Results for Tonga

The third problem revealed by the failure of the Sopu hotel is this: although there supposedly are "strict building codes", this particular building went all the way to near-completion before it's construction was determined to be "sub-standard". How did that happen? P. A. Langi

HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka presented his letter of credence, as the Tongan High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea to the PNG Governor General, Sir Paulius Matane in Port Moresby last week, and learned of future employment opportunities for Tongans in PNG.

Britain's Princess Royal, HRH Princess Anne, was welcomed with a Guard of Honour to the Fa'onelua Convention Centre, Nuku'alofa on Monday morning, March 22, where 10 Emerging Pacific Leaders Dialogue study groups had gathered for the presentation of their findings before the closure of a two-week study tour of 10 Pacific countries.

Thank you for providing a condensed version of the Ashika Inquiry testimonies. One thing struck me as I read Commander Lupeti Vi's statement on the incompetencies of some government officials that were involved in the Ashika incident.

Tongan Professor 'Ilaisa Futa 'i Ha'angana Helu (75) passed away at Vaiola Hospital, Tongatapu, at around 2:45pm yesterday, Tuesday February 2.

A New Zealand inspector who inspected the main engine of the Princess Ashika vessel in Fiji in April 2009, revealed to the Royal Commission of Inquiry, he never signed an Audit Document for the Ashika as he never knew one existed.

Mother of six 'Emeline Taufa (29) of Hofoa, made a lucky U-turn on December 30 when she decided to head back to town and do some more shopping - just to get a ticket in the Molisi Tonga Supermarket Christmas Bonanza before it closed the same day.

On New Year's Eve in a land where time begins, Tongans are welcoming in 2010 quietly. As midnight approaches there's a brass band playing a hymn somewhere nearby in the capital, with a sombre tone that sounds more like a funeral dirge. But as the New Year rolls in, church bells start ringing, the crackers make a lively statement for a few minutes and the band picks up the beat - a little. - By Mary Lyn Fonua

Pelenaise Fehoko Havea (18), the Dux of Vava'u High School for 2009 is an all-around student who has been outstanding both in the classroom and in sports.