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The Supreme Court of Namibia rules in favor of a gay couple who conceived a baby using a South African surrogate, to grant the baby, who was born in South Africa, Namibian citizenship. The judge ruled that there is no need for tests to confirm that the baby is the son of the couple. However, homosexual activity remains illegal in Namibia.
2021-10-13

The Samoan head of state, Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II, issues a proclamation preventing the Legislative Assembly of Samoa from meeting on May 24 without explanation, triggering a constitutional crisis. Opposition leader Naomi Mataʻafa of FAST was expected to be elected prime minister at the upcoming session following a Supreme Court ruling upholding the results of the general election.
2021-05-22

Samoa extends the state of emergency until September 27. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi says he fears the practice of congregating in large numbers would likely see the virus entering the (at this time) COVID-19-free country.
2020-08-29

The Committee on the Rights of the Child of the United Nations condemns the government of the Cook Islands for criminalizing homosexual sex.
2020-03-6

In a landmark case, the South Korean military is set to decide on the first transgender soldier's possible discharge. The soldier underwent surgery overseas and is stationed in Gyeonggi Province. The case sparks a national debate on LGBT issues in the military, which punishes sex between two males with up to two years imprisonment.
2020-01-16

Tonga and Fiji declare a state of emergency as part of an ongoing measles outbreak. Conditions worsen in Samoa where the death toll continues to rise and schools remain closed. There are 1,797 confirmed cases as of Saturday, with 153 detected on Friday alone.
2019-11-23

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security discontinues the eligibility of citizens of Belize, Haiti, and Samoa to obtain H-2A and H-2B visas for temporary work.
2018-01-17

Samoa announces the pardon of 35 prisoners to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence from New Zealand.
2012-06-1

One New Zealand tourist is dead and another missing after a family of six is swept away in a flash flood of the Vaisigano River in the Samoan capital Apia.
2012-03-15

Samoa announces plans to shift west of the international dateline from the east, putting it a day ahead to make trading with Australia and New Zealand easier.
2011-05-9