Regional
![Kava bowl and kava [Photo: RNZ / Daniela Maoate-Cox]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_eight_col_kava.jpg?itok=njupw_F0 "Kava bowl and kava [Photo: RNZ / Daniela Maoate-Cox]")
The government of Samoa is looking to revive what used to be a $US7.8 million export market for kava.
Kava was a significant export commodity until a ban imposed by European countries in 2001 caused many farmers to quit the industry.
Consequently when the ban was lifted in 2015, demand could not be...
![Police Superintendent and Media Spokesperson, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo. [Samoa Observer]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Samoa%20police%20spokesman%20Auapa%E2%80%99au%20Logoitino%20Filipo.jpg?itok=C5qKZnqc "Police Superintendent and Media Spokesperson, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo. [Samoa Observer]")
Three hospital workers have been charged and accused of stealing pharmaceutical products from the Hospital Pharmacy as part of an alleged ring to manufacture methamphetamine or ice.
This was confirmed by Police Superintendent and Media Spokesperson, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo, yesterday.
The...
![Passengers board a United Airlines flight in Majuro. For the first time in late January, Marshall Islands Immigration officials detained several passengers at Majuro's international airport for questioning in relation to participation in illegal adoptions in the United States. [Photo: Giff Johnson]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_United-flight-boarding-5-17-gj_7106.jpg?itok=hxgjKvsW "Passengers board a United Airlines flight in Majuro. For the first time in late January, Marshall Islands Immigration officials detained several passengers at Majuro's international airport for questioning in relation to participation in illegal adoptions in the United States. [Photo: Giff Johnson]")
Two Marshallese women caught up in an apparent illegal adoption scheme have been stopped at Majuro airport and prevented from travelling to the United States by authorities.
Our correspondent Giff Johnson said immigration authorities detained a suspected adoption agent for questioning along with...
Discussions are underway in Samoa to launch a new television station in time for the introduction of digital broadcasting in 2019.
Minister of Broadcasting, Afamasaga Rico Tupa'i, said a new station would help in development including education.
The Samoa government started the first television...
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union officials have proposed removing eight jurisdictions from the blacklist of tax havens the bloc adopted in December, in what critics may see as a blow to its campaign against tax avoidance.
EU states decided last month to draw up the list in a bid to discourage...
![A blacktip reef shark is among fish that inhabit coral reefs off American Samoa. Bleaching events are threatening reefs, a major source of food for more than a billion people worldwide. [Credit: Zack Gold/UCLA]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/coralreefsin.jpg?itok=i_MJNSGR "A blacktip reef shark is among fish that inhabit coral reefs off American Samoa. Bleaching events are threatening reefs, a major source of food for more than a billion people worldwide. [Credit: Zack Gold/UCLA]")
As the world's oceans heat up with climate change, coral reefs are increasingly under threat. Bleaching events—defense mechanisms against high temperatures that turn corals white—have become more frequent.
From 2010 to 2016, UCLA researchers studied corals off the coast of American Samoa in...
![Health Minister Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama (far left) with chiefs from Satupaitea, Palauli le Falefa and Palauli I Sisifo [Photo: supplied]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Sam%20Hospaital_groundbreak.jpg?itok=Ag9tRcg7 "Health Minister Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama (far left) with chiefs from Satupaitea, Palauli le Falefa and Palauli I Sisifo [Photo: supplied]")
The ground breaking for a new hospital expected to serve the needs of over 50 thousand people living in the area, has taken place in Samoa this week.
Scheduled for completion in February 2019, the government has decided to rebuild Satupaitea District hospital.
About 50 years ago the hospital closed...
![Christine Tupu and her husband on their wedding day in Samoa. Christine Tupu and her husband on their wedding day in Samoa. [photo: 9News]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Tupu.jpg?itok=Pyyio3AV "Christine Tupu and her husband on their wedding day in Samoa. Christine Tupu and her husband on their wedding day in Samoa. [photo: 9News]")
A young Queensland mother has pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from two employers and splashing the cash on a luxurious and extravagant lifestyle including flights to her overseas wedding for her family.
Christine Tupu, 26, siphoned more than $341,000 from her employers...
![MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Papali'i Afele J.P. Taimalelagi. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Sam%20ministry%20of%20justice%20Papalii.jpg?itok=qtsU5o3f "MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Papali'i Afele J.P. Taimalelagi. [SN file photo]")
Samoa's Lands and Titles Court have accepted a request to expedite the hearing of a village council petition to have a family removed.
The Samoa Observer reported the Ministry of Justice Papali'i confirming the request was granted to the Satapuala Village Council .
The family up for removal is...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/dengue-fever-prevention-us%20copy_7.jpg?itok=w9NYLJLG "[SN file photo]")
Tonga has declared a dengue outbreak following the death of a New Zealand girl in the country last week.
The 12-year-old had been visiting family in Tonga over the Christmas holidays.
The chief executive of Tonga's Ministry of Health said there were 19 confirmed cases of dengue in the country, all...