Regional News

Feds want more documentation for dolphin-safe fishing

Fri, 05/17/2013 - 12:27pm | Category:

By

Fili Sagapolutele

fili@samoanews.com

The three major U.S. based tuna canneries have voiced concerns and objections to a federal government proposal to revise regulations under the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act (DPCIA) to enhance the requirements for documentation to support labels on tuna products that represent the product as dolphin-safe.

Industry sources told Samoa News that the proposed rule change, if adopted, could have serious impact on the tuna canneries and the fishing fleets that service them, due to the additional costs to the canneries to comply with such rules.

Samoa announces free secondary education plan

Fri, 05/17/2013 - 12:19pm | Category:

By

Lanuola Tupufia, Samoa Observer

There is good news for secondary students and parents this year.

In July, students in the year 9 up to year 11 will no longer have to pay for school fees.

That is made possible thanks to a grant from the government and New Zealand.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, Matafeo Tanielu Aiafi said the aid is a much-needed help for students.

What the grant means is there are no more fees, he said.

“This is a great help for parents who don’t have regular income,” he said.

at Samoa Observer

Samoa musos play for Harry Miller

Fri, 05/17/2013 - 8:47am | Category:

Samoan musicians will be playing a special concert to honour and raise funds for one of Samoa’s best musicians who is undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer in Auckland, New Zealand.

The concert will be staged at the Manumea Hotel, Vailima Monday 3 June 2013, the Independence public holiday and is organized by Mac To’omalatai and Etene Fau Sa’aga of the YNot group and Lance Polu of Tama Uli Band.

Harry Miller was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer after a near black out while playing for the opening of the Catholic Education Week at the Holy Family Cathedral on January 27.

at Talamua Online

Proposed Samoa law legally defines what is a "Samoan"

Thu, 05/16/2013 - 9:37am | Category:

By

Samoa News staff

reporters@samoanews.com

With little fanfare in the Samoa press, the Samoa government is pressing for the Acts Interpretation Bill 2013, a law change that defines among other things, what it means to be 'a Samoan person'. A retired Samoan lawyer is adamant it will have a detrimental impact on customary land rights for many Samoans living outside of the country.

link to read or download full bill at scribd.com

HRPP Caucus vote 10-9 for Minister of Finance to remain

Thu, 05/16/2013 - 8:40am | Category:

By

Lagi Keresoma, Talamua Online

APIA, Samoa — It took the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Caucus almost three hours to come up with a 10 to 9 votes for the Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga to remain in Cabinet.

The meeting’s focus was on the petition by some Caucus MPs for the Minister to either “resign” or the Prime Minister to “sack” him.

However, “resign and sack” were never part of the discussion, according to one of the petition organizers MP Tu’u’u Anasi’i. Instead, the focus was on three options “reshuffle, terminate or remain (stay) in Cabinet.”

at Talamua Online

Tokelau’s Apia office to be moved back to the atolls

Wed, 05/15/2013 - 9:56am | Category:

By

Radio New Zealand

Tokelau is considering how to move its administration office in Apia in Samoa back to the atolls.

The office was set up to improve the remote atolls’ ability to communicate with the outside world but the manager, Joe Suveinakama, says there is a push to take the staff and the services back to Tokelau.

He says during consultations last week between the Council for the Ongoing Government and the villagers, the country’s leader, the Ulu o Tokelau, Salesio Lui, spoke of ’bringing home the catch’.

Samoa's Ruling Government Caucus want Finance Minister ousted

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 9:58am | Category:

By

Lagi Keresoma, Talamua Online

APIA, Samoa — The majority of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) 36-member caucus want Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, removed from Cabinet.

They’ve signed a letter to that effect which was handed to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi last week, Talamua was reliably informed today.

Three other reliable sources have independently confirmed the report.

Talamua has also learned that Cabinet that usually meets Wednesdays, called a special meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss the eruption of discontent with Faumuina.

at Talamua Online

Alaska's Ryan Middle School event celebrates cultural backgrounds

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 9:53am | Category:

By

MARY BETH SMETZER, newsminer.com

FAIRBANKS — Ryan CAfE Night, a new event at Ryan Middle School, kicked off Friday evening with the thumping rhythm of Hawaiian music accompanied by swaying hips and flowing hand gestures to the delight of students, families and staff.

CAfE is an acronym for Cultivating Awareness for Everyone, explained Kristie Calvin, assistant principal intern at the middle school.

Shortly after coming to Ryan, Calvin noticed the great variety of cultural backgrounds among the student population and thought that celebrating and sharing those differences would provide an interesting and fun event.

at newsminer.com

Pacific fishing operators struggle

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 9:51am | Category:

By

Barbara Dreaver, ONE News Pacific Correspondent

A Forum Fisheries meeting is being held in the Solomon Islands as local boat operators are under threat of being put out of business in favour of foreign fishing vessels.

The Forum Fisheries Agency has published a report saying certain foreign fishing fleets were receiving subsidies such as preferential tax treatment and fuel subsidies.

Greenpeace says this is threatening to put tuna boat operators out of business and favourable policies should be put in place to help them.

Paciic Briefs at TVNZ

Tahiti FireKnife Champion holds on to his title

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 9:00am | Category:

First ever tie for second place

By

PCC staff

LAIE, Hawaii – After four nights of fire blazing, adrenaline-fueled battles, it was reigning champion, Joseph Cadousteau, who reclaimed the title at the 21st Annual World Fireknife Championship at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). Last year, Cadousteau became the first competitor to win the title for Tahiti.

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