The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres will attend the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leader's meeting in Tonga, from 26-30 August. The Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku confirmed the Secretary-General's attendance.
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Tuesday 7 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Monday 6 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A widowed mother of seven, Mele Havea (35) received 18 months imprisonment, fully suspended, after pleading guilty to charges of impersonating a customs officer in Vava’u. The judge said it was the first case of its kind in Tonga. “If she had not been caught in time, she may have eventually been able to scam more out of the Chinese shop owners.”
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Monday 6 May 2024
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Paris, France
Press freedom around the world is being threatened by political authorities – the very people who should be its guarantors. In marking Press Freedom Day, on 3 May, Reporters Without Borders says this is clear from the latest World Press Freedom Index, which shows journalism is under political pressure. Their finding was based on five indicators that were used to compile this year's ranking, and it showed that the political indicator has fallen most, registering a global average fall of 7.6. Tonga is ranked 45th in 2024.
Monday 6 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Government will keep running the Lulutai Airlines, until someone can buy them out and take over the operation of the domestic airline, the Prime Minister said on Friday. “If Lulutai withdraws, would there be any airline services for the outer islands? Is there anyone who can buy out the government and can operate the airline privately?” he asked.
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Monday 6 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The body of a man who was discovered on the roadside in the Tokomololo area, on Sunday, 5 May, has been identified as 50 year old Kepueli 'Ahome'e from Ha'alalo. Tonga Police warned that photos of the body shared on social media were inappropriate and disrespectful to the family and friends of the deceased.
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Saturday 4 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Otago Highlanders scored a 28 - 17 win against Moana Pasifika this afternoon, in the first-ever Super Rugby game played at Teufaiva Stadium, in Nuku'alofa, where the constant rain failed to dampen the spirits of an enthusiastic crowd and full grand strand.
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Saturday 4 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Visiting Tonga today, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Tsuge Yoshifumi, leading a special envoy of Japan's Prime Minister, met Hon. Hu'akavameiliku at the Prime Minister's Office in Nuku'alofa, this morning, 4 May.
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Friday 3 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The undefeated U-18 team of Tupou College Toloa won (22-10) against Liahona High School in the Secondary School Rugby League Championship 2024, held at Tonga College ‘Atele today, 3 May 2024.
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Friday 3 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The aviation community was issued a Yellow ACC alert to be vigilant today while magmatic activities on Tofua volcano are continuing. There were a total of 13 events recorded over the last 24 hours, additional to the seven events in the previous report, the Tonga Geological Services, reported today, 3 May.
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Thursday 2 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ahead of the first ever Super Rugby clash in Tonga, the Moana Pasifika team arrived last night, 1 May 2024, to start preparing for their match against the Highlanders on Saturday afternoon.
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Thursday 2 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sosiua Vea (37) in a ruthless deception of his best friend was imprisoned for obtaining money by false pretence, when the imported double cab vehicle that was supposed to be purchased was never delivered.
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Thursday 2 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sitiveni Tukuafu (28), a first time offender, was sentenced to two-years’ imprisonment with some part suspended for three charges that included possession of 4.78 grams of methamphetamine seized at Hofoa.
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Thursday 2 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
King Tupou VI expressed his concern about government spending on business ventures and questioned whether the money was used transparently. He also urged government to put an end to illicit drugs use in Tonga, which along with climate change posed “great threats to our children and our lives.”
Wednesday 1 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An action brought by Sosefo Penitani challenging the validity of a lease on his hereditary tax allotment registered in the name of another man, Pohiva Uele, claiming that his deceased father’s signature was forged, was dismissed by the Land Court, due to failure to meet the high standard of proof.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Etuate Siaosi Katoa (32) was jailed after pleading guilty to the falsification of accounts and theft of building supplies valued at $19,644 from his employer, while working as its delivery driver.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
All Tonga's mariners were alerted today to give the Tofua Volcano a wide berth while thermal anomalies continue to be observed. Vessels in the area should sail no closer than 1.08 nautical miles from Tofua today, 1 May, Tonga Geology Services (TGS) advised. The latest update from HIMAWARI-9 Satellite shows no ash/dust cloud has been released from the Tofua Volcano since the last report issued at 6:30 am yesterday, 30 April, however, monitoring continues.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
Vava'u, Tonga
On April 20, 2024, the Tonga Ministry of Fisheries made the official handover of 12 boats equipped with Yamaha 60hp engines, and navigational and safety equipment to 12 Vava'u Special Management Area (SMA) communities, as part of the transformative Pathway to Sustainable Oceans Project (Tongafish Pathway) embedded in the Ministry of Fisheries.
Wednesday 1 May 2024
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Vancouver, Canada
A 6’8 tall Tongan-born American Football player, Giovanni Manu (23) was drafted by the Detroit Lions, from the University of British Columbia (UBC) on Saturday, 27 April 2024. He grew up in Pahu, Nuku'alofa, before emigrating to Canada.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A fall in the demand for seasonal workers through Australia's Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, is due to the growing number of backpackers seeking work in rural areas, and the new PALM Deed of Agreement, according to Research Associate and Pacific labour markets and migration expert, Richard Curtain.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
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Canberra, Australia
Australia has allocated to Tonga a total of 150 new Pacific Engagement Visas for 2024, through an online ballot process set to open on 3 June. The Pacific Engagement Visa is a new permanent resident visa for participating countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, with up to 3,000 visas opportunity to be given every year.
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