Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Wife’s tearful plea fails, Tongan overstayer in NZ deported
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 12, 2025
Judge orders Paea Vehikite’s deportation despite wife’s emotional appeal. A Rotorua District Court judge has authorised the deportation of 48‑year‑old Paea Vehikite, a Tongan national who overstayed in New Zealand since May 2009 according to NZ...
Tonga Reports Record Low Meth Seizures After Public Health Struggles
Talking Drugs
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July 10, 2025
Tonga’s fight against methamphetamine appears to be bearing fruit—at least on paper. Police Minister Piveni Piukala announced this week that meth seizures have plunged by 98.8%, a drop he credits to intensified anti-drug operations and tighter...
Tonga finishes 16th at Palau Mini Games, total 16 medals
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 9, 2025
Tonga concludes Palau Pacific Mini Games with 16 medals and a 16th-place finish overall. Tonga’s campaign at the Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau, wrapped up on 9 July with a haul of 16 medals—three gold, seven silver and six bronze—placing the...
Pacific Islands focus: deep sea mining, reproductive injustice and a new breast screen campaign
Croakey Health Media
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July 10, 2025
Introduction by Croakey: World leaders are calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining to prevent devastating and irreversible environmental harm. This week, governments are meeting in Jamaica at the 30th Session of the International Seabed...
Tongan Royals jet to Lakeba
FBC News
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July 9, 2025
King Tupou VI, Queen Nanasipau’u, and Princess Royal Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita of the Kingdom of Tonga were seen departing Nausori Airport this morning en route to Lakeba Island, where they will witness the installation of Tui Lau and Sau ni...
Tonga’s King Tupou VI attends installation
The Fiji Times
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July 9, 2025
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u are in Lakeba, Lau today to witness the historic installation of Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara as Turaga Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua ko Lau and Tui Lau. The royal couple’s visit follows a formal...
Tongan family win temporary immigration reprieve after tsunami
RNZ
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July 9, 2025
A tsunami caused by the the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption in 2022 killed three people and flattened hundreds of homes. Photo: Tonga Geological Services/ EyePress News via AFP A family whose home was destroyed after a volcano erupted...
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA COMMISSIONS CHIEF MONZE’S PALACE BUILT AT K4 MILLION
Zambian Observer
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July 9, 2025
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA COMMISSIONS CHIEF MONZE’S PALACE BUILT AT K4 MILLION PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned Chief Monze’s Palace, a Conference Hall and Two Retainers Houses built at a total cost of K4.1 million. The infrastructure was...
Tonga's root crop exports boosted by facility upgrade
Matangi Tonga Online
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July 9, 2025
Upgraded equipment at a local agri-food processing facility in Nukunuku, Tongatapu, was launched today, 9 July, set to significantly boost Tonga's export capacity, and provide new opportunities for youth, women, and the broader Tongan community....
Saints confirm squad for 2025/26 season
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
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July 11, 2025
Saints have confirmed their squad for the 2025/26 season. The black, green and gold reconvened at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Monday for the start of pre-season. And while a number of players remain away on international duty across the...
New IMF model to back Tonga’s economic forecasting
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 11, 2025
A new IMF-backed tool will strengthen Tonga’s ability to forecast economic shocks and guide better policy decisions. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has unveiled a tailored macroeconomic model to help Tonga manage its economic...
Pacific leaders address US deportation distress and regional unity at Micronesian meeting
Pacific Media Network
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The latest wave of deportations of Pacific people from the United States was among a range of issues discussed at the recent Micronesian Islands Forum in the Marshall Islands. The three-day summit brought together leaders from Kiribati, Nauru, the...
Pacific Police Bands to unite for historic Tattoo in PNG
Papua New Guinea Post Courier
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July 9, 2025
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), with vital support from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), is set to host the inaugural Pacific Police Band Tattoo in Port Moresby on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. This landmark event will bring...
Triple delight for teams
The Fiji Times
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July 11, 2025
THE Fiji men’s and women’s basketball teams created history in Palau on Wednesday after winning gold at the FIBA3x3 Youth Nations League – Oceania. The gold medal finish means that both teams have booked their tickets to the 2025 FIBA 3×3 under-23...
Cultural empowerment and representation in New York
Ke Alaka'i - The Leader
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July 9, 2025
Four representatives from BYU–Hawaii’s Pacific studies program—two students and two faculty members—participated in the 37th Annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE), held May 27–31, 2025 at New York City. Lusila Leali’i E’e, a...
'Political dynamics in Fiji are unpredictable': Will Ratu Tevita Mara step into politics?
RNZ
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July 9, 2025
Ratu Tevita Mara is the son of Fiji's first prime minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Photo: Facebook / Ministry of itaukei Affairs A Fijian political commentator predicts that Ratu Tevita Mara well could become prime minister in the...
Tonga claims shot put gold as 2025 Pacific Mini Games draw to a close
RNZ
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July 8, 2025
Tu'utafaiva, 28, is mentored by former world and Olympic Games champion Valerie Adams, and recorded a throw of 14.76 metres to claim top spot. Photo: Facebook / Tonga Sports Association & National Olympic Committee Tonga's Ata Ma'ama Tu'utafaiva...
Solomon Islands Topple Tonga To Advance To Women’s Nations Cup Semi-Finals
Scoop
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Solomon Islands came into their final Group B game against Tonga knowing they needed to win in order to secure likely passage to the semi-finals and put Vanuatu under pressure to get a result against hosts and group leaders Fiji in the second game...
The Rainbow Warrior bombing 40 years on: re-energising for global peace
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 10, 2025
The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior on 10 July 1985, with the death of Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira, was a terrible tragedy. But a greater tragedy is the horrendous legacy of Pacific nuclear testing for the people of Rongelap, the...
They need to listen and act now: Pacific countries ramp up…
Pacific News Service
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Pacific countries have taken a critical step to finalise their priorities as they ramp up the call for a high-ambition treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. Ahead of the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental...