The GP doing the heavy lifting

A powerful mix of Māori and Tongan heritage, Karlina Tongotea has been raising the bar and lifting her sport to new heights. The 32-year-old powerlifter achieved a new open world record in Chengdu, China on her way to winning gold in the 76kg...

WWE SmackDown: Jacob Fatu Out with Non-Wrestling Injury

Summary Jacob Fatu sidelined with undisclosed, non-wrestling injury expected well into 2026. He had just returned to SmackDown; last PLE loss was to Solo Sikoa in SummerSlam steel cage. Fans hope he recovers soon - a fan favorite whose presence...

Barrett offers NZ$50,000 reward to track down the Fulivais — NZ Police say border alert not justified

Auckland, NZ — Auckland businessman Chris Barrett has offered a substantial financial reward to anyone who can help locate Lord Fulivai and Lady Helen Fulivai, who fled New Zealand for Tonga following a High Court ruling against them. Lord Fuliva...

Can WWE Save the Legacy of Shinsuke Nakamura?

When WWE headed to Perth, Australia this month, episodes of Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown were held along with the Crown Jewel 2025 premium live event, with all three shows containing notable events and moments. On the blue brand,...

SPC meetings open in Nuku'alofa: "United for a resilient future"

By Katalina Siasau Tonga is hosting the Pacific Community's (SPC) 55th Meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA) and the 14 Conference of the Pacific's Community meeting this week, under the theme...

Pacific News In Brief For 14 October

Article – RNZ A round up of news from around the region, including a new mental health strategy in Tonga. Tonga – mental health Tonga’s health ministry has launched its long-awaited National Mental Health Strategy and Policy at Vaiola Hospital....

Mapped: Life Expectancy Around the World in 2025

See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Mapped: Life Expectancy Around the World (2025) This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible...

‘Rugby league or church’: Why playing Pacific Tests on Sunday is a sin

“We host Tonga on November 2 at Eden Park and are banking on 40,000 fans. The Warriors don’t play many games on a Sunday. They tend to play a lot of games on a Friday night in that 6pm timeslot in Australia, and when they do play on a Sunday...

Strength in Unity: #WND2025 shows journalism won’t back down

At a time when journalism is under siege in many parts of the world – from rising authoritarianism to daily threats against reporters – the week-long campaign, which ran until Sunday, 28 September, demonstrated a united determination to defend...

China, Taiwan, and the vulnerable web of undersea cables

In February 2023, half a year or so before I visited, a couple of Chinese ships cut two domestic undersea cables running out from Taiwan’s main island. One of these, named Taima No. 3, provided connectivity to the island of Nangan. On paper, the...

First-and-10: Bears' wins over Raiders, Commanders recall other upbeat moments — which didn’t always last

Are the Bears on the verge of something special under Ben Johnson? Their 25-24 victories over the Raiders and Commanders in back-to-back games have referenced some glorious — or at least encouraging — moments in recent Bears history: • Two of the...

INSIDE STORY: Kerzner’s landmark project in Fiji

INTERNATIONAL developer and operator of luxury resorts Kerzner International Holdings Limited has announced the signing of the first One&Only resort and community of private homes to be developed in Fiji. The landmark development is a testament to...

Army chief grateful for partners’ support during PNGDF Week

PAPUA New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) chief Rear Admiral Philip Polewara thanked friends and partners for their support through the PNGDF week and independence anniversary last month. He said the force has done so well by providing security and...

Israel Vows to Strike ‘Everywhere’ Against Iranian Regime

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at deadly strikes between Israel and Iran, day one of meetings at the G-7 summit, and a U.S. immigration crackdown. Sign up to receive World Brief in your inbox every weekday. Attacks on Tehran...

Opening statement by the Chair of CRGA 55, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tuvalu, Mr Pasuna Tuaga

Opening statement by the Chair of CRGA 55, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tuvalu, Mr Pasuna Tuaga 14 October 2025, Nuku'alofa, Tonga Heads of delegation, Senior Officials, Permanent Observer, Partners, Secretariat staff,...

Jones: Club rugby is struggling — we need R360 rebel league

Eddie Jones believes rugby needs the introduction of R360 to drive commercialism and new audiences into the sport because the business model at club level is unsustainable. The former England head coach is the highest-profile figure active in the...

The Wyatt Sicks to add 8-time champion to their group for a potential WarGames match? Exploring the possibility

It seems that the Wyatt Sicks now have an opponent for this year's Survivor Series: WarGames. Last week's episode of SmackDown saw Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis successfully defend their WWE Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits, thanks to...

Veteran journalist Pesi Fonua passes away at 78

Pesi Siale Fonua, founder-publisher of Matangi Tonga Online, has died aged 78. He passed away yesterday 12 October at Vaiola Hospital, his family confirmed in a statement published by Matangi Tonga. “It is with profound sadness that we announce...

Vanuatu rapper Mantis wins Pacific Break 2025 with powerful track ‘Weatherman’

Vanuatu rapper Mantis has won the 2025 Pacific Break competition with his famous track ‘Weatherman’, beating hundreds of entries from 18 Pacific nations. Delivering verses in Bislama, French and English, Mantis impressed judges with his commanding...

Tapasā Launches Atafa o le Moana Youth Leadership Movement

Photo: Supplied Tapasā Navigating Futures proudly launches Atafa o le Moana, a movement aimed at amplifying the voices of Pacific youth who are leading with culture, courage, and compassion. Atafa brings together 16 young leaders aged 15–20...