Samoa

Over 200 people in Samoa took part in the global activity which is now in its 30th year of operation.  Volunteers cleaned up around 1,030 kg’s of rubbish from the Gasegase River, and 135 kg’s of rubbish from the Apia Harbour, all of which was sorted and sent to the recyclers and the landfill.

Last year, more than 500,000 people around the world picked up more than 7 million kilogrammes of rubbish along more than 20,000 kilometers of coastline. 

Talamua reports the woman was working in the tower by herself last week when she was stabbed in the chest by an unknown attacker.

A police spokesperson, Superintendent Su'a Muliaga Tiumalu, says the woman managed to defend herself, but was unable to identify the attacker despite the close range.

Su'a says security at the control tower is tight, and police suspect the attacker climbed a ladder on the side of the tower, as the door can only be opened from inside.

Tupuola wants a review of the court settlement last August over monthly payments to the family of Faumuina Tutuila who took the village council to court and won damages.

That money, about US$350,000, was to cover fire damage to their properties after the village council had ordered their destruction during a lengthy land dispute.

Tupuola wants a review of the settlement payments because several other defendants who are also matai of the village had successfully had themselves declared bankrupt.

The Samoa squad named has just one player, defender Lagmaina Akari, who has turned out at regional level before.

Coach Leti Tamasese also has no previous experience with a national team.

That will leave Akari, who was a member of the senior team which took part in the recent XV Pacific Games in Port Moresby, to shoulder much of the leadership responsibility in a squad made up of players based in Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

Stanley made his test debut only in November, but head coach Stephen Betham said the 25-year-old directed the team well during the Pacific Nations Cup and has proven himself more than capable of stepping up to the first five-eight duties.

He also slotted a crucial penalty in their victory over the United States last weekend, after Pisi had struggled with the boot.

The other changes are in the forwards, with hooker Motu Matu'u and prop Census Johnston starting in place of Ole Avei and Anthony Perenise.

Investigations are continuing into the incident in which a 9 year-old boy was accidentally shot in the head with a rifle by his 10 year-old cousin.

A police assistant arms officer Todd Iosefa says there are strict requirements for people wanting to obtain a gun licence and they must take a theory and practical test on gun safety.

But he says last week's fatal incident highlighted a need for more awareness.

The group is unhappy the ministry moved one of its services to the top level of the two storey building the NGO uses as its head office.

Victim Support recently renovated the building with most of the aid from the Japanese government and it says no funding came from the police.

The group's treasurer, Sam Fruean, says it is also concerned people might not feel good about visiting the Victim Support head office now.

Adriaan Strauss, who will win his 50th cap, is the starting hooker, while Duane Vermeulen will make his first Test appearance of the year in the No 8 jersey as coach Heyneke Meyer reacted swiftly to the shock of defeat against Japan.

Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen and Damian De Allende return in the backline – with skipper Jean de Villiers shifting to outside centre – while there are new halfbacks in Handré Pollard and Fourie du Preez.

The Samoa team features a number of players who took part in the Commonwealth Youth Games sevens competition in Apia earlier this month.

Samoa have never beaten New Zealand in five schools internationals dating back to 1999, while they've lost each of their seven matches against Australia since 2001.

The second round of matches is on Monday with Samoa and Australia Schools going head to head, with Samoa to face the Australian Schools Barbarians on Friday.

Last year New Zealand won the annual Tri-Series in Wellington against Australia and Fiji.

Samoa's electoral office has discovered several discrepancies and cases of alleged forgery in the electoral rolls.

Sixty people were found to have been registered without meeting the required criteria.

Among the cases is that of a village mayor or pulenuu who is alleged to have declared the eligibility of four voters in different constituencies using one birth certificate.

The acting Electoral Commissioner, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, says ten cases have been referred to the police for investigation and possible criminal charges.