Results for Tonga

The Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga Lord Tu’iha’ateiho pleaded not guilty today to one count of possession of a firearm without a license regarding a .22 semi-automatic pistol. Tentative trial dates was set for November 2014.

A new report states that Tonga is the fourth most over-weight country in the world, and that Non-Communicable Diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms and diabetes are a leading cause of adult death, while data showed that 36 percent of Tongan boys and 54 percent of Tongan girls were over-weight or obese. Death rates in the most productive age groups are three times higher than in Australia and New Zealand

The power distribution network of 33 rural villages in Tongatapu will be upgraded over the next five-years with over $38 million pa'anga, in the continuation of a Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project.

A suspended Police Constable Valeliano Manu and two accused Asian nationals were found guilty for the importation of the controlled chemical pseudoephedrine, a precursor to manufacture the illicit drug methamphetamine. They are remanded in custody for sentencing in January 2014.

Victims of domestic violence will have easy access to free non-judgmental counseling and also to a police officer and a registered nurse, who will be stationed at the Women and Children Crisis Centre in central Nuku‘alofa as part of a new “one-stop-shop” crisis service that was launched today.

A civil-jury trial hearing claims brought by Tonga's former Attorney General John Cauchi against the Government of Tonga is nearing an end as the evidence of witnesses called by the defendant was completed on 25 November, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

Tonga's former Prime Minister Lord Sevele, a witness at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court this afternoon, denied suggestions that his government had tried to “freeze-out” the former Attorney General John Cauchi.

A former Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Busby Kautoke told the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa this afternoon, that he was not aware of any move by government to force John Cauchi to resign from his Attorney General position in 2010.

A call by the Welsh forward coach, Shaun Edwards for referee Mike Fraser, a New Zealander, to protect the Welsh team and to clamp down on "illegal" and "over the top" tackling style of the Pacific Islanders was considered by the 'Ikale Tahi captain, Nili Latu an insult to himself and his team, as they prepare for Friday's match against Wales. (Tonga, Saturday 23 November, 8:30am).