Local News
![Nikolao Iuli Pula Jr [SN file photo]]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/nikolao-pula.jpeg?itok=u8PUzbi3 "Nikolao Iuli Pula Jr [SN file photo]]")
An uncle of Simeonica Tuiteleleapaga has raised with Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie concerns over statements in a tape recording made by then Department of Human and Social Services Director Taeoafua Dr. Meki Solomona during a staff meeting the day after the 2016 general election.
In his...
![Following his confirmation hearing at the Senate, Department of Human and Social Service director Taeaoafua Dr. Meki Solomona (right) is seen shaking hands with Sen. Magalei Logovi’I, yesterday, on the Senate floor. [photo: FS]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Taeaoafua%206528.jpg?itok=jaY8nVqZ "Following his confirmation hearing at the Senate, Department of Human and Social Service director Taeaoafua Dr. Meki Solomona (right) is seen shaking hands with Sen. Magalei Logovi’I, yesterday, on the Senate floor. [photo: FS]")
Taeaoafua Dr. Meki Solomona’s confirmation hearing yesterday before the Senate as Director for the Department of Human and Social Service was dominated with statements over the controversy surrounding an incident where Taeaoafua berated DHSS employee Simeonica Tuiteleleapaga last November, as well...
![Human Resources Department director-nominee Eseneiaso Liu (right) on the Senate floor last Friday after embracing and shaking hands with Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie (left). The Senate confirmation hearing confirmed the nominee last Friday morning. [photo: FS]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Eseneiaso%206518.jpg?itok=vtq3dnTo "Human Resources Department director-nominee Eseneiaso Liu (right) on the Senate floor last Friday after embracing and shaking hands with Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie (left). The Senate confirmation hearing confirmed the nominee last Friday morning. [photo: FS]")
Two more cabinet nominees - Faleosina Voigt as Public Works Department Director and Filifa’atali Michael Fuiava as Director of the Agriculture Department are now fully confirmed by the Fono.
The Senate last Thursday handed down unanimous, but separate votes of 17-0, to confirm Voigt and Filifa’...
VA’ATUTI TEVITA JR
A 27-year-old man accused of having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl, has pled guilty in the High Court to deviate sexual assault, which is a felony punishable by up to 7 years in jail, a fine of $5,000 or both, according to a plea agreement between the government and...
![Appointed Director for Administrative Services, Fuega Moliga was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives in a vote of 18-0. His Senate confirmation is scheduled sometime soon. [Photo: JL]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Fuega.jpg?itok=DAo3nQvC "Appointed Director for Administrative Services, Fuega Moliga was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives in a vote of 18-0. His Senate confirmation is scheduled sometime soon. [Photo: JL]")
Emergency evacuation for the employees housed at the government building in Utulei is one of the issues that appointed director for Administrative Services Fuega Lua Moliga is working on. Fuega was responding to concerns and questions by Rep. Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i who inquired if there was an...
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, released the following statement regarding the Congressional Caucuses she will be serving on during the 115th Congress.
Caucuses are groups of likeminded Representatives that work together to raise awareness on a certain issue, or to produce...
![Seen here in a Samoa News file photo taken Manu'a Cession Day in 2015 are, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga accompanied by First Lady, Cynthia Malala Moliga, Polynesian Airlines CEO, Seiuli Alvin Tuala, Manu'a Senator Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua and Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tuiagamoa Tavai. [photo: JL]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/manua%20pols%202.jpg?itok=AvYBUN_C "Seen here in a Samoa News file photo taken Manu'a Cession Day in 2015 are, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga accompanied by First Lady, Cynthia Malala Moliga, Polynesian Airlines CEO, Seiuli Alvin Tuala, Manu'a Senator Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua and Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tuiagamoa Tavai. [photo: JL]")
Three traditional leaders of Ta’u County in Manu’a have challenged the selection of Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga T. Nua to hold one of the two senatorial seats for Manu’a District No. 1, comprising Faleasao, Ta’u and Fitiuta counties.
The complaint by Ta’u chiefs Lefiti Atiulagi Pese, Maui Aloali’i...
Pima Prevention Partnership (PPP), an off island company, has threatened to report the Department of Health to the United States Inspector General’s office for failing to pay an outstanding balance of $247,124 owed to PIMA for a variety of technical services it provided for DOH. PPP’s Chief...
![U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, a candidate for the Democratic National Committee chair, spoke alongside other candidates for the DNC chair at a party forum Saturday, Jan. 14, in Phoenix. [David Wallace - Associated Press file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/keith-ellisonweb.jpg?itok=miYbGt8k "U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, a candidate for the Democratic National Committee chair, spoke alongside other candidates for the DNC chair at a party forum Saturday, Jan. 14, in Phoenix. [David Wallace - Associated Press file photo]")
If elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), US Rep. Keith Ellison promised a visit to American Samoa and other US territories, which he says should have access to needed resources.
Ellison made the revelation early this week, as former American Samoa Congressman Faleomavaega Eni...
![Tafaigata prison [photo: 60 MINS-NINE]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Tafaigata%20prison_0.jpeg?itok=hEZHxT7o "Tafaigata prison [photo: 60 MINS-NINE]")
A Samoan prisoner has had more time added to his sentence after he admitted to the attempted rape of a foreign woman, and one count of theft.
24 year-old, Daniel Vailopa, will serve three-and-a-half years after serving his current two year sentence in July for separate criminal charges.
According...