Tonga

As Kaniva News reported at the time, Nancy Gehron, 56, was seriously injured after she was attacked while jogging along a footpath behind one of the houses on the waterfront in Sopu on July 16 this year.

She was admitted to Vaiola hospital before she was flown to New Zealand for medical treatment.

Two accused, Sione Lau’i and Hemaloto Makafilia, appeared in court in relation to the attack.

Gehron appeared publicly in Tonga last week, apparently the first time since she was hospitalised.

Kaniva News reports the new technology means the national survey would be easy, fast and timely.

But to be able to do that, Tonga’s Statistics Department is currently training 92 trainees in Nuku’alofa about how to record information that could be gathered on tablets.

These trainees will test-run the new technological programme on certain households in Tongatapu on November 14-25.

Statistician Winston Fainga’anuku claimed Tonga was the first in the Pacific Islands to do her census online.

The Parliamentary Education Team is now piloting a community outreach program in Neiafu, an initiative that was initiated with the secondary schools since 2010.

While visiting more than 15 villages in Vava’u, Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Dr. Sione Vikilani constantly reminded the public of their important role in ensuring their electors represent their interests and voices in Parliament.

RNZ reports the men were charged with illegal possession of guns and ammunition, while a quantity of drugs suspected to be methamphetamine, were also seized.

Two of the men were bailed today and the other suspect is still in custody.

They are to appear in court again next Monday.

Chief Superintendent Tevita Fifita has called on the public to report any information on illegal drug use and gun possession.

53-year-old Dean Jay Fletcher is charged in American Samoa with a misdemeanour count of illegally entering Pago Pago on October 3 without proper customs clearance and permission.

As he tried to leave the next day he was arrested and remains jailed without bail, with a pre-trial hearing is set for November 22.

Media reports from Nuku'alofa last month said that extradition proceedings have begun by the Tongan government with the U.S Justice Department.

The group, which includes a ten year old boy, flew to Nadi yesterday morning, with plans to go to Europe.

Six of the group had been convicted of using forged Greek passports when applying for visas to New Zealand.

Last week they were fined and ordered out of the country within 14 days.

Tonga police say most of the group's basic needs have been catered for by the Ministry of Police.

Kaniva News reports the dispute had already been the subject of three previous judgments in the Land Court (2014), the Supreme Court in 2015 and the Court of Appeal earlier this year.

Yushen Yang had sought a declaration that she is living legally in buildings erected by her on land owned by ‘Olioni Makelita according to the terms of a 2007 agreement.

Mr Justice Scott said that over a period of years the agreement had been changed to the advantage of the tenants, that it appeared illegal building work had been done and that large sums of rent had never been paid.

RNZ reports Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni spoke at the launch, saying the internet and technology had its obvious advantages but many users were abusing them.

Mr Sovaleni said the government aligned with the Stop, Think and Connect initiative to address problems the kingdom had been experiencing.

The new website contains information to help educate people.

Mr Sovaleni said the campaign encourages users to practice safe online habits and to help people understand the risks that come with using the internet.

Supported by the Australian Government Pacific Sports Partnerships, it may well uncover a champion; but survival, not sport, is the priority.

ABC reports three women stand in the golden glow of a setting sun at the end of American Wharf in the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa. With different ages, interests and backgrounds, they have arrived here via vastly different routes and yet they share a deep devotion to teaching the people of Tonga life-saving swimming skills.

Like many, perhaps most, Tongans, Anaseini "Poli" Faleafa once feared the water.

Matangi Tonga Online reports the parliament was seen last week rehearsing how to present and process a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister and his cabinet.

Tonga currently does not have a procedure in its parliamentary rules for votes of no confidence.

Lord Vaea has been threatening to move a motion against the Prime Minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, since August.

The only previous attempt to remove a sitting prime minister was Mr Pohiva himself moving against Lord Tu'ivakano in 2012, which failed.

Lord Tu'ivakano is now the Speaker of the House.