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Thursday 17 December 2020 4:48pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Brides and grooms filled the Registry Office in Nuku'alofa, today December 17 to tie the knot before government closes for the Christmas holidays tomorrow.
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Thursday 17 December 2020 4:11pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : An extremely powerful Tropical Cyclone “Yasa”, is threatening Fiji today, where Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama warned people to prepare and evacuate low lying areas. Forecasters warned that wave heights around the eye of the storm could approach 14 meters (45 feet), with momentary gusts of up to 195 knots (390km/hr). TC Yasa threatens to cause damage on the scale of Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016. Meanwhile, a Tropical Cyclone Alert is now in force for Tonga. -
Thursday 17 December 2020 12:52pm
Wellington, New Zealand : New Zealand is preparing to support its Pacific partners to access safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines at the earliest opportunity, NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta and Associate Foreign Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio said today in a joint statement. -
Thursday 17 December 2020 12:29pm
Wellington, New Zealand : The New Zealand Government will purchase COVID-19 vaccines from pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and Novavax, meaning every New Zealander will be able to be vaccinated, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “We have secured more than enough doses to cover our entire population plus the Pacific,” she said. Vaccinations for the public are on track to start in mid-2021. Premium content -
Thursday 17 December 2020 10:21am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A US$30 million Development Policy Operation to support Tonga’s recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold, was approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on 15 December. Premium content -
Wednesday 16 December 2020 7:14pm
New York, USA : New York Times reporting: While many poor nations may be able to vaccinate at most 20% of their populations in 2021, some of the world’s richest countries have reserved enough doses to immunize their own multiple times over. “The high-income countries have gotten to the front of the line and cleared the shelves,” said Andrea Taylor, a Duke researcher who is studying the coronavirus vaccines contracts. But the outlook for most of the developing world is dire. Because of manufacturing limits, it could take until 2024 for many low-income countries to obtain enough vaccines to fully immunize their populations. Premium content -
Wednesday 16 December 2020 4:47pm
New York, USA : New York Times reporting: On December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will appear to be no more than a dime’s width apart in the night sky. The last time that could be seen was in 1226, making the event a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for most adults. -
Wednesday 16 December 2020 3:25pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : As Fiji braces for severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa (Cat. 5), Tonga Met. Director ‘Ofa Fa’anunu advises that Tonga should prepare too for a potentially severe cyclone over the weekend. Meanwhile, TC Zazu has moved away from Tonga. Premium content -
Wednesday 16 December 2020 2:14pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tongan politics are in turmoil after a letter for a motion for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, was tabled into parliament a day before the House closed its 2020 session on 10 December. Details of the letter have emerged, raising seven concerns. From the House by Pesi Fonua. Premium content -
Wednesday 16 December 2020 2:00pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Petroleum and LP gas prices have increased starting today, 16 December, as approved by the Tonga Competent Authority. Premium content -
Wednesday 16 December 2020 12:24pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A photographic exhibition, presented online, celebrates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Tonga. -
Tuesday 15 December 2020 11:50pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Kuliti Tongamoa, aka “Creed”, who supplied cocaine to a former international rugby player 'Epeli Taione (41) at 'Umusi in January, was found guilty on two counts of supplying illicit drugs; while Taione was found guilty of possession of illicit drugs, in a verdict delivered in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on December 11. They will be sentenced on 19 February, 2021. Premium content -
Tuesday 15 December 2020 6:52pm
New York, USA : The Kingdom of Tonga and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations at an official ceremony in New York, USA on 14 December, reports Tonga's UN mission. Premium content -
Tuesday 15 December 2020 6:49pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Four new community projects will be funded under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) after grant contracts were signed today. They include a new classroom for Kolomotu’a Government Primary School, a water supply system for Vaini, a vehicle for the OTA Center, and waste collection vehicles for Ha'apai. Premium content -
Tuesday 15 December 2020 1:09pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tropical Cyclone Zazu (Cat. 1) is expected to move 60km south of Neiafu, Vava’u or 70km northeast of Muitoa, Ha’apai at 3:00pm today. In Vava'u, Tonga Met. Director ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, said the strongest gust recorded reached 62 knots at Lupepau’u Airport at 1:00am. Meanwhile, a second stronger Tropical Cyclone, TC Yasa (Cat. 3) continues to move slowly towards Fiji. -
Tuesday 15 December 2020 12:51pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : We are all dealing with the impacts of emissions and climate change—in Australia, in Tonga and everywhere else in the world. To support others around the world, at the PIF High-Level Roundtable in December, Prime Minister Morrison announced Australia’s new global climate finance pledge of at least $1.5 billion over the period 2020 to 2025. This includes a $500 million investment in the Pacific to support renewable energy deployment and climate and disaster resilience. This is a 50 per cent increase on Australia’s previous pledge. By H.E. Adrian Morrison, the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga -
Monday 14 December 2020 11:01pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Youthful designers and models presented fashion made from recycled materials and clothing on a colourful catwalk, on Saturday evening. They promoted a strong message of sustainability and self-reliance, while gaining confidence and new skills. The winning designer in the TYEE youth-led initiative was Lavinia Fehoko (27) of Pahu in Nuku'alofa. Premium content -
Monday 14 December 2020 4:44pm
Bangkok, Thailand : The environmental roots of the COVID-19 pandemic need to be addressed to further protect people's health and the planet, the sixth session of the Committee on Environment and Development (UN-ESCAP) decided, because the destruction of the living world undermines our only support system and makes pandemics more likely. Premium content -
Monday 14 December 2020 4:33pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : All 157 repatriates from Fiji on 10 December have tested negative for CoViD-19, confirmed Tonga's Chief Medical Officer (Public Health) Dr Reynold 'Ofanoa today. Premium content -
Monday 14 December 2020 2:40pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Tonga’s Minister of Justice and Deputy PM, Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia, resigned from Cabinet on Friday, 11 December, according to a reliable government source. The resignation comes during a political leadership upheaval, with a letter to parliament last week for a Vote of No Confidence against the Prime Minister. Premium content
