Am Samoa says NO to deep-sea mining. Trump admin might do it anyway

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In early August, more than two dozen local residents gathered in Lee auditorium to learn about a proposal to allow deep-sea mining across more than 18 million acres of surrounding waters in the Pacific Ocean. President...

The Grassroots of Our Urban Forests

For a moment, imagine your neighborhood… your big city downtown or smalltown main street. The trees, vegetation and green spaces are likely a part of these pictures. But they probably aren't the focus. “It’s actually pretty common,” said Pauline...

NTAG Jacksonville Joins 10th Battalion to Test ‘MEPS in a Box’

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2025) – Sailors assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group Jacksonville joined fellow service members to test a “MEPS in a Box” concept in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 5-8, 2025. Launched in April by United States Military...

Amata takes part in hearing at Grand Teton National Park

Moose, WYOMING — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata took part in a Friday hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources, held in Grand Teton National Park, discussing renewal of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which provided a...

2025 Pacific Jurisdiction Artist Fund awardees are announced

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In August 2025, Creative West introduced the awardees of Creative West’s inaugural Pacific Jurisdictions Artist Fund (PJAF). Forty-five artists and cultural practitioners across American Samoa, Guam, and the...

Fairness of children’s book funded by deep sea mining company questioned

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A children's book exploring the idea of deep sea nodules was paid for by a charity established and funded by a Cook Islands seabed mining company. "I know of a treasure. It's ancient and old. A treasure of marvels and...

Public Schools opening date moved to September 8

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — AS-DOE is delaying the opening of schools until Monday, September 8, 2025 in order to ensure that students return to schools that are not only safe from a continued rise in Dengue Fever, but also to address both health...

Budget, confirmations and tributes on Fono agenda

The Second Regular Session of the 39th Legislature resumed Monday after a four week recess. The proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget for ASG totaling $815,392,090 was introduced in both the House and Senate. A schedule of budget hearings, which begins...

CEO of Impossible Metals not discouraged by local opposition

The CEO of Impossible Metals, the company that has applied for a lease to conduct commercial sea mining near American Samoa is not discouraged by local opposition to his plan. According to an article on Grist, which describes itself as a non...

Bahrain sponsors deep-sea mining firm Impossible Metals for international permit

Bahrain has sponsored deep-sea mining firm Impossible Metals' application for a mining permit with the International Seabed Authority, becoming the first Middle Eastern country to support the fledgling industry as part of an economic...

These are science’s boldest ideas to cool our heating planet

Human life is facing one of the biggest challenges in its history. Rampant climate change, driven by industrial activity, threatens our entire civilisation. The destabilised currents, intensifying heat waves and increasingly frequent storms are a...

Natural Resources Committee discusses renewal of Great American Outdoors Act

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata took part in a Friday hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources, held in Grand Teton National Park, discussing renewal of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). The legislation provides a generational...

US lawmakers hold hearing on renewing Young Fishermen’s Development Act as Trump moves to eliminate grant funding

During a recent U.S. Congressional hearing, lawmakers touted the importance of continuing a grant program designed to help train and develop the next generation of fishers. “This legislation will provide tools to support and establish seafood...

Countering the People’s Republic of China’s Maritime Insurgency in the South Pacific

By Jason Lancaster Guadalcanal, the Coral Sea, Tarawa, New Guinea, and Iron Bottom Sound highlight the strategic location of the South Pacific during the Second World War. Today, U.S. and allied preeminence in this vital region is under threat....

Large seabed mineral reserves are within 1,000 mile radius of Am Samoa

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The total monetary value of seabed critical minerals in the South Pacific is estimated to be around US$20 trillion. This value includes vast reserves of cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements found...

When does the time change? Here's when we fall back in…

As the fall season nears, you will notice days becoming shorter and nights longer, signaling the end of daylight saving time. The time changes twice a year — once in the spring and once in the fall — and in November, clocks will "fall back,"...

Daylight Saving Time ends early in 2025 — here’s the exact date to set your clocks back

As the end of Daylight saving time is near, now the days will become shorter and nights will become longer. Many are fed up with the arduous clock changing process, but stand helpless with US daylight saving tradition still widely practised—done...

Daylight Saving Time ends early on Nov 2, 2025 — How it affects sleep, sunsets, and which states observes it

The end of daylight saving time (DST) for 2025 is approaching, bringing shorter days and longer nights as clocks are set to “fall back.” Despite ongoing debate over eliminating the twice-yearly clock change, most of the US will once again adjust...

Electric vessel sea trials underway for Samoa’s CAP-IT project

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Drawing on the design of Samoa’s traditional Alia boats, on Thursday August 14, the first of five electric boats for Samoa began sea trials as part of the Japan-funded Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport...

Daylight saving time ends (slightly) earlier in 2025

With the end of daylight saving time for 2025 around the corner, the days are beginning to get shorter and the nights longer as the time to “fall back” is nearing. Despite calls to get rid of the clock change, daylight saving time is still...