Regional
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...
Apia, SAMOA — The new FAST Cabinet have moved to ease State of Emergency restrictions including the call to begin negotiations with the New Zealand government for the possibility of a travel bubble with Samoa.
“Feutagai ma le Malo o Niu Sila mo le faamautuina o aiaiga talafeagai uma e ao ona...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's court houses in Apia closed on Friday (Samoa time) in anticipation of a convoy of protest against the country's judiciary.
Our correspondent in Apia says hearings scheduled for the afternoon were moved to Monday to avoid any disruption.
The protests are in support of the...