Regional
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...
London, UK — Nations that register vessels under so-called “flags of convenience” allowing them to sail legally have de-listed dozens of tankers owned by Iran in recent months, tightening the economic noose around it.
De-flagging Iranian ships is just one way the international community is...
Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) filed a federal lawsuit alleging that tech giant Google infringed on her free speech when it paused her campaign’s advertising account for six hours after the Democratic presidential debate on June 28.
The lawsuit was filed in...
Nuku'alofa, TONGA — Tonga police, in a joint operation with Customs, have intercepted 10 illegal firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
The contraband was smuggled into Tonga in four different shipments from the United States in the first week of July.
Police have arrested three men in...
Sydney, AUSTRALIA — Richard Parker fans in Hawaii can expect some great music from the Australian-based musician next month, and he is also planning a South Pacific concert which will also see him perform in Samoa.
It’s Parker’s first concert in the U.S. state, and he is excited and anxious about...
Anchorage, ALASKA — Samoa News had reported that the two main co-conspirators — Breadoflife ‘Presley’ Faiupu, 36; and Congress Lepou, 31 — were sentenced to jail this year with restitution to pay.
But there has been nothing on Maae, who participated in the scheme that deprived schools at remote...
Kwajalein Atoll, MARSHALL ISLANDS — A new report on the contamination near a US Army Garrison in the Marshall Islands confirms that fish around Kwajalein Island contain dangerous levels of toxic chemicals.
The latest US Army report confirms that fish in many locations on Kwajalein Island and nearby...
Apia, SAMOA — Paulo Malele also known as King Faipopo has pleaded guilty to one charge of making false statements that affect the reputation of another person, and will be sentenced next month. The complainant in this case is the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailelele Malielagaoi.
In Court today, the...
Apia, SAMOA — Police confiscated heroin and cocaine tablets with an estimated street value of more than $400,00 Samoan tala from a passenger who arrived at Faleolo on Sunday, 21 July.
The 24-year-old female passenger who allegedly carried the tablets into the country, has been charged in connection...
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Dozens of people have rallied in New Zealand's biggest city in support of Hawaii's Mauna Kea protests.
For the seventh day, protestors have occupied the site of a planned giant telescope atop Hawaii's highest mountain, which is considered sacred.
Many Maori in New Zealand...

![FIRST PORT CALL The US Coast Guard cutter Bertholf arrives at Manila South Harbor’s Pier 15 after participating in search-and-rescue and maritime security exercises with the Philippine Coast Guard near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. [photo: RICHARDA. REYES] The US Coast Guard cutter Bertholf](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/uscg_cutter_bertholfweb.jpg?itok=TitGxFhe)

![Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard on the campaign trail. [SN file photo] Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard on the campaign trail.](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tulsi_gabbard_on_campaign_trail_0.png?itok=FuSgyFTY)
![Guns and ammunition seized in Tonga [Photo: supplied] Guns and ammunition seized in Tonga](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/guns_n_ammo_tongaweb.jpg?itok=RvI6t6OU)


![An aerial view of Kwajalein Island, headquarters of the US Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll [Photo: RNZ Pacific / Giff Johnson] An aerial view of Kwajalein Island, headquarters of the US Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/webeight_col_kwajalein_aerial_landing_from_west.jpg?itok=XpYZnVMY)
![King Faipopo with his back to his supporters, seeks an explanation from his lawyer Josephine Sapolu [Newsline Samoa] King Faipopo with his back to his supporters, seeks an explanation from his lawyer Josephine Sapolu](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/webking-faipopo-facing-the-wall-feature-image-1024x366.jpg?itok=fFW_Uxbf)

![Victoria University Pacific Studies lecturer, Emalani Case. Case, who grew up near the mountain, has flown home to stand with her people. [screenshot from video] Victoria University Pacific Studies lecturer, Emalani Case](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/screen_shot_2019-07-22_at_9.45.12_am.png?itok=uDRbhuMC)