Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Local High School Students Took First Place at La’u Samoa Competition
Thurston Talk - Washington State
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May 25, 2025
On May 3, 2025, the first annual La’u Samoa Academic & Samoan Cultural Competition took place at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma. Forty students from River Ridge, Timberline, Olympia and Tumwater high schools made up the Laumua Samoan Dance...
Op-Ed: Criminal Libel Law Threatens Samoa’s Democracy
Talamua
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May 26, 2025
By Tanuvasa Satele* Earlier this year, I wrote an op-ed titled “Defending Truth in Turbulent Times: The Role of Sāmoan Media Amid Political Crisis,” published under this same pseudonym. In it, I stood in solidarity with Sāmoan journalists who...
Despite fire losses, Altadena Pride rises from ashes with healing spaces and flags for LGBTQ homeowners
The Pasadena Star News - California
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May 22, 2025
Nic Arnzen walked slowly, glancing at the building’s mangled metal rebar, charred roof shards, and ash-strewn yet intact benches where people had enjoyed live music at the Altadena Senior Center, the site of the last three Altadena LGBTQ Pride...
The Pacific Islands: America’s Power Vacuum and China’s Offensive
The Diplomat
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June 17, 2025
The United States has traditionally provided significant assistance to Pacific island countries. Many of these countries and regions still use the U.S. dollar as their currency and, absent their own armed forces, rely on the U.S. military for...
A mother's voice echoes from Samoa to Columbia University
Samoa Observer
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In 2016, Dominic Sofe was called up by the Government of Samoa to pack his bags and take up a diplomatic post in the city that never sleeps. The young public servant was appointed as Samoa’s First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the...
Legal academic says Samoa’s criminal libel law should go after charge
Asia Pacific Report
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May 22, 2025
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Auckland University law academic says Samoa’s criminal libel law under which a prominent journalist has been charged should be repealed. Lagi Keresoma, the first female president of the Journalists...
Fashion designer killed at ‘No Kings’ rally ‘cared about making a difference,’ friends say
WMTV - Wisconsin
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June 17, 2025
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The man shot and killed while participating in the “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City was a successful fashion designer and former “Project Runway” contestant who devoted his life to celebrating artists from the Pacific...
Designer with ties to Hawaii killed at ‘No Kings’ protest
Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Hawaii
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June 17, 2025
PHOTO COURTESY AH LOO GOFUNDME Samoan fashion designer with Hawaii ties Arthur Fosala “Afa” Ah Loo, 39, died Saturday after he was fatally shot at a “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City. Hawaii’s fashion community mourned the death of prominent...
Pacific customs administrations sign gender equality declaration
Pacific Daily News
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Members of the Oceania Customs Organization on Tuesday signed a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Declaration during the organization’s 27th Annual Conference in Guam, committing to promoting gender equality, inclusive workplaces, and women's...
Legal academic says Samoa's criminal libel law should go
RNZ
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May 22, 2025
Lagi Keresoma is the first female president of the Journalist Association of Samoa. Photo: Screengrab / Facebook / Pacific Media Assistance Scheme An Auckland University law academic says the criminal libel law under which a prominent Samoan...
Who was Arthur Folasa Ah Loo? ‘Project Runway’ designer killed at ‘No Kings’ protest in Salt Lake City
Financial Express
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Arthur Folasa Ah Loo has been named as the man who was fatally shot during a ‘No Kings’ protest in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, Saturday night. Confirming his death, the Salt Lake City Police described the 39-year-old as an “innocent bystander.”...
Minister Fasi joins Pacific leaders commitment to early childhood education
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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May 18, 2025
Pacific ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to early childhood development (ECD) at the 2025 ECD Forum in Samoa. Held in Apia from 13 to 15 May, the forum gathered leaders from 15 Pacific nations, including Tonga’s Minister for Education,...
Miss Samoa mesmerizes crowd with fire dance
Papua New Guinea Post Courier
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May 19, 2025
A vibrant celebration marking Papua New Guinea’s 50th Jubilee unfolded on Saturday at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby, captivating attendees with a diverse array of cultural performances from across the Pacific region. The “Amazing...
Pacific Economic Update: Slowing Growth Highlights Need for More Inclusive Workforce
Odisha Diary
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June 17, 2025
HONIARA, June 17, 2025 — Economic growth is slowing across the Pacific as countries face weak global growth, natural hazards and climate related shocks. The World Bank’s flagship Pacific Economic Update, released today in Honiara, projects...
Fatal Shooting Rocks “No Kings” Protest in Salt Lake City
The Published Reporter
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June 16, 2025
SALT LAKE CITY— A peaceful evening march turned tragic when gunfire erupted near 151 S. State St. just before 8 p.m. during a “No Kings” protest opposing President Trump’s military parade and immigration policies. What began as a peaceful...
AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 1:01 a.m. EDT
Imperial Valley Press - California
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LeBron stars in Amazon ad, credits family for historic 23rd season return while nursing knee injury LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James may be daydreaming about Prime Day deals in his new Amazon commercial, but there’s no fantasy when it comes to his...
Slowing growth faces Pacific, need for more inclusive workforce highlighted
Solomon Star
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June 17, 2025
HONIARA — Economic growth is slowing across the Pacific as countries face weak global growth, natural hazards and climate related shocks. The World Bank’s flagship Pacific Economic Update, released on Tuesday in Honiara, projects regional growth...
Voters urge parties to get priorities in order
Samoa Observer
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Members of the public have opened up to what they hope the next government will prioritise once it comes into power. They want a government that fears God, loves Samoa and serves them. Theresa Tunufono said her only wish is that whichever party...
Beloved local fashion designer killed during ‘No Kings’ protest remembered as pillar of community
The Salt Lake Tribune - Utah
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June 16, 2025
As tributes for Arthur Folasa Ah Loo pour in from across the globe, those at home in Utah are remembering the renowned fashion designer not only for his creations, but for what he meant to the community. Utah Rep. Verona Mauga said she will miss...
Samoan fashion designer shot, killed at ‘No Kings’ protest
Hawaii News Now
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June 17, 2025
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Samoan fashion designer and former “Project Runway” contestant was killed in Utah by a stray bullet during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday. Salt Lake City Police say Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, who went by “Afa,” was...