Regional
![Uncle, Ron Manning, and nephew, Ed Leota working (and playing around) together. [Photo courtesy: Taste of Samoa]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pac%20Briefs%20Samoa-Manning-and-Leota-300x225.jpg?itok=ofvmY0yL "Uncle, Ron Manning, and nephew, Ed Leota working (and playing around) together. [Photo courtesy: Taste of Samoa]")
GIVING WASHINGTON STATE A ‘TASTE OF SAMOA’ —
Washingtonians know that people are attracted to their majestic state from all over the world, but particularly from the islands sprinkled throughout the Pacific Ocean.
Citizens of Taiwan and the Philippines, and residents of the islands of American...
![Luititi Tualima (m), Vaioa Solia (m), Aniseko Vaelei (m) and Uili Manuleleua (m). [Photos: Samoa Observer]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/escaped%20prisoners.jpg?itok=wFAUN0_- "Luititi Tualima (m), Vaioa Solia (m), Aniseko Vaelei (m) and Uili Manuleleua (m). [Photos: Samoa Observer]")
PRISON BREAK: FOUR PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM TAFA’IGATA —
A man convicted of tying up a male while raping his wife at knife point had escaped from Tafa’igata Prison.
The good news is that Lauititi Tualima has been recaptured.
But he was among four prisoners who escaped from Tafaigata this morning,...
Port-Vila, Vanuatu – The 10th Pacific Mini Games was held in Vanuatu from 4- 15 December, bringing together thousands of athletes and visitors from across the region. While the public focus was on the incredible performances on the field, behind the scenes a team of trained public health...
![Samoa's Parliament building [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Samoa_Parliament.jpg?itok=BpI-Slvs "Samoa's Parliament building [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]")
SAMOA PARLIAMENT VOTES TO BRING BACK LIBEL LAW
Samoa's Parliament has unanimously voted to restore a criminal libel law that had been repealed four years ago.
The justice minister, Fa'aolesa Katopau Ainu'u, told parliament the government's objective was to protect innocent members of the public....
![[screenshot from NZ Herald video]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Screen%20Shot%202017-12-19%20at%206.11.29%20AM.png?itok=XDKkbTdE "[screenshot from NZ Herald video]")
CHRISTCHURCH MAN STUNNED AFTER TRADIE CALLS HIM THE N-WORD —
A Christchurch man says he's "deeply disappointed" rather than angry after a tradesman called him a n***** and made gorilla noises at him.
Peter Retimanu, 53, is a New Zealand-born Samoan who lives in Shirley in Christchurch.
This morning...
![Fed up with feeling unsafe while using public transport: Isabella Carruthers plans to provide another option. [Samoa Observer]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/images%7Ccms-image-000035600.jpg?itok=A1Kgmuau "Fed up with feeling unsafe while using public transport: Isabella Carruthers plans to provide another option. [Samoa Observer]")
Catching a taxi in Samoa, especially late at night if you’re a female, often has its unsavory moments.
What should be a simple paid ride to your destination, can often be an ordeal for the female passenger, particularly if they are alone.
Many women find themselves having to fend off verbal...
![Tuna on the deck of a Pacific fishing vessel. [Photo: RNZI/Giff Johnson]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_eight_col_PNA_201_tuna_on_deck_2.JPG?itok=oLDqLIWU "Tuna on the deck of a Pacific fishing vessel. [Photo: RNZI/Giff Johnson]")
There are questions over how the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission plans to support observers in its range of new sustainability measures.
The Commission has announced the adoption of a new tropical tuna bridging measure and a number of conservation rules for fishing vessels.
But...
![Former Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo [Samoa Observer]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Deputy%20Prime%20Minister%20Fonotoe%20Pierre%20Lauofo.jpg?itok=fNa5VIGh "Former Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo [Samoa Observer]")
Samoa's former deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, has had a conviction against him quashed by the Court following an appeal.
This week Justice Mata Tuatagaloa of the Supreme Court allowed the appeal and ordered the conviction quashed which put an end to a longstanding matter which...
![Afereti Talato Mapusua was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday. [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/four_col_mapusua.jpg?itok=A1t9gJs- "Afereti Talato Mapusua was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday. [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]")
A Samoa man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after an assessor trial found him guilty of the manslaughter of his eldest son.
The court heard that in February, a heavily drunk Afereti Talato Mapusua struck his 15-year-old son in the neck with a machete, killing him instantly.
The prosecution...
![About 200 people marched through Samoa's capital, Apia, on Saturday, protesting against land laws. [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_SAMOA_PROTEST_2.jpg?itok=8UXY385G "About 200 people marched through Samoa's capital, Apia, on Saturday, protesting against land laws. [Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]")
About 200 people marched through Samoa's capital, Apia, on Saturday, protesting against nine-year-old land laws.
They were marching against the Registration of Land and Titles Act of 2008, which requires the registration of public land, freehold land, and customary leases and licences.
Critics say...