2016

US authorities deport 22 Tongans in 2016

The number is a significant increase from 2015 when ICE recorded 16 deportations to Tonga.

According to Matangi Tonga, the report showed that in 2016, deportations to Tonga (22) were larger than that of nationals of Samoa (3), Fiji (12), New Zealand (16), Palau (10) and Papua New Guinea (1).

The Pacific Island country with the largest deportation numbers was the Marshall Islands (35). T

The country with the largest deportation numbers in 2016 altogether was Mexico (149,821).

Top 10 NRL Fantasy performances of 2016

They were the individual displays that benefited their side and gave NRL Fantasy coaches lucky enough to own each player a huge points boost. Just two players hit triple figures in NRL Fantasy 2016, and one winger even made the list twice.

How many of the following players will you include in your side when the official Fantasy game of the NRL opens for 2017 in the coming weeks?

Top five centres in the NRL

Whether they're providing the final pass for their winger or bustling their way through for a four-pointer, these are the best centres in the business as voted by the NRL.com team.

Formal welcome of new students at USP

The formal welcome marked the end of the week-long Orientation programme, which is held annually, to ensure new students have a smooth transition to university life by providing them with appropriate advice and support as they embark on an exciting journey to study at USP.

The Chief Guest at the event was the President of Fiji, His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konousi Konrote who was welcomed to the University by the Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Coll.

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17 cruise liners to visit Tonga in 2016

The first cruise ship to arrive in Tonga is the Pacific Princess arriving on Thursday, February 4 followed by three ships - MS Artania on February 6, Pacific Pearl February 11 and onwards to Vava’u with the Black Watch on February 24.

Since the establishment of the Vuna wharf in 2012, the cruise market has seen developments over the past few years from an increase in frequency of visits throughout the year to welcoming three ships within a day – a gold star for Tonga’s cruise market.