Tonga

This is after they handed over a new vehicle to the Ministry of Health, last week.

A statement issued by the government sad “This new vehicle will facilitate NCD's outreach services to Tongatapu’s communities.”

The new vehicle was handed over by Australia's Deputy High Commissioner Erin Gleeson to Tonga's Minister of Health, Dr Saia Piukala.

Defending World Cup champions South Africa, current world No.1 Ireland, world No.5 Scotland and Romania make up the pool.

Coach, Toutai Kefu has described it as a pool of death.

But he believes the team can cause upsets if they click on the day.

Tonga has competed in every Rugby World Cup since the first one in 1987, except for 1991 when they failed to qualify.

Their best performances were in 2007 and 2011.

In 2007 they finished third in their pool behind England and South Africa after wins over Samoa and the United States.

Present were representatives of Ministry of Education and Training Tonga (MET), Samsung Electronics New Zealand, and the UNDP Accelerator Lab Pacific.

 As Samsung seeks to improve people’s lives through technology, so too will the students address critical social and environmental challenges in their communities with the new skills they develop.

The students will be empowered by Samsung technology, free professional development support for teachers, and mentorship.

The funds will go towards the construction of three community halls, and the donation of boats with outboard motors.

The agreement was signed by Tonga's ambassador to Japan, Tevita Suka Mangisi, and Takeju Ogata, the president of the Nippon Foundation.

The motion was filed on Tuesday by 10 MPs.

An MP who does not wish to be named, told Matangi Tonga that eight people's representatives and two noble representatives had submitted the motion.

No further details have emerged.

There are 26 seats in Tonga's Legislative Assembly comprising nine noble's representatives and 17 people's representatives have 17.

The Tonga National Taekwondo Association said the total medals consisted 3 Gold and 3 Silver.

The Gold medalists were Feaomoeuini Nai, Pauline Lolohea, and ‘Isikeli Sitapa, while Fapiola ‘Alamoti received 2 Silver medals and Samuela Moala one Silver medal.

The team was coached by Paula Sitapa. 

The Island kingdom is represented by 17-year-old, JJ Rice, who grew up in Ha'apai.

Rice was the only entry from the Pacific Islands in the event of Kite Foil Racing, for the championship that runs for nine days from 11-20 August.

He previously represented Tonga at the Pascucci Formula Kite Gran Prix 2023 in Italy in June.

Securing two wins against the visitors is a confidence booster for the Tonga rugby team preparing to fly off to the Rugby World Cup in France next month.

The 'Ikale Tahi scored a total of six tries against Canada's two in front of around 4,000 fans.

With the game serving as the Tongans' last warm up match before jetting off to France, head coach Toutai Kefu used players he was interested to see in the game line-up, including a few local players who were given the chance to show their worth.

This is after their operations were stopped for eight years due to the condition of their building being old and unsafe.

A statement confirmed that they will be operating from the Nukunuku station.

“Houma Police Station services will primarily cover the communities of ‘Utulau, Ha’alalo, Ha’akame, Houma, Vaotu’u, Fahefa, Kala’au, and Ha’utu at the Western District.”

“Operating hours will be from 8am-12am, from Monday to Sunday (telephone 43-312),” the statement reads.

The island has experienced unusually cold weather through July and Tonga Meteorological Services (TMS) recorded a low of 9.3 degrees Celsius at the Lapaha village weather station at the end of the month. The country’s record low of 8.7C was set in September 1994.

Better known for its warm weather and beaches, the archipelago in the south Pacific ocean usually sees winter temperatures in the range of 18C to 21C.

More cool weather is forecast for August with TMS predicting temperatures could sink to 10C on some parts of the island next week.