Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Cabinet approves bill for electronic civil and ID registration
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 1, 2025
Government approves electronic civil registration bill to link ministry databases, Deputy PM says. Government yesterday approved the Civil Registration and Identification Registration Bill, aiming to modernise record‑keeping across ministries....
Pacific leaders address U.S deportation distress and regional unity at Micronesian meeting
Island Times
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July 11, 2025
MAJURO (PMN) — 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...
BE OPEN Art: the winners of the Oceania regional competition revealed
WFMZ - Pennsylvania
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LUGANO, Switzerland, July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BE OPEN Art, an online non-profit gallery set up by Elena Baturina's humanitarian think-tank BE OPEN, announces the winners of the 2nd stage in this year's BE OPEN Regional Art, the competition for...
Economy strengthens despite global slowdown -Reserve Bank report
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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June 30, 2025
Tonga’s economy showed signs of growth in March, buoyed by strong agriculture exports and a rebound in tourism. The National Reserve Bank of Tonga’s May 2025 report reveals that domestic economic activity improved, despite a downward revision in...
Pacific Island Countries See Australia as Preferred Partner Over China: Research
The Epoch Times
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July 6, 2025
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends the leader’s retreat during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Vava’u, Tonga, on Aug. 29, 2024. AAP Image/Lukas Coch Pacific Island countries (PIC) welcome Beijing’s contribution to...
‘Nail in the coffin’: Pacific rugby leaders raise alarm about NRL’s PNG deal
The Sydney Morning Herald
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July 3, 2025
The Drua say their games are watched by half Fiji’s population of 900,000, but the money flowing toward rugby union from Australia pales in comparison to what has been pledged for the government-financed Pacific rugby league soft diplomacy...
Govt explores electric vehicles with Chinese partners
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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June 28, 2025
The Cabinet has approved Hon Kapelieli Lanumata’s upcoming trip to China to explore electric‑vehicle options for Tonga. As Minister for Trade & Economic Development, Lanumata says EV adoption could halve petrol costs. The move aligns with national...
Pacific Islands News Roundup – July 4 – July 10, 2025
Pacific Islands Report
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July 11, 2025
Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...
Fiji, SI, Vanuatu historic joint submission of ECS areas to UN
The Islandsun
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July 11, 2025
BY LORETTA B MANELE Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu together have presented a joint submission of Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) areas to the United Nations, a move considered historic. According to a recent statement from SPC, (The Pacific...
MPs start 2025 constituency visits
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 4, 2025
MPs have kicked off the 2025 Parliamentary Constituency Visit Program, beginning direct consultations with local communities. The annual outreach initiative was officially launched this week, with Members of Parliament visiting their...
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...
AI has Predicted the Next Five Undisputed WWE Champions - No CM Punk or Cody Rhodes
GiveMeSport
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July 11, 2025
Summary AI has predicted the next five Undisputed WWE champions. Jey Uso expected to win the title in 2026 in an emotional full-circle moment. Two of the predictions have never held a world title previously. The biggest prize in WWE is undoubtedly...
Letter: New Zealand aid
Cook Island News
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June 26, 2025
Dear Editor, There is a claim by some doing the rounds, that New Zealand’s economy is struggling, and the aid freeze is just a convenient excuse to pull back funding. TBH (to be honest) think it through, that’s highly unlikely, budgeted foreign...
Hihifo Food improves exports with new processing gear
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 11, 2025
A local agribusiness has expanded export capacity after upgrading food processing equipment through a PHAMA Plus partnership. Hihifo Food, a family-run exporter based in Ha’avakatolo, Tongatapu, now operates with modernised gear, including a food...
Today's rugby news as Wales international switches allegiances and 'richest game in rugby' proposed
Wales Online
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July 4, 2025
These are your rugby headlines on Friday, July 4 Halaholo gets Tonga call-up Willis Halaholo has been named in the Tonga squad for this summer's Pacific Nations Cup. Halaholo won 10 caps for Wales after moving to the country in 2016 and making...
Historic joint submission of Extended Continental Shelf areas to the UN…
Pacific News Service
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Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu have today taken a major step to secure 453,400 square kilometres of shared ocean heritage. The countries submitted three Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) submissions to the United Nations Commission on the...
Proposed changes to New Zealand dawn raid laws not enough, Pacific advocates say
RNZ
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July 2, 2025
(file image) Protesters part in the Savali Ole Filemu peaceful march in Central Auckland urging politcal parties to protect overstayers. Photo: Teanau Tuiono Pacific advocates in Aotearoa say a proposed law change for out-of-hours immigration...
James O’Connor addresses potential All Blacks switch before stunning Wallabies recall
Planet Rugby
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July 11, 2025
James O’Connor has addressed the possibility of him playing for the All Blacks before he was recalled to the Wallabies squad ahead of the British and Irish Lions Series. The 35-year-old playmaker starred for the Crusaders en route to winning the...
Canberra opens door to supporting Pacific rugby cash plea
Financial Review
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July 4, 2025
The Albanese government has opened the door to financially supporting a $150 million pitch from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji for rugby union, amid efforts by China to use sports diplomacy to build influence in the Pacific. But one former diplomat...
Kiribati youth maintain culture through music and connection
Pacific Media Network
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As Kiribati Language Week unfolds across Aotearoa, university student Ronita Kuaoni reflects on what it means to be i-Kiribati while living and studying far from home. Born in Tarawa, Kuaoni says her connection to the atolls of Nonouti and Nikunau...