Apia

A group of 20 youths are alleged to have thrown stones at a circus tent after being ejected for being drunk according to a TV1 Samoa report.

The owner of Magic Circus of Samoa Tupa'i Bruno Royale called the police but when they did not show up he decided to seek help from Tuila'epa in hurrying them up.

The prime minister turned up on his own to try and calm the situation, before police arrived shortly afterwards.

Six men have been charged over the incident.

Manufalealili Dr Viali Lameko wrote in the latest edition of the Journal of Samoan Studies, saying the move, along with the promotion of more sports in villages, could help address high levels of obesity.

The Samoa Observer reported a 2018 survey of the national education curriculum found the health and sports subjects lacking across most rural secondary schools.

Manufalealili said with people in power noticeably obese, work needed to be done to discourage any notion that obesity was positively linked to influence and success.

Land Transport Authority Chief Executive Officer, Galumalemana Ta’atialeoitiiti Tutuvanu Schwalger warns that drivers should note that heavy trucks are not allowed on the new bridge for now.

The new bridge is still a 2-lane as was the previous one, but is much wider with safer footpaths for pedestrians.

Schwalger said the construction of the bridge has taken a little over two years to complete since the plan was first drawn up.

She said several local companies participated in the construction works.

More than 160 American Samoans have been stranded in Apia since the Covid-19 lock down and dozens of Samoans are also keen to return home from Pago Pago.

Local media are reporting at least 40 people a day could be repatriated with both Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways operating flights.

The Samoa government has relaxed travel conditions on their end, so returning citizens do not need to be tested for Covid-19, providing they can prove they have been in the territory for at least 14 days.

Samoa Observer reports Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil had confirmed the brawl saying police confiscated a pair of scissors used in the fight.

"Four prisoners are back at the prison after they were treated for injuries. One prisoner remains at the hospital for further observation," said Fuiavailili.

He said the incident happened in a different cell from the one that staged the recent mass prison breakout.

A Cabinet decision paper was leaked to the Samoa Observer proposing to close the route, serviced by Fiji Airways, down and force passengers to fly via New Zealand using Samoa Airways.

However, this week the government newspaper Savali reported Tuilaepa saying the decision was to promote proactive talks between the two airlines and revive discussions about a code-sharing agreement that had never been implemented.

The closure was reported after a confidential Cabinet Paper was leaked to the Samoa Observer.

A statement from Fiji Airways confirms the issues of "partnership" and "codeshare agreements" are being negotiated between the two airlines.

"Discussions have taken place between Samoa Airways and Fiji Airways Executives on partnership and codeshare arrangements," the statement said.

The airline said it has now referred the matter to the Fijian government for its attention.

A large crowd packed the Tuanaimato Gym on Saturday night as renowned Pacific and Samoan artists donated their talents and services to collectively raise funds to support families that have lost loved ones to the measles epidemic.

Cindy of Samoa, P{unialavaa, Ardijah, Iakopo, Annie Crummer, Lani Alo, Mr. Tee, Vaimoana Kreig, Kas the Freestyle Futialo, Lavina Williams, raze and the United Usos Dance crew were among the performers.

Ane Amituanai who is from Solosolo and based in New Zealand lost relatives to the measles epidemic late last year.

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has announced a World Nines tournament to be held next October in the capital, Apia, backed by Chinese money and played in a Beijing-funded stadium.

A Chinese team will compete in the three-day event, as well as an Indian team, two nations with little background in rugby union and none in league. Teams at the World Nines will play for the Confederation Cup, and it has been sanctioned by International Rugby League. It is open to both men's and women's teams.

The Police Commissioner Fuiavaili'ili Egon Keil has cautioned against violence in the process.

"Our plea to the families in this area is to keep the peace and let the police do their job," he said.

Last week a member of one of the families involved told the Samoa Observer newspaper that she would not vacate the land.

"They can dig a mass grave and bury us in it, or kill us," said Aiga Tokuma.

"Only then they [the Government] can occupy this land; but we will not go down without a fight," she said.