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Samoa, Tonga, PNG make changes for World Cup quarters

Toa Samoa have made three changes for Friday night's match against Australia in Darwin, with captain Frank Pritchard and halfback Ben Roberts back for their clash with the defending champions, while lock Leeson Ah Mau also returns to the back row.

Pritchard and Roberts did not play in Saturday's 14-14 draw against Scotland, which earned Samoa a spot in the knockout rounds despite failing to win a game during the group stage.

PNG: Australia must support Manus refugees

Australia has held asylum seekers on PNG's Manus Island since 2012. The camp is scheduled to close on Tuesday.

PNG says refugees will not be forced to stay in the nation against their will - while those without refugee status cannot stay either.

Canberra has consistently said that none will be transferred to Australia.

Australia controversially holds refugees and asylum seekers who arrive by boat in centres on PNG's Manus Island and the Pacific nation of Nauru - arguing that it prevents deaths at sea and discourages people smugglers.

Resettlement doubt inflames Manus tension

     

About 60 asylum seekers and guards came to blows in the running battle, as the governments of PNG and Australia met in Port Moresby to discuss refugee resettlement.

Article 50: May signs letter that will trigger Brexit

Giving official notice under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, it will be delivered to European Council president Donald Tusk later.

In a statement in the Commons, the prime minister will then tell MPs this marks "the moment for the country to come together".

It follows June's referendum which resulted in a vote to leave the EU.

Mrs May's letter will be delivered at 12:30 BST on Wednesday by the British ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow.

Refugee to stand trial over false passport

Sawari and his lawyer appeared in the grade 5 court on Friday before Magistrate Mekeo Gauli.

He was formally arraigned, or had his charges read to him in court, where he pleaded not guilty. A trial will be conducted next Tuesday.

The 21-year-old was arrested and charged for providing false information for the purpose of obtaining a PNG passport from the PNG Immigration and Citizen Services Authority, a charge that falls under section 16 (1) of the Passport Act of 1982.

PNG Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio passes away

“It is with great sadness that the Office of the Governor-General informs the people of Papua New Guinea that Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio, GCL, GCMG, KStJ, passed away this afternoon (Sunday).”

“Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio, the 9th Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, was ill for some time and died at the State residence at Government House at 3:50pm today.”

“Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio was 75 years old. Sir Michael was elected 9th Governor-General of Papua New Guinea on January 2011.

Fiji has 'bungled' opportunity, Amnesty

Loghman Sawari, who is 21, fled to Fiji from Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

He and his lawyer were on their way to meet with Immigration in Suva on Friday to seek asylum when he was stopped by police and put on a plane back to PNG.

Amnesty's Pacific Researcher, Kate Schuetze, said Fiji had failed an important test at a time when it's making a bid for a seat on the UN's Human Rights Council.

"The Fijian authorities gave assurances that he would not be arrested before he had that interview."

Iranian refugee in Fiji deported

Loghman Sawari was taken to the Nadi International Airport Departures Area after police and immigration intercepted the vehicle he was in with his lawyer, Aman Ravindra-Singh, this morning.

The pair were to meet with the Immigration Director Nemani Vuniwaqa.

Mr Sawari was taken into immigration custody just after 7.30am local time.

Fiji Village reports Mr Sawari came to Fiji on a PNG passport and his Immigration Arrival Card had misleading information.

He is a declared refugee in PNG.

 

Photo: Loghman Sawari in Fiji

7.9 quake near Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea

An alert from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) says widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible for parts of the Pacific.

Areas issued tsunami warnings include Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea , Pohnpei , Vanuatu , Chuuk, Indonesia, Nauru and Kosrae.

Initial reports suggest the earthquake struck at a depth of 154km.

The quake was initially recorded at 8.0M.

More to come.

NZ Herald

 

 

LOC condemns ‘ticket touters’

LOC Chief Executive Officer, Seamus Marten said match tickets are being sold at the four ticket outlets in Port Moresby and one outlet in Lae.

He said the LOC nor the ticket outlets are giving bulk tickets to people to sell outside of the official ticket outlets at their own mark-up prices.

Marten said ticket outlets have a limit to sell to individuals per purchase but there is no law in PNG preventing people from doing this.

“We can only encourage people to buy from the authorized outlets at face value,” said Marten.