University Express

A set of new reading applications (apps) designed for children in both Tongan and English and developed locally, offer over 100 culturally-relevant books across various difficulty levels, topics, and genres. Titled “Tau Laukonga” the reading apps, were developed by United States Peace Corps volunteer, Andrew Pavey, in partnership with an American NGO “Friends of Tonga”,

Bilingual reading apps to boost literacy in Tonga ↗

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A 20-year-old male suspect, Kasi Tukuhaukava, from Fangaloto, is currently being sought by Tonga Police for failing to appear in court in relation to charges of housebreaking and theft. Tonga Police issued a photo of Tukuhaukava with a request for the public to report his whereabouts.

Police issue photo of missing suspect ↗

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Seven new JICA volunteers arrived in Tonga in April, to commence their assignments on 23 May with various government ministries and non-governmental organisations. Six of the volunteers will serve a two-year term, while one will complete a five-month term.

Seven new Japanese volunteers to start assignments in May ↗

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Tonga and Vanuatu tied (2-2) in their second game of the OFC U-16 qualifiers tournament at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, today, 6 May 2025.

Tonga and Vanuatu tied in exciting match ↗

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Continued volcanic steam emissions and discolouration around the Home Reef volcano, is shown clearly in a Sentinel-2 satellite image on Thursday, 1 May, Tonga Geological Services reported today. "The ongoing lava effusion within the vent and intermittent explosive activity are likely to persist."

Volcanic steam emissions continue at Home Reef Volcano ↗

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Lulutai’s Y12 aircraft will be returning to service this week, following the reinstatement of its certificate of airworthiness by the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) and Tonga's Civil Aviation Division (CAD).

Y12 aircraft resumes services to Niuas on 6 May ↗

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A 74-year-old man was found dead at his residence in Masilamea Tongatapu last week, 1 May. Tonga Police said he had died from a medical event.

Man found dead in Masilamea home ↗

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Researchers have calculated that the 2022 explosive eruption of Tonga's Hunga volcano emitted almost 19 million tonnes of sulfur dioxide, but because the eruption started at least 400 m below sea level, most of the sulfur was erupted into the ocean. The submarine explosions injected an unprecedented amount of seawater into the atmosphere, while sulfur and other volcanic

Volcanic eruption in Tonga sent seawater into the atmosphere and sulfur into the sea ↗

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