Why aren't Australia defending their Pacific Championships title?

The Kangaroos are the reigning champions of the Pacific after defeating Tonga in the 2024 final. However, the rugby league Ashes is making its long-awaited return after 22 years in the wilderness. Australia's commitment to this historic rivalry...

Suaalii reunites with ‘great mentor’ Folau

Published on October 22, 2025 Wallabies star Joseph Suaalii and Israel Folau had a happy reunion in Japan this week. In a symbolic moment for Australian rugby, Folau hosted the Wallabies at the Urayasu D-Rocks’ facilities outside Tokyo, where he...

Broken leg with no doctor and ‘disgraceful’ jersey snub: Jillaroos’ tour that changed everything

Banned from wearing the coat of arms on their jerseys, golf days and raffles to fund their trips, no insurance nor medical team, forcing one player to endure the whole tour with an untreated broken leg and snapped ligaments with only Panadol for...

Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala opens SPC Conference

The 14th Conference of the Pacific Community officially opened yesterday in Nuku’alofa, led by the Crown Prince. His Royal Highness Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, who also serves as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister responsible for His...

Solomon Islanders call for sustainable, community-driven tourism

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with Tourism Solomons and Solomon Islands Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), has released the results of the 2024 Community Attitude Survey (CAS), providing insight into how Solomon...

AUSTRAC steps up Pacific partnership to tackle financial crime threats

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) says it is intensifying collaboration with Pacific nations to stay ahead of fast-evolving financial crime threats, including child sexual exploitation, cryptocurrency abuse, and...

Daily Breeze football Top 15: Inglewood and Torrance move up after wins

There is a lot of movement this week in the high school football rankings. Inglewood makes a big jump up, but will face a challenge this week in a road game at Palos Verdes. Undefeated Torrance moves up, too. Serra moves down after a third...

Obituaries 10.22.2025

Yvette Fedele Yvette Fedele died peacefully on October 10, 2025, at the age of 94. She was born on September 29, 1931, to the late Joseph and Helena (Chabot) Brodeur. She grew up in Troy and attended schools in Troy and Newport Center. She married...

New Mental Health Strategy unveiled on World Day

Tonga has launched its long-awaited National Mental Health Strategy and Policy. The Ministry of Health led the World Mental Health Day commemoration while formally unveiling the new strategy and policy at Vaiola Hospital. Health officials...

Takutai Moana Reframed Part1: Second Reading 

Role Funding: The second reading of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Amendment Bill in Parliament this week, laid bare the Crown’s fear, its grip on control, and how far it’s willing to go to rewrite the legal landscape of Aotearoa. The...

Shaun Wane promises England-Australia ‘smash-up’ in long-awaited rugby league Ashes

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

Ha‘apai ‘Mystery Cross’ holiday on Monday 27 October

Monday 27 October 2025 will be a one-off public holiday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the “Mystery Appearance of the Cross” in Haʻapai. The date was originally set for Sunday 26 October but, in line with the Public Holidays Act section...

Netball mourns fallen hero

A wave of grief has shrouded the netball fraternity in Fiji and around the world following the passing of former Fiji Pearls player and coach Unaisi Rokoura. Rokoura, who was 47 years old at the time of her passing, was swept away by strong...

COLUMN: US retreat leaves void for authoritarians

A front-page column in the Sunday New York Times about the shakeup at the United Nations got me thinking about how global politics can mimic nature, especially in terms of what happens when invasive plants take over native plant species within an...

ABC Radio Australia photo competition is back!

We're looking for photos that showcase the beauty, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes of the Pacific Islands. Submit your best photo from wherever you are in the Pacific and each week, our judges panel will be choosing our favourite. Weekly...

Global immigration news round up

This week, the Global Immigration team at Smith Stone Walters would like to highlight the following recent updates from Denmark, Hong Kong, Namibia, Portugal and Qatar. Denmark: No residence permits for nurse authorisations On 7 October 2025, the...

'Great mentor' Folau joins Suaalii in Wallabies camp

Israel Folau is back in Wallabies camp. But before you check the calendar for April 1, this will only be a fleeting return. The exiled Test great is playing host this week as Australia use the training facilities of his and Samu Kerevi's Japanese...

Pacific must stand together, says Tuvalu CRGA 55

Tuvalu’s Permanent secretary for Foreign Affairs, Pasuna Tuaga, has called for Pacific nations to stay united and innovative in tackling the region’s challenges as he officially opened the 55th Committee of Representatives of Governments and...

My brothers in Southern Province I didn’t mean to demean you but merely to discourage tribal voting – Kambwili

My brothers in S/Province I didn’t mean to demean you but merely to discourage tribal voting – Kambwili He writes: It is exactly one year today since you died in that tragic accident on the way to Kasama for the politically motivated court case...

Folau makes surprising Wallabies training return

In a surprising turn of events, former Test fullback Israel Folau has made his first appearance in Wallabies camp in seven years as the group prepares for their opening Test of their end of year tour against Japan on Saturday. Infamously dumped...