Samoa Law Society raises concerns over PM’s ministerial roles

The Samoa Law Society has raised concerns over Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leauatea Schmidt’s dual role as both head of government and minister responsible for key justice portfolios. Newsline Samoa reports a statement from the Samoa Law...

From Burning Man to Samoa: Thoughts on Belonging, Healing & Change

This year at Burning Man, my wife Mia (our camp lead) and I, together with friends under the banner of “Foamy Homies” (not Dr. Bronner’s), embraced a theme of trans solidarity in the midst of cultural confusion and oppression. Our camp name was...

These countries require a 6-month passport validity for travellers

The rules are in place so that foreign travellers do not stay beyond the period specified on their visas, unintentionally due to sudden passport expiration. Sudden expiration results in unnecessary complications if they get stranded in a foreign...

Pacific Islands focus: health and gender inequities, climate updates, and some hope for marine biodiversity

Introduction by Croakey: In breaking news on Thursday, Papua New Guinea’s cabinet has approved a landmark defence agreement with Australia. PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape said the agreement, known as the PukPuk treaty, “will elevate the two...

Rugby and Rivalry: Use Sports Diplomacy to Counter China in the South Pacific

Notes to the New CNO Series By Jason Lancaster Despite U.S. and allied development aid contributions dwarfing PRC contributions in the South Pacific, the PRC has made significant regional gains in influence. PRC competition means the region can no...

Justice CEO slams Law Society in public rant

The Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Papali'i John Taimalelagi, has gone public with criticism of the Samoa Law Society after it issued a statement on Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt’s...

Law Society Raises Conflict Concerns Over PM’s Portfolios

By Staff Writer. The Samoa Law Society has welcomed Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt’s pledge for accountability, transparency, and good governance, but has also raised concerns over his dual role as both head of...

Former Manu Samoa captain urges players to “put the team first”

Former Manu Samoa captain Filipo Levi. Photo: TVNZ “As a past player we know exactly what is happening, we’ve been there, done that. Just put the team first” – Filipo Levi. Former Manu Samoa captain Filipo Levi has taken to social media to make a...

SAMOA: ‘Even Amid Political Crisis, Samoa Resolves Conflicts Through Democratic Means Rather than Violence’

Interviews 25 September 2025 CIVICUS discusses Samoa’s recent election with Lucia S Chung Kwan, a history lecturer at the National University of Samoa. Samoa held a snap general election on 29 August after the government collapsed when parliament...

Law Society raises concerns over PM's ministerial roles

The Samoa Law Society (SLS) has issued a statement on Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt’s new ministerial roles, emphasising the importance of independence, transparency and impartiality in the country’s justice system.

Rugby World Cup 2027 draw: Are we going to see an All Blacks v Springboks quarter-final?

Twenty-three of the teams have qualified with the 24th spot to be decided after a qualifying tournament between Namibia, Belgium, Samoa and either Brazil or Paraguay. It’s all a bit “ifs” and “maybes”, but the Herald ran the new structure through...

Man Arrested After Barricading Inside Cal Poly Humboldt Facility

This is a press release from the Cal Poly Humboldt University Police Department. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty: On October 2, 2025, at...

Samoa’s State of (financial) Emergency continues

Apia, SAMOA — (September 30, 2025) A State of Emergency has been declared in Samoa, effective from September 30 to October 29, 2025, to authorize the release of funds from the Treasury to address an ongoing economic emergency. The proclamation was...

Please don't heed politicians such as Trump and RFK Jr. on kids' health. Trust pediatricians. [editorial]

THE ISSUE An LNP | LancasterOnline Opinion column published Sunday implored Lancaster County parents to heed the medical advice of their children’s highly trained physicians. It was written by Dr. Pia Fenimore, M.D., a pediatrician at Lancaster...

Airline introduces £15 bidding rule so travellers can pay for more elbow room

Fancy a little bit of extra wiggle room on your next flight? (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) We’ve all felt it: that rush of joy when all the passengers have boarded the flight, and there’s no one sitting next to you. You can spread out, no...

Forward offered to multiple teams after Dragons exit

One of 12 players farewelled by the St George Illawarra Dragons, forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner has reportedly been offered to several teams as he looks to secure a new contract for the 2026 season. On the lookout for a new club, the 32-year-old...

New in-country testing advances breast cancer care in Samoa and Tonga

The Pacific Community (SPC) is enhancing breast cancer diagnosis and management in the Pacific Islands, where it stands as the most common cancer affecting women. Through a vital new laboratory strengthening initiative, Samoa and Tonga are now...

University temporarily bans social kava while drafting formal policy

The University of Otago has temporarily restricted kava use on campus as it works to create its first policy on how the drink can be used. In a statement to PMN News, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Pacific Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu says the...

Ecocide Law Expands But War Crimes Go Unchecked

“This research shows that even if ecocide were to be recognised as a new international or domestic crime, existing international frameworks may still shield wartime perpetrators from accountability.” The research calls for ongoing attention to the...

2025 Pacific Championships: NRL captains ruled out for Fiji and Samoa

Two NRL club captains have been ruled out of the 2025 Pacific Championships in a massive blow to both Fiji and Samoa. After sustaining an ankle injury in the opening week of the 2025 NRL Finals series, which ruled him out for the remainder of the...