Samoa Minister says no to ‘marijuana export’
Samoan Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is opposed to any moves to promote the medicinal use of marijuana, saying it will not happen any time. The views of La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt were sought on
13 Samoan pilgrims safely evacuated from Israel
The last group of Samoans in Israel were safely evacuated from Jerusalem to Dubai, Tuesday. The Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a media statement that 13 Samoans boarded the Australian air force flight
Fiji Airways says Israel charter was a commercial decision
Fiji Airways says its decision to operate a charter flight to Israel was based on purely commercial considerations. Amidst the chaos of the Israeli-Hamas conflict, Fiji Airways safely retrieved more than 200 Fijians
Pacific Small Island States ramp up efforts for COP28
Less than two months ahead of the upcoming COP28 meeting in Dubai, leaders and officials from Pacific Small Islands States (PSIDS) are meeting in Samoa to consolidate their positions ahead of the annual, global climate
Tonga bow out with World Cup win over Romania
Solomone Kata scored two tries as Tonga gave retiring coach Toutai Kefu a winning send-off with a seven-try 45-24 victory over Romania as the two canon-fodder teams of the Group of Death served up a cracker after
Addressing the Pacific housing crisis
The authors of recent housing ecosystem assessments conducted in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga say that improving access to habitable, affordable and secure housing requires more widespread training in construction skills
VegFest Pasifika comes to Samoa
VegFest Pasifika, a festival promoting local plant-based diets for health and environmental reasons, came to Samoa for the first time in June. The festival has been running in Fiji since 2018, with more than 55 events
SPBD businesswomen lauded at annual awards
The Vodafone Arena in Suva last week was full-packed with radiant businesswomen celebrating their efforts at the 12th annual South Pacific Business Development awards. SPBD Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Greg
Labour mobility a ‘double-edged word’: Samoa Chamber of Commerce President Seulupe
Samoa’s private sector members are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and are unable to take on the added expense of a minimum wage increase while navigating multiple challenges. That is the view of
RWC 2023: Wales conquers Wallabies, Samoa go down to Argentina
The Wallabies are set to make their earliest exit in Rugby World Cup history after a humiliating 40-6 loss to Wales in Lyon. Never before have the Wallabies been bundled out of the tournament in the pool stage, but
FSM becomes first country to sign oceans treaty
The Federated States of Micronesia has signed a global treaty that aim to protect oceans that lie beyond national boundaries, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The new Biodiversity of Areas beyond
Opinion: What happens now that MEPC80 is behind us?
Next year the delegates of the 6PAC Plus will be back in London to determine the basket of measures that will accompany the newly adopted strategy to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of international shipping. The
Fiji heroics against England inspired Samoa in heartbreaking loss
Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua wants his players to be more clinical at the World Cup, having been inspired by Fiji’s historic Twickenham win over England earlier on Sunday. Samoa came close to claiming their own
Samoa settles for 5 medals in IVF World Distance Championship
Team Samoa claimed 5 medals – 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 3 bronze to be placed 8th overall at the close of the 3rd International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Distance Championships in Apia last Friday evening. New Zealand
Reduce voting age to 18: Samoa Election inquiry
A Commission of Inquiry (COI) has recommended Samoa lower its voting age from 21 to 18 so teens can cast their votes like their peers in the region. The recommendation calling for Samoa’s voting age to be
Sopoaga helps Manu Samoa to win, Flying Fijians beaten by France
Lima Sopoaga made a strong debut for Manu Samoa, helping the side to a 28-14 win over the Barbarians in Brive, France at the weekend. The match were among pre-Rugby World Cup warm up matches across Europe at the
Samoa PM Fiame Mata’afa calls to prioritise Pacific security
Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa sounded a warning to the heads of Pacific’s maritime forces to be mindful of the current geo-political interest and attention towards the blue Pacific region. She
Samoa claims gold at paddling World Champs
Anne Cairns has won Samoa’s first gold medal at the International Va’a Federation World Distance Championship 2023 while Nu’u Muliaga claimed Samoa’s first medal, a bronze on Wednesday. The
Hainan Airlines to start flying next month to Samoa
A Chinese Airline based in Haikou, Hainan Airlines is expected to recommence its services next month as Samoa’s Civil Aviation Division is finalising the application from the airline to continue direct flights to
2023 Va’a World Distance Championship officially opened
Hundreds of participants from close to 30 countries marched in the early hours of Saturday in Samoa to mark the official opening of the International Va’a Federation World Distance Championship 2023. The parade
Inflation, interest rates cloud post-pandemic Pacific growth: World Bank
The resumption of tourism, higher public investment and construction have fuelled the Pacific region’s economic recovery from COVID-19 but a combination of persistently high imported inflation and interest rate hikes
Samoa Electronic voting in place next year
The Office of the Samoa Electoral Commission is in the process of procuring an upgraded e-roll biometric system worth $1.129 million tala(US$412,000) which can immediately verify and confirm voters. The budget
Strong message for Manu Samoa as RWC squad named
Manu Samoa’s 32 players for the Rugby World Cup in France were announced on Sunday and with that a strong message was given to the captains by Lakapi Samoa chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Tuilaepa told the
