Tonga

A spokesman said Mr Pohiva had been resting in hospital in Nuku'alofa since last week.

He had extensive medical care for a liver condition in New Zealand earlier this year, and after returning home in June was under instructions to rest but the spokesman said he started working too early and got tired.

But he said Mr Pohiva is intending to go to India this week for a meeting, and to Tuvalu next week for the summit.

Meanwhile Kaniva News reports the Noble MP Lord Fusitu'a has been airlifted to Auckland for medical treatment.

Tevita Kātoa of Ma’ufanga is alleged to have killed Pita ‘Aipolo in 23 August 2018.  

He has pleaded not guilty to his charges of murder, manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm, the Kele’a newspaper has reported.

‘Aipolo was rushed to hospital where he died from his injuries, one month later.  

The court was told the incident occurred after the accused was denied entry into the nightclub because he was too drunk.

A security guard at the bar told the court he saw Kātoa allegedly beating the deceased.

The Brave Blossoms opened their PNC campaign with an impressive 34-21 victory over Fiji last weekend and 'Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu said the World Cup hosts could not be allowed to dictate today's game.

"Japan are a very formidable side. If they get their own way they're very hard to beat. What I was surprised at was how Fiji defended. I thought they were quite poor there. I've seen much better defence from them. They just pretty much let Japan have it their own way and play their own style," Kefu said.

Mr Latu was in Tonga with the New Zealand contingent, which included Deputy Chief of Navy Commodore Mathew Williams and the Royal New Zealand Navy Band.

The Tongans were aware that Mr Latu had been newly promoted to the position and after the New Zealand contingent had been past once to shake the King's hand, the King invited him back to talk to him.

Warrant Officer Latu said it was a surreal moment.

"That's when my palms really started to sweat," he said.

The 29^th of July is historical for REALtonga Airlines as it launched its inaugural flight to Suva, Fiji Islands.

“Moving into servicing this route we will satisfy the traveling public of the Kingdom as we are able to get them to Suva in less than 2hrs depending on the current forecast,” the airline said in a press release.

The flight takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Monday services will increase to two per week making it easy for business travellers, visa applicants and tertiary students.

Current schedule is every Monday

According to the latest monthly economic review, the Reserve Bank expects foreign reserves to remain at comfortable levels and inflation to continue remaining below its reference rate of 5 per cent per annum throughout 2019.

The country’s primary sector had a mixed performance in the month of May 2019.

Receipts from agricultural products rose by 95.9 per cent ($0.3 million) during the month.

However, proceeds from marine products slightly fell by 16.5 per cent ($0.1 million).

“This project supports the government’s commitment to e-governance in the health sector by delivering essential public health services using a digital health information system, including digital patient records, that will allow for continued patient care and data collection for strategic decision making,” said ADB Principal Management Specialist for the Pacific Pamela Wyatt.

“We look forward to the reporting on progress toward the goal of universal health coverage.”

Tonga, already hampered by the late withdrawal of the inspirational Nasi Manu, had two players in the sin-bin when Afasetiti Amosa and then Belgium Tuatagaloa swung the game Samoa's way with tries in the closing minutes.

Torrential rain before kick-off reduced Apia Park to a quagmire which impacted on the game as a spectacle despite a willingness by both sides to throw the ball around.

Three shipments were seized at the Custom Warehouse in Vava’u and one shipment was seized from one of the bondage Warehouse in Tongatapu.

Police arrested three men in relation to these shipments.

The suspects are a  43-year-old man from Kameli Vava’u, who has been charged with the importation of firearms and over 20,000 various ammunition without licence and  a 45-year-old man from Leimatu’a.

The third suspect is a 74-year-old man from Neiafu who has been charged with  importation of firearms and ammunition without licence.

The King of Tonga, Tupou VI, led the groundbreaking ceremony and Senior Country Coordination Officer in Tonga, Tatafu Moeaki, represented ADB at the event Wednesday.

“The Government of Tonga is pleased to help deliver the country’s first off-grid solar plant to 740 people in Niuatoputapu and soon they will enjoy the benefits of reliable, efficient solar-generated electricity,” said Tonga’s Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change, and Communications Mr. Poasi Mataele Tei in his keynote speech.