The new Tongan government will stretch out its closure of parliament up to eight months. At the request of the Prime Minister, the sitting of the Legislative Assembly has been adjourned to May, Parliament's Office said in a statement today.
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Results for Tonga
Monday 17 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A total powerstation blackout on Tongatapu for a few hours this morning, was caused by a temporary cooling system failure on the generators.
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Monday 17 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The first group of 26 Tongan athletes and officials have arrived in London today. The boxing and table tennis teams had been stranded in China following the outbreak of the coronavirus and the travel restrictions imposed.
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Monday 17 February 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ministry of Health issued its third travel advisory on 15 February reminding international travellers they need to meet requirements on arrival in Tonga, due to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. A traveller from China who was on a flight from New Zealand was denied entry at Fua'amotu International Airport last week because he failed to comply with a new condition of entry to Tonga.
Saturday 15 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A traveller from China who was on board an international flight from New Zealand was denied entry to Fua’amotu International Airport on February 13 for failing to comply with a 14 days quarantine requirement at the last port of entry.
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Friday 14 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Acting Minister of Health is hopeful that four Tongan sports teams in China will be permitted to evacuate to London where they may be quarantined for 14-days before returning to Tonga, and approval for the move is being sought from the UK Government. In Tonga the distressed parents of the swimmers are happy that the government is trying to get the teams home.
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Friday 14 February 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ten Tongans have completed training as coaches to help develop local industries, after undertaking a programme with Tonga Skills.
Thursday 13 February 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Isn't it unusual that there has not been a sitting of Parliament to welcome in a change of government, formed under a new Prime Minister in October last year? - Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.
Thursday 13 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The jury trial against Lord Tu’ivakano who is charged with 10 counts, mostly passport related offences continues at the Supreme Court, in Nuku'alofa.
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Thursday 13 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's tourism industry, while preparing to welcome visitors off three cruise ships on Wednesday, has been hit hard with the last minute cancellations.
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Wednesday 12 February 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Paying to the shareholder a combined total tax of $1.9 million during the financial year 2018/19 – the Transport Sector Public Enterprises reports a return to the shareholder and the people of Tonga, a total dividend and tax of $5.5 million for their performance during the financial year 2018/19, an increase of 57% from the financial year 2017/18. The Transport Sector Public Enterprises consists of the Ports Authority Tonga, Tonga Airports Limited, and the Friendly Island Shipping Agency.
Wednesday 12 February 2020
Apia, Samoa
Tonga and Samoa’s Under-20s rugby teams will play against each other in a one-off test match on 22 February to contest Oceania Rugby U20s Trophy and to determine qualification for the 2020 World Rugby U20s Trophy in Spain later this year.
Wednesday 12 February 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Four cruise ships have been ordered to stay away from Tonga this week under a diversion order issued yesterday, 11 February, by the Ministry of Health, to prevent the introduction or spread of the new coronavirus, now named SARS-CoV-2. The virus with 393 cases outside of China, has been identified as a form of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) coronaviruses.
Tuesday 11 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lord Tu’ivakano has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges, five of which are for acceptance of a bribe by a government servant, at the start of his jury trial, at the Supreme Court today, February 11. By Linny Folau.
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Tuesday 11 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The trial of former Prime Minister Lord Tu‘ivakano, who is facing multiple charges in relation to passport offences, began on Monday 10 February and a jury has been selected and sworn in at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.
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Tuesday 11 February 2020
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Geneva, Switzerland
The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases worldwide has climbed to 40,235 in China and 909 deaths as at 10 February, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). No update has been provided by the Tonga Government on the Tongan students and sports athletes currently in China, since its travel advisory on 5 February. Meanwhile, residents in Tonga's Vava'u Group are worried that cruise ships are arriving directly from overseas at this time.
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Monday 10 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The special nature of early childhood education such as learning through play needs more advocacy, say educators, as 10 new government preschools opened across Tonga today, with the Minister for Education and Training, Hon Siaosi Sovaleni officially opening one at the Veitongo Government Primary School (GPS) to mark the first preschool day.
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Friday 7 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has acceded to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, becoming the 14th and final Pacific Island country to do so and the 187th signatory in the world.
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Friday 7 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Four police officers have been suspended from duty on February 5, for drinking alcohol while patrolling in the Nuku'alofa area.
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Friday 7 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Seven people have been arrested in the seizure of 37.44 grams of methamphetamine and cannabis at a home in Vaini on February 6.
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