Under Tonga's Constitutional Monarchy system of Government the final executive decision-making power remains with the King. Therefore the burden of finding a solution to Tonga's current economic and Constitutional crises rests squarely on the shoulders of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. - Editor's Comment. Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3
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Monday 1 December 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Monday 1 December 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan Parliament's decision to do away with use of the British Civil Liberty Law will hurt some Tongan families who were hoping to emigrate to New Zealand and Australia. Now that they are illegal, Tongan adoptions will not be recognised by other countries. -Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3

Monday 1 December 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan government as the principal shareholder in Royal Tongan Airlines will be required to inject $20.6 million pa...anga into RTA over the 13 months between June 2003 and July 2004 in order for the company to achieve and then retain solvency, according to advise from KPMG Financial Advisory Services. - Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3

Monday 1 December 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Royal Tongan Airlines 757 holds 166 passenger seats and its Loading Factor average until June 2003 was 90 to 100 passengers per flight. - Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3

Monday 1 December 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tongans are putting their hopes and money on a struggling national airline.. Tonga's national airline, Royal Tongan Airlines, has been losing money ever since its new international air service started on 25 November 2002. -Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3

Monday 1 December 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Dr Adrienne L. Kaeppler, an anthropologist who writes on the arts and material culture, received the Pacific Arts Association...s prestigious Frigate Bird Award this year for her lifetime contribution to and excellence in the study of Pacific Arts. -Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3,

Monday 1 December 2003
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The reason why the Tongan Government decided to enact Media Bills and to amend Clause 7 of the Constitution so that they can control the local Media, remains a mystery. One thing that is clear, however, is that the new media legislation is vindictive, because it is meant to hurt. - Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3
Wednesday 26 November 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga government has introduced one of the heaviest penalties for drug offenders imposed by any government in the region.

Wednesday 26 November 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Talking of island states, “Big is useful, but small is beautiful," Sir Julius, a former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, and a member of the Eminent Persons Group, said in Nuku'alofa.

Tuesday 25 November 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new professional organisation of Tongan news media was officially registered in Nuku'alofa as an incorporated society on 11 November 2003.

Tuesday 25 November 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In any disaster, there are always a few survivors and this is true of Tonga's squash industry this year. While most of the 2000 Tongan squash growers this season will face a huge financial loss because they will be paid only 15 to 20 seniti per kg of squash, a lucky few will receive between 61 and 84 seniti per kg.

Tuesday 11 November 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The state of Poverty and Corruption in Tonga was highlighted by researchers in Nuku'alofa at the end of October.

Monday 10 November 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In spite of its critical financial problems, Royal Tongan Airlines plans to go ahead and extend its international services.

Monday 10 November 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's annual squash exports for Japan could reach 20,000 tonnes, but people in the industry are predicting the price will plummet this year to a disappointing low of between 20 and 15 seniti per kilo.

Monday 10 November 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tevita Taufa Vaka (23), was found guilty on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm, when he appeared in the Nuku'alofa Police Magistrate's Court on November 11.

Friday 7 November 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's 'Ikale Tahi rugby team returned home from Australia with the Wooden Spoon for Pool D in the Rugby World Cup, after losing all of its four pool games against Italy, Wales, the All Blacks and Canada.

Thursday 30 October 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
“It seems that the state of our economy is starting to look up, the result of efforts that we have made in the past”.- King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

Friday 24 October 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan Member of Parliament, 'Etuate Lavulavu, who was arrested in the United States on October 1, returned to Tonga on 24 October 2003.

Friday 24 October 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The amendment to Clause 7 'Freedom of Speech' of the Tongan Constitution, was passed by the Tongan Legislative Assembly with a vote16-11 on October 16, along with a new Newspaper Act 2003, which was passed 14-8.

Friday 24 October 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Disregarding strong public protests and the opposition of People's Representatives, the Tongan Government pushed through a bill for Constitutional change on October 16. The changes, which have yet to be signed into law by the king, will allow government to control freedom of speech. The 16 members who voted in favour of the controversial Bill were: Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, James Cecil Cocker, William Clive Edwards, Dr Masasso T. Paunga, Dr Viliami Ta'u Tangi, Fielakepa, Siosiua Tupou 'Utoikamanu, 'Aisea Havea Taumoepeau, Paula Sunia Bloomfield, Tuita, Malupo, 'Akau'ola, Fohe, Nuku, Havea Tu'iha'angana, and Tu'i'afitu.
