Tonga

Tongan flag-bearer struggles to qualify for Winter Olympics

Taufatofua has achieved qualifying times in four of the five cross-country skiing courses he needs, to secure a place at the games, but poor performances in his last two races could cost the 34-year-old a trip to South Korea.

Taufatofua struggled through a race in Armenia two days ago and despite a last minute dash to make another qualifier in Croatia, the former taekwondo competitor missed his flight. 

In a social media post the athlete says it was always going to be a long shot to qualify before next week's January 21 deadline, and he is already planning his next move.

Tongan media head bemoans lack of govt information

Akilisi Pohiva was admitted into the local Intensive Care Unit over a week ago and missed the opening of parliament last Thursday.

Mr Fonua, who operates the Matangi Tonga news website, said there had been no information released about the Prime Minister's condition.

"That's basically what's happening is uncertainty and people not really knowing what's going to happen," he said.

"Unfortunately the government hasn't really come out and said anything about what happened to the PM and of course there are a whole lot of rumours and things spinning around."

UN to review Tonga's human rights record

There's been pressure by delegates who attended Tonga's last review in 2013 to sign the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

This will be Tonga's third time being examined since 2008. The kingdom will be represented by Solicitor General Sione Sisifa.

Angola, Slovakia and the United Arab Emirates are the countries on the panel that will carry out the review.

     

Tonga's parliament to sit this week

It will be the first time parliament sits since the November snap election, triggered by King Tupou VI's dissolution of parliament.

Last week parliament opened with a message relayed from the King, calling for a closer relationship between the House and His Majesty, according to the law and Constitution.

The message from the Throne also highlighted upcoming development projects like the new domestic wharf which is to be opened soon for which the King thanked foreign partners for their assistance.

Amnesty International urges Tonga to sign CEDAW ahead of UN human rights review

Tonga’s human rights record will be examined by a United Nations panel in Geneva on Monday, January 15.

This will be third time the kingdom’s human rights record has been studied since 2008.

Tonga will be represented at the review by the Solicitor General, Sione Sisifa.

It is likely that Tonga’s continued failure to sign the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) will be a focus of attention.

Tonga’s King names new domestic wharf after his late father – Taufa’āhau Tupou IV

The naming has been revealed this morning while a letter from His Majesty was read to Members of Parliament in a soft opening ceremony to open the Legislative Assembly 2018.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this morning, work on the new multimillion wharf is nearly complete.

TOA Construction is expected to hand over the wharf at the end of the month.

Work on the Japanese-funded $TP66 million project is now concentrating on marking parking bays and pathways and landscaping.

This is expected to be completed by January 13.

How Tonga’s World Cup campaign is inspiring the Titans in 2018

The NRL centre was part of the side’s courageous semi-final run at the Rugby League World Cup and, on returning this week to Titans training, said he had already drawn some comparisons between the sides.

The addition of Michael Gordon and Brenko Lee to the Titans’ backline has offset the departure of high-profile fullback Jarryd Hayne, as new coach Garth Brennan instils a workmanlike culture at the club.

Tonga PM recovering well, expected to attend swearing in of Parliament

Pohiva is expected to attend the swearing in ceremony of Members of Parliament in Nuku’alofa on Thursday.

Tonga’s Reserve Bank warns illegal foreign exchange dealers

The Bank said there were shops in Tongatapu and the outer islands offering unlicensed foreign exchange services, including cash conversion.

Only dealers authorized by the Reserve Bank are allowed to move money in and out of Tonga.

“Providing foreign exchange services without the required license is an offence,” the Bank said.

Illegal dealers have been warned to immediately stop what they were doing.

The Reserve Bank warns that Individuals face three years in prison and fines of up to TP$20,000.

Tonga PM admitted in hospital

A Ministry of Health spokesperson told Kaniva News, Pohiva has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit to avoid being disturbed by visitors.

Pohiva was admitted at the Medical Ward last Friday.

His daughter ‘Ana Pōhiva Koli said via Facebook the Prime Minister was comfortable and fine.

Koli thanked the kāinga and friends for their prayers in which she said were contributed to the Prime Minister’s speed recovery.