Results for Pacific Islands

Petroleum prices have dropped since 18 October, and will remain through November, as approved by the Tonga Competent Authority (TCA). The monthly average product prices dropped for the third consecutive month, down approximately 8% in September.

A local company, Air Terminal Services (Tonga) Ltd. this month achieved its ground safety registration with IATA – becoming one of only two ground handlers in the Pacific islands to meet the standards required by the international aviation association. ATS (Tonga) holds ground handling contracts with all international carriers into Tonga.

Commonwealth countries adopted the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration for One Resilient Common Future, which calls on all 56 Commonwealth nations to protect and restore the ocean in the face of severe climate change, pollution, and impacts related to over-exploitation.

Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku is leading a high-level Forum Troika in New Caledonia this week, on a mission to conduct fact-findings on the situation on ground in New Caledonia.

Eight young men were found guilty on charges relating to a brawl in central Nuku’alofa between two opposing groups from Ha‘ateiho and Paho last year. The charges included jointly causing grievous bodily harm to a victim from Pahu, who suffered life-endangering injuries. Seven of the accused punched and kicked the victim’s head, while another repeatedly hit the victim’s head with a sii branch, causing brain injury. The victim, died shortly afterwards.

Ten life-saving pacemaker surgeries were performed this week, at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku’alofa, by a visiting team of four volunteer medical professionals from New Zealand, through the Pacific Islands Pacemaker Service (PIPS).

The Pacific Adventure cruise ship brought 2000 tourists to Nuku'alofa yesterday, docking at Vuna Wharf. The vessel's next port of call is Neiafu, Vava'u, today, where it will dock from 8:00 am untill 6:00 pm.

A 21 year old male from Hala'ovave was arrested for possession of an alleged 0.77 gram of methamphetamine, 0.33 gram of cannabis, and drug utensils.

Stigma surrounding mental illness in Tonga is the main stumbling block in delivering and improving mental health services here, said Dr Mapa Puloka, who faces many negative or discriminatory attitudes towards mental illness in his work and workplace. In Tonga, stigmatized behaviour towards mental illness includes ridicule (luma‘i), mocking (fakakata‘aki), and neglecting (hanga kehe mei ai).