Fiji withstand Tongan comeback

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians successfully defend their home ground against a strong Tonga Ikale Tahi team 36-20 in a fully-packed Churchill Park this past weekend. Tonga was coming off an impressive win against

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Tonga Domestic submarine cable repair completed

Tonga’s domestic submarine cable system connecting Vavaú and Haápai Islands has been successfully repaired and restored for service, effective from Wednesday, 12 July This follows damage it suffered during the

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Tonga Parliament passes deficit Budget for 2023-2024

Tonga’s parliament passed the national Annual Budget for FY2023-2024 of $784.2 million pa’anga (US$332 million) Wednesday with 14-0 votes. The biggest budget allocation in the Budget Estimates 2023-2024 is for the

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Tonga PM urges Pacific partners to properly manage seabed minerals

A fifth Pacific-SIDS regional and capacity development workshop and a high level panel for sustainable management of seabed minerals of the Blue Pacific continent is being held this week in Nuku’alofa.

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Coach says Tonga have ‘massive X-factor’ for Rugby World Cup

Three former Wallabies and five All Blacks make Tonga’s squad its best ever and will give the Pacific nation a “massive X-factor” at the Rugby World Cup, coach Toutai Kefu has said. Kefu has made the most of

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Tongan Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu laid to rest

Princess Mele Siu’ilkutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili (the Dowager Lady Kalaniuvalu-Fotofili) was laid to rest at the Royal Tombs, Mala’e Kula, in the heart of a quiet subdued capital, Nuku’alofa, Saturday.

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Tongan princess dies in Auckland, aged 75

Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili has passed away in Auckland at age 75. The oldest child of Prince Fatafehi Tuipelehake and his wife Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune, Princess

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Widen tax base, spend more efficiently

World Bank's Advice to 9 Pacific Economies The World Bank says six Pacific Island countries are at high risk of debt distress, and that gradual cuts to government spending are vital for balancing budgets and avoiding

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Tonga undersea volcano eruption disrupted satellite signals halfway around the world, researchers say

A massive undersea volcano that erupted in Tonga last year reportedly disrupted satellite signals halfway around the world.  Since then, an international team of researchers has used satellite-and ground-based

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American Idol: First Pacific winner pays tribute to dad and heritage

Hawai’ian student Iam Tongi has dedicated his historic win at the American Idol to his late father and the Pacific whānau. Tongi, 18, became the first Pasifika to win the international show after performing his

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Six Pacific countries at high risk of debt distress: World Bank

Six Pacific countries are at a high risk of debt distress in part due to government spending to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Bank said in a report on Thursday. The report, titled Raising Pasifika, said

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Canada, Kenya, Uruguay and Tonga ready for “do-or-die” Series Play-off

Of the 16 teams set to compete at the HSBC London Sevens this weekend, four know this could be their last experience of life at the top table for at least 12 months. Following 10 intense tournaments, Canada, Kenya and

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