SAMOA COURT DISMISSES CHARGES AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS

The Samoa Observer is reporting that the charges against six police officers accused of attacking a man late last year have been withdrawn and dismissed by the District Court.

The decision was made by Judge Vaepule Vaemoa Vaai following an application by lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office.

The accused were Timoteo Ufagalilo, Nuia Sekone, Titimaea, Uios Tolua, Steven Fidow and Sililo Mafitaga. They all faced charges of actual bodily harm and common assault.

The charges arose from an allegation by the victim, Kapeneta Faailo, of Tanugamanono that he was assaulted by the officers when they tried to arrest him at Tanugamanono.

However, under cross examination from defense lawyer, Rosella Papali’i, he agreed that he had fallen on the bumper of the police vehicle causing the injuries to his nose and forehead. He also agreed that his memory was not as accurate, as he was drunk.  (Samoa Observer)

 SAMOA RATIFIES LANDMARK ARMS TREATY

Samoa has ratified a landmark international treaty to control the global arms trade.

Samoa joined seven other countries at the United Nations to deposit their instruments of ratification to the Arms Trade Treaty which seeks to thwart the flow of arms to conflict regions.

It is the first among Pacific Island countries to take the step, bringing to 40 the number of countries ratifying so far.

Ten more countries are needed before the agreement comes into force.

Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are among the treaty's 118 signatories.

The treaty requires countries, which ratify it to establish national regulations around the movement of guns and other arms. (RNZI)

MANU SAMOA GETS UP TO SPEED FOR TONGA MATCH

The Manu Samoa side has to make the most of only a small window of time to prepare for this weekend's Rugby test against Tonga.

The coach, Stephen Betham has named a 31-man squad for the Pacific Nations Rugby Cup and upcoming Italy games.

The majority of the side arrived in Apia on Monday and six players involved in the European finals over the weekend have made their way over.

The forwards coach Tom Coventry, who is also the Chiefs assistant coach in the Super Rugby competition, says it's always demanding putting together a team of players that are scattered around the world.

"The Samoan representative players are spread all across the globe and sometimes it's difficult to corral them all for a short window of time. The challenge for any of the Pacific island nations is just to get them back together from around the myriad of clubs that they play for all over the world."

The Samoa forwards coach is Tom Coventry. Samoa hosts Tonga at Apia Park on Saturday. (RNZI)

SAMOA MAY YET SEE ALL BLACKS LIVE

Calls for the All Blacks to play a test match in Samoa, which initially fell on deaf ears, appear to finally be resonating with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

After saying that All Black fixtures in Japan and the United States were about spreading the game's global appeal and were "definitely not" about the money, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew told Manawatu Standard newspaper, the main barrier to playing in the Pacific Islands was a crowded international calendar.

If, as Tew says, money is not a factor in determining where the All Blacks play, it speaks volumes about the NZRU's priorities and where the Pacific Islands rank among them.

It seems now, though, that the NZRU has been forced by overwhelming public sentiment to soften his stance on the Samoa issue.

During Prime Minister John Key's visit to the island nation for the Independence Day celebration, his Samoan counterpart Tuilaepa Sailele suggested a visit by the All Blacks had been confirmed. Key contacted Steve Tew to clarify the situation and, while Sailele had overstated the situation, Tew confirmed to Key that the NZRU was keen to take the All Blacks to Samoa and would work on a date.

It seems unlikely to happen soon, but the NZRU appears to have been persuaded that it needs to happen. (Stuff NZ)