The Seychelles, a string of 115 verdant, rocky islands in the Indian Ocean, recently announced – in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic – that it would protect 30% of its glittering turquoise waters from commercial use - made possible through an innovative debt-swap deal – that will also bolster the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of the Seychellois, who number under 100,000 but cater to more than 350,000 visitors each year. - By Enric Sala
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Thursday 14 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Where are the six Tongan boys who were castaways on Ata Island in 1965? The world is asking, after their story was published in The Guardian (UK) four days ago and has been read more than 7 million times. The family of Kolo Fekitoa, one of the six, told Matangi Tonga that Kolo passed away about three-years ago at the age of 71.
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Thursday 14 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Australia has committed to providing up to AUD$1.8 million to extend the Tonga Health Systems Support Program to the end of next year, and a further AUD$1 million for CoViD-19 preparations, signing the increased assistance package with the Minister of Health today.
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Thursday 14 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fili Ta'ai (56) of Ngele’ia has pleaded guilty to bribery of a member of Tonga Police, when he appeared at the Supreme Court on May 14.
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Wednesday 13 May 2020
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Apia, Samoa
A former Prime Minister and Head of State of the Republic of Samoa, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi has challenged Samoa’s current Prime Minister Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi over his move to amend Samoa’s 1962 Constitution, and the meaning of land rights.
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Wednesday 13 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lisiate ‘Otuhouma (29), charged in the seizure of three kilograms of methamphetamine at Fahefa, has pleaded not guilty at the Supreme Court.
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Wednesday 13 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A grant of $460,000 pa'anga from the Asian Development Bank will fund immediate water sanitation and hygiene needs in Tonga, to areas affected by storm surge, among other recovery efforts after Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold in April.
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Wednesday 13 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s local rugby league clubs will elect a new Chair and Finance Director for a new Rugby League Board on Friday, 15 May. Candidates include the Speaker of Parliament Lord Fakafanua and current MP and former Deputy Prime Minister, Semisi Sika.
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Tuesday 12 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
While Tonga’s only airline, Real Tonga, struggles with the impact of ongoing CoVid-19 restrictions, the private sector company faces another tough challenge, a lack of government support and government's attempts to set up a new airline. Meanwhile, Real Tonga is not flying after the SAAB 340 serving the domestic route, suffered engine problems in a bird strike in Vava’u last week. By Eleanor Gee.
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Tuesday 12 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Harry Ofiu Vamanrar (27) died at Vaiola Hospital on Sunday May 10, after he was found critically injured at a home in Haveluloto.
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Tuesday 12 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tevita Tu’i Uata, a former Minister of Trade, was found not guilty at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on charges of neglecting to obey and refusal to obey the Nuku'alofa Port Master’s direction, regarding the mooring of the MV Pulupaki.
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Monday 11 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A decision by the Tongan Parliament to hold a secretive session to debate their response to the speech to the nation by HM King Tupou VI on the opening of parliament, is a historical first and a disappointing show for the first sitting of the House of the new government, under the new prime minister. When parliament hides their pondering over the approval of a simple thank you note, then the public cannot hope to see participatory parliament in the future. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.
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Monday 11 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the murder of 27-year-old man at Haveluloto over the weekend.
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Monday 11 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
World Red Cross Day celebrations in Tonga on 8 May saw the launch of a website used to restore communications within families in times of emergencies, including natural disasters, conflicts or migration.
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Friday 8 May 2020
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Suva, Fiji
A Pacific tourism report on the CoViD-19 impact and recovery in the region projected NZD$3.1 billion losses if there were no tourists visiting seven Pacific Island countries, including Tonga, over a 12-month period.
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Friday 8 May 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The third CoViD-19 testing machine, GeneXpert, and testing cartridges have arrived in Tonga and were cleared last night and kept at the Ministry of Health laboratory said Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today, 8 May.
Friday 8 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Twelve people have been arrested after the seizure of methamphetamine and cannabis at nine different locations in Tongatapu. Nine men and three women aged 20-41 have been charged.
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Friday 8 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The death of a 31-year-old man whose body was found at a home in Veitongo on Saturday night, May 2 has been ruled a suicide.
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Friday 8 May 2020
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London, UK
Former Tonga captain Sika Manu and current international player Will Hopoate have been nominated as board members for a new governing body in Tonga, according to the International Rugby League (IRL) on 7 May.
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Friday 8 May 2020
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Suva, Fiji
CoViD-19 information for people throughout the Pacific is being compiled by a new FSPI website that provides links to relevant articles on the virus.
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