Guam and American Samoa poised for Forum Associate membership
The Pacific Islands Forum is set to welcome Guam and American Samoa as Associate Members, following a strong recommendation from the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting Friday. Incumbent Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime
American Samoa Governor places moratorium on seabed mining
An executive order that American Samoa Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga issued places a moratorium on seabed mining in the waters of American Samoa. The moratorium applies to the mining, extracting, or removal of
A Pacific basketball star rises
It was not your everyday greeting, even in the American state that produced Michael Jordan and is home to two of the most dominant schools in college basketball. A 57-year-old man still maintaining an athletic build and
Filomena Leonisa Iakopo to represent American Samoa in Paris Olympics
Filomena Leonisa Iakopo, who is from the CNMI and American Samoa, left Saipan on Saturday with Paris as her final destination. She will compete in the 100 meters event of the Olympic Games in the French capital on 02
The complexities of undersea cables
While outside actors may see undersea cable infrastructure through a lens of geopolitical competition, political leaders in the Pacific Islands region are geared towards providing digital connectivity to the islands, an
Pacific obesity rates continue to concern
Pacific Island nations have the highest rates of obesity in the world, a new study has revealed. The study from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), a worldwide network of over 1500 researchers and
Washington nixes Guam and American Samoa’s bid for PIF membership
The federal government has poured cold water on Guam and American Samoa’s hopes of gaining membership of the Pacific Islands Forum, stating that U.S. territories are constitutionally restricted from representing
US scores overdue increase in bigeye tuna catch limit, while American Samoa struggles to sustain its local tuna economy
The 20th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was held December 4-8, 2023, in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The primary focus at this meeting was revising the conservation and
Samoa Associate Minister sacked after alleged misuse of passport
Samoa’s Associate Minister of Police, Fepulea’i Fa’asavalu Su’a has been asked to resign from his post following his recent trip to American Samoa, reports Samoa News. He allegedly used his diplomatic
American Samoa House Health Committee hears of confusion with nurses recruited from Fiji
American Samoa House Health Committee has met and discussed the status of two out of the 21 nurses from Fiji who passed the NCLEX (National Council Licensing Examination) to be certified as registered nurses.
Amata, Kilili named co-chairs of bipartisan task force combatting Chinese government influence in Indo-Pacific
U.S. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata of American Samoa and U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan of the CNMI have been named co-chairs of a bipartisan task force officially announced Wednesday at the U.S.
Marine sanctuary expansion alarms Pacific governors
The prospect of expanding a marine sanctuary has alarmed CNMI Governor Arnold I. Palacios, Guam Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero and American Samoa Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga. In their joint letter to President Joseph
Samoa Health Director confident no repeat of 2019 measles epidemic
The Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma is confident that Samoa will not see a repetition of the measles crisis of 2019. The Ministry has put in place stringent travel requirements as neighbouring American
Restrictions on American Samoa in Samoa
American Samoans have to comply with the strict health guidelines set by the Government of Samoa when entering the country as the nation tries to prevent measles from coming in. The neighbouring country has confirmed
Measles outbreak in American Samoa
American Samoa has issued a public health emergency after an outbreak of measles has spread across the U.S. territory. As of Tuesday, there has been one laboratory-confirmed case among an 8-year-old and 31 suspected
Amata co-sponsors legislation to counter Chinese cybersecurity threats
U.S. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting the House passage of the Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act or HR 1149, which she co-led with sponsor Rep Susan Wild, D-Pennsylvania. Their
CNMI, American Samoa criticise Pacific Remote Islands expansion plan
U.S. President Joe Biden’s plan to expand the Pacific Remote Islands’ marine sanctuary has been receiving negative responses from territorial leaders, who criticised the lack of consultation prior to the
Congresswoman Amata opposes Pacific Remote Islands expansion plan
Closing off more areas around the Pacific Remote Islands would only invite foreign vessels to poach into the U.S. waters, American Samoa delegate Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen said, opposing the Biden administration’s
Biden administration to reduce financial burden on U.S territories
The Biden administration has announced new efforts to reduce the financial burden on the U.S territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and U.S Virgin Islands. The U.S.
EU adding tax-haven blacklist unfair: Chikoti
The European Union (EU) blacklisting member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific (OACPS) has been described as a “fig leaf” exercise. OACPS Secretary General, Georges Rebelo Chikoti told
American Hospital CEO defends recruiting nurses from Fiji
Hiring nurses from Fiji and the Philippines, instead of neighboring Samoa has raised a lot of eyebrows. During a press conference at the ceremony to welcome nurses from Fiji, LBJ Hospital CEO, Moefaauo Bll Emmsley
StarKist Samoa to hire Samoan graduates
Starkist Samoa is targeting students graduating from Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) at the National University of Samoa (NUS). Samoa’s government owned newspaper reported that a partnership to
WESPAC opposes Pacific monument expansion
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) has again made clear its position against further expansion of monuments in the Pacific Ocean and the possible consequences to the Pacific island fishing
