Tonga

Fiji will firstly host Tonga on 19 August at Govind Park in Ba, before playing American Samoa at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on 27 August.

The two visitors will compete when Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifying commences on 31 August in Tonga. One spot will be up for grabs in Stage 2 over the course of the five-day tournament, which also features Cook Islands and Samoa.

Fiji coach Carlos Buzzetti has named a strong 23-man squad for the matches including Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna, powerful attacker Osea Vakatalesau and U-20 captain Jale Dreloa.

The Finance Minister, Dr Aisake Eke, is reported by Radio Tonga saying that $US2.2 million dollars has been put aside for the exercise.

The Minister says the review of civil servants' salaries will completed by the end of next month and could be immediately implemented and backdated to July 1st, 2015.

Halani Aulika, Fetu'u Vainikolo and Sonatane Takulua all crossed over for the Tongans, with Hendrik Tui scoring Japan's only try.

Japan led 6-3 following two penalties from Ayumu Goromaru, before Aulika's 30th minute try was converted by Kurt Morath to give Tonga a 10-6 lead. However, Tui responded to put Eddie Jones's side momentarily back in front.

In a statement, Mr Lavulavu says he had no intention to breach the Sunday law by picking up the rubbish, and was trying to ensure that Tonga was kept clean.

He says he deeply regrets his actions, and is grateful to everyone who contributed to keeping Tonga clean and beautiful.

Mr Lavulavu has asked the public to pick up their rubbish after events on Saturdays so that public places will continue to be clean on Sunday.

The fun-filled day included face-painting, bouncy castles and live entertainment and could be summed up with one word - joy.

The fun photo booth proved to be the most popular as everyone wanted to have their picture taken with their family and friends to cherish the moment. 

In a statement he says there has been confusion and doubt as to whether Tonga would go ahead with the event.

But the prime minister says while it is the utmost challenge for the government it will do its best to seek financial assistance from its donor and development partners.

Mr Pohiva says the government is convinced of the benefits of hosting the games, not only in upgrading venues but the benefits to the economy.

The two commercial banks representatives were adamant in their opposition to the levy, which parliament has passed at the end of June. However, the King in Council has sent back the Foreign Exchange Levy Bill to parliament for further revision.

The levy is understood to mean that if the bank makes five seniti from every dollar that it exchanges, government is going to take two seniti.

The 'Ikale Tahi led 16-11 at halftime, despite skipper Nili Latu being sent to the sin-bin for infringing at the breakdown, and scored tries through Halani Aulika, Fetu Vainikolo and man of the match Sonatane Takalua, with Kurt Morath adding 16 points from the boot.

It was Tonga's third win in a row, and fourth in succession against Japan.

Tonga Rugby's High Performance Manager, Peter Harding, says the result was all the more satisfying as they were missing some key players.

The acting Manager of FISA, the company that owns the vessel, Mosese Fakatou said the vessel will continue its normal shipping service until its next scheduled maintenance in Fiji next year.

An investigation will be carried out by the Marine and Ports Department to determine the extent of the damage to the vessel.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Infrastructure,  'Etuate Lavulavu told Radio Tonga News he was informed the officer in charge of the vessel was asleep when the incident happened.

“Parliamentary debates require us to be on top of it and budget times are even more demanding but it is great to know exactly where to look in the budget and to analyse so we can help explain it better to our audience,” says ‘Uluakimata Moala of Tonga Broadcasting Commission.

Jemima Garrett, ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Economic and Business reporter who is leading the training told the 13 participants that it is their job to be the voices of the people.