The Pacific Islands are now at a cliff edge. As a region, as countries and as peoples, we face some of the hardest and cruellest choices. Business as usual, more of the same and incremental improvements will be the surest way to disaster for the whole of our region. As our communities, our region struggles, this is a time to ask some hard questions...Do we have what it takes to implement policies and decisions at the pace and speed at which this is needed? By Professor Biman Prasad (article from a public speech during this week's Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in Suva, Fiji).
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Thursday 10 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The ‘Ikale Tahi pulled a decisive win 28 - 3 over Canada despite a red card, which left them one man down in the second-half, in the first of their two test matches, this afternoon at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa.

Wednesday 9 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach, Toutai Kefu, remains full of confidence for the team and is looking forward to seeing them regroup against Canada in Tonga tomorrow, 10 August.

Wednesday 9 August 2023
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Lisbon, Portugal
Tonga Catholic youth joined thousands of other youth members of the Catholic Church, in Lisbon, Portugal, celebrating World Youth Day that started from 1 to 6 August.

Wednesday 9 August 2023
Sandy-Utah, USA
FROM OUR ARCHIVES: When the late George Tupou V surrendered the Executive Power to the Prime Minister in 2010, did it mean he wanted to remain only as a ceremonial and symbolic monarchy without any political power? Why did he appoint the Lords? Without a proper assessment of the answers to those two questions, the present leaders of the PTOA (Paati Temo Otumotu Anga’ofa) movement do injustice to the democratic and political reform that the late king had initiated. - Seni Penitani
Wednesday 9 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A petition calling for reform of Tonga's electoral system so that the Prime Minister may be chosen by a popular vote (and not by the Members of Parliament in the House) has engaged the House yesterday 7 August and again today.

Tuesday 8 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
One of two demonstration Organic Learning Farms, the Mahuleva Farm on Tongatapu was launched today, 8 August 2023. Another in Vava’u, the ‘Ovava Farm, will be launched soon.

Tuesday 8 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team arrived in Tonga earlier today, and will face Tonga’s ‘Ikale Tahi this week, in the first of two test matches, this Thursday 10 August, and again Tuesday next week, at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa.

Tuesday 8 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A tree planting project around the coastal areas and homes of Kolofo’ou, Fanga o Pilolevu, Havelu and Tofoa (Vahenga Tongatapu 2), under MEIDECC, is into its second week.

Tuesday 8 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two new JICA volunteers arrived in Tonga, last week to work at Tongatapu secondary schools for six months starting in mid-August.

Tuesday 8 August 2023
Suva, Fiji
Despite uncertainty about the outlook for inflation and interest rates in major economies and trading partners, developing Pacific economies are expected to grow in 2023 and 2024 due to a recovery in tourism, post-disaster rebuilding, and infrastructure construction, a World Bank report released today says. Fiji is expected to continue leading the Pacific's recovery from the pandemic. Robust growth is also projected for Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu, and Federated States of Micronesia. While in Tonga most households receive remittances from abroad.
Monday 7 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Although Tonga's economy is rebounding strongly from a major double shock in early 2022, Tonga is confronting important challenges to long-term growth posed by sustained worker outflows and increasingly frequent natural disasters, says the International Monetary Fund.

Monday 7 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Nuku'alofa bar owner has lost an Appeal in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court and failed to have charges that emanated from a police entry to be set aside. The licensee was appealing against the decision of a Magistrate who declared that Tonga Police had lawfully entered the Billfish Bar premises. In his judgment on 4 August, the Lord Chief Justice agreed with the Magistrate that the Police constables' entry to the bar was lawful under Section 70 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act.

Monday 7 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
New Zealand Universities are now accepting students who have completed the Tongan National Form Seven Certificate (TNFSC) programme. Tonga's Prime Minister's Office announced on 4 August, that the qualification has been accepted as "meeting the minimum requirements" for entrance to a New Zealand University.

Monday 7 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A total of 58 seismic events were recorded within Tonga’s region, in the month of July compared to 155 seismic events in June, the Tonga Geohazards team reported today.

Friday 4 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The 'Ikale Tahi will take on Manu Samoa tomorrow, 5 August at Apia Park, Samoa.

Friday 4 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new dialysis centre under construction in Tonga, is expected to be completed in April next year, the Minister of Health, Hon Dr Saia Piukala, said today. There are about 50 patients in Tonga who urgently need the dialysis treatment and they will be the first to get treatments, when the dialysis centre opens, he told a media briefing at the Prime Minister's Office.

Friday 4 August 2023
Cape Town, South Africa
The Tongan Tala lost to Malawi Queens in a tight clash at the Netball World Cup, yesterday 3 August, in Cape Town, South Africa.
Friday 4 August 2023
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Olongapo, Philippines
A Tongan LDS Missionary, Papa Fe’iloaki (22) died on 29 July 2023 shortly after being admitted to a hospital while serving his mission at Olongapo, Philippines.

Wednesday 2 August 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is experiencing unusual cold weather, with cool days and cooler nights, and local people are trying to keep warm. Sunday's 9.3°C at Lapaha was close to the national record low of 8.7°C experienced in 1994.