Samoa

New Zealand's Otago Daily Times is reviewing Garrick Tremain's future with the publication, after he created a cartoon joking about Samoa's measles epidemic.

A US-based Samoan man has been jailed in Samoa for three years after being found guilty of possession and importation of methamphetamine.

The New Zealand creator of a cartoon joking about the Samoa measles epidemic is defending it as a 'simple, innocuous joke' and says he won't be issuing a public apology. Audio

Samoa's measles epidemic is exacting an horrific toll. Hospitals are overrun, health staff are exhausted, public gatherings have ceased, and the death toll continues to climb. 

There have been another two deaths in Samoa's measles epidemic, bringing the toll to 55.

Samoa Sevens player Laaloi Leilua will miss the opening leg of the World Series in Dubai after returning home to be with his one-month-old daughter, who contracted the measles virus.

New Zealand's Defence Force is providing logistics support as Samoa continues to battle against a deadly measles epidemic.

The family of a man who died in a Samoan prison will not meet the country's Attorney-General after he postponed a trip to New Zealand.

Samoa's government is to shut down on Thursday and Friday this week amid a mass measles vaccination campaign.

There have been another five deaths in Samoa's measles epidemic, bringing the toll to 53.

Police in Samoa are warning people not to defy curfew orders under a state of emergency for the country's measles outbreak.