Senior MPs leave Samoa opposition Party

In Pacific Waves today: Mixed views on Samoa's leadership ahead of polling day; Report calls for stronger ties between NZ and the Pacific; Tough start for Pacific teams in women's rugby world cup. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details 

In Pacific Waves today: Legacy of Pacific musicians remembered at awards; Fiji hub helping businesses become investment-ready; Rugby rivals Tonga and Samoa prepare for battle.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details 

In Pacific Waves today: Tonga's former AG backing monarchy for diplomacy control; Cook Islands govt considering exploration extension; Faith-driven boxer set to represent Samoa in Liverpool. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details 

It’s an astonishing story of political intrigue: a man called Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the Secretary General of Zimbabwe’s opposition party – the Citizens Coalition for Change, or the CCC, has been issuing recall letters, which say they are no longer members of the par ... Show More

Turncoats, opportunists … or just idealists whose bosses lost their way? Defecting to a new party is one of the momentous decisions an MP could ever make. Years of loyalties, backroom deals and deep friendships are lost in an instant. Patrick Baker speaks to MPs who have wrestled ... Show More

The Conservative party has elected a new leader – one with a combative reputation. Isabel Hardman reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

A Thai court has ordered the dissolution of the country's biggest opposition party. Also: Russia’s President Putin has called a rare incursion of Ukrainian troops into Russian territory a “major provocation”. 

Japan's ruling coalition has lost its majority in the lower house of parliament. 

Georgia’s election commission confirmed the results of a controversial parliamentary election last month, which gave the ruling Georgian Dream party victory with 54% of the vote 

Helen Pidd goes to the Conservative party conference to hear from the four candidates vying for the leadership. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

Venezuela's opposition leader has urged supporters to continue protesting against President Maduro. Also: the UN nuclear watchdog's safety warning about Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant, and why sunlight is good for you. 

When president Samia Suluhu Hassan came into power in 2021 she lifted a ban on political rallies imposed by her predecessor the late John Magufuli, and promised the 4 Rs: reconciliation, resilience, reforms and rebuilding.But now, as the country heads towards elections - this yea ... Show More