Over 20% of smokers in Tonga have shifted to consuming the local hand-rolled tobacco, tapaka Tonga, because it is not taxed and cheaper, following a tax increase on manufactured cigarettes, according to a new study by the World Bank.
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Monday 3 September 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Monday 3 September 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 43-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter by negligence in relation to the death of a 46-year-old man, he allegedly assaulted during a brawl in Neiafu on Saturday night, September 1.

Monday 3 September 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Australia’s new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has appointed South Australia senator Anne Ruston as Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific. She replaces the outspoken Concetta Fierravanti-Wells who resigned on 21 August following a leadership spilt in Australia’s ruling Liberal Party.

Monday 3 September 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Pouono ‘Aisake (28) appeared at the Fasi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 3 on charges related to injuring a Senior Police Constable with a machete last month.

Friday 31 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Running a business in Tonga is a struggle, but persistence is a key to survival, agreed three New Zealand-Tongan business owners at a breakfast panel organized by the New Zealand Tonga Business Council at the Tanoa Hotel, today Friday, August 31. They noted that the voice of the private sector has weakened over the years.

Friday 31 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A commitment to promote trade and entrepreneurship between Tonga and New Zealand was formalised when the New Zealand Tonga Business Council (NZTBC) and Tonga’s Ministry of Commerce, Consumer, Trade, Innovation and Labour signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the residence of the New Zealand High Commissioner in Nuku’alofa on 29 August.

Friday 31 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 28-year-old man who injured a Senior Police Constable when he hit him on the head with a machete remains in custody to appear at the Fasi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 3.

Friday 31 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva is leading Tonga’s delegation to the 49th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting held in Nauru from September 3-6.

Thursday 30 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three new buses were donated by the Government of Japan to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to promote sports and transport athletes to sports competitions and events. Present at the handover today was the Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, sporting a big lump on his forehead, after he was injured in a fall at the weekend.

Thursday 30 August 2018
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Christchurch, New Zealand
ANZ Premiership netballer Temalisi Fakahokotau (23), was awarded team player of the year by her Christchurch based club, the Mainland Tactix.

Thursday 30 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Five male students have been charged with disturbance in relation to a school brawl that broke out at the bus station in Nuku’alofa on Wednesday, August 29.

Thursday 30 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Monique Laurenson (53) is the New Zealander who died suddenly on Monday night, August 27 after collapsing at a restaurant in Nuku'alofa.

Wednesday 29 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The President and Convenor of a Pacific China Friendship Association visited Tonga on August 27, ahead of its second conference in Hainan in November this year.

Wednesday 29 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The trial of two teenage boys charged with murder in relation to the death of a Chinese couple, Mr Feng Sheng Pei and Mrs Su Jie Wen is set to run from January 7-18, 2019.

Wednesday 29 August 2018
Paris, France
There is unprecedented global momentum to build a low-carbon, climate-secure future. However, in fact, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are still accumulating at a rate that will soon take us well above the 1.5°C threshold, beyond which some of the worst effects of climate change cannot be staved off. Extreme weather already is becoming more common, as exemplified by record-high temperatures worldwide this year. On current trends, average global temperatures could well rise by 3°C, imperiling vital natural systems like coral reefs, rainforests, and the polar regions. All relevant stakeholders need to strengthen their climate commitments. By Patricia Espinosa and Anne Hidalgo
Tuesday 28 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Some 30 cylinders of a banned refrigerant R22 Hyrochlorofluorocarbon HCFC that were seized by Tongan Customs at Queen Salote Wharf in September 2013 are still under the care of the Customs Department.

Tuesday 28 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 57-year-old woman from New Zealand died last night, Monday August 27 after collapsing at the Vuna Bar and Restaurant in Nuku'alofa.

Tuesday 28 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fifteen women and men showcased various textile and tapa printing designs after undergoing skills training at Kolonga, aimed to help people on the eastern district develop skills to earn a living.

Tuesday 28 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two convicted murderers in California, Tevita Kaihea (22) and Charlie Hola (22), were handed large prison sentences by a court in Sacramento yesterday 27 August. Kaihea received a prison sentence of 112 years to life whilst Hola received 48 years to life.

Tuesday 28 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Five men released on bail include a police officer who has been suspended in relation to a drug bust at Ngele'ia.
