Papua New Guinea has denied entry to Chinese nationals who participated in a COVID-19 vaccine trial, the Australian newspaper said on Friday, as the Pacific nation battles a worsening outbreak of the respiratory disease.

The workers had been due to fly from the northern city of Tianjin to the Ramu NiCo plant in northern Papua New Guinea run by state-run Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd (MCC).

The Australian said David Manning, Papua New Guinea`s head of disaster management, denied access for the workers after being told of the vaccinations, however, and sent a strongly worded letter to China`s ambassador, Xue Bing.

"The government of PNG demands and deserves to fully understand (the) vaccine development and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine immunisation program undertaken in China and its potential risks," the Australian quoted Manning as saying, before Chinese travel requests could be approved.

"The Ramu workers didn`t get a Papua New Guinea entry permit," a source with knowledge of the plant`s operations told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "The Tianjin flight was cancelled and employees have gone back home to rest."

A senior Ramu official, who asked not to be identified, added, "Production is normal. There is no staff shortage problem."

In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing he was not aware of the matter. China`s MCC did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Ramu had told Papua New Guinea health authorities that 48 staff received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on August 10, PNG news station NBC said.

Health officials are on tenterhooks after a steep jump in infections in the past month threatens to overun the healthcare system in Papua New Guinea, which largely avoided the first wave.

A further death took the official toll to four, with two new cases pushing the tally of infections to 361 by Thursday, Manning said in a statement.

However, health officials fear the real number could be much higher, as infections spread to regions beyond the capital of Port Moresby.

"The national department of health (NDoH) has not approved any vaccine trials in PNG," Manning said on Friday.

"Any vaccines imported into PNG must be approved by NDoH and must go through vigorous vaccine trials, protocols and procedures," he said in a statement, adding that trials must also be approved by the World Health Organization.

Papua New Guinea has denied entry to Chinese nationals who participated in a COVID-19 vaccine trial, the Australian newspaper said on Friday, as the Pacific nation battles a worsening outbreak of the respiratory disease.

Papua New Guinea has denied entry to Chinese nationals who participated in a COVID-19 vaccine trial, the Australian newspaper said on Friday, as the Pacific nation battles a worsening outbreak of the respiratory disease. The workers had been due to fly from the northern city of Tianjin to the Ramu NiCo plant in northern Papua New Guinea run by state-run Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd (MCC). The Australian said David Manning, Papua New Guinea`s head of disaster management, denied access for the workers after being told of the vaccinations, however, and sent a strongly worded letter to China`s ambassador, Xue Bing. "The government of PNG demands and deserves to fully understand (the) vaccine development and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine immunisation program undertaken in China and its potential risks," the Australian quoted Manning as saying, before Chinese travel requests could be approved. "The Ramu workers didn`t get a Papua New Guinea entry permit," a source with knowledge of the plant`s operations told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "The Tianjin flight was cancelled and employees have gone back home to rest." A senior Ramu official, who asked not to be identified, added, "Production is normal. There is no staff shortage problem." In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing he was not aware of the matter. China`s MCC did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Ramu had told Papua New Guinea health authorities that 48 staff received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on August 10, PNG news station NBC said. Health officials are on tenterhooks after a steep jump in infections in the past month threatens to overun the healthcare system in Papua New Guinea, which largely avoided the first wave. A further death took the official toll to four, with two new cases pushing the tally of infections to 361 by Thursday, Manning said in a statement. However, health officials fear the real number could be much higher, as infections spread to regions beyond the capital of Port Moresby. "The national department of health (NDoH) has not approved any vaccine trials in PNG," Manning said on Friday. "Any vaccines imported into PNG must be approved by NDoH and must go through vigorous vaccine trials, protocols and procedures," he said in a statement, adding that trials must also be approved by the World Health Organization.

Papua New Guinea bars Chinese workers in vaccine trial over coronavirus risk

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-sends-more-police-to-papua-curbs-internet-speed-amid-tension-244505">Indonesia's </a>military shot dead four students in the country's restive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-sends-more-police-to-papua-curbs-internet-speed-amid-tension-244505">Papua </a>region during 2014 protests and carried out "gross human rights violations", a commission investigating the uprising concluded Monday.

Komnas HAM issued its findings five years after the high-school students were gunned down in Paniai, a central area of insurgency-wracked Papua province, which shares a border with independent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-sends-more-police-to-papua-curbs-internet-speed-amid-tension-244505">Papua New Guinea</a>.

"This incident constitutes crimes against humanity," the commission's chief investigator Muhammad Choirul Anam told AFP in a statement Monday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violent-protest-erupts-in-capital-of-indonesias-papua-246614">Violent protest erupts in capital of Indonesia's Papua</a>

The military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Komnas HAM said it had forwarded its dossier on the unrest to the country's attorney general for possible prosecution.

The probe was hampered by long delays due to attempts by unnamed individuals to hide evidence, the human rights commission said.

Rank-and-file soldiers and their superiors should shoulder the blame for the deaths of the students, aged 17 and 18, as well as "torturing" another 21 demonstrating <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-restores-internet-access-in-parts-of-restive-papua-region-247695">Papuans</a>, it said, without elaborating.

The protests were sparked by the alleged beatings of other Papuan youths by the army.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-restores-internet-access-in-parts-of-restive-papua-region-247695">Indonesia restores internet access in parts of restive Papua region</a>

Security forces eventually opened fire on a crowd after demonstrators threw stones at a military office.

The commission interviewed two dozen witnesses, analysed documents and visited the scene to determine whether the military was involved in the deaths.

So far no-one has been charged.

Indonesia's military has been accused of committing atrocities against Papuan civilians during a decades-long rebel movement aimed at gaining independence for the province.

The Southeast Asian nation took control of mineral-rich <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-restores-internet-access-in-parts-of-restive-papua-region-247695">Papua </a>in the 1960s following a vote to stay within the archipelago that was widely viewed as rigged.

Papua has seen several spasms of deadly violence in recent months, including unrest partly linked to a fresh push for independence and ethnic tensions.

Ethnically Melanesian, most Papuans are Christians who have few cultural links to Muslim-majority Indonesia.

Indonesia's military shot dead four students in the country's restive Papua region during 2014 protests and carried out "gross human rights violations", a commission investigating the uprising concluded Monday.

Indonesia's military shot dead four students in the country's restive Papua region during 2014 protests and carried out "gross human rights violations", a commission investigating the uprising concluded Monday. Komnas HAM issued its findings five years after the high-school students were gunned down in Paniai, a central area of insurgency-wracked Papua province, which shares a border with independent Papua New Guinea. "This incident constitutes crimes against humanity," the commission's chief investigator Muhammad Choirul Anam told AFP in a statement Monday. Also read: Violent protest erupts in capital of Indonesia's Papua The military did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Komnas HAM said it had forwarded its dossier on the unrest to the country's attorney general for possible prosecution. The probe was hampered by long delays due to attempts by unnamed individuals to hide evidence, the human rights commission said. Rank-and-file soldiers and their superiors should shoulder the blame for the deaths of the students, aged 17 and 18, as well as "torturing" another 21 demonstrating Papuans, it said, without elaborating. The protests were sparked by the alleged beatings of other Papuan youths by the army. Also read: Indonesia restores internet access in parts of restive Papua region Security forces eventually opened fire on a crowd after demonstrators threw stones at a military office. The commission interviewed two dozen witnesses, analysed documents and visited the scene to determine whether the military was involved in the deaths. So far no-one has been charged. Indonesia's military has been accused of committing atrocities against Papuan civilians during a decades-long rebel movement aimed at gaining independence for the province. The Southeast Asian nation took control of mineral-rich Papua in the 1960s following a vote to stay within the archipelago that was widely viewed as rigged. Papua has seen several spasms of deadly violence in recent months, including unrest partly linked to a fresh push for independence and ethnic tensions. Ethnically Melanesian, most Papuans are Christians who have few cultural links to Muslim-majority Indonesia.

Indonesia military to blame for 2014 Papua killings: rights commission

Four people have survived 32 days adrift in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pacific-oceans-astrigency-dissolving-dungeness-crabs-shells-study-277028">Pacific Ocean</a> by eating coconuts and drinking rainwater in a tribulation that claimed the lives of eight of their companions.

The group was from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/62-magnitude-earthquake-hits-papua-new-guinea-usgs-279557">Papua New Guinea</a>'s Bougainville province.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pacific-oceans-astrigency-dissolving-dungeness-crabs-shells-study-277028">Pacific Ocean's astringency dissolving Dungeness crabs' shells: Study</a>

According to reports, the group had set off from Bougainville on December 22&nbsp;to celebrate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/tourists-enjoy-christmas-in-kashmir-valley-270208">Christmas </a>in the Carteret Islands.

But survivor Dominic Stally said their small boat capsized and a number of the group drowned.

The rest managed to right the vessel but there were further fatalities as they floated in the remote waters at the mercy of powerful ocean currents.

"We could do nothing with their dead bodies, we just have to let go of them at sea," he told the newspaper.

Watch: Man plans to swim 9100 km across Pacific ocean to raise plastic pollution awareness

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/man-plans-to-swim-9100-km-across-pacific-ocean-to-raise-plastic-pollution-awareness-139935/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"A couple have died and left behind their baby and I am the one who held onto the baby and later the baby died as well."

Stally said a number of fishing vessels passed nearby without noticing them until they were finally picked up on January 23 off New Caledonia after drifting some 2,000 kilometres.

The survivors comprised two men, a woman and a girl aged about 12.&nbsp;

They were dropped off in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, last Saturday and were discharged into the care of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/62-magnitude-earthquake-hits-papua-new-guinea-usgs-279557">Papua New Guinea</a>'s High Commissioner John Balavu after receiving treatment for dehydration.

In January 2014, Salvadoran fisherman Jose Alvarenga washed up in the Marshalls, more than 13 months after he set off from Mexico's west coast with a companion, who died during the voyage.

He had survived by eating raw fish and bird flesh while keeping hydrated by drinking rainwater, turtle blood and his own urine.

Four people have survived 32 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean by eating coconuts and drinking rainwater in a tribulation that claimed the lives of eight of their companions.

Four people have survived 32 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean by eating coconuts and drinking rainwater in a tribulation that claimed the lives of eight of their companions. The group was from Papua New Guinea's Bougainville province. Also read: Pacific Ocean's astringency dissolving Dungeness crabs' shells: Study According to reports, the group had set off from Bougainville on December 22 to celebrate Christmas in the Carteret Islands. But survivor Dominic Stally said their small boat capsized and a number of the group drowned. The rest managed to right the vessel but there were further fatalities as they floated in the remote waters at the mercy of powerful ocean currents. "We could do nothing with their dead bodies, we just have to let go of them at sea," he told the newspaper. Watch: Man plans to swim 9100 km across Pacific ocean to raise plastic pollution awareness "A couple have died and left behind their baby and I am the one who held onto the baby and later the baby died as well." Stally said a number of fishing vessels passed nearby without noticing them until they were finally picked up on January 23 off New Caledonia after drifting some 2,000 kilometres. The survivors comprised two men, a woman and a girl aged about 12. They were dropped off in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, last Saturday and were discharged into the care of Papua New Guinea's High Commissioner John Balavu after receiving treatment for dehydration. In January 2014, Salvadoran fisherman Jose Alvarenga washed up in the Marshalls, more than 13 months after he set off from Mexico's west coast with a companion, who died during the voyage. He had survived by eating raw fish and bird flesh while keeping hydrated by drinking rainwater, turtle blood and his own urine.

Four people survive 32 days adrift in Pacific by eating coconuts and drinking rainwater

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck 122 km (75 miles) south of Kokopo in&nbsp;Papua New Guinea on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was immediately issued.&nbsp;

The quake was at a depth of about 31.3 km, according to the USGS.

The quake hit just after 4pm local time (0600GMT) at a depth of 31 kilometres (19 miles) some 122 kilometres (75 miles) south of Kokopo, the capital of PNG's East New Britain province, the USGS said.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck 122 km (75 miles) south of Kokopo in Papua New Guinea on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was immediately issued.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck 122 km (75 miles) south of Kokopo in Papua New Guinea on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was immediately issued. The quake was at a depth of about 31.3 km, according to the USGS. The quake hit just after 4pm local time (0600GMT) at a depth of 31 kilometres (19 miles) some 122 kilometres (75 miles) south of Kokopo, the capital of PNG's East New Britain province, the USGS said.

6.2-magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea: USGS

Hollywood actor Zac Efron literally got a gift of life on Christmas eve as doctors in Brisbane gave him a clearance to back to the US after he was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.&nbsp; 
 
The actor was reportedly rushed to Australia from Papua New Guinea after suffering an "extraordinary life-or-death medical emergency"&nbsp; 
 
Efron was flown to Brisbane, Australia from Papua New Guinea on a `life-or-death flight` with the assistance of medical professionals. The &nbsp;32-year-old was filming a documentary series called 'Killing Zac Efron' when he came down with a `form of typhoid or similar bacterial infection` just before Christmas. 
 
After arriving in Brisbane, he was admitted in a private hospital in Spring Hill and is said to be "in a stable condition". At the hospital, he received treatment for several days, before being "given the all clear" by doctors to fly home to the US on Christmas Eve. 
 
On Monday, Zac took to Twitter to thank those who had reached out in the past few days and confirmed he had contracted a disease but also assured he was now fine.&nbsp; 
 
"Very thankful to everyone who has reached out. I did get sick in Papua New Guinea but I bounced back quick and finished an amazing 3 weeks in P.N.G. I’m home for the holidays with my friends and family. Thanks for all the love and concern, see you in 2020!"

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Very thankful to everyone who has reached out. 
I did get sick in Papua New Guinea but I bounced back quick and finished an amazing 3 weeks in P.N.G. 
I’m home for the holidays with my friends and family. Thanks for all the love and concern, see you in 2020! <a href="https://t.co/SEcopCmqAB">pic.twitter.com/SEcopCmqAB</a>
— Zac Efron (@ZacEfron) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZacEfron/status/1211436036733186049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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It is believed that the Hollywood actor flew to Papua New Guinea at the start of December to film the series, which will follow Efron as he will go deep into the jungle of a remote and dangerous island.&nbsp; 
 
The series was commissioned by short content platform Quibi, which is scheduled to launch in April. 
 
Efron had previously posted images on social media showing him in a canoe on PNG`s Sepik River and travelling to Yanchan Village to see a traditional skin-cutting ceremony.

Hollywood actor Zac Efron literally got a gift of life on Christmas eve as doctors in Brisbane gave him a clearance to back to the US after he was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.

Hollywood actor Zac Efron literally got a gift of life on Christmas eve as doctors in Brisbane gave him a clearance to back to the US after he was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. The actor was reportedly rushed to Australia from Papua New Guinea after suffering an "extraordinary life-or-death medical emergency" Efron was flown to Brisbane, Australia from Papua New Guinea on a `life-or-death flight` with the assistance of medical professionals. The 32-year-old was filming a documentary series called 'Killing Zac Efron' when he came down with a `form of typhoid or similar bacterial infection` just before Christmas. After arriving in Brisbane, he was admitted in a private hospital in Spring Hill and is said to be "in a stable condition". At the hospital, he received treatment for several days, before being "given the all clear" by doctors to fly home to the US on Christmas Eve. On Monday, Zac took to Twitter to thank those who had reached out in the past few days and confirmed he had contracted a disease but also assured he was now fine. "Very thankful to everyone who has reached out. I did get sick in Papua New Guinea but I bounced back quick and finished an amazing 3 weeks in P.N.G. I’m home for the holidays with my friends and family. Thanks for all the love and concern, see you in 2020!" Very thankful to everyone who has reached out. I did get sick in Papua New Guinea but I bounced back quick and finished an amazing 3 weeks in P.N.G. I’m home for the holidays with my friends and family. Thanks for all the love and concern, see you in 2020! pic.twitter.com/SEcopCmqAB — Zac Efron (@ZacEfron) December 29, 2019 × It is believed that the Hollywood actor flew to Papua New Guinea at the start of December to film the series, which will follow Efron as he will go deep into the jungle of a remote and dangerous island. The series was commissioned by short content platform Quibi, which is scheduled to launch in April. Efron had previously posted images on social media showing him in a canoe on PNG`s Sepik River and travelling to Yanchan Village to see a traditional skin-cutting ceremony.

Zac Efron speaks out after suffering from a life threatening disease in Papua New Guinea

Voters in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joyous-scenes-as-bougainville-independence-vote-starts-264054">Bougainville overwhelmingly</a> backed independence from Papua New Guinea after results were declared today paving the way for the isles to become the world's newest nation.

The Bougainville Referendum Commission announced on Wednesday that 98 per cent of voters, that is 176,928 people had backed independence, whereas only 3,043 supported staying with Papua New Guinea.

Bougainville residents had voted last month in a referendum on whether to stay with Papua New Guinea with the choice being between full independence or greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea. At least 207,000 Bougainvilleans were registered to vote. The election process was peaceful as people voted amid joyous scenes.

The decision to break away from &nbsp;Papua New Guinea now needs ratification from the PNG parliament.

Around 300,000 people live in Bougainville which consists of two main towns Arawa and Buin. According to a 2011 census, the population of Bougainville was 249,358. The island is named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville, who sailed along its east coast in 1768.

Bougainville feud with Papua New Guinea led to a civil war between the island's rebel army and Papua New Guinea forces in which 20,000 were reportedly killed. The conflict ended in 1998.

Bougainville Vice President Raymond Masono has said he would revive a plan to overhaul the region's mining laws after the independence referendum which could strip the former operator of the Panguna gold and copper project of its interests.

Conflict raged in the area over a copper mine in Panguna on profits to be shared with&nbsp;Rio Tinto leading the company to pull out of the project in 1989 amid a civil war which finally ended in 1998.

Voters in Bougainville overwhelmingly backed independence from Papua New Guinea after results were declared today paving the way for the isles to become the world's newest nation.

Voters in Bougainville overwhelmingly backed independence from Papua New Guinea after results were declared today paving the way for the isles to become the world's newest nation. The Bougainville Referendum Commission announced on Wednesday that 98 per cent of voters, that is 176,928 people had backed independence, whereas only 3,043 supported staying with Papua New Guinea. Bougainville residents had voted last month in a referendum on whether to stay with Papua New Guinea with the choice being between full independence or greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea. At least 207,000 Bougainvilleans were registered to vote. The election process was peaceful as people voted amid joyous scenes. The decision to break away from Papua New Guinea now needs ratification from the PNG parliament. Around 300,000 people live in Bougainville which consists of two main towns Arawa and Buin. According to a 2011 census, the population of Bougainville was 249,358. The island is named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville, who sailed along its east coast in 1768. Bougainville feud with Papua New Guinea led to a civil war between the island's rebel army and Papua New Guinea forces in which 20,000 were reportedly killed. The conflict ended in 1998. Bougainville Vice President Raymond Masono has said he would revive a plan to overhaul the region's mining laws after the independence referendum which could strip the former operator of the Panguna gold and copper project of its interests. Conflict raged in the area over a copper mine in Panguna on profits to be shared with Rio Tinto leading the company to pull out of the project in 1989 amid a civil war which finally ended in 1998.

Bougainville voters back independence from Papua New Guinea

Joyous voters in the Pacific island chain of&nbsp;Bougainville&nbsp;cheered and sang as they flocked to the polls Saturday at the start of a long-awaited referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea.

In the early morning sun, more than 1,000 people waited eagerly to cast their ballots at one polling station in the main city of Buka, as others,&nbsp;festooned in grass garlands,&nbsp;formed makeshift choirs that stomped through the streets, waving independence flags, blowing bamboo pipes and chanting in chorus.

"I am so happy," said 54-year-old Olitha Mokela. "I am going to rejoice and the bamboo band must play and I'll dance and go and vote."

Dozens of small boats, with pro-independence flags waving above, ferried people from smaller islands off Buka to vote in the city.

Some 207,000 Bougainvilleans are registered to vote over the next two weeks,&nbsp;deciding whether the tiny Melanesian isles will spring from global obscurity to become the world's newest country.

Their choice is between full independence or greater autonomy within <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/residents-flee-after-papua-new-guinea-volcano-erupts-252940">Papua New Guinea</a>, a fractious nation of eight million people off the northeast coast of Australia.

The vote caps a 2001 peace deal that ended a brutal decade-long war between&nbsp;Bougainville&nbsp;rebels, PNG security forces and foreign mercenaries in which up 20,000 people were killed.

A steady stream of voters cast their ballots in similarly festive scenes at 21 stations around the territory throughout the day.

In Tinputz, a group of villages along the coast south of Buka, a large crowd butchered cows and pigs for a referendum day feast.

Results are due to be released around December 15 and supporters of full independence are expected to win handily, although, with no reliable opinion polls,&nbsp;a surprise is always possible.&nbsp;

If voters do choose independence, the decision would need ratification from the PNG parliament, where there is anxiety that&nbsp;Bougainville&nbsp;could set a precedent and spur other independence movements within the tribally diverse country.

But rejection would risk rekindling former feuds and skittling the peace process.

Bougainville&nbsp;regional president John Momis cautioned excited voters Saturday that the referendum was only one step in a long process and urged patience.

"We should not rush things, we should take our time to ensure a good outcome," he said, adding that a final result "could be five years" away.

But in a sign of hopeful cooperation with the national government, Momis was accompanied to the polling station by Puka Temu, Papua New Guinea's minister for&nbsp;Bougainville&nbsp;affairs.

"The celebratory spirit around this particular day, I think it demonstrates the maturity of our leadership and the maturity of the people in&nbsp;Bougainville," said Temu.&nbsp;

Preparations for voting were peaceful, and across the nation, once-sworn enemies have taken part in tearful reconciliation ceremonies, where arrows were snapped to symbolise the end of a vicious conflict.

"It’s not often that we hear reports that people have put down their weapons and sought ways to mend fences and carry forward, establishing peace," chief referendum officer Mauricio Claudio said as voting wound down for the day on Saturday.

He described Saturday's turnout as "very good", which he said augured well for the rest of the voting process.

Since French explorer Louis de&nbsp;Bougainville&nbsp;arrived on the palm-fringed archipelago more than 200 years ago, control passed in turn from Germany to Australia, Japan and the United Nations before administration was handed over to Port Moresby.

But the territory has historically shared a closer affinity with the neighbouring <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-downplays-solomon-island-lease-debacle-tells-us-to-stay-out-258765">Solomon Islands</a> than Papua New Guinea.

T-shirts promoting independence,&nbsp;depicting the distinctive men's amphora-shaped "upe" headdress, and emblazoned with the words "black is beautiful" in a nod to the ethnic identity of many Bougainvilleans, sold fast at the Buka market in the run-up to the referendum.

Independence for&nbsp;Bougainville&nbsp;could instantly make the islands a new front in the battle for influence being waged across the South Pacific between China, the United States and Australia.

They are among the poorest in the southern hemisphere and the need for cash to build infrastructure, develop institutions and balance the books "creates an opportunity for actors like China to get involved", said Jonathan Pryke of Sydney's Lowy Institute.

The 1988-1998 war had its roots in a struggle over revenues from the now-shuttered Panguna copper mine, which at one point accounted for more than 40 per cent of Papua New Guinea's exports.

The mine is estimated to still hold more than five million tonnes of copper and 19 million ounces of gold,&nbsp;&nbsp;worth billions of dollars at current market prices.

Who controls that wealth is likely to be vital in determining whether a newly born&nbsp;Bougainville&nbsp;succeeds.

Joyous voters in the Pacific island chain of Bougainville cheered and sang as they flocked to the polls Saturday at the start of a long-awaited referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea.

Joyous voters in the Pacific island chain of Bougainville cheered and sang as they flocked to the polls Saturday at the start of a long-awaited referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea. In the early morning sun, more than 1,000 people waited eagerly to cast their ballots at one polling station in the main city of Buka, as others, festooned in grass garlands, formed makeshift choirs that stomped through the streets, waving independence flags, blowing bamboo pipes and chanting in chorus. "I am so happy," said 54-year-old Olitha Mokela. "I am going to rejoice and the bamboo band must play and I'll dance and go and vote." Dozens of small boats, with pro-independence flags waving above, ferried people from smaller islands off Buka to vote in the city. Some 207,000 Bougainvilleans are registered to vote over the next two weeks, deciding whether the tiny Melanesian isles will spring from global obscurity to become the world's newest country. Their choice is between full independence or greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea, a fractious nation of eight million people off the northeast coast of Australia. The vote caps a 2001 peace deal that ended a brutal decade-long war between Bougainville rebels, PNG security forces and foreign mercenaries in which up 20,000 people were killed. A steady stream of voters cast their ballots in similarly festive scenes at 21 stations around the territory throughout the day. In Tinputz, a group of villages along the coast south of Buka, a large crowd butchered cows and pigs for a referendum day feast. Results are due to be released around December 15 and supporters of full independence are expected to win handily, although, with no reliable opinion polls, a surprise is always possible. If voters do choose independence, the decision would need ratification from the PNG parliament, where there is anxiety that Bougainville could set a precedent and spur other independence movements within the tribally diverse country. But rejection would risk rekindling former feuds and skittling the peace process. Bougainville regional president John Momis cautioned excited voters Saturday that the referendum was only one step in a long process and urged patience. "We should not rush things, we should take our time to ensure a good outcome," he said, adding that a final result "could be five years" away. But in a sign of hopeful cooperation with the national government, Momis was accompanied to the polling station by Puka Temu, Papua New Guinea's minister for Bougainville affairs. "The celebratory spirit around this particular day, I think it demonstrates the maturity of our leadership and the maturity of the people in Bougainville," said Temu. Preparations for voting were peaceful, and across the nation, once-sworn enemies have taken part in tearful reconciliation ceremonies, where arrows were snapped to symbolise the end of a vicious conflict. "It’s not often that we hear reports that people have put down their weapons and sought ways to mend fences and carry forward, establishing peace," chief referendum officer Mauricio Claudio said as voting wound down for the day on Saturday. He described Saturday's turnout as "very good", which he said augured well for the rest of the voting process. Since French explorer Louis de Bougainville arrived on the palm-fringed archipelago more than 200 years ago, control passed in turn from Germany to Australia, Japan and the United Nations before administration was handed over to Port Moresby. But the territory has historically shared a closer affinity with the neighbouring Solomon Islands than Papua New Guinea. T-shirts promoting independence, depicting the distinctive men's amphora-shaped "upe" headdress, and emblazoned with the words "black is beautiful" in a nod to the ethnic identity of many Bougainvilleans, sold fast at the Buka market in the run-up to the referendum. Independence for Bougainville could instantly make the islands a new front in the battle for influence being waged across the South Pacific between China, the United States and Australia. They are among the poorest in the southern hemisphere and the need for cash to build infrastructure, develop institutions and balance the books "creates an opportunity for actors like China to get involved", said Jonathan Pryke of Sydney's Lowy Institute. The 1988-1998 war had its roots in a struggle over revenues from the now-shuttered Panguna copper mine, which at one point accounted for more than 40 per cent of Papua New Guinea's exports. The mine is estimated to still hold more than five million tonnes of copper and 19 million ounces of gold, worth billions of dollars at current market prices. Who controls that wealth is likely to be vital in determining whether a newly born Bougainville succeeds.

Joyous scenes as Bougainville independence vote starts

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/papua-new-guinea-prime-ministers-election-faces-court-challenge-247987">Papua New Guinea's</a> volatile Ulawun volcano erupted early Tuesday, sending a column of red lava shooting up into the sky and forcing the evacuation of recently returned residents.

Mount Ulawan, situated on the remote <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gunmen-massacre-18-including-children-in-papua-new-guinea-attack-234678">Bismarck Archipelago chain</a>, displaced between 7,000 and 13,000 people from their homes when it last erupted in June.

Seismic activity started at midday on Monday before the volcano erupted at about 4:30 am Tuesday, according to Rabaul Volcano Observatory assistant director Ima Itikarai.

"It was noiseless and in the dark just before dawn; the eruption was visible (with) a distinct shard (of) red incandescent glow shooting up less than 100 metres from the base," he told AFP.

As light dawned, billowing clouds of grey ash could be seen rising several hundred metres into the sky, he said, while local Chris Lagisa said residents could hear the noise of gushing gas and flowing lava.

While most people&nbsp;affected by the previous eruption had remained at evacuation centres, an official with the West New Britain Disaster Office said a number who had returned to tend to their homes and gardens at the base of the volcano had to be evacuated again.

The volcano is one of the world's most hazardous, featuring on a list of 16 "Decade Volcanoes" targeted for research because they pose a significant risk of large, violent eruptions.

Papua New Guinea's volatile Ulawun volcano erupted early Tuesday, sending a column of red lava shooting up into the sky and forcing the evacuation of recently returned residents.

Papua New Guinea's volatile Ulawun volcano erupted early Tuesday, sending a column of red lava shooting up into the sky and forcing the evacuation of recently returned residents. Mount Ulawan, situated on the remote Bismarck Archipelago chain, displaced between 7,000 and 13,000 people from their homes when it last erupted in June. Seismic activity started at midday on Monday before the volcano erupted at about 4:30 am Tuesday, according to Rabaul Volcano Observatory assistant director Ima Itikarai. "It was noiseless and in the dark just before dawn; the eruption was visible (with) a distinct shard (of) red incandescent glow shooting up less than 100 metres from the base," he told AFP. As light dawned, billowing clouds of grey ash could be seen rising several hundred metres into the sky, he said, while local Chris Lagisa said residents could hear the noise of gushing gas and flowing lava. While most people affected by the previous eruption had remained at evacuation centres, an official with the West New Britain Disaster Office said a number who had returned to tend to their homes and gardens at the base of the volcano had to be evacuated again. The volcano is one of the world's most hazardous, featuring on a list of 16 "Decade Volcanoes" targeted for research because they pose a significant risk of large, violent eruptions.

Residents flee after Papua New Guinea volcano erupts

Gunmen have massacred as many as 18 people including women and children in a remote village in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/papua-new-guinea-set-to-end-australia-refugee-contract-227856">Papua New Guinea</a>, apparently the latest victims of a tribal feud, and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-papua-new-guinea-leader-a-wildcard-in-pacific-power-play-223203">Prime Minister James Marape </a>vowed on Wednesday to hunt down the killers.

Violence has long ravaged the poor but resource-rich Pacific Ocean nation, but the scale of the latest bloodletting has shocked the country.

"It's a very sad story," Philip Undialu, the governor of Hela Province in the rugged central highlands where the attack took place on Monday, told Reuters by phone.

Pictures posted on Facebook showed the dead, including several children, wrapped in cloth and laid on palm leaves by the side of a road.

Undialu said the particular trigger for the killings in Karida village, some 630 km (390 miles) northwest of the capital, Port Moresby, was not known but the violence was the latest flare-up of a conflict running for years.

Those targeted had offered shelter to victims of a bout of violence several weeks ago, he said.

"It was retaliation of a previous attack ... it was a very sudden attack," he said, adding that in all, 24 people had been killed in the latest phase of violence.

"Both attacks were made in an innocent community where people were not expecting it and all of us are in a state of shock."

Prime Minister Marape said he was "coming for" the killers.

"In memory of the innocent who continues to die at the hands of gun-toting criminals, your time is up," Marape said in a post on his official Facebook page.

"Before I had someone else to report to, now I have no one else to report to but the innocent you kill," he said. "I am not afraid to use the strongest measures in law on you ... I am coming to you."

Marape, who became a leader in May, cited a lack of police on the ground as a major problem in a region that has for years grappled with violence, sometimes driven by disputes over the distribution of resource wealth.

ExxonMobil Corp operates a natural gas processing plant in the province and halted construction on a pipeline last year because of unrest.&nbsp;

Barrick Gold Corp and China's Zijin Mining run Porgera, a gold mine, in a neighbouring province.

Last year, aid workers bringing relief supplies to the area's district town of Tari after a big earthquake was ordered out and the army was sent in to quell tribal disputes.&nbsp;

Gunmen have massacred as many as 18 people including women and children in a remote village in Papua New Guinea, apparently the latest victims of a tribal feud, and Prime Minister James Marape vowed on Wednesday to hunt down the killers.

Gunmen have massacred as many as 18 people including women and children in a remote village in Papua New Guinea, apparently the latest victims of a tribal feud, and Prime Minister James Marape vowed on Wednesday to hunt down the killers. Violence has long ravaged the poor but resource-rich Pacific Ocean nation, but the scale of the latest bloodletting has shocked the country. "It's a very sad story," Philip Undialu, the governor of Hela Province in the rugged central highlands where the attack took place on Monday, told Reuters by phone. Pictures posted on Facebook showed the dead, including several children, wrapped in cloth and laid on palm leaves by the side of a road. Undialu said the particular trigger for the killings in Karida village, some 630 km (390 miles) northwest of the capital, Port Moresby, was not known but the violence was the latest flare-up of a conflict running for years. Those targeted had offered shelter to victims of a bout of violence several weeks ago, he said. "It was retaliation of a previous attack ... it was a very sudden attack," he said, adding that in all, 24 people had been killed in the latest phase of violence. "Both attacks were made in an innocent community where people were not expecting it and all of us are in a state of shock." Prime Minister Marape said he was "coming for" the killers. "In memory of the innocent who continues to die at the hands of gun-toting criminals, your time is up," Marape said in a post on his official Facebook page. "Before I had someone else to report to, now I have no one else to report to but the innocent you kill," he said. "I am not afraid to use the strongest measures in law on you ... I am coming to you." Marape, who became a leader in May, cited a lack of police on the ground as a major problem in a region that has for years grappled with violence, sometimes driven by disputes over the distribution of resource wealth. ExxonMobil Corp operates a natural gas processing plant in the province and halted construction on a pipeline last year because of unrest. Barrick Gold Corp and China's Zijin Mining run Porgera, a gold mine, in a neighbouring province. Last year, aid workers bringing relief supplies to the area's district town of Tari after a big earthquake was ordered out and the army was sent in to quell tribal disputes.

Gunmen massacre 18, including children, in Papua New Guinea attack

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/papua-new-guinea-prime-minister-quits-after-weeks-of-turmoil-221729">Papua New Guinea</a> will not renew a contract with an Australian company providing security at Pacific refugee camps, a senior minister has told AFP, in another setback for the deeply controversial policy.

Singapore-registered Paladin Holdings provides security and other services at three "transition centres" for refugees being held on Papua New Guinea's remote Manus Island after trying to get to Australia.

Canberra has turned back thousands of refugees arriving by sea, instead of putting them in offshore camps where mental illness and suicide attempts are rife.

The policy has cost Australia billions of dollars and earned it international opprobrium, but remains a vote winner at home.

Yet the new government in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea's capital, plans to "terminate (the) Paladin contract by end of this month" said Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas.

Thomas said his government had notified Australia's home affairs department that it will launch a "transparent tender process" that focuses on local firms' participation.

Earlier this year it emerged that little-known Paladin was given the contracts -- worth more than Aus$420 million (US$289 million). The firm had little experience, was thinly capitalised and had ties to a senior Papua New Guinea politician.

Australia's Auditor-General Grant Hehir in April opened an investigation into whether the tender process was for the contract was appropriately managed.

Local companies "now have the capacity and expertise to do the job and should be given the opportunity to participate", Thomas said.

Well-connected Manus businessman Sam Tasion has already indicated his interest, saying in a recent statement that "we cannot pass the buck in telling Australia to remove Refugees in Papua New Guinea".

Despite the seemingly imminent end of Paladin's contract, Australia's Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton -- who has tethered his political persona to the offshore detention policy -- said Sunday he expected Paladin's contract to be renewed.

"The likelihood is there's a continuation. I'm not going to comment when the department is in the process of the arrangements," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Several hundred refugees from Manus and Nauru have been resettled in the US, but the process has been slow, leaving some refugees languishing for years on the islands.

Dutton added that more than 300 refugees have been rejected for transfer by the US so far.

Papua New Guinea will not renew a contract with an Australian company providing security at Pacific refugee camps, a senior minister has told AFP, in another setback for the deeply controversial policy.

Papua New Guinea will not renew a contract with an Australian company providing security at Pacific refugee camps, a senior minister has told AFP, in another setback for the deeply controversial policy. Singapore-registered Paladin Holdings provides security and other services at three "transition centres" for refugees being held on Papua New Guinea's remote Manus Island after trying to get to Australia. Canberra has turned back thousands of refugees arriving by sea, instead of putting them in offshore camps where mental illness and suicide attempts are rife. The policy has cost Australia billions of dollars and earned it international opprobrium, but remains a vote winner at home. Yet the new government in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea's capital, plans to "terminate (the) Paladin contract by end of this month" said Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas. Thomas said his government had notified Australia's home affairs department that it will launch a "transparent tender process" that focuses on local firms' participation. Earlier this year it emerged that little-known Paladin was given the contracts -- worth more than Aus$420 million (US$289 million). The firm had little experience, was thinly capitalised and had ties to a senior Papua New Guinea politician. Australia's Auditor-General Grant Hehir in April opened an investigation into whether the tender process was for the contract was appropriately managed. Local companies "now have the capacity and expertise to do the job and should be given the opportunity to participate", Thomas said. Well-connected Manus businessman Sam Tasion has already indicated his interest, saying in a recent statement that "we cannot pass the buck in telling Australia to remove Refugees in Papua New Guinea". Despite the seemingly imminent end of Paladin's contract, Australia's Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton -- who has tethered his political persona to the offshore detention policy -- said Sunday he expected Paladin's contract to be renewed. "The likelihood is there's a continuation. I'm not going to comment when the department is in the process of the arrangements," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Several hundred refugees from Manus and Nauru have been resettled in the US, but the process has been slow, leaving some refugees languishing for years on the islands. Dutton added that more than 300 refugees have been rejected for transfer by the US so far.

Papua New Guinea set to end Australia refugee contract

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill announced his resignation on Sunday after seven years in the top job following weeks of high-level defections from the ruling party.

O'Neill told media in Port Moresby that he had handed over leadership of the Pacific nation to Sir Julius Chan.

O’Neill had resisted calls to resign for weeks but stepped down on Sunday, saying recent movements in Parliament showed a "need for change", ABC News reported.

Opponents of O'Neill said on Friday they had mustered enough support in parliament to oust him over a range of grievances including a gas deal with France's Total TOTF.PA, which critics have questioned.

Political instability is something of a fixture in the resource-rich but poverty-stricken South Pacific nation and O'Neill, who has been leader since 2011, has seen off previous attempts to topple him.

Defections from the ruling coalition have been going on for weeks, and on Friday at least nine members switched sides, according to two ministers who were among them.

O'Neill's opponents needed to rally 62 members of PNG's 111-seat parliament to vote him out.

Opposition politicians said on Friday they would push for investigations in Australia and Switzerland into an A$1.2 billion ($830.76 million) loan arranged by finance group UBS if there was a change of government, the Australian Financial Review reported.

A report by the Ombudsman Commission of PNG into the 2014 deal that allowed the South Pacific nation to borrow from UBS to buy a 10 per cent stake in Australian Stock Exchange-listed energy firm Oil Search is scheduled to be tabled in PNG's parliament next week.

Oil Search, in turn, used the money to buy into the Elk-Antelope gas field being developed by France's Total.

PNG is estimated to have lost 1 billion kina ($287.00 million) on the deal after being forced to sell the shares when the price fell in 2017.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill announced his resignation on Sunday after seven years in the top job following weeks of high-level defections from the ruling party.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill announced his resignation on Sunday after seven years in the top job following weeks of high-level defections from the ruling party. O'Neill told media in Port Moresby that he had handed over leadership of the Pacific nation to Sir Julius Chan. O’Neill had resisted calls to resign for weeks but stepped down on Sunday, saying recent movements in Parliament showed a "need for change", ABC News reported. Opponents of O'Neill said on Friday they had mustered enough support in parliament to oust him over a range of grievances including a gas deal with France's Total TOTF.PA, which critics have questioned. Political instability is something of a fixture in the resource-rich but poverty-stricken South Pacific nation and O'Neill, who has been leader since 2011, has seen off previous attempts to topple him. Defections from the ruling coalition have been going on for weeks, and on Friday at least nine members switched sides, according to two ministers who were among them. O'Neill's opponents needed to rally 62 members of PNG's 111-seat parliament to vote him out. Opposition politicians said on Friday they would push for investigations in Australia and Switzerland into an A$1.2 billion ($830.76 million) loan arranged by finance group UBS if there was a change of government, the Australian Financial Review reported. A report by the Ombudsman Commission of PNG into the 2014 deal that allowed the South Pacific nation to borrow from UBS to buy a 10 per cent stake in Australian Stock Exchange-listed energy firm Oil Search is scheduled to be tabled in PNG's parliament next week. Oil Search, in turn, used the money to buy into the Elk-Antelope gas field being developed by France's Total. PNG is estimated to have lost 1 billion kina ($287.00 million) on the deal after being forced to sell the shares when the price fell in 2017.

Papua New Guinea prime minister quits after weeks of turmoil

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on Thursday denied claims that he holds Australian citizenship as the embattled leader faces a deepening political crisis.

The country's attorney general this week launched an investigation into the status of all 111 members of parliament after opposition MP Bryan Kramer accused O'Neill of being both a PNG and Australian citizen.

Dual citizenship status disqualifies a person from office.

"I am the current Parliamentary Member for Ialibu-Pangia and the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and therefore I am authorised to depose to the facts herein stated," O'Neill stated in a court affidavit Thursday.

O'Neill states that his father was born in Melbourne and his mother in PNG's southern highlands, but he is "not an Australian citizen".

"I have never been an Australian citizen. I do not hold an Australian passport," the legal document viewed by AFP states.

O'Neill has accused Kramer of spreading "extreme" and "malicious" false comments and has sought a court order to prevent the opposition MP from "making further defamatory statements about me".&nbsp;&nbsp;

The prime minister narrowly avoided being turfed out of office on a vote of no confidence earlier this month when he successfully adjourned parliament until May 28.

He has been besieged by a recent string of party defections, with detractors accusing him of using the office to further his own interests.

Momentum against O'Neill has been building for months, but came to a head with the inking of a multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) project with France's Total and US firm ExxonMobil last month.

Opponents say the deal does not benefit local communities enough and they want a review.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australias-re-elected-government-may-miss-tax-break-deadline-220275">Australia</a> last year went through its own citizenship crisis, forcing a slew of resignations due to an obscure provision in the country's 1901 constitution that forbids dual citizens from serving in federal parliament.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on Thursday denied claims that he holds Australian citizenship as the embattled leader faces a deepening political crisis.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on Thursday denied claims that he holds Australian citizenship as the embattled leader faces a deepening political crisis. The country's attorney general this week launched an investigation into the status of all 111 members of parliament after opposition MP Bryan Kramer accused O'Neill of being both a PNG and Australian citizen. Dual citizenship status disqualifies a person from office. "I am the current Parliamentary Member for Ialibu-Pangia and the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and therefore I am authorised to depose to the facts herein stated," O'Neill stated in a court affidavit Thursday. O'Neill states that his father was born in Melbourne and his mother in PNG's southern highlands, but he is "not an Australian citizen". "I have never been an Australian citizen. I do not hold an Australian passport," the legal document viewed by AFP states. O'Neill has accused Kramer of spreading "extreme" and "malicious" false comments and has sought a court order to prevent the opposition MP from "making further defamatory statements about me". The prime minister narrowly avoided being turfed out of office on a vote of no confidence earlier this month when he successfully adjourned parliament until May 28. He has been besieged by a recent string of party defections, with detractors accusing him of using the office to further his own interests. Momentum against O'Neill has been building for months, but came to a head with the inking of a multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) project with France's Total and US firm ExxonMobil last month. Opponents say the deal does not benefit local communities enough and they want a review. Australia last year went through its own citizenship crisis, forcing a slew of resignations due to an obscure provision in the country's 1901 constitution that forbids dual citizens from serving in federal parliament.

Papua New Guinea PM denies Australian citizenship claims

A strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit off the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ancient-papua-new-guinea-skull-called-oldest-known-tsunami-victim-22951">coast of Papua New Guinea</a> on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, with hazardous tsunami waves possible, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

The shallow quake occurred 44 kilometres (27 miles) northeast of Kokopo in PNG, the USGS said.

"It was massive, absolutely massive. Very scary," Megan Martin, the managing director of the Ropopo Plantation resort in Kokopo, told AFP.

"There does not appear to be any damage, but we are out checking."

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said: "Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters... hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000 kms (620 miles) of the earthquake epicentre."&nbsp;

"Government agencies responsible for threatened coastal areas should take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk in accordance with their own evaluation procedures and the level of threat.

The reported epicentre lies within the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of regular seismic activity.

In February last year, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Papua New Guinea killed 150 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings.

A strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, with hazardous tsunami waves possible, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

A strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, with hazardous tsunami waves possible, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre. The shallow quake occurred 44 kilometres (27 miles) northeast of Kokopo in PNG, the USGS said. "It was massive, absolutely massive. Very scary," Megan Martin, the managing director of the Ropopo Plantation resort in Kokopo, told AFP. "There does not appear to be any damage, but we are out checking." The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said: "Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters... hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000 kms (620 miles) of the earthquake epicentre." "Government agencies responsible for threatened coastal areas should take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk in accordance with their own evaluation procedures and the level of threat. The reported epicentre lies within the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of regular seismic activity. In February last year, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Papua New Guinea killed 150 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings.

Hazardous tsunami waves possible after Papua New Guinea quake: USGS

Redwing Aerospace Laboratories a startup in Bengaluru uses drones to deliver medicines. Watch this video to know more.

Bengaluru startup uses drones to deliver blood

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on Saturday that the shadow of protectionism and unilateralism was hanging over global growth, joining other Asia-Pacific leaders in urging free trade.

China and the United States have been locked in an escalating trade war since President Donald Trump won the election in 2016. Trump has skipped the annual meeting of the 21-nation grouping, but US Vice President Mike Pence will be speaking later in the day.

Fault lines were quick to emerge over the future of free trade as leaders gathered for an Asia-Pacific summit on Saturday, with some calling for radical change while others argued for a return to the status quo on globalization.

Meanwhile, President Xi made a push to expand China's influence in the Pacific on Friday, holding a forum with leaders of eight small island countries in Papua New Guinea.

But Chinese officials barred most media, including reporters from the Pacific, from the forum at which Xi met leaders from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, as well as Papua New Guinea, in its capital Port Moresby ahead of an APEC summit this weekend.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on Saturday that the shadow of protectionism and unilateralism was hanging over global growth, joining other Asia-Pacific leaders in urging free trade.

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on Saturday that the shadow of protectionism and unilateralism was hanging over global growth, joining other Asia-Pacific leaders in urging free trade. China and the United States have been locked in an escalating trade war since President Donald Trump won the election in 2016. Trump has skipped the annual meeting of the 21-nation grouping, but US Vice President Mike Pence will be speaking later in the day. Fault lines were quick to emerge over the future of free trade as leaders gathered for an Asia-Pacific summit on Saturday, with some calling for radical change while others argued for a return to the status quo on globalization. Meanwhile, President Xi made a push to expand China's influence in the Pacific on Friday, holding a forum with leaders of eight small island countries in Papua New Guinea. But Chinese officials barred most media, including reporters from the Pacific, from the forum at which Xi met leaders from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, as well as Papua New Guinea, in its capital Port Moresby ahead of an APEC summit this weekend. (With inputs from Reuters)

World growth overshadowed by protectionism: China's President Xi Jinping

The United States will join forces with Australia in the development of a new naval base to be built in Papua New Guinea, US Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday.

Australia has announced plans to redevelop PNG's Lombrum Naval Base on Manus island, in what is seen as a move to curb China's influence in the Pacific.

"The United States will partner with Papua New Guinea and Australia on their joint initiative at Lombrum Naval Base," Pence said ahead of a regional summit. "We will work with these two nations to protect sovereignty and maritime rights in the Pacific Islands. "

Menawhile, Pence said on Friday the South China Sea does not belong to any one nation and the United States will continue to sail and fly wherever international law allows, comments sure to rile China which claims the strategic sea route.

The United States has conducted a series of "freedom of navigation" exercises in the contested South China Sea, angering Beijing, which says the moves threaten its sovereignty.

The United States will join forces with Australia in the development of a new naval base to be built in Papua New Guinea, US Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday.

The United States will join forces with Australia in the development of a new naval base to be built in Papua New Guinea, US Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday. Australia has announced plans to redevelop PNG's Lombrum Naval Base on Manus island, in what is seen as a move to curb China's influence in the Pacific. "The United States will partner with Papua New Guinea and Australia on their joint initiative at Lombrum Naval Base," Pence said ahead of a regional summit. "We will work with these two nations to protect sovereignty and maritime rights in the Pacific Islands. " Menawhile, Pence said on Friday the South China Sea does not belong to any one nation and the United States will continue to sail and fly wherever international law allows, comments sure to rile China which claims the strategic sea route. The United States has conducted a series of "freedom of navigation" exercises in the contested South China Sea, angering Beijing, which says the moves threaten its sovereignty.

US to partner in Papua New Guinea military base: Pence

The Papua New Guinea government may temporarily ban social media giant Facebook in order to carry out a research to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the use of Facebook and vulnerabilities linked to personal data use and cybercrime.&nbsp

The information gathered from the study will then be used to curb the fake profile and fake news floating on the site.

Communications Minister Sam Basil has&nbspsuggested banning Facebook for one month which will give the government time to gather information on fake accounts and users who uploads pornography and defamatory information in order to remove it from the platform.

He also proposed the idea to replace Facebook with a locally developed social media site.&nbsp

"This will allow genuine people with real identities to use the social network responsibly," &nbspnews agency quoted Basil as saying.

"If there need be then we can gather our local applications developers to create a site that is more conducive for Papua New Guineans to communicate within the country and abroad as well," Basil added,

However, no time has been fixed at for the potential ban on Facebook. But reports say that the ban might come into effect during the time when Papua New Guinea is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation&nbsp(APEC) summit later this year. The summit is expected to be attended by the United States president Donald Trump.

Mark Zuckerberg owned Facebook is under fire from past few months after a whistleblower revealed that UK based data mining firm Cambridge Analytica gathered data from illegal measures.

It has faced a lot of criticism after it was revealed that over 80 million users' information was compromised during the Cambridge Analytica row.

AFP reported a spokesperson of Facebook is saying that it has reached the Papua New Guinea authorities and is addressing the concerns.

The decision of temporarily banning the Facebook has however been ridiculed by Papua New Guinea media as the time of the ban may coincide with APEC summit.

PNG Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker was quoted as saying by AFP, "The APEC meeting is all about promoting the digital era to assist business, develop economies, and improve citizen welfare in member countries."&nbsp

Media has said that it restricts the freedom of speech in the country as the Platform is widely used to discuss politics.

(With inputs from AFP)

A study will be conducted during this period to gather from the study will then be used to curb the fake profiles and fake news floating on the site

The Papua New Guinea government may temporarily ban social media giant Facebook in order to carry out a research to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the use of Facebook and vulnerabilities linked to personal data use and cybercrime. The information gathered from the study will then be used to curb the fake profile and fake news floating on the site. Communications Minister Sam Basil has&nbspsuggested banning Facebook for one month which will give the government time to gather information on fake accounts and users who uploads pornography and defamatory information in order to remove it from the platform. He also proposed the idea to replace Facebook with a locally developed social media site. "This will allow genuine people with real identities to use the social network responsibly," &nbspnews agency quoted Basil as saying. "If there need be then we can gather our local applications developers to create a site that is more conducive for Papua New Guineans to communicate within the country and abroad as well," Basil added, However, no time has been fixed at for the potential ban on Facebook. But reports say that the ban might come into effect during the time when Papua New Guinea is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit later this year. The summit is expected to be attended by the United States president Donald Trump. Mark Zuckerberg owned Facebook is under fire from past few months after a whistleblower revealed that UK based data mining firm Cambridge Analytica gathered data from illegal measures. It has faced a lot of criticism after it was revealed that over 80 million users' information was compromised during the Cambridge Analytica row. AFP reported a spokesperson of Facebook is saying that it has reached the Papua New Guinea authorities and is addressing the concerns. The decision of temporarily banning the Facebook has however been ridiculed by Papua New Guinea media as the time of the ban may coincide with APEC summit. PNG Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker was quoted as saying by AFP, "The APEC meeting is all about promoting the digital era to assist business, develop economies, and improve citizen welfare in member countries." Media has said that it restricts the freedom of speech in the country as the Platform is widely used to discuss politics. (With inputs from AFP)

Papua New Guinea may temporarily ban Facebook to curb fake profiles

A Rohingya refugee from Myanmar died&nbsp;Tuesday&nbsp;after jumping from a bus on a remote Papua New Guinea island, almost five years after he was sent there by Australia, officials said.

Canberra has sent asylum-seekers who try to enter the country by boat to camps on PNG's Manus Island or Nauru in the Pacific for processing, with those found to be refugees barred from resettling in Australia.

The harsh policy is meant to deter people embarking on treacherous sea journeys, but the United Nations and other rights groups have criticised the camps' conditions and long detention periods.

Australia's home affairs department confirmed the death but did not provide further details.

The Refugee Action Coalition's Ian Rintoul told&nbsp;the man, a 32-year-old called Salim, was believed to have jumped from a moving bus near a refugee transition centre and was struck by its wheels, dying at the scene.

Most asylum-seekers on Manus believed the man's death was a suicide, according to a statement from the coalition.

He was the seventh asylum-seeker to die on Manus since Canberra's offshore detention regime began in July 2013, in addition to three others who died on Nauru over the same period, Rintoul said.

"The Rohingyan refugee had suffered for a long time with a medical problem" and had previously been sent to Australia for treatment, he added in a statement.

Behrouz Boochani, an Iranian refugee on Manus, tweeted&nbsp;Tuesday&nbsp;that Salim had epilepsy and was "suffering for a long time".

Previous deaths on Manus include an Iranian refugee found hanging from a tree near a school in August last year, and a Sri Lankan Tamil asylum-seeker who reportedly committed suicide at a hospital&nbsp;two months later.

The Australian camp on Manus was shut late last year after a PNG court ruled it was unconstitutional, with the 600 detainees sent to three transition centres.

Canberra has sought to offload those recognised as refugees to third countries such as the US, and more than a hundred have been resettled there, according to reports.

But hundreds of others remain on Manus, saying they feared for their safety amid hostility from the local population, and that their basic needs such as healthcare were not being met.

The UN refugee agency said Salim's death showed the need for "proper care and immediate solutions".

"With the passage of too many years and the withdrawal or reduction of essential services, the already critical situation for refugees most in need continues to deteriorate," UNHCR's regional representative Nai Jit Lam said.

Canberra has sent asylum-seekers who try to enter the country by boat to camps on PNG's Manus Island or Nauru in the Pacific for processing

A Rohingya refugee from Myanmar died Tuesday after jumping from a bus on a remote Papua New Guinea island, almost five years after he was sent there by Australia, officials said. Canberra has sent asylum-seekers who try to enter the country by boat to camps on PNG's Manus Island or Nauru in the Pacific for processing, with those found to be refugees barred from resettling in Australia. The harsh policy is meant to deter people embarking on treacherous sea journeys, but the United Nations and other rights groups have criticised the camps' conditions and long detention periods. Australia's home affairs department confirmed the death but did not provide further details. The Refugee Action Coalition's Ian Rintoul told the man, a 32-year-old called Salim, was believed to have jumped from a moving bus near a refugee transition centre and was struck by its wheels, dying at the scene. Most asylum-seekers on Manus believed the man's death was a suicide, according to a statement from the coalition. He was the seventh asylum-seeker to die on Manus since Canberra's offshore detention regime began in July 2013, in addition to three others who died on Nauru over the same period, Rintoul said. "The Rohingyan refugee had suffered for a long time with a medical problem" and had previously been sent to Australia for treatment, he added in a statement. Behrouz Boochani, an Iranian refugee on Manus, tweeted Tuesday that Salim had epilepsy and was "suffering for a long time". Previous deaths on Manus include an Iranian refugee found hanging from a tree near a school in August last year, and a Sri Lankan Tamil asylum-seeker who reportedly committed suicide at a hospital two months later. The Australian camp on Manus was shut late last year after a PNG court ruled it was unconstitutional, with the 600 detainees sent to three transition centres. Canberra has sought to offload those recognised as refugees to third countries such as the US, and more than a hundred have been resettled there, according to reports. But hundreds of others remain on Manus, saying they feared for their safety amid hostility from the local population, and that their basic needs such as healthcare were not being met. The UN refugee agency said Salim's death showed the need for "proper care and immediate solutions". "With the passage of too many years and the withdrawal or reduction of essential services, the already critical situation for refugees most in need continues to deteriorate," UNHCR's regional representative Nai Jit Lam said.

Rohingya refugee sent to Papua New Guinea dies

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/russian-action-to-expel-60-us-diplomats-marks-further-deterioration-in-bilateral-ties-white-house-127156">Russian action to expel 60 US diplomats marks further deterioration in bilateral ties: White House</a>

Russia's decision to&nbsp;expel 60 American diplomats and order closer to the US Consulate&nbsp;in St Petersburg marks a further deterioration in bilateral ties, the White House said today.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/magnitude-69-quake-off-papua-new-guinea-tsunami-danger-passes-127158">Magnitude 6.9 quake off Papua New Guinea, tsunami danger passes</a>

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Papua New Guinea`s New Britain island on Friday, initially triggering a tsunami warning for surrounding coastlines, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/us-withdrawing-from-syria-very-soon-donald-trump-127159">US</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/us-withdrawing-from-syria-very-soon-donald-trump-127159"> withdrawing from Syria 'very soon': Donald Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump insisted Thursday that US forces would pull out of Syria "very soon" and lamented what he said was Washington`s waste of $7 trillion in Middle East wars.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/8-killed-in-suicide-attack-in-eastern-libya-security-officer-127168">8 killed in suicide attack in eastern Libya: Security officer</a>

At least eight people, including civilians, were killed late Thursday in a suicide car bombing of a security barricade in the east of Libya, the second such attack in less than a month, local security and hospital sources said.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-tv-actor-siddharth-sagar-missing-for-four-months-parents-untraceable-too-127167">TV actor Siddharth Sagar missing for the past four months, parents untraceable too</a>

Comedian Siddharth Sagar has been missing for the past four months. The actor,&nbsp;who has appeared in several comedy shows on TV including The Kapil Sharma show,&nbsp;has been untraceable since November 2017, a friend has alleged.&nbsp;

Russian action to expel 60 US diplomats marks further deterioration in bilateral ties: White House Russia's decision to expel 60 American diplomats and order closer to the US Consulate in St Petersburg marks a further deterioration in bilateral ties, the White House said today. Magnitude 6.9 quake off Papua New Guinea, tsunami danger passes A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Papua New Guinea`s New Britain island on Friday, initially triggering a tsunami warning for surrounding coastlines, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. US withdrawing from Syria 'very soon': Donald Trump US President Donald Trump insisted Thursday that US forces would pull out of Syria "very soon" and lamented what he said was Washington`s waste of $7 trillion in Middle East wars. 8 killed in suicide attack in eastern Libya: Security officer At least eight people, including civilians, were killed late Thursday in a suicide car bombing of a security barricade in the east of Libya, the second such attack in less than a month, local security and hospital sources said. TV actor Siddharth Sagar missing for the past four months, parents untraceable too Comedian Siddharth Sagar has been missing for the past four months. The actor, who has appeared in several comedy shows on TV including The Kapil Sharma show, has been untraceable since November 2017, a friend has alleged.

News Brief: Big stories of the day

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Papua New Guinea`s New Britain island on Friday, initially triggering a tsunami warning for surrounding coastlines, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. 
 
The shallow quake struck close to the coast, around 100 miles (162 km) southwest of Rabaul, a much more remote region than the country`s mountainous mainland highlands where a magnitude 7.5 tremor struck on February 26, killing 100 people. 
 
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) issued a threat warning for the country`s coastline located within 300 km of the quake`s epicentre, but later advised that the threat had passed. 
 
Dellie Minding, a receptionist at the Rabaul Hotel in the east of New Britain, around 20 minutes from the coast, told Reuters that the earthquake was felt, with many guests running outside, but there was no damage. 
 
At the Rapopo Plantation Resort on the coast, receptionist May Dovon said she had not heard of any casualties or damage. 
 
"We felt the earthquake, everything was moving so we went out of the building," Dovon told Reuters. "Nothing was damaged." 
 
Australian authorities said there was no threat to the Australian coastline from the quake, which was initially reported as a magnitude 7.2. 
 
Quakes are common in Papua New Guinea, which sits on the Pacific`s "Ring of Fire", a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates. Rabaul lies in the shadow of Mount Tavurvur, an active volcano that destroyed the town in 1994 during a severe eruption. 
 
The latest quake came as Papua New Guinea struggles to get aid to survivors of the February 26 quake, which flattened whole villages and spoiled water supplies on the country`s main island. 
 
The impoverished country is also missing its largest revenue earner since the quake forced a shutdown of Exxon Mobil Corp`s liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, which has annual sales of $3 billion at current LNG prices. The company is still assessing quake damage at its facilities.&nbsp

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Papua New Guinea`s New Britain island on Friday, initially triggering a tsunami warning for surrounding coastlines, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Papua New Guinea`s New Britain island on Friday, initially triggering a tsunami warning for surrounding coastlines, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The shallow quake struck close to the coast, around 100 miles (162 km) southwest of Rabaul, a much more remote region than the country`s mountainous mainland highlands where a magnitude 7.5 tremor struck on February 26, killing 100 people. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) issued a threat warning for the country`s coastline located within 300 km of the quake`s epicentre, but later advised that the threat had passed. Dellie Minding, a receptionist at the Rabaul Hotel in the east of New Britain, around 20 minutes from the coast, told Reuters that the earthquake was felt, with many guests running outside, but there was no damage. At the Rapopo Plantation Resort on the coast, receptionist May Dovon said she had not heard of any casualties or damage. "We felt the earthquake, everything was moving so we went out of the building," Dovon told Reuters. "Nothing was damaged." Australian authorities said there was no threat to the Australian coastline from the quake, which was initially reported as a magnitude 7.2. Quakes are common in Papua New Guinea, which sits on the Pacific`s "Ring of Fire", a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates. Rabaul lies in the shadow of Mount Tavurvur, an active volcano that destroyed the town in 1994 during a severe eruption. The latest quake came as Papua New Guinea struggles to get aid to survivors of the February 26 quake, which flattened whole villages and spoiled water supplies on the country`s main island. The impoverished country is also missing its largest revenue earner since the quake forced a shutdown of Exxon Mobil Corp`s liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, which has annual sales of $3 billion at current LNG prices. The company is still assessing quake damage at its facilities.

Magnitude 6.9 quake off Papua New Guinea, tsunami danger passes

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck around 180 kilometres (112 miles) southwest of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) informed that the quake was measured at a depth of 60 km.

According to the report, the quake did not pose any tsunami risk.

PNG sits on the Pacific ring of fire where it is often hit by earthquakes.

Earlier in the February 7.5-magnitude quake struck the region in which 125 people were reported to be dead.

As the area is a mountainous area making it hard to reach isolated villages, reports of casualties take time to reach officials.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck around 180 kilometres (112 miles) southwest of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea (PNG)

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck around 180 kilometres (112 miles) southwest of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) informed that the quake was measured at a depth of 60 km. According to the report, the quake did not pose any tsunami risk. PNG sits on the Pacific ring of fire where it is often hit by earthquakes. Earlier in the February 7.5-magnitude quake struck the region in which 125 people were reported to be dead. As the area is a mountainous area making it hard to reach isolated villages, reports of casualties take time to reach officials. (With inputs from Reuters)

Magnitude 6.8 quake hits near Papua New Guinea

Nepal on Thursday scripted history after they climbed the one-day international (ODI) mountain for the first time in their history.

The team defeated Papua New Guinea by six wickets in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier play-off at Old Hararians Sports Club.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Nepal have achieved ODI status for the first time in their history and a lot of people were very happy about it. 
 
Find out what <a href="https://twitter.com/MClarke23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MClarke23</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/InziTheLegend?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InziTheLegend</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Mushy_online?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mushy_online</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinOBrien113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KevinOBrien113</a> made of the news 
 
READ ➡️ 
<a href="https://t.co/TLf3SjrM8K">https://t.co/TLf3SjrM8K</a> <a href="https://t.co/H4Pt4ziaLO">pic.twitter.com/H4Pt4ziaLO</a>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/974497736568471552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Nepal, Hong Kong, and PNG were locked in a three-way battle for the last remaining ODI status and it was the Nepalese side which emerged triumphant.

Nepal&#39;s bowlers, Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Airee took four wickets apiece to lay the platform for the comprehensive win and dismissed their opponents for 114 in just 27.2 overs.&nbsp;

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Nepal fans! 
 
Re-live the game that brought your side ODI status for the first time, and hear just how much it means to captain Paras Khadka 
 
WATCH <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PNGvNEP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PNGvNEP</a> HIGHLIGHTS ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/SD814wEXOc">https://t.co/SD814wEXOc</a> <a href="https://t.co/Osiaq5yizu">pic.twitter.com/Osiaq5yizu</a>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/974480876418433024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, it was another disappointing batting display from PNG, who have now been bowled out for 200 or fewer in four of their five matches in the competition.&nbsp;

The defeat confirms they will lose their ODI status.&nbsp;

After the victory, a delighted Nepal skipper Paras Khadka took to his Twitter to thank fans and countrymen for their support.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Thank you everyone for the support..Just been years and years of toil,persisitance,sacrifices,commitment and hardwork..Finally WE BECOME An ODI nation.. 
Congratulations to everyone who has been part of Nepal cricket&#39;s incredible journey .. 
God Bless..!!!
&mdash; Paras Khadka (@paras77) <a href="https://twitter.com/paras77/status/974288188062797824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Nepal have had to overcome amazing odds both on and off the field to achieve this remarkable feat.

The team defeated Papua New Guinea by six wickets

Nepal on Thursday scripted history after they climbed the one-day international (ODI) mountain for the first time in their history. The team defeated Papua New Guinea by six wickets in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier play-off at Old Hararians Sports Club. Nepal have achieved ODI status for the first time in their history and a lot of people were very happy about it. Find out what @MClarke23 @InziTheLegend @Mushy_online and @KevinOBrien113 made of the news READ ➡️ https://t.co/TLf3SjrM8K pic.twitter.com/H4Pt4ziaLO — ICC (@ICC) March 16, 2018 × Nepal, Hong Kong, and PNG were locked in a three-way battle for the last remaining ODI status and it was the Nepalese side which emerged triumphant. Nepal's bowlers, Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Airee took four wickets apiece to lay the platform for the comprehensive win and dismissed their opponents for 114 in just 27.2 overs. Nepal fans! Re-live the game that brought your side ODI status for the first time, and hear just how much it means to captain Paras Khadka WATCH #PNGvNEP HIGHLIGHTS ➡️ https://t.co/SD814wEXOc pic.twitter.com/Osiaq5yizu — ICC (@ICC) March 16, 2018 × Meanwhile, it was another disappointing batting display from PNG, who have now been bowled out for 200 or fewer in four of their five matches in the competition. The defeat confirms they will lose their ODI status. After the victory, a delighted Nepal skipper Paras Khadka took to his Twitter to thank fans and countrymen for their support. Thank you everyone for the support..Just been years and years of toil,persisitance,sacrifices,commitment and hardwork..Finally WE BECOME An ODI nation.. Congratulations to everyone who has been part of Nepal cricket's incredible journey .. God Bless..!!! — Paras Khadka (@paras77) March 15, 2018 × Nepal have had to overcome amazing odds both on and off the field to achieve this remarkable feat.

Nepal becomes ODI nation for first time in history

The death toll from a major earthquake that struck Papua New Guinea last month has risen to 125, police said Wednesday, amid concern that an outbreak of disease will see it jump further.

A 7.5-magnitude quake struck the Pacific nation&#39;s mountainous interior on February 26, burying homes and causing landslides, making it hard to reach isolated villages.

Police said the toll had now reached 125, up from 100 last week, as more news filtered in from remote communities.

&quot;From the reports received at the command centres, 45 have died so far in the Southern Highlands and in Hela province 80 people are confirmed dead,&quot; the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary said in a statement.

&quot;It is expected that the figure might increase once all people have been accounted for.&quot;

It added that 15,000 people had been displaced in the Southern Highlands and at least 20,000 in Hela, with many now in temporary shelters. Schools remain closed. &nbsp;While aid is finally reaching remote areas, doctors warned that public health issues must also be urgently addressed, with fears disease will kill even more people.

&quot;Food-borne and water-borne diseases are just two of the many diseases that many may die from if we don&#39;t start addressing the issues now,&quot; Sam Yockopua, head of emergency medicine at the government&#39;s Health Department, told The National newspaper.

&quot;For example, from one of the areas that health officers recently visited, 80 people came in with injuries caused by the earthquake, while more than 100 came in to be treated for food-borne and water-borne diseases.&quot;

Prime Minister Peter O&#39;Neill said Australian doctors were being recruited to help manage the crisis.

&quot;In the next few days or weeks, the waterborne diseases will affect the affected population and areas, we have to lift our presence in medical support,&quot; he said.

Earthquakes are common in PNG, which sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

The death toll from a major earthquake that struck Papua New Guinea last month has risen to 125, police said Wednesday, amid concern that an outbreak of disease will see it jump further

The death toll from a major earthquake that struck Papua New Guinea last month has risen to 125, police said Wednesday, amid concern that an outbreak of disease will see it jump further. A 7.5-magnitude quake struck the Pacific nation's mountainous interior on February 26, burying homes and causing landslides, making it hard to reach isolated villages. Police said the toll had now reached 125, up from 100 last week, as more news filtered in from remote communities. "From the reports received at the command centres, 45 have died so far in the Southern Highlands and in Hela province 80 people are confirmed dead," the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary said in a statement. "It is expected that the figure might increase once all people have been accounted for." It added that 15,000 people had been displaced in the Southern Highlands and at least 20,000 in Hela, with many now in temporary shelters. Schools remain closed. While aid is finally reaching remote areas, doctors warned that public health issues must also be urgently addressed, with fears disease will kill even more people. "Food-borne and water-borne diseases are just two of the many diseases that many may die from if we don't start addressing the issues now," Sam Yockopua, head of emergency medicine at the government's Health Department, told The National newspaper. "For example, from one of the areas that health officers recently visited, 80 people came in with injuries caused by the earthquake, while more than 100 came in to be treated for food-borne and water-borne diseases." Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said Australian doctors were being recruited to help manage the crisis. "In the next few days or weeks, the waterborne diseases will affect the affected population and areas, we have to lift our presence in medical support," he said. Earthquakes are common in PNG, which sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

Papua New Guinea quake death toll rises to 125

More than 30 people are believed to have died after a powerful earthquake struck Papua New Guinea&#39;s mountainous interior, a report said today as details of &quot;extensive&quot; damage began to emerge.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/papua-new-guinea-75-earthquake-cuts-communications-halts-oil-and-gas-operations-34077">7.5 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/papua-new-guinea-75-earthquake-cuts-communications-halts-oil-and-gas-operations-34077">earthquake</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/papua-new-guinea-75-earthquake-cuts-communications-halts-oil-and-gas-operations-34077"> in&nbsp;Papua New Guinea, cuts communications, halts oil and gas operations</a>

The 7.5-magnitude tremor struck 90 kilometres south of Porgera in the Pacific nation&#39;s Enga province early Monday, with two strong aftershocks rattling the rugged region.

Phone lines were largely cut, but the PNG Post Courier newspaper cited Hela provincial administrator William Bando as saying there were casualties.

It reported that at least 13 died in the Southern Highlands capital Mendi while 18 others were believed to have been killed in nearby Kutubu and Bosave.

Some 300 people were injured, it added, and properties damaged, with reports of landslides and sinkholes.

The Papua New Guinea Today website, quoting Catholic priest Pius Hal, said at least 10 died, including four children, in quake-triggered landslides.

A government assessment team was due to fly into the area today to get a better idea of the impact, with the military mobilised to help restore services and infrastructure, the government&#39;s Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari said in a statement.&nbsp;

The 7.5-magnitude tremor struck 90 kilometres south of Porgera in the Pacific nation's Enga province early Monday, with two strong aftershocks rattling the rugged region

More than 30 people are believed to have died after a powerful earthquake struck Papua New Guinea's mountainous interior, a report said today as details of "extensive" damage began to emerge. Also read: 7.5 earthquake in Papua New Guinea, cuts communications, halts oil and gas operations The 7.5-magnitude tremor struck 90 kilometres south of Porgera in the Pacific nation's Enga province early Monday, with two strong aftershocks rattling the rugged region. Phone lines were largely cut, but the PNG Post Courier newspaper cited Hela provincial administrator William Bando as saying there were casualties. It reported that at least 13 died in the Southern Highlands capital Mendi while 18 others were believed to have been killed in nearby Kutubu and Bosave. Some 300 people were injured, it added, and properties damaged, with reports of landslides and sinkholes. The Papua New Guinea Today website, quoting Catholic priest Pius Hal, said at least 10 died, including four children, in quake-triggered landslides. A government assessment team was due to fly into the area today to get a better idea of the impact, with the military mobilised to help restore services and infrastructure, the government's Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari said in a statement.

More than 30 believed dead in Papua New Guinea earthquake: Report

At least one company began evacuating non-essential personnel after a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Papua New Guinea&#39;s energy-rich interior on Monday, causing landslides, damaging buildings and closing oil and gas operations.

The tremor hit in the rugged, heavily forested Southern Highlands about 560 km (350 miles) northwest of the capital, Port Moresby, at around 3.45 a.m. local time (1545 GMT Sunday), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

A spokesman at Papua New Guinea&#39;s National Disaster Centre said by telephone the affected area was very remote and the agency could not properly assess damage until communication was re-established. He said there were no confirmed casualties.

The PNG government also said it had sent disaster assessment teams. At least 13 aftershocks with a magnitude of 5.0 or more rattled the area throughout the day, according to USGS data, but no tsunami warnings were issued.

&quot;The Papua New Guinea Defence Force has also been mobilised to assist with the assessment and the delivery of assistance to affected people as well as the restoration of services and infrastructure,&quot; Isaac Lupari, the chief secretary to the government, said in a statement.

ExxonMobil said it had shut its Hides gas conditioning plant and that it believed administration buildings, living quarters and a mess hall had been damaged. It also said it had suspended flights into the nearby Komo airfield until the runway could be surveyed.

&quot;Due to the damage to the Hides camp quarters and continuing aftershocks, ExxonMobil PNG is putting plans in place to evacuate non-essential staff,&quot; the company said in an emailed statement.

Gas is processed at Hides and transported along a 700 km (435 miles) line that feeds a liquefied natural gas plant near Port Moresby for shipping.

PAPUA PANIC

PNG oil and gas explorer Oil Search said in a statement it had also shut production in the quake-affected area.

The giant Grasberg copper mine operated by the Indonesian unit of Freeport McMoRan in neighbouring Papua province was not affected, a Jakarta-based spokesman said.

However, the quake and several aftershocks caused panic in Jayapura, the capital of Indonesian Papua, Indonesia&#39;s disaster mitigation agency said in a statement, but there were no reports of casualties or damage there.

Udaya Regmi, head of the International Red Cross in Papua New Guinea, said communications were &quot;completely down&quot; in Tari, one of the larger settlements near the quake&#39;s epicentre, and that landslides had cut roads.

Several other aid and missionary agencies said poor communications in the area made damage and injury assessment difficult.

&quot;The bush structures that they build tend to handle earthquakes extremely well,&quot; Christian missionary Brandon Buser told Reuters after contacting several remote villages by shortwave radio.

Earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea, which sits on the Pacific&#39;s &quot;Ring of Fire&quot;, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

&quot;This is the Papuan fold-and-thrust belt, so it&#39;s a typical movement of faults in that region, but it&#39;s big,&quot; said Chris McKee, acting director of the Geohazards Management Division in Port Moresby.

Part of PNG&#39;s northern coast was devastated in 1998 by a tsunami, generated by a 7.0 quake, which killed about 2,200 people.

The tremor hit in the rugged, heavily forested Southern Highlands about 560 km northwest of the capital, Port Moresby, at around 3.45 a.m. local time

At least one company began evacuating non-essential personnel after a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Papua New Guinea's energy-rich interior on Monday, causing landslides, damaging buildings and closing oil and gas operations. The tremor hit in the rugged, heavily forested Southern Highlands about 560 km (350 miles) northwest of the capital, Port Moresby, at around 3.45 a.m. local time (1545 GMT Sunday), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). A spokesman at Papua New Guinea's National Disaster Centre said by telephone the affected area was very remote and the agency could not properly assess damage until communication was re-established. He said there were no confirmed casualties. The PNG government also said it had sent disaster assessment teams. At least 13 aftershocks with a magnitude of 5.0 or more rattled the area throughout the day, according to USGS data, but no tsunami warnings were issued. "The Papua New Guinea Defence Force has also been mobilised to assist with the assessment and the delivery of assistance to affected people as well as the restoration of services and infrastructure," Isaac Lupari, the chief secretary to the government, said in a statement. ExxonMobil said it had shut its Hides gas conditioning plant and that it believed administration buildings, living quarters and a mess hall had been damaged. It also said it had suspended flights into the nearby Komo airfield until the runway could be surveyed. "Due to the damage to the Hides camp quarters and continuing aftershocks, ExxonMobil PNG is putting plans in place to evacuate non-essential staff," the company said in an emailed statement. Gas is processed at Hides and transported along a 700 km (435 miles) line that feeds a liquefied natural gas plant near Port Moresby for shipping. PAPUA PANIC PNG oil and gas explorer Oil Search said in a statement it had also shut production in the quake-affected area. The giant Grasberg copper mine operated by the Indonesian unit of Freeport McMoRan in neighbouring Papua province was not affected, a Jakarta-based spokesman said. However, the quake and several aftershocks caused panic in Jayapura, the capital of Indonesian Papua, Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said in a statement, but there were no reports of casualties or damage there. Udaya Regmi, head of the International Red Cross in Papua New Guinea, said communications were "completely down" in Tari, one of the larger settlements near the quake's epicentre, and that landslides had cut roads. Several other aid and missionary agencies said poor communications in the area made damage and injury assessment difficult. "The bush structures that they build tend to handle earthquakes extremely well," Christian missionary Brandon Buser told Reuters after contacting several remote villages by shortwave radio. Earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea, which sits on the Pacific's "Ring of Fire", a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates. "This is the Papuan fold-and-thrust belt, so it's a typical movement of faults in that region, but it's big," said Chris McKee, acting director of the Geohazards Management Division in Port Moresby. Part of PNG's northern coast was devastated in 1998 by a tsunami, generated by a 7.0 quake, which killed about 2,200 people.

Papua New Guinea: 7.5 earthquake cuts communications, halts oil and gas operations

Papua New Guinea sent troops and rescue workers Monday to respond to a powerful earthquake in the Pacific nation&#39;s mountainous interior, with unconfirmed reports of fatalities and warnings of aftershocks and landslides.

Assessment teams were heading to affected areas near the 7.5-magnitude quake&#39;s epicentre, which the US Geological Survey said was some 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Porgera in Enga province.

&quot;It is advisable to stay out of multi-story buildings, to be aware of the potential of landslides, and to be prepared to move to open ground in the event that an aftershock is felt,&quot; the chief secretary to the government, Isaac Lupari, said in a statement.

The tremor hit at a depth of 35 kilometres around 3:45 am local time (1745 GMT Sunday), US seismologists said, adding that there was no tsunami threat.

The region is home to oil and gas production. ExxonMobil PNG said buildings at its Hides Gas Conditioning Plant were damaged but all its staff were &quot;safe and accounted for&quot;, with non-essential employees to be evacuated.

Australian resources company Oil Search said its operations in the area were being shut down as a precaution and for damage assessment, and there were no injuries reported among its staff so far.

Felix Taranu, a seismologist at the Geophysical Observatory in the capital Port Moresby, said social media posts reported blackouts and damage to buildings at Porgera, although he was not aware of any injuries.

He told AFP the quake was felt strongly at Mount Hagen, some 168 kilometres away from the epicentre.

&quot;It will take some time to get assessment teams out there and get a clear picture of what&#39;s happening,&quot; he added.

The director of the Geohazards Management Division, Chris McKee, told AFP he had yet to receive any reports of damage, although there was an unconfirmed report of fatalities.

&quot;There&#39;s an unconfirmed report of some deaths from Mendi (in the Southern Highlands), but I&#39;m not exactly aware of where the fatalities occurred, and this will have to be corroborated,&quot; he said.

The quake&#39;s epicentre is in rugged terrain about 612 kilometres northwest of Port Moresby.

USGS said earlier that some casualties and damage were possible and recent earthquakes in the area had caused landslides.

It said homes in the region were &quot;a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction&quot;.

The impact should be relatively localised, it added.

Earthquakes are common in PNG, which sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

The tremor hit at a depth of 35 kilometres around 3:45 am local time (1745 GMT Sunday), US seismologists said, adding that there was no tsunami threat.

Papua New Guinea sent troops and rescue workers Monday to respond to a powerful earthquake in the Pacific nation's mountainous interior, with unconfirmed reports of fatalities and warnings of aftershocks and landslides. Assessment teams were heading to affected areas near the 7.5-magnitude quake's epicentre, which the US Geological Survey said was some 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Porgera in Enga province. "It is advisable to stay out of multi-story buildings, to be aware of the potential of landslides, and to be prepared to move to open ground in the event that an aftershock is felt," the chief secretary to the government, Isaac Lupari, said in a statement. The tremor hit at a depth of 35 kilometres around 3:45 am local time (1745 GMT Sunday), US seismologists said, adding that there was no tsunami threat. The region is home to oil and gas production. ExxonMobil PNG said buildings at its Hides Gas Conditioning Plant were damaged but all its staff were "safe and accounted for", with non-essential employees to be evacuated. Australian resources company Oil Search said its operations in the area were being shut down as a precaution and for damage assessment, and there were no injuries reported among its staff so far. Felix Taranu, a seismologist at the Geophysical Observatory in the capital Port Moresby, said social media posts reported blackouts and damage to buildings at Porgera, although he was not aware of any injuries. He told AFP the quake was felt strongly at Mount Hagen, some 168 kilometres away from the epicentre. "It will take some time to get assessment teams out there and get a clear picture of what's happening," he added. The director of the Geohazards Management Division, Chris McKee, told AFP he had yet to receive any reports of damage, although there was an unconfirmed report of fatalities. "There's an unconfirmed report of some deaths from Mendi (in the Southern Highlands), but I'm not exactly aware of where the fatalities occurred, and this will have to be corroborated," he said. The quake's epicentre is in rugged terrain about 612 kilometres northwest of Port Moresby. USGS said earlier that some casualties and damage were possible and recent earthquakes in the area had caused landslides. It said homes in the region were "a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction". The impact should be relatively localised, it added. Earthquakes are common in PNG, which sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

Papua New Guinea sends out troops, rescue workers after quake

A powerful earthquake rattled forest villages and a large gold mine in central Papua New Guinea early today, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

The quake&#39;s epicentre was around 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Porgera in Enga province, according to the US Geological Survey, and hit at a depth of 35 kilometres.

The quake hit PNG&#39;s mountainous interior and US scientists said there was no tsunami threat.

Felix Taranu, a seismologist at the Geophysical Observatory in the capital Port Moresby said the quake was felt strongly at Mount Hagen, some 168 kilometres away.

The area also is home to a number of oil and gas operations and coffee plantations. Porgera is the site of a large gold mine that employs more than 2,500 residents.

The quake hit PNG's mountainous interior and US scientists said there was no tsunami threat

A powerful earthquake rattled forest villages and a large gold mine in central Papua New Guinea early today, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. The quake's epicentre was around 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Porgera in Enga province, according to the US Geological Survey, and hit at a depth of 35 kilometres. The quake hit PNG's mountainous interior and US scientists said there was no tsunami threat. Felix Taranu, a seismologist at the Geophysical Observatory in the capital Port Moresby said the quake was felt strongly at Mount Hagen, some 168 kilometres away. The area also is home to a number of oil and gas operations and coffee plantations. Porgera is the site of a large gold mine that employs more than 2,500 residents.

7.5-magnitude earthquake rattles homes, gold mine in Papua New Guinea 

Papua New Guinea police sealed off an officially shuttered Australia-run detention camp on Thursday and ordered&nbsp;asylum&nbsp;seekers occupying it to leave as they confiscated food and water the men had stockpiled,&nbsp;asylum&nbsp;seekers told Reuters.

About 380&nbsp;asylum&nbsp;seekers have shut themselves inside the Manus Island Centre for more than three weeks, defying attempts by Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) to close it in a standoff the United Nations described as a &quot;looming humanitarian crisis&quot;.

&quot;They destroyed our food and damaged our accommodation too, they destroyed our water tank,&quot; one&nbsp;asylum-seeker said in a mobile telephone message from the camp.

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<h5>The asylum&nbsp;seekers said police confiscated the food and water they had stockpiled</h5>
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Many of the men climbed onto rooftops and hid in toilets, he said. Three other&nbsp;asylum&nbsp;seekers gave similar accounts of the police action.

A video shot by Sudanese refugee Abdul Aziz and posted on Facebook showed police using a megaphone to tell the&nbsp;asylum&nbsp;seekers to leave because their stay at the camp, located on land used by the PNG navy, was illegal.

The footage he later posted on Twitter showed men boarding minibusses and buses. Tim Costello, chief advocate at the World Vision Australia aid group, told Reuters by phone from outside the camp that he had seen buses leaving.

Calls to PNG immigration and police were not returned.

The Manus island camp in PNG, and another on the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru, have been the cornerstones of Australia&rsquo;s controversial immigration policy, which has been strongly criticized by the United Nations and rights groups.

Australia opened the camps in a bid to stem a flow of&nbsp;asylum&nbsp;seekers making dangerous voyages by boat to its shores.

Under its &quot;sovereign borders&quot; immigration policy, Australia refuses to land&nbsp;asylum&nbsp;seekers arriving by sea, instead of sending them to the offshore camps.

&#39;We won&#39;t be pressurised&#39;

Witnesses in the camp said officials in army fatigues led away Kurdish journalist Behrouz Boochani, who has been at the camp for four years and regularly posts social media messages on conditions.

Boochani earlier told Reuters by text message that police and immigration officials removed water supplies and the men&#39;s belongings.

Pictures sent via a messaging service showed upturned boxes of food and torn parcels of rice and instant noodles and smashed furniture including broken beds.

PNG&rsquo;s Supreme Court ruled last year that the center, first opened in 2001, breached its laws and fundamental human rights, leading to the decision to close it.

But the&nbsp;asylum&nbsp;seekers say they fear for their safety if moved to a transit center also on the island, and risk being resettled in PNG or another developing nation permanently.

&quot;We don&#39;t want another prison. We want to leave this place, but they need to give a good solution for us,&quot; the first&nbsp;asylum-seeker said.

&quot;We don&#39;t want another prison. We want a third country.&quot;

Most of those in the camp are from Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Syria.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Canberra on Thursday that the transit center facilities had food, water, security and medical services.

&quot;They think this is some way they can pressure the Australian government to let them come to Australia. Well, we will not be pressured,&quot; Turnbull said.

The United Nations has urged Australia to accept an offer by New Zealand to take some of the men.

About 380?asylum?seekers have shut themselves inside the Manus Island Centre for more than three weeks

Papua New Guinea police sealed off an officially shuttered Australia-run detention camp on Thursday and ordered asylum seekers occupying it to leave as they confiscated food and water the men had stockpiled, asylum seekers told Reuters. About 380 asylum seekers have shut themselves inside the Manus Island Centre for more than three weeks, defying attempts by Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) to close it in a standoff the United Nations described as a "looming humanitarian crisis". "They destroyed our food and damaged our accommodation too, they destroyed our water tank," one asylum-seeker said in a mobile telephone message from the camp. The asylum seekers said police confiscated the food and water they had stockpiled × Many of the men climbed onto rooftops and hid in toilets, he said. Three other asylum seekers gave similar accounts of the police action. A video shot by Sudanese refugee Abdul Aziz and posted on Facebook showed police using a megaphone to tell the asylum seekers to leave because their stay at the camp, located on land used by the PNG navy, was illegal. The footage he later posted on Twitter showed men boarding minibusses and buses. Tim Costello, chief advocate at the World Vision Australia aid group, told Reuters by phone from outside the camp that he had seen buses leaving. Calls to PNG immigration and police were not returned. The Manus island camp in PNG, and another on the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru, have been the cornerstones of Australia’s controversial immigration policy, which has been strongly criticized by the United Nations and rights groups. Australia opened the camps in a bid to stem a flow of asylum seekers making dangerous voyages by boat to its shores. Under its "sovereign borders" immigration policy, Australia refuses to land asylum seekers arriving by sea, instead of sending them to the offshore camps. 'We won't be pressurised' Witnesses in the camp said officials in army fatigues led away Kurdish journalist Behrouz Boochani, who has been at the camp for four years and regularly posts social media messages on conditions. Boochani earlier told Reuters by text message that police and immigration officials removed water supplies and the men's belongings. Pictures sent via a messaging service showed upturned boxes of food and torn parcels of rice and instant noodles and smashed furniture including broken beds. PNG’s Supreme Court ruled last year that the center, first opened in 2001, breached its laws and fundamental human rights, leading to the decision to close it. But the asylum seekers say they fear for their safety if moved to a transit center also on the island, and risk being resettled in PNG or another developing nation permanently. "We don't want another prison. We want to leave this place, but they need to give a good solution for us," the first asylum-seeker said. "We don't want another prison. We want a third country." Most of those in the camp are from Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Syria. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Canberra on Thursday that the transit center facilities had food, water, security and medical services. "They think this is some way they can pressure the Australian government to let them come to Australia. Well, we will not be pressured," Turnbull said. The United Nations has urged Australia to accept an offer by New Zealand to take some of the men.

Papua New Guinea police enter shut Australia-run detention camp, order protesting asylum seekers out

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, according to officials, but there were no immediate reports of damage.

The tremor hit at a depth of 107 kilometres (66 miles) some 67 kilometres from the town of Angoram, the administrative centre for the Pacific nation`s Lower and Middle Sepik regions, the United States Geological Survey said.

No tsunami warning was issued.

&quot;A quake of this type can cause damage and trigger landslides, but it was relatively deep which is a good thing,&quot; Geoscience Australia seismologist Phil Cummins said.

&quot;107 kilometres is getting to where the effects are mitigated.&quot;

He added that many buildings in the Sepik area were made of lighter materials, rather than brick and masonry, &quot;which is not as dangerous in events like this&quot;.

Earthquakes are common near Papua New Guinea, which lies on the 4,000-kilometre-long Pacific Australia plate.

It forms part of the &quot;Ring of Fire&quot;, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, according to officials, but there were no immediate reports of damage

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, according to officials, but there were no immediate reports of damage. The tremor hit at a depth of 107 kilometres (66 miles) some 67 kilometres from the town of Angoram, the administrative centre for the Pacific nation`s Lower and Middle Sepik regions, the United States Geological Survey said. No tsunami warning was issued. "A quake of this type can cause damage and trigger landslides, but it was relatively deep which is a good thing," Geoscience Australia seismologist Phil Cummins said. "107 kilometres is getting to where the effects are mitigated." He added that many buildings in the Sepik area were made of lighter materials, rather than brick and masonry, "which is not as dangerous in events like this". Earthquakes are common near Papua New Guinea, which lies on the 4,000-kilometre-long Pacific Australia plate. It forms part of the "Ring of Fire", a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

6.5-magnitude quake hits Papua New Guinea

Australia turned down on Sunday an offer to take 150 asylum seekers being held in an Australian-run detention centre in Papua New Guinea, where UN&nbsp;officials have warned a humanitarian emergency is unfolding.

About 600 men have barricaded themselves inside the camp on remote Manus island in Papua New Guinea, defying efforts by Australia and PNG to shut it. Food, running water and medical services were cut off by Australia five days ago.

Australian authorities want the men moved to a transit centre elsewhere on the island at the start of a process the asylum seekers fear will result in them being resettled in PNG or another developing nation. The men also fear violent reprisals from the local community.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday her country was willing to take 150 asylum seekers from among those held on Manus island and another camp on the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru.

Her Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, however said Canberra preferred to work through an existing refugee swap deal he negotiated with former U.S. President Barack Obama last year. Under that deal, up to 1,250 asylum seekers could be sent to the United States and Australia will in turn accept refugees from Central America.

&quot;We want to pursue those, conclude those arrangements, and then in the wake of that obviously we can consider other ones,&quot; Turnbull told Ardern during a media conference in Sydney.

Relocating the men on Manus island is designed as a temporary measure, allowing the United States time to complete vetting of asylum seekers.

Ardern acknowledged the two Tasman neighbours faced different immigration problems but said the offer remained open.

The camps on Manus island and Nauru have been key parts of Australia&#39;s disputed &#39;Sovereign Borders&#39;&nbsp;immigration policy, under which it refuses to allow asylum seekers arriving by boat to reach its shores.

Australia&#39;s offshore detention policies have been heavily criticised by the United Nations and human rights groups but are backed the centre-right government and the Labor opposition.

UN&nbsp;rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a news conference in Geneva on Friday about the &quot;unfolding humanitarian emergency&quot; in the Manus island centre, where asylum seekers have been reported digging wells to try to find water.

About 600 men have barricaded themselves inside the camp on remote Manus island in Papua New Guinea, defying efforts by Australia and PNG to shut it. Food, running water and medical services were cut off by Australia five days ago.

Australia turned down on Sunday an offer to take 150 asylum seekers being held in an Australian-run detention centre in Papua New Guinea, where UN officials have warned a humanitarian emergency is unfolding. About 600 men have barricaded themselves inside the camp on remote Manus island in Papua New Guinea, defying efforts by Australia and PNG to shut it. Food, running water and medical services were cut off by Australia five days ago. Australian authorities want the men moved to a transit centre elsewhere on the island at the start of a process the asylum seekers fear will result in them being resettled in PNG or another developing nation. The men also fear violent reprisals from the local community. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday her country was willing to take 150 asylum seekers from among those held on Manus island and another camp on the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru. Her Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, however said Canberra preferred to work through an existing refugee swap deal he negotiated with former U.S. President Barack Obama last year. Under that deal, up to 1,250 asylum seekers could be sent to the United States and Australia will in turn accept refugees from Central America. "We want to pursue those, conclude those arrangements, and then in the wake of that obviously we can consider other ones," Turnbull told Ardern during a media conference in Sydney. Relocating the men on Manus island is designed as a temporary measure, allowing the United States time to complete vetting of asylum seekers. Ardern acknowledged the two Tasman neighbours faced different immigration problems but said the offer remained open. The camps on Manus island and Nauru have been key parts of Australia's disputed 'Sovereign Borders' immigration policy, under which it refuses to allow asylum seekers arriving by boat to reach its shores. Australia's offshore detention policies have been heavily criticised by the United Nations and human rights groups but are backed the centre-right government and the Labor opposition. UN rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a news conference in Geneva on Friday about the "unfolding humanitarian emergency" in the Manus island centre, where asylum seekers have been reported digging wells to try to find water.

Australia turns down New Zealand offer to take asylum seekers barricaded inside camp

Asylum seekers held at a Papua New Guinea detention centre briefly took control of two compounds and expelled guards following the death of a refugee who fell ill at the centre, Papua New Guinea police said on Sunday.

Senior Sergeant Thomas Lelepo, from Lorengau Police Station on Manus Island, said guards at the Manus Island regional processing centre were expelled by residents last night.

&ldquo;There was a situation there ... over the death of a resident,&rdquo; he told Reuters by phone, adding that order had been restored.

A 27-year-old Sudanese man, who was identified as Faysal Ishak Ahmed by refugee advocates, collapsed at the centre and was evacuated to hospital in Australia this week. Australia&rsquo;s Department of Immigration and Border Protection said he died on Saturday.

The man&#39;s death is not being treated as suspicious by Australian authorities, but detainees and refugee rights groups have claimed the man was seriously ill for months and had made repeated requests for medical assistance before the emergency.

Under Australia&#39;s tough border security policy, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent for processing at the camps on Papua New Guinea&#39;s Manus island and Nauru in the South Pacific. They are never eligible for resettlement in Australia.

An Australian immigration department spokesperson confirmed an incident on Manus Island overnight.

&ldquo;The Department is aware of a disturbance involving a group of residents in the mess area of Manus RPC,&rdquo; the spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday. &ldquo;The disturbance has now been resolved. There is minor property damage and no reported injuries.&rdquo;

Photos posted to Facebook by Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani, who is among the asylum seekers held on Manus Island, showed what appeared to be damage to a mess area inside one of the compounds.

Mr. Boochani wrote: &ldquo;We just kicked out the Wilson security from Delta and Oscar detentions. This message is for the government.&rdquo;

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The United Nations and human rights groups have condemned Australia&#39;s immigration policy, citing human rights abuses in the centres on Manus Island and Nauru and prison-like conditions that have driven some detainees to attempt suicide.

A total of 872 asylum seekers are held on Manus despite Papua New Guinea&#39;s Supreme Court ruling in April that their detention was illegal and ordering the camps to close.

(Reuters)

The asylum seekers were protesting over the death of a Sudanese man who had been critically ill for months and was not given medical aid

Asylum seekers held at a Papua New Guinea detention centre briefly took control of two compounds and expelled guards following the death of a refugee who fell ill at the centre, Papua New Guinea police said on Sunday. Senior Sergeant Thomas Lelepo, from Lorengau Police Station on Manus Island, said guards at the Manus Island regional processing centre were expelled by residents last night. “There was a situation there ... over the death of a resident,” he told Reuters by phone, adding that order had been restored. A 27-year-old Sudanese man, who was identified as Faysal Ishak Ahmed by refugee advocates, collapsed at the centre and was evacuated to hospital in Australia this week. Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection said he died on Saturday. The man's death is not being treated as suspicious by Australian authorities, but detainees and refugee rights groups have claimed the man was seriously ill for months and had made repeated requests for medical assistance before the emergency. Under Australia's tough border security policy, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent for processing at the camps on Papua New Guinea's Manus island and Nauru in the South Pacific. They are never eligible for resettlement in Australia. An Australian immigration department spokesperson confirmed an incident on Manus Island overnight. “The Department is aware of a disturbance involving a group of residents in the mess area of Manus RPC,” the spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday. “The disturbance has now been resolved. There is minor property damage and no reported injuries.” Photos posted to Facebook by Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani, who is among the asylum seekers held on Manus Island, showed what appeared to be damage to a mess area inside one of the compounds. Mr. Boochani wrote: “We just kicked out the Wilson security from Delta and Oscar detentions. This message is for the government.” The United Nations and human rights groups have condemned Australia's immigration policy, citing human rights abuses in the centres on Manus Island and Nauru and prison-like conditions that have driven some detainees to attempt suicide. A total of 872 asylum seekers are held on Manus despite Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court ruling in April that their detention was illegal and ordering the camps to close. (Reuters)

Asylum seekers riot at Papua New Guinea detention camp

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