Results for Tonga

The construction of Vava'u's first solar power plant to be built with a US$5 million grant from the Government of Abu Dhabi is on target for completion by October 2013. When the plant comes into operation it will provide 13 percent of the annual energy demands of Vava'u, while saving up to 180,000 litres of diesel fuel annually to reduce the cost of electricity.

HE Ms Tania Tupou Tonga's first resident Ambassador to Japan presented her credentials to Japan's Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on 11 December, after starting in her new post at the Government of Tonga's new embassy located at Minato-ku in Tokyo, on 1 October. .

A tropical cyclone gale warning remains in force for Niuafo'ou, as Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan moves north of the Niuas tonight, on southwest track toward the Fiji Islands. Tropical Cyclone Advisory Number 10 for Tonga, issued from Fua'amotu, 10:00pm, 15 December 2012.

Vaipua Bridge which provides a vital short cut to Neiafu for the people living in the western district of Vava'u will be opened on Friday 14 December by Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala.

A short, strong earthquake rattled wooden buildings in Nuku'alofa, Tonga at 12:24pm today, November 14. Officers at the Tonga Met. office, confirmed that they also felt the shake at Fua'amotu Airport at 12:24 pm. Meanwhile, the USGS website reports that a 5.4m earthquake was centred 75km west of Havelu, Tonga at 21.049S and 175.932 W at a depth of 34.1 km at UTC 23:23:50.

The villages of Ha'asini and Hamula on Tongatapu now have access to new banking services with the launching today of in-store banking in their community by the Westpac Bank of Tonga.

Four local companies who were suing their insurance company for cover over damage to their properties in the riots of 16 November 2006, ended their case today on the basis that no party paid costs. The plaintiffs were disappointed to pull out as the evidence in court about the riots favoured the defence position that the riots resulted from "a popular rising, people connected with an organisation the objects of which included influencing the government by violent means and terrorism."

A group of 15 new US Peace Corps volunteers for Tonga were sworn in today, November 9, by the US Ambassador to Tonga HE Frankie Reed, at the Vakaloa Beach Resort in Kanokupolu. Peace Corps also announced that its country directors in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji are to be replaced by a a Regional Director.

Tonga's government is once again trying to drastically reduce penalties for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, by reintroducing a controversial amendment bill, despite the fact that the late King George Tupou V withheld his consent in 2011 because it was considered to be "inimical to the welfare, well-being and safety of His subjects."