Tonga

The construction is funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project with a grant amount of USD$87,831.

The new dormitory will also have its own kitchen and bathroom facility.

Principal of Montfort, Brother Curzmecias Sebastian said the project will provide an accommodation facility for students from the outer islands.

But Police have denied the reports.

Acting Police Superintendent Tevita Vailea told Kaniva News he had been contacted after reports on Facebook wrongly accused the 60-year-old man, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, of hit-and-run.

“’Oku ‘ikai mo’oni e pehe ko e hit and run,” Vailea said.

This translates into English as: “The hit-and-run claim is untrue.”

The victim from Folaha was declared dead on arrival at Vaiola hospital.

In confirming a rise in crime by drug-influenced teenagers, Mr Pohiva said all the power to arrest and charge people lay with the police commissioner.

He was reported by Radio Tonga saying the police minister knew who the drug smugglers were but he could not act on that information because he had no authority.

Mr Pohiva and his government have been in a protracted dispute with King Tupou VI and the nobility, claiming key appointments such as the police commissioner and attorney general should be made by the government and not the King's Privy Council.

The first two clashes have been announced with Pacific rivals Tonga and Samoa going head-to-head, as well as a match between Papua New Guinea and Lebanon.

Cronulla Sharks prop Andrew Fifita recently pleaded his allegiance to Mate Ma'a Tonga (MMT), turning his back on the State of Origin series as well as any chances to play for Australia's Kangaroos.

MMT coach Kristian Woolf says he fully supports Fifita's decision and the huge sacrifice it comes with.

The domestic terminal at Fua'amotu lost its roof and most of the equipment in the building was damaged during the storm.

Radio Tonga reported since the storm domestic flights had been operating from the international terminal.

Tonga Airports Limited CEO Viliami Ma'ake said the restoration work would take approximately two months before operations will be back to normal.

Having represented New Zealand in Glasgow, the 24-year-old fighter will now be representing her dad, and coach Fili's homeland of Tonga in the women's 69kg class.

Holding the Tongan flag at the opening ceremony has made this Commonwealth Games even more special for Maka.

Before leading the 13-strong Tongan team into Carrara Stadium on the Gold Cast last night, the beaming flagbearer spoke to 1 NEWS' Kimberlee Downs.

"I feel blessed to be walking in with my team and to be leading them.

"It's an honour to be flagbearer for Tonga."

Four of the projects are water tanks for Vava’u High School and Feletoa, Tefisi and Pagaimotu villages.

The other project involves renovation of an evacuation centre at Holeva.

Fifteen water tanks will be presented to each of the village.

Members of the villages committees received training about the processes and procedures in regards to the fund and the maintaining and monitoring of the project.

The Minister of Internal Affairs 'Akosita Lavulavu made the statement at the recent presentation for a programme for former seasonal workers who were interested in starting businesses in Tonga.

Mrs Lavulavu told Radio Tonga the Ministry was willing to invest in similar programs to help seasonal workers living in communities in the outer islands as well.

Bea Duffield from Australian Business Volunteers who facilitated the training said the programme was important and could help participants and contribute to the local economy.

King Tupou VI attended the National Day of Prayer in Nuku'alofa last week following a spate of brutal attacks and the gruesome murder of six people.

Sione Fonua says drugs and alcohol are at the heart of the high crime rates but Government and Police are at loggerheads over the Police Commissioner's role.

"The drug problem here in Tonga is uncontrollable and the Commissioner of Police is trying his best with the little resources that he has to fight that," he says.

The deal was signed in Nuku’alofa last June by 10 countries including Australia, New Zealand and Tonga.

Last week, Matangi Tonga reported that 'Akilisi Pohiva admitted that the agreement was found to be inappropriate for Tonga and the country was no longer a signatory.

However Kaniva News now quotes him as saying he did not make that statement nor did he say anything that even suggested, or could be translated or interpreted, that Tonga was no longer a signatory to PACER Plus.