Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
NZ approves Tonga pineapple exports after 10-year wait
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 30, 2025
New Zealand has approved Tonga’s fresh pineapple exports, unlocking a long-awaited market for Vava’u growers. After more than a decade of negotiations, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has granted Tonga market access to export...
Tonga strengthens farmer leadership with organic agriculture training
Pacific Community (SPC)
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Group Photo at the opening ceremony of the Farmer Field School training on Mahuleva Organic Learning Farm Centre in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. With Chief Guest, Tonga’s Member of Parliament, Honourable Dulcie Tei. This week marks an important step forward...
Tonga prepares for pineapple exports to New Zealand after decade-long assessment
Kaniva Tonga
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July 29, 2025
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has approved a long-awaited export pathway for fresh Tongan pineapples, marking the culmination of more than a decade of rigorous assessments. The news follows years of reports highlighting...
Tonga’s 2025 Australia Visa ballot now open
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 29, 2025
Tongan citizens can now register for Australia’s 2025 Pacific Engagement Visa ballot until 25 August. The Australian Government has opened registrations for its Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) ballot, offering Tongans a new pathway to live and work...
Tongan government says 85 percent of population impacted by ash fall and tsunami after volcanic eruption
Pacific News Service
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Tonga faces a long road to recovery, with most of the population affected by the violent eruption and tsunami that followed, and many areas still scrambling to restore basic necessities. Almost 85 percent of the country’s population of about...
India, Fiji Discuss Bilateral Ties And Ways To Strengthen Cooperation
MENAFN
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July 30, 2025
(MENAFN- IANS) Suva, July 30 (IANS) India and Fiji held the 6th Foreign Office Consultations in Suva on Tuesday and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in health, education, capacity building, trade, investment, agriculture,...
4 children from Fiji and Pacific receive life-saving heart surgeries at Sanjeevani Hospital
Fijivillage
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4 children from Fiji and Pacific receive life-saving heart surgeries at Sanjeevani Hospital In a heart-warming celebration of life, four young children from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu have been discharged from the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani...
Tonga's Disaster Office staff gain first aid skills to strengthen disaster response
Pacific Community (SPC)
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In response to Tonga's vulnerability to natural hazards such as cyclones, earthquakes, and tsunamis, the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) has implemented a Senior First Aid Training programme aimed at improving emergency...
Speak of the Devils Podcast Sitdown Series: ASU DT Jacob Kongaika
Arizona’s Family
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July 30, 2025
TEMPE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- “A Tongan that goes crazy every play.” It’s hard to top Jacob Rich Kongaika’s self-description, but you should also add “multiplier.” After crossing rivalry lines by transferring from Arizona to ASU last year, Kongaika...
Aid from North Otago to Tonga welcomed
Otago Daily Times
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July 26, 2025
The North Otago community has rallied to brighten the future for many in Tonga as the Pasifika Safe Shelter Trust (PSST) provides much needed farming and school equipment and supplies. The volcanic eruption in 2022 had a devastating impact on the...
Tongan psychologist to lead Methodist Church safeguarding reforms
Pacific Media Network
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In a groundbreaking response to New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, the Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has appointed Tongan educational psychologist Sonia Pope to a newly created national role: Director of...
Former missionary wanted for sexual abuse against minors in Tonga arrested in Pittsburgh
WPXI - Pennsylvania
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July 26, 2025
PITTSBURGH — A former missionary accused of sexually abusing minors abroad was arrested in Pittsburgh. According to the Department of Justice, William James Purdy, 28, of West Valley, Utah, was arrested on Thursday after he was indicted by a...
Tsunamis lap at Japan, Hawaii and California after huge quake off Russia’s Far East
The Times of Israel
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July 30, 2025
TOKYO (AP) — One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck off Russia’s sparsely populated Far East early Wednesday, sending tsunami waves into Japan, Hawaii and the US West Coast. Several people were injured, but none gravely, and no...
Charges filed against Utah man accused of abusing minors in Tonga
Deseret News - Utah
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July 25, 2025
A West Valley City man was arrested Thursday on charges related to sexually exploiting minors in Tonga while working as a teacher in the Polynesian country. William James Purdy, 28, of West Valley, was indicted in Pennsylvania on July 16 for...
West Valley City man federally indicted for alleged years-long sexual abuse of children in Tonga
KTVX - Utah
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July 26, 2025
Content warning: This article contains information about alleged child sexual abuse material. Reader discretion is advised. Report CSAM to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency. WEST...
Tsunami evacuations ordered in S. America; worst risk appears to pass for US after huge quake
KSL - Utah
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TOKYO — One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck off Russia's sparsely populated Far East early Wednesday, sending tsunami waves into Japan, Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. Several people were injured, but none gravely, and no major...
The Latest: Tsunami warnings lifted in many places but Chile raises it to highest level
The Squamish Chief
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July 30, 2025
A tsunami sent waves into parts of Russia, Japan, Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the Russian Far East early Wednesday. The quake was one of the biggest ever recorded. A tsunami sent waves into parts of...
Tonga stops flight
Islands Business
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July 23, 2025
THE Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) will begin operations in Bougainville after it was provided USD 238,000 to re-establish service. Funding from the Autonomous Bougainville Government will allow the mission to build a hangar which will house at...
Evacuations ordered in South America as worst tsunami risk passes for US, Japan
The Age
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July 30, 2025
“We were fully deployed and ready to respond if necessary but grateful that we didn’t have to deal with the situation that this could have been,” she told reporters in Chile, where she is meeting officials. Unusually strong currents and...
Tsunami evacuations ordered in South America, but worst risk appears to pass for US after...
Dayton Daily News - Ohio
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The worst appeared to have passed for many areas, including the U.S., Japan and Russia. But along South America's Pacific Coast, new warnings were forcing evacuations in Chile and Colombia. In the immediate aftermath of the quake off Russia's...