Samoa

An addendum to the existing 2012 bilateral agreement was signed with the US to continue and expand operational cooperation in the suppression of transnational illicit maritime activities

Some 26.000 Samoans will be assisted by a project of the US Agency for International Development's Office of Humanitarian Assistance, preparing them to cope more effectively with the shocks of future disasters

The Regulator, Lematua Gisa Purcell, said the current price of the internet is lower than in previous years and network's cost will fall again before the end of the year, in response to growing concerns raised in Parliament about internet's high cost

After six months of planning and recruitment, the Office of the Election Commission is set to open Samoa's online registration portal on May 6, while manual registration will begin in Aprile

The Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development under its Aged Care Budget signed financial support for the Mapuifagalele and Logoipulotu Home for the Elderly

Theft and burglary offences are on the rise and most defendants plead guilty to stealing basic necessities such as canned food or cigarettes and alcohol

A review of the minimum wage in Samoa is closer after Finance Minister Lautimuia Uelese Va'ai said the government is looking to set up a committee to guide it; the current minimum wage in Samoa is $3 per hour and came into effect in 2020

To promote a cashless economy, ANZ Bank of Samoa announced its decision to waive Visa debit card payment fees from all local banks under WST15

A total of six Samoan workers currently employed under the R.S.E. programme by Cherri Global in New Zealand completed a 10-week course last month at the Vakamesina Small Business

The outgoing Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Emily Luck, emphasised that Australia is always ready to support Samoa in any solution to combat everyday ongoing problems such as children selling on the streets

A team of researchers from the University of Auckland, Victoria University and Sāmoa Scientific Research Organisation claims to have found two extracts from traditional Samoan medicine that have antiviral activity against the virus that causes COVID-19

The Motootua National Hospital is currently investigating a theft in which two teenagers allegedly stole money kept in plastic bags from the hospital pharmacy