Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Very strong mag. 6.1 earthquake - Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand, on Friday, Aug 22, 2025, at 12:10 pm (GMT -12) - information
Volcano Discovery
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August 23, 2025
Date and Time Mag Depth Distance Location Details Map Aug 16, 10:52 am (GMT -12) 5.5 35 km 9.2 km (5.7 mi) to the N South Pacific Ocean, 369 km south of 'Eua Island, Eua, Tonga I FELT IT Info May 19, 03:24 am (GMT -12) 5.1 10 km 94 km (58 mi) to...
Tonga’s King takes control of government department, as critics fear ‘dangerous’ situation
Pacific News Service
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Tonga’s King has taken control of a government department in what critics say is a ‘slap’ to democracy in the Pacific nation. Lopeti Senituli has seen many changes in Tonga over his lifetime. The well-known lawyer and political commentator was...
Minister Piukala faces defamation allegation, vows to vigorously defend public comments
Kaniva Tonga
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August 22, 2025
A political storm is brewing in Tonga as the Minister for Public Enterprises and Police, Piveni Piukala, publicly refuses to retract statements about a missing shipping container—statements that have now triggered a formal defamation allegation....
Tonga's King 'flexes his muscles' in what critics say is 'slap' to democracy
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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August 21, 2025
Lopeti Senituli has seen many changes in Tonga over his lifetime. The well-known lawyer and political commentator was working within the bowels of Tonga's government in 2010, when long-heralded democratic reforms were introduced to the country...
Sishuwa Sishuwa, The Law Has No Tribe- Stop Misleading Zambians
Zambian Observer
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August 22, 2025
Sishuwa Sishuwa, The Law Has No Tribe- Stop Misleading Zambians By Tobbius Chilembo Hamunkoyo-LLB Sishuwa Sishuwa, your attempt to frame the tragic case of Maria Zaloumis in tribal terms is reckless, misleading, and an insult to the collective...
Forum backs Australia COP bid
Islands Business
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August 24, 2025
TONGA’s King Tupou VI has taken control of the Foreign Affairs portfolio in a move seen by democracy activists as a blow to self-determination efforts in the kingdom. Some members of the pro-democracy movement have spoken out, but many Tongans...
PNGDF preparing to host military week
Papua New Guinea Post Courier
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August 21, 2025
THE Papua New Guinea Defence Force will be hosting the first-ever PNGDF week in Port Moresby from September 2 to 7, 2025, to commemorate the country’s golden jubilee. The team has been preparing for the PNGDF week since February 2025 for the...
Fmr. Foreign Affairs Minister of Tonga to lead Commonwealth Observer Group for Guyana’s elections
News Room
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August 21, 2025
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey will deploy a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to observe the forthcoming general and regional elections in Guyana, scheduled for 1 September 2025. Led by Mrs Fekitamoeloa Katoa...
Tonga ends dengue outbreak as Sāmoa faces surge in cases
Pacific Media Network
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Tonga’s Ministry of Health has declared the end of the dengue fever outbreak, which started six months ago. Since the outbreak, a total of 907 cases were recorded, along with three dengue-related deaths. Thankfully, no new cases have been reported...
Tonga confirms dengue outbreak over, three deaths recorded
RNZ
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August 20, 2025
Photo: Tonga Ministry of Health Tonga's Ministry of Health has declared the end of its dengue fever outbreak. The ministry said there have been no new cases in the last two weeks, with the last case reported on 4 August. During the outbreak, which...
Concerns about the incorporation of customs into Tonga’s constitution
Kaniva Tonga
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August 20, 2025
University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji. August 21, 2025. The Editor, Kaniva News, New Zealand. Subject: Concerns on the incorporation of customs into Tonga’s Constitution. To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my...
Constitution of Tonga is not a tool to enshrine unfair customs
Matangi Tonga Online
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August 20, 2025
The Editor Concerns on the incorporation of customs into Tonga’s Constitution I write to raise my deep concern regarding the proposed bill by the Parliament, which seeks to incorporate Tongan customs into the Constitution of Tonga. I feel...
Commonwealth to observe Guyana’s 2025 general and regional elections
I News Guyana
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August 20, 2025
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey will deploy a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to observe the forthcoming general and regional elections in Guyana, scheduled for 1 September 2025. Led by Hon. Fekitamoeloa Katoa...
Former Tongan government legal advisor backs King's move to control diplomacy
RNZ
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August 20, 2025
Tonga's King Tupou VI Photo: AFP A former chief legal advisor to the Tongan government has weighed in on a recent bill passed by Tonga's parliament that gives the King direct control over foreign affairs. On 5 August, the Tongan Legislative...
Dengue outbreak over in Tonga
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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August 19, 2025
The Ministry of Health has officially declared the end of its dengue fever outbreak, with no new cases reported for two consecutive weeks. The outbreak, which began on 19 February 2025, saw 907 confirmed infections and three deaths across Tonga,...
Tongan community demands respect for use of national flag
Pacific Media Network
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A Tongan community group is calling for stronger protections for the national flag after elders raised their concerns about its use on items like jandals (flip-flops) and bathroom products. Hainoame Fulivai, founder of the Tapa Talanoa Collective,...
Commonwealth to observe general elections
Stabroek News
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August 20, 2025
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey will deploy a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to observe the forthcoming general and regional elections in Guyana, scheduled for 1 September 2025. Led by Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, former...
Tongan language is at the heart of its people's identity - academic
RNZ
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August 18, 2025
Tongan cultural performers at Polyfest 2018. Photo: PeninaJoy/ Coconet A Tongan law academic credits Tonga's "strong leadership" for its unique history. Tongan Language Week is being celebrated in Aotearoa this week under the theme 'Our language...
Minister calls for ‘ubuntu-driven’ AI future
NewsDay Zimbabwe
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Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services minister, Tatenda Mavetera VICTORIA FALLS – Zimbabwe’s Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services minister, Tatenda Mavetera, officially opened the Artificial...
ADF continues support for Pacific security
Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
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August 23, 2025
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has continued its successful support to surveillance operations in the Pacific region. Under Operation Solania, the ADF assisted the Solomon Islands through the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to...