Regional
Port-Vila, Vanuatu – The 10th Pacific Mini Games was held in Vanuatu from 4- 15 December, bringing together thousands of athletes and visitors from across the region. While the public focus was on the incredible performances on the field, behind the scenes a team of trained public health...
![Samoa's Parliament building [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Samoa_Parliament.jpg?itok=BpI-Slvs "Samoa's Parliament building [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]")
SAMOA PARLIAMENT VOTES TO BRING BACK LIBEL LAW
Samoa's Parliament has unanimously voted to restore a criminal libel law that had been repealed four years ago.
The justice minister, Fa'aolesa Katopau Ainu'u, told parliament the government's objective was to protect innocent members of the public....
![[screenshot from NZ Herald video]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Screen%20Shot%202017-12-19%20at%206.11.29%20AM.png?itok=XDKkbTdE "[screenshot from NZ Herald video]")
CHRISTCHURCH MAN STUNNED AFTER TRADIE CALLS HIM THE N-WORD —
A Christchurch man says he's "deeply disappointed" rather than angry after a tradesman called him a n***** and made gorilla noises at him.
Peter Retimanu, 53, is a New Zealand-born Samoan who lives in Shirley in Christchurch.
This morning...
![Fed up with feeling unsafe while using public transport: Isabella Carruthers plans to provide another option. [Samoa Observer]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/images%7Ccms-image-000035600.jpg?itok=A1Kgmuau "Fed up with feeling unsafe while using public transport: Isabella Carruthers plans to provide another option. [Samoa Observer]")
Catching a taxi in Samoa, especially late at night if you’re a female, often has its unsavory moments.
What should be a simple paid ride to your destination, can often be an ordeal for the female passenger, particularly if they are alone.
Many women find themselves having to fend off verbal...
![Tuna on the deck of a Pacific fishing vessel. [Photo: RNZI/Giff Johnson]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_eight_col_PNA_201_tuna_on_deck_2.JPG?itok=oLDqLIWU "Tuna on the deck of a Pacific fishing vessel. [Photo: RNZI/Giff Johnson]")
There are questions over how the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission plans to support observers in its range of new sustainability measures.
The Commission has announced the adoption of a new tropical tuna bridging measure and a number of conservation rules for fishing vessels.
But...
![Former Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo [Samoa Observer]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Deputy%20Prime%20Minister%20Fonotoe%20Pierre%20Lauofo.jpg?itok=fNa5VIGh "Former Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo [Samoa Observer]")
Samoa's former deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, has had a conviction against him quashed by the Court following an appeal.
This week Justice Mata Tuatagaloa of the Supreme Court allowed the appeal and ordered the conviction quashed which put an end to a longstanding matter which...
![Afereti Talato Mapusua was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday. [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/four_col_mapusua.jpg?itok=A1t9gJs- "Afereti Talato Mapusua was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday. [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]")
A Samoa man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after an assessor trial found him guilty of the manslaughter of his eldest son.
The court heard that in February, a heavily drunk Afereti Talato Mapusua struck his 15-year-old son in the neck with a machete, killing him instantly.
The prosecution...
![About 200 people marched through Samoa's capital, Apia, on Saturday, protesting against land laws. [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_SAMOA_PROTEST_2.jpg?itok=8UXY385G "About 200 people marched through Samoa's capital, Apia, on Saturday, protesting against land laws. [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]")
About 200 people marched through Samoa's capital, Apia, on Saturday, protesting against nine-year-old land laws.
They were marching against the Registration of Land and Titles Act of 2008, which requires the registration of public land, freehold land, and customary leases and licences.
Critics say...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa%20court_4.jpg?itok=p9qp7zzc "[SN file photo]")
A man who faced a manslaughter charge in relation to an incident involving his wife has been jailed for two years and 10 months.
Isaako Taumaloto, 49, of Saoluafata, had faced one charge of manslaughter.
The decision was handed down by Samoa Supreme Court Justice Lei’ataulesa Daryl Clarke on...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/dengue-fever-prevention-us%20copy_1.jpg?itok=ToJnzTjB "[SN file photo]")
Four deaths have been confirmed in the latest dengue fever outbreak in Samoa, which was detected last October.
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Health who said in a statement issued by the government press secretariat that blood samples were confirmed at the ESR Lab in New Zealand.
According...