Latest news with #Samoa
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Will Fergie finally strike gold with 'eco nappy'?
Her quest for financial independence has taken her on a dizzying journey during which she's sold everything from fountain pens to food blenders, been an ambassador for Weight Watchers, published numerous books – both for children and, more recently, Mills & Boon romances – and co-hosted a podcast which promised that 'no topic is off the table'. Now I can disclose that Sarah, Duchess of York, 65, is embracing a new commercial adventure with enthusiasm and her trademark spirit. Fergie, who had two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, during her marriage to the Duke of York, suggests that her age is entirely to her advantage as she immerses herself in a whole new world – as a producer of nappies. Not any old nappy, I should stress. 'I've created an eco-friendly nappy,' Sarah tells me. 'I think it's very exciting, being a grandmother, because the more grandchildren I have, the more urgency there is for compostable diapers.' The duchess is a grandmother to two girls – Beatrice's daughters Sienna, three, and Athena, six months – and two boys – Eugenie's sons, August, four, and Ernest, two. 'It's called the Greater Good,' Fergie says of the project, before explaining that the nappy is not exclusively her creation but one which has emerged from a collaboration with Dr Jason Graham-Nye and his wife Kim – once named among Fortune magazine's Ten Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs. 'We have invented the first compostable diaper,' adds Fergie, explaining that it's produced in Samoa. Its capacity to decompose in 'compostable' fashion means that unlike most disposable nappies, often laden with microplastics, it needn't be dumped in landfill. 'There are 380,000 nappies changed a minute, so it's a really good solution,' says the duchess. Sounds more promising than media investment company Gate Ventures, of which she was a director. It lost an estimated £19million before being forced into administration in 2020. When he captured Prince William and Catherine's wedding, Hugo Burnand secured obedience from page boys by doling out sweets. But the society snapper quells nerves in adults in a very different manner. 'I ask them to say 's***',' he reveals on his podcast, Double Exposure, noting that it takes them 'by surprise'. Jamil's warning after being followed on walk The Duchess of Sussex's friend Jameela Jamil has issued a stark warning to women to be 'vigilant' after a group of men targeted her as she attempted to walk her dog in London this week. 'Some bloke followed me on his bike up and down the street, then when he realised I had clocked him, he got on the phone and called his mates who then came after me,' says the actress, pictured left. 'It was 8pm, in a crowded area, and I was wearing a black tracksuit and no makeup.' The privately-educated Londoner, 39, who previously lived in Los Angeles with her musician boyfriend James Blake, says she has been left with a growing resentment towards men. 'Many of my walks have turned into a nightmare. In a split second, a stranger decided it would be okay to destroy my life.' She warns women and girls 'not to be on your phone and keep one headphone out. Get number plates and registrations. Mistrust everyone and suspect every man'. One might think pending fatherhood would cure Levison Wood's itchy feet, but it appears not. The TV explorer, 43, who is expecting his first child with girlfriend Ana Protasio any day now, has set his sights on his next adventure. 'I'm hoping to head to South America this autumn,' he tells the Country Life podcast. Levison wants to explore the continent by motorbike, making it far from a family-friendly trip. Let's hope Ana understands. Diana's niece to wed after 10-year romance At long last, Princess Diana's niece Eliza Spencer is engaged to her tech executive boyfriend, Channing Millerd. After almost a decade of courtship, the model, 33, revealed Millerd, 31, who has a son from a previous relationship, went down on bended knee during a romantic trip to Santorini, Greece. Earl Spencer's daughter can be seen wearing the sparkler Miller proposed with in this picture she posted online. 'Forever and ever,' she wrote alongside the snap. A destination wedding could be on the cards for the pair, as Eliza previously said: 'We feel drawn to Italy, especially somewhere by the ocean – that feels so romantic to us.' Who says that an association with Pippa Middleton, the Princess of Wales's younger sister, doesn't come with benefits? Certainly not members of her local council who, I can disclose, have given Pippa and her husband, hedge-fund manager James Matthews, the green light to establish a nursery at Bucklebury Farm. The couple snapped up the West Berkshire property for £1.5million in 2020. The nursery – for children aged between nine months and five years – will deliver 'strong social benefits', concludes the council, noting that there is a local shortage of 'early years places'. The prospect of a smile from Pippa, 41, is likely to perk up fathers doing the school run, so it seems only fair to warn them that she and James, 49, live a few miles away at the Georgian manor house they bought for £15million in 2022. Strictly pro is fan favourite Nadiya Bychkova won the Best Female Personality Award at the National Reality TV Awards She has yet to win the glitterball trophy on Strictly Come Dancing, but Nadiya Bychkova is enjoying success elsewhere. The Ukrainian dancer, 35, won the Best Female Personality Award at this year's National Reality TV Awards, which took place at Porchester Hall in London. She tells me: 'It was a complete surprise to win the award. There were some big names on the list, so there was a combination of laughter, thankfulness and disbelief when my name was read out.' Bychkova, pictured, adds: 'I do feel very humbled that people have voted for me. It's really special to know that they have taken the time to do that, and it means a lot. 'Hopefully, I get the chance to add a glitterball to this trophy by the end of the year.'
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Nauru is the latest Pacific nation to report dengue deaths
Photo: lamyai/123RF Nauru's Health Department has confirmed two deaths related to dengue fever: a 15-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl. The Department said over the past two months, RON Hospital and Public Health have conducted 665 tests on adults and children, with 222 confirmed dengue cases and the majority being children under the age of 10. The first reported case of dengue fever in Nauru was on 27 June. The community is urged to use mosquito repellent, dress children in protective clothing, and empty water-holding containers. Dr David Bill said the tragic losses are a painful reminder of the seriousness of dengue infection, "especially among our most vulnerable population." Meanwhile, a fourth death has been reported in Samoa - a nine-year-old boy. Deaths from dengue have also been reported in Fiji. ReliefWeb, a service of the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reports outbreaks have been declared in American Samoa on 8 July (12 lab-confirmed cases as of 21 July); Rarotonga on 22 May (73 confirmed cases as of 23 July); Kiribati on 24 April (375 confirmed cases as of 28 July); Samoa on 17 April (2277 confirmed cases as of 27 July); Tonga on 19 February (904 confirmed cases as of 25 July) and Tuvalu on 5 June (37 confirmed cases as of 28 July). The World Health Organisation's Pacific technical support director Dr Mark Jacobs told Pacific Waves last week that July regional data showed the number of suspected dengue cases was 18,766 - the highest since 2016 .
ABC News
18 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Another child dies from dengue fever as Samoa reports 2,200 cases since January
A third child has reportedly died from dengue fever in Samoa, which has now recorded more than 2,270 cases since the start of the year. In its latest update, for the week of 21-27 July, the Ministry of Health reported there were 1,350 dengue-like illness cases reported, 521 of which were laboratory-confirmed to be dengue fever. Local media are reporting a third dengue death from the country — a five-year-old who died at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital. The child's mother told the Samoa Observer: "She had a fever, was vomiting, and she kept saying her head and tummy hurt. We took her to the hospital on Sunday, and by Tuesday at 8am, she passed away. I miss her every moment." Dengue fever cases surge in the Pacific There is also an unconfirmed report of a fourth death — another child. The Health Ministry said that, of lab-confirmed cases, 71 per cent of those affected are aged under 15. It is reiterating its messages for people to clean up and remove stagnant water sources which are potential breeding sites for mosquitoes and to wear suitable clothing and use mosquito nets and repellents. The Oceania Football Confederation said it is monitoring the outbreak with the under-16 women's championship scheduled to begin on Friday. Last week, the World Health Organisation's Pacific technical support director Dr Mark Jacobs told Pacific Waves that July regional data showed the number of suspected dengue cases at 18,766 — the highest since 2016. A breakdown of the WHO July data showed spread of the disease had been highest in Fiji, which had 13,702 suspected cases, followed by Tonga (2,087) and French Polynesia or Mā'ohi Nui (1,079). RNZ
RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Fijiana coach: 'Positive growth overall' ahead of Women's Rugby World Cup
The Fijiana XV held off a spirited Samoan fightback to retain their Oceania Rugby Women's Challenge title with a hard-fought 24-20 victory. 14 June 2025 Photo: Facebook / Fiji Rugby Fijiana head coach Ioan Cunningham believes he has a strong squad that can put Fiji on the world rugby map at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England. Cunnigham has been with the squad for the last five months since his apppointment in February. In that time, he has seen the team take on the Wallaroos in a one-off test match, defend their Oceania Women's Rugby Championship title against both Samoa and Tonga, and take the ninth ranked American Eagles women's side to the wire in a close loss. Cunnigham, who has stints with the Welsh national women's team as head coach from 2021 to 2024, has introduced systems aimed at strengthening the Fijiana flair and style, while able to compete against the top teams in set-pieces and open play. In an interview with RNZ Pacific, Cunnigham said the team made progress through all commitments they have been involved in this year. "We've, firstly, connected well as a group and starting to really understand how we want to play and how we how win Test matches," he said while reviewing the team's performance do date. "That's still a development within our group. But we made good progress coming off the Wallaroos test back in May, into the Oceania and the tough test we had in USA. "It was exactly what we needed to see where we are against a top 10 team in the world rankings as we progress towards the World Cup. So, I think it's positive growth overall, but still a lot of work to do." Vodafone Fijiana coach Ioan Cunnigham Photo: Facebook / Fiji Rugby Cunnigham had the opportunity to work with players who have been in the mix now for their second World Cup, and others who have had some experience with the Fijian Drua women's team in the Super Rugby Pacific Women's competition. There are players who have also been recruited from the Fijiana Sevens team that has been playing in the annual HSBC Sevens Series. He said the players were all talented and have their own individual skills that helps make the team tick. "We've got an incredible group of athletes that can play the game very well, especially when opportunities open up," he stated. "We showed some of that against USA, that when we go forward and we can offload and win collisions, we can threaten anyone in the world,. But he said the key for Fijiana is getting the "balance right" and not overplaying. "Because if we turn the ball over against top sides, we get punished. It's really important that we get that balance right. "We've got some incredible athletes, which are powerful, fast, good skill set, and it's my role to try and allow them to express themselves within our structure, really, especially on a global stage in the World Cup." The squad is currently training in Fiji and going through the final pieces of their preparation. The players will have the opportunity to have "controlled" games against the Manusina side next week. The Samoan women's team is heading to Fiji for a final training camp before they also fly out to England. "We've got a great opportunity to have a sort of controlled game against Samoa, who come to Fiji for the training camp," Cunnigham said. "We'll have good preparation week in Nadi against against Samoa, before we all depart and head to England." Fijiana centre Josivini Naihamu tries to run away from the Wallaroos defence on Saturday. Photo: FRU Media The Fijians appeared at the 2022 Rugby World Cup and won against South Africa in their second pool game. They are in Pool B alongside Canada, Wales and Scotland at the 2025 event. Fiji will meet Canada in their opening game on August 24. Cunnigham reckons that will be their toughest game, being their first and against the second ranked team in World Rugby. "Obviously, Canada, first match is going to be a tough one," he said. "They're ranked second in the world at the moment and they are a very well coached team that has got a good mix in their play. "They can go through you with the ball carrying off a game, but they can also go around you with the pace they've got as well. So from our point of view, defensively, we've got to be at our best and also take our opportunities when we get them." He said both Scotland and Wales will offer different game patterns, expecting them to go to the air with a lot more high balls and tactical kicks for territory. "Probably the biggest difference there is, from what our players are used to with Super Rugby, is probably the kicking game," he said. "Scotland and Wales will kick a lot more, so, that presents opportunities for us to counter attack, but also we have to be really sharp and wary in our backfield, because they do kick well. "They probably value territory more of than possession, and that's something that we're going to have to adapt to fairly quickly." A good finish at the world cup, led by good performances, will be a positive for women's rugby in Fiji. It is something that is not lost on the squad, fully understanding the importance of putting up the best they can do. "Our task at the World Cup is to inspire the country, inspire the next generation of players who want to be Fijiana players of the future," he stated. "And we can do that with great performances on the field, and that's the responsibility we hold when we go to the World Cup. "The potential for women's rugby in Fiji is enormous, and I think in the future, we could really challenge the top teams in the world with the talent that's available." Samoa is in Pool A with England, Australia and USA. The Manusina will meet the Wallaroos in their opening game on 23 August.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 31 July
Jason Taumalolo (centre) of Tonga XIII in action during the 2024 Pacific Championships match between the Australian Kangaroos and Tonga XIII at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Photo: Darren England/ Photosport The Tonga and Samoa Pacific Championships league clash is expected to be played at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Tonga National Rugby League said they are awaiting confirmation of the venue for the October game. It had been in discussions about the possibility of hosting a game in Nuku'alofa. National Rugby League is yet to confirm venues and the schedule for this year's Pacific Championships, which will feature Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand. Two Pacific swimmers recorded new national records in their respective events at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Singapore. Vanuatu swimmer Léo Lebot set a new country record of 29.28 seconds in the men's 50-metre butterfly heats on Sunday. Cook Islands' Lanihei Connolly set a national record in the women's 100m breaststroke on Monday. She won her heat in 1 minute and 7.40 seconds, a new national record for the Cook Islands. Papua New Guinea's bantamweight boxing champion Mili Saul says she wants to represent PNG at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Saul, who won the World Boxing Council Australasian bantamweight title in June, won the PNG 56-kilogram title at the PNG Boxing Union Championship in Lae. The National reported Saul said she wants to grow the sport in her home country and help more females take up boxing. Former Fiji star William Ryder has offered his services to help develop sevens in Solomon Islands. Ryder, a fleet-footed player during his prime playing for Fiji on the world stage, is playing for the Usotasi rugby club in Honiara. He said in an interview with the media in Honiara that he is available to help out if needed. Solomon Islands Rugby chief executive Aisea Mocelutu said having Ryder playing locally has attracted a lot of attention from locals. Ryder has Solomon Islands links to Malaita through his grandfather. New Zealand-born boxer Miracle Ki says he needs more financial assistance to cover his costs as he prepares to represent Samoa at the World Games in England in September . PMN reported the Wellington-based super heavyweight has been preparing for the event while also seeking funding to help him. Ki is funding his own way to the event. He said putting Samoa on the world map is something he is excited about.
