A man allegedly ran through a major Westfield shopping centre armed with a knife before he was arrested by police in dramatic scenes. RPT

A 47-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing his former partner and her new boyfriend in Sydney has been named as Anare Vunitabua. Police allege Vunitabua killed Anaseini Waqavuki and her 30-year-old partner early Sunday morning at Illabo Street, Quakers Hill. The man was found on the footpath with stab wounds to his stomach and hands around 5am and was rushed to hospital, where he later died. Ms Waqavuki was discovered inside the kitchen with multiple stab wounds and died at the scene. Vunitabua has been charged with murder over both deaths. He sought to appear before the Bail Division Court today, however the magistrate ruled an appearance was not necessary at this stage. Authorities say the tragedy is another reminder to all Fijians and communities abroad of the devastating impacts of domestic and relationship-related violence, and the importance of seeking help early. RPT

Thomas Wynne. All I want for Christmas is not found wrapped beneath a tree or flashing from a shop window. It arrived long before Christmas cards, carols, or even Christmas itself. It arrived in three small offerings: gold, frankincense and myrrh, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne. The irony is not lost on me that Christmas, as we now know it, carries pagan roots, borrowed dates, winter solstice festivals, and rituals far older than Bethlehem. Yet truth has a way of travelling across cultures and centuries, taking on new clothing without losing its soul. The Gospel has always done that. It crossed oceans. It reached the Moana. It found a home among our people not because of empire, but because of its message, of peace, connection and salvation. The story tells us that astrologers, Magi, watchers of the heavens, not kings, not shepherds, arrived sometime after the birth. Not at the manger,...

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) launched its 10-year Strategic Direction 2026-2036 on Monday 29 December 2025 at Rove police headquarters. The supervising Minister of Police and substantive Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs Clezy Rore, Senior RSIPF Executive, Provincial Police Commanders, and Departmental Directors were also present to witness the launching. Minister Rore in his remarks said, “Today marks a very important milestone for policing, national security, and governance of Solomon Islands (SI). This Strategic Plan sets a clear, ambitious direction for the RSIPF over the next ten years. “It is not simply a policy document; it is a statement of intent, a road map for transformation, and a commitment to the people of SI that their police force will continue to evolve, modernize, and serve with professionalism, integrity, and discipline.” PPCs who attend the official launching of the 2026-2036 RSIPF Strategic Direction Minister Rore explained this plan...

Australia’s hopes of winning next year’s T20 World Cup have received a boost following a crucial medical update on their injured stars. RPT

As the year draws to a close, one family is mourning the sudden and painful loss of their mother, Sarla Devi, who was among three people killed in separate road accidents yesterday. Ms Devi, 65, of Korociriciri Rd, Nausori, was struck by a vehicle early Saturday morning while sitting by the roadside waiting for a bus. She was rushed to the Nausori Health Centre but was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the vehicle is currently in police custody. Her son, Nitesh Kumar, said the family had only just celebrated Christmas together. “My mum was a nice person. We provided her with essentials, and I used to take care of her,” Mr Kumar said. “When I rushed out of the house, the first thing I saw was blood.” He said he and the taxidriver placed his mother into the vehicle in a desperate attempt to get her to the...

The post Kata: Santa in Cook Islands appeared first on Cook Islands News. RPT

RENNELL and Bellona Province is expected to elect a new Premier within 48 hours, following the successful passage of a motion of no confidence against former Premier Derek Tenoaika Pongi. The motion was carried by a vote of 6–4 during a special sitting of the Provincial Assembly held yesterday in the provincial capital, Tigoa. A total of 10 Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) were present and voted. The motion was moved by Ward 4 MPA, Eric Sau’eha. Speaking after the vote, former Premier Pongi said he had little to add, noting that the motion of no confidence process was a democratic one and largely determined by numbers. “I cannot say anything now because it is a numbers game, even though whatever reasons we can use in the motion of no confidence,” he said. Pongi confirmed that the Assembly is now in the process of nominating candidates for the Premier’s...

Three Recruit Prison Officers from Tonga have successfully completed their training in Fiji under a regional cooperation programme that aims to strengthen public safety in the Pacific. More… Facebook

His Majesty’s Armed Forces’ Brass Band played Christmas carols in the Nuku’alofa CBD today, 29 December, during the festive season in Tonga… Facebook