World News – Page 23

A home destroyed in tribal fighting in PNG’s Highlands region. BTT Newscast

A New Zealand aid project in Papua New Guinea has been halted due to security concerns, and appears unlikely to be completed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) confirmed work on the Enga Electrification Project in PNG’s Highlands region had “stopped due to ongoing violence around the project area”.

New Zealand invested $6.7 million over the last six years into the project which aimed to connect at least 4000 households in the area to electricity. It was part of combined efforts with the US, Australia and Japan to help 70 percent of PNG homes get connected by 2030.

However, tribal and election-related violence has surged in numerous parts of Enga Province in the past few years, with police largely unable to quell the unrest.

A spokesperson for the MFAT said contractors stopped work at the site in Tsak Valley in Enga’s Wapanamanda District last August.

Complexities

The choice of Enga for the electrification project was laden with risks, not just because of its remoteness and rugged terrain, but also due to the high level of tribal and election-related violence.

Development researcher Terence Wood of the Development Policy Centre said while the project’s goal was worthy, New Zealand appeared to rush into the project without giving enough thought to the complexities involved.

“You’d think very carefully about the country context, and contexts in different parts of the country, and that would guide where you work and also how you worked,” Dr Wood said.

“So violent parts of the Highlands, or the upper Highlands, of Papua New Guinea would be the last places you’re engaged with.”

He noted that large swathes of PNG’s population lack reliable access to electricity, so many rural communities in PNG would benefit from electrification, but added that challenges were compounded by the country’s poor governance.

“With work such as electricity, it’s one thing to build it, you also need a functioning government to maintain it.

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill displays a document for electricity projects signed by Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, US Vice President Mike Pence and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. AFP

Geopolitical motivation

When PNG hosted the APEC Leaders Summit in 2018, the country’s prime minister at the time, Peter O’Neill agreed on the PNG Electrification Partnership with with leaders from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US.

Wood said geopolitics had driven New Zealand, alongside the other countries, to plunge into the project.

“We’ve sort of jumped in thanks to a perceived threat that China might be going to engage in this type of aid work in Papua New Guinea, and because of our haste, we didn’t pay sufficient attention to some of the complexities associated with providing electricity to Papua New Guinea.

“Aid donors often race in propelled by other motivations, and therefore don’t think carefully enough about the context and about how they might design their aid work to make sure it’s effective.”

Wood said there was a high probability that the project would not be completed successfully.

‘No respect for authority’

Enga governor Sir Peter Ipatas, admitted that escalating tribal violence and the build-up of illegal weapons in the province had got out of hand, putting many innocent lives at risk.

“In my province, my people have taken the lawlessness to another level using modern weapons, guns, and this has been also a sign of no respect for authority.”

He said a vacuum of law enforcement made the problem worse, as Engan warlords and their fighters were rarely arrested or prosecuted for fighting and destroying villages.

However, Ipatas said the problem with the high level of Engan tribal fights was an internal one, not directed at foreigners.

“Now the guns are only used for tribal fights. Nobody outside the the tribes that are involved are in any danger in our context as Engans, because you only fight your enemy. That’s the rule from our tradition.”

He urged PNG’s national government to ensure police do their job, suggesting more police assistance from Australia and New Zealand would be helpful.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

February 2, 2026

The Brazilian Best Actor contender on sharing his beautifully ‘complex’ country

Source: Radio New Zealand

In one of Wagner Moura’s favourite scenes in The Secret Agent, his character Armando Solimões suddenly realises he’s being hunted by contract killers – then opens a door and steps out into a Brazilian carnival.

To the 49-year-old actor, the scene represents not only an “amazing” celebratory aspect of his culture but the emotional depth within all of us.

“He’s being persecuted by hitmen, he can get killed in any moment, and he just gives himself to the carnival and goes with the crowd, dancing,” he tells RNZ’s Saturday Morning.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

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The oppressive censorship of Emílio Garrastazu Médici’s authoritarian government didn’t really end in 1985, Moura says, and in today’s “very diverse and culturally unique” Brazil, there are still echoes of its history of violence, misogyny, homophobia and elitism.

Wagner Moura: Golden Globe winner and Oscar-tipped Best Actor

Saturday Morning

Wagner Moura – here in a scene from The Secret Agent – made his feature film debut in the 2000 Penelope Cruz film Woman on Top.

MK2 Films via CNN Newsource

Although the South American country that gave the world samba and football and happiness is “liberal in many senses”, Moura says, it’s still the most “socially unfair” country in the world.

“The difference between who has lots of money and the ones that live in poverty is huge.”

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was “the physical manifestation of American colonialism over Brazil”, says actor Wagner Moura.

Sergio Lima / AFP

Moura has been an outspoken critic of now-jailed former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro – an “obscure far-right congressman” who rose to power after Donald Trump’s election in 2016.

From 2018 to 2022, he says Bolsonaro – “the physical manifestation of American colonialism over Brazil” – led a vicious attack on the country’s art and culture.

“His heroes were torturers and killers and people that did despicable things against civilians. And also he followed the manual of fascism… The first people that they attack are journalists, [academics] and artists.”

Although Brazil today is “liberal in many senses”, there are still echoes of the violence perpetrated by its authoritarian government in the 1970s, Moura says.

Victor Juca

In 2019, Bolsonaro was “very upset” by Moura’s directorial debut Marighellaand made it impossible for the film to be released in Brazil, he says.

“I was a very clear target for him because I was never afraid or ashamed of being vocal against him.”

A “victory” came at the end of 2021, though, when, despite threats and with metal detectors at the entrance to screenings, Marighella debuted in Brazilian theatres.

“The film went super well and sold many tickets because it was supported by a big part of the population in Brazil.”

Director and screenwriter Kleber Mendonca Filho and actor Wagner Moura at the Cannes Film Festival for “O Agente Secreto” (The Secret Agent) in May 2025.

Valery HACHE / AFP

Like Moura, The Secret Agent‘s director Kleber Mendonça Filho was a vocal, long-term critic of Brazil’s authoritarian government.

Both men also happen to hail from Recife – a coastal city in the northeast of the country that’s “the target of internal xenophobia”, Moura says, and before The Secret Agent rarely seen on screen.

The Secret Agent is set in Recife – a coastal Brazilian city plagued by tiger shark attacks and the hometown of the film’s director and lead actor.

Arne Müseler / CC BY 3.0

Although Filho is now someone that Moura loves and respects, he was a “very mean” film critic back when they first met at the Cannes Film Festival 20 years ago, he says.

After seeing Filho’s 2012 debut feature film Neighbouring Sound – “one of the greatest Brazilian films ever” – the former TV reporter became obsessed with the idea of collaborating with him.

In 2024, the actor and director returned to their shared hometown of Recife to film The Secret Agent – a movie that Moura says reveals the complexity of Brazil’s history and culture as it reflects the paradoxes within every human.

Wagner Moura in his Golden Globe-nominated performance as Pablo Escabar in Narcos.

Photo12 via AFP

Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, who Moura learned Spanish and gained over 18 kilograms to play in Narcos, was simultaneously a “very despicable man” and also just a “person”, he says.

“I guess that’s what we all want [to express] as artists, and that’s what you want to see when you go see a film.

“You don’t want to see, like, Disney characters that are either evil or good. People are complex, and that’s the beauty of being alive, I guess.”

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

February 2, 2026

Clash of the TV titans: How it will shape what we watch and what we pay

Source: Radio New Zealand

The battle for ownership of Warner Bros. is a rare case of Goliath vs. Goliath.

In one corner, there’s the behemoth streaming service Netflix. In the other, Hollywood’s legacy powerhouse, Paramount.

The prize is a treasure trove of iconic franchises that stretches back over a century, to include the DC Comics Universe, home to Batman and Superman, Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, the Looney Tunes, and JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Its most glittering jewel is HBO, the gold standard of Premium TV that redefined the medium with cultural watercooler hits like The Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones and The White Lotus.

(From left) Sarah Catherine Hook, Parker Posey and Sam Nivola on ‘The White Lotus.’

HBO

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Both are serious contenders. Netflix lashed out first with an $88 billion offer that was quickly accepted by the Warner Bros. board. That should have been the KO blow, but Paramount countered with a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid. Both fighters have now lumbered back to their corners to await the shareholder vote and the naming of the victor.

While they catch their breath, the minnows are circling. Sky TV, which also owns our streaming service Neon, recently announced it had strengthened its ties with Paramount. This new agreement secures exclusive New Zealand rights for Sky and Neon to franchises like the Yellowstone ‘Duttonverse’, as well as franchises like Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, South Park and the kids Nickleoden channel.

Paramount+

This was a smart play. Even if Netflix wins and pulls Warner Bros. content off, Sky will still have globally recognised franchises to lure subscribers with. That said, HBO is one of Sky’s biggest drawcards. It feels critical for them that Paramount comes out on top.

“There’s a cultural gravity to HBO and Warner titles. The Paramount deal will strengthen Sky’s slate, but Yellowstone ain’t The Wire, and as good as Mobland is, I don’t think it’ll ever be Succession,” Tamar Münch says. “If Netflix takes Warner Bros., Sky/Neon can stay competitive, but my sense is that the Paramount deal alone won’t plug that hole.”

Münch, a film and TV reviewer and media and entertainment communications specialist, describes the clash as “old-school Hollywood vs new-school streaming”. She says Netflix is betting that scale and control beat heritage, while Paramount is banking on Hollywood experience and that a bigger cheque still counts.

“But, in the end, US regulators will decide whether Netflix becoming that powerful is a step too far,” she says.

No matter who comes out on top, the impact here in Aotearoa will be felt. If Paramount win, things will likely stay as they are. However, if Netflix triumphs, then those big HBO and Warner Bros. shows and movies will slide over to its platform.

While HBO is certainly a big drawcard, Sky hasn’t put all its eggs in that basket. In recent years, they’ve been investing heavily in producing high-quality local television. This year they have comedian Tom Sainsbury’s upcoming series Small Town Scandal, Josh Thomson’s dark comedy Good Bones and Jazz Thornton’s true crime doco series Stalked, to name a few.

Tom Sainsbury in Small Town Scandal.

Neon

“Hat tip to Sky for their dedication to Sky Original programming in recent years. The team there are very passionate about local content. I think the way they support our New Zealand-made shows is hands down the best out of our major players,” Münch says. “Sky’s local production pipeline may get pressured financially if premium global content is lost, but it’s likely to remain a strategic priority given brand differentiation and audience value.”

“For most New Zealanders, it comes down to where your favourite shows live and how much you’re paying for them,” Münch continues.

With such big numbers sitting on the table, there’s little doubt that no matter which entertainment behemoth wins, our wallets will be real losers. It’s a sentiment backed up by Münch.

“Increases on streaming fees should join death and taxes as one of the few things of which we can all be certain.”

Tamar Munch.

Supplied

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

February 1, 2026

Quake strikes near Tonga

Source: Radio New Zealand

123rf

A strong quake has struck the Tonga region.

The 5.8-magnitude tremor hit northeast of ‘Eua just before 10am at a depth of 12km according to the US Geological Survey.

More to come.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

February 1, 2026

How your brain can be trained like a muscle

Source: Radio New Zealand

If you have ever lifted a weight, you know the routine: challenge the muscle, give it rest, feed it and repeat. Over time, it grows stronger.

Of course, muscles only grow when the challenge increases over time. Continually lifting the same weight the same way stops working.

It might come as a surprise to learn that the brain responds to training in much the same way as our muscles, even though most of us never think about it that way. Clear thinking, focus, creativity and good judgment are built through challenge, when the brain is asked to stretch beyond routine rather than run on autopilot. That slight mental discomfort is often the sign that the brain is actually being trained, a lot like that good workout burn in your muscles.

Tasks that stretch your brain just beyond its comfort zone, such as knitting and crocheting, can improve cognitive abilities over your lifespan.

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. At first, your senses are alert. You notice the hills, the trees, the changing light. But after a few loops, your brain checks out. You start planning dinner, replaying emails or running through your to-do list. The walk still feels good, but your brain is no longer being challenged.

Routine feels comfortable, but comfort and familiarity alone do not build new brain connections.

As a neurologist who studies brain activity, I use electroencephalograms, or EEGs, to record the brain’s electrical patterns.

Research in humans shows that these rhythms are remarkably dynamic. When someone learns a new skill, EEG rhythms often become more organized and coordinated. This reflects the brain’s attempt to strengthen pathways needed for that skill.

Your brain trains in zones too

For decades, scientists believed that the brain’s ability to grow and reorganize, called neuroplasticity, was largely limited to childhood. Once the brain matured, its wiring was thought to be largely fixed.

But that idea has been overturned. Decades of research show that adult brains can form new connections and reorganize existing networks, under the right conditions, throughout life.

Some of the most influential work in this field comes from enriched environment studies in animals. Rats housed in stimulating environments filled with toys, running wheels and social interaction developed larger, more complex brains than rats kept in standard cages. Their brains adapted because they were regularly exposed to novelty and challenge.

Human studies find similar results. Adults who take on genuinely new challenges, such as learning a language, dancing or practicing a musical instrument, show measurable increases in brain volume and connectivity on MRI scans.

The takeaway is simple: Repetition keeps the brain running, but novelty pushes the brain to adapt, forcing it to pay attention, learn and problem-solve in new ways. Neuroplasticity thrives when the brain is nudged just beyond its comfort zone.

The reality of neural fatigue

Just like muscles, the brain has limits. It does not get stronger from endless strain. Real growth comes from the right balance of challenge and recovery.

When the brain is pushed for too long without a break – whether that means long work hours, staying locked onto the same task or making nonstop decisions under pressure – performance starts to slip. Focus fades. Mistakes increase. To keep you going, the brain shifts how different regions work together, asking some areas to carry more of the load. But that extra effort can still make the whole network run less smoothly.

Neural fatigue is more than feeling tired. Brain imaging studies show that during prolonged mental work, the networks responsible for attention and decision-making begin to slow down, while regions that promote rest and reward-seeking take over. This shift helps explain why mental exhaustion often comes with stronger cravings for quick rewards, like sugary snacks, comfort foods or mindless scrolling. The result is familiar: slower thinking, more mistakes, irritability and mental fog.

This is where the muscle analogy becomes especially useful. You wouldn’t do squats for six hours straight, because your leg muscles would eventually give out. As they work, they build up byproducts that make each contraction a little less effective until you finally have to stop. Your brain behaves in a similar way.

Likewise, in the brain, when the same cognitive circuits are overused, chemical signals build up, communication slows and learning stalls.

But rest allows those strained circuits to reset and function more smoothly over time. And taking breaks from a taxing activity does not interrupt learning. In fact, breaks are critical for efficient learning.

The crucial importance of rest

Among all forms of rest, sleep is the most powerful.

Sleep is the brain’s night shift. While you rest, the brain takes out the trash through a special cleanup system called the glymphatic system that clears away waste and harmful proteins. Sleep also restores glycogen, a critical fuel source for brain cells.

And importantly, sleep is when essential repair work happens. Growth hormone surges during deep sleep, supporting tissue repair. Immune cells regroup and strengthen their activity.

During REM sleep, the stage of sleep linked to dreaming, the brain replays patterns from the day to consolidate memories. This process is critical not only for cognitive skills like learning an instrument but also for physical skills like mastering a move in sports.

On the other hand, chronic sleep deprivation impairs attention, disrupts decision-making and alters the hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism. This is why fatigue drives sugar cravings and late-night snacking.

Sleep is not an optional wellness practice. It is a biological requirement for brain performance.

Overdoing any task, whether it be weight training or sitting at the computer for too long, can overtax the muscles as well as the brain.

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Exercise feeds the brain too

Exercise strengthens the brain as well as the body.

Physical activity increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, a protein that acts like fertilizer for neurons. It promotes the growth of new connections, increases blood flow, reduces inflammation and helps the brain remain adaptable across one’s lifespan.

This is why exercise is one of the strongest lifestyle tools for protecting cognitive health.

Train, recover, repeat

The most important lesson from this science is simple. Your brain is not passively wearing down with age. It is constantly remodeling itself in response to how you use it. Every new challenge and skill you try, every real break, every good night of sleep sends a signal that growth is still expected.

You do not need expensive brain training programs or radical lifestyle changes. Small, consistent habits matter more. Try something unfamiliar. Vary your routines. Take breaks before exhaustion sets in. Move your body. Treat sleep as nonnegotiable.

So the next time you lace up your shoes for a familiar walk, consider taking a different path. The scenery may change only slightly, but your brain will notice. That small detour is often all it takes to turn routine into training.

The brain stays adaptable throughout life. Cognitive resilience is not fixed at birth or locked in early adulthood. It is something you can shape.

If you want a sharper, more creative, more resilient brain, you do not need to wait for a breakthrough drug or a perfect moment. You can start now, with choices that tell your brain that growth is still the plan.

Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse is associate professor of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

January 30, 2026

Ni-Vanuatu RSE worker pleads not guilty to Pukehina orchard murder

Source: Radio New Zealand

The 50-year-old man has interim name suppression. SunLive

A Ni-Vanuatu migrant worker has pleaded not guilty to murdering a woman on a Kiwifruit orchard in the Bay of Plenty.

The 50-year-old man, who has interim name suppression, is accused of murdering a female Ni-Vanuatu tourist with whom he was in a family relationship.

He appeared briefly at the Tauranga District Court on Friday.

The woman was found dead on New Year’s Day at Cameron Orchards in Pukehina, where the defendant worked. Police were called to the Old Coach Road address at around 3pm.

Less than 12 hours later, Adam Nauka, a migrant worker, was found dead on the same property.

Both workers were employed in New Zealand under a Recognised Seasonal Employee (RSE) visa, and were visiting on a tourist visa.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson announced last night that Police had filed a murder charge in place of a simple assault charge relating to the death of the women.

A Vanuatu country liaison told RNZ Pacific that Nauka passed away as the result of a medical issue.

In court this morning, defence lawyer John Wayne applied for interim name suppression for his client to continue until his scheduled High Court appearance on 18 February.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

January 29, 2026

How to cut down on trans fats if cooking from scratch isn’t an option

Source: Radio New Zealand

Work is finished, and you’re tired and hungry. Maybe you’re rushing home or to daycare pickup.

You know you should be cooking dinner from scratch for the healthiest choice but that isn’t going to happen for a variety of reasons. You just need something quick and easy.

Then, you remember those headlines about trans fats in some packaged convenience foods and you start to worry.

Trans fats can also be created when oils are heated to very high temperatures, such as with commercial deep-frying.

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What exactly are trans fats?

Typically, we talk about two major groups of dietary fats – unsaturated and saturated.

Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature. It’s the saturated fats that are associated with health concerns as they can raise LDL (aka “bad”) cholesterol and increase inflammation.

Trans fats are technically unsaturated fats. But a slight difference in their molecular arrangement means they act more like saturated fats – in foods and the body.

Which foods have trans fats?

Small amounts of trans fats occur naturally in some animal foods, such as red meat and dairy. They can also be created when oils are heated to very high temperatures, such as with commercial deep-frying.

But most trans fats in our diets are “industrial” trans fats. These are made when unsaturated fats are deliberately turned into trans fats by a process called hydrogenation. This makes them act more like saturated fats – improving shelf life, taste and texture.

Industrial trans fats can be ingredients in pre-packaged foods such as shelf-stable cakes, pastries, fried savoury snacks and some frozen foods.

Why should we be cutting down on trans fats?

Initially, industrial trans fats were regarded as an innovation as they allowed manufacturers to replace expensive, unhealthy saturated fats.

But we now know trans fats don’t just act like saturated fats in foods. They also act like saturated fats in the body, raising LDL cholesterol and causing inflammation. This ultimately increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and strokes) even if you don’t eat much of them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends we keep trans fats to less than 1% of our total energy intake (which is about 2.2 grams per day if you are eating a standard 8,000 kilojoule diet). That means eating less than about four 300g serves of frozen lasagne a day.

The use of trans fats in Australia has declined in recent decades and the average consumption of trans fats is below the WHO-recommended levels. But an estimated 10% or so of Australians are eating more than the WHO recommends.

Some countries have introduced regulations to limit the levels of trans fats allowed in foods. The WHO recommends foods contain no more than 2g of trans fats per 100g of total fats. This hasn’t happened in Australia despite some calls for it.

Because “industrial” trans fats are typically found in prepackaged discretionary foods (such as shelf-stable pastries, cakes and biscuits) and convenience foods (such as frozen meals), it’s tempting to revert to the simplified “just eat fresh whole foods and cook from scratch” style of recommendation.

But cooking from scratch may not be realistic

However, for many people, cooking every meal from scratch isn’t practical, affordable or enjoyable. But there are practical and meaningful ways to eat less trans fats even when eating convenience and discretionary foods, without changing your whole lifestyle or becoming a chef.

When shopping for snacks, frozen or other pre-packaged convenience products, check the labels for trans fats. But this can be a bit tricky as they’re not always mentioned, or may be called something else.

In Australia, it’s not mandatory to include trans fats on food labels, unless a manufacturer makes nutrition or health claim about fats or cholesterol. If this is the case, trans fat needs to be listed on the nutrition information panel.

The rest of the time, the trans fat content does not have to be listed, but manufacturers might declare it voluntarily.

You can also look for “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” in the ingredients list.

However, manufacturers only have to declare hydrogenation if a specific vegetable oil is listed. If the ingredient is generic “vegetable oil”, the manufacturer doesn’t have to specify whether that oil has been hydrogenated.

So, for certainty, look for products that specifically list the unsaturated fats they use as ingredients (for instance, canola oil, sunflower oil or olive oil), as these would have to include the extra detail.

Don’t stress about cooking with oils at home, as they don’t get hot enough to produce a meaningful amount of trans fats. Most margarines and shortenings in Australia have now been reformulated to have little to no trans fats.

If you are ordering takeaways or fast foods, deep frying at high temperatures can lead to a modest increase in trans fats. Choosing outlets that use liquid vegetable oils reduces this risk. Most fast-food chains in Australia use high-oleic canola oils or blends that don’t contain trans fats.

We don’t need to turn into chefs overnight

At the end of the day, trans fats are not necessary, nor are they health-promoting.

But we don’t need to overhaul our lives, cook every meal from scratch or track every gram of fat we eat.

With a little bit of label-reading, a few simple swaps, and a general pattern of choosing foods made with plant-based oils instead of solid fats can give you the confidence you are minimising your exposure to trans fats.

Emma Beckett is senior lecturer, Nutrition and Food Science, Australian Catholic University.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

January 29, 2026

Tongans frustrated with Trump’s ‘collective punishment’ of foreign nationals

Source: Radio New Zealand

By Finau Fonua, ABC

Tongans have been barred from short-term visits to the US under new restrictions. (AP: Rebecca Blackwell) AP / Rebecca Blackwell

Tongan citizen Lionel Funaki fears a United States policy of “collective punishment” has ended his dream of studying in Hawaii.

He is one of many in the Pacific Island nation grappling with the Trump administration’s new travel restrictions affecting Tongan nationals.

Under new immigration restrictions that came into effect on 1 January, the US has suspended issuing visas to Tongans for short-term visits, tourism and business purposes.

Lionel Funaki studied at a university in the US state of Hawaii. Supplied / Lionel Funaki

Only two weeks after the new rules came into effect, the US State Department, in a separate measure, also said it would suspend processing immigrant visas for people from 75 countries including Fiji.

Funaki, who is based in Tonga and used to study in Hawaii at Brigham Young University, said he was saddened by the new measures imposed on Tongan nationals.

“I was looking forward to continuing my educational journey, but unfortunately, that now looms in limbo,” he said.

“I understand that in the name of national security and the interests of the United States, certain measures have to be made, but collective punishment seems to be a bit extreme.”

Tonga was named alongside 20 other countries in a round of full and partial travel restrictions imposed in December by the Trump administration, as it continued its sweeping immigration crackdown.

The White House said it included Tonga on the list due to the high number of its nationals – about 14 percent – who overstayed their visas.

It also said Tonga had unreliable civil documents and criminal records, lacked birth registration systems, and that its government had refused to share data and repatriate deportees.

“I would tell everyone that America is a land of hospitality, we love to have visitors – but they have to come here legally,” US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a November press conference.

“When they’re done visiting, then they need to go home.”

Donald Trump’s broad immigration crackdown has reached across the United States. (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein) Reuters / Evelyn Hockstein

In a December statement, US President Donald Trump said countries listed for the new travel restrictions had failed to address concerns raised by his administration about their screening, vetting, and the information they provided about their citizens.

“Such countries warrant continued or new travel restrictions,” he said.

Restrictions stir frustrations in Tonga

The US travel restrictions have caused frustrations in Tonga, which has a large diaspora of citizens living in states such as Utah, Hawaii and San Francisco.

About 78,000 people of Tongan heritage were living in the US during the most recent census in 2020, and many regularly travel between the countries.

The diaspora in the US is an important part of Tonga’s economy, having long been the largest source of remittances to the Pacific nation.

The US has long been viewed as a “land of opportunity” for Tongans seeking education, wealth and a higher standard of living overseas.

“Since the 60s, most of the immigration was the result of Tongans coming through the Church of Jesus Christ [of] Latter-Day Saints,” said Tongan-born American citizen Semisi Fa’asolo, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

“It’s a pity that Tonga is experiencing this … there’s a possibility that Trump maybe cancels [the ban] so Tonga needs to step up its diplomacy.”

Experts have also warned that travel bans could pose problems for families hoping to visit US-based relatives on religious or cultural occasions, or to provide support.

The ABC approached newly elected Tongan Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, but he declined to comment.

His predecessor, ‘Aisake Eke, was critical of travel restrictions while in office and signalled his government’s displeasure at a proposed ban last year, telling local media it was “unacceptable”.

It was a turn in relations nearly three years after Washington opened a new embassy in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa – a move meant to symbolise that America was re-engaging with the Pacific.

Critics link ban to ICE arrests

Many in the US have also condemned the move, accusing the Trump administration of racism and of being motivated by anti-immigrant sentiment.

“We need not enact these draconian restrictions,” Hawaii state senator Jarrett Keohokalole said.

He said visa overstay rates among Tongans living in the US could instead be solved through diplomacy.

Jarrett Keohokalole has described the travel restrictions as “draconian”. Supplied

Senator Keohokalole said the new restrictions went overboard and came off the back of a Supreme Court ruling interpreted as empowering US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to racially profile suspects.

“They’re allowed to take into account a person’s skin colour … and speech in their investigations,” he said.

“Basically what the law now allows is for [ICE] agents to stop, investigate, detain, and potentially arrest anyone that they think resembles a Tongan national.”

ICE officers have ramped up arrests since Donald Trump returned to power last year. (AP: Alex Brandon) AP / Alex Brandon

The ABC approached the US government for comment.

Other critics have linked the US travel restrictions to the Trump administration’s controversial ramp-up in arrests of suspected illegal immigrants.

National Tongan American Society executive director Fahina Pasi said Mr Trump’s policies – enforced by ICE on streets around the US – had caused anxiety among the Tongan diaspora.

Fahina Pasi says some Tongans in the US are afraid to leave the country in case they are refused re-entry. (Supplied: National Tongan American Society) Supplied / National Tongan American Society

“Not too many people are travelling [overseas] for fear that something might happen … that immigration [officials] might not let them back in for whatever reasons they have,” Ms Pasi said.

“[Mr Trump is] very racist and is always trying to put people of colour down.”

Pasi said her organisation had been actively advising the community about their legal rights and protections against arrest by ICE personnel.

“What we tell our people is, ‘If you see some strange people coming to your door that look kind of fishy, don’t open your door,'” she said.

“Slide this red card under and the red card basically says, ‘Contact our attorney.

-ABC

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

January 29, 2026

US agents involved in Minneapolis shooting placed on leave – reports

Source: Radio New Zealand

A photo of Alex Pretti is displayed at a makeshift memorial in his honor in the area where he was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 26, 2026. AFP / OCTAVIO JONES

At least two federal agents who were involved in Saturday’s fatal shooting of a US citizen in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leave, two US media outlets say.

The Department of Homeland Security said the two immigration agents who discharged their weapons during the deadly encounter with Alex Pretti were put on leave as part of standard procedures, Fox News reported on Wednesday (Thursday NZT).

MS NOW earlier reported that agents involved in the shooting of Pretti were being put on leave, citing an unnamed source.

Representatives for DHS could not be immediately reached to confirm the reports.

Immigration agents on Saturday fired multiple shots at Pretti, an ICU nurse at a hospital for veterans. His death was the second fatal encounter between Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and US citizens in Minnesota this month, sparked a national uproar.

US Customs and Border Protection has said it is reviewing the shooting.

More to come…

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

January 29, 2026

Doing stretches in your warm-up? Don’t.

Source: Radio New Zealand

When Dr Paul Marshall, a sports and rehab research fellow from the University of Auckland, warms up before a tennis match, he plays some tennis.

No pretzel-like stretching. No weird movements. He might jog a lap or two of the court, and slowly increase the intensity of the warm-up hits, but that’s it, really.

“…I personally spend 20 to 30 minutes in the activity with a graded increase in activity so it starts quite light with small movement, progressing forward.”

Walking or a slow job is the ideal way to warm up for a faster, longer run.

Unsplash / Fellipe Ditadi

.

“…when that first serve happens, I’m ready to go.”

If you’ve been on this planet for a few decades you’ve likely experienced a vast array of exercise fads. That includes warm-up theories that research over the last 20 to 30 years has proven to be wrong or misplaced.

“Back in the 80s, we used to encourage people often to stretch as part of their warm-up, that static stretching, so get up in the morning, do your stretches, get out for a run,” says Kirsten Davie, the president of Physiotherapy New Zealand, who also has a clinical practice in Wellington. By static stretching, she means a stretch that you hold for 20 or 30 seconds.

“Whereas, now we would be looking to walk around, get the blood flowing before you go out for a run, and when you come back from your run, you might take that opportunity to do some stretches at that time.”

And what about the theory of stretching as far as you can and pulsing it out four or five times? Definitely, don’t do that, according to Davie.

“…It’s pretty recognised now that we don’t want to stretch cold muscles.”

What is a good warm-up?

Research over the last 20 years indicates that warming up is literal, as in increasing your body temperature through movement, according to Marshall.

“…what we’ve looked at with regards to the warm-up is how changes in muscle temperature are directly linked in with explosive performance.”

Strong evidence suggests that a one degree Celsius increase in muscle temperature can increase performance by about 10 percent, he says.

“The way we can increase the temperature of a muscle is what you see in warm-ups are like rhythmic, continuous activities.”

“There might be some jogging, there might be a gradual increase in the intensity of the movement, so some sprinting type work, some game specific work you see, which is really good in the ball skills type sports, where there’s a requirement, you need to be on ball, whether it’s football, whether it’s in the rugby football codes.”

In other words, the warm-up you do should be specific to the sport or activity you are about to do.

When it comes to a gym workout or a boot camp-style strength class like F45, the philosophy is the same, says Brittany McNabb, an Auckland-based personal trainer.

“When a client is warming up, I always kind of remind them that what we’re doing at the start of the session is actually priming the body for movement…”

“…how can you get the muscles that you’re about to work, really activated?”

For example, this could look like doing a few slow and controlled bodyweight squats before you stack yourself with some dumbbells for weighted squats, says McNabb.

If you do group exercise, then you’ve probably noticed that most types – for example, BFT and F45 – will take you through a dynamic movement warm-up, gentle movements that mimic the exercises you are about to do.

Dynamic warm-ups ahead of a strength class could include doing the motion without weights.

123rf

So, stretching is bad?

No stretching is not bad, but it’s not a good idea to do it in your warmup. Marshall and Davie recommend doing static stretches following your workout.

Or, even better, dedicate days in your week between workouts or training sessions to stretching. This could include a pilates or yoga class or a tai chi session, according to Marshall.

“…passive stretching is actually fantastic to do after exercise to reduce that soreness.”

Strength training during your workout week is another piece that can prevent or limit the extent of injury from playing a sport, Marshall says.

Some research suggests that stretching can fatigue or momentarily weaken muscles. Davie is more cautious about framing stretching so negatively

“I wouldn’t say stretching damages muscles unless you overdo it.”

“So overdoing it is, doing stretches when you’re cold, overstretching to a point that you’re not comfortable.”

How did stretching come to be associated with warming up?

SL Benfica’s Angel Di Maria and Auckland City FC’s Haris Zeb at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.

photosport

It came about through what Marshall called “bread crumbs” of research, coupled with what felt like intuition – injury is caused by tight muscles, therefore stretching them will loosen everything up.

Over the years, other elements were added to the concept of the warm-up, including strength exercises. However, this was more about coaches and sport bodies theorising that to get people to do these things – stretching and strengthening – it was easiest to incorporate them into the warm up to make compliance easier, says Marshall.

However, as research has accumulated on what constitutes an effective warm-up, these ideas have changed. A major contributor to this was the development of the FIFA 11+ warm-up programme. Numerous studies show it can reduce injuries by more than 30 percent.

The warm-up programme starts with slow running exercises, followed by gentle strength, balance and plyometric exercises (explosive movements like jumping). This is followed by a series of medium to high-speed running exercises.

Research has also looked at rejigging the FIFA 11+, with a 2019 study finding that moving the second phase of the programme (strength, balance and plyometric exercises) following a game didn’t impact the injury prevention and performance benefits. Giving coaches and athletes more flexibility to complete the entire programme before or after play could increase compliance, according to the research paper.

There is no single authority on the ideal warmup, says Marshall. However, he points athletes and exercises towards resources on ACC’s website for evidence-based and sport-specific warmup ideas that can increase performance and potentially decrease injury risk.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Doing stretches in your warm-up? Don’t.