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Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — United States President Donald Trump's top diplomat in Aotearoa is one step closer to assuming office — more than a year after he was announced.
Billionaire businessman Jared Novelly is the Trump's nominee to be US Ambassador to New Zealand, Niue, the Cook Islands and...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Illegal diving and forced entry at the wreck of HMNZS Manawanui have prompted the Samoa government to increase surveillance of the navy vessel.
The Royal New Zealand Navy ship sank in October 2024 off the south coast of Upolu after hitting a reef, spilling hundreds of...
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, — Laura Ah Loo, the widow of the man fatally shot, allegedly by a “peacekeeper” aiming at someone else, during a Salt Lake City “No Kings” rally and march on June 14, 2025, has filed a lawsuit.
The suit — also brought by Taupouga Folasa Samoa, the mother of victim Arthur “Afa...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Last week, Pacific leaders flocked to Honolulu in hopes of making a deal with the United States.
The "Pacific Agenda" investment summit was followed with a visit of US officials to Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. Leading them was Christopher Landau, deputy to Marco Rubio.
Among a...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The DMWR Wildlife Team attended the International Sea Turtle Symposium from February 28 to March 6, 2026 on the big island of Hawaii.
This is the first time in the societies history the symposium to be hosted in Polynesia. The symposium brings together global experts,...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa and the United States of America have formally signed the landmark Open Skies Agreement, paving the way for increased direct flights between the two nations and expanded opportunities for cooperation in aviation and beyond.
The Agreement was signed on Monday at Taumeasina Island...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 206th Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene in person March 24- 26, 2026, at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom, Honolulu, HI.
The Council will consider and may take action on four issues, including any public...
Honolulu, HAWAII — (February 26, 2026) VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) today announced it has begun infrastructure upgrades to ensure safe and effective patient care. These projects are part of a record $4.8 billion in nationwide VA spending to modernize, repair, and improve...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A retired law professor who has sat on military court panels believes the charges laid in relation to the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui are unprecedented.
The Navy ship sank in October 2024 off the coast of Samoa after hitting a reef, spilling hundreds of thousands of...
Apia, SAMOA — (March 03, 2026) The Nelson Memorial Public Library in Apia was alive with celebration as the American Corner reopened its doors, following extensive refurbishment supported by the United States.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Master of Ceremonies Pere Siaosi of the U....

![Jared Novelly, right, is Trump's nominee to be US Ambassador to New Zealand, Niue, the Cook Islands and Samoa. [Photo: Emily Barker / Getty Images] Jared Novelly, right](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/jared_novelly_0.jpg?itok=ygB-2eyK)
![The Royal New Zealand Navy ship sank in October 2024 off the south coast of Upolu after hitting a reef. [SN file photo] HMNZS Manawanui sinking](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/manawanui_sinking_copy_4.jpg?itok=-yhF0A6O)
![A makeshift memorial marked the site of the fatal State Street shooting which claimed the life of world-renowned Utah clothing designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo during the June 14, 2025, “No Kings” march in Salt Lake City. The widow of ‘Afa’ Ah Loo, the man fatally shot at ‘No Kings’ protest, has filed a lawsuit against rally organizers, ‘peacekeeper’. [Photo: Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict] Afa Ah Loo memorial](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/afa_ah_loo_memorial.jpg?itok=M946rgXC)

![DMWR Turtle Biologist Alphina Liusamoa presented in the plenary session-Pacific Island Nations and Wildlife technicians Opeta Mekuli and Lalakai Taiseni presented during the Oceania regional meeting. [Facebook photo] DMWR wildlife team](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/dmwr_.jpg?itok=Ig2GbuXL)
![U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Samoa Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt following the signing of the Open Skies Agreement on Monday at Taumeasina Island Resort. The agreement comes amid a hike in Samoa’s airport fees, making it more expensive to fly in & out of the island nation, including transiting. [courtesy photo] Christopher Landau and Samoa Prime Minister](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/landau3.jpg?itok=ndT08tyl)



![U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Acting CEO of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Tuaopepe Perenise Tinei, cut the ribbon to officially open the American Corner at Nelson Memorial Public Library in Apia on Monday. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau] Christopher Landau and Tuaopepe Perenise Tinei](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_5168.jpg?itok=uRP1bjj3)