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. | Samoa Observer

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. | Samoa Observer

37K views · 1.9K reactions | Earlier today Fiame Naomi Mata'afa took office as the 7th Prime Minister of Samoa almost four months after winning the April 9th General Elections. Video: Lupe Mailo/Samoa Observer | Samoa Observer | Facebook

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 | Samoa Observer

Hundreds of people took part in a car parade through the streets of Apia on Saturday evening to show support for Toa Samoa ahead of the team’s rugby league match against the New Zealand Kiwis on Sunday. Video: Junior S. Ami / Samoa Observer. | Samoa Observer

51K views · 971 reactions | AUDIO | The Chief Executive Officer of...

83K views · 246 shares | After performing the Manu Samoa challenge at last night's welcoming reception, the Manu Samoa made their way to Iwaki, Fukushima today, where they are being hosted as honoured guests of the city and have begun a weeklong training camp. https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/49108 | Samoa Observer | Facebook

The Minister for Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele, criticised the Samoa Observer for using the term "severe" in its coverage of the new hospital hours, despite the word appearing in the Ministry’s own press release. When the Observer pointed this out, the Minister responded, "I don’t believe that." However, the Ministry’s Chief Executive Officer, Aiono Alec Ekeroma, immediately clarified that the wording did originate from an official ministry notice. He explained that it had not been approved, as