Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Tonga Government face US$1M ransom for cyber-attack on health system
Island Times
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July 1, 2025
NUKU’ALOFA (TALANOAOTONGA) — A cyberattack on Tonga’s National Health Information System (NHIS) has entered its second week, crippling access to vital health records. Police Minister Dr. Paula Piukala revealed at a press conference Thursday that...
Lockdown restrictions relaxed in Tonga
Pacific News Service
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The 24 new COVID-19 positive cases Saturday, brings the total number of active cases in Tonga to 196, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said. Hu’atolitoli Prison recorded one new case, while the other new cases are in the community. “The total number...
Tonga-made products on show at Trade Fair 2025
Matangi Tonga Online
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June 30, 2025
The Tonga Trade Fair 2025 opens on Thursday 3 July at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, when more than 40 local businesses will showcase Tonga-made products. The exhibition will run through to Saturday. With a theme “Buy Tonga Made”, the fair is...
Government brings money‑laundering law up to date
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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June 30, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister Hon Dr Taniela Fusimalohi told reporters last week the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill will update the 2001 law to include modern technology and devices. The revised legislation enables authorities and the...
Ex-Wales centre Halaholo set for Tonga debut
BBC
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July 4, 2025
Former Wales and Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo is set to make his Tonga debut in August. The 34-year-old won the last of his Wales caps in April 2022 and can now play for Tonga under global governing body World Rugby's eligibility rules. Halaholo...
Prime Minister's office only given hour's notice before Winston Peters' speech dismissing 'trade war'
RNZ
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July 4, 2025
Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Prime Minister's office was only given an hour's notice of the contents of a speech by the Foreign Affairs minister, in which Winston Peters criticised the language used by...
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...
Fiji’s PM Sitiveni Rabuka says China’s military bases are ‘not welcome’ in the Pacific
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 3, 2025
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has delivered a blow to China’s security ambitions in the Pacific, declaring his country would “not welcome” any Chinese military bases in the region. But Rabuka has also stressed he doesn’t believe that China...
Cambodia Praises Tonga's Accession to Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention
AKP
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AKP Phnom Penh, July 03, 2025 -- Cambodia is celebrating Tonga's accession as the 166th State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Treaty. This marks a significant victory for global humanitarian mine action,...
Vava’u Leads The Way: Tonga’s Bold Step Toward A Sustainable Blue Future
Scoop
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Vava’u, a small but nature’s beautifully crafted island in the Kingdom of Tonga, is a place of breathtaking beauty. As you stand at the top of the hill of Vava’u’s Mt Talau, the vibrant hues of the water stretch out before you, a mesmerising blend...
Fiji PM says China's military bases are 'not welcome' in the Pacific
RNZ
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July 2, 2025
By Stephen Dziedzic, ABC News Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: X / @slrabuka Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has delivered a blow to China's security ambitions in the Pacific, declaring his...
Power bills to drop next year, says minister Piukala
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 2, 2025
Electricity prices will fall from 1 January 2026, the Minister for Public Enterprises has announced. Speaking at a press conference last week, Minister Paula Piukala confirmed the electricity rate for households using under 150 kilowatt-hours per...
Over 50 business displays at Tonga Trade Fair
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 2, 2025
The Tonga Trade Fair 2025 opens today, showcasing over 50 local businesses in Nuku’alofa with the Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala to launch this year’s fair. The annual event runs from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 July at Queen Salote Memorial Hall,...
Tonga’s health system hacked, US$1m ransom demanded
Newstalk ZB
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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...
Royal visit cements Tonga–Fiji chiefly bonds
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 2, 2025
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u will attend Ratu Tevita’s Lau chiefly installation in Fiji next week. King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u will make a State visit to Fiji from 8 to 12 July, attending the installation of Lau chiefly titles, Sau...
China's military bases 'not welcome' in the Pacific, Fiji PM says
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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July 2, 2025
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has delivered a blow to China's security ambitions in the Pacific, declaring his country would "not welcome" any Chinese military bases in the region. But Mr Rabuka has also stressed he doesn't believe that...
Government face $1 million ransom for cyber attack on health system
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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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...
Political battle lines disappear: Sorrow falls on Parliament after MP’s death
Waikato Herald
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“Takutai was more than just a colleague to us, she was our sister and we loved her dearly.” Kemp’s sudden death shocked Parliament. Ministers and MPs hugged their political opponents in the debating chamber and many wiped away tears as others...
Veterans Minister Al Carns says IDRC 2025 is an opportunity to show what women's rugby can do
Forces Network
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Veterans Minister Al Carns is ready for a scintillating summer of rugby with IDRC 2025 and he hopes the tournament will be an opportunity to show what the women's sport can do. The International Defence Rugby Competition will be hosted by the UK...
Tongan RSE workers thrive in Hawke’s Bay after cyclone disaster
Pacific Media Network
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Hundreds of Tongans are working in Hawke's Bay under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, two years after Cyclone Gabrielle left them stranded. A Tongan government official says around 1800 workers are engaged in pruning and harvesting...