Samoa PM: Losing a day feels great
Samoa and Tokelau have skipped a day - and jumped westwards across the international dateline - to align with trade partners.
As the clock struck midnight (10:00 GMT Friday) as 29 December ended, Samoa and Tokelau fast-forwarded to 31 December, missing out on 30 December entirely.
Samoa announced the decision in May in a bid to improve ties with major trade partners Australia and New Zealand and neighbouring Tokelau decided to follow suit.
Speaking to the BBC, Samoa's Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi said that dignitaries had attended a ceremony to mark the occasion and that everyone in attendance was very happy.
30 Dec 2011
- From the section Asia