Pacific Island leaders endorsed a landmark regional policing plan Wednesday at a summit in Tonga, a contentious move seen as trying to limit China's security role in the region.

Pacific Island leaders endorse joint policing plan

South Africa will have a familiar leader back at the helm when they take to the pitch in Marseille against Tonga on Sunday, Handre Pollard making his World Cup return as Springbok playmaker after a 13-month absence.

Rugby World Cup: Handre Pollard back after 13-month absence, to lead Springboks vs Tonga in quarters

United States Geological Survey said that an earthquake of magnitude 7.4 rattled Tonga on Thursday (May 11). The US Tsunami Warning System said there was no tsunami warning after the earthquake.

Earthquake of magnitude 7.4 rattles Tonga

An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 hit the sea around 207 km (128.6 miles) east of Neiafu, Tonga, as per the United States Geological Survey (USGS). According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, American Samoa received a tsunami advisory (PTWC) within 300 kilometres of the epicentre, along the beaches of Niue and Tonga.

Earthquake of magnitude 7.1 strikes Tonga, tsunami warning issued

The geological office of the Pacific nation of Tonga reported that a volcano north of the country's largest island has erupted eight times in the previous 48 hours and has advised ships to avoid the area.

Watch: New island formed in Pacific ocean as Home reef erupts eight times in 48 hours

The intense Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption on January 15, 2022, broke all records for direct injection of water vapour by a volcano or otherwise in the "satellite era".

Tonga underwater volcano impact can affect ozone layer: Here's what you should know

Nearly 10 percent of Tonga's fighting force is in Hawaii this month, training side by side with militaries from across the Indo-Pacific region. The tiny kingdom is the only South Pacific island nation participating in the Rim of the Pacific naval exercises just as the region finds itself at the center of competing U.S. and Chinese diplomatic and military efforts. VOA’s Jessica Stone reports from Honolulu, Hawaii.

WION-VOA Co-Production: Tonga takes part in Pacific naval drills

As China circles the Pacific, US is trying to step up its game. It has tripled its aid to the Pacific to $600 million & plans to open embassies in Kiribati & Tonga. Are these moves aimed at helping Pacific states or protecting American interests? Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: U.S. is opening embassies in Pacific states: Here's why

USA on Tuesday (July 12) stepped forward and announced incentives for Pacific Island nations in a move widely seen to be aimed at countering Chinese influence. This has come after Kiribati, one of Pacific Island nations chose to stay away from the Pacific Island Forum meeting in Suva, Fiji.

US showers incentives on Pacific island nations

In pics - Tonga volcanic eruption creates stunning skies around New Zealand

A massive underwater volcano erupted off Tonga this year in January, triggering Tsunami warnings. The dramatic explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano was seen in satellite images as the eruption sent smoke and ash into the air.

'Surprisingly intact': Probe into massive undersea Tonga volcanic eruption defies expectations of scientists

Internet connection was restored in Tonga on Tuesday, five weeks after a massive volcanic eruption shredded the undersea cable that connects the Pacific nation with the rest of the world.

Tonga back online as undersea cable repaired

Tonga says space entrepreneur and Tesla founder Elon Musk has donated 50 satellite terminals to help the volcano-damaged Pacific island reconnect with the world.

Musk donates satellite gear to reconnect Tonga

The recent Tonga volcanic eruption sent ripples through the Ionosphere. The Data was collected from the incident to help build an early-warning system.

Tonga eruption sent ripples through the Ionosphere

The Omicron variant coronavirus entered Tonga for the first time in the wake of last month's volcanic eruption, officials confirmed Thursday, as the number of COVID-19 cases in the kingdom almost doubled to 64.

Tonga virus cases surge in wake of volcano eruption

Elon Musk's SpaceX is installing a satellite internet constellation to restore Tonga's internet. Fiji's Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said on Twitter, "A SpaceX team is now in Fiji establishing a Starlink gateway station to reconnect Tonga to the world.

SpaceX installing satellite internet constellation to restore Tonga's internet

From its deafening blast to its Pacific-wide tsunami, scientists say it's 'worse than an atomic bomb'. How is the Pacific nation coping? Watch Tonga: A Tale of Two Disasters

Tonga: A tale of two disasters

Pita Taufatofua, a Tongan athlete perhaps best known for his role as a shirtless and oiled flag bearer, will not compete in the 2022 Winter Olympics — to the disappointment of loyal opening ceremony viewers who had hoped for his gleaming return.

Famed Tongan Flag Bearer Won’t Attend The Games

Tonga closed its borders on Wednesday after two virus cases were detected amid relief efforts after it was hit by a major volcano and a tsunami last month. The Pacific island country was free of the virus for nearly two years except for one case which was detected last year, however, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni announced two men had tested positive and were working in the port where humanitarian aid has been arriving.

Volcano-hit Tonga enters lockdown after recording two virus cases

The Tonga volcano erupted violently on January 15 and sent life in the small Pacific island nation into disarray. The country was cut off from the world for days as its only airport was rendered unusable due massive amount of ash.

Tonga volcano explosion was so severe it made atmosphere 'ring like a bell'

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is confident that humans will land on Mars by 2026. As he has been an advocate of hypothetical Mars colonisation, he might have persuaded people that human life outside Earth is possible.

Elon Musk's dream of colonising Mars has a connection with Tonga volcanic eruption

The United States Geological Survey reported a 6.2-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Tonga at 0640 GMT on Thursday, with no immediate indications of damage. At a depth of 14.

6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off Tonga's coast days after volcanic eruption

Tonga has witnessed another earthquake on Thursday, ten days after a massive volcanic eruption. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 6.2-magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Tonga at 0640 GMT.

Second earthquake hits Tonga few days after massive volcanic eruption

India has extended assistance towards the disaster-hit Tonga in order to help the South Pacific nation in relief and reconstruction efforts, the ministry of external affairs informed on Tuesday (January 25).

India extends assistance to tsunami-hit Tonga towards relief and reconstruction efforts

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