Results for Pacific Islands

Fiji is facing one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world, with 1,226 HIV cases recorded in the first half of 2025 alone. A new study by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) reports that the reuse of needles and syringes for drug use, puts people at high risk of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other injection-related infections. Methamphetamine was the most commonly injected drug.

Supporters of the outgoing Prime Minister Hon. Dr. 'Aisake Eke failed to convince their fellow People's Representatives to keep the premiership within their table on Monday. The election of the new Prime Minister from the Noble's table proved a marked shift in alliances, with Dr Eke's own deputy, Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi, publicly declaring support for the rival candidate, Lord Fakafanua, along with close allies of Eke's predecessor PM, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku (PR Tongatapu 3).

Tonga Meteorological Services issued their final advice for TD03 at 9:00am, Wednesday 17 December 2025, stating: “The potential for this system to develop into a Tropical Cyclone is very low and no direct threat to Tonga.” The depression was located about 1220km west of Niuafo'ou at 8:00am today.

The top seats in Tonga's Legislative Assembly and government, were secured by the King's Nobles today. The Prime Minister Designate, as well as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, are all landed nobility, chosen during today's special meeting of the elected members of the House.

Two new additional annual scholarships for Tonga’s high-achieving students were announced by the Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Brek Batley, during celebrations marking 55 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Kingdom of Tonga.

The last minute postponement of a national child protection policy launch this week is frustrating a women's rights advocate and Director of Women and Children's Crisis Center (WCCC) ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, who fears the policy endorsed by Cabinet in October, may now be rescinded, after new submissions were presented to Cabinet today.

Tonga's Foreign Minister, HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala attended the 6th Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers Meeting held this week, 8-9 December, in Seoul, South Korea.

A healthy democracy is often measured by how well it enables citizens to take part in the political process, with voter turnout and participation in civil-society groups serving as key indicators of public engagement. Yet as Tonga’s parliament elects its prime minister on 15 December 2025, democratic gains risk being diluted if executive power consolidates around nobility rather than the people’s representatives. By Ema Ivarature, ‘Akanesi Katoa, Henry Ivarature / EAF.

A Tongan-designed King’s Baton for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games was revealed in Nuku'alofa this week, ready for Tonga to take its turn in the worldwide relay, which leads up the Games opening in July. The relay is associated with a global Clean Ocean Inititiative, which starts next week on Tongatapu.