PM returns from travels [1]
Monday, November 10, 2008 - 17:04. Updated on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 15:55.
Reports from Tonga's newspapers, November 5-6, 2008. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.
The Kele'a on November 5 is annoyed that the PM's advisor Lopeti Senituli had used the term 'liuaki' to describe the return of the Prime Minister and party from a trip to the US. According to the Kele'a, only the King is deemed worthy of 'liuaki.'
The Talaki on November 5 reports that Finance Minister Afu'alo Matoto told parliament that over $300,000 was spent on the Prime Minister's travels for the whole of last year and up to last week.
The newspaper also reports that it is likely that the Change Commission will start with the Reserve commissioners.
The Taimi on November 5 reports that businessman Sione Tupou witnessed first hand the efficiency of the local police. Sione was accused of assaulting ex-ANZ banker 'Aloisio Kaitapu on Tuesday morning. He was booked and then tried the same afternoon. Sione had earlier made efforts to recover money from 'Aloisio and his business associate Melaia Osling.
The Taimi also reports that Fe'ao Nonu (26) appeared in court at Fasi, facing charges relating to the theft of the drugs adrenaline, pethedine and ephedrine worth $8,646 from the Vaiola Hospital pharmacy at old Vaiola.
The Kalonikali on November 6 carried two rumours. Rumour 1: 'Emeline Tuita's term as Tonga's ambassador to China has been terminated. Rumour 2: the disruption in mobile phone service between TCC and Digicel was not due to technical problems but politics between the two companies.