Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Tonga’s Devout Sabbath Rules – Could they be More Relaxed for Tourists?
Samoa Global News
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June 9, 2025
By Tonga reporter Marian Kupu and Doug Dingwall, ABC News. As Sunday dawns in Tonga’s capital, an unbroken silence blankets the streets. Almost every shop in Nuku’alofa — including petrol stations — stays closed. Only church bells eventually...
Tonga remains a strict keeper of the Sabbath — but some say not strict enough
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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June 7, 2025
As Sunday dawns in Tonga's capital, an unbroken silence blankets the streets. Almost every shop in Nuku'alofa — including petrol stations — stays closed. Only church bells eventually disturb the quiet, as it comes time to worship. "The Sabbath day...
Hikuleo's new name officially confirmed by WWE
Sportskeeda
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July 5, 2025
WWE Night of Champions 2025 marked the debut of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Hikuleo in the Stamford-based promotion. Today, the company and the 34-year-old star confirmed his new name going forward. Hikuleo signed with the Stamford-based promotion...
What does MFT mean in WWE? The truth finally revealed on SmackDown
Sportskeeda
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July 5, 2025
Back in early 2024, Solo Sikoa introduced the first member of his "Bloodline," Tama Tonga. Over the next few weeks, Solo would often refer to Tonga as his MFT. Siko's faction would then be joined by Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu over the summer. Both...
Cook Islands Pocket Guide Launches Major Update Following Latest Research Trip
Pacific Tourism Organisation
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July 4, 2025
Cook Islands Pocket Guide, the leading online travel guide for the Cook Islands, has released a major update to its content following an in-depth research trip across Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu. The trip, carried out in March 2025, was made...
SPTE 2025: How the World Reached the Pacific
Pacific Tourism Organisation
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July 4, 2025
The South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2025 was a celebration of connection, culture, and collaboration. Held in Fiji, this year’s event welcomed media, buyers, and seller’s from across the globe — and many of them arrived thanks to the...
Charting Efficient Waters: A Q&A with Alfa Laval’s Sven Schreiber on Ship Energy Strategies
SeaNews
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June 13, 2025
International shipping now faces steep efficiency requirements – IMO’s 2018 and 2023 GHG strategies demand massive cuts in carbon intensity and emissions. For example, IMO’s revised targets call for an at least 40% reduction in carbon intensity by...
Solo Sikoa handed new name by veteran following WWE Night of Champions 2025
Sportskeeda
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July 5, 2025
Solo Sikoa left WWE Night of Champions 2025 as the new United States Champion and scored a pinfall win over Jacob Fatu. Recently, veteran Jim Cornette gave a new name to the 32-year-old star after the event. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu have some...
Solo Sikoa has improved a lot while 7-time Women's World Champion hasn't, says WWE veteran (Exclusive)
Sportskeeda
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July 5, 2025
Solo Sikoa has received huge praise from former WWE writer Vince Russo. The veteran noted that the United States Champion has improved a lot, while certain talents, such as Becky Lynch and Bayley, have gotten stagnant. Solo Sikoa won his first...
Charting a Resilient Future: Tonga Launches 2025–2030 Tourism Roadmap at National Forum
Pacific Tourism Organisation
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June 11, 2025
The Kingdom of Tonga has taken a bold step toward revitalizing its tourism industry with the successful hosting of the National Tourism Forum, held from March 13–14, 2025 at the Fa’onelua Conference Centre in Nuku’alofa. The forum focused on...
Tukilamulamu Traditions: The Story behind Tonga’s True Vava’u Beauty Line
Pacific Tourism Organisation
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June 11, 2025
In the heart of Nuku’alofa, inside a shop filled with the rich scent of coconut oil, earthy tuitui, and calming sandalwood, you’ll find a little piece of Vava’u — bottled, blended, and beautifully handcrafted. This is TRUE VAVA’U IMPORTS &...
Wealth beneath the waves: US takes a step toward promoting deep-sea mining amid concerns in the Pacific
The Pacific Island Times
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June 11, 2025
Around 16,404 feet beneath the northern Pacific Ocean, the whole seabed—stretching around 4,500 miles from east to west—is littered with potato-sized chunks of what look like charcoal lumps called polymetallic nodules. Rich in metals such as...
Commerce Commission files charges against Ilaisaane Malupo of Nane Loans and alleges illegal lending targeting Tongan community
The New Zealand Herald
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June 12, 2025
“In order to keep up with payments, some borrowers resorted to selling their sentimental possessions or missing rent payments,” associate commissioner Joseph Liava’a said. “Often, these kinds of lenders are a last resort for people who are...
ComCom Prosecutes Unregistered Lender Who Targeted Vulnerable Consumers
Scoop
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The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges in the Auckland District Court against an unregistered and uncertified lender, Ilaisaane Malupo, trading as Nane Easy Loan Finance Services NZ (Nane Loans). The Commission alleges Ms Malupo...
Fiji topples Tonga in Oceania Women’s Rugby opener
Islands Business
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June 11, 2025
Registrations are now open for the Pacific Infrastructure Conference 2025, the region’s premier platform for collaboration on sustainable infrastructure development across the Pacific Islands. The conference will be held from 18–20 August 2025 at...
BBF supports ban on industrial fishing in Antarctica
Echonetdaily
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June 11, 2025
Krill – Image Øystein Paulsen. In the 21st century we have come to realise just how important the health of our oceans and seas are, and the Bob Brown Foundation (BBF) has backed an international call for a ban on industrial fishing in Antarctica,...
Life behind bars for meth smuggling in Tonga
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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June 11, 2025
The Supreme Court has imposed life sentences on two individuals for smuggling over 1.1kg of methamphetamine. Mr Fine Tevita Fifita, 31, and Ms Vaivevea Mafi, 45, were each sentenced to life imprisonment after the Supreme Court confirmed they...
'Act responsibly for humankind' — Palau president on deep sea mining
Samoa News
·
June 10, 2025
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Palau's president says the US to fast-track deep sea mining is not a good idea. Deep sea mining frontrunner The Metals Company (TMC) has since confirmed it will not apply for a mining license through the International...
'Act responsibly for humankind' - Palau president on deep sea mining order
RNZ
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June 8, 2025
Surangel Whipps Jr, left, wants US President-elect Donald Trump to see firsthand the impacts of climate change. Photo: RNZ Pacific / PICRC Palau's president says the US order to fast-track deep sea mining is not a good idea. Deep sea mining...
WWE News Roundup: John Cena shares unfortunate update ahead of final match, Major name to replace Triple H as CCO? New faction confirmed
Sportskeeda
·
July 5, 2025
Welcome to the WWE News Roundup for July 5, 2025. Today, we'll cover some interesting topics such as John Cena's unfortunate news for fans ahead of his final match in December, the possibility of TKO replacing Triple as the CCO, and a new...