20 January, 2019. Japan's defense minister has decided to hold a meeting with defense chiefs from Pacific island nations in connection with China's growing maritime presence in the region.

19 January, 2019. Top officials from Tonga's Ha'apai group say infrastructure is in urgent need of repair in the islands after Cyclone Tino swept past overnight.

FAKAMATALA'EA MAKEHE HONO 16 MA'A TONGA FEKAU'AKI MO E SAIKOLONE FAKATALOPIKI MALOHI KO TINO (KALASI 3) ‘I HONO TUKUATU
MEI HE SENITA FAKAMATALA FAKASAIKOLONE 'A TONGA I FUA'AMOTU I HE TAIMI 6:00PM TOKONAKI 18 SANUALI 2020

18 January, 2020. All those who need to move to Evacuation Centres in Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua need to move when it is still daylight, the Minister of MEIDECC Hon Poasi Tei said in Nuku’alofa this morning during the second National Emergency Management Committee meeting as Cyclone Tino moves into the Kingdom’s waters.