Tonga

 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. New Zealand representatives visited the Kingdom of Tonga on 16 February, to discuss a collaboration with the Tongan Ministry of Education with the aim of promoting technology and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts and Mathematics) subjects in Tongan secondary schools.

Samsung New Zealand representatives met with Isikeli Oko (Acting CEO of Ministry of Education), to outline and present Samsung’s global programme, Solve for Tomorrow, which will be tailored for Tongan youths.

The Prime Minister spoke of the vulnerabilities of Pacific LDCs, including SIDS, to the whims of climate change.

"We face global commons issues among which climate change is our greatest security threat ... The Doha Programme of Action prioritizes climate change and will help LDCs build resilience against future economic and environmental shocks..."

The children were seriously ill and died from influenza and pneumonia, TBC reported, quoting a confirmation of the victims’ cause of death, from Vaiola Hospital.

No details were released about the victims.

According to the World Health Organisation, pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that is most commonly caused by viruses or bacteria. It can cause mild to life-threatening illness in people of all ages, however it is the single largest infectious cause of death in children worldwide.

Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho commissioned the project on Friday, 3 March 2023.

A Government release said the new water quality improvement project has installed a new rapid mixer, filters, solar panel system, chlorine dosing equipment, and test kits.

Tonga Water Board said the project will boost the reliability of the water supply and quality of water for consumers on ‘Eua Island.

The Prime Minister the country Thursday night accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu and two senior staff from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He was 73.

Kaniva News reports ‘Inoke’s death on February 25 was announced by his family.

‘Inoke, who was also known as Ernest Hayes Nuku, was a break away in the legendary team.

He was a colossus of a man in his playing days, standing about 190 centimetres tall.

He will be buried at the Kalevalio cemetery today, Friday March 3, after mass at the Catholic Church in Tofoa, Tongatapu.

The service is expected to be attended by hundreds of people.

Former ‘Ikale Tahi captain and head coach Fe’ao Vunipola remembered ‘Inoke when he was in the field.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Samiu Vaipulu has confirmed this to Kaniva News.

“‘E fai ‘a e ngāue ki ai”, he said in Tongan.

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 “We‘ve got a group of Tongan people who have come here who have also experienced 12 months ago the earthquake and tsunami in Tonga. They are already traumatised from that event a year ago," says the Pasifika Medical Association Chief Executive Debbie Sorensen.

“In Tonga following the volcano, every time a truck went past a house people were frightened because the house would shake, and they felt that another volcano or tsunami might happen.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Rabuka said that Fiji places great importance on its relations with the Kingdom of Tonga as our historical and cultural link is deeply entrenched, going back centuries, well before our formal diplomatic relations was established. 

Our bilateral relations, he added, has grown over the years through the contributions of the Tongan diaspora and communities in Fiji and vice-versa.   

The awards were handed out by the Minister of Trade and Economic Development, Dr Viliami Latu and GGGI rep, Roshika  Ranjini Gaunder.

Dr Latu said, “The government is very pleased to be partnering with GGGI on this project.”

Two local young business graduates, Fai’ana Fukofuka and Arthur Cocker each won USD 5,000 seed grants, for their ventures as “Greenpreneurs”

The programme is part of the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network, a three-year regional programme funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and implemented by GGGI.