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A collection of news-briefs from The Tonga Chronicle, Lao & Hia, Taimi 'o Tonga, Ko e Kele'a, Radio Tonga. For more details of these stories, feel invited to buy a paper from one of the locations mentioned in our media pages http://www.tongatapu.net.to/tonga/news/media/default.htm

The government has officially appealed the High Court decision branding the incarceration, detention earlier this quarter of Kalafi Moala, Filo 'Akau'ola, and 'Akilisi Pohiva as unlawful. Legislative Assembly chair Nobel Fusitu'a states that if the appeal is vindicated than measures need to be taken against the Chief Justice.

Internally, the Legislative Assembly is debating the validity of the special committee called by the chair, considering that Parliament has been desolved for the year by the King.

'Atenisi University Graduation Ceremonies

'Atenisi University celebrated the ending of another academic year by conferring eight BA degrees and ten Associate of Science, six Associate of Arts.

$7 million pa'anga road works

Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai are experiencing massive road rework funded through a loan from the Asian Development Bank. Road work on 'Eua is scheduled after the three major islands due to lack of road work equipment. The majority of the work is focused on major town roads and scheduled to be completed before Christmas which coincides with increased traffic, and the rainy season.

Ha'apai Wharf to be opened Dec. 4^th

Ha'apais new warf, constructed at the cost of T$3.4 million and to be called Taufa'ahau Wharf, will be officially opened by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV during celebrations on Dec 4^th. The Wharf project was funded by the Australian Government through the Ha'apai Development committee.

The next project, included in the same funding, will be upgrading of the Pilolevu airport, sealing the tarmac, extending the tarmac 100m west, and upgrading the terminal.

Handicraft Exhibition

The Queen opened November 21, at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, and exhibition of Handicraft from around the country. The Queen appealed to the major handicraft organisation Langafonua and Pacific leaders to include traditional handicrafts in school curricula.

The exhibition included work from women in Kolofo'ou, Lapaha, Vaini, Hihifo, Kolomotu'a, Nukunuku, and Tatakamotonga districts. The exhibition highlighted floral arrangements, ta'ovalas, fine mats, tapa purses, walking sticks, traditional head rests, traditional jewellery, traditional weaving, new ideas, cooking, sewing and necklace.

Memorial Hall - Bishop Patelesio Finau and Sir Sofele Kakala

The Queen will lay the foundation stone for the construction of a $T600,000 hall at the Catholic 'Apifo'ou College. The hall will replace the St Peter Chanel Hall which is being removed.

Hong Kong 7's World Cup - Qualifying Rounds

Tonga has assured itself a place in next year's Hong Kong 7's by qualifying at a recent competition in Dubai. 19 countries have so far qualified for the Hong Kong 7's World Cup, including Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Ireland, Korea, Namibia, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania and Spania.

Five spots remain for grabs in the final qualification tournament being held at Punta del Este, Uruguay (Jan 4-5) where 16 countries will compete. Tonga qualified through the Dubai competition by defeating the Republic of China 34-5, Singapore 59-12 in pool matches and Zimbabwe 33-19 in the quarter final before bowing out to Fiji 26-5 in the semi-finals.

Fiji retained top ranking of the qualifiers by dominating South Africa 33-12 in the final to capture the Dubai championship.

News Shorts

Police warn consumers and suppliers about the possibility of counterfeit $50.00 pa'anga bills circulating in the Kingdom.

The New Zealand High Commission is sponsoring workshops run by the Alternatives to Violence Project to train and coach police officials, teachers, councellors on alternative methods of training, discipline to avoid violence.

Auckland Police are looking for a Tongan Lawyer who caused NZ$1,225.97 damage to courthouse facilities after a celebration gone wrong.

The Fisheries Department is hosting a team of experts from Japan here to assess the requirements for a request from the government for a deep sea fishing vessel.

The Civil Courts found Maunakia Afeaki guilty liable for the child care of his abandoned child and wife equal to 50% of his weekly wages plus court expenses.

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