Politics Jul 20 Blinken heads to Tonga, New Zealand, Australia as U.S. aims to counter China’s influence in the region By Matthew Lee, Associated Press
World Feb 04 Aid to volcano-hit Tonga brings 1st COVID outbreak, lockdown Tonga is one of several Pacific island countries to experience their first outbreaks over the past month. By David Rising, Nick Perry, Associated Press
World Jan 19 Over 80,000 impacted by Tongan volcano; 3 smaller islands suffer serious damage, officials say Three of Tonga's smaller islands have suffered serious damage from tsunami waves, officials and the Red Cross say, as a wider picture begins to emerge of the destruction caused by the eruption of an undersea volcano near the Pacific archipelago… By Moussa Moussa, David Rising, Associated Press
World Jan 18 Watch 5:45 The science behind the Tonga volcanic eruption, tsunami The first satellite images of the Pacific nation of Tonga after Saturday's volcanic eruption emerged Tuesday. The photos show the islands coated in ash. Despite the violent explosion, the Tongan government has reported just three deaths. The status of two… By John Yang, Ali Rogin
Science Jan 18 Why the volcanic eruption in Tonga was so violent, and what to expect next The eruption is akin to a weapons-grade chemical explosion, and there could be several weeks or even years of major volcanic unrest to follow… By Shane Cronin, The Conversation
Jan 18 Three dead in volcano eruption aftermath, but Tonga appears to avoid major destruction By Nick Perry, Associated Press Despite sitting almost on top of the volcano that erupted so violently, the Pacific nation of Tonga appears to have avoided the widespread devastation that many initially feared. Continue reading
Jan 17 Watch 5:16 News Wrap: Major U.S. airlines warn 5G could ground planes, disrupt travel In our news wrap Monday, major U.S. airlines and cargo lines warned of a crisis when cellphone providers deploy new, faster 5G wireless internet service on Wednesday. Australia and New Zealand sent out surveillance flights to Tonga in the wake… Continue watching
Jan 17 Watch 1:57 The latest on the state of Tonga after volcanic eruption, tsunami swept islands By Nick Schifrin Australia and New Zealand sent out surveillance flights to Tonga Monday, in the wake of an enormous undersea volcano eruption on Saturday. Communication with the South Pacific island chain remains largely cut off, but there is word of significant damage. Continue watching
Jan 17 Flights sent to assess damage after Tonga volcanic eruption By Nick Perry, Associated Press New Zealand and Australia have sent military surveillance flights to assess the damage a huge undersea volcanic eruption caused in Tonga. Continue reading
Jan 15 Volcano erupts in Pacific near Tonga, West Coast of U.S. under tsunami advisory By Nick Perry, Associated Press An undersea volcano erupted in spectacular fashion Saturday near the Pacific nation of Tonga, sending tsunami waves crashing across the shore and people rushing to higher ground. Tsunami advisories were issued for Hawaii, Alaska and the U.S. Pacific coast. Continue reading