Investigations

The Samoa Observer reports a 24-year-old woman from Nofoalii was found hiding in a toilet at the Nadi International Airport transit area. She was deported to Samoa on Monday.

Workers at the Faleolo International Airport are still puzzled as to how the woman managed to pass through the security checks, including the boarding pass check, and take the flight to Fiji.

She had no suitcase or personal belongings except for her phone and passport.

TV1Samoa reports Assistant Police Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo confirmed they had received copies of letters from STA staff complaining of bullying tactics and the use of abusive strong language by the CEO towards them.

Staff also reported the alleged use of STA assets and staff to do personal work at his home.

A joint press release from the Minister of Tourism Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster and the Minister for Private Enterprises Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo said they met with the board of the STA.

In a scathing report released earlier this month, McLaren and his team found that the IWF had been plagued by decades of corruption and also discovered the doping infractions.

These include gold and silver medallists who have not had their samples dealt with.

McLaren's investigation determined that the IWF's former president Tamas Ajan used "the tyranny of cash" to maintain control and the primary sources of this money came from doping fines paid personally to him.

Islands Business magazine reports university council chair Winston Thompson has established a team to investigate vice chancellor Pal Ahluwalia.

However, Mr Thompson has not specified the allegations against Prof Ahluwalia.

Last May, Prof Ahluwalia questioned contract renewals of at least 11 senior members of university staff.

He also questioned payments of professional and development leave.

It comes after leaked remarks suggested Iran knew immediately that it had struck the plane.

Ukrainian TV aired an exchange between air traffic control and a pilot who was landing as the jet crashed.

The Iranian pilot allegedly states he saw a flash like missile fire in the sky, and then an explosion.

Iran initially denied responsibility for the downing on 8 January that killed 176, but Ukraine's president said the conversation proved the country knew the flight had been hit by a missile.

All nine people on board the helicopter died, including Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.

Investigators are expected to focus on the weather conditions, which were foggy, and on any mechanical failures that may have occurred.

Bryant was considered to be one of the greatest players in the game's history.

He was a five-time NBA champion for his only team, the Los Angeles Lakers, and a double Olympic gold medallist. He retired in April 2016.

Tributes from fans, fellow basketball players and other public figures have been pouring in from around the world.

Tahiti-infos reported that investigators probing the disappearance of Jean-Pascal Couraud, known as JPK, have detained the two to again try to establish when and how he went missing.

The investigation was opened in 2004 after the family lodged a complaint for murder in response to a claim by a former spy that the journalist had been kidnapped and killed by a militia in the service of the government.

The body was never found amid speculation it was dumped between Tahiti and Moorea.

The young civil engineer’s death has sparked controversy with some people taking to social media to vent their frustrations at police investigations.

“At this point no arrests have been made as investigation is still continuing,” police said in a statement Thursday night.

“There have been a lot of speculations and threats made on social media, SPS urges the public not to take the law into their own hands but allow the law to take its course. Threats to any person(s) or damages to properties as a result of such actions is a criminal offence.”

The official said that among the things investigators are looking at is whether a doctor was on a plane that made an emergency landing in Illinois less than a week before Prince died.

The law enforcement official has been briefed on the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.