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2021
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Friday 31 December 2021 5:30pm
Goro, New Caledonia : New York Times reporting: Goro, is the largest nickel mine on a tiny French territory suspended between Australia and Fiji that may hold up to one-quarter of the world’s nickel reserves. It also poses a critical test for Tesla, the world’s largest electric vehicle maker, which wants to take control of its supply chain and ensure that the minerals used for its car batteries are mined in an environmentally and socially responsible fashion. Because of its nickel industry, New Caledonia is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters per capita. And mining, which began soon after New Caledonia was colonized in 1853, is intimately linked to the exploitation of its Indigenous Kanak people. The legacy of more than a century of stolen land and crushed traditions has left Goro’s nickel output at the mercy of frequent labour strikes and political protests. -
Friday 31 December 2021 2:42pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tonga Police Drugs Enforcement Taskforce made 32 arrests over the Christmas holiday period between 20-29 December, where a total of 30.48 grams of methamphetamine, 72.74 grams of cannabis, 3.11 grams of cocaine, and drug utensils were seized at various locations on Tongatapu. Most of those arrested are being held in Police custody.
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Thursday 30 December 2021 10:58pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The funeral programme for the late Lord Ma’afu, is proceeding in Tonga after an Air New Zealand cargo flight landed at Fua'amotu Airport this afternoon, repatriating his remains from New Zealand. Mourners wearing funeral mats, lined the roadside at the estate of Vaini. Photos by Pesi Fonua and Eleanor Gee. Premium content -
Wednesday 29 December 2021 7:16pm
New York, USA : New York Times reporting: The U.S. record for daily coronavirus cases has been broken, as two highly contagious variants — delta and omicron — have converged to disrupt holiday travel and gatherings, deplete hospital staffs and plunge the United States into another long winter. As a third year of the pandemic loomed, the seven-day average of U.S. cases topped 267,000 on Tuesday, according to a New York Times database. -
Wednesday 29 December 2021 6:36pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A man from Pea, named as Tali Fatafehi (39), drowned at White Sands Beach on Monday, 27 December, Tonga Police have confirmed today. The victim was swimming with his son and a friend, when strong currents swept the three away from the beach, at around midday on the public holiday. The other two swimmers were rescued. Premium content -
Wednesday 29 December 2021 5:48pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano continues to erupt intermittently, the Tonga Geological Services said this morning, warning residents in Ha'apai to cover water reservoirs in case of acid rain that may be caused by volcanic emissions in the atmosphere. Premium content -
Wednesday 29 December 2021 5:28pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Ports Authority Tonga (PAT) will partner with a new society to import ferronickel slag from New Caledonia for major infrastructure projects. Premium content -
Wednesday 29 December 2021 4:41pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, this afternoon announced his new 12-member Cabinet and the two Governors for Vava‘u and Ha‘apai. The Prime Minister has kept four major portfolios under himself, taking on the Police and the armed forces as well as education. Premium content -
Tuesday 28 December 2021 1:20pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : HM King Tupou VI this morning, 28 Dec., presented Tonga’s newly elected Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni (51) with a Royal Warrant of Appointment at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa. He will hold the office of Prime Minister from 27 Dec. 2021 for four years. Meanwhile, the King has approved a new 12-member Cabinet and two Governors for Vava'u and Ha'apai, and the Warrants of Appointment were read and returned to the Legislative Assembly this afternoon. The names of the new government ministers are expected to be announced by the new Prime Minister soon. Premium content -
Friday 24 December 2021 9:00pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Have a Merry Christmas and stay away from the hazardous Hunga volcano, the Tonga Geological Services advised the public today, warning that extreme hazards in the area up to five kilometres around the eruption, include possible explosions, surges, ballistic ejecta, tephra, lava domes, laze, vog, pumice shoals, volcanic edifice collapse and tsunamis. Premium content -
Friday 24 December 2021 7:23pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The funeral cortege of the late Hon. Lord Ma’afu will arrive in Tonga next Tuesday, 28 December, and the funeral ceremony will be held on New Year's Day. Premium content -
Friday 24 December 2021 6:09pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u will attend the annual Christmas service of the Free Wesleyan Church at the Centennial Church (Saione), tomorrow, December 25. Premium content -
Friday 24 December 2021 3:47pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga’s national population has dropped by 442 people since 2016, a preliminary count of Tonga's National Population Census for 2021 shows. The Government Statistician Viliami Fifita said today the census accounted for 100,209 people in Tonga. The population loss was due to seasonal workers programs, migration, and people stuck overseas due to COVID-19 border restrictions. By Eleanor Gee. Premium content -
Friday 24 December 2021 3:31pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Youth aged 12-17 years who have not yet received their second doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are urged to get their second dose before the vaccines expire in the New Year. “There is no plan to get more Pfizer for them after 2 January,” said the Health CEO. -
Friday 24 December 2021 3:30pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Melekiola Tu’ipulotu, who was convicted of serious bodily harm for using a machete on a 16-year-old boy, was sentenced to one-year imprisonment, fully suspended for two-years at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. "I hope that this decision sends a message to our people not to take up a helepelu and use violence to make their points. Self-control is a necessary duty we must all demonstrate as responsible citizens in leading our families and communities," said the Acting Chief Justice. Premium content -
Thursday 23 December 2021 7:13pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : An explosive volcanic eruption shooting ash and pyroclastic material up to 350 metres above sea level was captured on camera yesterday, 22 Dec., by Tonga Navy crew, sailing close to the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai active volcano. However, ash was not detected at the height of aviation, Taaniela Kula (TGS) said, “this is a point of discussion with the authorities.” Premium content -
Thursday 23 December 2021 5:52pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Sulphur dioxide emitted from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano continues to spread over the Ha'apai, Vava'u and Niuatoutapu groups drifting NNE at a high altitude of 8-14km. Tonga Geological Services said S02 measured highest near the ‘Otumu‘omu‘a Group. However, the steam cloud formation from the eruption has reduced significantly from yesterday. Premium content -
Wednesday 22 December 2021 10:26pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Festive bands played in Nuku'alofa, bringing welcome Christmas cheer to shoppers and holiday makers, despite the heat from the hot sun, today December 22, as Tonga approaches its second Christmas under border restrictions. -
Wednesday 22 December 2021 5:49pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Three Tongan swimmers set new national records at the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi from December 16 – 21. Finau Ohuafi, Charissa Panuve, and Noelani Day swam against the world’s elite swimmers in the Butterfly, Freestyle, and Backstroke events. -
Tuesday 21 December 2021 11:59pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga's erupting Hunga Ha'apai volcano put on a show of lightning at sunset tonight. As a large gaseous cloud continues to rise to 18km altitude and drift over all islands, Tongan residents were advised to protect their water tanks from possible acidic rainfall, until the volcanic eruption ceases. Premium content
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Tonga weather forecast from yr.no, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the NRK. See also Fua'amotu Weather Forecasting Center, Tonga, for latest local weather bulletin.