Small window at Glasgow must be taken; Vanuatu's Mt Yasur more active; US Senate names Udall as their man in New Zealand and Samoa; Fijian flyer signs with Moana Pasifika
Small window at Glasgow must be taken
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme says there's a small window of opportunity and Pacific island nations have got to be bold at COP26.
SPREP has sent a delegation to the global climate change talks that begin in Glasgow on Sunday.
SPREP Director General Kosi Latu said unfortunately big countries are not listening.
He said COP negotiations are highly political and trying to convince people about the reality of climate change is difficult.
Vanuatu's Mt Yasur more active
Vanuatu's active Yasur volcano produced an eruption plume on Friday that rose about 1500 metres above its crater.
The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department has advised nearby villages can expect volcanic gases and ash fall, especially those exposed to the wind direction.
The danger zone has increased by 1-kilometre around the volcanic cone.
Mt Yasur during a previous eruption Photo: Supplied
Intensified eruptions and explosions continue to be expected, with projectiles fall on or around the summit.
Mount Yasur's alert level remains at level 2, indicating bigger eruptions can occur with little or no warning.
US Senate names Udall as their man in New Zealand and Samoa
The U.S. Senate has confirmed the former Democratic Senator Tom Udall as ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.
Mr Udall was nominated in July by President Joe Biden.
He was a two-term senator before standing down in 2020.
In the Senate he served on the Foreign Relations Committee and has been a strong advocate for Native American tribes, and a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal.
Fijian flyer signs with Moana Pasifika
Fijian flyer Timoci Tavatavanawai is the latest player to sign with Moana Pasifika ahead of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season in 2022.
The 23-year-old played for the Fiji national under 20s team before moving to New Zealand where he started playing for the Central Rugby Club in Marlborough.
The winger was part of both the Crusaders and Highlanders wider squads during the 2021 Super Rugby season and was named in the Tasman Mako squad for NPC.