Author: Newsdesk

Australian authorities are probing potential foreign involvement in a series of antisemitic attacks targeting Jewish communities in Sydney and Melbourne. Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw stated that investigations are examining whether overseas actors are financing local criminals, possibly through cryptocurrency transactions. The inquiry follows a recent arson attack on a childcare center near a Sydney synagogue, which was also defaced with antisemitic graffiti. This incident is among several that have heightened concerns within the Jewish community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened an emergency cabinet meeting to address the surge in antisemitic crimes, emphasizing the government’s commitment to combating such acts.…

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a private sector investment of up to $500 billion to fund infrastructure for artificial intelligence, aiming to outpace rival nations in the business-critical technology. The initiative, named “Stargate,” is a joint venture between OpenAI, SoftBank Group Corp., and Oracle Corp. “What we want to do is we want to keep it in this country,” Trump stated during the announcement. Executives from the companies are expected to commit $500 billion into Stargate over the next four years. Larry Ellison, Oracle’s Executive Chairman, revealed that ten data centers are already under construction in Texas, with plans…

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has called for an international investigation into the United States’ longstanding promotion of diversity and inclusion initiatives. Her remarks came on Tuesday, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive orders rescinding protections for transgender rights and dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government. “Can you imagine how many people’s lives have been ruined over the years of promoting this nonsense?” Zakharova wrote on Telegram. She questioned the impact on “hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people” who were compelled to “accept the ideology of amputating healthy genitals and replacing them with…

Recruit Wing 53 of the Royal Tonga Police Band was officially launched on Monday, marking yet another historic milestone in the band’s history. The intake is only the third in the band’s storied history, following the inaugural recruitment in 1975 and a second intake in 2017. This year, 20 new recruits, including three women, join the ranks, symbolizing progress in gender inclusion and dedication to preserving Tonga’s musical heritage. Acting Deputy Commissioner ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau highlighted the unique legacy of the band, deeply rooted in Queen Salote Tupou III’s love for music. “This intake is a testament to the enduring importance…

A Tongan mother-of-four was tragically murdered by her estranged partner, prompting a coroner’s call for a unified government approach to address New Zealand’s domestic violence crisis. In March 2021, Toakase Finau, 29, was strangled to death by Viliami Latu, her former husband, while he was on electronically monitored bail for prior assaults against her. Latu later died by suicide, leaving a note directing authorities to Finau’s body, hidden in her car’s boot. Coroner Alison Mills ruled the deaths a “tragic example” of systemic failures. “Police, the justice system, the Department of Corrections, Oranga Tamariki, housing and health providers all interacted…

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations due to a pectoral muscle injury sustained in training last week. The 27-year-old, who took over as captain in November, suffered the injury during a session with Glasgow Warriors. A statement confirmed that Tuipulotu will undergo surgery this week and is expected to return before the end of the season. The injury also raises doubts about his availability for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia later this year, though a late-season return remains possible. Tuipulotu, capped 30 times since his 2021 debut, has been key in…

Parental involvement is critical to addressing hearing loss in Pacific children, according to a groundbreaking study by University of Auckland researchers. The review, led by PhD candidate Linda Palavi, along with Dr. Elizabeth Holt and Professor Vili Nosa, was published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. It highlights the inequities faced by Pacific families in accessing effective hearing care services despite government-funded screening programs. Palavi, a New Zealand-born Tongan from the villages of Kolofo’ou and Kolomotu’a in Nuku’alofa, emphasized the importance of empowering parents to improve outcomes. “I hope the research empowers Pacific families and highlights…

King Tupou VI has officially appointed Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke as Tonga’s Prime Minister during a ceremony at the Nuku’alofa Royal Palace this morning. Eke replaces former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, who unexpectedly resigned last month. The King’s appointment follows Eke’s election by Parliament in December. His Majesty, returning from overseas last weekend, formalized the assignment today. Cabinet Minister appointments are expected likely tomorrow. Dr. Eke holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Monash University in Australia, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting…

The U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). “World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump said at the signing of an executive order on the withdrawal, shortly after his inauguration to a second term, marking his second effort to remove the U.S. from the global health body. Trump initially began this process during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing dissatisfaction with the WHO’s handling of the crisis, but his successor, President Joe Biden, reversed…

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong reaffirmed their commitment to Quad cooperation with the United States and India to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific. Meeting in Washington on Sunday, the ministers emphasized the growing need for collaboration in the face of an increasingly complex security environment. “More than ever, Japan and Australia must play a leading role in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Iwaya said. The Japanese Foreign Ministry noted that Tokyo and Canberra aim to advance “multilayered” cooperation with like-minded nations, focusing on economic issues, cybersecurity, and people-to-people exchanges. A Quad meeting is…