Regional
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, says the prosecution against Malele Atofu or King Faipopo will go a head without him giving evidence in person.
But he said he would be called to the witness box if the Attorney General wants more evidence.
Speaking in his weekly...
KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii — Jury trial is set to open Wednesday for two men and a woman charged with attempted murder in connection with the brutal assault of a Kailua Village hotel security guard last fall.
Wesley Samoa, Natisha Tautalatasi and Lama Lauvao have each pleaded not guilty to a single charge...
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND — A study by New Zealand academics has called on churches in Samoa to help stop violence against women in the Pacific nation.
The report, titled Church Responses To Gender-Based Violence Against Women in Samoa, examines how Samoa's social, cultural and religious systems act...
Suva, FIJI — Influenza has been ruled out in the mystery deaths of two American tourists in Fiji.
The Fiji government said investigations into the couple's deaths are still going on.
In a statement issued late morning Fiji's health ministry said influenza had been ruled out and at this stage they...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's District Court says it has jurisdiction to hear a defamation complaint made by Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi.
The accused is Malele Atofu Paulo, a Samoan based in Australia, who is also known as King Faipopo.
The decision of Justice Alalatoa Rosella Papalii,...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Ministry of Justice's has recalled a convicted murderer to continue serving his life sentence.
Alatise Le'afa Vitale is already in custody for alleged breaches of his release from jail six years ago.
Alatise was convicted alongside his father Leafa Vitale and Toi Aukuso who...
Otago NEW ZEALAND — A new study recommends Samoan churches need to be actively involved in solving the Island’s domestic violence problems.
It’s estimated 60 per cent of women on the island nation are the victim of spousal violence.
From the age of five, 99 per cent of Samoans are affiliated...
Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS — The mother of a young Cook Islands girl detained in the United States wants her returned home.
Cook Islands News reports Puna Raela, a nine-year-old girl from Aitutaki, was detained at Los Angeles International Airport last week by United States authorities.
Miss Raela's...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's government has asked China to assist with acquiring a robot to help combat drug trafficking from American Samoa.
The Revenue Minister, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt told the Samoa Observer newspaper the government has made the request to the Chinese government.
Tialavea said the...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Budget for the upcoming year, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, is expected to have an overall deficit of over $US32 million.
This is despite an expected drop in government expenditures by 3.3 percent.
Minister of Finance Sili Epa Tuioti told Parliament the budget...