Results for Tonga

Royal Tongan Airlines ceased operation yesterday, closing its offices in Tonga, and about 100 people who were still employed in the airline's domestic service were told the bad news that they too have lost their jobs.

Royal Tongan Airlines has confirmed today that using other airlines they have uplifted nearly all of the 1,300 passengers stranded in Nuku'alofa, Auckland, Sydney, Rarotonga and Honolulu since the RTA international service was grounded on April 22.

Royal Tongan Airlines has stopped selling its international flights today.

Tonga's high inflation rate of 12 per cent, is a stumbling block for economic recovery, and a major cause of misery for ordinary Tongans, and urgently needs to be reduced. Martin Cerisola, the leader of an International Monetary Fund delegation, winding-up their annual visit to Tonga on April 2, said that high inflation had the most adverse affect on low income earners. "It affects the poor the most, and I emphasised that inflation should be brought down to a sustainable level.

The Chief Secretary to the Tongan Cabinet, 'Eseta Fusitu'a is disputing and discrediting the US State Department's 2003 report that cited Tonga's "poor record" on Human Rights.

The King and the Queen of Tonga will be mourning for 100 nights over the loss of their second son, the late Hon. Ma'atu, who died on February 17.

The bad smell of Tonga's lost $US26 million Trust Fund keeps emerging whenever Jesse the jester thinks it is time for a wise crack.

Oh dear! Tonga is in such a sad state, I can almost hear everyone crying with frustration. - P. Woodward

Tonga has been in mourning since the death of Hon. Ma'atu on February 17, with many businesses, homes and government buildings displaying black and violet bunting as a mark of respect for the King's second son.