Pacific must get deep-sea mining decisions right, says Tongan Minister
Tonga’s Minister of Lands, Survey, Planning, and Natural Resources, Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, has called for a responsible and collaborative approach to deep-sea mining (DSM), warning that decisions made today
Tongan community mobilises against US deportation action
The National Tongan American Society (NTAS) in Utah is proactively offering legal assistance to community members facing potential actions from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Executive Director O. Fahina
Dr Masasso Paunga first TNU Vice Chancellor
The Tonga National University (TNU) has appointed Dr Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Paunga as its inaugural Vice Chancellor, effective this month. Talanoaotonga reports that this milestone coincides with the
An uneasy crown: King Tupou VI seeks greater role
For 15 years, the Kingdom of Tonga has gone through a political experiment that was supposed to make the governance system “more democratic”. This was the declared will of the former Monarch, King George Tupou V,
Guided by the stars: Kakala Tevi dares to save the ocean
The sun climbs gently into the sky as the ocean-going canoe Uto Ni Yalo ploughs towards Vava’u through a surging swell. About 200 metres to the stern, the first rays of the sun glint off the back of a large, black
Tongan Parliament rejects Police Minister’s bid to take oath in English
The Tongan Legislative Assembly, during its swearing-in of the new Cabinet ministers last Friday, denied a request by new Police Minister Piveni Piukala to take his oath of office in English rather than the Tongan
Tonga unprepared for deportee crisis, lacks legislation says ministry leader
Tonga is unprepared for the increasing number of deportees arriving from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, says Reverend Semisi Kava, Chaplain for the Tonga Prison Service, warning that the lack of
Hundreds of Fijians, Tongans among 1.4 million facing deportation from US
A total of 151 Tongans is currently among the estimated 1.4 million people in the United States who are at risk of deportation, reports said. It comes after President Donald Trump held firm to his campaign promise of
New Tonga PM unveils Cabinet
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, has announced a new Cabinet which includes four unelected representatives. According to the constitution, the Prime Minister can nominate no more than four unelected
No changes to Tonga cabinet – PM
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr Aisake Eke, has announced that his new Cabinet will comprise the same ministers from the previous administration until his new ministers are officially appointed. Eke was officially
Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke
Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke was elected Prime Minister of Tonga on 24 December 2024, defeating Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, the other candidate, by 16 votes to 8 in a secret ballot. The election resulted from the shock
Starlink approved to revolutionise Tonga’s Internet access
Tonga’s Ministry of MEIDECC has granted official approval for Starlink to deliver high-speed internet across Tonga. The move is expected to transform connectivity and boost digital inclusion throughout the
Opinion: Tonga’s PM Hu’akavameiliku throws in the towel
In a highly anticipated session of the Tongan parliament to debate and vote on the second vote of no confidence (VONC) scheduled for Monday 9th December, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku surprised
Tonga to name new PM on Christmas eve after Sovaleni’s resignation
Tonga will select a new Prime Minister on Christmas eve, 24 December following the resignation of Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, which was accepted by King Tupou VI Monday. During Monday’s Parliament session,
Speaker grants Tonga PM request to postpone reply to no confidence motion
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has postponed the session to table the motion for a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni from 3 December to 9 December, 2024. TALANOAOTONGA reports that the
Tonga’s PM Hu ‘akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni faces another no-confidence vote
Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni is facing a new no-confidence vote following recent political tensions and concerns raised by the King. Kaniva Tonga News reports the Speaker of Parliament, Lord
Tonga’s Pacific Championships success raises questions about International Rugby League’s tier system
For decades, there was an understood hierarchy in men's rugby league that went something like: Australia, New Zealand, England, a bit of daylight, then everyone
Kangaroos hold off Tonga to claim Pacific Cup title
The Kangaroos have won the Pacific Cup for the first time after surviving a late scare from a fast-finishing Tongan side to claim a 20-14
Tonga ready for historic Pacific Championships final after ‘sacrifice’
Tonga assistant coach Dean Young believes the side is primed to carry out a historic victory in the Pacific Championships final on
2022 Tonga eruption: unstudied data from seismic wave points to early signals
Fifteen minutes before the massive January 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, a seismic wave was recorded by two distant seismic
‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu receives HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein award
Amelia Latu Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu, PhD, RN, Chief Nursing Officer of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has received the HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein
New Caledonia’s President meets with fellow Forum leaders
President Louis Mapou and the Government of New Caledonia has met with a visiting mission of Pacific Islands Forum leaders, with the Kanak politician noting “New Caledonia is at a turning point in its evolution, and