Samoa

RNZ reports Polynesian Airlines is the only carrier servicing the inter-Samoa route and has faced ongoing delays for weeks.

At one of the busiest times of the year, two of the carrier's three Twin Otter planes have been regularly out of action.

Flights between the American Samoa islands of Tutuila and Manu'a have also been interrupted.

“This is the first time our school has even participated in such a tournament. No one knew that the girls would have a talent in rugby league, but we’re so glad to see they love it,” said St. Mary’s coach Ben Ulaula.

NRL Manager for Samoa, Gabrielle Apelu, says the initiative means more than just a competition for a shiny cup, but a way to encourage girls to compete in sports and reassure them that women and girls are just as welcome to play as anyone else.

The tournament is part of NRL’s ongoing efforts to encourage females to participate in what has been a male dominated sports for many years with the aim to provide young girls with an opportunity to showcase leadership and sportsmanship.

It included four teams with players ranging from the ages of 16 to 18 years selected to represent their schools.

Keen young ladies from Pesega College, Papauta Girls College and St Mary’s College took the challenge and went head to head vying to be the inaugural winners of the tournament.

Acting Police spokesperson, Su’a Le Mamea Tiumalu says they are trying to determine whether the teenagers are part of a criminal gang.

However, he says they were apprehended on suspicions of conspiracy to cause a riot.

“The five teenagers are under investigations for planning to start a fight in town. Police were monitoring social media and thanks to the help of the public we identified a few who were having exchanges about starting a brawl in town,” said Su’a.

The tournament will be staged at Suncorp Stadium on February 11 and 12, and will run for the next four years.

Samoa is the only international team involved, alongside all ten New Zealand and Australian Super Rugby teams, the Bulls from South Africa, Panasonic Wild Knights from Japan and French giants Toulon.

Samoa Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai said they welcomed the opportunity to compete against some of the world's professional rugby clubs.

The project is through the Regional English Language office of the embassy and caters to encouraging creative learning not just using black board and chalk, but by engaging in what they are learning.

“The aim for these centres are to provide a dynamic and vibrant space, that improves rural youths’ ability to learn English and compete academically,” said interim Charge de Affaires for the United States Embassy, Emily Armitage.

The alleged incident occurred at Seventh Day Adventist College in Lalovaea and a complaint was lodged by the victim, Vincent Tuivaiti last Wednesday.

 Acting Police spokesperson, Su’a LeMamea Tiumalu confirmed the investigation.

“The situation we have is that the student did not have his homework done, and when the teacher asked about it, he didn’t deliver it on that date, so the teacher (allegedly) kicked him out of class,” said Su’a.

Mr and Mrs Felise run a local courier company but when the call came to be a New Zealand wholesaler she wanted to help out knowing the product’s value.  But it was also a good fit for the courier business.

RNZ reports one of the village matais and former MP, Aulavemai Tafito Selesele, said none of the youth from his village committed a crime, but had apologised for their behaviour.

The told a special village meeting on Monday that they were members of the Original Blood Outlaw gang or the O.B.O.

Aulavemai said as part of their punishment the gang members cleaned and repainted a building they'd painted with graffiti.

They had also been cutting the grass and carry out some other works ordered by the matais.

The MOU was signed between Australian High Commissioner Sue Langford and Samoa's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao.