Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Tongan military to arrive in Lakeba ahead of Tui Nayau and Tui Lau installation ceremonies
Fijivillage
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Tongan military to arrive in Lakeba ahead of Tui Nayau and Tui Lau installation ceremonies As the installation of the Tui Nayau and the Sau ni Vanua o Lau draws near, the military force from the Kingdom of Tonga is expected to arrive on the island...
ZamStats’ Language Statistics Are A Dangerous Seed of Division- Political Activist
Zambian Observer
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July 6, 2025
OPINION: ZamStats’ Language Statistics Are A Dangerous Seed of Division By Michael Zephaniah Phiri – Political Activist It is with a heavy heart and deep concern that I write to condemn the new trajectory the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats)...
PM Visits Fijian Troops in Australia
Fiji Sun
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July 4, 2025
The RFMF personnel are also part of a rotational company pilot, the first of its kind with any Pacific Defence Force. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the Fiji delegation during their visit to the Australian military training area in Queensland....
Anthony Albanese hosts Fijian prime minister at Wallabies test in Newcastle
The West Australian
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July 6, 2025
Anthony Albanese focused on diplomacy at home on Sunday, hosting Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Newcastle for a Wallabies Test match against Fiji. Australia edged out Fiji 21-18 in front of a lively crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium....
MP demands answers over Tongan Navy’s unchecked arrival in Lakeba with dignitaries and crop
The Fiji Times
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July 5, 2025
Questions have been raised on whether Immigration and Biosecurity checks were done on individuals who arrived on a Tongan Navy ship at Lakeba yesterday. The Tongan Navy brought in dignitaries and crop from Tonga for the installation of the Tui...
Tonga Motor Show draws record entries this year
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 3, 2025
The 2025 Tonga Motor Show has attracted 30 contestants, its highest number since the event began eight years ago. This year marks the first time the event, hosted by Vaitohi Enterprises, has run under its new name, changing from the Tonga Car Show...
Tonga joins Ottawa Treaty as 166th State Party after Cambodia’s advocacy
Khmer Times
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July 3, 2025
Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of the CMAA and President of the Ottawa Convention, meets with Viliami Va’inga Tōnē, Ambassador of Tonga to the United Nations, in New York, on October 7, 2024. CMAA Synopsis: Cambodia celebrates Tonga’s accession as...
Lockdown restrictions relaxed in Tonga
Pacific News Service
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The 24 new COVID-19 positive cases Saturday, brings the total number of active cases in Tonga to 196, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said. Hu’atolitoli Prison recorded one new case, while the other new cases are in the community. “The total number...
All 65 countries where it’s illegal to be LGBTQ+ in 2025, including the UAE and Mali
Pink News
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July 9, 2025
How many countries is it still illegal to be gay in 2025? More than you’d think, probably. Since we last updated this list, Mali has criminalised LGBTQ+ activity and Trinidad and Tobago have re-criminalised it, although more positively, Namibia...
Letter: Ditching the Kiwi for the Dragon?
Cook Island News
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July 9, 2025
Dear Editor, There’s been a lot of noise lately. Social media threads, barbershop debates, and coconut wireless conversations about whether the Cook Islands should continue accepting aid from New Zealand. Some call it “dependence.” Others call it...
Tongan royals to celebrate age-old ties with Fiji at high chief’s installation ceremony
Pacific Media Network
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The King and Queen of Tonga are visiting Fiji to attend the installation ceremony of the chiefly titles of Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau, Tui Nayau, and Tui Lau. The installation ceremony will be held on Lakeba Island, and the royal couple has been invited...
Politician speaks out after third of Tuvalu’s citizens apply for Australian visas
Seven News
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July 2, 2025
Pacific Island nation Tuvalu has poured cold water on a report that a huge chunk of its citizens are eager to move to Australia through a world-first climate visa. It is instead likely that many applicants are ineligible, have applied multiple...
Tonga cybersecurity attack wake-up call for Pacific, warns expert
RNZ
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July 1, 2025
Photo: 123RF A Tongan cybersecurity expert says the country's health data hack is a "wake-up call" for the whole region. Siosaia Vaipuna, a former director of Tonga's cybersecurity agency, spoke to RNZ Pacific in the wake of the 15 June...
Ex-Wales centre Halaholo set for Tonga debut
BBC
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July 4, 2025
Former Wales and Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo is set to make his Tonga debut in August. The 34-year-old won the last of his Wales caps in April 2022 and can now play for Tonga under global governing body World Rugby's eligibility rules. Halaholo...
Prime Minister's office only given hour's notice before Winston Peters' speech dismissing 'trade war'
RNZ
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July 4, 2025
Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Prime Minister's office was only given an hour's notice of the contents of a speech by the Foreign Affairs minister, in which Winston Peters criticised the language used by...
Fiji's 3x3 basketball teams secure gold and qualify for U23 World Cup and Commonwealth Games
RNZ
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July 9, 2025
Fiji men's (right) won against the Solomon Islands 19-18 in the 3x3 basketball competition at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. 9 July 2025 Photo: Facebook / Team Fiji History was made in the inaugural 3x3 basketball competition at the 2025...
Tonga Government face US$1M ransom for cyber-attack on health system
Island Times
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July 1, 2025
NUKU’ALOFA (TALANOAOTONGA) — A cyberattack on Tonga’s National Health Information System (NHIS) has entered its second week, crippling access to vital health records. Police Minister Dr. Paula Piukala revealed at a press conference Thursday that...
Power bills to drop 13% from July
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 9, 2025
Households will see a 13.1% drop in power prices from 1 July 2025, officials confirmed this week. The Energy Commission approved the new electricity tariff of $0.8494 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), down from $0.9778, following a significant fall in...
Tonga-made products on show at Trade Fair 2025
Matangi Tonga Online
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June 30, 2025
The Tonga Trade Fair 2025 opens on Thursday 3 July at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, when more than 40 local businesses will showcase Tonga-made products. The exhibition will run through to Saturday. With a theme “Buy Tonga Made”, the fair is...
MPs urge for more Tongan seasonal worker opportunities in Australia
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 3, 2025
A high-level Tongan delegation has wrapped up an official visit to Australia focused on deepening regional cooperation. Led by former Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, the delegation met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Assistant Minister...