Tonga

Tonga's Parliament has been opened by King Tupou VI.

Tonga's King Tupou VI will open the first session of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga this morning.

A traditional funeral with military honours has been held for Tonga's former deputy prime minister Lord Ma'afu Tukui'aulahi in Tongatapu.

The funeral proceedings for Tonga's former deputy prime minister Lord Ma'afu are taking place in the Kingdom.

The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano continues to erupt intermittently, and ash has been detected in all directions up to 30km away.

Tonga's new Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni has announced his new 12-member Cabinet and the two Governors for Vava'u and Ha'apai.

While observations have had to be kept to a distance, new satellite imagery shows the island's land mass has grown since Monday.

The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga is continuing to pump plumes of gas and dust several kilometres in to the air.

Acid rain from a large volcanic eruption in Tonga continues to threaten water tanks, as huge plumes of dust are thrust into the air.

Former Tonga halfback Taniela Moa has died at the age of 36, the country's rugby governing body said.

Siaosi Sovaleni has been announced as the new Prime Minister designate of Tonga.