Samoa

The French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for the first French embassy in Polynesia during his trip to the Pacific last week.

"France and Samoa share the same values of democracy, the rules-based order and the protection of global commons," the French government said in a statement.

"More than fifty years after the establishment of their diplomatic relations, that France and Samoa have decided to open a new page of their common history with the establishment of a French Embassy in Apia."

Director General of Health Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma told the Samoa Observer newspaper the nurse had been "distracted" when the incident happened.

The baby's mother made a complaint and added her baby's leg was swollen and the baby wasn't eating after the injection.

But she said she appreciated the prompt action by the Health Director-General to respond to her queries and check on her baby.

Aiono said the nurse responsible was reminded to prioritise tasks and duties, focus on immediate tasks, double-checks vaccines before administration, and take recommended breaks.

In a joint communique, the two countries say this first French embassy in Polynesia will, in particular, contribute to strengthening the ties between Samoa and the French territories of French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna.

They said the embassy will also facilitate the engagement of France within the Pacific Regional Environment Programme based in Apia.

French president Emmanuel Macron was in the Pacific last week but did not visit Samoa.

In a statement released by the government said “It is a joint initiative by Pasefika legal professional network associations primarily in Australia, Samoa and New Zealand and a vehicle calling on legal brethren from around the world that claim Pacific heritage or connection to share views and learnings on cultural diversity and its impact on the practice of Law.”

Doug Emhoff, the husband of US vice president Kamala Harris, also announced on his visit to Apia that the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will provide extra expertise to the Pacific to assess risks and prepare plans.

This includes committing $US117,000 to strengthen Samoa's National Tsunami Ready Program.

This includes tsunami hazard risk assessment and inundation mapping, community preparedness and response, evacuation mapping and response planning, and tsunami warning.

It will be the first time in U.S. history a senior White House official has ever visited Samoa.

Emhoff will announce the administration will provide $2.6 million, according to the White House. The funding will come from USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance and the funding will seek to increase disaster risk reduction in Pacific region countries including Samoa.

Emhoff is in New Zealand representing the U.S. delegation at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Samoa edged the game 24-22 in Sapporo in what was a dress rehearsal for the two teams’ Pool D encounter at the World Cup in France later this year.

Japan took an early lead, but suffered a blow when former captain Leitch was red-carded 10 minutes before the break for a dangerous tackle on Samoa’s So’otala Fa’aso’o.

Japan flank Kazuki Himeno said it was “disappointing” that the Brave Blossoms could not shake off the mental effects of Leitch’s dismissal.

Doug Emhoff will meet with government officials and community leaders, including female entrepreneurs, on July 23-24.

The White House said the Second Gentleman's visit will underscore the United States' strong relationship with Samoa and the commitment of the US to the Pacific Islands.

Kolani Junior Lam, who was serving a life sentence at Tanumalala Prison for the murder of his wife, was pronounced dead at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital on February 8.

The coroner, Judge Alalatoa Rosella Viane Papalii, directed the Ombudsman to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lam's death.

Due to the high turnover rate of correction officers at the Tanumalala Prison, the Ombudsman's report recommended the use of drones to assist authorities to monitor prisoners in the labour zone.

Founder Maluseu Doris Tulifau says it is essential to support young people in finding their voice and speaking out on these issues.

Tulifau, 29, launched the non-profit feminist organisation in the US in 2014, and used the platform to share her own experience as a survivor of violence. She worked in community development and human rights in California before moving to Samoa.

“I’m a survivor of sexual abuse and when I started to tell my story in America, I was already an activist promoting Pacific Islanders in higher education,” Tulifau said.