Tonga

The Finance and National Planning Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Eke had announced in Parliament in his Budget Statement last week the revenue will be collected from tax and non-tax revenue and budget support,

The rest of the seven percent which is $36 million from additional foreign donors and loan.

Of that seven percent, five percent is budget support from donors and loans for infrastructure projects from the Asian Development and the World Bank. Dr. Eke said the funding from ADB and World Bank continues on the revised 50/50 grant and loan basis rather than purely as a grant.

Radio and Television Tonga News reports two of the mammals died, two escaped and one remains at the container owner's premises.

The Quarantine Department is working to deal with the problem.

The International Labour Conference is the ILO’s highest decision-making body.

It meets annually in June bringing together tripartite delegations from the Organization’s 187 member States to set labour standards, settle disputes between parties and develop policies and  work programmes to promote decent work for all.

The project was funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects, GGP.

Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga attended the commissioning ceremony along with His Eminence, Cardinal Mafi late last week.

Present also at the ceremony were Mr. Tatafu Moeaki, CEO of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and Mr. Soane Vahe, Director of Catholic Education and members of the Parents and Teachers’ Association for ‘Apifo’ou College.

The statement said the undersigned members of IFEX have observed with concern the recent events in which Ms. Viola Ulakai, Head of Programme and News at the publicly-owned Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC), has been targeted and harassed by the Government for what the Pacific Islands News Association sees as performing her journalistic duty to ask hard questions of the government regarding a matter of national interest.

FBC reports Tonga dominated the scrums and line-outs and scored two first half tries for a 15-nil half-time lead.

Ben Volavola opened the scoring for Fiji with a solo effort in the second half, 15-7.

Nemia Soqeta, playing in his tenth test, added another try minutes later to close the gap to 15-12.

Fiji added two penalties while Tonga converted one for the scores to be leveled at 18-all with nine minutes to go.

Eremasi Radrodro scored late in the match which proved to be the winning try.

RNZI reports the home side meet the Tongan 'Ikale Tahi in what promises to be a typically willing encounter.

With none of the Pacific teams having qualified automatically for the next world cup, competition could be even more fierce than usual between the neighbourly rivals.

Tonga have a fresh look at their helm with former wallaby star Toutai Kefu heading a coaching team that includes former Tongan internationals, Sateki Tu'ipulotu, Siua Taumalolo, and Tevita Taumoepeau.

Tu'ipulotu said the match marked the start of a new age of Tongan rugby.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and  Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Tonga, Huang Huahuang jointly signed the Agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade earlier this afternoon.

According to the Agreement, citizens from China and Tonga shall be exempted from visa requirement for entry into, from or transit through the territory of the other for a period of stay not exceeding 30 days. If the citizens stay longer than 30 days or engaged in study, residence or employment, it shall be approved in advance.

According to FBC News, McKee says despite being the defending champions of the tournament, the players need to focus and play according to the game plan against Tonga.

“With Tonga we have emphasized to the players that don’t get too carried away and think about Samoa or let’s really concentrate on the test match against Tonga first and make sure that we really get our game right and look to win that match.”

Meanwhile, McKee names his final 23 member squad today.

Fiji plays Tonga at 3pm (Local time) on Saturday at ANZ Stadium.

These rates are among the highest in the world. It’s estimated that harm caused by Tobacco kills one person every week in Tonga. (source: W.H.O./Tongan Ministry of Health , STEPS report and www.TobaccoAtlas.org))

Tobacco is also the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. It kills half of all long-term smokers. Yes, all these deaths and serious effects of Tobacco consumption can be avoided and eliminated from our daily life, should we wish to…