KEY POINTS:
Malo le soifua from Samoa, hundreds of Samoans took part in 'Walk for Life', a march to create awareness on suicide prevention.
'Walk for life' - organised by Faataua le Ola a Lifeline agency - saw the Head of State leading hundreds of locals ranging from babies to
those in their late 70s take to the street in a bid to create awareness on suicide and valuing life last Friday.
On the immigration front, three out of four Chinese male citizens detained by the Samoan Immigration after staying in Samoa illegally were sent home earlier this week.
In a phone interview with Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Samoan Immigration Faafouina Milford, he said: "I can confirm that three have now returned to China, the last is awaiting finalising of his papers before he is sent home too."
All four men stayed in Samoa illegally after a temporary stop over at Faleolo airport.
The four were originally caught on Immigration database systems and later on pursued by Immigration officers.
Mr Milford said yesterday that the Samoan immigration showed no lenience towards the illegal immigrants.
"We have to consider the legalities of such incidents," Milford said.
The Chinese Embassy in Samoa has expressed their disapproval and firm stance against the action of their citizens.
Secretary of the Embassy of China in Apia, Ms Diana Zho she expressed their stance on the issue.
"This is the first time such an incident has occurred and we are disappointed," Ms Zho said.
"Such actions are against law for both Samoa and China and no matter where we are Chinese people must comply," she said.
Ms Zho says the incident should not effect the strong relations between Samoa and China.
In other Samoa international relations, Ms Caroline Bilkey presented her credentials to the Head of State of Samoa this week, new High Commissioner of New Zealand to Samoa.
Ms Bilkey, mother of 7-year-old Anna and 5-year-old Emily expressed her excitement at being posted to Samoa and her hopes for strengthening the relations between Samoa and New Zealand during her posting.
"It is important for New Zealand diplomats to have a posting in the Pacific, as the relationship between New Zealand and the Pacific are important and it is the focus of our aid programmes," she said.
Ms Bilkey takes over from John Adank who returned to Wellington earlier this year.
According to the new NZ High Commissioner the historical links, migration ties and the important role Samoans play in politics, art and sport in New Zealand means her current post will be challenging.
"The relations between the two countries are very broad and I hope to strengthen relations in any way that I can," she said.
Ms Bilkey's arrival in Samoa coincides with the recent increase of NZ aid to NZ$10.4million for Samoa alone.
Asked if the increase in aid would trigger further dependence from Samoa Ms Bilkey said it aims at doing the opposite.
"The point of the delivery of aid is to reduce poverty, by working in partnership with the Samoan Government and we continue to dialogue on development needs of Samoa," she said.
Ms Bilkey says the aid assists in economic growth and sustainability of such growth.
"We support the Samoan Government in moving forward and achieving positive results for Samoa."
Ms Bilkey is joined by her husband Christopher Chamberlin, a Development Consultant and her two daughters Anna and Emily who are now schooling in Samoa.
In the media front, the Chief Executive Officer for the South Pacific Games Fonoti Manoniamanu Etuale has been dodging Journalists in the last few weeks.
"I think maybe he has noted all our numbers and blocked them all," said one veteran Radio Journalist.
The CEO is constantly being pursued by the media to explain the reasons for faulty multi million dollar facilities built for the games which begin in August.
Unfortunate for the media, the assigned SPG Media Officer is not allowed to make comments to the media, therefore making his position quite awkward.
In the village beat, my sources have informed me that Bebo the online network, although deemed the modern form of 'coconut wireless' is causing fuss in the villages.
Neil Tiatia, one of the few Bebo users from the island of Savaii says some of the "gossip" on the online network has caused feuds amongst neighbours in the village of Safua.
"I think the international Samoans on Bebo assume that us in the rural areas don't have access to it, therefore they freely say things about other families, but they don't know that it all gets back to the village," he said.
Bebo has taken Samoa by a storm in the last few months, some workplaces have blocked the site as the internet bills have risen dramatically since the newfound fame of Bebo in Samoa.
That's news from the islands this week.
Manuia le Aso.
