Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Manu’a Cession Day is Wednesday — A holiday in American Samoa
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Manu'a Cession Day will be observed as a holiday in American Samoa on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. All government offices will be closed and normal activities will be suspended on that day. Manu'a Cession Day commemorates...

Groundbreaking ceremony held for new Port facility
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 11th, The American Samoa Government held a formal groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the new Port Facility at the Fagatogo Wharf. In his address, Governor Pulaali’i N. Pula expressed his gratitude to...

Interior extends public comment period on minerals lease sale
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As originally published in Samoa News, on June 12, 2025 the U.S. Department of the Interior announced its intent to publish a Request for Information and Interest (RFI) for commercial leasing for Outer Continental Shelf...

King-Hinds drafts bill seeking federal guarantee on insular area debt
Kimberlyn King-Hinds U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has drafted a bill seeking a federal guarantee on public debt issued by the CNMI, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The still unnumbered bill would require the U.S....

U.S. House committee requests briefing on deep sea mining sector
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A July 15, letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Committee on Oversite and Government Reform has requested a staff- level briefing as soon as possible but no later than...

American Samoa Wrestling Achieves Historic 19-Medal Haul at 2025 Pacific Mini Games
Koror, Palau — American Samoa’s national wrestling team made history at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, earning a remarkable 19 medals — the most ever by a single sport for American Samoa in any Pacific Games. With 6 gold, 7 silver, and 6...
American Samoa declares dengue outbreak
Photo: 123RF American Samoa's Department of Health has declared a dengue fever outbreak, with six confirmed cases. This follows the discovery of the disease last week in travelers returning to the territory. Territorial epidemiologist Adam Konrote...

French Navy vessel makes first visit to American Samoa
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 28, the American Samoan community was welcomed onto the French Navy vessel Teriieroo a Teriierooiterai during its first time in the territory with a reception and tour, hosted by Captain Philippe Dumee....

USCG Cutter Harriet Lane hosts reception before departing American Samoa
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — June 30, 2025 — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane, under the command of Commander Nicole Tesoniero, held a reception Thursday and hosted American Samoan government departments to come aboard as well as...

Team American Samoa thanks its major sponsors for their heartfelt support
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Team American Samoa faced off against several teams ranked in the top 10 in their inaugural appearance at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Women's Softball World Cup, entering the tournament ranked...

Governor issues declaration of public health emergency
Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula on Tuesday declared a public health emergency exists in the territory due to the increase in dengue fever cases. The Department of Health has recorded six laboratory confirmed dengue fever cases, two are locally...

Governor, DOE Director and AG discuss funding with Sec. McMahon
Congresswoman Aumua Amata announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Education has lifted the freeze on 14 local projects that had previously been disqualified for funding by the federal agency. A press release from the Governor’s Office said...

U.S. could begin seabed mining off the coast of American Samoa
There is still time to submit comments to the U.S. Department of the Interior on a proposal to authorize seabed mining in American Samoa’s 200-mile economic zone. Seabed mining is the extraction of mineral deposits from the ocean floor, primarily...

American Samoa hosting 2025 Pacific Nations Cup
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Tennis Association (ASTA) along with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) / Oceania Tennis Federation (OTF) is excited to host the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup, where over 65 athletes and coaching...

Governor names new Executive Director for ARPA Oversight Office
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — James John Faumuina has been appointed as the Executive Director of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Oversight Office, a key role responsible for ensuring the effective management and compliance of federal relief...

US seeking deep-sea miners interested in leasing American Samoa's seabed
The U.S. is soliciting interest from prospective companies to lease American Samoa's seabed for deep-sea mining, amid a petition launched by advocacy groups seeking to halt the plan. There are only a few days left for the public to comment on the...

Strengthening American Samoan’s health by reducing chronic diseases
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Territory of American Samoa has been selected as one of only five jurisdictions nationwide to participate in the National Governors Association’s (NGA) “Rx for a Healthier America” initiative. The program, launched...

Letters to the editor: ‘Restoring truth and sanity to American History’; city tries to suppress legal recourse; shuttering of NOAA facilities
‘Restoring truth and sanity to American History’ Oh, boy, whose great idea was this? Have you been to RMNP, or any national park or national monument recently? If so, did you notice the nice-sounding little message signs plastered everywhere? So,...

Coalition stands with American Samoa in opposing unilateral proposals for deep seabed mining
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Right to Democracy (RtD) and the America the Beautiful for All Coalition have united in support of American Samoa's right to protect its ocean and seabeds from destructive deep seabed mining. The organizations have...

OTF Pacific Nations Cup- American Samoa 2025 Opens
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Tennis Association (ASTA) held its opening ceremony, Monday, June 30, 2025, for the International Tennis Federation/Oceania Tennis Federation (OTF) “2025 Pacific Nations Cup” hosted in American Samoa...