Samoa Observer
Charges withdrawn in broadcasters defamation case
- Title
- Charges withdrawn in broadcasters defamation case
- Runtime
- 0:22
- Date posted
- 15 days ago
- Description
- The pair had been charged with defamation by electronic means.
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/121185
- Title
- For the 23-year-old Fa’alogo, the journey was emotional. He couldn't hide his gratitude for the club
- Runtime
- 0:57
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- "It's a very special moment for me," said Melbourne Storm star Su'a Fa'alogo on his return to his home village of Siumu on the south coast of Upolu.
Video : Keith Ropati. / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Samoa's 64th Independence Day.
- Runtime
- 0:40
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- People from across Samoa gathered at the Malae o Tiafau in Mulinu'u on Monday to celebrate the flag-raising ceremony marking Samoa's 64th Independence Day.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Sealiʻialofa title for UFC champ Ulberg
- Runtime
- 0:24
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- “He deserves this honour. Becoming a champion in the UFC is not easy. His success is a form of service to our family, our village, and our country.”
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- PM arrives
- Runtime
- 0:30
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has arrived at court ahead of the decision in the high-profile case involving charges of obstruction, defamation, conspiracy and misleading information. Security is tight as the country awaits the ruling.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Districts run out of money
- Runtime
- 0:30
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Residents are being turned away as district councils run out of money for the government’s $150 back-to-school support. In Faleata No.2 and parts of Vaimauga, families waited hours in line only to be told funds had been exhausted, with more payments now uncertain as districts await additional funding.
- Title
- SAA blames “human error” for airport tax issue, says arrivals charges fixed
- Runtime
- 1:13
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Samoa Airport Authority General Manager Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu says extra airport charges applied to arrivals were the result of a “human error” by IATA and have now been fixed. He confirmed the Z3 Aerodrome Facility Charge applies to departures and transit passengers, not arrivals. “There’s a thing called human error by IATA, but thankfully it’s been fixed,” he said. He added: “Every time you see Z3 on your ticket, you’ll remember Tumanuvao.”
- Title
- Luxon says media role is holding leaders to account
- Runtime
- 1:47
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Speaking to New Zealand media, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed questions about the Samoan government’s ban on the Samoa Observer, saying he remains open to all media and views journalism as playing an important role in holding “government and leaders to account.”
Luxon said his government had “communicated” its position ahead of his visit when asked whether the Samoa Observer’s participation had been discussed.
“We’ve communicated that, that’s our position on media,” he said.
“We want all comers in there because we think they’ve all got important voices. We don’t agree with everything the media writes, but we share our point of view about how we handle our media.”
- Title
- Luxon says media role is holding leaders to account
- Runtime
- 1:47
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Speaking to New Zealand media, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed questions about the Samoan government’s ban on the Samoa Observer, saying he remains open to all media and views journalism as playing an important role in holding “government and leaders to account.”
Luxon said his government had “communicated” its position ahead of his visit when asked whether the Samoa Observer’s participation had been discussed.
“We’ve communicated that, that’s our position on media,” he said.
“We want all comers in there because we think they’ve all got important voices. We don’t agree with everything the media writes, but we share our point of view about how we handle our media.”
- Title
- Camera returned a day later; police cite PM’s order and “safety” concerns
- Runtime
- 0:11
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Members of the Prime Minister’s security detail returned to the Samoa Observer offices a camera that had been forcefully taken from a Samoa Observer photojournalist on Tuesday and carried into an elevator with the Prime Minister.
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/118894
- Title
- Frankie Vaitele on fire
- Runtime
- 0:23
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- The Frankie Supermarket in Vaitele is currently on fire, with firefighters fighting the blaze.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- UB40 ft Ali Campbell in Samoa
- Runtime
- 0:33
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- The band previously performed in Samoa in 2012, but Ali Campbell was not with them. This concert marked his first official performance in Samoa as the voice of UB40.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Blessing forgives attackers, continues recovery
- Runtime
- 1:00
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- Since being discharged from hospital, Blessing has told his parents he wants the men who assaulted him released from prison so he can forgive them.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Local tobacco cures toothaches
- Runtime
- 0:37
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- A local Samoan tobacco (kipi) cultivator says chewing tobacco can ease toothache pain because its sour, acidic juice helps kill bacteria. Dentists caution there is no proven dental benefit and warn that chewing tobacco carries risks including addiction, gum disease, tooth decay and cancer.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Finished Savalalo Market different from initial design
- Runtime
- 0:36
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- The design of the almost complete $30 million Savalalo Market is different from what was initially tendered, raising questions.
The total cost of the construction for the Savalalo market is $30 million, $5 million more than what was initially announced.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Excited children, fire trucks and a Christmas parade
- Runtime
- 1:38
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- A festive Christmas float and parade along Beach Road by Samoa Fire and Emergency Services was enjoyed by large crowds, with children of all ages lining the route. Fire Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga said the message of the parade was one of peace and a joyful Christmas for families across the country.
- Title
- Brian Lima bestowed Tuliaupupu title
- Runtime
- 0:26
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Muliagatele Brian Lima, son of the late Tuliaupupu Pala Lima, has been formally bestowed the Tuliaupupu title, marking a historic moment for the village of Letogo as both branches of the Tuliaupupu lineage are now united under their respective titleholders.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- School looks ahead to improvements
- Runtime
- 0:38
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Students of Saina and Toamua Primary School continue to study in classrooms which are in poor condition and use furniture which is unfit for use. However, there is a silver lining.
Work is underway to upgrade the school's main building, a project confirmed by Ta'alogoga Fa'atutala, the vice principal. She said the renovation is currently in progress and moving forward as planned.
The long-awaited work comes after growing concerns from parents about the poor condition of the school building and the classroom resources. Many of the desks and chairs used by students are old, damaged, and uncomfortable, making it difficult for children to learn properly.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Samoa Mangere Parade
- Runtime
- 0:44
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Samoans in Mangere, Auckland, paraded to show support for Toa Samoa. Things got heated up, and the police arrested a few supporters.
Video: Junior S Ami
- Title
- Toa Samoa beat Mate Maa Tonga 34 - 6
- Runtime
- 1:01
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- And the crowd goes wild. Toa Samoa fans burst into a frenzy of celebrations after smashing Tonga 34-6 on Sunday night.
Video: Junior S Ami
- Title
- Toa Samoa Parade
- Runtime
- 1:02
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- A large crowd of local fans turned out to show their support for Toa Samoa ahead of tomorrow’s match against Tonga — and for heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker, who is set to fight on the same day.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Rubbish piles up behind national hospital
- Runtime
- 0:37
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Rubbish piles up behind national hospital
Link: https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/116590
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Parliament 'hot mic' catches harsh words
- Runtime
- 0:27
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- A derogatory remark was overheard on a live parliamentary broadcast Thursday morning. It could be heard during a heated argument between Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo and opposition member Loau Keneti Sio.
- Title
- Toamua-Uta dump cleared, residents not in collection plan SAMOA
- Runtime
- 0:29
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Two 10-wheeler heavy-duty trucks were deployed after being contacted by MNRE to start clearing a mini-landfill that had formed in the area on Wednesday.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Family devastated, RSE worker dies in NZ fire
- Runtime
- 0:50
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Talavini’s tragic passing has left his family devastated, especially his wife, and their four children, who had been depending on his income from the seasonal work in New Zealand.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Mini landfill forms in Toamua-Uta, residents concerned
- Runtime
- 0:42
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Rubbish has piled up in Toamua-Uta, near the Vaitele-Fou back road. Old nappies, food scraps, plastic bottles, car tyres, old clothes, and black rubbish bags filled with grass and leaf cuttings are stinking up the neighbourhood.
Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer.
Read story: https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/116558
- Title
- Police Commissioner’s farewell
- Runtime
- 1:05
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo on Friday concluded more than 27 years of service with the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS).
Video:Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Safata residents say compensation is welcome, but others say it’s not enough
- Runtime
- 2:08
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- A year after a New Zealand Navy ship burned and sank off the coast of Safata, residents are reacting to news of a $10 million compensation package announced this week. While many welcome the assistance, some say the amount may not cover the long-term damage to their livelihoods, the environment, and local tourism.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Tuilaepa calls question 'stupid', takes shot at coach
- Runtime
- 0:36
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Opposition leader and Lakapi Samoa chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has dismissed questions about the board as “stupid.”
- Title
- Good questions only: PM
- Runtime
- 0:48
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has promised a weekly press conference and urged reporters to only ask good questions for tomorrow.
- Title
- PM Laauli affirms Samoa’s support for Israel, recalls baptism in River Jordan
- Runtime
- 1:04
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has declared his support for Israel. He reflected on his own journey of visiting the country and being baptised in the River Jordan.
- Title
- Government ministries meet with the incoming administration
- Runtime
- 0:35
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Government ministries are meeting with the incoming administration at Maota o Samoa, Vaitele. The Samoa Observer remains barred, with security reinforcing the ban on photos and videos — even from outside the compound.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Recount for Palauli No. 2 stretches late into the night at Mulinuʻu
- Runtime
- 0:37
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Police officers, lawyers, OEC staff, and candidate scrutineers remained at the District Court in Mulinuʻu late Tuesday, as the Palauli No. 2 recount continued at 8:30 p.m.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Courtroom cleared for election recounts
- Runtime
- 0:19
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- The District Court has been cleared for the official recount of 11 constituencies from last month’s general election.
Video: Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo / Samoa Observer
- Title
- FAST holds thanksgiving for supporters
- Runtime
- 0:28
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- The Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party is preparing a thanksgiving service to acknowledge its supporters and voters after the recent elections.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Quiet scenes in Savai’i as voters head to the polls
- Runtime
- 0:09
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- While polling stations in Apia and across Upolu are packed, Savai’i remains calm and quiet with mostly empty booths. Having just cast his vote, Taulafo Tuala, 26, of Patamea, was seen leading his horse and wished everyone well on their vote.”
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Savai‘i locals report calm ahead of palota
- Runtime
- 0:50
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Residents across several villages report calm conditions and say preparations are in place ahead of polling day. Locals describe the mood as peaceful and ready. We’ll carry updates from Savai‘i and nationwide through polling.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Empty ferry contrasts with 2021 as Savai‘i braces for pivotal vote
- Runtime
- 0:44
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- The last ferry to Savai‘i on Thursday left almost empty, a sharp contrast to the packed crossings of the last election. Nearly 70,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots on the island tomorrow, where 20 seats are up for grabs. With each Savai‘i seat carrying more weight per capita than those in Upolu, the island remains a crucial battleground that could shift the momentum of the general elections.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Pre-polling opens for elderly, disabled and essential workers
- Runtime
- 0:40
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Pre-polling has begun, with elderly citizens, people with disabilities and essential service workers among the first to cast their votes ahead of election day.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- The Office of the Electoral Commissioner is full swing ahead of pre-polling
- Runtime
- 0:26
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Preparations are in full swing for the 2025 General Elections, with pre-polling set to begin tomorrow, 27 August. The Office of the Electoral Commissioner is coordinating operations at the Multipurpose Gym, Tuanaimato, ahead of voters heading to the polls.
Video: Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo
- Title
- "Elections used to be peaceful," say elderly citizens
- Runtime
- 2:03
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Falealili elders recall a time when elections were peaceful and united, saying today’s politics have grown tense and divisive.
Video: Junior S Ami
- Title
- Public say voting matters for families, children and Samoa’s future
- Runtime
- 1:08
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- In interviews with the Samoa Observer, members of the public said voting is not just a personal choice but a responsibility for families, children, and the future of Samoa. They stressed that every vote helps shape the kind of nation the next generation will inherit.
- Title
- Help pours in for Howard
- Runtime
- 0:46
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A white envelope marked “Jesus loves you!” was quietly delivered to the Samoa Observer office on Friday. Inside was $5,000 for 16-year-old Howard Ma’alo, a cancer patient from Matatufu. His family says the anonymous donation brings renewed hope as they try to get him medical help in New Zealand.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Father loses his 'Miss Samoa' to dengue
- Runtime
- 0:47
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Eight-year-old Faith Melchoir has become the second child in Samoa to die from dengue fever this year. Her father, Kaisalika Melchoir, is pleading with leaders to stop the political bickering and focus on fighting the disease that is claiming young lives.
“She always wanted to be Miss Samoa,” he said, “but now she is our angel.”
Faith’s parents are urging families to act quickly if their children develop a high fever. “This disease is no joke,” said Mr Melchoir. “It took my child. It hurts.”
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- FAST falsely claim Samoa Observer issued apology
- Runtime
- 1:09
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- FAST Party leaders have falsely claimed that the Samoa Observer apologised to the Deputy Speaker Auapa’au Mulipola. The Samoa Observer has clarified no apology was made, rejecting the claims made by La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt and Mulipola Anarosa Molio'o.
- Title
- 95 police and prison officers commissioned in Tafaigata ceremony
- Runtime
- 0:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A new wave of Samoa’s police and prison officers has officially joined the frontlines. Proud families, cultural performances, and a powerful message from the Police Commissioner marked the emotional ceremony in Tafaigata.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Junior breaks the news
- Runtime
- 0:14
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Title
- Samoa Observer billboard
- Runtime
- 0:11
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Samoa Observer headlines now displaying at the Vaea–Convent Street intersection in Apia.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Pacific Break opens call for unsigned Pacific artists
- Runtime
- 0:57
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Pacific Break 2025 has officially open. Unsigned artists from across the Pacific can now submit original music for a chance to perform at one of Australia’s biggest festivals.
Video: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
- Title
- Suspended MCIT CEO refuses to resign, awaits update on investigation
- Runtime
- 0:19
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Suspended MCIT CEO Lefaoalii Unutoa Auelua-Fonoti says she will not resign, telling the Samoa Observer she has received no update on the investigation. Her suspension, based on a Cabinet directive, relates to 21 alleged breaches under the Public Service Act.
Photo: Junior S Ami / Samoa Observer
