Results for Pacific Islands

An ash plume drifting northeast of Home Reef around ~1:30 AM today June 21, was detected  by the HIMAWARI-9 AHI satellite, Tonga Geological Services reported this morning. The volcanic activity poses a low risk to the Vava’u and Ha’apai Communities. Mariners in the area are advised to sail beyond 4 km from Home Reef until further notice.

Eight Gracias Choir choristers performed at the Tonga Hope Concert in Falemasiva Hall at Tailulu in Havelu, last week on 13 June 2024.

In the Legislative Assembly today, 18 June, the Government financial statements for the year ending 23 June 2023 were passed down to be discussed in the Whole House Committee together with the budget estimates 2024/2025.

A psychiatric nurse died in hospital on Sunday from serious injuries sustained in the psychiatric unit at the Hu'atolitoli Prison. The deceased, Samiuela Mafi, a psychiatric nurse at Vaiola Hospital, was allegedly attacked by a patient on 8 June. In a statement last week, HM Prisons said they lacked the strength to support and guard the unit. Earlier, in March, Tonga's Head Psychiatrist warned that because Tonga had never established a drugs rehabilitation centre the extra workload on the psychiatric ward was beyond the reach of the public health and voluntary services available. By Matangi Tonga reporters.

A new community hall was handed over to the village of ‘Atata Si’i today, 17 June 2024, by Mr Takeju Ogata, President of the Nippon Foundation, a private and non-profit grant-making organization from Tokyo Japan, that is funding three halls for displaced communities.

A diving accident claimed the life of a promising young athlete, JJ Rice (18), at Faleloa, Ha'apai, on Saturday 15 June. JJ had recently returned to Ha'apai after competing in the "2024 Formula Kite World Championships" in Hyères in the South of France, where he represented Tonga.

The Tonga Red Cross Society (TRCS) and Ministry of Health will host a blood drive at the Digicel Square in Nuku'alofa CBD, tomorrow, Friday, at 10.00am to mark World Blood Donor Day and encourage voluntary donation of blood. "We want a diverse group of donors to join us, ensuring a reliable blood supply for everyone who needs it," stated TRCS.

All Government secondary schools’ students Form 3 to form 5 will study for free in 2025, as proposed in the new budget plan for Education, for FY 2024-25, read by the Minister of Finance in Parliament yesterday, 12 June.

A new research on heart health care in New Zealand showed there are many longstanding barriers that continue to affect Pacific and Māori people with heart related conditions, hence a call to action to increase the Pacific and Māori health workforce.