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
Flying Fijians win Pacific Nations Cup
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians claimed their third consecutive Pacific Nations Cup, beating Japan 35 – 12 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Japan last night. In doing so Fiji is also taking home the Lipovitan
Diplomat says ‘fully-fledged’ embassy in Samoa will offer Paris greater clout
A French diplomat says having an embassy in Samoa will enable France to play a more central role on issues that arise in the Pacific, such as security and climate change. French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans
Fiji conquers Samoa in Apia
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians prove to be too strong for the Manu Samoa in front of a packed crowd in Apia, Samoa on Saturday. Fiji won 33 – 19. Fiji imposed their strength and will right from the kick-off to
Pacific nations gather in Samoa for first Loss and Damage dialogue
Pacific people are increasingly suffering loss and damage from superstorms breaking records each year; sea level rise eating away villages and arable land; ocean acidification dissolving our reefs; increasing sea
Australian diplomats convinced ICAC to censor Pacific nations where Maguire schemed. It didn’t work.
Federal Australian officials successfully persuaded the NSW corruption watchdog to “de-identify” a group of Pacific countries mentioned in last week’s report on Gladys Berejiklian’s and Daryl Maguire’s
New Zealand pushes back on Pacific-wide free movement
New Zealand cabinet ministers have considered, but dismissed for now, a Pacific proposal for easier movement of people around the region. Pacific Islanders are subject to tougher entry conditions when they try to visit
Samoa Supreme Court voids former PM Tuilaepa and Lealailepule suspension
The Samoa Supreme Court today ruled that the suspension of former Prime Minister the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Tuilaepa Sailele Malilegaoi and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi for two
Labour mobility under research spotlight
When Samoa’s Prime Minister told returning seasonal workers last year, “I want Samoa to be a place where people want to live,” it highlighted the dilemma facing not just Samoa, but a number of other Pacific
Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive
Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China’s Belt and Road playbook. Saudi Arabia and the United
Overseas medical cost a concern: Samoa PM Fiame
Samoa’s Government remains concerned about the affordability of overseas treatment for non-communicable diseases, says Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa. The Prime Minister made the comments when she
Samoa Government takes over $30 million Aggie Greys hotel shares
The Samoa Government now holds 30 percent preference shares in the Aggie Greys Hotel Limited which owns the Sheraton Samoa and Aggies Greys Hotel & Bungalows in Apia. This was confirmed by the Minister for the
‘Proposed Samoa National Provident Fund changes to do more harm’: economist
Former Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) auditor and senior manager, Peniamina Muliaina has urged the SNPF Chair and Board to reconsider proposed changes to the fund’s small loans and short-term loans policy.
Christian Lealiifano eyes shock Samoa World Cup selection
Cancer survivor Christian Lealiifano is close to penning another special chapter in his rollercoaster career with a 2023 Rugby World Cup appearance for Samoa. The former Wallabies playmaker has revealed he is
Samoa climb World Rugby Women’s rankings
Samoa are now the highest ranked of the Pacific Island nations after their thrilling 19-18 victory over Fiji in the final round of the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship 2023 at Bond University on Australia’s Gold
Samoa government eyes debt reduction
The Samoa Government has forecast public debt will reduce the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) ratio to 32.1 percent by the end of the financial year 2023-24. It plans to achieve this by continuing the
Cassie Siataga inspires Samoa to first Oceania crown
Cassie Siataga held her nerve to kick Samoa to a dramatic 19-18 victory against Fiji that secured a first ever Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship title and their place in WXV 2. Following an epic decider on
Samoa’s Fagalii airport re-opens with extended runway
Samoa’s Fagalii airport has reopened with an extended runway, and the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure has given his assurance that it is safe. The Minister says the airport has passed all aviation
Don Opeloge sets new Commonwealth record for Men’s 102kg Clean N Jerk
Whenever Samoa’s national weightlifting team compete at regional and global events, the nation can be sure to expect medals to be raining down and records to be broken. The recent Samoa Games held in Apia was no
