Regional
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Senior Samoa Supreme Court Justice, Vui Clarence Nelson is calling on the Samoa Government to appoint a task force to assist with the drug problem in the country, following the footsteps of the American Samoa Government.
“Great move by American Samoa Government. Every...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) has advised that all incoming passengers from American Samoa can self-isolate in their respective homes.
The new COVID-19 protocols were announced in a revised travel advice issued by the Ministry for travelers from American Samoa entering Samoa....
Detroit, MICHIGAN — The conditions that led to a shortage of baby formula were set in motion long before the February 2022 closure of the Similac factory tipped the U.S. into a crisis.
Retailers nationwide reported supplies of baby formula were out of stock at a rate of 43% during the week ended...
Honolulu,HAWAII — Honolulu Mayor Rick Blackgirdi said Wednesday that he might consider implementing a mask mandate after the Covid-19 case count rose for the eighth week in a row.
Hawaii recorded a weekly average of 925 cases per day on Wednesday, up from 722 the previous week. The state also...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has appeared before a parliamentary committee to explain an agreement she signed with the opposition leader to discontinue a contempt of court case.
She told the Samoa Observer she disputed the contention by Opposition Leader Tuilaepa...
Apia, SAMOA — A new era has dawned in Samoa with the swearing-in of three women MPs, taking the number of women in the Legislative Assembly to seven.
The swearing-in follows a court ruling issued by Chief Justice, Satiu Simativa Perese, Senior Justice Vui Clarence Nelson, and Justice Lesatele Rapi...
Nuku'alofa, TONGA — Four months on from the violent explosion of Tonga's Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, scientists are still piecing together what caused the biggest eruption the world has seen in decades.
January's blast sent shockwaves around the world: the sonic booms could be heard as far...
Honolulu, HAWAII — Three former Honolulu officials charged with engaging in a conspiracy had hoped a judge would determine their fates but will instead face a jury of their peers sometime this fall, U.S. District Court Judge Leslie Kobayashi said Thursday.
Former city attorney Donna Leong, former...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa has recorded its youngest COVID-related death.
This was revealed by the Acting Director General of Health, Tagaloa Robert Thomsen, confirmed the 36-year-old male died on May 1 from pneumonia made worse by COVID-19.
Tagaloa also confirmed the national COVID-19 vaccination roll...
Apia, SAMOA — The Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) in Samoa has reported 449 new community cases to increase the confirmed number of community cases to 10,583.
A M.O.H. Situational Report on COVID-19 in Samoa, which was released Sunday 9pm and covered the 2pm Monday 2 May to 2pm Wednesday 4 May 2022...



![Baby formula is displayed on the shelves of a grocery store with a sign limiting purchases in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Parents across the U.S. are scrambling to find baby formula because supply disruptions and a massive safety recall have swept many leading brands off store shelves. Editor’s Note: To date, there has been no indication from the local DHSS that manages the American Samoa’s WIC program, nor from local parents or suppliers that the ‘shortage’ of baby formula has reached American Samoa. [AP Photo/Michael Conroy] Empty baby formula shelves](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/empty_baby_formula_shelves_web.jpg?itok=tO-zglsd)
![Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he would consider implementing a mask mandate if the Department of Health recommends it. [photo: Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021] Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/honolulu_mayor-rick-blangiardi_web.jpg?itok=uCTf6b_O)

![Fiame said, in the end, the purpose of the law was to allow more women representatives in Parliament. [photo: courtesy Samoa govt] Samoa PM Fiame Naomi Mata'afa](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/pm_fiame_signing_doc.jpg?itok=_LuVybhp)
![Satellite image of the eruption on January 15. [photo: Tonga Meteorological Services / EyePress via AFP and RNZ] Satellite image of the Tonga eruption on January 15.](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tonga_eruption_satellite_view_web.jpg?itok=DpbuVwmI)
![Former police commission chairman Max Sword, left, appeared in court on a conspiracy charge. Thomas Otake, right, represents one of Sword’s co-defendants, former city counsel Donna Leong. [photo: Cory Lum/Civil Beat] Max Sword (left)](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/max-sword.jpg?itok=JrSfGeh-)

