Samoan families are increasingly choosing to send patients to India or Fiji rather than New Zealand to avoid high medical costs; Samoa launched "Manu" application, a digital medical records system designed to improve patient follow-up

Ferry services between the islands resumed after halts due to bad weather that brought strong winds and high waves; many travellers between Upolu and Savaii were stranded for up to two days

Samoa Airways has been ordered to shift from the international terminal at Faleolo Airport to the new USD9,12 million regional terminal; the airline reportedly said it was not given any choice and the change will impact its services to and from Pago Pago

Samoa started celebrating Christmas 13 days before the day itself; in these 13 days, government ministries and other congregations are invited to sing Christmas carols in their own style which are aired on TV

The Asian Development Bank signed a transaction advisory agreement with the Electric Power Corporation of Samoa to support the development of a solar photovoltaic plant and battery energy storage systems in Upolu and Savai'i