The squad and officials at the Holiday Inn, Suva Photo: FRU
Fijiana focusses on 'unity' as they prepare for Rugby World Cup
The Fijiana, the Fiji Women's rugby team are preparing for the Women's Rugby World Cup.
The team's first game will be played against England at Auckland's Eden Park on October 8.
Loose forward player, Sereima Leweniqila told the Rugby World Cup media the team's current main goal is to build its unity.
"The focus right now is unity; we have tried to get that together. I think once the girls find that bonding, the gel, I think we will be able to play anything,".
PNG police probe conduct of election managers and returning officers
Papua New Guinea police are investigating the conduct of some election managers and returning officers for election-related offences during this year's general election.
The National reports Director of Crimes, Joel Simatab, saying four returning officers had already been arrested, charged and detained.
Simatab said it is because of their conduct they now have so many election-related investigations going on.
He said they have also received reports that some of the election-related violence was connected to the conduct of election managers and returning officers.
Police are already investigating election-related violence including fighting, burning of buildings and murder.
Young Pacific leaders to gather in NZ for TechCamp
Fifty young leaders from more than 15 nations across the Pacific have been selected to participate in the 2022 Young Pacific Leaders TechCamp for Climate Action.
Leaders have been selected from American Samoa, Australia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Kiribati, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
The US Department of State, in partnership with Cultural Vistas, will host the upcoming workshop from October 29 to 31 in Auckland, in conjunction with the Auckland Climate Festival.
The US Ambassador to New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Samoa Thomas Udall said the State Department is really pleased to be able to fund and support the program.
Mapu appeals conviction in Samoa
A former Samoan assistant electoral commissioner, Afualo Daryl Mapu, has appealed his conviction for possession of narcotics and unlawful firearms.
The Samoa Observer reports defence lawyer, Magele Leone Su'a - Mailo, lodged the appeal, which was called before the Supreme Court on Monday.
Magele asked for a stay of sentencing until the outcome of the appeal.
They are pursuing three main grounds in the appeal, saying there was an error in law in determining the facts of the case, the verdict of guilty to the six joint charges was unreasonable, and cannot be supported by the evidence tendered.
The defendant also claims there has been a miscarriage of justice.
The matter has been adjourned until later this month.
CNMI Governor passes FY 2023 budget bill
The Northern Marianas Governor Ralph Torres has signed into law the Fiscal Year 2023 budget bill.
The CNMI government will have at its disposal over US$ 140 million (142,406,609) for government operations in the new fiscal year.
There had been fears of a partial government shutdown due to an impasse between the House and Senate, but a last-minute deal got it over the line.
Two former All Blacks selected for Manu Samoa
Two former All Blacks now playing rugby in Europe have been selected to play for Manu Samoa on the team's Northern Hemisphere Tour.
Jeff To'omaga-Allen and Steven Luatua were named in the touring team to play Italy, Georgia and Romania.
From January this year, players can represent a second nation if they serve a three-year international absence and were either born in the second country or have a parent or grandparent born there.
Head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua said they were looking forward to using the tour as part of the build-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, on the back of winning the 2022 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup last July.
The team was announced by Lakapi Samoa chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Vaovasamanaia who said they were looking forward to using the tour as part of the build-up to the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France on the back of winning the 2022 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji last July.
The squad includes: Afaesetiti Amosa, Alapati Leiua, Brian Alainuuese, Chris Vui, D'Angelo Leuila, Danny Toala, Des Sepulona, Donald Brighouse, Duncan Paia'aua, Ereatara Enari, Fritz Lee, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Joe Perez, Jonathan Taumateine, Jordan Lay, Luteru Tolai, Manu Leiataua, Michael Alaalatoa (C), Nephi Leatigaga, Nigel Ah Wong, Rodney Iona, Sa Jordan Taufua, Seilala Lam, Stacey Ili, Steven Luatua, Talalelei Gray, Taleni Seu, Theo McFarland, Tomasi Alosio, Tumua Manu, Ulupano Junior Seuteni.