Tonga

The act has been criticised by businesses but Mr Tu'ionetoa said it was aimed at ensuring Tonga has sufficient foreign reserves.

Businesses fear it will undermine their activities and at least one is promising to cut back substantially.

Mr Tu'ionetoa said previously many exporters didn't bring the earnings back into the country and the act requires that up to 60 percent of profits should be repatriated.

The minister said while the changes had been made for the benefit of all the country he was willing to discuss the businesses concerns with them.

The Foreign Exchange Control Act came into force in November and there has been growing concern since, among the local business community.

One company, Pacific Sunrise Fishing, which employs 75 people and operates six fishing vessels, said it will have to cut back its operations because of the claw back effects of the legislation.

Former minister, 'Aisake Eke, said the government has to re-think the legislation and this time keep the people affected in the loop.

Vava’u recorded 537.7mm while Ha’apai recorded 707.1mm of rain last month.

The other centres of Fua’amotu, Nuku’alofa, Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou recorded above average rainfall in December.

According to the latest Climate Update released by the Meteorological Office, the highest maximum temperature was 33.8 degrees at Niuafo’ou on 5 December, 2018.

The lowest maximum temperature was 17.4 degrees at Fua’amotu on 13 December, 2018

The rainfall outlook for January to March 2019 is forecast to be below average across the country.

Their apprehension brings to 114 the total number of people arrested for drug-related offences in the kingdom since the launch of the Drugs Enforcement Taskforce in April 2018.

The three suspects were arrested at Hauloto yesterday (Sunday) morning.

Police seized 189 packs of cannabis (446 grams), 23 packs of methamphetamine (7.97 grams) packed ready for distribution and cash.

Two men aged 31 and 32 from Hauloto were arrested and while the search was in progress, a visitor to the address was also arrested with one pack of methamphetamine on his person.

Ford’s new appointment as Consul General in Kolkata was announced by Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne Friday.

The outgoing diplomatic also tweeted “Sadly I finish up in Tonga in four weeks time.”

In a press release, Senator Payne said India is at the forefront of Australia's international partnerships. In 2017-18, India was Australia's fifth largest trading partner, with a total two-way trade in goods and services of $29.1 billion, and two-way investment in 2017 of AU$29.5 billion.

Radio Tonga reports petrol and diesel are the two most important products for the people of Ha’apai especially for transportation inland and the outer islands.

The island reportedly ran out petrol last week and then diesel on Monday.

The Ministry of Fisheries has confirmed the vessels weren’t able to reach the island to deliver the much-needed petrol and diesel because of bad weather,

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Police have confirmed the recorded criminal offences decreased from 116 to 94.

There were a total of 271 arrests with 20 related to drug offences, 42 for drunk driving and the rest from other related crimes.

Police said the overall drop in criminal offences was due to the decrease in the three prevalent offences of common assault, theft and housebreaking.

Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai acknowledged the commitment of police staff who worked throughout the holidays to ensure peace and public safety was maintained.

Police officers from the Drugs Taskforce with assistance of sniffer dogs executed search warrants at various properties and locations in Vava’u and Tongatapu.

As a result of the investigation, called Christmas and New Year Operation, and the search warrants, people aged between 16 and 51, have been arrested.

Kaniva News reports Police seized 189.99 grams of cannabis and 2.7 grams of methamphetamine.

The Drugs Taskforce also seized two firearms, a .22 rifle and a revolver, ammunition, cash and stolen goods.

A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains for the Niuas and Vava’u land areas.

Kaniva News reports a strong wind warning remains in force for the Niuas and Vava’u land areas.

At 4pm (local time) today Mona, a category one tropical cyclone, was located 810 kilometres west of Niuafo’ou and 1064km northwest Nuku’alofa.

Tropical Cyclone Mona is moving at a speed of about 18km/hr (10 knots) in a south- south-west direction.

The Tongan weather service said that on its current track the potential for Mona to affect Tonga in the next 24hrs was low

The incident occurred four days after the body of Tonga’s First Lady, Neomai Tu’itupou Pohiva was buried on 19 December.

According to Kaniva News, PM Pohiva’s daughter ‘Ana Koli Fifita said the family had decided not to lodge a complaint with the Police.

She said if such robbery had happened while her mother was still alive Neomai would not complain, implying she was a woman who had a great sense of patience.

Fifita said she regretted this kind of disrespectful behaviour.