American Samoa granted observer status in Forum Fisheries Agency

American Samoa’s director of Marine and Wildlife Resources Taotasi Archie Soliai is ecstatic that American Samoa has been granted observer status in the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). The Deputy Director General of

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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. 

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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