Latest news with #Samoa
ABC News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
PNG declares national HIV crisis as infections increase
On the program this week: Papua New Guinea has declared a national HIV crisis, with the number of new cases increasing almost 50 per cent in the last decade. In the US territory of Guam, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has assured residents they are safe after their island was used as a decoy for the US to launch an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. The Rio Tinto-owned Panguna gold and copper mine was at the centre of a bloody conflict in the late 1980s; three decades on, and Papua New Guinea has transferred the majority stake in it to Bougainville. Fiji's government has presented its national budget promising investments in jobs, infrastructure, and social protections. But it comes as global conflict looms in the Middle East. Like many Pacific Islands, Samoa faces frequent flooding due to heavy rainfall, posing risks to families living near waterways, including Milovale Kitiona's family in Lelata.
ABC News
a day ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Samoa's twin sisters Christabelle and Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa are part of a new wave of pacific athletes proudly blending cultural roots with high performance sport
Twin sisters Christabelle and Demielle Onosemo-Tuilaepa have made headlines over the past year since they burst onto the rugby league scene representing New Zealand in the Ahi Kā Aotearoa squad. Now they've switched codes and countries pulling on the blue jersey for Samoa with Manusina. But their story goes much deeper than just that game. At just 20 years old, they are part of a new wave of Pacific athletes who proudly blend their cultural roots with high-performance sports. For them, their journey is literally drawn on their skin. They wear the malu, a special Samoan tattoo given to women as a symbol of protection, service and pride in their heritage. "Wearing our malu on the world stage reminds us of the responsibility and honour we hold," Demielle said. "Whenever we step onto that field, we carry our family, community and culture with us. It's a powerful feeling that keeps us motivated." Representing Samoa For these sisters, rugby isn't just a game. It's a sacred space where who they are, their family, and their faith all come together. Their debut was a proud moment, not just for their team and supporters, but for their village back home and the generations that came before. "Representing Samoa means everything to us," Christabelle said. "I had to leave my parents, siblings, and village at a young age, but wearing this jersey and representing Samoa makes it all worth it." Demielle and Christabelle with their family ( Supplied ) This cultural weight isn't a burden, it's their strength. "Our power and toughness are our superpowers," Demielle said. "That Pasifika strength runs in our veins. However, it's not just about being physically strong. It's about using that strength with discipline and working together." Training overseas for big competitions isn't just about fitness and game plans. For Christabelle and Demielle, their foundation is even deeper — it's spiritual. "We stay grounded through prayer," Christabelle said. "That keeps us steady. We start and end every day with God, and that gives us peace and clarity." It's a rhythm they've committed to and one that will be important this weekend, as they gear up for Manusina's next clash against Australia A in Canberra tomorrow. With a powerful opponent ahead, the twins are leaning into everything they've built. "We've put in the work — now it's about trusting ourselves and enjoying the moment," said Christabelle. "I want to do my role well and serve my team with everything I have." Demielle added: "My biggest goal is to enjoy the moment, to play the game I love with joy and freedom, but also to be someone my teammates can rely on." It will be another test of their strength, discipline and unity, values deeply rooted in both their culture and preparation. The twin connection Being twins gives them a special connection that training alone can't teach. On the field, knowing each other's moves, moods and pace has become one of their biggest advantages. "We always say: if one of us shines, we both shine," Christabelle said. "When one is feeling down, the other lifts them. Playing together is a blessing." "She's my anchor," Demielle said. "Having her beside me always feels like home, no matter where we are in the world." Their bond isn't just about playing, it's about that unspoken sisterly language - in tackles, tries, words of encouragement, and quiet moments before a game. Now that their debut is behind them, the twins are focusing on growing, not just for themselves, but for their team and the next generation of young Samoan girls. The Onesemo-Tuilaepa twins have switched codes and countries now representing Samoa in rugby for Manusina ( Supplied ) "We're both working on improving ourselves," Christabelle said. "But our real goal is to be relentless. I want to do my part well and support my team with everything I've got." "I want my teammates to trust me," Demielle said. "It's the small things — communicating, doing that extra bit — that make a difference." Their long-term dream? Seeing more young Samoan girls chase their rugby dreams, whether they're in Samoa or the diaspora, staying true to who they are. "Never give up on your goals," Christabelle said. "Even when no one is watching, keep showing up. You belong on that field just as much as anyone." "Say yes to the tough moments," Demielle said. "Believe in yourself, even if you're unsure. Your culture is your biggest strength. Keep going — we're cheering for you." For Christabelle and Demielle Onosemo-Tuilaepa, the malu isn't just ink. It's a daily reminder of their role to serve, carry and inspire. Their legacy isn't just about what they do in 80 minutes of rugby, it's about honouring their ancestors and paving the way for those who come after. And this, they say, is just the start.
ABC News
a day ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Onesemo-Tuilaepa twins
At just 20 years old, the Onesemo-Tuilaepa sisters are part of a new wave of Pacific athletes who proudly blend their cultural roots with high-performance sports. For them, their journey is drawn on their skin - literally. They wear the malu, a special Samoan tattoo given to women as a symbol of protection, service, and pride in their heritage. "Wearing our malu on the world stage reminds us of the responsibility and honour we hold," Demielle shares. "Whenever we step onto that field, we carry our family, community, and culture with us. It's a powerful feeling that keeps us motivated." Posted 16m ago 16 minutes ago Fri 27 Jun 2025 at 4:10am
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Pacific island nations tap indigenous know-how to safeguard ocean health
Pacific island nations are racing to enhance marine conservation , establishing sweeping 'no-take' zones and pledging to sustainably manage vast swathes of their territorial waters despite facing limited resources and geopolitical pressure. Advertisement Among them, Samoa last month unveiled a ban on fishing, mining and other extractive activities over 30 per cent of its ocean territory by 2027. The move will create 36,000 sq km (13,900 square miles) of marine protected areas (MPAs) – more than 12 times the country's land size. 'Like other Pacific island nations, challenges like marine habitat destruction, overfishing, and pollution threaten the health of Samoa's ocean, which endanger the well-being of our people,' Toeolesulusulu Cedric Pose Salesa Schuster, Samoa's natural resources and environment minister, told This Week in Asia. 'Samoa's marine spatial plan addresses these urgent issues and offers solutions to sustain the ocean and what it provides for us now and for future generations.' Such planning has become increasingly common across the Pacific, even as global progress on the so-called '30x30' pledge – to protect 30 per cent of Earth's land and ocean area by 2030 – has slowed. Advertisement
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Taulasea, or traditional healers, play a significant role in Samoan society, new study finds
Photo: RNZ A new study has found traditional healers, or Taulasea, have a key role in Samoan society. The study was published in Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online . Researchers interviewed 14 Taulasea - three were from Aotearoa and the others from Samoa. They were aged between 44 and 94 years old and practiced a range of healing methods. The findings revealed four major themes: sacredness of the Taulasea knowledge and practice; Taulasea specialisation; Taulasea methods and approaches; and holistic views that impact health. Lead author Professor Riz Firestone from Massey University said Taulasea play a sacred, community-centred role "rooted in spiritual duty rather than commerce". "Healers diagnose holistically, combining prayer, plant-based medicines, massage and dietary advice, and they act as gatekeepers, referring severe cases to westernised medical care," she said. "Present-day lifestyle habits that are modernised, reliant on processed foods and sedentary lifestyles contribute to surging diet-related conditions like type 2 diabetes and malnutrition. Taulasea advocate a return to simple traditional diets." The study said traditional healers are often the first port of call for Samoans in need of care. "The healing practices of Taulasea are deeply rooted in a spiritual context, where their work is above mere employment and is perceived by them as a sacred duty," it said. "This sense of duty shapes how they conduct their practices, emphasising the role of service over financial remuneration. "Although it is difficult to validate the spiritual dimension of the Taulasea's work, as people continue to use their services as either a first port of call or simultaneously whilst seeking Westernised medicine, the perpetual use of traditional healing reinforces the value of their positionality in society." Taulasea also recognised shifts in practices due to the changing environment and conditions that people present to them, the study said. "The blend of traditional, cultural, spiritual, and scientific may provide a robust framework for addressing health issues and enhancing overall quality of life. "In some societies, there have been collaborative approaches, where Taulasea have played a complementary role with Westernised doctors, but this has been largely regulatory towards traditional healers. "Nonetheless, both practitioners can coexist, but a model of care and the nature of the collaboration requires further consultation between the two." The study also noted recent research that showed there may be "subjective benefits" that patients reap from seeing a traditional healer, that "may not be quantifiable in a Western framework", and so the subjective benefits must be further explored to get a deeper understanding of their work and role. "As global standards are shifting to incorporate more indigenous and traditional knowledge, it would be important to acknowledge the Taulasea still have a significant role in current modern-day systems, and this could be capitalised upon. "What is currently needed is a further understanding of why people continue to use Taulasea; and how a reciprocal model of care be informed and developed for use in the future, where Samoans (and all Pacific people) have access to the best of both traditional and Westernised healing practices." The study also said the Taluasea were strict on patient commitment and compliance. "From the Taulasea's perspective, this is a critical part of their service, because should the patient not comply, the consequences are detrimental to the Taulasea themselves or their family members. "They believe that the sickness or illness transfers to them and/or to their family members; whether people regard this as being superstitious, it is a commonly held view by the Taulasea in this study from generational knowledge passed down to them." The study did note its limitations, including a small, non-random sample size, possible translation issues, and its reliance on narrative interviews without other forms of methodological triangulation, such as observational data.
