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Tonga

In this photo provided by the Australian Defense Force, debris from damaged building and trees are strewn around on Atata Island in Tonga, on Jan. 28, 2022.

Tonga reconnects with the world after massive volcanic eruption

Natural disasters

For nearly 40 days, telecommunications were extremely limited across the small Pacific island nation of Tonga, after a volcanic eruption displaced and cut an underwater fiber optic cable.

In this photo provided by the New Zealand Defense Force, volcanic ash covers roof tops and vegetation in an area of Tonga, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

Tonga volcanic eruption is a ‘1-in-1,000-year event,’ volcanologist says

Natural disasters
In this satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite, and released by the agency, shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga

Flights sent to assess Tonga damage after volcanic eruption

Natural disasters
A Chinese flag flies in front of the Great Wall of China

A group of Western nations are planning to bulk up their Pacific presence to counter China

two women

It took a cyclone for some Tongan women to get reproductive health care for the first time

members of a battalion lining up in front of a palace

There are 28 other monarchies in the world

Global Politics

Are you obsessing over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding? Well, to help you get your royal fix, here’s some other information about other royal families.

Up to 40% of the population is thought to have type 2 diabetes and life expectancy is falling.

In world’s most obese nation, are mutton flaps to blame?

Health

Up to 40 percent of those on the Pacific island of Tonga is thought to have type 2 diabetes and life expectancy is falling. What do sheep have to do with it?

The island formed after an eruption at the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, a two hour boat ride from the island of Tonga.

What do you do when a new volcanic island arises from the great blue ocean? You climb it.

Environment

Branko Sugar lives on the island of Tonga and is the captain of the boat “Moonshine.” He’s also one of the only men to set foot on a brand-new island that bubbled up from beneath the Pacific Ocean.

Nuku Island is in the southern part of Tonga.

Here’s how a tiny Pacific island got better Internet than the US

Technology

Until last year, citizens of the island nation of Tonga were connected to the world via slow, expensive satellite Internet. Now a new and seemingly unlikely fiber optic network has boosted business and firmed up connections with the widespread Tongan diaspora.Until last year, citizens of the island nation of Tonga were connected to the world via slow, expensive satellite Internet. Now a new and seemingly unlikely fiber optic network has boosted business and firmed up connections with the widespread Tongan diaspora.