Front Page Monday February 8, 2010

Gov. apologizes to teachers who did not get paid

Gov. Togiola Tulafono offered his sincere apologies to Department of Education teachers who didn’t get paid on last Monday’s government pay day, and thanked them for their patience while DOE worked to resolve the paycheck issues. Fili Sagapolutele [+]

Fuala’au ‘Rosie’ Lancaster declares she will run for Congress

Former Congressional candidate Fuala’au ‘Rosie’ Tago Lancaster intends to be a candidate again for American Samoa Delegate to the U.S. House in the November general election with the hope to unseat long-time incumbent Congressman Faleomavaega Eni. In a media statement, Lancaster provided details of her motivation to seek the Congressional seat— which  has been held by Faleomavaega since 1989. Fili Sagapolutele [+]

Washington trial in recess, jury still out

(JAMESTOWN, RI)— As Washington, D.C., once again found itself hammerlocked by mother nature on Friday, Judge Reggie Walton did the sensible thing and called a recess in the federal district court trial of Lt. Gov. Faoa Aitofele Sunia and Sen. Tulifua Tini Lam Yuen. John Enright [+]

Sen. Tuanaitau laid to rest in Pava’ia’i

Sen. Tuana’itau Fa’atamala Tuia, a man who was loved, cherished and honored by his family, church, village and constituency— was laid to rest Saturday in Pava’ia’i village, beside his late wife Mrs. Betty Umeyo Logan Tuia. Tina Mata’afa [+]

 

UPDATES WILL BE SHOWN HERE


 
 

Proposed funding from Obama administration includes extra money for American Samoa

Millions of dollars are earmarked specifically for American Samoa under President Barack Obama’s budget proposal submitted to Congress recently for fiscal year 2011. This is in addition to the usual annual allocation for the territory. Fili Sagapolutele [+]

Man charged with vehicular homicide receives one year in jail

The High Court has sentenced to one year in jail the driver of a vehicle, that the Chief Justice says was driven “recklessly” causing the death of an infant last October in Nu’uuli. The accident sent five people, who were occupants of the car, to the hospital. Fili Sagapolutele [+]

Families still need help in recovering from Sept. ‘09 tsunami

The American Samoa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ASVOAD) Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC) has kicked off 2010 with fundraising events for families that still need help recovering from the Sept. 29, 2009 tsunami that smashed several villages in American Samoa. Tina Mata’afa [+]

Community Briefs

Gov. Togiola Tulafono praised the efforts of everyone involved in bringing live CBS television programming to American Samoa with the first big benefit, yesterday’s live Super Bowl game with commercials intact. Samoa News Staff [+]

Obama invites GOP leaders to health care talk

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In the first major step to revive his health care agenda after his party's loss of a filibuster-proof Senate majority, President Barack Obama on Sunday invited Republican and Democratic leaders to discuss possible compromises in a televised gathering later this month. [+]

'Historic' snow strands countless in Mid-Atlantic

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Planes were grounded, trains stood still and Greyhound buses weren't rolling in the Mid-Atlantic region on Sunday, leaving stranded travelers wondering when they'll be able to escape the icy, gray mess created by a major snowstorm. [+]

Evacuees return to LA-area homes swamped with mud

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, Calif. (AP) -- Residents evacuated from foothill communities deluged by weekend mudslides north of Los Angeles were allowed to return home Sunday as crews moved debris and started clearing catch basins in anticipation of more rain later in the week. [+]

Sarah Palin assails Obama at 'tea party' gathering

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Sarah Palin, in a speech that was short on ideas but big on enthusiasm, took aim at President Barack Obama and the Democrats, telling a gathering of "tea party" activists that America is ripe for another revolution. Noting his party's dismal showing in elections since Obama moved into the White House a year ago with talk of hope and promises of change, Palin asked the gathering: "How's that hope-y, change-y stuff workin' out for you?" [+]

Hundreds flee south Afghan town ahead of offensive

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) -- Minivans piled high with mattresses and clothing lined up at checkpoints Sunday as hundreds of civilians fled a Taliban-controlled area ahead of a planned NATO offensive in southern Afghanistan. [+]

Cowboy theme at American base in Afghanistan

FOB TOMBSTONE, Afghanistan (AP) -- Welcome to the O.K. Corral. Past the concrete slabs and guards in heavy combat gear, a wooden board at the entrance to an allied military base in Afghanistan shows an image of Wyatt Earp, the legendary lawman of the American Wild West. [+]

Australia tightens skilled migration rules

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Australia tightened its migration rules Monday in favor of English speakers and professionals, saying the country has been attracting too many hairdressers and cooks and too few doctors and engineers. [+]

Whalers, activists clash again off Antarctica

SYDNEY (AP) -- Anti-whaling ship the Bob Barker and a Japanese harpoon boat collided in icy Antarctic waters in the second major clash this year in increasingly aggressive confrontations between conservationists and the whaling fleet. [+]

Another redesign for Facebook on 6th birthday

NEW YORK (AP) -- Facebook is redesigning its site yet again, this time to better emphasize applications, games and search. [+]

Who Dat? Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Demi, Dat Who

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) -- The cry of "Who Dat" wasn't all about the New Orleans Saints at the Super Bowl - it was also said by onlookers as cameras flashed at the sight of A-list celebrities at the big game, including Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise with kids in tow. [+]