Toddler dies

AN 8 month-old baby died after being electrocuted at home on New Year’s Day. Deputy Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo confirmed the death of the toddler and expressed condolences to the family. The incident reinforced a call by the Ministry of Police and Prisons for parents and guardians to be vigilant when it come to the safety of their children. Responding to questions from Radio Polynesia, Auapa’au said that losing a child is never easy but this tragic incident could have been avoided.

Reinstated

SAMOA’S Ministry of Police and Prisons has reinstated suspended police prosecutor Khamtahn Stanley. He was due back at work on Tuesday. This was confirmed in a memo issued by the Ministry of Police and Prisons and obtained by Radio Polynesia. The internal memo issued on December 31, 2021 showed acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti approved the resumption of duties for Sergeant Khamtahn Stanley, effective on January 4, 2022.

Cruise ships

CRUISE ships have booked to berth at Apia harbour in Samoa despite the State of Emergency (SOE) lockdown enforce. It has been two years since lockdowns were initiated by the Samoan government after the global outbreak of COVID-19. TV1Samoa reports chief executive officer for Samoa Ports Authority, So’oalo Kuresa So’oalo, confirmed the bookings had been made but they will only be allowed in port if there are changes in the SOE orders.

Allegations

A LEADERSHIP tribunal in Papua New Guinea has cleared Abau MP, Sir Puka Temu, of the two allegations of misconduct in office. Tribunal chairman Justice Panuel Mogish said none of the evidence provided supported any element of the allegations of misconduct against Sir Puka. Sir Puka was charged with two counts of office misconduct in the allegations of awarding a contract for refurbishment and construction of a multi-storey government office complex to Niame Investment Ltd and Central Lands Ltd.

Bad weather