Matangi Tonga Online

Matangi Tonga Online, Tonga's leading news website

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Tonga Govt will respect court decisions on electoral petitions, PM Hu'akavameiliku, said today after the Supreme Court voided election of Dep. PM Poasi Tei, and Parliament deferred the date of unseating at least four members. https://t.co/4MOuadbo8C

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

#Tonga's broken submarine #telecommunications cable is not where it is supposed to be after #HungaTonga volcanic eruption. A search last night by ROV from cable boat Reliance, could not locate break, after arriving in the area on Feb. 3. https://t.co/2HpqycKZEL

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Tonga recorded its first two COVID-19 positive cases today, Feb.1, tested among front liners handling incoming tsunami relief aid shipments, the Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni announced at 9:00pm. https://t.co/7cawxSFCck

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Tongans warned to stay away from coastal areas now, Jan.14, as TGS forecasts significant volcanic eruption is imminent following renewed activity at the Hunga volcano this morning and unusual tidal activity observed in the capital Nuku'alofa and Ha'apai. https://t.co/ASQnHOM350

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

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King Tupou VI this morning, presented Tonga’s newly elected Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni (51) with a Royal Warrants of Appointment at the Royal Palace,Nuku'alofa. Sovaleni starts a 4-year term and will name his new govt. soon.

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

#Tonga’s national #population has dropped to 100,209. Statisticians say the decrease of 0.4% since the 2016 census is due to seasonal workers programs, migration and people stuck overseas due to COVID-19 border restrictions. https://t.co/12rx1leaJj

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

#Tonga elected an all-male parliament today, with 9 new faces coming into 17 People's Rep. seats. No women were returned or elected. PM Rev. Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa retained his Tongatapu 10 constituency, one of only 5 Cabinet ministers returned.
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[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Tonga’s first COVID-19 positive case is believed to be a historical case, after testing a weak positive today in a third test, “we believe he is not infectious,” said Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola, this afternoon, 5 Nov. #COVIDTonga. https://t.co/vILtCq4lqS

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Tonga’s first COVID positive case in MIQ is a ‘weak positive’, says Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola. The positive case will have his second COVID-19 test on Friday, November 5. No community transmission has been detected in Tongatapu today. https://t.co/rLkFnjPIzu #COVIDTonga

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

A Tongatapu lockdown starts tonight, 12:01am Nov. 2, with stricter social distancing measures enforced. Everyone must stay at home, except for essential services, PM announced. No community transmission of COVID-19 has been detected in Tonga. #CovidTonga https://t.co/h3r4zOJXT4

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Tonga's PM confirms one positive COVID-19 test among the 215 passengers who arrived in Tonga from Christchurch on Wednesday. Test carried out yesterday and results confirmed today. The PM now making the announcement on national radio of the first confirmed case in Tonga in MIQ.

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

King Tupou VI today in #Tonga's first National Symposium on #IllicitDrugs said the problem requires an urgent integrated national response. Educating everyone on the effects of the use and abuse of illicit drugs is an urgent priority. https://t.co/xx1yWDMIP1

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

30 kgs of methamphetamine, exported from Tonga to New Zealand in a refrigerated food container in August, was seized in a joint operation by police and customs taskforces. Six arrests: one in Tonga, five in NZ, Tonga Police announced today. https://t.co/Qxn3adoNKA

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Tonga is considering a mandatory #Deathsentence for offenders who #traffick over 5 kg of ClassA #drugs. Amendment bill tabled Aug. 12 also proposes hanging offenders who repeatedly procure or use children in drug offences. From the House by Pesi Fonua https://t.co/U1FNvKClBs

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Five more packets of cocaine and firearms were seized last night in #Tonga Police raids. Eleven cocaine packs, including 6 handed over this week, now valued at over $4m pa'anga have been recovered after being washed up on shores in Vava'u.https://t.co/thmyvEcrfp

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Cocaine packs worth around $2.3 million pa'anga have washed up on beaches in Vava'u, triggering a major search for further drugs by #Tonga Police and navy today. Police today urged locals to hand over packages of illicit drugs that wash up. https://t.co/zXM7ku32mi

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

A judge sentencing high level fraudsters, Tongan cabinet minister 'Akosita Lavulavu and husband 'Etuate Lavulavu to 6 years in prison today, noted the couple's serious breach of trust in a carefully executed fraud, and their lack of remorse. https://t.co/zF62ePv2Si

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Disgraced Tongan Cabinet Minister 'Akosita Lavulavu (36) and her husband 'Etuate Lavulavu (62) who plundered education fund of TOP$500,000, used political connections to steal in a systemic fraud, “goes beyond just criminally reprehensible”, Judgment finds https://t.co/7y9mBEieTu

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Tonga's ‘Ikale Tahi will be based in Tauranga for training before facing the #AllBlacks in Auckland on 3 July, confirmed head coach, Toutai Kefu today. “We hope to announce the team by the weekend,” he told Matangi Tonga. https://t.co/WUZerLmt5e

[Matangi Tonga Online @TongaNews]

Kacific, the broadband satellite company that rescued #Tonga from digital darkness in 2019 when the Tonga cable was cut, is taking legal action to recover a fee of USD$5.76m it claims is owed by a Tonga government entity, Tonga Satellite Ltd. https://t.co/AQMIPyuLtn