Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Charlotte Flair admits things got "super personal, extremely heated," with popular WWE star ahead of major show
WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair had a confession about her recent feud with a current popular star. Flair and Tiffany Stratton's feud got extremely personal on The Road to WrestleMania 41. The Queen won the 2025 Women's Royal Rumble match and A LOT...

Solo Sikoa shockingly kicks major WWE star's brother out of his family!
Solo Sikoa has been building his own Bloodline on WWE SmackDown, and this week, he confirmed that he had finished recruiting members for his faction. Sikoa noted that his family was now complete and named Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo as...

Parliament national debate targets seabed mining
The first Speaker’s Debate of 2025 launches 10 July, tackling the controversial issue of deep-sea mining. The public forum, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in Nukuʻalofa, will explore the economic benefits and environmental concerns of seabed mining—a...

Northumberland sailor reaches halfway point on solo global voyage
Adam Waugh, 61, is competing in the inaugural Mini Globe Race, a 14-month, 28,000-nautical-mile challenge. He is sailing alone in a 19-foot Class Globe 5.80 yacht that he built himself, despite having no prior boatbuilding experience. Adam Waugh...
Eels’ $650k recruit firms for debut; Dogs’ big blow as Warriors make No.7 call: Team Tips
The Broncos are flying of late but Michael Maguire still faces a couple of tricky selection calls regarding Ben Hunt and Selwyn Cobbo. Will the Bulldogs stick with Lachlan Galvin at five-eighth? Or will Matt Burton wear the No. 6 after shifting...

Nasau impresses for Kulas in opener
Fiji Kulas veteran midfielder Cema Nasau was named player of the match in the opening game of the 2025 OFC Women’s Nations Cup between Fiji and the Solomon Islands on Saturday night at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Nasau netted two impressive...

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
Burebasaga confederacy paramount chief Ro Teimumu Kepa, former President and Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Tui Levuka Ratu Etonia Seru Rokotunaceva Burebasaga confederacy paramount chief Ro Teimumu Kepa, former President and Tui Macuata...

Immigration New Zealand Extends Longer Visits for Pacific Island Nations Granted Visited Visa
Photo: NZ Immigration New Zealand is welcoming Pacific visitors by making it easier to travel here with changes to immigration settings that will come into effect later this year. From 6 July 2025, people from Pacific Islands forum countries...

WWE star to turn babyface for the first time; join Jacob Fatu’s side vs. Solo Sikoa’s MFT? Potential explored
On last night's episode of SmackDown, new WWE United States Champion Solo Sikoa officially rebranded his alliance, and the term he used was a familiar one: MFT. Sikoa defeated Jacob Fatu at Night of Champions with help from his new enforcer, JC...

Solo Sikoa to bring a new leader, another new member officially added? 3 changes that could be made to MFT
Solo Sikoa shocked the world when he dethroned his former stablemate, Jacob Fatu, to win the WWE United States Championship at Night of Champions. However, he did not do it alone, as Tala Tonga (fka Hikuleo) made his long-awaited debut and Tonga...

FLYING FIJIANS v WALLABIES | Two-try hero | Published in The Fiji Times on June 10, 2015
RA flyer Sireli Bobo was listed in the Tongan hit líst because of his sterling 60m try against Tonga in last year’s PNC game which enabled Fiji to win the PNC title. But the Flying Fijians speed merchant instead added salt in the wounds of the...

Admiral Sir Derek Reffell, naval commander and governor of Gibraltar
One fine weekend in June 1975 the carrier HMS Hermes, under the command of Derek Reffell, sailed into Quebec harbour on a courtesy visit. Among the ship’s company was the Prince of Wales, now the King, serving as a Wessex helicopter pilot with the...

34-year-old star undergoing a name change upon joining WWE, ridiculed by Vince Russo (Exclusive)
Former WWE writer Vince Russo questioned a recent name change that has taken place in the company. Hikuleo, who recently made his TV programming debut, was renamed Tala Tonga. Tala Tonga first showed up at Night of Champions, where he helped Solo...

"Yall gotta do better" - WWE Universe reacts to controversial Jacob Fatu comment
The WWE Universe has reacted to a controversial word being used by Jacob Fatu. The SmackDown star lost the United States Championship to Solo Sikoa at Night of Champions 2025 last weekend in Saudi Arabia. Fatu and WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi...

Barista in Denis Betts' cafe by day, rugby player by night: Meet Wigan Warriors' Wembley hero
Let’s rewind a month. Emily Veivers is working in Denis Betts’ cafe during the week whilst preparing to walk out for Wigan Warriors under the famous Wembley arch. The 24-year-old has one of the most fascinating backstories you are likely to come...

What does MFT mean in WWE? The truth finally revealed on SmackDown
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...

We don’t need deep-sea mining, or its environmental harms. Here’s why
Deep-sea mining promises critical minerals for the energy transition without the problems of mining on land. It also promises to bring wealth to developing nations. But the evidence suggests these promises are false, and mining would harm the...

Crown Prince and Princess lead support for Trade Fair 2025
Tonga’s biggest trade fair kicked off yesterday, led by HRH Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala at Queen Salote Memorial Hall. The Tonga Trade Fair 2025 celebrates local enterprise, culture and innovation over three days in Nukuʻalofa. HRH Princess Sinaitakala...

World Rugby rankings: Wales fall to record low as England move up
The international weekend delivered fireworks across the globe, shaking up the World Rugby rankings with shock upsets, dominant performances, and dramatic tumbles. While some teams soared, others crashed hard—and few fanbases will be as thrilled...

Solo Sikoa dumps The Bloodline and gives his faction a new name
Solo Sikoa’s branch of The Bloodline has seen a major overhaul over the last two months, with Jacob Fatu leaving the group and Tala Tonga joining JC Mateo as the newest members. But Solo made it clear on tonight’s (July 4) episode of SmackDown...