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Tropical Cyclone Cody (Cat.1) that developed from Tropical Depression TD03F this morning near Fiji, however, is not likely to pose a direct threat to Tonga island groups on its current track, Tonga Tonga Meteorological Services forecast today.

At least 69% of students have passed the 2021 Tonga National Form Seven Certificate (TNFSC), confirmed the Ministry of Education & Training on January 6. Out of 13 schools, only two, ‘Eua High School and Niuatoputapu High School, achieved an overall pass rate of 100%.

Geologists consider that the eruption at Hunga volcano has died down, after observations yesterday, showed no signs of the volcanic plume for over 36 hours. Meanwhile, dark pumice floats have washed up on Tongatapu's north western beaches.

Around 83% of eligible population in Tonga have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 up to January 6, the Ministry of Health confirmed today. (This represents about 60% of the total population.)

Tomorrow's official opening of Tonga's new parliamentary session for 2022, by King Tupou VI, has been postponed to Tuesday January 11. From the House by Pesi Fonua

Fiji is experiencing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases with 580 new cases over two days January 2-3. Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services confirmed community transmission of both the Omicron and Delta variants of the virus in the country. “As with previous variants, unvaccinated people are at higher risk of severe disease,” stated Fiji's Health Ministry. Fiji has recorded a total of 702 deaths from COVID-19. By Eleanor Gee.

A gale warning was upgraded to a storm warning for all Tongan coastal waters this afternoon. Extreme high tides at 8:50pm tonight are forecast to bring a heavy damaging swell up to 4-6 metres, driven by storm force winds, as an active trough continues to move slowly over Tonga.

New York Times reporting: Goro, is the largest nickel mine on a tiny French territory suspended between Australia and Fiji that may hold up to one-quarter of the world’s nickel reserves. It also poses a critical test for Tesla, the world’s largest electric vehicle maker, which wants to take control of its supply chain and ensure that the minerals used for its car batteries are mined in an environmentally and socially responsible fashion. Because of its nickel industry, New Caledonia is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters per capita. And mining, which began soon after New Caledonia was colonized in 1853, is intimately linked to the exploitation of its Indigenous Kanak people. The legacy of more than a century of stolen land and crushed traditions has left Goro’s nickel output at the mercy of frequent labour strikes and political protests.

The funeral programme for the late Lord Ma’afu, is proceeding in Tonga after an Air New Zealand cargo flight landed at Fua'amotu Airport this afternoon, repatriating his remains from New Zealand. Mourners wearing funeral mats, lined the roadside at the estate of Vaini. Photos by Pesi Fonua and Eleanor Gee.