After decades as an unconsidered backwater, the South Pacific Islands have become a strategic frontline in a multi-nation contest for power and influence in Greater Asia. A report this week by the British-based global risk assessment company, Oxford Analytica, says China has four objectives in extending its reach into the South Pacific. By Jonathan Manthorpe.
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Results for Australia
Monday 10 June 2019
Bangkok, Thailand
Wednesday 15 May 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Rugby League’s “Voice Against Violence” program, which uses sport to educate young men on important values and attitudes, held a workshop at the Tanoa Hotel in Tonga on May 15. The program aims to increase awareness and engage with youth on ways to prevent domestic violence.
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Monday 6 May 2019
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Brisbane, Australia
Brisbane's Tongan Community have more than ten kava clubs who meet regularly. President of the Brisbane Tongan Community steering committee, Rev. Maile Molitika says that kava clubs are important in holding the community spirit together. They support the Australian Prime Minister's Pilot Program to ease restrictions on the importation of kava for personal use into Australia.
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Tuesday 16 April 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The VOEA Savea departed Masefield Navy Base for the last time on Saturday, April 13, sailing past the Nuku’alofa waterfront and Royal Palace on its way to Australia. It will be replaced by a new patrol boat named VOEA Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow).
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Wednesday 6 March 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A total of 49 Tongan students received their certificates in specialized technical and vocational training from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition, graduating on March 6.
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Tuesday 5 March 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new patrol boat named Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow), currently being built in Australia, is expected be handed over to His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) in June.
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Tuesday 19 February 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Budget support amounting to $35 million input from aid donors will not be released to the Tongan Government if they do not amend the Foreign Investment Act before the end of February, Tonga's parliament was told today. A letter from the Acting PM stirred up vociferous exchanges in the Tongan Parliament today. From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Monday 28 January 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is currently playing an active role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Lopeti Senituli, a personal adviser to the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, told Matangi Tonga.
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Friday 25 January 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva raised laughter at an Australian function last night before proposing a toast to HM Queen Elizabeth II, when he said that he may need god's smile as another petition was being filed to the King to dissolve parliament.
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Saturday 8 December 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Thirty-seven Tongan citizens received scholarships to take up university studies starting next year in Australia and the Pacific region.
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Thursday 6 December 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Building their capacity for generating incomes, nine Tongan women were awarded certificates after completed training under a Women’s Economic Empowerment Pilot Project on December 5.
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Monday 8 October 2018
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Sydney, Australia
A 19 man Mate Ma’a Tonga squad was announced by coach Kristian Woolf, with Sika Manu returning as captain for the test against Australia’s Kangaroos on October 20, in Auckland.
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Friday 28 September 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A total of 45 Tongan students received their certificates in specialized vocational training from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition during its graduation in Nuku’alofa on September 28.
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Thursday 20 September 2018
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 29-man preliminary squad for a test against Australia was announced yesterday, 19 September, by Mate Ma’a Tonga coach Kristian Woolf. The team list includes newcomers Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans) and Scott Sorensen (Cronulla Sharks).
Friday 14 September 2018
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Yaren, Nauru
Increased aerial surveillance capacity to be provided to 15 Forum Fisheries Agency members to detect and respond to illegal and unreported fishing, was welcomed by Pacific Forum Leaders on September 5.
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Wednesday 12 September 2018
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Canberra, Australia
A prison survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that in December 2017 there were 57 Tongan-born prisoners serving time in Australian prisons. The official Government survey does not record ethnicity, except for that of Australian Aborigines.
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Friday 7 September 2018
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Sydney, Australia
Skilled employees from Pacific Island countries could fill a looming severe shortage of aged care workers in Australia and New Zealand, says a new World Bank report released yesterday, 6 September.
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Wednesday 5 September 2018
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Rugby league will be used to engage young men in Tonga to prevent domestic violence under a Voice Against Violence Program launched by the Australian National Rugby League on September 5. By Eleanor Gee.
Wednesday 5 September 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The NRL announced yesterday that fixtures have been set for Mate Ma’a Tonga to play both Australia and New Zealand. Mate Ma'a Tonga are scheduled to face Australia on 20 October at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. The announcement comes after weeks of speculation.
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Monday 3 September 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Australia’s new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has appointed South Australia senator Anne Ruston as Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific. She replaces the outspoken Concetta Fierravanti-Wells who resigned on 21 August following a leadership spilt in Australia’s ruling Liberal Party.
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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.