Sitdown Sunday: What happened when a Pacific island was cut off from the internet

IT’S A DAY of rest, and you may be in the mood for a quiet corner and a comfy chair. We’ve hand-picked some of the week’s best reads for you to savour. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo A volcanic eruption almost four years ago sundered the...

WWE SmackDown Results: Mad Dragon returns; Huge title change; Former champ injured before main event (10/17/2025)

Nick Aldis kicked off WWE SmackDown and let us know that the match between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu was a No.1 Contender's match for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Cody Rhodes came out and said that after Seth Rollins beat him at Crown...

OPINION | Are we exporting our future? | The true cost of Fiji’s labour policies

The scale of the problem SINCE 2018, approximately 114,000 Fijians – nearly 12 per cent of our entire population – have left the country. That’s equivalent to losing every resident of Lautoka and Nadi combined. Deputy Prime Minister Professor...

The Wyatt Sicks to force the crowning of new champion and lead to a heel turn? Exploring potential

The Wyatt Sicks might pull off something unexpected on the first SmackDown following Crown Jewel: Perth. Last week, Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis successfully defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against the Street Profits on the blue brand....

Pacific Islands News Roundup – October 10 – 16, 2025

Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...

WWE creative clueless about Solo Sikoa's booking, feels wrestling veteran: "That doesn't make any sense" (Exclusive)

Former WWE head writer Vince Russo vehemently criticized Solo Sikoa's video package on SmackDown. The Street Champ once again appeared in a vignette on the blue brand. This week on SmackDown, Solo hyped up the seven-foot-tall behemoth, Talla...

USP School of Law delivers winning verdict at the annual Inter-Tertiary Moot finals

USP’s School of Law team: (L-R) Soane Kualepeli Tupola, Fololeni Loloma, and Ope’anga Hoto Ngu Paunga. Photo: The University of the South Pacific. Ann-Tauilo Motuga | Reporter/Videographer Three Tongan students representing the University of the...

Released WWE star on X: "Well obviously I had to have pi*sed somebody off lmao!"

A recently-released WWE star has shared a lengthy message on his X handle, reacting to being let go by the Stamford-based promotion. BJ Ray had quite a lot to say about his release. BJ Ray, one of the most controversial wrestling stars in recent...

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...

Manta rays go to extremes to build mental maps of the ocean

Giant oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris). Credit: MV Erdmann Giant oceanic manta rays, the largest species of ray, glide thousands of kilometres across vast, featureless stretches of open ocean between the tropical and subtropical habitats they...

Ronaldo sets new record but Portugal forced to wait to seal spot at World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new record for World Cup qualifying goals on Tuesday, but Portugal were denied early passage to next year’s finals after a late Hungary equaliser forced a 2-2 draw in Lisbon. Two goals from the Portugal captain – the first...

The Big Question: Is there too much sport?

Too long, too hard, too intense. In recent years, the complaints have become louder and fiercer, as professional athletes feel the impact of an ever-increasing number of events, races and tournaments in a packed sporting calendar. In a sporting...

Vince McMahon pitched embarrassing WWE angle to major star right in front of his wife

A WWE Hall of Famer has shared the story of the moment Vince McMahon pitched an incredibly weird angle to him. When McMahon pitched the stalker angle to former WCW World Heavyweight Champion DDP, his wife was right there beside him. DDP is one of...

3 WWE Superstars The Wyatt Sicks must add for their feud against MFT

Last week's episode of SmackDown marked the third time Uncle Howdy wasn't seen with The Wyatt Sicks. Despite his absence on the show, his teammates, Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis, successfully defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against The Street...

Gunther, Rhea Ripley, Batista, and other WWE stars react to Sheamus' heartbreaking update

Several current and former WWE personalities, including Gunther, Rhea Ripley, and Batista, recently took to social media to react to Sheamus' heartbreaking update. The Celtic Warrior sent an emotional message after his dog's passing. Sheamus is...

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...

Eru Kapa-Kingi says he has no regrets about turning on Te Pāti Māori

Activist Eru Kapa-Kingi Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Prominent activist Eru Kapa-Kingi has declared he does not "regret a single thing" about his dramatic cutting-of-ties with Te Pāti Māori, saying he knew he would be "dragged through the...

How Is XRP Helping New Zealanders Access Faster International Payments?

New Zealand sits at the edge of the world, which sounds romantic until you need to send money anywhere. Traditional banks have gotten better at international transfers, major routes clear in 1-2 days, but they still hit you with high fees,...

Father shares traditions with daughter

WITH over 13 years of experience in traditional voyaging, Iva Nancy Vunikura was honoured to assume the title of matua, a role that entails mentorship and guidance, especially to the young crew on board the Uto Ni Yalo. The voyage from Fiji to the...

Hōkūlea And Hikianalia To Set Sail For Aotearoa As Part Of The Moananuiākea Voyage

Press Release – Polynesian Voyaging Society Photo/Supplied (Rarotonga, Cook Islands) Two traditional Polynesian voyaging canoes, Hklea and Hikianalia, are preparing to depart Rarotonga for Aotearoa as part of the Moananuikea Voyage, a multi-year...