Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Health minister asks public not to share hacked data
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 30, 2025
The Health Minister has pleaded with the public not to share sensitive patient information leaked by hackers. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Minister for Health Hon. Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola confirmed that although hospitals remain open, cyber...
Ransomware threat hits Pacific, Tonga alerted too late
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 30, 2025
Tonga’s cyber authority has issued an urgent alert over rising ransomware attacks targeting Pacific networks, including critical services. CERT Tonga has warned of escalating threats from the Inc Ransomware group, a criminal network using...
Leitī study highlights unique intersectional experiences of LGBTQIA+ Tongans
Pacific Media Network
·
The life experiences of Tongan leitī in Aotearoa are explored in a new study that combines Pacific identity, wellbeing, and culturally grounded clinical psychology methods. The study, titled Leitī in Red: Exploring the Life Experiences of Kau...
Pacific Partnership 2025 Concludes Mission Stop in the Kingdom of Tonga, June 27, 2025
DVIDS - Georgia
·
June 30, 2025
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Pacific Partnership 2025 concluded its mission stop in Nuku’alofa, Tonga with a closing ceremony at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel on June 27, 2025. Pacific Partnership 2025 strengthened bonds between the United States...
INC Ransom group claims responsibility for health system cyberattack
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 29, 2025
A notorious ransomware group has claimed responsibility for crippling Tonga’s Health Ministry IT systems and leaking sample data. Two weeks after the National Health Information System outage, the INC Ransom gang published four sample documents on...
Health data bill to protect hospital patient records
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 27, 2025
Deputy PM Dr Taniela Fusimalohi said new bill stops release of private patient info without legal basis. The Personal Health Information and Protection Bill, approved this week by Cabinet, aims to secure hospital patients’ records. It defines such...
Tonga’s health system hacked, US$1m ransom demanded
Newstalk ZB
·
June 27, 2025
Tonga has refused to pay a US$1 million ($1.6m) ransom after hackers seized control of the country’s health IT system. Hackers broke into Tonga’s national health database earlier this month, the Government said, locking out medical staff who have...
Hawaii reports 9th case of travel-related dengue this year
Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Hawaii
·
June 30, 2025
The Hawaii Department of Health on Friday confirmed another case of travel-related dengue on Oahu, bringing the total reported in the state to nine so far this year. The latest case comes almost two months after the eighth case of dengue, which...
Watch live: Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp to be laid to rest today
Newstalk ZB
·
June 30, 2025
Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Taihape today to farewell Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp who died last week, aged 50, following a battle with kidney disease. A Rātana service will be held at Ōpaea Marae around 11am before...
Watch: 'We will miss her' – MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp to be laid to rest today
Bay of Plenty Times
·
Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Taihape today to farewell Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp who died last week, aged 50, following a battle with kidney disease. A Rātana service will be held at Ōpaea Marae around 11am before...
Watch: 'Beautiful soul' – MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp to be laid to rest today
Rotorua Daily Post
·
Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Taihape today to farewell Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp who died last week, aged 50, following a battle with kidney disease. A Rātana service will be held at Ōpaea Marae around 11am before...
Matariki inspires Kiwis to embrace holistic health
Te Ao Maori News
·
Matariki - the mother star of the winter constellation- is closely linked to health and wellbeing. Now in its fourth year as a national holiday, awareness of Matariki and mātauranga Māori has grown across the motu, as more Kiwis tune in to the...
Tonga's government mum on health cyber breach
RNZ
·
June 25, 2025
A cyber expert from Australia has been in the country for nearly a week and local media report more personnel are being brought in. Photo: 123RF The Tongan government has yet to reveal more details about a cyber breach of its health records that...
Government face $1 million ransom for cyber attack on health system
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 26, 2025
A cyberattack on Tonga’s National Health Information System (NHIS) has entered its second week, crippling access to vital health records. Police Minister Hon. Dr. Paula Piukala revealed at a press conference yesterday that the attackers are...
Tonga Ministry of Health hit with cyberattack affecting website, IT systems
The Record
·
June 20, 2025
Tonga’s top health official warned the island country’s residents that a ransomware attack has taken down its National Health Information System. The Ministry of Health published statements on Wednesday explaining that it is dealing with a...
Pacific Partnership 2025 commences mission stop in Kingdom of Tonga
Seapower Magazine
·
June 26, 2025
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 18, 2025) Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, right, mission commander of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), provides remarks during a nursing workshop at Vaiola Hospital as part of PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 18, 2025. (U.S. Navy...
US Navy kicks off Pacific Partnership build at Tonga College
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 25, 2025
The US Navy’s Pacific Partnership 2025 mission began upgrading Tonga College ‘Atele’s Technical Building last week. Gathering at the ceremonial groundbreaking were US Chargé d’Affaires Marcus Jackson, CPT Shawn Lemoto, Pacific Partnership Tonga...
Health minister leads 11th International Yoga Day celebration in Nuku’alofa
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 22, 2025
Around 60 participants gathered at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel in Nuku’alofa on Saturday 21 June to mark International Yoga Day. The event, themed “One Earth, One Health,” was jointly organised by the Indian High Commission, Fiji’s...
Pacific eye clinic offers free vision tests
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 24, 2025
A dedicated eye care team from the Pacific Partnership Humanitarian Medical Team is offering complimentary eye examinations and prescription glasses at Vaiola Hospital and Mu’a Health Center. The clinics run daily from 9 am to 4 pm running today...
Pacific Partnership strengthens Tonga readiness with major mission
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 23, 2025
The 21st Pacific Partnership mission began in Tonga last week, bringing together U.S. and Tongan teams in engineering and medical projects to strengthen disaster‑response capabilities. Teams will conduct community health clinics covering...