Tonga

Originally from the beautiful Madang province, Jonathan and Abraham grew up in a family devoted to football.

Their father is a coach at the Madang football club in the semi-professional PNG National Soccer League (NSL).

Madang is a province known for producing some of PNG’s top footballers including the Komolong brothers, Alwin and Felix and former Lae City Dwellers striker Raymond Gunemba.

The province is the most football-obsessed region in the Melanesian nation.

The Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva met with Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iwao Horii, and took the opportunity to raise the matter of funding for the project.

Tonga's government wants to extend the runway at Fua'amotu by 400 metres and estimates it will cost over $US17 million.

Mr Horii said his government looked forward to receiving more details through their embassy regarding the extension and also the possible renovation of the airport terminal.

The 28 year old was born in the United States and has lived in New Zealand since the age of three but also holds an Australian passport through his mother.

In May, 'Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu said Pulu had expressed a desire to play test rugby for Tonga, who he also qualifies for, but this week confirmed the Canberra-bound flyer now intends to commit his international future to Australia.

Toni Pulu previously represented Niue in sevens but was later ruled ineligible for the Pacific nation.

The 'Utuma'atu began service late last year, providing a sustainable freight and passenger service to the northern islands, but damage from the cyclone meant extensive repairs.

The mastermind of the project has been academic and former MP Sitiveni Halapua who told RNZ the repairs have improved the vessel.

“It was damaged by hurricane kina it really showed the design was right it was strong because if the design was not strong, it would sunk completely  because it was hit by a 1000 tonne sand mining barge,”Halapua said.

Legal action was launched in May over the government's withdrawal from hosting the region's biggest sporting event.

The lawyer for the Pacific Games Council and Tonga's Olympic Committee applied for a default judgement in their favour after the government appeared to have missed various deadlines to respond to the action.

The sporting bodies are suing for damages incurred due to Tonga's belated withdrawal from hosting the 2019 Pacific Games.

The Kingdom qualified for the main draw after winning the June qualifier event in Rarotonga.

The team's technical director, Kilifi Uele, said local players had spent the past two months training together in Tonga, while two recruits from the United States and Australia only joined the squad this week.

Despite an imposing draw, with pool matches against Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Tahiti, Uele said Tonga could hold their own.

Cecchin, who disallowed a try that would have given Tonga an upset win, has told The Sydney Morning Herald he was in an Auckland bar when police rang to tell him they had contacted him and several family members that had been targeted.

He was advised not the leave the hotel and told he would be picked up and taken to the airport.

On his return to Australia, he was picked up by the Australian Federal Police.

He also flicked through his phone to discover more than a thousand "vile" attacks, the likes of which he had never encountered across his entire career.

A 34 year old man has been taken into custody over the seizure of 10.38grams of methamphetamines.

The drugs were allegedly packed and ready for sale today.

A search warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence in Hofoa at around 5:30am.

Police also seized cash, electronic devices and Tongan fine mats.

A/CSP Siosifa Latu, Acting Commander at the Central Police Station said, “As demonstrated by this arrest, we continue to focus on capturing and prosecuting those responsible for the harm these destructive drugs cause to youths, families and our community.”

Ofa Fa'anunu attended a regional Tropical Cyclone Committee Meeting in New Caledonia last month.

The meeting reviewed warning activities during the last two seasons and also considered the regional operational plan.

Mr Fa'anunu said it was important for regional services to keep striving to improve warning systems to give people timely and accurate information and minimise risk.

Matangi Tonga reports the case was called in chambers on Monday and then adjourned.

The case has been called and adjourned numerous times due to various filing of document needs and related matters.

Tu'ivakano who was arrested on March 1 and charged with 10 counts, including one of making a false declaration to obtain a passport, two perjury counts, five for accepting bribes and two counts of money laundering.

Tu'ivakano served as Prime Minister between December 2010 and 2014 and was Speaker of the House during the last term.