Samoan PM says women need to be heard; on-trial doctor's denial; and four hospitalised in American Samoa
Samoa PM's appeal on International Women's Day
The first female Prime Minister of Samoa wants to remind everyone gender equality is a shared responsibility.
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa gave the opening address at Samoa's International Women's Day event, saying it is a day to reflect on the resilience and determination of women to overcome the challenges they face.
Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa Photo: Government of Samoa
She said the day serves as a reminder for all that women's voices need to be heard, women's rights should be recognised, women deserve to be protected from all forms of violence and to be included in all aspects of life.
Fiamē said the day was born from an outcry of women against inequality with limited or no voting rights.
She said people must say no to stereotypes and descrimination.
Khan's a pioneer in The Hague
The first Pacific deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has been congratulated by the Fijian Government on International Women's Day.
Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan was sworn in as Deputy Prosecutor of the ICC this week.
The Fiji Government says it is an historic moment.
Doctor denies planning to kill love rival
The senior French doctor standing trial for shooting dead his neighbour in New Caledonia has denied having planned a homicide.
Olivier Peres, who oversaw the orthopaedic department at Noumea's public hospital, gunned down Eric Martinez on a golf course four years ago.
Peres said Martinez, who had an affair with his wife, had threatened his family and boasted that as a member of the French military commando, he had killed people, including children.
The court heard however that Martinez didn't belong to any such unit.
Days before the killing, Peres and his wife had contacted the police, expressing fear after undue pressure from Martinez, whom Peres described in court as a narcissistic pervert.
Four in hospital in American Samoa
In American Samoa four Covid-19 patients - one fully vaccinated and three not vaccinated - are hospitalised at the LBJ Medical Center.
The acting chief of staff, Akapusi Ledua, said they range in age from 37 to 103.
Dr Ledua said the four patients are receiving oxygen intermittently, but otherwise they are well and stable.
He said they may be discharged to a general ward in a few days.
Meanwhile, in the community, 49 new cases have been identified, taking the territory's cumulative total to 291, with no deaths reported.
The Governor, Lemanu Peleti Mauga, has extended the Code Red for another week but certain restrictions will be relaxed.
A 9pm curfew continues and business hours of operation are from 5am to 4pm. Schools remain closed.
Public gatherings are banned however exceptions are being made for the issuance of school meal coupons for about 17,000 students and food stamps to more than 4,000 recipients.
Governments discussing ditched plane
The Samoa Government is in discussions with the Vanuatu Government to lease the discarded Samoa Airways Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The Samoa Observer reports Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa as being happy with the offer from Vanuatu.
However, she said they need to resolve the issue between the government and the lessor.
The FAST government decided soon after taking office that the lease agreement on the aircraft was unsustainable.
A special Cabinet committee had recommended the immediate stopping of the lease with an airline company in Ireland.
Powers won't turn off spying in Pacific, says expert
A Pacific politics expert believes the perceived threat of China will likely trump diplomacy when it comes to Australia and New Zealand spying on their Pacific neighbours.
It follows investigative journalist, Nicky Hager revealing new allegations about Australia and New Zealand's spy operations in the Pacific.
Victoria University professor of comparative politics, Jon Fraenkel, said he cannot see Australia and New Zealand downgrading their spy operations to appease Pacific sensibilities in the current geopolitical climate.
"Security fears about China are so severe that they will do everything they possibly can to get hold of anything that will cast any light on Chinese activities in the Pacific region but I do think it is important that there are New Zealand citizens around that are prepared to stand up and say "hey hold on a minute. Is this really who we are?" he said.
New Zealand's minister for the GCSB and the NZSIS has defended the country's intelligence operations in the region saying they were necessary to maintain regional peace, stability and security.
