Ben Strang

Sydney (AFP) – The Solomon Islands on Friday elected as its new prime minister Matthew Wale, who has been a critic of the South Pacific nation's closeness to China and pledged to bring change. rfi.my/ChZs

I spoke to retiring @White_Ferns legend Sophie Devine ahead of the T20 World Cup next month. Never got to don the whites, but she'd love to see NZ back playing Test cricket in the coming years. "For me it's probably the ultimate form of the game." @AFP uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/retiring-…

.@AFP has been told there is one New Zealander on the MV Hondius, on which three passengers have died, likely with hantavirus.

🏉 🇳🇿 All Blacks legend Richie McCaw said the city of Christchurch finally had "one of the last pieces of the puzzle" in its post-quake reconstruction as new stadium Te Kaha hosted its first rugby match. ➡️ u.afp.com/SawF

Delighted to see the Crusaders found a home for their retired cavalry rnz.co.nz/news/business/…

I had a really honest and considered conversation with the great man Sir Michael Jones last month, prior to the Moana Pasifika news coming out. He says rugby is losing the battle for "hearts and minds" to league, particularly among Pasifika. @AFP rnz.co.nz/news/sport/592…

Sat down with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr yday. Spoke about the fuel crisis, climate change, and China. "China's been very outspoken that we need to denounce Taiwan. We've said ‘we have no enemies, but nobody tells us who our friends are'." @AFP straitstimes.com/asia/australia…

Had a line in this saying many fans "had hurt feelings" after missing out on tickets, but the Guardian tweaked it to "felt disappointed". Foux du Fafa... theguardian.com/world/2026/apr…

Winston Peters has told the United States it should send fuel tankers to the Pacific in response to "significant negative economic impacts" the Middle East war was causing in the region. The US is said to be taking the request very seriously. @AFP sg.news.yahoo.com/middle-east-wa…

Tonga’s deeply indebted to China. It’s hindered the rebuild following the massive eruption in ‘22. I asked PM Lord Fakafanua about that niggling debt - “We could use that money for other things.” As strong a statement as you might get from him. @AFP rnz.co.nz/news/world/591…

Melie Kerr just smashed an innings for the gods.

Tim Payne playing like prime Cafu in the opening 20 minutes.

Same old story for the All Whites. Look thoroughly decent until they get into the final third. Jesse Randall bringing some creativity and dribbling, but the final third passing has been poor again.

Some personal news: I am excited to be joining global news agency AFP next week as a correspondent covering Australia and the Pacific. So much happening in the world right now- AFP journalists are there on the ground reporting.

@Penny_kins @JamesMeagerMP @cjsbishop @Kieran_McAnulty @NZParliament @MaxBentleyTowle @mark_geenty @J_Blades_ @LukeRMalpass @AdamPearse13 That's a good shout actually. What would we say about allegations of media bias?

@BenJStrang @JamesMeagerMP @cjsbishop @Kieran_McAnulty @NZParliament @MaxBentleyTowle @mark_geenty @J_Blades_ @LukeRMalpass @AdamPearse13 Is Jimmy Ellingham umpiring?

Huge game this weekend. Rumour has it @JamesMeagerMP has roped in some tidy ring-ins. We'll have to be on top of our game... Sunday, 1.30pm, Basin Reserve @cjsbishop @Kieran_McAnulty @NZParliament

New achievement unlocked: Managed to drive through the Mt Vic tunnel without hearing one car horn. Bliss.

Perfect start to a new rugby season. A scrum within 30 seconds.

🇳🇿 Landslides plough into a home and a campsite in rain-swept northern New Zealand, killing at least two people and leaving others missing under tonnes of mud. ➡️ u.afp.com/SBdv

Didn't get to see him breakdancing with the All Blacks, but Scott Robertson has certainly thrown the team into a headspin...