Regional
Apia, SAMOA — One of the biggest cocoa producers in Samoa has seen a huge surge in orders and says they're from Samoans abroad wanting a taste of home.
Covid-19 travel restrictions have many Samoans living abroad yearning for a taste of home.
The managing director of Savai'i Koko, Saleimoa Vaa'i...
Anchorage, ALASKA – An Anchorage man was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason to 50 years in prison for kidnapping and drug trafficking.
According to court documents, Macauther Christmas Vaifanua, 35, aka “Mac” and his brother, Faamanu Vaifanua, 31, aka “Junior” distributed...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, has responded to criticism of her government lifting the Sunday trade ban.
All main and small markets can now reopen for business from 4am to 9am in the morning.
The prime minister told reporters after a cabinet meeting that the Sunday ban...
Apia, SAMOA — The New Zealand Government says it has full confidence Samoa's new government and its judiciary will continue to act with integrity.
This comes after former prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, claimed that the recent actions of the judiciary had shattered the constitution...
HONOLULU — The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced last week that the requirement for the Hawai‘i and American Samoa pelagic longline fisheries to electronically report their catch will be effective Sept. 7, 2021. This regulation is intended to reduce human error, improve data...
Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa government is launching a country-wide door-to-door mass vaccination campaign for Covid-19 today.
The initiative was announced in public notices yesterday by the Ministry of Health.
Families with members who have not been immunized are being asked to tie any red colored...
Suva, FIJI — The US President, Joe Biden, is expected to address Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their virtual meeting Friday.
Biden has been invited by the Prime Minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, who is the incoming chair of the Forum as the regional grouping marks its 50th anniversary.
Issues...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's new Minister of Health said a planned travel bubble with New Zealand will not happen until the country's eligible population are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Valasi Tafito Selesele told the Samoa Observer that the latest amendments to the State of Emergency Orders was...
Apia, SAMOA — The Human Rights Protection Party's (H.R.P.P.) leaders told a thousand-plus supporters on Monday that their role as an opposition had begun with protests and would not stop until “constitutional” Government was restored to Samoa.
The minority party claims that only the Head of State...
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has given a formal and unreserved apology on behalf of the government for the Dawn Raids which she said left Pacific communities feeling "targeted and terrorized."
Ardern delivered the speech as part of a three and a half hour ceremony in front...

![Whittaker's 'Single Origin Samoan Cacao' using Trinitario Cocoa beans from Savaii [photo: RNZI] Whittaker's 'Single Origin Samoan Cacao'](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_whittakers_samoan_cocoa.jpeg?itok=DjHP15Ql)


![But, in a statement, the Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta reiterated New Zealand's backing for the new government of Fiame Naomi Mata'afa as the legitimate government of Samoa. [photo: RNZ Pacific] Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/nz_foreign_ministernanaia_mahuta.jpeg?itok=ALNIsq41)
![A NMFS scientist (left) tests an electronic reporting tablet’s connection to a satellite-linked vessel monitoring system. The council hired Vietnamese-speaker Kim-Dung Nguyen (right) to support NMFS’s outreach to Vietnamese-American longline fishermen on the tablets before the mandatory use requirement takes effect Sept. 7, 2021. [photos: NMFS] A NMFS scientist (left) and Kim-Dung Nguyen (right)](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/composit_photo_fisheries.jpg?itok=Yk-gbKcJ)
![A nurse administers a shot during the mass vaccination campaign in Samoa. The "Do It For Samoa" campaign aims to administer the vaccine to all eligible residents in the country. [photo: Samoa Govt / Logan Church] Nurse giving man a vaccination in the Public Health van](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/door_to_door_vax.jpg?itok=ZKK8fgCd)

![Samoa prime minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa chairing her first FAST party cabinet meeting. [photo: Eyespy Radio (Samoa) 87.5] Samoa prime minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_pm_fiame_in_cabinet_web.jpg?itok=vDT-SHZt)

