Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Tonga welcomes 2025 whale season with new visitor experiences
Travel Weekly
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July 10, 2025
The Kingdom of Tonga is welcoming the official start of its annual whale season with early sightings and new visitor experiences that are shaping it up to be one of the best yet. With more than 50 confirmed humpback whale sightings in the waters...
Tonga Reports Record Low Meth Seizures After Public Health Struggles
Talking Drugs
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July 10, 2025
Tonga’s fight against methamphetamine appears to be bearing fruit—at least on paper. Police Minister Piveni Piukala announced this week that meth seizures have plunged by 98.8%, a drop he credits to intensified anti-drug operations and tighter...
Tonga’s King Tupou VI attends installation
The Fiji Times
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July 9, 2025
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u are in Lakeba, Lau today to witness the historic installation of Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara as Turaga Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua ko Lau and Tui Lau. The royal couple’s visit follows a formal...
Tongan family win temporary immigration reprieve after tsunami
RNZ
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July 9, 2025
A tsunami caused by the the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption in 2022 killed three people and flattened hundreds of homes. Photo: Tonga Geological Services/ EyePress News via AFP A family whose home was destroyed after a volcano erupted...
Kiribati youth maintain culture through music and connection
Pacific Media Network
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As Kiribati Language Week unfolds across Aotearoa, university student Ronita Kuaoni reflects on what it means to be i-Kiribati while living and studying far from home. Born in Tarawa, Kuaoni says her connection to the atolls of Nonouti and Nikunau...
'Give Paea a chance': Wife's tearful plea for Tongan overstayer
Hawke's Bay Today
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Judge John Bergseng said Immigration NZ contacted Vehikite on March 17 this year and he was allowed to apply for a visa as a special case under Section 61 of the Immigration Act. Given Vehikite cannot speak English, communication was made through...
Tongan royals on historic visit to Fiji, strengthening ties and celebrating heritage
Pacific Media Network
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The Tongan King is feeling more at home after arriving in Fiji to attend the installation of one of the country’s paramount chiefs. King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho arrived in Suva on Tuesday ahead of their visit to Lakeba in the Lau...
Miss Heilala embraces her calling to inspire Tonga’s future
Pacific Media Network
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“It’s been a whirlwind,” is how Miss Heilala 2025, Siosi'ana Patricia Lavulo Robert Taumoepeau, describes the past few days following her crowning glory last weekend. Speaking from the island Kingdom to PMN Tonga, Taumoepeau shared the...
All 65 countries where it’s illegal to be LGBTQ+ in 2025, including the UAE and Mali
Pink News
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July 9, 2025
How many countries is it still illegal to be gay in 2025? More than you’d think, probably. Since we last updated this list, Mali has criminalised LGBTQ+ activity and Trinidad and Tobago have re-criminalised it, although more positively, Namibia...
Immigration New Zealand Extends Longer Visits for Pacific Island Nations Granted Visited Visa
TP+
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July 7, 2025
Photo: NZ Immigration New Zealand is welcoming Pacific visitors by making it easier to travel here with changes to immigration settings that will come into effect later this year. From 6 July 2025, people from Pacific Islands forum countries...
Fiji welcomes Tonga's bid for a diplomatic mission in Suva
Pacific Media Network
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Fiji’s President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has formally acknowledged and expressed keen appreciation for Tonga’s recent declaration of interest in establishing a permanent diplomatic presence in Suva. In a high-level meeting with the King of Tonga,...
Fiji and Tonga reinforce deep rooted bilateral ties
Pacific News Service
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The President of Fiji, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu received a courtesy call Tuesday from Tongan King Tupou VI , reaffirming the long-standing friendship and enduring regional partnership between the two Pacific Island nations. During the high-level...
Fiji honour for Tongan king
Islands Business
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July 9, 2025
THE Solomon Islands has marked the 47th anniversary of regaining independence from Great Britain. Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele reminded guests at celebrations in Honiara of the country’s motto – To Lead Is to Serve. “They are a national...
Fiji and Tonga push for stronger regional collaboration
FBC News
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July 8, 2025
[Photo Credit: Fiji Government] President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu relayed to King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga about the need for Pacific unity. Ratu Naiqama received a courtesy call from King Tupou VI yesterday, where they reaffirmed the...
USP ranked in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
Islands Business
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July 8, 2025
Ancient traditional ceremonies and religious rituals fused at dawn as one of Fiji’s original kingdoms elevated a career military officer to the title of Tui Nayau. The Lau Group lies in the Fiji archipelago, stretching from Vanuabalavu in the...
ZamStats’ Language Statistics Are A Dangerous Seed of Division- Political Activist
Zambian Observer
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July 6, 2025
OPINION: ZamStats’ Language Statistics Are A Dangerous Seed of Division By Michael Zephaniah Phiri – Political Activist It is with a heavy heart and deep concern that I write to condemn the new trajectory the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats)...
Tonga cybersecurity attack wake-up call for Pacific, warns expert
RNZ
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July 1, 2025
Photo: 123RF A Tongan cybersecurity expert says the country's health data hack is a "wake-up call" for the whole region. Siosaia Vaipuna, a former director of Tonga's cybersecurity agency, spoke to RNZ Pacific in the wake of the 15 June...
MP demands answers over Tongan Navy’s unchecked arrival in Lakeba with dignitaries and crop
The Fiji Times
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July 5, 2025
Questions have been raised on whether Immigration and Biosecurity checks were done on individuals who arrived on a Tongan Navy ship at Lakeba yesterday. The Tongan Navy brought in dignitaries and crop from Tonga for the installation of the Tui...
MPs urge for more Tongan seasonal worker opportunities in Australia
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 3, 2025
A high-level Tongan delegation has wrapped up an official visit to Australia focused on deepening regional cooperation. Led by former Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, the delegation met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Assistant Minister...
How UN Women turns gender data into impact
Birmingham Star - Alabama
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Data to end violence: United Republic of Tanzania “Before, I didn’t know where to report cases of violence. Now, I have the information and confidence to help others in my community do the same,” says regular Tumbatu FM listener Fatma Haji Silima....