Samoa

The Media Council Bill, said acting Press Secretary Renate Rivers, was not pushed through hurriedly.

“There were a number of in-depth consultations that were held by government and the Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (JAWS) over the course of three years.”

Rivers said that what should be highlighted is that the Media Council will be “media-led”.

“The Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa, or JAWS, is comprised of journalists and they will choose the council members from among themselves and the community.

Team Cook Islands, to be headed by Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) sports manager Siniva Marsters, will be taking part in aquatics (swimming), athletics, lawn bowls and rugby sevens.

Marsters has become the second female after Rosie Blake to lead Team Cook Islands to an international event.

The athletes, aged 14 to 18 years, will be gunning for their personal bests in the week-long games in Apia.

KNOC's Sport Education Officer, Tenoa Betene told Radio Kiribati News Kiribati will only be competing in three sports - Tennis, Weightlifting and Boxing.

Competing in Tennis are Tabera Bonteman and Kaoa Fakaofo. Takirua Betero and Toonga Tokitebwa will take part in weightlifting while Tevi Steven will compete in boxing.

The team is expected to depart for the Games on 03 September and to return on 17 September.

Up to 1000 athletes from 68 countries will visit Samoa next month to contest nine sports.

The Games Planning and Delivery Advisor, Moira Lassen, says the final venues are due to be signed off next week and the focus now is on ensuring everything else comes together smoothly for when the teams arrive.

"Making sure the venues are ready to go, all the supplies are here, sport equipment is here - accreditation is always a big piece because you're dealing with all that many human beings on the other end of all that accreditation."

China's Ambassador to Samoa Madame Li Yanduan says it is important for the students to study and learn more about her country's way of life and explore its people.

She has encouraged them to use the opportunity well to return to serve the Samoa government and apply their knowledge.

"Between China and Samoa we have a very long distance. It is not easy for our people to understand, to know each other. And all these student [should] just apply the messages of the friendship and the culture:"

Run in conjunction with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Commonwealth Secretariat and children's charity UNICEF, the activities include workshops and “Just Play” fan zones, where young locals, athletes and visitors will be able to participate in interactive games.

The workshops will be held on a rotational basis each day for athletes and officials and will be delivered by representatives from the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace, a group of young sports leaders from across the region.

The world number three side eased to their third win of the group stage on Sunday to set up a meeting with holders and hosts Australia in the next round.

England were expected to avoid the Commonwealth champions but the Diamonds fell to a shock 52-47 defeat by New Zealand to finish second in Pool A.

Meanwhile, Wales made it two wins from two games with a 71-44 victory over Zambia in Pool D.

Elsewhere, Malawi beat Singapore 75-31 to finish top of Pool C, while Trinidad and Tobago won 55-39 against Barbados in Pool A.

Fiji will firstly host Tonga on 19 August at Govind Park in Ba, before playing American Samoa at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on 27 August.

The two visitors will compete when Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifying commences on 31 August in Tonga. One spot will be up for grabs in Stage 2 over the course of the five-day tournament, which also features Cook Islands and Samoa.

Fiji coach Carlos Buzzetti has named a strong 23-man squad for the matches including Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna, powerful attacker Osea Vakatalesau and U-20 captain Jale Dreloa.

The treaty was first implemented in 1987 between the US government and Pacific island countries.

Our correspondent in Pago Pago says American Samoa will be watching the talks as its two tuna canneries depend on sufficient fish supply for their survival.

An interim agreement, valid only for 2015, allows the US purse seiner fleet to fish in the exclusive economic zones of the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries members.

The meeting is set for the 3rd to 5th of August in Brisbane.

They played out a thrilling 30-30 draw in round two in Sacramento, Samoa denying Fiji victory with a last gasp penalty by Patrick Fa’apale, and both reached the final with unbeaten records in the six-team competition.

Injuries have robbed coach Stephen Betham of hooker Motu Matuu (delayed concussion), scrum-half Pele Cowley (shoulder) and centre Paul Perez (rib), the latter having scored a brace of tries in the draw with Samoa.