PINA

Fiji, New Zealand and Samoa have been forced to withdraw their teams from upcoming World Rugby Sevens Series events in Spain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. World Rugby said New Zealand would not field teams at either the men's or women's tournaments in Malaga and Seville because of travel restrictions. New Zealand's men have been replaced in the line-up for the...

Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea has pledged assistance to Tonga following Saturday’s massive underwater volcanic eruption which caused tsunami affecting neighbouring island nations as well. “I am greatly concerned about the situation in Tonga where an undersea volcano erupted on Saturday, sending large tsunami waves crashing on the shore and people rushing to higher ground,” Marape said...

It could be weeks before Tonga's crucial undersea cable - which connects it to the world - is back online. The cable carries nearly all digital information including the internet and phone communications in and out of Tonga. It was damaged after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption nearby on Saturday. Dean Veverka is the director of the International Cable Protection Committee...

A distress signal has been detected in an isolated, low-lying group of islands in the Tonga archipelago following Saturday's massive volcanic eruption and tsunami, the United Nations said, prompting particular concern for its inhabitants. Initial reports suggested no mass casualties on the main island of Tongatapu, but two people were reported missing and the capital Nuku'alofa was badly damaged, as...

Mayur Resources Ltd (MRL), via its 100 per cent owned subsidiary, Mayur Renewables PNG Ltd (MR), has been granted its first forest carbon concessions in PNG, an official says. MR business director Sinton Spence said this demonstrated material progress on its commitment to achieve “net zero” carbon emissions for its nation building import displacement projects, and delivering on the objectives...

The launching of the K105 million (US$29.9 million) Voco Point Coastal Fisheries Hub marks the beginning of a major impact project for artisanal fishermen and women in the maritime districts of Morobe and neighbouring coastal provinces. The hub will consist of a waterfront facility for landing and unloading and sale of fresh fish, a facility for processing and distribution of...

By Ben Strang The eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano in Tonga sent literal shock waves around the world. It’s understood to have been the most explosive eruption in 30 years and created a larger tsunami than experts thought possible. Much is still unknown about the eruption, and scientists believe it’s far from over. But already, it has scientists reviewing the thinking around the...

Three-time Olympic flagbearer Pita Taufatofua has launched a fundraiser for tsunami relief in Tonga, where his father is among scores of people who have not been heard from. An underwater volcano erupted near Tonga sparking a tsunami which hit the island nation. No deaths have so far been reported, but communication with Tonga is extremely limited and there are mounting fears...

A ground-breaking ceremony has been held at Honiara's King George VI school to mark the beginning of the construction of the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Football Academy. The development will consist of an office building, two FIFA-compliant football pitches, an outdoor futsal court, a beach soccer pitch and a two-story accommodation block Construction is expected to be completed by June...

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed his deep concern after reports of a tsunami and ash affecting Tonga following the eruption of an undersea volcano near the Pacific nation. Guterres aired his concern about the tsunami warnings that have been issued in other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States. “The United Nations offices in the...