Tonga

Celebrity Eclipse arrived at Vuna Wharf in Nuku'alofa on Monday morning.

There are 2651 passengers and 1165 crew onboard.

Deputy Prime Minister, Samiu Vaipulu and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism. Fekita 'Utoikamanu went onboard, where a plaque ceremony was held to mark the ship’s maiden voyage to Tonga.

The Paul Gauguin was the first cruise ship to visit Tonga, arriving in Neiafu, Vavau, on 16 January.

The first runner up is Viliami Sisifā while the third is the PTOA (Democrats) candidate Sosefo Ngavisi Hēhea.

Candidate Sipaisi Kutu is in fourth place reports Kaniva News.

There were four candidates contesting the vacant seat.

Tongatapu 8 voters went to the polls Friday morning to elect a candidate to replace their former PTOA MP, the late Sēmisi Fakahau.

Tongatapu 8 is regarded as a PTOA stronghold.

Chief Guest and Prime Minister, Hu'akavameiliku thanked the Chinese government for their support.

"Having this facility of international standard will not only be beneficial to THS but to sports in general here in the Kingdom," he said at the event yesterday.

The Chinese Ambassador, Wang Baodang, said they were proud to be supporting a sporting nation like Tonga.

"Tonga is a nation of sport lovers," he said.

A statement said Chinese contractors arrived in Tonga three months ago to prepare for the construction of the $60 million plus sports complex.

Police said there was no foul play in the fire on 8 November 2022.

According to Tonga Police Commissioner, Shane McLennan Police gathered 34 witness statements from a range of people including those who worked with Tu’imala as well as her husband.

“There were also eyewitnesses who observed the fire whilst it was happening, and though they had observed it from various distances and angles, the one thing that was apparent was that the husband and a witness were calling out to Tu’imala to jump.”

A Joint Communique signed by Viliami Va'inga Tone, Permanent Representative of Tonga to the United Nations & Ambassador to the USA and Aida Kasymalieva, Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations has enabled this to take place.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the signing took place in New York City on Wednesday

Photo MOFA

The side lost 3-0 to the hosts at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

17-year-old Jacob Seninawanawa scored Fiji’s opening goal that saw Fiji led 1-0 at the break.

They were also reduced to 10 players after Sailimone Ravonokula was red-carded following a scuffle as tensions flared towards the end of the first half.

But this didn’t stop the Baby Bula Boys from scoring two more goals in the second half through Ibraheem Afazal and William Khan.

However, Tonga will still feature in the quarterfinals against Tahiti at 7pm (Fiji Time) on Saturday.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft flew out within 48 hours of the eruption and was able to capture the first post-disaster photos. 

PMN News reports Flight Lieutenant Dave Evans says the crew didn't know what to expect. 

“Once we got up there, the thing that really struck me was the colour. Everything was a really strange colour as everything was covered in ash.

Sunday will mark one year since the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption. 

Marco Brenna, a volcanologist at Otago University, ​says the volcano is still technically active, but it’s very minor. 

“The volcano is still brewing away, although deep beneath the waves, but a lot of that energy that had been stored has been lost, so it’s unlikely that the volcano will produce such a large eruption again in the next few years, decades even.”

The most recent eruption followed previous patterns to begin with, says Brenna. 

He said the government will ensure there is enough nursing staff in Tonga.

Piukala said the government would also support people travelling overseas because they will become good ambassadors for Tonga and learn more, and then bring that knowledge back to the country.

A total of 32 nurses who graduated in December have now joined the Health Ministry workforce.

On 15 January 2022, the usually quiet seaside village of Kanokupolu was thrown into chaos.

The roar of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupting was followed by screams and shouts of people fleeing to safety. Villagers took to their vehicles to escape, and as they drove away, tsunami waves could be seen approaching the beach.

But not everyone decided to leave; Tevita 'Amaka preferred to risk death, rather than run away.