Regional
Samoa's prime minister has continued his criticism of the leadership of the country's largest church, as a dispute over income tax grows increasingly heated.
On July 1, a new law kicked in which requires church ministers and the head of state to pay income tax.
But pastors for the Congregational...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With American Samoa's political status an important issue of discussion, Attorney General, Talauega Eleasalo Ale suggests that perhaps such a discussion should also include a look at “independence” — citing Tuvalu, a very small country in the world but an independent...
Apia, SAMOA — It is the responsibility of all Samoans to ensure young people are protected from internet pornography, the country's telecommunications regulator says.
Lefaoali'i Unutoa Auelua-Fonoti told the Samoa Observer that she was concerned by the accessibility of internet pornography to...
Apia, SAMOA — AN 11-year-old boy has been reported missing since last Wednesday by his family at Faleas’iu.
Ioapo Toetu was last seen wearing black shorts without a shirt and the matter has been brought to the attention of the police.
The Ministry of Police released a statement last Friday evening...
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Two children who died after being immunised in Samoa are suspected to have had a rare life-threatening immunodeficiency disorder.
Their parents decided to speak publicly after media reports on their deaths after being given the vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella (...
Apia, SAMOA — The Luatuanu’u village council has asked the Government to lift the ban on its people accessing employment opportunities abroad and playing in rugby tournaments.
In April this year a fight erupted during a rugby match at Saoluafata between Luatuanu’u and Falefa and this led to the...
Apia, SAMOA — Women have lost confidence in the Samoa public health system following the deaths of two toddlers in Savai’i last week.
A mother and grandmother, Lipena Heremoni of Tulaele spoke to the Weekend Observer saying she has lost confidence in the services offered by the hospital.
“I have...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Attorney General says efforts are being made to return the bodies of two babies who died suddenly last week to their families.
The childrens' deaths soon after receiving the common MMR vaccine prompted the government to temporarily call off vaccination programmes.
Lemalu...
Apia, SAMOA — The Methodist Church of Samoa says it fully supports a new law requiring church ministers to pay tax.
The church's general secretary, Faulalo Leti, said its General Conference had opted to support the law.
Reverend Leti said the church understands the taxes will be used to develop...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa has issued an immediate recall of the vaccine for mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) following the deaths of two infants who reportedly passed away just hours after receiving their shots.
It’s reported by ABC Pacific Beat that the two children, boy and girl, were both aged about...