Samoa

A proposal by the Independence Organising Committee states that official celebrations for the 60th anniversary of independence will begin on 1 June with local thanksgiving services, while the main celebrations will be held in September

In a special announcement on Facebook, PM said the nation is ready to open its international borders in August and September - a specific date was not given; since covid-19 was detected on 17 march, the country has been in isolation

The country experienced negative expenditure growth for the year 2021, the second year in a row, according to the report "GDP (Expenditure) Annual Analysis - 2021" released by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics

The government of Samoa has extended the state of emergency until 8 May, when it was supposed to end on Monday; there are still restrictions on businesses, enterprises, government services and churches

Manu Samoa fly-half Melani Matavao has been named Manu Samoa Sevens captain at the Singapore and Vancouver Sevens in April as the team looks to begin its HSBC World Sevens Series campaign

Samoa's patrol boat Nafanua II, which was gifted by Australia two years ago and severely damaged in a grounding last August, is beyond repair and has been tagged for disposal by the Australian government

Faulty electricity supply led to over 3.000 vaccines being damaged while in cold storage, said Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa

Two Supreme Court cases that will delve into the constitutional requirements for 10 per cent female representation in parliament have been adjourned until next month before the Chief Justice

Imports last December exceeded exports, causing a $100 million trade deficit, according to a recently released report by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics titled "Overseas Merchandise Trade"

The National University of Samoa expects 3.000 students to enrol during this year's registration, despite recent problems with enrolment processes

The completion of the Christian Church building in the Worship Centre may be delayed by current difficulties of the shipping and imported goods markets, but it is still expected to be ready by the first quarter of this year