struck a sore point with many members of the public. And rightly so. Who wouldn’t be concerned?
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It is that time of the year again with school fees and other expenses associated with our children’s education taking center stage. In yesterday’s edition of the Sunday Samoan, there was an article titled “University’s tuition fees and payment deadline under fire”, which quoted a parent and two students and highlighted the difficulties that they were facing paying fees owed to the university.
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It’s all happening in Samoa today. For such a small country, there really is no dull moment. With the latest political maneuvering within the ruling Human Rights Protection Party, and the developments in the halls of law and justice during the past couple of days, things are certainly heating up.
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Changing habits, mindsets and attitudes is not easy. It’s always the case, whether the change is good or bad. Folks it doesn’t matter if the change is taking place in Samoa, United States of America, Europe or anywhere in the world, getting people used to change is always the challenge and it takes time, a lot of time.
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Today marks 18 days since prison escapees Pati Chong Nee and Aniseko Vaelei dashed for freedom from the Tafa’igata Prison. And they continue to leave a trail of destruction in their path as they play a cat-and-mouse game with the Ministry of Police – a Moamoa shop missing hundreds of tala worth of goods, and an expatriate lecturer at the University of South Pacific (USP) Staff Compound and his family being robbed of their personal effects.
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So there you have it. The former Speaker of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polata’ivao’s decision to break his silence – over his future with the ruling Human Rights Protection Party – has at least given us a better idea about both sides of this most fascinating story (read story front page of Tuesday’s Samoa Observer).
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On the front page of Monday’s Samoa Observer, a story titled “Committee request Tribunal to review salaries” was published. Given the recent debate about the Government increasing the salaries for the public service while the minimum wage remains at a bare $2.30 an hour for some of the poorest people in Samoa, the story naturally attracted attention.
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Another new era in the history of the health sector in Samoa started last week. With Parliament passing the law to merge the National Health Services and the Ministry of Health, Samoa in a sense is back to square one.
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Today is the 4th of February and is the World Cancer Day –authorities in countries around the world including Samoa will raise awareness and encourage prevention, detection and treatment.
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Let’s face it. This without a doubt is one of the most interesting times in the journey of our beautiful Samoa in recent memory. If anything, the developments in the past couple of days, especially in the political arena – open up some interesting questions – on not just about what’s happening today, but the answers could provide some clarity in the future.
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The secrecy surrounding what has become of the woman holding the all-important position of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly is unnecessary. This is especially so for Parliament, an institution that should be guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance.
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A lot has been written and said about the ban on single-use plastic bags and straws in Samoa since it was announced. The Government-imposed prohibition went into effect January 30, 2019.
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Now we know Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and his administration has another mantra. Apart from “what’s good for Upolu is also great for Savai’i” as is often always used and abused, we were let in on another secret philosophy last week – perhaps inadvertently.
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Education is critical. We know that much. As such, it has been a hot topic on these shores for the past couple of weeks. And rightly so. Until Parliament convened last week, education has pretty much dominated the focus of the national conversation.
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The death of Faiva Tagatauli is a real tragedy. The 27-year-old father of one died at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital from a suspected head injury during a club rugby competition at Tuana’imato two Saturdays ago.
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Having worked for Her Majesty’s diplomatic service in my former life as Second Secretary (Political & Public Affairs) at the British Embassy in Port Moresby, P.N.G., a statement from the Chinese Ambassador – His Excellency Wang Xuefeng – literally knocked me off my chair!
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Dear Editor, My friends at the makeki always find your letters Hollywood amusing and of great entertainment value. I would encourage you to write regularly because you are our only source of amusement every time we read your letters.
The Government’s decision to sack the Nofoali’i village mayor over his comments against the Government’s land law reforms has raised a rather interesting question. Can the Government sack village mayors who are appointed by the villages? What’s more, where does this leave Government employees when it comes to the question of freedom and rights? Talaia Mika and Misiona Simo discussed the issue with members of the public and these are their views:
Think a minute…This is an amazing true story of love and luck, or what appeared to be luck. Terri wanted to buy her husband David something special for Christmas. Then in September she found exactly what she was looking for.
The rain drops on the road, pot holes, running children in front of the open houses, mothers and sisters sweeping the aftermath in the mornings and boys idly standing by, till the rubbish of leaves and dirt are ready to be collected.
A prominent member of the community had his house broken into where the thief ransacked it looking for valuables to take.
The Alpha Café and Chemist is not your everyday kind of pharmacy – it offers a service with a difference and is within the vicinity of the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital at Motootua.
© Samoa Observer 2016
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