GROUNDHOG DAY

Samoa to Change Time Zones

Pacific island to jump forward by a day.

It must be a confusing time to live in Samoa. First the government switched the side of the road Samoans drive on, and now it’s trying to switch to the other side of the dateline, meaning the Pacific island will jump forward in time by a day. Samoan Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi reportedly wants to make it easier for Samoa to do business with Australia and New Zealand, shifting away from the island’s historical alliance with the time zones of California and the U.S. He says being on the other side of the dateline is effectively losing Samoa two business days a week. He also says being a day ahead of American Samoa—which is just an hour apart by plane—will lure tourists who want to celebrate their birthday or anniversary twice.