Neiafu, 30 December, 2015. On 29th December the girls from the Pangai Net Ball team produced their best off court performance for the 2015 netball season.

Beijing (AFP) - China confirmed the imminent expulsion of a French journalist in the first such case since 2012, accusing her of "flagrantly championing" terrorist acts in a statement on its foreign ministry's website Saturday.

Nomuka, 17 December 2015. HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala commissioned the solar power street lights in the island of Nomuka in Ha’apai.

21st December 2015. The Government of the People’s Republic of China hosted the Second World Internet Conference which was officially opened by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in an opening ceremony in Wuzhen, Zhejiang, on December 16th 2015.

Nuku'alofa, 18 December 2015. The Japanese Government is continuing its assistance for local community projects, following the signing of Grants document for four more community projects in Nuku’alofa on Thursday morning.

The signing ceremony on the continuation of the friendly co-operation between the Government of Japan and the Government of Tonga was held at the Ministry of Finance’s Conference Room at Tungi Colonnade.

The four community projects includes the Lofanga Multipurpose Training Center, Classroom Building for Upper Room Primary School, Puke and Nukuleka Water Supply Systems.

This assistance is funded by the Government of Japan through the Grant Assistance for the Grass-Roots Human Security Projects, commonly known as GGP.

The signing was done by the Minister of Finance, Hon Dr. ‘Aisake Eke, Japanese Ambassador Mr Yukio Numata and representatives from the recipient communities.

GGP aims to help improve human needs through projects that are practical at the grass-roots level, such as the construction of school buildings, restoration of village water systems, and much more.

The Embassy of Japan see GGP as a great opportunity for Non-government organizations, local communities and administrations to directly interact with them.

In his speech Mr Numata said that in recognition of the socio-economic constraints that causes much vulnerability to people in Tonga, the Government of Japan promotes the significance of international cooperation and the re-alignment of our security focus to people’s every day needs.

These four projects are estimated to a sum of over $500,000 Pa’anga, three to be carried out here in Tongatapu, while one is to be implemented in the Ha’apai group, on Lofanga island.

“That is the heartfelt value of the dedication that we are currently making, to encourage those around us with taking necessary steps towards sustainable socio-economic development,’ Mr Numata said.

He said Tonga is a nation of small scattered islands and faces many challenges in the 21st century but if the community leaders is paving the way, then many positive outlooks in the future.

“The initiations that we are witnessing today are part of your devoted efforts to guarantee our children’s rights to access safe water resources, education and human security,” he added.

Mr Numata thanked Dr Eke, the Minister of Finance and National Planning, and his Ministry for hosting the signing ceremony.

He also thanked the recipients of the GGP grant, especially those who have made the journey from the outer islands to Tongatapu.

“Your efforts and persistence in pursuing empowerment for your community through the GGP is an inspiration to me and hopefully to everyone in your community. I look forward to the successful implementation and completion of these projects in a timely manner as the product of working closely with each other,” Mr Numata
said.

More on the projects The upgrading of Multipurpose Training Centre for Lofanga Island Community is approximated to cost USD$89,970.00 (TOP$183,914).

The Lofanga community center was established in 1970 and upgrading the center will be a priority to operate as an evacuation center and for all activities to take place empowering the people of Lofanga.

The recipient is a member of the Lofanga community, Mr Molitoni Paongo The upgrading of the Upper Room Primary School will cost USD$90,890 (TOP$185,795) and was received by Mr. ‘Anitoni Fetu’u, a member of the school’s PTA.

This grant is for a classroom building renovation (4x classrooms, 230 sq/meter). In 2008, the school started as a Kindergarten and over the years the Ministry of Education in 2014 recognized and officially granted the school as a Primary School. Due to the lack of classrooms and the increasing number of students, the school faced difficulties in shortage of classrooms.

The upgrading of water supply system for Puke village received a grant of USD$82,385.00 (TOP$168,408).

That will include two tank stands (30 feet), one water tank (5000gal), one solar power water pump unit and a fence. The village’s old water supply system was installed in the 1970’s and due to the high cost of fuel and deteriorating of materials the water supply could not be sustained over the years. The grant was received by Mr. Malolo Tupou.

The last upgrading project of water supply system was for Nukuleka Village with a grant amount of USD$54,633.00 (TOP$111,680). That will fund one tank stand (30 feet), one solar power water pump unit, and one water tank (5000gal), two pump house and a fence.

Their old water system was installed in the 1990’s and due to the high cost of fuel and deteriorating of materials the water supply could not be sustained.

The old tank and tank stand was destroyed by a strong wind in 2014.

ENDS

9 December, 2015. A new study will examine the impact kava drinking has on drivers, as one researcher claims the Pacific drink is growing more popular in New Zealand.

Nuku’alofa, 8 December 2015. In in the 120 years celebration of Beulah College, H.E. Huang Huaguang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Kingdom of Tonga opened the new home economic classroom in Beulah College funded by Chinese government.

24 November 2015. On 20 November 2015 the EU signed the short-stay visa waiver Agreement with the Kingdom of Tonga.