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PACIFIC NEWS BRIEFS
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Many Samoans face serious health risks due to poor nutrition, which is partly attributed to the high cost and limited availability of healthy food in the country, a diet analysis report has found.
The Cost of the Diet Analysis report published by Samoa's Ministry of...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Tonga's health ministry has launched its long-awaited National Mental Health Strategy and Policy at Vaiola Hospital.
Health officials have described the move as a milestone in strengthening mental health services and coordination across Tonga.
The nation's head...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — French authorities in New Caledonia are investigating after a sea turtle was found tied to a tree.
The female turtle, about 25-30 years-old, was bound in rope in the Koutio mangrove swamp in Dumbéa and rescued on 14 September.
An Aquarium des Lagons spokesperson said she...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Japan is providing Tonga with a US$17.7million airport upgrade.
PMN reported the initial request for the upgrade was made by Tonga in 2022, following a detailed study by Japan. A grant aid of US$17.7m was approved in August for Fua'amotu International Airport in...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Tonga's King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u have been in Australia for their first official visit.
PMN reported the king and queen were given a tour of Ngunnawal, the traditional homeland of the Australian capital, Canberra; and met with foreign minister Penny Wong.
Also...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa said she has no regrets in her four years in office, which she described as a challenging period of significant transition and reform.
After delivering her concession speech on Tuesday, Fiame said dwelling on regrets is...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathalie Aviles from U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam played a pivotal role in the success of Operation Island Chief 2025, a multinational maritime surveillance operation to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing across...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa's Head of State has confirmed the first sitting of the country's newly elected 18th parliament will take place next week.
Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II issued a proclamation appointing Tuesday, September 16, at 9.30am Samoa time as the date for the opening....
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In Aotearoa, a small community is celebrating a huge win against 80 years of sand mining on their coastline.
Pākiri beach is about 90-minute drive north from Auckland's city center. It has been depleted of millions of tons of Holocene sand used for high-strength concrete...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The retail prices for petrol and kerosene have decreased, while the price of diesel has increased in the changes in fuel prices that go into effect on Monday, 1 September.
Petrol decreases by 2.6 sene per litre, from $3.02 to $2.99, diesel increases by 4.7 sene per litre...

![According to the analysis, a nutritious diet in Samoa costs more than four times than what a basic energy diet costs. [Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins] Apia residents sitting on the sea wall](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/apia_waterfront_wall.jpeg?itok=AksNSmA5)

![A female turtle about 25-30 years-old bound in rope in the Koutio mangrove swamp in Dumbéa New Caledonia. [Photo: Supplied/ Gendarmerie de Nouvelle-Calédonie ] A female turtle being rescued from a rope](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/rescued_turtle.jpg?itok=kZZWkSS0)
![Tongans line the viewing deck draped in the black and purple of mourning to watch the casket carrying the body of King George Tupou V arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport on March 26, 2012 from Hong Kong. [photo: AFP / Torsten Blackwood] Tonga airport](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tonga_airport.jpg?itok=YfmzOu0D)
![Tonga's King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u with Governor Margaret Beazley and Mr Wilson. [photo: Australia High Commission /Tonga Facebook] Tonga's King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u with Governor Margaret Beazley](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tonga_royal_visit_.jpeg?itok=8PgFgwLl)
![Fiame Naomi Mataafa and her cabinet concede after which Fiame said dwelling on regrets is unproductive, noting that the changes made are part of an ongoing and necessary process for Samoa’s future. “There is no value in regrets because what has happened is part of a process,” she said. [Photo: Junior S. Ami] Fiame Naomi Mataafa and cabinet members](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fiame_cabinet_conceding.jpeg?itok=W6WVzGco)
![Petty Officer 2 Nathalie Aviles role involved analyzing intelligence and developing actionable products that guided surface and air assets in conducting 100 boardings (53 in port, 47 at sea) and identifying 12 vessels of interest. [courtesy photo] Petty Officer 2 Nathalie Aviles](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/uscg_petty_officer_aviles.png?itok=8jB-c_yI)
![Preliminary results show the ruling FAST party securing 30 seats, HRPP winning 14, SUP with three, and four independents elected. [SN file photo] Samoa Parliament building](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_parliament_new_bldg.jpeg?itok=Fsu3nPVL)
![Pakiri seabed sand mining protestors voice their opposition as a McCallum Bros' sand mining ship moves by. [Photo: Northern Advocate] Pakiri seabed sand mining protestors](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/sand_mining.jpeg?itok=9O-0mjtf)
![Petrol and kerosene prices decrease while diesel price has increased. [Photo: Junior S. Ami] TRAFFIC IN SAMOA](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/vehicles_in_samoa_copy.jpg?itok=tYcWhaNB)