Topic: Tonga

Change Agent US Navy ship to sail the Pacific on a humanitarian mission

The US Navy has been sending its vessels on humanitarian missions since 2006, when it sent the hospital ship USNS Mercy to the Philippines, Indonesia, and other Asian countries.

Opinion: Next time, US Senate should ratify UN disabilities treaty

Last week, the US Senate voted down the UN disabilities treaty, despite a push from former GOP Senate Majority leader, Bob Dole. Critics say the treaty weakens parental rights and violates US sovereignty. Not so, and eight Republicans who crossed over to ratify, know that.

George Tupou V, King of Tonga, introduced democracy

Tongan Prime Minister Lord Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano said in a brief radio address Monday that the king died at 3 p.m. Sunday during a visit to Hong Kong. He didn't give a cause of death, but said further details and funeral plans would be released when available.

Samoa skips Friday in leap across international dateline

The time jump means that Samoa's 186,000 citizens will now be the first in the world to ring in the new year, rather than the last.

Rugby World Cup: US starts play Sunday, as part of pool stage action

The Pool Stage is the initial round of competition in the Rugby World Cup. At the conclusion of this round, two teams (a winner and a runner-up) will advance to the next stage, or "quarter-finals." There are four pools - A, B, C and D, and it is widely anticipated that the top seeds in those pools: New Zealand, England, Australia and South Africa respectively, will move to the next round.

Rugby World Cup, including US, kicks off Friday

The Rugby World Cup, which takes place every four years, commences in New Zealand Friday. It is being broadcast by NBC/Universal and can also be streamed on the internet at RugbyWorldCup.com

New Zealand earthquake produces local tsunami warning

New Zealand earthquake early Thursday morning local time is magnitude 7.8. The New Zealand earthquake rattled the country's remote Kermadec Islands.

Shark attacks: researchers say 'fight back'

Shark attacks went up in 2010, with at 79 unprovoked attacks reported. Experts give advice on how to fight back if attacked by a shark.

FIFA suspends pair of officials from voting on future World Cup hosts

FIFA, the world body that governs soccer, has suspended two officials from participating in selecting the 2018 and 2022 World Cup host nations. FIFA made the announcement Thursday after completing a corruption investigation.

Why Adm. Mike Mullen visited the South Pacific island nation of Tonga

Adm. Mike Mullen stopped at the South Pacific island nation on his trip home this week from Australia, where he attended security discussions.

8.8 magnitude earthquake hits Chile, tsunami warning issued for Hawaii

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early Saturday. A tsunami warning has been issued for Hawaii.

Hawaii under tsunami warning after massive Chile earthquake

Hawaii is under a tsunami warning following an earthquake in Chile Saturday morning.

California sweep targets illegal immigrants with criminal records

Federal agents arrested almost 300 people in California Thursday, as part of a new focus on targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records. Most of those arrested had been convicted of serious or violent crimes, officials said.

To comfort those touched by the tsunami

A Christian Science perspective.

How to help in Indonesia, Samoa, and Tonga

A list of some of the relief organizations working in Indonesia, Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga.

Samoa tsunami: Islands assess how quickly they can recover

Samoa was hit harder than American Samoa, but damage is confined to one area. Another challenge will be convincing tourists – a major revenue source – to return.

Amid Samoa tsunami's devastation, tales of survival

One group of surfers rode out the massive waves that struck Samoa this week and killed 169 people. A woman whose two-day-old baby survived named her boy "Tsunami."

Pacific tsunami: Aid efforts begin in Samoa

As the US prepared to dispatch emergency relief to American Samoa, Australia and New Zealand focused their aid efforts on Samoa.

Tsunami near American Samoa kills 34, triggers regional alert

President Obama declared Tuesday's tsunami a 'major disaster' and dispatched aid to American Samoa. As many as 120 people may have died, and more tsunamis could hit.

Top 10 checklist: How societies can avoid 'ecocide'

World

For island players, this is the 'Poly Bowl'

Six players in Super Bowl XLIII have Polynesian heritage – a record number for the big game.

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