ban lifted

Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said he received a letter from American Samoa authorities informing him the ban, which started over concerns about a taro virus, was being lifted.

However, Tuilaepa said concerns were also raised over the dirty condition of taro arriving in the territory.

He has called on the Ministry of Agriculture and shipping corporations to check shipments before export to make sure the crops are fully cleaned and safe as well as meeting the quarantine requirements.

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has accepted a backdated two-year doping ban, freeing him to fight again if he regains his boxing license.

Fury and cousin Hughie, who lost on points to Joseph Parker in September, had elevated levels of nandrolone in urine samples provided after fights in February 2015, UK Anti-Doping said. The bans were backdated to December 13, 2015, and expired at midnight on Tuesday.