In brief: News from around the Pacific – RNZ

Ecumenical service in French Polynesia for the people of Ukraine and Russia

An ecumenical service has been held in French Polynesia to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia, in response to last month's invasion of Ukraine.

Ecumenical service in Tahiti to pray for peace Photo: supplied

The service for peace in the world was held in Papeete, attended by the territory's five main churches as well as members of the local Ukrainian community.

Addressing the meeting, President Edouard Fritch said Polynesians, as people of the Pacific, have an ardent desire for peace.

He said the tears of the Ukrainian people are heart-breaking and seeing women, children and old people cry out in pain shows the injustice.

In February, there was a small demonstration of Russian speakers in Tahiti against Russia's military attack.

Sports bodies have called for a boycott of Russia.

NASA has confirmed that the January 15th eruption of the underwater Hunga Tonga volcano spewed ash 58 kilometres high into the atmosphere.

The highest-recorded volcanic plume of gas, steam and ash reached the mesosphere - the third layer of Earth's atmosphere.

It was 1.5 times the height of the plume from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, in the Philippines.

Within two weeks, the main plume of volcanic material circled the globe, and volcanic aerosols are still making some sunsets in the southern hemisphere and tropics more colourful.

A former president of the Marshall Islands said the Pacific must be able to decide its future security on its terms.

Speaking at an online panel, Hilda Heine said "what is good for the region should be primarily determined by the Pacific people."

Dr Heine was joined by the former leaders of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Guam.

The leaders shared their views on a wide range of issues including the growing geostrategic interest in the Pacific.

Dr Heine said any policy or agreement that is drawn up without close consultation with the Pacific people is not appropriate.

"So, I think that's very important for us going forward. Ensuring whatever agreement that speaks to security for the region that has the interest of the Pacific people at heart," she said.

The Cook Islands have called on players based in New Zealand, Australia and England, in addition to talent from their own domestic league, for this month's Oceania Qualifiers in Qatar.

Coach Alan Taylor has included eight players in his group who play club football outside of the Cook Islands.

They include Benjamin Mata of Wellington Olympic, Tyrrell Barringer-Tahiri of AFC South London and Maro Bonsu-Maro of Manukau United.

The Cook Islands will play in the tournament's opening match against the Solomon Islands, before taking on Tahiti and Vanuatu in Group A.

Veteran internationals Kensi Tangis and Brian Kaltak headline the just-announced Vanuatu men's squad for this month's Oceania World Cup qualifiers in Qatar.

Auckland City FC defender Kaltak will captain the side in his third World Cup qualifying campaign, joining Australia-based players Jared Clark and Mitch Cooper, as the overseas representatives.

Tangis, who is one of the Vanuatu's highest-capped and scoring players, is one of five Galaxy FC players selected.

Vanuatu opens its campaign against Tahiti in Group A, before taking on the Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands.

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In brief: News from around the Pacific - RNZ