New York Times Reporting: President Joe Biden’s announcement of a deal to help Australia deploy nuclear-powered submarines has strained the Western alliance, infuriating France and foreshadowing how the conflicting U.S. and European responses to confrontation with China may redraw the global strategic map. The Biden administration appears to be upping the ante with Beijing by providing a Pacific ally with submarines that are much harder to detect than conventional ones.
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Friday 17 September 2021
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Paris, France
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Thursday 16 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 45-year-old man from Nukuhetulu, charged with the exportation of 30 kilograms of methamphetamine from Tonga, is to appear at the Magistrate's Court on Monday, September 20. The alleged methamphetamine was seized in New Zealand last month. The accused was arrested on September 9 in Tonga.
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Thursday 16 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
On the closing of the 2021 parliamentary session today, King Tupou VI stated that it was important for the House to make sure that the government of the day used taxpayers' money wisely. In a speech read by Lord Ve'ehala, the King said that in this election year Tonga faces many challenges, including illicit drugs, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. He wished Tongans: “All the best for sensible voting in the coming November election.” From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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Thursday 16 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kaufusi Moala (30) was sentenced today to six-months imprisonment for possession of 0.26 grams of methamphetamine. The sentence was fully suspended on conditions.
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Thursday 16 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A repatriation flight from Pago Pago, American Samoa, and Apia, Western Samoa, is now scheduled to arrive in Tonga with nine passengers on 22 September, said MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u today.
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Wednesday 15 September 2021
Hamilton, New Zealand
In New Zealand, the University of Waikato, in support of increased Covid-19 vaccination rates among Māori and Pacific communities, will host a vaccination clinic and drive on September 16 to mark Kīngitanga day. There is concern that vaccination rates among the Māori and Pacific communities are lower when compared to the New Zealand national average, while some studies also suggest that Pacific people are three times more likely to need hospitalisation when infected with the virus than non-Pacific people.
Wednesday 15 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Emosi Vakarua, the Secretary General of the University of the South Pacific Students' Association is calling on the Fijian Government to release the grant payments that it owes to the University of the South Pacific (USP).
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Wednesday 15 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Thirty kilograms of methamphetamine, exported from Tonga to New Zealand in a refrigerated food container, was seized in a joint operation by police and customs taskforces. There have been six arrests: one in Tonga and five in New Zealand, Tonga Police announced today.
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Wednesday 15 September 2021
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Auckland, New Zealand
Seasonal workers from Tonga, Samoa, and Vanuatu will be able to travel to New Zealand quarantine-free starting in October, announced New Zealand’s COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor yesterday, September 14. The arrangement will help New Zealand’s horticulture industry for the upcoming picking season.
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Wednesday 15 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kalafitoni Toluta’u (42), a deportee and repeat offender, was sentenced today to two-years six-months imprisonment for possession of 2.8 grams of methamphetamine, seized at 'Utulau in 2018. .
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Tuesday 14 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Centenary Tournament featuring eight men’s 15-a-side and eight women’s sevens rugby premier teams will be launched on Friday, 17 September at Teufaiva Stadium, to commemorate 100 years of rugby in the kingdom, Tonga Rugby Union announced today.
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Tuesday 14 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Repatriation flights due to arrive from Australia and New Zealand this month have been deferred due to COVID-19, confirmed MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u today.
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Tuesday 14 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding was taught to students at GPS Hofoa today who made folded shapes of a helmet, a heart and a balloon. Origami encourages students to concentrate and focus, said Tamada Iku, cultural and education officer at the Embassy of Japan in Tonga.
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Tuesday 14 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Faka‘anaua ‘Akau (22) was today sentenced to additional 30-months imprisonment at Hu'atolitoli Prison for escaping lawful custody, serious housebreaking and theft committed in 'Eua. He is currently in prison for previous offences.
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Monday 13 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 32 year old man was shot in the arm by the Police, after he allegedly used a .22 handgun to point and shoot at Police, during the raid of a suspect's home at Hala'ovave, Tongatapu, yesterday, September 12.
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Monday 13 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two para-athletes, Siaosi Vaka from Hofoa and Selemaia Lo’amanu from Lapaha have been appointed as Development Officers to help grow the sport of Table Tennis in schools and communities in Tonga.
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Monday 13 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga will observe a public holiday on Friday, September 17 for the 36th birthday of Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala.
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Monday 13 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The new Director General of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme will be Mr Sefanaia Nawadra, the SPREP Secretariat announced on 9 September, in Apia, Samoa. He will take over the role from Mr Kosi Latu on 4 April 2022.
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Monday 13 September 2021
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Suva, Fiji
Heads of Customs in the Pacific, including Tonga, have agreed that they need to work together with national security to ensure the region is more secure from transnational crimes. Despite border closures because of COVID-19, they say threats in the Pacific remain high from illegal activities, which are often facilitated by trusted insiders.
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Monday 13 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A ground-breaking ceremony for the establishment of the second temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tonga was held at Neiafu, Vava’u on Saturday 11 September.
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