Regional
Apia, SAMOA — For the first time in the 59 years of Samoan independence, the Parliament grounds have been barricaded for today's session of the House.
The barricades went up late last night after Police put out a public notice declaring Parliament building and surrounding grounds out of bounds for...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Elected members of the opposition Human Rights Protection Party have been banned from attending Parliament session scheduled for September 14 at Mulinuu.
The HRPP party, led by former prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, were told by a letter Monday from Speaker...
Honolulu, HAWAII — A group of Hawaii hotels said it will start requiring proof of COVID vaccination for all guests and visitors beginning in October.
Among the hotels requiring the vaccine is Alohilani Resort in Waikiki as well as seven Highgate Hawaii hotels.
Many of the hotel employees will need...
Apia, SAMOA — The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Tourism Authority says tourism in Samoa will not be opening up anytime soon.
Faamatuainu Lenata'I Suifua Faamatuainu was clarifying a statement on Radio Australia quoting him as saying the borders will reopen next year.
He said while there have...
Washington D.C. — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general urging the Supreme Court to reject the exclusion of Americans living in territories from nationwide federal aid programs.
In an amicus brief filed in United States v. Vaello-Madero, a case...
Apia, SAMOA —Samoa's Prime Minister says the world must take urgent action on climate change or low-lying Pacific nations will face a "dire" future.
AFP reports Fiame Naomi Mata'afa gave a stark assessment of the Pacific's prospects if there's not greater effort to tackle global warming at the COP...
Apia, SAMOA — In Samoa, the suspended Officer-in-charge of the Nafanua II patrol boat, Superintendent Taito Sefo Hunt, faces five charges of misconduct over the grounding of the vessel on a reef.
Deputy Police Commissioner, Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo told Samoa Observer that Taito is facing...
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Every day, David Letele and the workers at his Brown Buttabean food bank are run off their feet. From morning until well into the night, they're busy packing parcels by the hundreds to meet an unprecedented demand.
Letele's central Manukau foodbank is one of many across...
Honolulu, HAWAII — It seemed like a new era for Samoa when it voted its first woman prime minister into office, after more than 20 years under the previous leader.
But the small Pacific nation’s political future is still uncertain, as the fallout from the election continues with potentially power-...
Apia, SAMOA — The chief executive of Samoa's Ministry of Finance has resigned.
The CEO, Leasiosiofaasisina Oscar Malielegaoi, is the son of the country's former Prime Minister.
Leasiosiofaasisina posted a video on social media saying he had been asked by the Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa...