Regional
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A new Auckland-based kava business has found itself at the heart of a cultural debate, with critics raising concerns about appropriation, authenticity, and the future of kava as a deeply rooted Pacific tradition.
Vibes Kava, co-founded by Charles Byram and Derek Hillen,...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — U.S. Congress, U.S. State Department, and U.S. Army members joined the German War Graves Commission, the Japanese American Veterans Association, local German mayors, leaders, and community members May 2, 2025, for a ceremony to honor the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa has dropped in its media and information freedom world ranking from 22 in 2024 to 44 in 2025 in the latest World Press Freedom Index compiled annually by the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
For the Pacific region, New Zealand is ranked highest at 16,...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 3.6 million residents of U.S. territories are among the communities in the United States most impacted by climate change. Yet without voting representation in Congress, a vote for President, or representation in regional and international bodies, their ability to...
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – The official opening of the state-of-the-art Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) on April 25, 2025, marks a new chapter for Veterinary Readiness Activity, Hawaii (VRA, H). The organization, composed of just 45 Soldiers and Civilians, is responsible for all...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A well-placed source in the Samoa police says officers want their power to carry firearms widened.
The senior police officer says the fatal shooting of the former head of homicide last year sparked concern within the force.
However, a formal proposal has yet to be put...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — New Zealand women and South Africa men were crowned HSBC SVNS 2025 champions after securing stirring victories at the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles.
South Africa claimed their fifth men’s Series title, and first since 2021 by beating a valiant Spanish side...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Criminal Investigations Department has taken over the investigation of the case that surfaced over the weekend, where a missing teenager was found gagged and tied, and now Samoa Observer is reporting that a suspect has been identified.
Deputy Commissioner Papalii...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lawmakers representing New Zealand's ethnic communities have condemned critics for focusing on their ethnicity when disagreeing with policies they are proposing.
The remarks follow the torrent of abuse on social media that ACT lawmaker Parmjeet Parmar received after she...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Latest data from Stats NZ reveals that 17.2 percent of New Zealand households had at least one person belonging to the Asian ethnic group in 2023.
Data from 2018 shows such households making up 15.1 percent of total households in the country, according to Stats NZ.
There...