Results for Pacific Islands

Tofua volcano activity continues with an increase in the number of daily events, from 6 events to 12 events, in the latest report by Tonga Geological Services issued at 6:30 am this morning, 9 May. Fluctuations in the ground thermal levels are currently low and approaching normal thermal levels in the last 24 hours.

Tongan media representatives held discussions around the impacts of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation faced by Pacific Island communities, at a workshop hosted by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and Royal Oceania Institute (ROI) today, 8 May, at Tanoa Hotel, in Nuku'alofa.

Tonga Power Ltd. expects to invest around $45 million pa'anga over the next fiscal year (2024-25) on upgrading its power generation. New strategic plans to improve electricity services and provide more affordable electricity prices, were announced by the board on Friday.

Press freedom around the world is being threatened by political authorities – the very people who should be its guarantors. In marking Press Freedom Day, on 3 May, Reporters Without Borders says this is clear from the latest World Press Freedom Index, which shows journalism is under political pressure. Their finding was based on five indicators that were used to compile this year's ranking, and it showed that the political indicator has fallen most, registering a global average fall of 7.6. Tonga is ranked 45th in 2024.

The body of a man who was discovered on the roadside in the Tokomololo area, on Sunday, 5 May, has been identified as 50 year old Kepueli 'Ahome'e from Ha'alalo. Tonga Police warned that photos of the body shared on social media were inappropriate and disrespectful to the family and friends of the deceased.

Visiting Tonga today, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Tsuge Yoshifumi, leading a special envoy of Japan's Prime Minister, met Hon. Hu'akavameiliku at the Prime Minister's Office in Nuku'alofa, this morning, 4 May.

The aviation community was issued a Yellow ACC alert to be vigilant today while magmatic activities on Tofua volcano are continuing. There were a total of 13 events recorded over the last 24 hours, additional to the seven events in the previous report, the Tonga Geological Services, reported today, 3 May.

King Tupou VI expressed his concern about government spending on business ventures and questioned whether the money was used transparently. He also urged government to put an end to illicit drugs use in Tonga, which along with climate change posed “great threats to our children and our lives.”

On April 20, 2024, the Tonga Ministry of Fisheries made the official handover of 12 boats equipped with Yamaha 60hp engines, and navigational and safety equipment to 12 Vava'u Special Management Area (SMA) communities, as part of the transformative Pathway to Sustainable Oceans Project (Tongafish Pathway) embedded in the Ministry of Fisheries.