Tonga

The agreement was signed in advance of the upcoming GCF Structured Dialogue with the Pacific that will take place in Tongatapu, Tonga from 18 to 21 July.

Pursuant to a decision by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Parties recommended to enter into bilateral agreements with the Green Climate Fund by promptly providing Privileges and Immunities.

The pageant is an annual event organised by the Tonga Leiti Association to highlight the contribution of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex community (LGBTI) in Tonga.

Ten contestants pitted their skills in dancing and creative wear over a week for the highly sought after title.

Miss Finau won the Red Theme Creation and was placed 2nd runner up on her Own Talent, winner of Own Creation and 1st prize in the International Wear.

The 23 year old from Kolonga was confident and presented uniqueness in every sense of the word.

The Tongans struck first in the 6^th minute with a counterattack that saw Mele Kafa power a shot into the back of the net.

PNG regrouped and equalised in the 20^th after a perfect through ball from Ramona Padio that found the boot of Selina Unamba who did the rest.

Padio then gave PNG the lead right before the break slotting one past keeper Mele Akolo to make it 2-1.

PNG dominated the second half and scored two more times through Padio in the 51^st and Nicollete Ageva in the 88^th.

With the combined results of the 2016 and 2017 cups doubling as World Cup qualifiers, Samoa needed to at least draw with the unbeaten Fijians to overhaul Tonga and reach the tournament in Japan in two years time.

Even a bonus point in defeat might have been enough.

They led 16-14 at half time in Apia but had no answers as Fiji over-ran them in the second half.

Fiji, who secured qualification last week when they defeated Tonga 14-10, scored five tries in total, including a hat-trick to scrumhalf Henry Seniloli.

It is understood the family arrived at the victim’s family home early this week with a hala which included Tongan handicrafts, soft sweet food and drinks.

Kaniva News reports it followed with a matāpule formally asking the Malakai’s family to forgive their son.

Police have charged the 25-year-old suspect with murder.

Malakai, 51, worked as a customs officer at the Ministry of Customs.

Some of the Ministry’s staff wrote on Facebook saying they were with Malakai at one of the night clubs before the alleged incident happened.

Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni chaired the meeting at the UN Agencies Office at Royco Building in Nuku'alofa.

UNICEF's Deputy Representative in Suva, also serving Tonga, Ms Vatinee Jitjaturunt joined the meeting with UN's Tonga Office Manager Milika Tuita.

Government Ministries represented at the meeting included the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food; Ministry of Fisheries; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the Ministry of MEIDECC.

Malakai was allegedly assaulted by a 25 year old man around 1am Saturday near ‘Ahopanilolo Technical College in Ma’ufanga.

Kaniva News reports police have arrested the suspect.

Relatives of Malakai said words could not describe him.

One family member said, “Keuli had a massive heart and wore a smile that lit up the lives of those he knew.”

Students were on hand to receive the plant seedlings from the R2R/Forestry Department team yesterday.

R2R Technical Officer Petelo Otoota Tooa confirmed that included in the seedlings were 100 sandalwood plants.

Mr Tooa said the seedlings will be planted around the school compound.

He added the plant seedlings handover is part of the R2R project’s management plant of the Fanga’uta Lagoon and its communities.

Other schools within the 26 communities around the Fanga’uta Lagoon Catchment Area had received plant seedlings earlier.

The ten contestants entertained and greeted members of Alonga Centre which is caters for persons with disabilities.

They also visited Hu’atolitoli Prison where officials thanked the association for organising the outreach programme and urged it to continue in the future.

The Miss Galaxy Pageant begins today and ends on July 14.

The theme for this year’s pageant is “the Beauty of Oneness.”

During the pageant, the contestants will raise awareness about domestic violence against women and the Leitis community in Tonga.

The government of Tonga has also commissioned a high temperature incinerator for the disposal of healthcare waste at the hospital.