Regional
Ngerulmud, PALAU — A two thousand, four hundred-year-old (2,400) earthworks has been revealed as predating stone moai statues of Rapa Nui and megalithic Nan Madol in Micronesia.
Palauan tourism official Lelly Obakerbau shakes her head and motions at the encroaching jungle that threatens to reclaim...
WASHINGTON — On his social media site — Truth Social — US President Donald Trump has named the next United States Ambassador to New Zealand. Trump said Jared Novelly was a "highly respected philanthropist and chairman of Crest Sports and Entertainment and Crest Management. Foreign Minister Winston...
Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa Observer is reporting that a man was caught on video stealing women’s underwear from a private laundromat in Apia early Thursday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:10 a.m. The manager of Lynn’s Supermarket confirmed the stolen underwear belonged to a staff...
Apia, SAMOA — Government of the Independent State of Samoa and the Government of the People’s Republic of China have reaffirmed joint commitment and partnership to strengthen relations and cooperation between both countries and to facilitate exchange of visits between citizens of both countries...
Apia, SAMOA — The first lot of fuel has been removed from New Zealand navy ship Manawanui which sank in October off the southwest coast of Upolu in Samoa.
The recovered fuel and pollutants are being offloaded in Apia and the barge has since returned to start the second cycle of fuel removal.
NZDF...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The director of an Arizona burn center says its six patients injured in the Hawai'i New Years Eve fireworks explosion remain intubated and sedated but that's not unusual in these kinds of cases.
Hawaii News Now reported six patients had been airlifted to the center with...
Saipan, CNMI — A couple of LGBTQIA+ advocates in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are up in arms over US President Donald Trump's executive order rolling back protections for transgender people and terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government.
Pride Marianas...
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND — The final cost of salvaging the HMNZS Manawanui could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on what happens with the wreck.
Salvors in Samoa are currently taking fuel off the sunken vessel — at least some of the bill is paid for by the equivalent of third...
Apia, SAMOA — Members of the Palauli le Falefa District, along with family and friends, gathered this week to officially escort and present the new member of the Council of Deputies, Le Laulu Tiatia Mapesone Maposua, to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa at Malae o Tiafau, Mulinu'u.
The ceremony...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa’s prime minister and the five other ousted members of the ruling FAST Party are reportedly challenging their removal.
FAST chair La’auli Leuatea Schmidt on Wednesday announced the removal of the prime minister and five Cabinet ministers from the ruling party.
Twenty party...

![An aerial view of Ouballang terrace, the largest of a series of ancient man-made earthworks spread across Aimeliik state in Palau on Nov. 29, 2024. [photo: Rivers Reklai/BenarNews] An aerial view of Ouballang terrace](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/aerial_view.jpeg?itok=ol1ZgPeT)



![NZDF senior national representative for Operation Resolution Commodore Andrew Brown said the barge was expected to make a number of trips back to Apia to offload fuel. [photo: NZDF] HMNZS Manawanui salvage operation](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/barg_tugboat.jpeg?itok=vnzRhM-V)
![Three people died on New Year's Eve due to a Honolulu fireworks explosion. [photo: Hawaii Governor Josh Green Facebook] damage from fireworks explotion](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fire_scene_in_hawaii.jpg?itok=QxIXHMX4)
![President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office signs executive orders. [Photo: AFP / Jim Watson] Donald Trump](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/trump_signing_ex_orders.jpeg?itok=Q1Yn5zy-)

![The new member of the Council of Deputies Hon. Le Laulu Tiatia Mapesone Maposua (second from left) and his wife and proud relatives. Le Laulu is one of three new members of the Council of Deputies announced in the Samoa Parliament last month. The other two new members are Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and Malietoa Moli II. Their election completes the maximum number of people who can hold office under the Constitution of Samoa. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau] new member of the Council of Deputies Hon. Le Laulu Tiatia Mapesone](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_0796.jpg?itok=6eM2ijam)
![Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa after the Parliament session yesterday morning at Malae o Tiafau, Mulinu'u. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau] Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_0772.jpg?itok=4pYSLSyI)