Latest news with #Samoa
RNZ News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Samoan woman stranded in Israel 'praying for Lord's protection'
A hospital in southern Israel and two towns near Tel Aviv were struck after a barrage of Iranian missiles early on June 19, with rescuers reporting at least 47 people injured in the latest attacks. Photo: AFP / Jack Guez A Samoan woman is among those stranded in Israel after completing training. Polino Falevaai, 25, from Tufuiopa village was meant to fly home on Wednesday but her flight was cancelled due to the Israel-Iran conflict in the area. She has completed a 10-month training program in Israel, focused on agricultural research and innovation. Last Friday, Israel launched an aerial assault against Iran , which it said were aimed at disrupting the Islamic Republic's nuclear infrastructure. Iran has been retaliating in what it says is self-defence. Falevaai told the Samoa Observer that the conflict was "scary". "But I'm still praying for the Lord's protection while I'm here," she said. "The first three nights we've been going to the bomb shelter. We've tried our best to stay calm." Polino Falevaai, holding cheque, at AICAT - the Arava International Center for Agriculture Training. Photo: Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa/Facebook Falevaai, who works for the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa, told the newspaper that while there have been some missile threats in the south, where she is, it is not as severe; and she hopes to return to Samoa next week once the airport reopens. Earlier this week, the Solomon Islands foreign ministry said five people who completed agriculture training in Israel are safe but unable to come home amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran. The ministry said in a statement the Solomon Islands Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining regular contact with the students. The White House said on Thursday (US time) that President Donald Trump will make a decision on whether the US will get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict in the next two weeks.
ABC News
20 hours ago
- Climate
- ABC News
Samoan village has constructed large levy walls but it's still not enough when heavy rain hits
In this edition: A stunning river that carves a huge path through a Samoan village acts as a water source for the community but with steep mountains close by, heavy rain transforms the river into a torrent that threatens lives. And a Samoan family who relocated to avoid being flooded in a low-lying area is now living with the threat of heavy rainfall in a new location which previously wasn't impacted. The weather and how it affects you is already part of your life, so let's keep talking about being prepared. *Pacific Prepared is produced by ABC International Development with funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 19 June
The Porgera region of Enga Province experienced the devastating Mulitaka landslide, which claimed many lives and shut the main road link out of the district. Photo: Zijin Mining The mining company New Porgera is celebrating achieving its production targets, despite the impact of continuing lawlessness and a devastating landslide in the region. The new company, run by Barrick Gold, but with a significant PNG Government shareholding, replaced the former company after a lease dispute shut it down for more than three years. The Porgera region of Enga Province experienced the devastating Mulitaka landslide, which claimed many lives and shut the main road link out of the district. There have also been extensive law and order issues that resulted in a state of emergency being implemented, and dozens of arrests being made, many for illegal mining within the mine pit. Samoa's Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo John Stanley Photo: Office of the Electoral Commission - Samoa Samoa's Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Stanley says approximately 30 percent of voter registrations are still pending with just over two weeks to go. As of Tuesday night, the count of registered voters reached 81,280, aiming for a target of 117,225 based on eligibility numbers from the last election. The total overseas registrations amount to 201, with 183 of those still incomplete, leaving 18 who have successfully completed their registrations, including their biometric details. Samoa's election will be held on 29 August and the last day to register to vote is 3 July. Fiji is reviewing some of its health legislation, including the more than 100-year-old Burial and Cremation Act of 1911. The Ministry of Health & Medical Services said the move aims to align existing legislation with contemporary health challenges and improve public health services. Other acts under review include the Public Health Act of 1935, the Nursing Act, the Quarantine Act 1965, and the Radiation Health Act of 2009. After the review is completed within the ministry, it will be carried out among Government and local stakeholders, international partners, and the general public. The Solomon Islands Prime Minister has called for stronger global support for small island developing states (SIDS) at the OPEC Fund Development Forum in Austria. Jeremiah Manele arrived in Vienna at the weekend after attending the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where he joined global leaders in advancing international cooperation on ocean protection and sustainable marine resource management. In his opening address in Vienna he highlighted the challenges SIDS face. "We call for innovative solutions, including debt-relief solutions," he said. "Moreover I call for climate finance that is fast, predictable and tailored to the needs of small island developing states - not entangled in bureaucracy."
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Important milestone': Panthers assistant Ben Gardiner signs long-term deal to join Mal Meninga's coaching staff at Bears
Inaugural Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga has locked in a key piece of his staff with Panthers assistant Ben Gardiner set to join the expansion side on a five-year deal that could mean he eventually takes over the team. Gardiner is regarded as one of the best coaches in the game having played an important role as an assistant at the Panthers for their 2023 and 2024 premierships, while he's also in charge of the Samoan side. He will be a huge asset for Meninga in the club's formative years, with Gardiner holding a special connection with the Bears having coached North Sydney for three seasons in the NSW Cup. 'I can't wait to work closely with new people in Western Australia and build a hugely successful team over the next five years as we promote rugby league and grow the game,' he said. 'I have had a close relationship with the North Sydney Bears for a number of years where I was able to coach the NSW Cup team and work in coaching and recruitment as well as with the women's team. 'These experiences allowed me to understand what makes that great club tick. 'These foundations need to be synergised into the Perth Bears to grow a collaboration of new and old. 'I have been able to experience success in winning systems across a number of elite clubs in the NRL and look forward to sharing that knowledge.' While nothing has been suggested as of yet, the Bears could follow the Dolphins who had Wayne Bennett in charge for the first couple of years before Kristian Woolf took over. It's something Perth could look to do with Gardiner, who can learn off Meninga before eventually replacing him when the Immortal's contract expires in 2028. 'He has worked with some great clubs and teams, at premiership and representative level, and he also has Bears DNA to add to his prolific experience,' Meninga said. 'I look forward to Ben helping us to build a club and culture which will set the Bears' future on the right path.' Gardiner will join the Bears at the end of the 2025 season and will remain Samoa coach as they prepare for next year's World Cup. 'We're extremely excited to have Ben join the team,' Perth Bears chief executive Anthony De Ceglie said. 'He's a winner who's renowned for his football knowledge and hard work ethic. 'This is another important milestone as we ensure the Perth Bears lay the right foundations for future success.'
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Argentina bring in several new faces for Lions clash in Dublin
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool D - Argentina v Samoa - Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France - September 22, 2023 Argentina's Julian Montoya in action REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo (Reuters) -Argentina have named a much-changed line-up with a first start for centre Justo Piccardo in their one-off test against the British & Irish Lions in Dublin on Friday, and three potential debutants off the bench. Coach Felipe Contepomi has taken the opportunity to blood several new players in the matchday 23, though the side will be led by an old hand in hooker Julian Montoya. Tomas Albornoz has been selected at flyhalf and forms the halfback pairing with Gonzalo Garcia, while Piccardo and Lucio Cinti are the centres. The back three contains wings Ignacio Mendy and Rodrigo Isgro, and fullback Santiago Carreras. The front row sees props Mayco Vivas and Joel Sclavi pack down either side of Montoya. France Molina and Pedro Rubiolo are the lock pairing, while number 8 Joaquin Oviedo is in the back row with loose-forwards Pablo Matera and Juan Martin Gonzalez. Contepomi has chosen a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on the bench. Hooker Bautista Bernasconi, prop Boris Wenger and scrumhalf Simon Benitez Cruz could all debut. "It is a challenge with a lot of new faces and just a few training sessions together. But the guys have made a lot of effort to take on the new information," Contepomi told reporters on Wednesday. "We are very pleased with how the newcomers have prepared in this first week. We have focused on ourselves and what we want to instil in the group, we know the Lions will be a big challenge." Argentina team: 1. Mayco Vivas, 2. Julian Montoya (captain), 3. Joel Sclavi, 4. Franco Molina, 5. Pedro Rubiolo, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Juan Martín Gonzalez, 8. Joaquin Oviedo, 9. Gonzalo García, 10. Tomas Albornoz, 11. Ignacio Mendy, 12. Justo Piccardo, 13. Lucio Cinti, 14. Rodrigo Isgro, 15. Santiago Carreras. Replacements: 16. Bautista Bernasconi, 17. Boris Wenger, 18. Francisco Coria Marchetti, 19. Santiago Grondona, 20. Joaquín Moro, 21. Simón Benitez Cruz, 22. Matias Moroni, 23. Santiago Cordero. (Reporting by Nick Said)
