Pacific Islands
Tokyo, JAPAN — As the Rugby World Cup prepares to kick off in Japan today - the same day a global strike for the climate takes place - a new report has highlighted how three of the smallest countries taking part, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, are under threat because of the aggressive fossil fuel burning...
Apia, SAMOA — China's ambassador to Samoa labelled critics of Beijing's activities in the Pacific "ignorant" and "prejudiced" Tuesday in the latest testy public missive from the rising Asian superpower's diplomatic corps.
Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific islands was a major theme at a...
Funafuti, TUVALU — Pacific island leaders do not share Australia's concerns about China's rising influence in the region, Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi said Thursday.
While Canberra and Washington fear China's long-term ambition is a military base in the Pacific, Malielegaoi said he...
MANILA, Philippines — The US Coast Guard will expand its presence to the Asia Pacific in the coming months amid China’s growing influence in the region.
Adm. Karl Schultz, commandant of the US Coast Guard, said in a telephone conference with reporters that they are “doubling down” in Oceania in the...
United Nations, NEW YORK CITY — Samoa's deputy prime minister has told the UN that a quarter of Pacific islanders live below the poverty line, many going without the most basic of needs.
Speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said that despite sustained growth, many...
SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of nearly $2.6 billion in funds to assist states, tribes, and territories with improving drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across the country.
The U.S. Pacific Island Territories of American Samoa,...
Canberra, AUSTRALIA — China’s influence in the Pacific creates a paradox for the formation of US policy towards Pacific island nations. If Washington focuses only on China’s involvement in the Pacific, it risks alienating the islands. Yet without mention of China, many US policymakers will remain...
![Pacific island climate change campaigners hold a traditional Fijian sevusevu and offer tapa to a community impacted by a massive coal mine in Germany. [Photo: Facebook]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/climate_change_funds_for_pacificweb.jpg?itok=F2Dn3Dyh "Pacific island climate change campaigners hold a traditional Fijian sevusevu and offer tapa to a community impacted by a massive coal mine in Germany. [Photo: Facebook]")
Washington, D.C. — The United States says it's working to improve access to the UN Green Climate Fund for Pacific Islands.
Fiji's prime minister Frank Bainimarama had said stringent criteria around access to the UN funding source should be relaxed so nations vulnerable to climate change could get...
![American Samoa’s Deputy Treasurer, Keith Gebauer [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/keith_gebauer.jpg?itok=yaS6SHc7 "American Samoa’s Deputy Treasurer, Keith Gebauer [SN file photo]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa and American Samoa are being used by foreigners who are non-Samoans to smuggle drugs into the countries.
So claims American Samoa’s Deputy Treasurer, Keith Gebauer, in response to questions from the Samoa Observer.
Recently, American Samoa Customs presented to a...
![Pacific Climate Warriors re-focus for 2018: Brianna Fruean and Fenten Lutunatabua. [courtesy photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pac%20Briefs%20Climate%20Warriors.jpg?itok=v3P6cWMn "Pacific Climate Warriors re-focus for 2018: Brianna Fruean and Fenten Lutunatabua. [courtesy photo]")
Apia, SAMOA — Court Officers Mane Jr Su’a and Vili Matthes have been arrested and charged.
Police Superintendent, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo confirmed the arrest in response to questions from the Samoa Observer yesterday.
The charges are in connection to a glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine or...