SN News Mon 07-22-2013
Transcription
SN News Mon 07-22-2013
ASDOE: public school teachers must have B.Ed degrees by ‘16 3 Court sentences four men given 28 months for sex with minor 5 Wrestlers at Ancient Olympia with future of sport in mind B1 C M Y K Afalava: O le fa’amamaina o auala ma nuu o le galuega a tagata uma… 10 It’s true that there is a strong bond among Soldiers that fight and survive together, and the strength of this bond overshadows all others, even family, and sometimes, even death. Often, it seems like this small “band of brothers” are the only ones that can understand one another. Pictured are CSM Iuniasolua Savusa (RET); MAJ Tauapai Laupola (RET); CSM Tuileama Nua (RET) who, before returning to Tutuila after celebrating Manu’a Cession Day last week, took time out to visit the gravesite of fallen US Army SSG Tuialu’ulu’u, Salamo Jared. Tuialuuluu died in Mosul, Iraq, when his Stryker military vehicle received enemy fire during convoy operations. Samoa News pays tribute to our ‘band of brothers and sisters’ — lest we forget that freedom is not free. [Photo: Terry Custodio Auva’a] online @ samoanews.com Daily Circulation 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA Monday, July 22, 2013 $1.00 Governor counters Proposed asphalt plant faces complaints against opposition at PNRS hearing 3 senior staffers Over 200 Tualauta residents sign petition against it “Without them, I don’t know what we’d do” by Fili Sagapolutele, Samoa News Correspondent C M Y K During a July 11th cabinet meeting, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga fended off complaints against staff of the Governor’s Office, especially most of his staffers who the governor says work almost 24-hours a day in moving the ASG to where it is today. The three senior staffers that the governor identified by name are his legal counsel Steven Watson, Executive Assistant Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, and Chief of Staff Fiu Johnny Saelua. Lolo addressed the issue of complaints about the trio, which does not come as a surprise as there has been criticism and complaints circulating within the administration about the three men. Even some managers within the administration have complained quietly to lawmakers about the three senior staffers of the Governor’s Office. Lolo told directors that he knows there are a lot of times cabinet members complain about his senior staff but “those are the people who really help us move this government” and “those are the people who really do the work for us.” “So bear with it,” he said, “because the only way we can move this government, is for them to move us to move you. That’s their purpose [at the Governor’s Office] and they’re very committed.” According to the governor, Iulogologo, Watson and Fiu “work almost 24-hours a day.” “I know they come in at odd hours, they come in when I call them. My agenda has no time schedule,” said Lolo, adding that he would call Iulogologo, Watson, or Fiu at 11p.m. when he remembers things that need to be done or something that needs to be addressed. “And that’s how we move this government, and we thank God for giving them the strength to advise us on what to do,” he said. “We’re very capable of taking advice.” The governor said he made sure to remind the trio, “None of them come between you - the director - and us (the governor and lieutenant governor)”. “But their role has been very effective in terms of moving this government. Without them, I don’t know what we’d do,” Lolo told directors. “So we rely on people like the staff [at the governor’s office]. Sometimes they get on you, they push you to do things, and that’s the only way we can accomplish what we’ve set out to accomplish.” The governor then reiterated to directors his sincere thanks and appreciation for “your efforts in getting this government to move [forward] and we hope we continue to do things the way we are doing now” for the betterment of the community. Lolo acknowledged that mistakes will be made along the way but that’s how “we progress” and “how we improve...is to know our short comings, and what we do wrong” and then correct those mistakes. “Many times, we make bad decisions, but we have to come back and sit down and think about it. Don’t forget, mistakes is part of what we do,” he said and jokingly told directors not to make mistakes too often. The comment sparked laughter from the cabinet members. “We cannot satisfy everybody” but “we do our best”, he added. By B. Chen, Samoa News Correspondent Some 221 residents of Tualauta District signed a petition that was submitted to the Project Notification and Review System (PNRS) Board last week during a public hearing on the Land Use Permit Application (LUPA) received by the Department of Commerce/American Samoa Coastal Management Program from Papali’i Lauli’i Alofa and Paramount Builders proposing to construct an asphalt plant in Tafuna. This is the same site, where the government asphalt plant used by the Department of Public Works is located, and it is also the former location of the McConnell Dowell asphalt plant that has since been relocated closer to the airport runway. Last week’s PNRS hearing was conducted by Consolidated Permit Review Manager Marvis Vaiaga’e and members of the PNRS board comprising representatives from the American Samoa Power Authority, the American Samoa Historical Preservation Office, the Governor’s Office, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, and the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency. Also, present were Tualauta residents Esther Wall and Lucia Bartley, who were both there to voice their opposition to the location of the proposed asphalt plant. Representing Paramount Builders was Danny Delara who fielded questions from ASEPA’s Kuka Matavao who did not hold back in expressing his concerns over the health risks involved if the proposal goes through. According to Delara, the proposed asphalt plant is to supply asphalt for the ongoing Airport Road Project which is currently at the (Continued on page 15) SFC Steffany-Alosu’esu’emanogi (RET) is pictured here during the saofa’i ceremony for Aumoeualogo Te’o J. Fuavai this past weekend in Aoa. His Samoan tatau shows how deeply rooted we are in culture and traditions, and that no matter where in the world life takes us, the tatau will always identify you as a Samoan. The retired military serviceman is dancing during the cultural presentation of traditional gifts, which [photo: Nav-I-Pics/Ararat Afalava] is the common practice during saofa’i ceremonies. Page 2 samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 by Fili Sagapolutele, Samoa News Correspondent Twenty cars torched near Paris after “veil tensions” TRAPPES, France (AP) — Riot police patrolled Sunday in suburbs west of Paris that have seen cars torched and a police station attacked amid tensions linked to authorities’ handling of France’s ban on Muslim face veils. Some 20 cars were set ablaze overnight and four people detained in a second night of violence, officials said Sunday. Interior Minister Manuel Valls said the overnight incidents targeted the town of Elancourt. The second night of unrest seemed less intense and appeared to involve fewer people than the night before, when some 250 people clashed with police in the nearby town of Trappes. Still, the interior minister insisted in a statement that extra police will remain deployed in the area Sunday night and stay as long as needed until calm returns. The violence evoked memories of weeks of car torchings and clashes with police in neglected neighborhoods around France in 2005. That rioting was sparked by the deaths of two teens who were electrocuted while hiding from police, as people around the country — many of them jobless youth from poor, immigrant backgrounds — unleashed pent-up frustrations on police and public property. While the government has poured money into projects to solve some of the problems that led to that rioting, tensions remain. The violence began Friday after a group of residents gathered at the police station to protest the arrest of a man whose wife was ticketed Thursday for wearing a face veil. The regional prosecutor said the husband tried to strangle the officer who was doing the ticketing. France has barred face veils since 2011. Proponents of the ban argue the veil oppresses women and contradicts France’s principles of secularism, which are enshrined in the constitution. The ban affects only a very small minority of French Muslims, but some say it feeds discrimination against moderate Muslims, too. On the first night of unrest in Trappes, a 14-year-old boy and three police officers were injured and several people detained. On the second night, “The beginning of the night was calm, nothing happened. But in the second part of the night, a small group formed. About 50 assailants were involved, they started to fight against police and burned vehicles and garbage and public goods,” David Callu of the SGP police union told reporters Sunday. He said some assailants were firing weapons and a gasoline bomb at police. On Sunday, riot officers stood stationed in front of the police station where the violence started Friday night. Meanwhile, a warehouse of house and garden materials was ablaze in Trappes on Sunday, and authorities were trying to determine whether there was a link to the other violence. Firefighters were working to extinguish the flames. Benoit Hamon, the government’s minister for social and economic solidarity, sought to point out efforts to crack down on perpetrators of anti-Muslim acts as well as those who attack police stations. Two people were sentenced to two months in prison this month after threatening a Muslim woman in a headscarf with a knife in Trappes, he said. CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER NOMINATION SENT TO THE FONO The Governor’s nomination of former police commissioner Tuaolo Manaia E. Fruean, as the new Chief Election Officer for a term of three years is now in the Legislature. In his July 8th nomination letter to Fono leaders, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, says Tuaolo is a “respected traditional leader” who “brings a vast amount of experience” to this post. He pointed out that Tuaolo has served in the House, the Senate, and retired from the High Court as an associate judge for many years. “...Tuaolo’s experience across all three branches of government and his role as a traditional leader, makes him uniquely qualified to meet the challenges of the position of Chief Election Officer,” said Lolo, who urged the Fono for early review and confirmation of the nominee. The nomination was introduced in the House last Friday and assigned to the appropriate House committee for a hearing Wednesday morning. The nomination is expected to be introduced this week in the Senate. TAOTASI QUESTIONS GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT Rep. Taotasi Archie Soliai has questioned the target of Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga’s statement regarding the annual budget books that are sent to the Fono as not used by faipules but instead, being thrown around. The Ituau lawmaker raised the question during Friday’s House session when an issue dealing with financial reports was discussed. Taotasi said it’s very important that the Fono has a full understanding of all government revenues in the past quarters before the administration submits the new fiscal year 2014 budget for legislative review and approval. (Reports for the last two quarters of FY 2013 have already been distributed to the Fono and the third quarter - which ended June 30 - is expected to be submitted to the Fono in mid-August.) Taotasi said that the governor spoke about the big budget books that have been sent to the Fono and get thrown around by faipule, but it is unclear whom the governor is referencing. In past years, the sitting administration would submit two budget books, with one being much thicker, covering details of specific agencies, departments, and offices, as well as special programs. The second book — a bit smaller in size — was for the Enterprise Fund, which includes semi-autonomous agencies. During the July 11th cabinet meeting, Lolo told directors that it costs between $37,000 and $40,000 to print the “big [budget] books that “faipule just throw around — they don’t use them”. He said this year’s budget submission to the Fono would be done using “modern technology” with the entire budget details on a computer disc so “we can cut down on the cost”. He said the budget summary would be submitted on hard copy. It remains unclear over the weekend as to when the administration will send the final FY 2014 budget to the Fono for review and approval. Many lawmakers plan to seek a lot of financial reports from the administration prior to holding any budget hearings in order for them to get a better understanding on where the government stands financially. Treasury had forecast, at the end of the first quarter, which ended Dec. 31, 2012 — that the total general fund deficit would be $8.86 million. With all other funds in the Treasury cash pool added, ASG was projecting a deficit of more than $9.8 million by the close of FY 2013. However, in the second quarter performance report, Treasury says ASG is now looking at a deficit of $1.25 million for the general fund. If other funds in the Treasurer’s Cash Pool are added, the Treasurer says ASG is forecasting a deficit of $3.01 million for FY 2013. Treasurer Dr. Falema’o ‘Phil’ Pili told Samoa News early last month that ASG still has many unbudgeted commitments being carried forward from prior years; and “we continually try to be more frugal, more creative in how we expend our limited financial resources currently available.” He added, “We have been very active in our efforts to explore new revenue measures, determining ways to stabilize and to ensure financial liquidity to meet our immediate required treasury mandate. It’s going to take a little time to materialize these planned innovative ideas, but when it finally comes into full fruition, it should bring a renewed perspective to our overall economy as a whole.” (all ANSWERs on page 14) ASDOE directive — all public school teachers must have B.Ed degrees by ‘16 by Fili Sagapolutele, Samoa News Correspondent Local Department of Education Director Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau has issued a directive for all public school teachers to have a Bachelor of Education degree in four years time, a move that comes as the Lolo Administration battles to improve low student performance rates in public schools. According to statistics presented by ASDOE during a Senate hearing in April this year, more than 50% of teachers hold an Associate of Arts degree or less. ASDOE also says only 8% of teachers hold a masters degree; 37% hold a bachelors; 26% hold an AA, while 29% hold less than an AA degree. “I have put out a directive that I expect all teachers currently in the system to complete their Bachelor of Education degree by 2016. I have also stated in our leadership meeting that DOE will not hire anymore teachers with less than a bachelors degree by the year 2016,” Vaitinasa said over the weekend responding to Samoa News questions. She explained that ASDOE has “ongoing professional development contracts” with the College of Education at the University of Hawai’i (UH) for “our teachers to obtain their Bachelor of Education degree and just recently a 4-year bachelor degree program at the American Samoa Community College as well.” According to the director, these two degree programs will help achieve the ASDOE’s directive and goal. “DOE is required by federal grant programs to hire only ‘qualified teachers’ or teachers who have had the training and credentials from a 4-year accredited college/university,” she explained. “I expect all teachers who are currently in the system to complete their programs by that year or at the least, be in the pipeline.” “Consideration will be given to teachers who have served the department faithfully and are about ready to retire. They will be ‘grandfathered’ in the system,” she added. When asked why she set this goal for 2016 and the importance of it to the department, Vaitinasa explained, “Research has reported time after time that the single most important factor in the academic achievement of students is the teacher — therefore the preparation of teachers is critical.” Additionally, for close to 30 years in American Samoa, assessment of student academic performances report that 70% of local students tested below basic in reading and math. “We know that this is due largely because over 50% of our teachers have not completed their undergraduate programs,” she said. “We want to change this academic outcome of students’ performances by first concentrating on the quality of our teachers preparation programs and then the teacher’s performance in the classroom.” Vaitinasa emphasized that a teacher must have a Bachelor degree in Education under the initiative by the department to have all teachers hold BAs by 2016. “Inclusive in the attainment of a bachelors degree are the content courses which will be required: English, Math, etc.,” she said. “Our new curriculum standards demand in-depth knowledge in the content areas.” “I am of the belief that the language of instruction used in the classrooms for grades ECE to Grade 5 is another critical factor. We are currently looking into these critical factors in the education services of students,” Vaitinasa added. Asked how ASCC being accredited with a 4-year Bachelor of Education degree program will help ASDOE achieve its goal by 2016, the director replied, “We have an agreement with ASCC to prepare our elementary teachers who are assigned to teach children in grades K-6.” She added that “UH is contracted to prepare our teachers who will teach grades 7-12. All teachers are required to take courses to teach content areas, especially English as a Second Language (ESL) and Samoan language arts.” Vaitinasa first revealed her directive during the July 11th cabinet meeting saying, “over half of our teachers have only an AA degree or less” while in the U.S., “no one can teach without a bachelor and [teacher] certification.” “Here in American Samoa we’re trying to make that change. We just don’t have lines of American Samoan people with bachelors [degree] waiting for us to hire them,” she said, noting that DOE “tries to get the best of them and the best of them are coming out” of ASCC. “So we hire community college graduates and while they are teaching, we’re trying to help them teach appropriately,” she told cabinet members. “The teacher is the most critical person in the classroom.” Vaitinasa said ASDOE would help teachers without a bachelor’s degree who are already in the ASDOE system obtain their degree. “We are working on getting our teachers ‘highly qualified’ and certified,” she concluded. samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Page 3 Page 4 samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Survey – Brighter US economic outlook boosts hiring WASHINGTON (AP) — Companies are increasingly confident the economy will grow at a modest pace over the next year and are hiring more, according to a survey of business economists. Nearly one-third of the economists surveyed by the National Association for Business Economics said their companies added jobs in the April-June quarter, according to a report released Monday. That’s the highest percentage in nearly two years. And 39 percent expect their firms will hire more in the next six months. That’s near the two-year high of 40 percent reached in the January-March quarter. The hiring pickup occurred even though sales and profit growth slowed in the second quarter. Optimism about future economic growth increased. Nearly three-quarters of the survey respondents forecast growth of 2.1 percent or more over the next 12 months. That’s up from twothirds in the first quarter survey, released in April, and the most in a year. The quarterly survey’s results echo much of the recent data tracking the economy. Growth has been slow in the past nine months, but employers have added jobs at a healthy pace. Many economists anticipate that the steady hiring will help accelerate growth in the second half of this year. The NABE surveyed 65 of its member economists between June 18 and July 2. The economists work for companies from a variety of industries, including manufacturing, transportation and utilities, finance, retail and other services. Among the findings: — Only about 35 percent of the respondents said sales at their firms increased in the second quarter. That’s sharply lower than the 55 percent who reported rising sales in the first quarter. And 15 percent said sales fell, up from 9 percent in the first quarter. — Profit growth also slowed: Only 21 percent of respondents said profit margins increased last quarter, down from 29 percent in the first. — Only 19 percent of economists said their firms were raising wages and salaries, down from 31 percent in April and the lowest proportion since October. — A small but increasing minority of respondents say that government spending cuts and tax increases have hurt their businesses. Twenty-six percent of the economists said their firms were negatively impacted, up from only 16 percent in April. Still, 74 percent said the government policies had no impact on their businesses, though that’s down from 79 percent three months earlier. Looking ahead, companies are increasingly concerned about higher interest rates. That reflects the jump in rates that took place following Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments in late May that the Fed could slow its bond-buying program later this year. Those purchases are intended to keep interest rates low. The interest rate on the 10-year Treasury bond, a benchmark that influences mortgage rates and other borrowing costs, has increased nearly a full percentage point to about 2.5 percent since May. When asked for their biggest concern over the next 12 months, 17 percent of the respondents cited rising interest rates. That is a big jump from April, when only 4 percent cited such concerns. The biggest concern for most companies is the health of the global economy, which was cited by nearly one-third of the respondents. Europe’s financial crisis has plunged that region into a recession, and growth in China, Brazil and other large emerging markets has also slowed. That’s crimping U.S. exports. © Osini Faleatasi Inc. reserves all rights. dba Samoa News is published Monday through Saturday, except for some local and federal holidays. Please send correspondences to: OF, dba Samoa News, Box 909, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. Contact us by Telephone at (684) 633-5599 Contact us by Fax at (684) 633-4864 Contact us by Email at [email protected] Normal business hours are Mon. thru Fri. 8am to 5pm. Permission to reproduce editorial and/or advertisements, in whole or in part, is required. Please address such requests to the Publisher at the address provided above. Renee Vaughan holds a sign up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X’s group march in the River Oaks community in Houston, Sunday, July 21, 2013. Dueling groups of protesters converged on a wealthy Houston neighborhood in reaction to last weekend’s not-guilty verdict in the (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, James Nielsen) shooting death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin. Across US, people rally for ‘Justice for Trayvon’ ATLANTA (AP) — Crowds chanted “Justice! Justice!” as they rallied in dozens of U.S. cities Saturday, urging authorities to change self-defense laws and press federal civil rights charges against a former neighborhood watch leader found not guilty in the shooting death of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin. The Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network organized the “Justice for Trayvon” rallies and vigils outside federal buildings in at least 101 cities one week after a jury delivered the verdict for George Zimmerman in Martin’s 2012 death in a gated central Florida community. “No justice! No peace!” participants chanted. Some sang hymns, prayed and held hands. Many held signs — in Los Angeles, one read, “This is Amerikkka: From Dred Scott to Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin, black people have no rights that white people are bound to respect.” The case has become a flashpoint in separate but converging national debates over selfdefense, guns, and race relations. Zimmerman, who successfully claimed that he was protecting himself when he shot Martin, identifies himself as Hispanic. Martin was black. In Atlanta, speakers noted that the rally took place in the shadows of federal buildings named for two figures who had vastly differing views on civil rights and racial equality: Richard B. Russell was a Georgia governor and U.S. senator elected in the Jim Crow South; the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is the face of AfricanAmericans’ civil rights movement. “What’s so frightening about a black man in a hood?” said the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who now occupies the pulpit at King’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. In New York, hundreds of people — including Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, and music superstars Jay-Z and Beyonce — gathered in the heat. Fulton told the crowd she was determined to fight for changes needed to ensure that black youths are no longer viewed with suspicion because of their skin color. “I promise you I’m going to work for your children as well.” Earlier Saturday, at Sharpton’s headquarters in Harlem, she implored people to understand that the tragedy involved more than Martin alone. “Today it was my son. Tomorrow it might be yours,” she said. In addition to pushing the Justice Department to investigate civil rights charges against Zimmerman, Sharpton told supporters In New York that he wants to see a rollback of standyour-ground self-defense laws. “We are trying to change laws so that this never, ever happens again,” Sharpton said. His daughters, Ashley and Dominique Sharpton, were scheduled to lead a follow-up march Sunday in Harlem. Stand-your-ground laws are on the books in more than 20 states, and they go beyond many older, traditional self-defense statutes. In general, stand-your-ground laws eliminate a person’s duty to retreat, if possible, in the face of a serious physical threat. Zimmerman didn’t invoke stand-your-ground, relying instead on a traditional self-defense argument, but the judge included a provision of the law in the jurors’ instructions, allowing them to consider it as a legitimate defense. Neither was race discussed in front of the jury. But the two topics have dominated public discourse about the case, and came up throughout Saturday’s rallies. “It’s personal,” said Cincinnati resident Chris Donegan, whose 11-year-old son wore a hoodie to the rally, as Martin did the night he died. “Anybody who is black with kids, Trayvon Martin became our son.” In Indianapolis, the Rev. Jeffrey Johnson told roughly 200 attendees that the rallies were about making life safer for young black men who are still endangered by racial profiling. Johnson compared Zimmerman’s acquittal to that of four white officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King in 1992. “The verdict freed George Zimmerman, but it condemned America more,” said Johnson, pastor of the Eastern Star Church in Indianapolis and a member of the board of directors of the National Action Network. In Miami, Tracy Martin spoke about his son. “This could be any one of our children,” he said. “Our mission now is to make sure that this doesn’t happen to your child.” He recalled a promise he made to his son as he lay in his casket. “I will continue to fight for Trayvon until the day I die.” Shantescia Hill held a sign in Miami that read: “Every person deserves a safe walk home.” The 31-year-old mother, who is black, said, “I’m here because our children can’t even walk on the streets without fearing for their lives.” Attorney General Eric Holder said his department would investigate whether Zimmerman could be charged under federal civil rights laws. Such a case would require evidence that Zimmerman harbored racial animosity against Martin. samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Page 5 Court sentences four men to 28 ‘Alarming’ rise in kids injured by falling TVs months in jail for sex with minor by Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu Samoa News Reporter Chief Justice Michael Kruse handed down a 28-month prison sentence for each of the four men charged with having sexual intercourse with a 13-year old girl. Tavita Mariota, Anthony Sioka, Lewis Lokeni and Peni Levi were each charged with sexual assault, a class D felony punishable by up to seven years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor that carries a jail term of up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. The men entered into a plea agreement with the government in which they pleaded guilty to the sexual assault charge in exchange for the dismissal of the remaining charge. Prior to sentencing, all four men pleaded with the court for leniency and asked for second chances to allow them to return home to care for their parents and families. Acting Public Defender Mike White who represented the defendants asked the court to take into consideration the ages of the defendants and their remorse for their actions, and to look at the future that lies ahead for them. Kruse told the young men that the crime of having sex with a girl 16 years old or younger is a serious matter. He pointed to a law passed by the Fono that disallows girls 16 and under to engage in sexual conduct, because they are not mature enough to know the consequences of sex. Kruse noted the initial charges the four men faced had more severe penalties and the defendants could have faced up to 15 years in jail; however, the government filed new charges carrying a penalty of up to seven years. The Chief Justice noted the defendants’ pleas for a second chance to return home to care for their families yet, according to the pre-sentence report, none of the defendants are gainfully employed. In addition, two of the defendants have previous records with the District Court for public peace disturbance. Kruse said the victim in this case was 13 years old at the time of the incident and it’s the Court’s job to protect young girls from these types of incidents. He made it clear that this type of behavior is unacceptable to the Court. The defendants were each sentenced to sevenyear jail terms but execution of sentencing is suspended and the defendants are placed on probation for seven years under certain conditions. The defendants were ordered to serve 28 months in prison, and they are not allowed to contact the victim directly or indirectly upon being released from jail. They were also ordered to register as sex offenders and undergo HIV testing as mandated by law for any registered sex offender. According to the government’s case, the incident came to light when a truancy officer at Lupelele Elementary School contacted police about a possible sex case after observing “love bite marks” on a 14-year-old girl’s neck. During the investigation, the victim told police that she had engaged in sexual intercourse with the four defendants, at different times, from August 2011 to April 2012. All 4 defendants admitted to police having sex with the minor. The victim’s father told police that his daughter swallowed Clorox bleach on April 30, 2012, in an attempt to hurt herself. The victim told police that she attempted to kill herself after a teacher discovered the love bite marks on her neck and questioned her about them. CHICAGO (AP) — Falling televisions sent nearly 200,000 U.S. children to the emergency room over 20 years and the injury rate has climbed substantially for these sometimes deadly accidents, a study found. Doctors and safety experts say better awareness is needed about the dangers — especially the risks of putting heavier, older model TV sets on top of dressers and other furniture young children may try to climb on. Most injuries are in kids under 5; head and neck injuries including concussions are the most common. “This is a problem that is increasing at an alarming rate,” said lead author Dr. Gary Smith, a pediatric emergency specialist and president of the Child Injury Prevention Alliance in Columbus, Ohio. Smith said it is unclear from the data what type of TV sets are involved in the accidents or whether older, heavier models are the most common culprit. The study was published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics. In 2011, 12,300 children nationwide got ER treatment for TVrelated injuries, compared with 5,455 in 1990. The injury rate nearly doubled, from 0.85 injuries per 10,000 children aged 17 and younger in 1990 to 1.66 per 10,000 in 2011, the study found. The researchers examined national ER data on non-fatal television-related injuries to kids from 1990-2011. In many cases, the set had been placed on a dresser and the child used open drawers as stairs to climb up and reach the TV, toppling it. Over those two decades, 215 children died from these injuries, government data show, and news reports indicate that since January 2012, at least six young children have been killed nationwide by falling TVs. Scott Wolfson, spokesman for the government’s Consumer Product Safety Commission, said as flat screen TVs have become more popular, many families move heavier old TVs to bedrooms, placing them on dressers or other unsteady furniture not designed to hold them. The commission urges parents to anchor furniture to the wall or floor with brackets or other specially designed tethers. TVs also should be anchored to sturdy surfaces, the commission recommends. ORIGIN ENERGY’S TAFUNA Talk to us for the right gas advice Our specialist gas technicians provide safe, reliable installation AWARENESS TIP: Gas is cheaper than Electricity, Help us keep the air we breathe clean. Origin Instantaneous Hot Water Heater & Commercial Appliance SPECIALS!!! LPGAS 5.5 litre REU.55RT Sale on until July 31 2013 IMERIAL COMMERCIAL LPG-GRIDDLE COUNTER TOP 20% OFF IMPERIAL COMMERCIAL LPG-LOW BOY OVEN IR-36LB. 10 litres REU.1003RFRT 20% OFF 20% OFF NEW COMMERCIAL APPLIANCES HAVE JUST ARRIVED!!! CALL TAFUNA SHOWROOM AND OFFICE – 699-9740/699-2948 Page 6 samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Obama to begin a series of economic addresses NEWS IN BRIEF Strong earthquake in western China kills 47 people BEIJING (AP) — A strong earthquake in a dry, hilly farming area in western China knocked down power lines and damaged scores of homes early Monday, killing at least 47 people and injuring nearly 300, the local government said. The quake hit near the city of Dingxi in Gansu province, a region of mountains, desert and pastureland. Residents described shaking windows and swinging lights but little major damage and little panic. Tremors were felt in the provincial capital of Lanzhou 177 kilometers (110 miles) north, and as far away as Xi’an, 400 kilometers (250 miles) to the east. With a population of 26 million, Gansu is one of China’s more lightly populated provinces, although the New Jersey-sized area of Dingxi has a greater concentration of farms in rolling hills terraced with fields for crops and fruit trees. Dingxi has a total population of about 2.7 million. The deaths and injuries were reported in Min County and other rural southern parts of the municipality, Dingxi Mayor Tang Xiaoming told state broadcaster CCTV. Tang said damage was worst in the counties of Zhang and Min, where scores of homes were damaged and telephone and electricity services knocked out. Su Wei, leader of a 120-member rescue team from the paramilitary People’s Armed Police, told state broadcaster CCTV that they were on their way to the epicenter, but progress was being slowed by mud and rock slides blocking the road. The Chinese Red Cross said it was shipping 200 tents, 1,000 sets of household items, and 2,000 jackets to the area and sending teams from both Lanzhou and Beijing to help with relief work and assess further needs. Heavy rain is expected in the area later in the week, raising the need for shelter and increasing the chance of further landslides. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the magnitude of the initial quake as 5.9 and the depth at 10 kilometers (6 miles). Dingxi is about 1,233 kilometers (766 miles) west of Beijing. China’s worst earthquake in recent years was a 7.9-magnitude temblor that struck the southwestern province of Sichuan in 2008, leaving 90,000 people dead or missing. Fisherman gets 230-lb. tuna despite capsized boat LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — A 54-year-old fisherman is safe after his 14-foot boat capsized as he was landing a 230-pound tuna in the ocean off Hawaii. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued Anthony Wichman on Friday after receiving a distress call from his wife. Wichman was fishing about 10 miles southwest of Port Allen on the island of Kauai (kuhWEYE’) Friday morning when he hooked the Ahi tuna. Coast Guard Lt. Jessica Mickelson tells Hawaii News Now that Wichman was able to use his cellphone to call his wife for help. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to rescue Wichman. Friends arrived on another boat and were able to right Wichman’s boat. They towed it — and the fish — back to port. Obama — Helen Thomas a ‘true pioneer’ in journalism WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama calls the late White House correspondent Helen Thomas “a true pioneer” who broke down barriers “for generations of women in journalism.” Thomas, who covered 10 presidents, died Saturday in Washington. She was 92. Obama says Thomas “never failed to keep presidents — myself included — on their toes.” He praised her for her “fierce belief” that democracy works best when “we ask tough questions and hold our leaders to account.” Hundreds protest police shootings in Anaheim, calif. ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of people have marched through Anaheim protesting the fatal shooting of two men by police there that prompted several days of unrest. About 300 protesters gathered at Anaheim City Hall on Sunday and then went to police headquarters. The march marked the one-year anniversary of the fatal shooting of Manuel Diaz by police. Diaz was unarmed but police believed he had a weapon. A day later police shot and killed Joel Acevedo. Investigations into both shootings found police were justified in their response. Police said the protest has been peaceful. Anaheim police were involved in nine shootings last year that led to five deaths. (Continued on page 9) WASHINGTON (AP) — Drawing renewed attention to the economy, President Barack Obama will return this week to an Illinois college where he once spelled out a vision for an expanded and strengthened middle class as a freshman U.S. senator, long before the Great Recession would test his presidency. The address Wednesday at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., will be the first in a new series of economic speeches that White House aides say Obama intends to deliver over the next several weeks ahead of key budget deadlines in the fall. A new fiscal year begins in October, and the government will soon hit its borrowing limit. The speech comes just a week before Congress is scheduled to leave for its monthlong August recess and is designed to build public pressure on lawmakers in hopes of averting the showdowns over taxes and spending that have characterized past budget debates. In his economic pitch, Obama will talk about efforts to expand manufacturing, sign up the uninsured for health care coverage, revitalize the housing industry and broaden educational opportunities for preschoolers and college students. He will also promote the economic benefits of an immigration overhaul. The White House is promoting the speech as part of an arc of economic messages from the president that began at Knox College in 2005, when Obama was in his first year in the Senate. Since then, Obama has sought to raise the profile of his economic agenda with periodic speeches, including one at Georgetown University in Washington in 2009 and one in Osawatomie, Kan., in 2011. The White House posted a video highlighting Obama’s previous economic addresses. The president will also speak Wednesday at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. Obama’s focus on the economy comes as he has experienced a degree of success with the Senate, which passed an overhaul of immigration laws and unclogged a Republican blockade against several presidential nominations. It also reflects a belief at the White House that the administration has been able to manage a series of confrontations with Congress over the Internal Revenue Service, phone surveillance of Americans and the deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. “The president thinks Washington has largely taken its eye off the ball on the most important issue facing the country,” Obama senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said Sunday evening in a message sent to the White House’s public email list. “Instead of talking about how to help the middle class, too many in Congress are trying to score political points, refight old battles and trump up phony scandals.” Obama’s agenda still faces stiff opposition in the House, where Republicans have a majority. On immigration, for example, Speaker John Boehner has said the House will not pass the Senate bill and, instead, intends to deal with the issue on a piecemeal basis. Obama is pushing to end the federal budget cuts that kicked in this year so they don’t extend into the next fiscal year. That could create a showdown with congressional Republicans in September, as the end of the current fiscal year approaches. Some Republicans also want more deficit reduction as a price for raising the debt ceiling, a bargain Obama says he will not make. Republicans are fundamentally opposed to Obama’s mix of budget cuts and tax increases. It wasn’t until after last year’s election that Republicans agreed to increase taxes for the wealthiest Americans in a deal that kept taxes for most Americans at rates set during the administration of President George W. Bush. Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday, Boehner said the way to get the economy moving again is by stopping unnecessary regulations and bringing the federal deficit under control. Describing “this new normal of slow economic growth, no increase in jobs that are available, wages are being basically frozen,” Boehner said: “We’re squeezing the middle class. And I would argue the president’s policies are getting in the way of the economy growing, whether it’s Obamacare, whether it’s all these needless regulations that are coming out of the government.” Obama has some wind at his back as the economy continues its recovery from the recession that began during the Bush administration. Housing is coming back, the stock market is on an upswing and consumer confidence is generally higher. But unemployment, while down from a peak of 10 percent in 2009, remains high at 7.6 percent and economic growth remains modest. Pfeiffer said Obama will unveil some new ideas, outline steps Congress can take and identify measures he can initiate on his own. “He’ll talk about the progress we’ve made together, the challenges that remain and the path forward,” Pfeiffer said. samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Page 7 $500K in proposed MONDAY, July 15 to SATURDAY, August 17 FY2014 budget for the development of BACK TO SCHOOL SALE! Su’igaula ole Atuvasa Phone: 699-9770 by Fili Sagapolutele, Samoa News Correspondent The Lolo Administration is set to develop and improve Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park at Utulei Beach with a “Samoan Cultural Village” as part of the government’s effort to identify areas to help boost tourism in American Samoa. During the July 11th cabinet meeting Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga told directors that funding of $500,000 is allocated in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2014 for the development of the Si’ugaula o le Atuvasa park “where our people can go to enjoy” themselves and a place that can be used by “your family” to spend time. “Right now it’s everybody’s park, including dogs,” he said to smiles from the directors. (Dogs are seen in the area, especially when there is a lot of trash left behind by those who use the park.) “So we’ll find a way to better use that park” at Utulei Beach, Lolo said, adding that these are just some of the many things that the government needs to do to assist the community. “Let’s show our people that we are concerned” with their wellbeing, he added. Allocating funds to develop this area of Utulei Beach follows the Governor’s visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawai’i where American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director David Vaeafe joined him. Lolo was enroute back to the territory last month and requested Vaeafe to fly to Honolulu. Responding to Samoa News questions, Vaeafe said over the weekend that the Governor is looking at the new Fale Samoa site as part of creating activities for a Samoan Cultural Village for visitors from cruise ships as well as local residents to enjoy. He said part of the project would have an outdoor stage with entertainment “drawing people from cruise ships as well and our own residents.” Vaeafe said, “The governor is committed to tourism development and to identifying areas for developing this sector of the local economy.” He explained that Lolo is allocating the $500K for the project from Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds, which involves the Visitor’s Bureau, Department of Parks and Recreation, and other ASG agencies. The Su’igaula o le Atuvasa portion of the Utulei Beach, the area next to the former home of the Pago Pago Yacht Club and now occupied by DDW Beach Cafe, was named and designated by former Gov. Togiola Tulafono four years ago as one of the venues for the 10th Festival of the Pacific Arts hosted by American Samoa in the Summer of 2010. This was before the new traditional Fale Samoa was built, about two years ago. During the arts festival, which attracted more than 4,000 delegates and visitors from around the region, there was an outdoor stage at Su’igaula Park (at the other end of the park from the Fale Samoa) used for cultural performances and other activities. BACKGROUND The Fale Samoa, the “Le Upega Ua Toe Timata” — Fale Tele Project begun under then Secretary of Samoan Affairs Office, the late Tufele F. Li’amatua. At the time, Tufele said he envisioned the Fale Samoa as a center for learning for the youth of the territory of Samoan cultural traditions, including house (fale) building — and would hopefully be followed by others being built throughout the territory for use by villages and districts as focus for the Samoan cultural development for youth. The project was funded by the Department of Interior – Office of Insular Affairs. During his Flag Day keynote address in 2012, then DOI Assistant Secretary of Insular Areas Anthony M. Babauta spoke briefly about the project and said that during his trip to the territory the year before, he made a promise to Tufele that his office “would assist in upholding its part of an agreement that had been forged over a century ago.” “This fale will be a symbol of what is sacred to the faa-Samoa, in particular the family and matai system — which is the heart of the Samoan culture,” said Babauta. “It will provide a forum to learn the fa’alupega.” During the groundbreaking in 2011, Tufele said the guesthouse is to serve the people of American Samoa. At the time, then Governor Togiola Tulafono said when Tufele took over as Secretary of Samoan Affairs, he told the administration that the ‘Si’ugaula o le Atuvasa’ at Utulei Beach is not complete and “we need a dignified [guest] house for the people.” Togiola said the idea caught his attention because it would be a “house that will stand as a monument to our forefathers and will lay claim to the present generations for and on behalf of the children, who are not even born.” Only 29¢ $1.99 each $2.99 each $1.49 each More great deals throughout the store! Authorized Dealer For Backpacks Huge Selection Of Products Find all your school supplies at ACE! *We reserve the right to limit quantities. While supplies last. Page 8 samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 This undated aerial photo released by the Israel Antiquities Authority shows the archeological site in Khirbet Qeiyafa, west of Jerusalem. A team of Israeli archaeologists say they have discovered a palace used by King David at the site, a historic discovery that was quickly disputed by other members of the countryís archaeological community. (AP Photo/SkyView, HOEP) Israeli team — King David’s palace found JERUSALEM (AP) — A team of Israeli archaeologists believes it has discovered the ruins of a palace belonging to the biblical King David, but other Israeli experts dispute the claim. Archaeologists from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Israel’s Antiquities Authority said their find, a large fortified complex west of Jerusalem at a site called Khirbet Qeiyafa , is the first palace of the biblical king ever to be discovered. “Khirbet Qeiyafa is the best example exposed to date of a fortified city from the time of King David,” said Yossi Garfinkel, a Hebrew University archaeologist, suggesting that David himself would have used the site. Garfinkel led the sevenyear dig with Saar Ganor of Israel’s Antiquities Authority. Garfinkel said his team found cultic objects typically used by Judeans, the subjects of King David, and saw no trace of pig remains. Pork is forbidden under Jewish dietary laws. Clues like these, he said, were “unequivocal evidence” that David and his descendants had ruled at the site. Critics said the site could have belonged to other kingdoms of the area. The consensus among most scholars is that no definitive physical proof of the existence of King David has been found. Biblical archaeology itself is contentious. Israelis often use archaeological findings to back up their historic claims to sites that are claimed by the Palestinians, like the Old City of Jerusalem. Despite extensive archaeological evidence, for example, Palestinians deny that the biblical Jewish Temples dominated the hilltop where the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam’s third-holiest site, stands today. In general, researchers are divided over whether biblical stories can be validated by physical remains. The current excavators are not the first to claim they found a King David palace. In 2005, Israeli archaeologist Eilat Mazar said she found the remains of King David’s palace in Jerusalem dating to the 10th century B.C., when King David would have ruled. Her claim also attracted skepticism, including from Garfinkel himself. Using carbon dating, the archaeologists traced the site’s construction to that same period. Garfinkel said the team also found a storeroom almost 50 feet long, suggesting it was a royal site used to collect taxes from the rest of the kingdom. Garfinkel believes King David lived permanently in Jerusalem in a yet-undiscovered site, only visiting Khirbet Qeiyafa or other palaces for short periods. He said the site’s placement on a hill indicates that the ruler sought a secure site on high ground during a violent era of frequent conflicts between city-states. “The time of David was the first time that a large portion of this area was united by one monarch,” Garfinkel said. “It was not a peaceful era.” Archaeologist Israel Finkelstein of Tel Aviv University agreed that Khirbet Qeiyafa is an “elaborate” and “well-fortified” 10th century B.C. site, but said it could have been built by Philistines, Canaanites or other peoples in the area. He said there was no way to verify who built the site without finding a monument detailing the accomplishments of the king who built it. Last week, for instance, archaeologists in Israel found pieces of a sphinx bearing the name of the Egyptian pharaoh who reigned when the statue was carved. Garfinkel insisted that critics like Finkelstein are relying on outdated theories. “I think other people have a collapsed theory and we have fresh data,” he said. C M Y K C M Y K ➧ NEWS IN BRIEF… samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Page 9 Continued from page 6 C Y M K C M Y K Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes off New Zealand coast CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The New Zealand capital Wellington was rattled by a strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sunday that broke water mains, smashed windows and downed power lines. Wellington Police Inspector Marty Parker said there had been minor structural damage that had left parts of the city without power. There have been no reports of injury and no tsunami. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck under the Cook Strait 57 kilometers (35 miles) southwest of Wellington. It was 10 kilometers (6 miles) underground. The quake could be felt hundreds of kilometers away in the center of New Zealand’s North Island. Parker said the quake struck near nightfall. A more complete picture of the damage would emerge in the morning, he said. New Zealand is part of the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire” that receives regular seismic activity. A severe earthquake in the city of Christchurch in 2011 killed 185 people and destroyed much of the city’s downtown. Myanmar police — Explosion in Mandalay wounds 5 people YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Police say they are investigating an explosion that went off near a firebrand monk as he was giving a sermon in Myanmar’s second largest city, wounding five. The blast occurred Sunday night during a Buddhist ceremony in Mandalay. The monk, Ashin Wirathu, is accused of inciting violence with speeches warning that country’s minority Muslim community poses a threat to Buddhist culture. He was unharmed. A police officer who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to speak to the media said Monday that the explosion went off under a parked car about 18 meters (60 feet) from the monk. He said five people suffered minor injuries. A 35-year old Mandalay resident Ma Sandar who was at the speech, said it was a small blast and that Wirathu continued speaking afterward. Giant ‘corpse flower’ blooms next to US Capitol WASHINGTON (AP) — The long wait is finally over for visitors who have been yearning for a whiff of a giant flower that smells oddly like rotting flesh. The giant rainforest plant known as a “corpse flower” for its terrible smell began blooming Sunday afternoon at the U.S. Botanic Garden next to the Capitol. Experts had been anticipating its bloom for more than a week and have extended the garden’s hours for visitors. Garden officials expect the flower to hit “peak smell” early Monday, and remain open for one or two days. The flower is officially known as the titan arum. It is native to the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, and was discovered in 1878. Scientists say the flower’s odor attracts insects that are normally drawn to rotting flesh. Man fires shots into floor of southern Mo. church NORWOOD, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say a gunman walked into a southern Missouri church service and fired two shots into the floor. Wright County Sheriff Glenn Adler tells KOLR-TV that another round hit the ceiling Sunday morning when churchgoers tackled the man to the floor of First Baptist Church in Norwood. KOLR-TV reports that one of the men who tackled the gunman suffered a minor shoulder injury during the struggle. No one else was hurt. Adler told the station that the gunman may have been upset with the church but declined to elaborate. The gunman’s name wasn’t immediately released. He is in custody and charges are pending. A phone message that The Associated Press left for the sheriff wasn’t immediately returned. Pemex pipe explodes in central Mexico, 7 injured TOLUCA, Mexico (AP) — A pipeline explosion Sunday that injured seven people and sent flames and smoke shooting hundreds of feet into the air in central Mexico was caused by illegal tapping, Mexico’s state-owned oil company said. The pre-dawn explosion in a farm field injured four police officers and three firefighters among those called to the scene by a report of an oil leak, the state prosecutor’s office said. Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, issued a statement on its Twitter account blaming the blast on an attempt to steal oil with an illicit tap. The supply of crude oil through the pipeline was immediately suspended, it said. The explosion in Tonanitla in central Mexico state did not threaten any of the area’s communities, Mexico state Gov. Eruviel Avila said via Twitter. There were no evacuations. An oil leak was first reported about 3:35 a.m. and the explosion occurred at 4 a.m., said Francisco Ventura of the Tecamac municipal police. (Continued on page 12) Unbeatable Value in APIA GRAB A - Rooommmmm!!! SPECIALS INCLUSIVE OF BREAFAST & TAXES USD$65 Single with Breakfast USD$75 Double with Breakfast USD$85 Triple with Breakfast Faalavelave BUSTER USD$60 SGL/DBL USD$75 TRPL Taxes Insel Fehmarn Hotel -‐ Food & Wine Fair Free Town Shuttle Sept 14, 2013 Free In-‐house Movies Wireless Internet Rooms & Common Areas Call Hope699-‐8140 Pelene Store Conference Rooms & Catering Prepaid USD Pago Call Tiva688-‐7222 Kruse Leone Prepaid USD Pago This aerial photo taken Monday, July 22, 2013, shows the CentrePort container wharf in Wellington damaged as a result of a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit the capital of New Zealand, Sunday, July 21. (AP Photo/Mark Mitchell/NZ Herald) Page 10 samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Lali Le AFALAVA: O le fa’amamaina o auala ma nuu o le galuega a tagata uma… tusia Ausage Fausia Se vaaiga i ni isi o ali’i Mautofi i le taimi na faatautoina ai i latou i totonu o le potu fono a le [ata: AF] Ofisa o Mataupu Tau Samoa i le masina o Ianuari o le tausaga nei. tusia Ausage Fausia FAATAUNUU ILOILOGA FAIPULE MA KOMITI O KOLISI MA IUNIVESITE O le taeao nei lea ua faamoemoe e feiloa’i ai le Komiti o Aoga a le Maota o Sui, ma le Komiti o Kolisi ma Iunivesite na tofia e le kovana, mo le iloiloina o tofiga e pei ona filifilia i ai i latou e le tofa i le tootoo ia Lolo Matalasi Moliga. O le Aso Tofi na te’a nei na faatulaga e faataunuuina ai lea iloiloga, i lalo o le ta’ita’iga a le afioga i le ta’ita’i komiti ia Vaetasi Tu’umolimoli Saena Moliga, peita’i o le taimi fo’i lea o lo o faia ai le iloiloga a lea komiti ma le komiti o Aoga a le Senate. O ni isi o mataupu ua sauni alii faipule e fesiligia i le taeao nei o tulaga e pei ona faamanuiaina ai le Kolisi Tuufaatasi a le atunuu (ASCC) mo le aveina o faailoga mo le umi e fa tausaga (BA), aemaise ai o ni isi o auala e faaleleia ai tulaga o a’oa’oga i totonu o le teritori. TAULIMAINA E LE FONO TOFIGA MO TUAOLO E AVEA MA KOMESINA PALOTA O le vaiaso na te’a nei na fa’aulufale ai i luma o le Fono Faitulafono se i’ugafono e faamaonia ai le tofiga a le kovana sili mo Tuaolo M. Fruean, e avea ma Komesina o le Ofisa Sili o Palota a le atunuu. I se tusi a le afioga i le kovana sili ia Lolo Matalasi Moliga i ta’ita’i o le Fono i le aso 8 o Iulai 2013, sa ia taua ai le talafeagai ona agava’a o Tuaolo mo le tauaveina o lenei tofiga mo le isi tolu tausaga, e afua atu i le taimi e faamaonia ai o ia. Na taua e Lolo i ta’ita’i o le fono e faapea, o Tuaolo, o se ta’ita’i faaaloalogia faaleaganu’u, e tele lona tomai masani o lo o i ai e aoga mo le galuega, ma o se tasi fo’i sa vea ma faipule i le maota o sui, faapea ai ma le tofi senatoa i le maota maualuga ma sa avea fo’i o ia ma Fa’amasino i le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga a Amerika Samoa mo le tele o tausaga. Na taua e le alii kovana e faapea, o le tomai masani a Tuaolo i lala uma e tolu o le faigamalo atoa ai ma le avea o ia ma ta’ita’i faaleaganuu, ua tele ai lona agavaa i le feagai ai ma lu’itau o lenei galuega. Na faai’u le tusi a Lolo i lona talosagaina o ta’ita’i o le fono ina ia latou iloiloina ma le toto’a agava’a o Tuaolo ma ia pasia o ia e avea ma Komesina o Ofisa Sili o Palota a le malo. O le Aso Lulu o le vaiaso nei lea ua faatulaga e faia ai le iloiloga a le komiti o le Faagaioiga o le Malo a le maota o sui, mo lenei tofiga i lalo o le ta’ita’iga a le ta’ita’i komiti ia Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen. PASIA I’UGAFONO AVATU AI LE FAAMALO IA JOANNA NUNAN O LE MALO TELE O le vaiaso na te’a nei na pasia ai e le Fono Faitulafono sana i’ugafono malilie faatasi, e tuu atu ai le agaga faafetai ma le faamalo i le tama’ita’i Kapeteni ia Joanna Nunan o le malo tele o Amerika, i lana tautua le faalogologo tiga sa ofoina mai mo Amerika Samoa i le tele o tausaga. (Faaauau itulau 12) E ui o lea ua taoto i luma o le maota o sui ni isi o faasea mai ni isi o faipule ona o tulaga faaletonu i auala aemaise ai le le faia o tiute a le Matagaluega o Galuega Lautele a le malo i le faamamaina o tafatafa o le alatele ma teuteu auvai, peita’i na saunoa le ali’i faipule mai Atiulagi/Leasina, “O le fa’amamaina o tafatafa o auala ma auvai o le galuega e galulue faatasi ai tagata uma o le atunu’u ae le na o le malo.” Talu lava ona tatala le Tauaofiaga lona lua a le Fono Faitulafono i le vaiaso na te’a nei, o le mataupu lava i faaletonu i auala o lo o mamafa i ai saunoaga a afioag i Senatoa ma Faipule. Na taua e se tasi o faipule e faapea, ua manaia auala fou ia ua amata ona fausia atu i le itu i Sasa’e o le atunuu, ae o le faalavelave e le o faamamaina e le Matagaluega o Galuega auvai ma ni isi o laau o lo o falala i luga o le au ala. O le mataupu lava fo’i lea na saunoa i ai le afioga i le ali’i Senatoa mai Saole i le vaiaso nei, e faatatau i niu ma le tele o laau o lo o falala i luga o auala, ma o lo o atugalu lona loto ina ne’i pau se popo pe gau se lala laau ma aafia ai se soifua o se tagata ona faaopoopo ai fo’i lea o le isi avega i le itu tau tupe i le malo. I le toe lagaina ai o le mataupu lea i le aso ananafi, sa le’i nofonofo lelei ai le afioga i le ali’i faipule ia Atualevao Gafatasi Afalava, o ia fo’i lea o le ta’ita’ifono o le Komiti o Galuega Lautele a le maota o sui, ae na ia tula’i ma faailoa i luma o le maota, o le faamamaina o nuu ma auala e le o se galuega e fai to’atasi e le Matagaluega o Galuega a le malo, ae o le tiute lena o tagata uma o le atunuu. Na taua e le alii faipule e faapea, o lea ua tele faasea i le faaletonu o auala, sosolo vao i luga o auvai ma tafatafa o le alatele, ae o le fesili ua tula’i mai, o fea o i ai pulenuu o le latou matafaioi tonu lea. “E le iloa po o a galuega a pulenuu o lo o fai ae o mea nei o galuega faigofie, e galulue faatasi uma i ai tagata uma,” o le saunoaga lea a Atualevao. “O le mataupu i le faamamaina o nuu ma auala e galulue faatasi ai le Ofisa o Mataupu Tau Samoa ma le malo, faaopoopo i ai ma le galulue faatasi o tagata uma ona manuia ai lea o le galuega”. I luma o le Senate i le Aso Faraile na te’a nei, na fesiligia ai fo’i e ni isi o senatoa le mataupu lava lenei, i le leai lea o se galulue faatasi o le Ofisa o Mataupu Tau Samoa ma matagaluega a le malo i le fa’amamaina o auala ma aai. Saunoa le afioga i le alii senatoa ia Alo Fa’auuga, o ia fo’i lea o le ta’ita’ifono o le komiti o Galuega Lautele a le Senate, afai e le fesoasoani le malosi o le nuu i afioaga ta’itasi i le galuega a le Matagaluega o Galuega Lautele a le malo i le faamama ma le teuteuina o auala, e fiu lava le kovana e valaau e le tumau lava le mataga o tafatafa o le alatele. Na viia e sui io le fono ni isi o suiga ua maitauina i le taimi nei i tama’i nuu o lo o i le ogatotonu o vaega eseese o le auala, lea ua vaaia le tau fai toto ai o laau e faamatagofie ai laufanua o le atunuu. Na taua e se tasi o alii pulenuu e le’i finagalo e faailoa lona suafa e faapea, e iloa gofie lava nuu o lo o sosolo vao i a latou auvai ma tafatafa o le alatele, o le nuu lena e le o galue le latou pulenuu, ae o le tele lava o afioaga e aofia ai ma lona nuu, o lo o faia galuega i vaiaso uma mo le faamamaina o aai. Na faailoa e le alii kovana ia Lolo Matalasi Moliga i lana kapeneta atoa ai ma le motu o Manu’a, e le mafai ona manuia le malo pe a le galulue faatasi tagata uma e faamatagofie le atunuu. Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia [email protected] samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Page 11 TEPA I LE TA FAIGA MALO tusia Ausage Fausia FA’ASEA PEA LE ATUNU’U I LE LEAI O NI LAISENE AVE TA’AVALE FOU E to’alua ni tagata ave ta’avale i le atunu’u na o la fa’aalia i le Samoa News i le faaiuga o le vaiaso nei o la lagona le fiafia, ona ua avea le tuai ona maua o laisene ave ta’avale ma itu ua pala so’o ai i laua e leoleo i luga o le alatele. Na taua e se tina e 43 tausaga mai Futiga e faapea, ina ua taofia o ia e se ali’i leoleo i le masina na te’a nei, sa ia faailoa i ai i le leoleo le lisiti mo lana laisene ave ta’avale ua uma ona totogi i le Ofisa o Ta’avale Afi a le malo (OMV) i Tafuna, ae le’i pu’eina ona e le’i taunuu mai le oka mai fafo. I le vaiaso na te’a nei, na toe taofia ai fo’i o ia e le leoleo ma toe fesiligia e uiga i lana laisene ave ta’avale, lea fo’i na ia fa’amatala i ai le tala lava lea e tasi, ae na aea ma itu na tetele atu ai saunoaga a le leoleo ia te ia. O le molimau fo’i lea a se ali’i ave taxi na tuuina mai i le Samoa News e tusa ai o le faafitauli na la fetaia’i i le vaiaso na te’a nei, ina ua otegia o ia e le leoleo i le leai o sona laisene aveta’avale. Na taua e le ali’i komesina o Leoleo ia William E. Haleck i le Samoa News e faapea, e leai se mea o le a aafia ai fua le atunuu i le le maua o laisene ave ta’avale, ona e le o se faaletonu o le atunu’u, ae o le faaletonu a le latou matagaluega. Na taua e se sui o le ofisa o le OMV e faapea, ua silia ma le fa masina o fa’atali le to’atele o le atunuu mo le pu’eina o a latou laisene ave ta’avale, ae ua i ai le faamoemoe o le masina fou e tatau ona taunu’u mai ai le latou oka mo laisene. Na i ai le latou oka na aumai muamua peita’i na toe fa’afo’i ina ua aumai vaega mo laisene ave ta’avale e le o faapipi’iina mai ai le pine a Amerika Samoa. FA’AMANINO FAATONU O AOGA LE FA’AIUGA E TU’UFA’ATASI AI AOGA I MANU’A Na teena e le Fa’atonusili o le Matagaluega o Aoga a le malo ia Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin Finau fa’asea ma ni isi o tagata o le itumalo o Manu’a, i le faaituau lea o le faaiuga ua faia ina ia tu’ufaatasi le Aoga Tulaga Muamua a Faleasao ma Fitiuta i le faleaoga i Fitiuta. Na taua e le fa’atonusil o aoga i le vaiaso na te’a nei e faapea, o le fa’aiuga ua faia ina ia tu’ufaatasia aoga tulaga muamau nei e lua i se nofoaga e tasi, e le gata na vaavaai i auala e faasaoina ai tupe mo le matagaluega o aoga ma le malo, ae sa vaavaai fo’i i le saogalemu o ola o fanau aoga i nofoaga o lo o i ai faleaoga i le taimi nei. Na taua e se tasi o tama matua mai Manu’a e faapea, e ui e taua le finagalo o le malo e fa’atatau i le fa’aiuga ua faia, ae ao fo’i ona silasila le malo i le tulaga tau mamao o le a savalia nei e fanau mai Faleasao mo le aga’i atu i le aoga i Fitiuta, e le iloa fo’i ni fa’alavelave e tutupu i luga o le auala i aso uma o le a momoli ai fanau i le aoga, aemaise ai fo’i e i ai le vaega o le auala e latalata i le sami, ina ne’i tula’i mai se fa’alavelave e pei o se galulolo ma a’afia ai le pasi aoga a’o pisi i le momoliina o fanau i le aoga. “Atonu e atugalu le matagaluega o aoga i le tulaga i tupe ina ia faasao mo le malo, ae o a’u nei o le matua ou te atugalu i ola o fanau ina ne’i tula’i mai ai se fa’alavelave, ona le aoga lea o nei mau tupe e tau- mafai e faasao ae ua le aoga ua ma’imau se soifua,” o le saunoaga lea a se tasi o tama mai Manu’a e le’i finagalo e faailoa lona suafa. I le tausaga aoga na mavae atu nei, e sili laititi ma le 50 le aofa’i o fanau aoga na aooga i Fitiuta, ae o Faleasao pe a ma le to’a 80 tamaiti aoga. Na faaalia e le afioga i le kovana sili ia Lolo Matalasi Moliga ina ua ia asia aoga i Manu’a i le masina o Me na te’a nei, e le taua le tofu o le nuu o Manu’a ma le aoga ae fa’aletonu faiaoga ma vaega o lo o a’oa’oina ai fanau aoga, ae lelei pe a tasi le aoga ae mautu vaega uma e a’oa’o ai fanau toe lelei fo’i ma faiaoga. Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia [email protected] Police – Toxic levels of pesticide in kids’ lunch PATNA, India (AP) — Samples of cooking oil and leftover food taken from an Indian school where 23 children died after eating lunch this past week were contaminated with “very toxic” levels of an agricultural pesticide, police said Saturday. Ravindra Kumar, the additional director general of police in the city of Patna, told reporters that forensic tests revealed that the samples contained the pesticide monocrotophos in levels that were “very toxic” for humans. The free midday meal was served to the children Tuesday in Gandamal village in Masrakh block, 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Patna, the Bihar state capital. Twenty-three children between the ages of 5 and 12 died from eating the meal and many others fell ill. No arrests have been made in the case. Authorities discovered a container of insecticide in the school’s cooking area next to the vegetable oil and mustard oil, but it wasn’t yet known if that container was the source, officials have said. India’s midday meal plan is one of the world’s biggest school nutrition programs. State governments can decide on menus and timings of the meals, depending on local conditions and availability of food rations. It is seen as an incentive for poor parents to send their children to school and currently covers some 120 million children across the country. It’s also part of an effort to address concerns about malnutrition, which the government says nearly half of all Indian children suffer from. While complaints about the quality of the food served and the lack of hygiene in the program are routine, the incident in Bihar appeared to be unprecedented for the massive food program. Asco Motors Women on Wheels (WOW) TRAINING To assist you on how to diagnose your vehicle when you have a problem. Beginning August 5, 2013 for 2 months. Every Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00pm to 5:30pm 3 Divisions; 8 trainees per division. 24 slots Please call Pa’u Roy Ausage or Maria Fonoti-Peretiso at 633-2835 to register. A project by the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs and ASCO Motors. Asco Motors Page 12 samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Alofa, se ia tiga… Tusia: Akenese Ilalio Zec In this photo released by the Belgian Prime Ministers Office, Belgium’s royal family poses for a photo at the royal palace in Brussels on Sunday, July 21, 2013. From left, Princess Eleonore,Prince Gabriel, Queen Mathilde, King Philippe, Princess Elisa(AP Photo/Belgium Prime Ministers Office, HO) beth and Prince Emmanuel. ➧ NEWS IN BRIEF… Bus carrying Egypt soldiers hits truck, 16 killed CAIRO (AP) — A bus carrying Egyptian soldiers crashed into a truck on a highway near the Mediterranean coast early Sunday, killing 16, a security official said. The accident took place on the highway between Cairo and the port city of Alexandria as the soldiers were heading home from their military base in northwestern Egypt for a vacation to join their families during the holy month of Ramadan, the official said. The official said the dead included 15 soldiers and a driver, while another 40 people were injured. They were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press. Road accidents are common in Egypt due to badly maintained roads and poor enforcement of traffic laws. According to a 2012 World Health Organization report, road accidents kill about 12,000 people each year in a population of about 90 million. Greek police kill prison escapee after manhunt ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek police say they have killed Marian Kola, the Albanian mastermind of a daring prison escape, in an intense firefight after a four-month manhunt. Kola and fellow escapee Ilir Kupa clashed with a police patrol near the border with Albania, in northwest Greece. According to a police statement, Kola and Kupa used AK-47 assault rifles and pistols and a police officer was wounded in the leg during the encounter Sunday. Police are still searching for Kupa. Kola, Kupa and nine other Albanians escaped from a central Greece prison on March 22. Since then, in several clashes with police, three of the escapees and an outside accomplice were killed. Also killed were a police officer in June and a 25-year-old female bystander in April. The other escapees have been arrested. Man falls to his death on Colorado’s Capitol Peak ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — Rescue crews have recovered the body of a man who fell 200 to 300 feet while descending Capitol Peak west of Aspen, Colo. The Pitkin County sheriff’s office says Ryan Joseph Palmer, of Vail, decided to climb down the north face of the peak Friday instead of crossing the exposed “knife edge” route again. The 35-year-old’s climbing partners crossed the knife edge and watched him make his way down the face. They called authorities when Palmer did not return to camp. The sheriff’s office says search and rescue crews found Palmer’s body at the base of the north face just after 2 p.m. Saturday. The body was recovered Sunday. Capitol Peak rises to an elevation of 14,130 feet. Continued from page 9 Burkina Faso workers protest high living costs OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso’s prime minister says the government will begin talks with trade unions after thousands of workers joined protests around the country against rising costs for basic goods like rice and sugar. In an interview on state television late Saturday, Luc Adolphe Tiao said talks would begin “soon” but provided no details. He also did not address protesters’ concerns about the creation in May of a new Senate, which the opposition says is part of a broader scheme by President Blaise Compaore to extend his time in office. Compaore has been in power for 26 years, but his term ends in 2015 and current rules would not permit him to run again. Tole Sagnon, spokesman for the union that organized Saturday’s protests, said the new Senate was unacceptable. Boehner — ‘Judge us by how many laws we repeal’ WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner says Congress “ought to be judged on how many laws we repeal.” The Ohio Republican makes the comments on an interview aired Sunday on CBS “Face the Nation.” He was responding to a question about how little Congress is doing these days. Boehner says Congress “should not be judged by how many new laws we create.” He says the U.S. has “more laws than the administration could ever enforce.” Boehner says that view may be unpopular because this country has a divided government. Boehner says he and his allies in Congress are fighting for what they believe in. And he adds, “Sometimes the American people don’t like this mess.” 7 killed in clash of 2 families in Philippines CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines (AP) — At least seven people are dead in the Philippines after two families locked in a longstanding feud battled each other with guns, police said. Such violent clan conflicts, known as “rido,” have long complicated security worries in the country’s south, which is already mired in decadeslong Muslim rebellions. Many of the clan clashes are over political power, land, business and past grudges in far-flung communities awash with guns and burdened by weak law enforcement. Armed members and followers of the Macugar and Capal families confronted each other late Friday in a village of Bayang town in Lanao del Sur province, sparking a gunbattle that left seven people dead and five others wounded, police officer Ansari Musa said by telephone. Police and soldiers were deployed to the village about 840 kilometers (520 miles) south of Manila to prevent further bloodshed, Musa said, (Continued on page 14) Vaega: 98 Fa’aalofa atu i le mamalu ole atunu’u i lenei taeao fou, malo le soifua, malo fo’i le fa’atautai i lenei aso, e i ai pea le fa’amoemoe o lo’o fa’apena ona manuia faiva ma tiute o lo’o feagai ai ma le atunu’u i lenei aso. Ma e ao ai ona o tatou momoli la’au i foga’a ma fa’afo’i le vi’iga i le Atua Soifua, ona o lona alofa ma lona agalelei, lea o lo’o tatou o’ao’a ai pea i faleseu ma o tatou sa’a ai i ma’a o malie i ana fa’amanuiaga mo i tatou i aso uma o lo tatou ola. Ae alo maia, o le a toe fa’aauau atu la tatou tala fa’asolo i lenei aso, na muta mai ina ua ou alu ‘ese nei ma lo’u aiga sa ou ola ai. Ua amata nei lo ma a’iga, ma o se amataga fou mo i ma’ua uma, ae sa o ma tumau pea i lo ma manatu e tasi, ia fa’amuamua le Atua i mea uma ma te faia. Ma e le mamao ‘ese ma ma’ua, ua amata ona fa’ato’a le fanua atoa, ona ua i ai lo ma manatu ia fai ni a ma fa’atoaga ma ni lafu manu e tasi ai ma’ua. Ua amata fo’i le ma ofisa Loia i lea lava taimi, ona o tulaga o lo’o mo’omia ai tele e tagata le fesoasoani mo fa’alavelave e tutupu mai i totonu o aiga, o fale faigaluega ma isi fuafuaga o lo’o i ai nei. Ae ui lava i lea tulaga, ae sa maua pea taimi ma te galulue fa’atasi ai i le tau atina’eina o lo ma aiga. Ua taunu’u manuia mea uma, ae e i ai lava lo’u mana’oga lea na ou mana’o lava ina ia taunu’u. Ua uma ona iloa e lo’u to’alua o Tino mea uma o lo’u aiga, ae maise ai o lo’u mana’oga lava e tasi, o lo’u fia va’ai lea i si o’u tina o Elisapeta. Ua ma’ea fo’i ona ma talanoaina ma Tino lea itu, ma ua ioe mai ia te a’u, e sai se aso ma te o ai i Amerika, e sa’ili ia si o’u tina. O mea uma fo’i sa tutupu i lo ma va ma lo’u tina o Makerita, ua amata lava ona taunu’u i se taunu’uga lelei mea uma, ai ona ua mamao le mea ua ou alu i ai, ae o lo’o o’u maua pea fa’amatalaga mai tagata faigaluega a lo’u tama, o lo’o fai lava le taua i le va o lo’u tama ma lo’u tina. Na ou maua fo’i le isi fa’amatalaga e fa’apea, ua galue nei Peteru i totonu o le ofisa tutotonu lea e i ai lo’u tama ma le to’atele o tagata faigaluega. O nei fa’amatalaga uma o lo’o o’u maua pea mai i si a’u uo lea na uo sili i la’u fa’aipoipoga o Malia. E leai se mea e gole i la’u uo lea, ona ua ia maua fa’amatalaga e uiga ia Makerita ma Peteru, ma na ou talanoa fo’i i ai, ia alofa e va’ai ane si o’u tama, ona o lea o le a ou alu ‘ese, ma sa fa’apea lava ona fai. ia ia fa’amatalaga uma, sa ou lagona lava le fa’anoanoa o lo’u loto, ona sa i ai lo’u manatu, o lo’u alu ‘ese mai, o le a maua ai e si o’u tama le filemu i mea uma. Ae peita’i, o lea ua ou iloa atu, e leai, ua avea lo’u alu ‘ese mai ma ala ua atili ai ona mamafa mea uma i le loto ma le mafaufau o si o’u tama. Na fai nei la’u tala i lo’u to’alua o Tino, “Tino, o le a ou alu e asi lo’u tama i totonu o le ofisa, ou te le alu i le fale, ae ou te alu e asi si o’u tama po’o a mai, ua malie mai Tino ou te alu ma au tapena nei au mea mo la’u malaga, ona o lou fia iloa po’o ai mai si o’u tama, ae maise ai o fa’afitauli o lo’o fa’afeagai pea ma ia. E faia pea… ➧ Tala mai le fono… Mai itulau 10 O Joanna e galue i le vaega a le US Coast Guard a le malo tele, ma o ia lea na fa’atuina se matati’a o le aumaia o ni moliaga tau i le le tausia lelei o le si’osi’omaga faasaga i ni va’a fagota i Amerika Samoa, ona o le fa’alavelave lea na gogoto ai i le taulaga i Fagatogo ni va’a fagota ia Iuni 2012, ma masa’a ai le ova ma le 26,000 kalone suau’u i le sami. E tele ni isi o matati’a na faatutu e Cpt. Joanna mo Amerika Samoa, e ala i le faaaogaina o lona tofiga o se sui o le US Coast Guard, sa galulue soosoo tauau fo’i ma ni isi o ofisa o le malo o Amerika Samoa mo le tuuina mai o faamatalaga e faatatau i le tau, aemaise lava i taimi e tulaga faaletonu ai le tau i Amerika Samoa nei. O ni isi o vaega sa malosi ai le fesoasoani a lenei tama’ita’i mo Amerika Samoa, o le toe faaleleia lea o le sootaga a Amerika Samoa ma ni isi o lala o le malo feterale, mo le tuuina mai o vaega tupe e fesaosoani ai i le faaleleia o tulaga tau i le puipuiga i luga o le sami. E talitonu le Fono Faitulafono, o le tele o gaioiga sa faia e lenei tama’ita’i ua manuia ai Amerika Samoa. O lenei i’ugafono na tauaao atu ia Cpt Joanna i le sauniga o le sisigafu’a ua mavae atu i le masina o Aperila, peita’i o lea faatoa faaulufale ma pasia e le Fono Faitulafono. Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia [email protected] samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Page 13 Ex-Marine sergeant sentenced to death for SoCal murders This photo released by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship taken on Friday, July 19, 2013, shows several destroyed vehicles after some 125 asylum seekers rioted at an Australian-run detention center in Nauru. The rioters, who are now in police custody, caused an estimated 60 million Australian dollars ($55 million) damage to the detention center on the (AP Photo/Australian Department Of Immigration and Citizenship) Pacific island nation. Asylum seekers caused $55 Mil damage at Nauru CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Some 125 asylum seekers were in police custody on the Pacific island nation of Nauru after a riot ended with fire destroying most of an Australianrun detention center there, an official said on Sunday. The fire on Friday evening destroyed all the accommodation blocks, medical facilities and offices and caused an estimated 60 million Australian dollars ($55 million) damage, an Immigration Department spokeswoman said under the department’s usual condition of anonymity. Only the dining and recreation buildings survived the blaze. She said 125 asylum seekers remained in police custody on Sunday over the riots and blaze. She did not know how many had been charged. Nauru Police Commissioner Richard Britten did not immediately return a phone call on Sunday. The remaining 420 asylum seekers had been transferred to a second detention camp under construction at another part of the tiny atoll that is home to fewer than 10,000, the spokeswoman said. They are now living in tents. Eight asylum seekers received hospital treatment following the riot in which protesters hurled rocks at guards and police armed with batons and shields. Australia pays Nauru and Papua and New Guinea to hold asylum seekers who attempt to reach the Australian shore by boat. Their asylum claims are assessed at the island deten- tion camps. In a further step to deter future boat arrivals, the government announced that since Friday all bona fide refugees who arrive by boat will be permanently settled in Papua New Guinea, a national of 7 million mostly subsistence farmers. Ian Rintoul, coordinator of Australia’s Refugee Action Coalition advocacy group, said asylum seekers could no longer to adequately cared for at Nauru because of the fire and should be brought to Australia. Rintoul said Friday’s protest against delays in asylum claims being processed had been planned throughout last week. The fire had not been planned, he said. “The Friday night protest was planned to be a breakout and march to the airport then back to the detention center,” Rintoul said. “What seems to have happened is that there has been far more resistance than had been expected,” he said. Most of the protesters were Iranian, Palestinian, Lebanese and Iraqis, he said. Clint Deidenang, a resident who witnessed the hour-long riot from the camp fence, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio on Saturday that up to 1,000 local Nauruan men carrying machetes and steel pipes arrived to help police prevent the asylum seekers from breaking out. Deidenag described the unrest as the biggest riot he had ever seen on the island. RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Marine Sgt. Jan Pietrzak will never have children, conquer his fear of public speaking or master his goal of reading 10 books a year since his life was cut short nearly five years ago in a brutal murder. His mother, Henryka Pietrzak said she is still grieving the loss of her son and his newlywed wife after they were killed in their Southern California home. While she was pleased by a judge’s decision Friday to sentence former Marine Tyrone Miller to death for the murders, that still can’t satisfy her. “I will never know what kind of father he will be,” she told the court during a sentencing hearing. “I will never receive another card for Mother’s Day. I will never hear, ‘I love you, mom.’” Riverside County Superior Court Judge Christian Thierbach ordered the sentence for what he called an attack of “savage brutality” by Miller, one of three former Marines convicted of killing Pietrzak and his wife, Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak in October 2008. The couple was found gagged, tied and shot in the head in the living room of their Winchester home. Miller, 25, was convicted last month with former Marines Emrys John and Kevin Cox of first-degree murder with special circumstances of murder during a robbery and a burglary and multiple murders. Miller looked straight ahead as Thierbach spoke. He did not speak on his behalf during the hearing. Jurors have recommended the death penalty for John, 23, and life without parole for Cox, 25. They are scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 16. A fourth former Marine charged in the killings, Kesaun Sykes, 26, is being tried separately. Prosecutors say the four men went to Pietrzak’s home to rob him and forced their way inside. Pietrzak, who was Miller’s supervisor at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego, was assaulted and his wife was sexually assaulted before they were killed. Jewelry was missing and a fire was set in an apparent attempt to destroy the evidence. Prosecutors have said Miller told another Marine after the shooting that he handed a gun to John that night and said, “Do them.” During trial, Miller testified that he did not order the killings or see who fired the fatal shots. Prosecutor Daniel DeLimon said Miller deserved the death sentence but it doesn’t make victims’ relatives feel any better. “This isn’t a happy or joyous moment,” he said. “It’s just the only option.” Defense attorney John Dolan said while he didn’t agree with jurors’ recommendation of death for Miller, he respected their decision. He said the case would automatically be appealed. “This is a day when we should focus on the family of the victims,” he said. Miller, who grew up in North Carolina, testified in May that he was upset when he went to Pietrzak’s home because the sergeant had told him he would not get a promotion. Miller said he was drunk on brandy and tequila and fought with the helicopter airframe mechanic and wrote racial slurs on the walls in an attempt to hurt Pietrzak’s feelings. Pietrzak’s wife was black. During the hearing on Friday, Jenkins’ mother, Faye, told the court that losing her only daughter and son-in-law had turned the world she knew into a cold, lonely place. Even now, she prays the devastating news won’t be true and somehow the couple will be returned to her, according to her impact statement. “I keep my front porch light on in hope she’ll find her way home to me,” Jenkins wrote in remarks that were read aloud to the court by a victim’s advocate after she broke down sobbing. Find anything yet? Place an ad now! 633-5599 Page 14 samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 NOTICE FOR SEPARATION AGREEMENT TO Members of the UIAGALELEI Family and to all whom these present may come! NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SAOFAI & ROSEMARY PETELO of FUTIGA has offered for recording in this office an instrument in writing which seeks to separate a certain structure which is or to be erected, on land LALOGATAE, allegedly belonging to UIAGALELEI FAMILY of the village of FUTIGA. Said land LALOGATAE, is situated in or near the village of FUTIGA in the County of TUALATAI, Island of TUTUILA, American Samoa. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that any interested person may object to the recording of such instrument by filing in the Territorial Registar’s Office in Fagatogo, a written objection to the recording of said instrument. Any objections thereto must be filed with in 30 days from the date of posting of this notice. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that if no such objections are filed within the said 30 day period, the instrument will be recorded and shall be valid and binding on all persons. The said instrument may be examined at any time at the Territorial Registrar’s Office. POSTED: JULY 15, 2013 thru AUGUST 14, 2013 SIGNED: Taito S.B. White, Territorial Registrar FA’AALIGA O LE FEAGAIGA MO SE TU’U’ESEINA I tagata o le aiga sa UIAGALELEI ma i latou uma e silasila ma lauiloaina lenei fa’aaliga! O le fa’aaliga lenei ona o SAOFAI & ROSEMARY PETELO o le nu’u o FUTIGA ua ia fa’aulufaleina mai i lenei ofisa se feagaiga tusitusi e fa’ailoa ai se mana’oga fia tu’u’eseina o se fale ua/po o le a, fa’atuina i luga o le fanua o LALOGATAE, e fa’asino i le aiga sa UIAGALELEI , o le nu’u o FUTIGA . O lenei fanua e totonu pe latalata ane i le nu’u o FUTIGA , itumalo o TUALATAI, ile motu o TUTUILA, Amerika Samoa. O le fa’aaliga fo’i e fa’apea, so o se tasi e iai sona aia i lenei mata’upu e mafai ona fa’atu’i’iese ile fa’amauina o lenei feagaiga pe a auina mai i le ofisa ole Resitara o le Teritori of Amerika Samoa i Fagatogo, sana fa’atu’ese tusitusia. O fa’atu’iesega uma lava e ao ona fa’aulufaleina mai i totonu o aso e 30 faitauina mai i le aso na faíaalia ai lenei fa’aaliga. Afai ole a leai se fa’atu’i’esega e fa’aulufaleina i totonu o aso 30 e pei ona ta’ua i luga, o le a fa’amauina loa lenei feagaiga e taualoaina ma ‘a’afia ai tagata uma. 07/22 & 08/05/13 In this Sept. 12, 2008 photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps., Capt. Andrew D’Ambrogi, Marine Attack Squadron 211 pilot, prepares to land an AV-8B Harrier at Auxiliary Airfield II, a simulated amphibious assault ship flight deck on the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Yuma, Ariz. Two U.S. fighter jets have dropped four unarmed bombs in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park when a (AP Photo/U.S. Marine Corps, Cpl. T.M. Stewman) training exercise went wrong, Tuesday, July 16, 2013. ➧ NEWS IN BRIEF… Talofa Video “KOREAN, FILIPINO, MEXICAN DRAMA SERIES NOW FOR RENT” NEW RELEASES: The Gangster • Assault on Wall Street Filly Brown • Kiss of The Damned Pavaiai 699-7206 • Nuuuli 699-1888 • Fagatogo 633-2239 adding it was not immediately clear what the families were feuding over. US Treasury Secretary Lew in Greece for talks ATHENS, Greece (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew urged Greece on Sunday to continue its efforts to stabilize its debt-ridden economy and capitalize on the sacrifices already made “to ensure prosperity and growth for generations to come.” Lew was on a one-day visit to Greece after attending a Group of 20 summit in Russia. In an hour-long meeting with Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, Lew discussed Greece’s austerity program, its long-term prospects, and visits the so-called troika of Greece’s creditors — the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund — have made to Greece, said Dimitris Kanellisa, a Finance Ministry spokesman. Later, Lew met with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras at an unusual setting, the Acropolis Museum, not the Greek leader’s office. Italy: 5 convicted for Costa Concordia shipwreck GROSSETO, Italy (AP) — Five employees of an Italian cruise company were convicted Saturday of manslaughter in the Costa Concordia shipwreck that killed 32 people, receiving sentences of less than three years that lawyers for victims and survivors criticized as too lenient. The guilty verdicts for multiple manslaughter and negligence were the first reached in the sinking of the cruise liner carrying more than 4,000 crew and passengers near the Tuscan shore in January 2012. The ship’s captain, the only remaining defendant, was denied a plea bargain and is being tried separately. He faces up to 20 years, if convicted of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck and abandoning the ship. On Saturday, lawyers representing the 32 victims of the shipwreck said the sentences of the plea bargain — a fraction of what is usually handed down for manslaughter — were inadequate given the gravity of the disaster. “It seems like a sentence for illegal construction,” said lawyer Massimiliano Gabrielli. “It’s an embarrassment.” Another lawyer for victims, Daniele Bocciolini, called the sentences “insufficient” and questioned the prosecutors’ hypothesis placing the lion’s share of the blame on Capt. Francesco Schettino. The five employees of the Costa Crociere SpA cruise company were charged for their respective roles in the nautical maneuver that put the ship in peril, evacuation and response to the emergency. The longest sentence went to the company’s crisis coordinator, who was sentenced to two Continued from page 12 years and 10 months. Concordia’s hotel director was sentenced to two years and six months, while two bridge officers and a helmsman got sentences ranging from one year and eight months to one year and 11 months. Venezuela halts normalization talks with the United states CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela says it’s ending talks with the United States to restore normal relations because Washington’s U.N. ambassador-designate criticized its human rights record. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Friday that Samantha Power’s remarks compelled it to halt the process begun in Guatemala last month by its foreign minister, Elias Jaua, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Power said in Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday that Venezuela is guilty of a “crackdown on civil society,” along with Cuba, Iran and Russia. Jaua and Kerry had said they would fast-track talks to resume ambassadorial-level ties absent since 2010. Those prospects dimmed after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro later offered asylum to U.S. leaker Edward Snowden. Kerry subsequently called Jaua and threatened unspecified action if Snowden wound up in Venezuelan hands. Brazil: Biden called president about american surveillance SAO PAULO (AP) — The Brazilian government says U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has telephoned President Dilma Rousseff in an effort to ease tensions created by the disclosure that the United States collected data on billions of telephone and email conversations in Latin America’s biggest nation. The Brazilian presidency’s website says Rousseff and Biden spoke for 25 minutes on Friday night. After the phone conversation, Communications Minister Helena Chagas told reporters that Biden called Rousseff to offer explanations and to “express his regret over the negative repercussions caused by the disclosures.” Chagas said Rousseff accepted Biden’s invitation to send a delegation to Washington to receive “technical and political details” about the case, but the date and makeup of the delegation had not been decided. State-run Agencia Brasil news agency said the group would be comprised of representatives of the foreign, justice and defense ministries and would go to Washington in about three weeks. Rousseff told Biden she wants the U.S. government to “change its security policies and practices,” the communications minister said. “The president told Biden that the privacy of Brazilian citizens and the country’s sovereignty cannot be infringed in the name of security,” she said. ➧ Proposed asphalt plant faces opposition… Continued from page 1 center of a controversy. Whitehorn Construction, the main contractor for the job, had until last Friday to ‘cure its default’ with the bonding issues they were experiencing. In late May, ASG officials claimed Whitehorn’s initial bond certificates were fake or bogus, while Governor Lolo M. Moliga in a statement released to the media said the bond certificates were forged documents. It is unknown at this time, if the pursuit by Paramount Builders for a permit to build and operate an asphalt plant indicates the airport project is still in the hands of Whitehorn. Paramount Builders is a local subcontractor for the project. ASEPA’s Matavao asked Delara how much asphalt they plan on producing and how long they plan to operate the plant. Delara said they anticipate utilizing the plant when it is needed, and their equipment can produce 45 tons of asphalt per hour. He said they don’t expect to operate the plant during nighttime hours but instead, have it up and running during normal working hours. When asked about issues regarding emissions in the air, Delara said they have a filter and dust collector to address these concerns. Matavao then asked if Paramount Builders had received approval from the USEPA, to which Delara said he was not sure. During a site meeting on June 12th, Delara said he sent the information to an employee of the ASEPA but as of last week, their company still had yet to receive a response. Matavao then referred to the site visit conducted by his office and inquired about the oil drums he saw there, as well as the cement dust that was “all over the area”. He asked Delara if he supervises the operations and if he was aware of the chemicals that are being released in the air from the Tafuna site and blowing towards the Veterans Memorial Stadium. Delara replied that they do not have a permit to operate a concrete batch plant, although they have used it a “couple of times.” He added that the cement is loaded using machines and manpower, and that he is not there to supervise the operations. He stated that they do not have a permit to store the oil drums that are on the premises and he did not know why the workers opted to store the oil drums there, instead of discarding them properly at ASPA. Matavao said ASEPA is “very concerned” for the public, because of the air quality in that area if the proposal goes through. He told Delara that chemicals are not only being dispersed through the air but also on the ground, and with the recent rainy weather, the chemicals will kill the grass, which is our source for oxygen. The AS-EPA rep referred to the oil drums and told Delara that their office is also concerned with a possible oil spillage, adding that the AS-EPA can help with containment to prevent contamination of ground water. Vaiaga’e, soothing the water, told Delara that the PNRS hearing is to help them go through the right process and there are legitimate concerns, as their job is to ensure that all environmental impacts are strictly considered. The majority of the people at the hearing were not against the opening of a new asphalt plant, saying their main concern is the proposed location, which is an area located near four schools — South Pacific Academy, Tafuna High School, Tafuna Elementary School, and Samoa Baptist Academy. Delara said, at this time, their company has no alternate site for the asphalt plant. (The proposed site is where McConnell Dowell had its asphalt plant before but because of health concerns and a decision from the AS-EPA, the plant was relocated to where it is today — farther away, near the airport runway, and closer to the ocean.) Matavao told Delara that obvious dust flyways are evident inside the nearby Stadium where the dust has accumulated so much that is appears to be ‘white powder.’ “What goes in the hopper produces dust and all you have to do is run your hand across the stands in the Stadium to find out exactly how much dust is there,” Matavao said. He added, “If we allow you to operate, what would become of our kids who frequent the stadium and the families living nearby? The grass there is not as green as it should be.” Delara argued that DPW operates an asphalt plant within the vicinity, to which board members explained that the plant he is referring to only produces enough asphalt for minor projects that include quick fills and patching potholes. There were suggestions that Paramount Builders work hand in hand with McConnell Dowell for the supply of asphalt and hot mix. An attorney for the AS-EPA said during the hearing that there is no need for two asphalt plants on island. He said the plants are “stinky, and produce hazardous chemicals that enter the lungs unseen.” He said having two plants would be “excessive.” The concern is that after only one year of operation, if the plant is not maintained well, smoke being emitted will affect the young children nearby and then it becomes dangerous, as the concern will now move from being environmental to health. When the floor was open for public comments, Lucia Bartley said Samoan people used to be healthy but in recent years, they have been sicker and dying young because of the environment. She told Delara that their company should consider life over money. Esther Wall took the floor next and produced a petition that was circulated for two days and garnered 221 signatures from Tualauta residents objecting to the proposed asphalt plant. She pointed to the risk it poses to airplanes, saying dust eventually hardens and pieces could get stuck in the engines of airplanes flying in and out of the territory. “This is a vast and dangerous thing,” she said. Tualauta faipule Rep. Larry Sanitoa shares the same concerns as the board members. He was not at the hearing but told the Samoa News over a telephone interview that he is very supportive of new business ventures, especially those driven by Samoans. But he does agree that the location is questionable and an alternative site should be explored. He said having a second asphalt plant on island would be beneficial and serve as a great ‘back up plan,’ in case one of the plants shuts down for whatever reason. Asphalt plants mix gravel and sand with crude oil derivatives to make the asphalt used to pave roads, highways, and parking lots; and in the process, millions of cancer-causing toxic chemicals are released into the air we breathe. According to the EPA, “asphalt processing and asphalt roofing manufacturing facilities are major sources of hazardous air pollutants such as formaldehyde, hexane, phenol, polycyclic organic matter, and toluene. Exposure to these air toxics, asphalt fumes may cause cancer, central nervous system problems, liver damage, respiratory problems, severe skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and nausea.” The New Jersey Department of Health Senior Services (NJDHSS) website notes that animal studies show (PAHS) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affect reproduction, cause birth defects, and are harmful to the immune system. Samoa News, however, understands that the Governor’s Office has already given the approval for the proposal, signed off on the license and land permits — in fact Samoa News was told by a reliable source it happened before the PNRS meeting was held. Questions then abound: Was the PNRS public hearing an ‘after the fact’ deal that had to be held strictly for record purposes — to say that a hearing was held for the land use permit? What if the PNRS Board denies the application? Whose decision prevails? The Governor’s Office or the PNRS Board? Samoa News spoke to the Governor’s Chief of Staff Fiu Johnny Saelua, who said he had not heard of such an approval being granted and efforts to contact the Governor’s legal counsel Steven Watson were unsuccessful as of press time. The PNRS Board has 10 days to render a decision on the proposal. samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 Page 15 The Oasis for Lunch… MONDAY-FRIDAY 11AM TO 2PM SANDWICHES • LOCAL GROWN SALADS BURGERS • FISH ‘N’ CHIPS • DAILY SPECIALS alsoFINE DINING MONDAY-SATURDAY 5-10PM PRIVATE PARTY & BANQUET ROOMS AVAILABLE BAR & RESTAURANT MON thru SAT • 11AM-2AM TELEPHONE @ 699-6231 LOCATED IN SAMOA SPORTS BUILDING, AIRPORT RD Notice for Proposed Registration of Matai Title NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 6.0105 of the Revised Code of American Samoa that a claim of succession which has been filed with the Territorial Registrar’s office for the registration of the Matai Title TI’ALEMASUNU of the village of ILIILI by MIKAELE ETUALE of the village of ILIILI, county of TUALAUTA, WESTERN District. THE TERRITORIAL REGISTRAR is satisfied that the claim, petition by the family and certificate of the village chiefs are in proper form. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that anyone so desiring must file his counterclaim, or objection to the registration of this matai title with the Territorial Registrar Office before the expiration of 60 days from the date of posting. If no counterclaim, nor any objection is filed by the expiration of said 60 days, the matai title TI’ALEMASUNU shall be registered in the name of MIKAELE ETUALE in accordance with the laws of American Samoa. POSTED: JULY 15, 2013 thru SEPTEMBER 13, 2013 SIGNED: Taito S.B. White, Territorial Registrar Fa’aaliga o le Fia Fa’amauina o se Suafa Matai O le fa’aaliga lenei ua faasalalauina e tusa ma le Maga 6.0105 o le tusi tulafono a Amerika Samoa, e pei ona suia, ona o le talosaga ua faaulufaleina mai i le Ofisa o le Resitara o Amerika Samoa, mo le fia faamauina o le suafa matai o TI’ALEMASUNU o le nu’u o ILIILI e MIKAELE ETUALE o ILIILI faalupega o TUALAUTA, falelima i SISIFO. Ua taliaina e le Resitara lea talosaga, faatasi ma le talosaga a le aiga faapea ma le tusi faamaonia mai matai o lea nu’u, ma ua i ai nei i teuga pepa a lea ofisa. A i ai se tasi e faafinagaloina, ia faaulufaleina sana talosaga tete’e, po o sana faalavelave tusitusia i le Ofisa o Resitara i totonu o aso e 60 mai le aso na faalauiloa ai lenei fa’aaliga. Afai o lea leai se talosaga tete’e, po’o se faalavelave foi e faaulufaleina mai i aso e 60 e pei ona taua i luga, o lea faamauina loa lea suafa matai i le igoa o MIKAELE ETUALE e tusa ai ma aiaiga o le tulafono a Amerika Samoa. 07/22 & 08/22/13 AUTO NATION WINDSHIELD IN STOCK 250.00 $ Hundreds of RADIATOR IN STOCK We carry Genuine Aftermarket and Used Parts All All PPG PPG Paints Paints 10% 10% OFF OFF Auto Nation in Nu’uuli next to Talofa Video. ASIAN 699-7168 699-7168 Facial SPA MASSAGE CENTER • Shiatsu • Reflexology • Oil Massage COMBINATION $45 for 60 minutes Location: Beside Brenda’s Photoshop in Nuuuli Phone no: 699-4936 Business Hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Page 16 samoa news, Monday, July 22, 2013 U.S. drops bombs onto Barrier Reef “Lest we forget” — A fitting tribute at the end of the Manu’a Cession Day Celebration was when we, Samoa News, came upon a heart-wrenching scene in the final hours of our trip. CSM Iuniasolua Savusa (RET) and current Director of the ASDHS is seen here paying his respects at the gravesite of fallen US Army SSG Tuialu’ulu’u, Salamo Jared. Tuialuuluu died in Mosul, Iraq, when his Stryker military vehicle received enemy fire during convoy operations. Savusa was the Command Sergeant Major at Ft. Campbell when Tuialuuluu first joined the Army. He was not able to escort Tuialuuluu’s body back home for funeral services as he was in Afghanistan on duty at the time. This was Savusa’s first visit to the fallen soldier’s gravesite. May we never forget the sacrifice of our son’s and daughters [Photo: Terry Custodio Auva’a] so that we may enjoy the life we live — Freedom is never free. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The U.S. Navy said on Monday it is considering salvaging four unarmed bombs dropped by U.S. fighter jets into Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park last week when a training exercise went wrong. The two AV-8B Harrier jets launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard during joint exercises with the Australian military each jettisoned an inert, concrete-filled practice bomb and an unarmed laser-guided explosive bomb into the World Heritage-listed marine park off the coast of Queensland state on Tuesday. None exploded. The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest network of coral structures, is rich in marine life and stretches more than 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles) along Australia’s northeast coast. Now Open SUNDAY S! Starting Sunday July 21st, 2013 • 6:30am - 2:00pm Featuring our PRIME RIB LUNCH SPECIAL along with our daily BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS and our Delicious HOMEMADE DESSERTS. Take a break and don’t cook on Sundays. Join us and let our friendly staff pamper you in our beautiful, cool cafe with a breathtaking scenic view of our ocean. Call us @ 633-5297 The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the government manager of the 133,360 square miles protected marine zone, said in a statement that identifying options for the “rapid recovery” of the bombs so that they could pose no risk to the marine park was “a high priority.” But the authority also said the ordnances posed a “low risk to the marine environment.” Based on where the ordnance have been dropped in a location that is in water around 164 feet deep, about 19 miles from the nearest reef and 31 miles from the shoreline, the immediate impact on the marine environment is thought to be negligible, the statement said. U.S. 7th Fleet spokesman Lt. David Levy said Monday the Navy was currently reviewing the possibility of retrieving the ordnances in consultation with Australian authorities. “If the park service and the government agencies of Australia determine that they want those recovered, then we will coordinate with them on that recovery process,” Levy said in an email. Levy could not say whether the bombs were damaged or what the effect of long-term immersion in seawater could be. The four bombs, weighing a total of 900 kilograms (2,000 pounds), were dropped in deep water away from coral to minimize possible damage to the reef, the Navy said. The jets from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit had intended to drop the ordnances on the Townshend Island bombing range, but aborted the mission when controllers reported civilian boats in the way. The pilots conducted the emergency jettison because they were low on fuel and could not land with their bomb load, the Navy said. The authority that manages the marine park said the risk of any bomb detonating was “extremely low.” The emergency happened on the second day of the biennial joint training exercise Talisman Saber, which brings together 28,000 U.S. and Australian military personnel over three weeks. The Navy and Marine Corps were working with Australian authorities to investigate the incident, the Navy said. Australian Sen. Larissa Waters, the influential Greens party’s spokeswoman on the Great Barrier Reef, described the dumping of bombs in such an environmentally sensitive area as “outrageous” and said it should not be allowed. “Have we gone completely mad?” she told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “Is this how we look after our World Heritage area now? Letting a foreign power drop bombs on it?” C M Y K C M Y K
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