Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

U.S. could begin seabed mining off the coast of American Samoa
There is still time to submit comments to the U.S. Department of the Interior on a proposal to authorize seabed mining in American Samoa’s 200-mile economic zone. Seabed mining is the extraction of mineral deposits from the ocean floor, primarily...

STEM research program opens to Saipan high school students
THE PSS CLDS TEAMS Program is excited to announce that the application for students is now available. Project Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Twice-Exceptional Students Achieving and Matriculating in Science, Technology, Engineering, and...

Green infrastructure and watershed management training set for Tutuila & Manu’a
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Building on previous work in the territory, the Horsley Witten Group is collaborating with The Nature Conservancy, The American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the American Samoa Coral Reef...

Only one faipule attended the townhall meeting on deepsea mining
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — At last week’s Town Hall meeting on deep-sea mining, held at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium, Swains Island Faipule Alex Jennings stood out as the sole member of the Legislature in attendance. This fact was brought...

US seeking deep-sea miners interested in leasing American Samoa's seabed
The U.S. is soliciting interest from prospective companies to lease American Samoa's seabed for deep-sea mining, amid a petition launched by advocacy groups seeking to halt the plan. There are only a few days left for the public to comment on the...

The Urgency is Artificial. My comment on the proposed permitting of deep-sea mining leases off American Samoa
Last month, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, who oversees seabed mineral mining within US water received an application from Impossible Metals to lease an area offshore of American Samoa for deep-sea mining trials. Unlike The Metals...

Pacific Tuna Fleets Pushed To Lift Ban In Waters They Barely Fished
The vessels hardly spent any time right outside a marine protected area before its expansion, but fishing leaders and managers say times have changed. President Donald Trump’s order to re-open distant, protected Pacific waters to U.S. fishing...

Fatoata hosts the NOAA Ocean Acidification Teacher Workshop
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Fatoata hosted a three-day NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Teacher Workshop from Monday, June 23, to Wednesday, June 25. Twenty teachers from all over the island gathered to learn about ocean acidification and its...

DoH awarded $275,025 for scientific health research
Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting a grant notice of $275,025 for the American Samoa Department of Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This...

USS New Orleans lost its bow in WWII but kept fighting. Now the wreckage has been found.
WASHINGTON — On a dark night with no moon and heavily overcast skies on Nov. 30, 1942, the USS New Orleans was one of 11 cruisers and destroyers sailing in formation into the waters near the Solomon Islands in the south Pacific Ocean. “A light...

Training focuses on protecting coastal infrastructure & ecosystems
An environmental consulting firm specializing in sustainable and resilient design solutions, will return to American Samoa this month to advance two integrated projects focused on green infrastructure and watershed management training. Building on...

McDonald’s American Samoa awards $104,000 in scholarships
McDonald’s American Samoa Wednesday presented scholarships totaling $104,000 to four graduates of the American Samoa Community College and three high school graduates to pursue higher education. The scholarships were presented at a luncheon that...

US federal agency opens door to deep-sea mining – and industry players are lining up to apply
On June 25, the United States Department of the Interior (DOI), a department within the federal government that manages the nation’s natural resources, announced plans to accelerate the initiation of deep-sea mining in US waters, effectively...
US takes first step for potential mineral lease sale near American Samoa
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Interior Department said on Thursday it was publishing a request for information and interest to explore the potential for seabed mineral leasing offshore American Samoa. The step will launch a...

Fatoata and Learning Endeavors host Wetlands Teacher Workshop
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The non-profit organization Fatoata, in collaboration with Learning Endeavors, hosted a wetlands teacher workshop on Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 27. Learning Endeavors focuses on coastal resilience throughout...

Analysis of the 2025 Federal Tax Changes Under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Legislation
Key Takeaways: President Donald Trump signed wide-ranging tax legislation, P.L. 119-21 (the Legislation) on July 4, 2025. The Legislation includes net tax cuts of $4.5 trillion and spending cuts of $1.2 trillion, for a cost compared with current...

Trump Administration Wants to Close Key Weather Labs Across the U.S.
This story is published through our partnership with NOTUS. The Trump administration is looking to make sweeping cuts at the nation’s weather agencies, including the closure of all federally funded meteorology labs. The cuts also come as deadly...

U.S. federal agency clears ways for deep-sea mining — and companies are lining up
The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining in U.S. waters. The move includes shortened environmental review timelines and extended prospecting permits, which will...

Trump’s Attack On Long-Standing Principle Of Birthright Citizenship Stands, As Supreme Court Sidesteps Constitutional Issue − For Now
One of President Donald Trump’s first executive orders relating to immigration and immigrants is a direct attack on the long-standing constitutional principle of birthright citizenship. That’s the declaration in the 14th Amendment to the...

Tips on safe boating
On May 21, I had the honor of being a guest speaker at the 63rd Annual Western States Boating Administrators Association (WSBAA) Conference. It was held at the Westin Resort Guam from May 19 to 23. WSBAA was founded over six decades ago with a...