The trial against current Cabinet Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband 'Etuate Lavulavu is going ahead, after a Supreme Court judge ruled there is a criminal case to answer against both of them on all three counts. They are jointly charged with obtaining over $500,000 pa'anga by false pretences, relating to a number of irregularities in an audit at the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute. It is alleged that the couple knowingly falsified student applications in order to claim TVET grants.
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Results for Tonga
Wednesday 12 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Wednesday 12 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Around 19,200 doses of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine arrived on an Air New Zealand cargo flight in Tonga this afternoon, confirmed Ministry of Health Acting CEO, Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa. These are for the second doses of people who have been innocculated. So far, over 20,000 people in Tonga have received their first shots.
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Wednesday 12 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two repatriation flights are planned for June from Auckland, New Zealand, and Brisbane, Australia, confirmed MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u today.
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Wednesday 12 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Angilau Palanite received a fully suspended sentence for possession of 0.12 gram of methamphetamine seized at Puke on September 14, 2020. Police received information that he was driving around selling illicit drugs. The defendant admitted his hopelessness of the life he was leading in drugs.
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Wednesday 12 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The findings of a recent survey on the impact of COVID-19 on hundreds of women in Tonga, conducted by the “Women and Children Crisis Centre”, are expected to be published at the end of the month.
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Tuesday 11 May 2021
Dublin, Ireland
New Zealand will host the Tonga vs Samoa Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifier over two legs in July, confirmed World Rugby on 10 May.
Tuesday 11 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Alifeleti Uasi (18) was sentenced today to 18-months imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm, when he injured a shopkeeper with rocks at a Chinese shop. He was drunk and was denied getting a can of soda, which he did not have enough money for. The judge said it was clear that the accused had a very real problem with alcohol.
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Tuesday 11 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two men found guilty of possession of methamphetamines seized at Ngele'ia at a place that was dealing in drugs. They will be sentenced on June 2.
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Tuesday 11 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan Government is rolling out business recovery support payments to those in the informal sector, who have suffered financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Tuesday 11 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Plans for repatriated passengers to start paying for their quarantine starting on 28 July is underway, confirmed MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u today.
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Monday 10 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Athletes and officials are still waiting for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and sporting International Federations (IF) to decide how many spots will be allowed for athletes to represent Tonga in their respective sports at the Tokyo Olympic Games, to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021. Takitoa Taumoepeau said Team Tonga is looking at around 8-9 Athletes with 12 Officials. By Eleanor Gee.
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Monday 10 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The 247 passengers that were repatriated from Auckland, Pagopago and Apia last week have tested negative for COVID-19.
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Monday 10 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Epuefi Laimani was sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment for possession of 5.15gms of methamphetamine, 3.59gms of cannabis, while offering cash as bribes to a police officer. The court found that he intended to sell the illicit drugs.
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Monday 10 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s Public Health Emergency has been renewed to prevent or minimize the spread of COVID-19 within Tonga, starting from 8:00pm today until 8:00pm 7 June.
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Friday 7 May 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga Communications Corporation, a public enterprise, paid a total dividend of over $2.59 million pa'anga to the shareholder this year, the Information, Communication and Technology Sector Shared Board announced today, following TCC's annual general meeting.
Friday 7 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
With only 60% of the first batch of Tonga's COVID-19 vaccines used as of this morning, 7 May, Tonga's Ministry of Health is extending the vaccination program to next week, 10-11 May at various venues. They confirmed that people from the outer islands who are currently in Tongatapu can get vaccinated here. Vaccinations are averaging over 900 per day.
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Friday 7 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 16-Toyota HIACE seater vehicle to transport disabled students was handed over to the Tonga Red Cross Society from the Government of Japan on Friday, May 7.
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Friday 7 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two young Tongan nationals, who are trying to get back to Tonga, have tested positive for COVID-19 at a border quarantine facility in Nadi according to Fiji health officials. The pair travelled from South America. By Eleanor Gee.
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Thursday 6 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A group of around 40 Tongans who returned from the United States via Fiji are being assisted financially by the Tongan Government, after their repatriation flight to Tonga was postponed, due to the rising COVID-19 community transmission there.
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Thursday 6 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
HM King Tupou VI chastised and challenged Parliament, directly questioning members’ honesty, mission and abilities to run the government, in a remarkably frank and hard-hitting speech from the throne, to open the Legislature's 2021-22 session this morning. From the House, By Pesi Fonua
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