by Alan Ah Mu APIA: FRIDAY 17 MAY 2013: Strong growth in visitor numbers occurred last year. What’s more holiday travellers overtook Visiting Relatives and Friends as the biggest category of visitors, data issued by Samoa Tourism Authority say. “Holiday travellers increased by 20 percent and contributed 39 percent of the total visitor traffic,” STA [...]

By Lagi Keresoma APIA: FRIDAY 17 MAY 2013:  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 [...]

APIA: FRIDAY 16 MAY 2013: The Australian Government will provide an estimated WST103.8 million (A$45.8 million) in official development assistance to Samoa in 2013-14. The 2013-14 budget includes WST$10.2 million to meet Australia’s commitment to support Samoa’s recovery from Cyclone Evan.  Specifically, the funds will be used to help rebuild schools and health centres. “Australia [...]

by Alan Ah Mu APIA: THURSDAY 16 MAY 2013: At 7 o’clock last night the cameras arrived in the country. At 2 o’clock this afternoon EFKS Television and Radio Broadcasting was launched. “It’s a challenge for us to ensure it all works,” said Director, Tuiasau Uelese Petaia, of the broadcasting gear, newly arrived cameras included, [...]

by Alan Ah Mu APIA: THURSDAY 16 MAY 2013: Old pupils of Samoa College have started to reach out to colleagues worldwide for funds to build a gym for their school. “We’re looking at something practical for the school to use,” said Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, chairman of the organizing committee. A gym fits that bill [...]