The Australian prime minister now has an ideological bedfellow in the UK. But he also has something in common with the loser: incumbency. When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese phones his new British counterpart Keir Starmer to congratulate him on Labour’s victory, his pleasure and excitement will be genuine. There’s a lot for Albanese to like. The two leaders are both from the progressive side of politics, with a similar project: to entrench the centre-left in office. Starmer has made a point of talking to, and learning from, Albanese’s 2022 election win, and the ALP’s subsequent governing style. Labour has notched…
Author: Newsdesk
It is a hard pill to swallow to realise that no one from the government side made a single submission to support the repealing of a New Zealand law that is racist and discriminates against Samoans. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa confirmed the government did not make submissions to the Select Committee in New Zealand regarding the attempt to repeal the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982. Her reasons are very diplomatic. “Consider Samoa—would we want another government to come here and tell us what to do?” Fiame told this newspaper. What was the government scared of when it decided not…
Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Timothy Masiu Thursday expressed strong support for Fiji’s recent media law reforms. Addressing 2024 Pacific Media Conference in Suva, Masiu stressed the critical importance of media freedom and the need for the region to chart its own path in media development. “We support and are happy with this Government of Fiji for repealing the media laws that went against media freedom in Fiji in the recent past,” he said. Masiu highlighted the unique challenges faced by Papua New Guinea due to its diverse society. “In PNG, given our very diverse society…
Law graduate, Rachael Guttenbeil was crowned Miss Heilala 2024 at the at the Heilala Village in Nuku’alofa. Sponsored by AGT and Maa’imoa Catering, Guttenbeil was among 12 contestants competing for the prestigious Heilala Festival crown. The 26-year-old stood out in various categories, including sarong wear, pre-pageant interviews, and the traditional tau’olunga dance, impressing both judges and the audience. Her performances and confidence paid off, earning her widespread support online. Almost 9,800 likes on the Heilala Festival Facebook page saw Guttenbeil crowned Miss Popularity in addition to excelling in the other competition categories. Guttenbeil will represent Tonga at the Miss Pacific…
If the pen is mightier than the sword, then an army of journalists has assembled in Fiji’s capital to discuss the state and future of the industry in the region. The Pacific Media Conference is organised and hosted by the University of the South Pacific, in collaboration with the Pacific Islands News Association(PINA) and Asia Pacific Media Network, with more than 50 speakers from 11 countries. A keynote speaker and veteran journalist David Robie said the conference is crucial. “It’s quite a trailblazer in many respects, because this is probably the first conference of its kind where it’s blended industry…
A 42-year-old man from Niutoua, residing in Kolomotua, died from electrocution at his workplace on Saturday, June 29. The tragic incident took place at a car wash on Fatafehi Road, Pahu. According to Tonga Police, the man was using a compressor machine connected to a power plug to wash cars when the accident occurred. This marks the first electrocution-related death recorded this year in Tonga. The police are conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident, with an inquest to be held to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
The Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) presented a report to Tongan lawmakers yesterday titled, “Critical Questions and Challenges of Deep-Sea Mining for the Kingdom of Tonga.” Deep-sea mining (DSM) is when companies take minerals from the bottom of the ocean. The report, written by US lawyer Lori Osmundsen, explains the risks of deep-sea mining for Tonga. It also reminds lawmakers of 19 Tongan laws that apply to deep-sea mining. This means Tonga needs to follow its own laws if it decides to allow deep-sea mining. Public opinion on DSM was also presented. A 2024 community survey revealed a strong…
The fight against corruption in the Pacific region is being strengthened as Parliamentarians in Tonga reviewed their work with the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Teieniwa Vision. They also had their first meeting with the new Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Christopher LaHatte, who started on July 1. The two-day event, “Enhancing the Role of the Tonga Parliament’s Anti-Corruption Committee: UNCAC & Teieniwa Vision Dialogue,” was hosted by the Parliament of Tonga, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). Participants included the Ombudsman, ʻAlisi Afeaki Taumoepeau, Hon. Dr. Aisake Valu Eke, and…
New Zealanders are giving up spending at a rate that surpasses the downturn of the global financial crisis (GFC), and is close to passing that of the 1980s sharemarket crash, as well as the tough times of the 1970s. Data released from Worldline on Wednesday shows June was an “especially quiet” month for retailers. Spending was down 2.3 percent compared to the same month last year, despite population growth. “June is typically the slowest month of the year but the first two weeks of June this year were also noticeably slower than last year. That made for quiet trading,” chief…
The Tonga Navy joined the celebrations of King Tupou VI’s birthday together with its 50th Anniversary with a Navy Fleet Review in Nuku’alofa today. King Tupou VI and Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala reviewed six visiting navy ships and three patrol boats. High-ranking navy officers from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and the US attended. Multi-national brass bands and navy personnel marched through Nuku’alofa and the Royal Palace grounds. His Majesty’s birthday celebrations included a Thanksgiving Service and a Royal Luncheon at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall.