Regional
![Samoa Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoaPM_35.jpg?itok=EKI1JtcT "Samoa Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi [SN file photo]")
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has revealed that he threatened the council of churches with a proposed new law which would close the country down completely every weekend to allow Christians to keep the sabbath holy.
Speaking on national Radio 2AP yesterday, Tuila...
![Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu [Photo: WikiCommons / Marke Lowen via RNZI]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_449px-Ralph_Regenvanu.jpg?itok=C0lCV4hg "Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu [Photo: WikiCommons / Marke Lowen via RNZI]")
Port Vila, VANUATU — Vanuatu's Foreign Minister says the country has no intention of making itself a target by allowing another country to build a military base in its territory.
Ralph Regenvanu's comment follows Australian media reports that China was looking to establish a military base in...
![Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoaPM_34.jpg?itok=EOwcHDI0 "Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi [SN file photo]")
Apia, SAMOA — The chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi says an apparent proposed Chinese military base in Vanuatu is alright as long as it does not pose any threat to the region.
This week the Sydney Morning Herald reported the prospect of a Chinese military outpost...
![An emotional Feagaiga Stowers at Monday's medal ceremony. [photo: Stuff NZ]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pac%20News%20Briefs%20Stowers.jpg?itok=IYgeZNvs "An emotional Feagaiga Stowers at Monday's medal ceremony. [photo: Stuff NZ]")
SAMOA GOVT. DEFENDS SPORTS FUNDING
The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, has defended the Government against claims that funding of sports is unfair.
Speaking to the Samoa Observer yesterday, the Minister dismissed claims the Government is not investing enough money on the...
![[image: RNZI]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_11916791_xxl.jpg?itok=4Dr3TB2p "[image: RNZI]")
Apia, SAMOA — One of Samoa's commercial television services has been sold to a local broadcaster for an undisclosed amount.
The manager of Apia Broadcasting limited, Verona Parker, said the name of the new owner will be announced soon.
However, a reliable source said a meeting was held last weekend...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_police_11.jpeg?itok=9PmdTnFl "[SN file photo]")
SPS ARRESTS 20 IN LUATUANUU INCIDENT
The Samoa Police Service (SPS) is continuing its investigation into the incidents that occurred in the village of Luatuanuu during the weekend from Saturday, 17 March 2018 through Monday, 19 March 2018.
During this period, the SPS received numerous calls from...
Port Vila, VANUATU — Vanuatu says it's not in talks with China on a new military base.
Fairfax Media has reported China approached Vanuatu about building a permanent military presence in the South Pacific.
However, the Pacific nation's foreign minister Ralph Regenvanu told the ABC on Tuesday there...
![Sasina village council with church ministers and MP Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt. [Photo: RNZ Pacific/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/SASINA%20LAND%20LEASE.jpg?itok=kX2g_T7l "Sasina village council with church ministers and MP Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt. [Photo: RNZ Pacific/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]")
Sasina, SAMOA — The Samoan village of Sasina has paid families and church ministers their portion of lease money for land rented to Hong Kong based investors.
The 500 acres of customary land is being rented out at US$125,000 a year for nonu tree farming for the export of juice and fruit.
The cash...
![[Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/taro.jpg?itok=Hggapvxz "[Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]")
Apia, SAMOA — Taro from Samoa may be allowed into American Samoa if stringent control measures being proposed by the Samoa Ministry of Agriculture are accepted.
Of major importance to this new proposal is confirmation from Samoan authorities that the taro is pest free.
Consignments of taro for...
Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa Police Service has issued a statement confirming the severity of the attack against Police officers when they were called to Luatuanu’u to resolve a conflict there, last month.
According to a statement issued to the Weekend Observer, the Police estimate that $10,000 is the...