Samoa

A Samoan Supreme Court Justice has warned the country is facing a 'pandemic' of alcohol abuse causing violence and other social ills.

Samoa will receive its first shipment of Pfizer vaccine by the end of March with the Ministry of Health looking at legal options for people who would not want to be immunised.

A sailor who arrived on a repatriation flight to Samoa last Friday has been placed in isolation after a test showed he had signs of the Covid-19 virus.

The Samoa rugby sevens teams are continuing to prepare as if the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead in six months time.

Samoa is mourning the death of former rugby and league internationals Su'a Saini Lemamea and Masada Iosefa.

Samoa's Electoral Commissioner says there have been no complaints received about candidates trying to curry favour with voters.

Several matai from Satapuala village in Samoa have stopped one of the country's newest political parties from campaigning there.

The Samoa Government is looking at providing free tertiary education and paying teacher salaries for private institutions, including church-run schools.

Samoa's Parliament has marked the death of the first term MP, Va'afusuaga Toleafoa Ken Poutoa.

Samoa's Central Bank has issued a warning to local pyramid scheme operators that they face criminal charges if caught by a Financial Intelligence Division investigation.

Samoa is expecting to take delivery of Covid-19 vaccines as early as February and the rollout is estimated to follow soon after.

A former head of state has thrown his weight behind a new opposition party in Samoa, less than three months out from an election.

The Samoan government has extended its Covid-19 State of Emergency Orders for another month due to the rapid spread of the new strain spreading through South Africa and the UK.

Samoa's former deputy prime minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, has announced she will officially join the Fa'atuatua i Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi political party.

The upmarket iconic Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa in Samoa has announced it is closing down.