Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
The Growing Inequality Among Countries and the Worsening Climate Crisis
Resilience
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March 27, 2025
Reducing global inequality and saving the planet from climate catastrophe are intertwined. Let’s address both at once. Introduction In a fit of madness or just plain desperation, you’ve enrolled in a get-rich-quick scheme. All you have to do is...
Israeli startup’s unproven marine tech raises doubts about carbon capture claims
The Times of Israel
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AP — The startup Gigablue announced with fanfare this year that it reached a historic milestone: selling 200,000 carbon credits to fund what it describes as a groundbreaking technology in the fight against climate change. Formed three years ago by...
Iraqi school's plan to save water among Zayed Sustainability Prize winners
The National News
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Back row, left to right: Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of Tonga, Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of Morocco, Wavil Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles, Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, Surangel Whipps, President of Palau, Nana...
Culture will eat your strategic planning for lunch: a call for high-performance leadership in Tonga
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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March 25, 2025
As Tonga’s leaders came together for the Economic Development Summit last week, they faced a significant challenge: how to turn strategic plans into real results. While having good policies and development strategies is crucial, Peter Drucker’s...
‘Catastrophic failures’: Defence budget squeeze hits navy maintenance
The Strategist
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July 9, 2025
The Defence budget squeeze has starved the Royal Australian Navy of sustainment funding. We see this in the scandalous state of two of the Royal Australian Navy’s most significant ships, revealed in an Australian National Audit Office (ANAO)...
Tonga’s strategic crossroads: navigating a new era under Trump’s shadow
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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February 1, 2025
Dr. Hook’s 1978 refrain that “Storms never last” offers little solace as Tonga faces the tempest of a resurgent Trump administration. While storms may pass, the policy upheavals and geopolitical tremors unleashed over the next four years could...
First used oil storage facilities in Tonga
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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March 21, 2025
Tonga has taken a major step towards environmental sustainability with the launch of its first-ever used oil storage facilities. The initiative, led by the Department of Environment under the Ministry of MEIDECC in collaboration with the Used Oil...
Tonga co-chairs Pacific Resilience Facility Treaty finalization
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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January 31, 2025
‘Olita Tupou, Tonga’s Director of Strategic Partnership and International at the Prime Minister’s Office, has called for strong regional cooperation as the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) moves closer to finalizing its Establishment Agreement....
Wasted millions: $8.3 million Tongiaki catamaran no longer serves Tonga, review finds
Islands Business
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March 26, 2025
Researchers have discovered a potentially younger and active volcanic hotspot beneath the Cook Islands’ waters, prompting excitement for geological understanding and raising calls for caution regarding seabed mining. The Seabed Minerals Authority...
Tongan Parliament rejects Police Minister’s bid to take oath in English
Islands Business
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February 3, 2025
Cook Islands government is misleading the public into believing the country is undecided on whether to allow deep seabed mining, claims an advocate for ocean conservation and protection. Louisa Castledine’s comments come following a letter sent to...
Tonga’s Prime Minister names new Cabinet lineup
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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January 28, 2025
Tonga’s Prime Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke has announced his new Cabinet lineup, which includes two female ministers but no nobles. The Prime Minister will present the letters of appointment to all of the Cabinet Ministers on Thursday but their...
Tonga PM 'Aisake Eke unveils new Cabinet: two women and one noble among the ministers
RNZ
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January 28, 2025
Tonga's Prime Minister, right, was formally sworn in by King Tupou VI. Photo: Supplied Tonga's Prime Minister 'Aisake Eke has announced his new Cabinet, which unusually includes two women and only one noble. Eleven Cabinet ministers were selected...
Scientists Dropped A Cow Carcass 1,629 Meters Into The South China Sea – And 8 Unexpected Visitors Turned Up
IFL Science
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July 8, 2025
Getting accurate information on animal species can be quite a challenge, especially when they live deep within the sea. One of those animals is the Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus), which, despite its widespread distribution, remains...
Tongan-Fijian artist makes her ‘Fearless’ music debut
Pacific Media Network
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Emerging from a prominent musical family, RnB/soul Tongan-Fijian artist Honey Moala is making her mark. As the youngest of five siblings, she shares her family with notable musicians, including singer/songwriter John Moala and artist/journalist...
Tonga faces looming crisis from U.S. deportations, climate & drugs
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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January 26, 2025
Tonga, a nation of just over 100,000 people, faces an urgent and multifaceted threat that could overwhelm its fragile infrastructure and destabilize its social systems. Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies—particularly the mass...
Pacific Islands Forum chief meets Tonga PM ahead of finance summit
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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March 24, 2025
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa met with Prime Minister, Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, ahead of this week’s Special Finance Ministers’ Meeting. Mr. Waqa’s visit to Nuku’alofa comes as Pacific leaders prepare for the event scheduled for...
Tonga Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke unveils new cabinet
Papua New Guinea Post Courier
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January 28, 2025
NUKU’ALOFA: Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke (pictured) has announced his new Cabinet, which unusually includes two women and only one noble. Eleven Cabinet ministers were selected instead of 12, with four of them elected by the PM under the...
Tonga Tourism lands Down Under: New Aussie rep to boost island paradise
KARRYON
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January 31, 2025
The move aims to boost awareness and position the country as a must-visit destination for Australian and New Zealand travellers in the South Pacific, which is dominated by nearby Fiji. Led by Richard Skewes, PTM brings decades of expertise in...
Trend Micro bolsters pacific commitment as regional cyber landscape shifts
iTWire
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July 9, 2025
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global cybersecurity leader, is cementing its commitment to the Pacific Islands, building on strong public sector partnerships and rising demand for cyber resilience. The announcement follows the company’s inaugural...
Tonga eyes strategic Vava'u site for new humanitarian warehouse
Pacific Community (SPC)
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When the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted in 2021-2022, creating the largest underwater explosion ever recorded by modern science, it highlighted a crucial challenge for Tonga: getting emergency supplies quickly to communities spread...