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NUKU΄ALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Feb. 4, 2008) - Tongans who lost their Tongan citizenship because they became citizens of other countries can now apply for readmission of their citizenship, and the stateless children of some Tongan mothers abroad will now have the opportunity to register as Tongan nationals.

A spokesperson at the Crown Law Office said today that although the Act amending the Nationality Act was passed on August 14 last year, the Regulations detailing the procedure for readmission were not passed until January 4, making it effective.

Now those eligible for readmission are persons who ceased to be a Tongan prior to the enactment of the Tonga Nationality (Amendment) Act 2007. They now may apply to the Minister responsible for Immigration for a certificate of re-admission to the Tongan nationality.

They are Tongans who lost their Tongan citizenship by voluntarily taking up citizenship in a foreign country, or a Tongan woman who marries a...

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, Feb. 4, 2008) - On top of the human toll, properties and livestock worth thousands of kina in settlements on the fringes of the city were put to the torch yesterday by rampaging tribesmen in retaliation over the deaths and the fires could still be seen simmering by late yesterday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, a security supervisor of the Kanges Hotel in Mt Hagen was stabbed to death by a man at the back gate of the hotel.

A 33-year-old security supervisor named as Mathew Koi from the Jika Mulgana tribe near Mt Hagen, had been trying to evict a patron out through the back gate for starting a fight in the hotel, when he was stabbed to death at about 2am yesterday.

Jiga Mulgana tribesmen, upon hearing of their kin’s demise, traveled into the city in truckloads and torched scores of houses in the Hagen T, Bata, HMI and Fish Pond compounds. They chased the settlers away but the settlers rallied and fought back,...

By Pesi Fonua

NUKU΄ALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Feb. 4, 2008) - Tonga needs more remittances and more foreign aid flowing into the country, if it is to maintain a balance of trade with Australia and New Zealand, its main trading partners, Honorable Afu΄alo Matoto, the Minister of Information said last week.

Tonga is in a difficult situation because while it is importing more than it exports to these countries the value of the pa΄anga is fluctuating lower to the value of the New Zealand, Australian, and Fijian dollars. Although the pa΄anga is currently holding its value against the US dollar, at the same time the value of the US dollar is dropping against the Australian and the New Zealand dollars.

Afu΄alo, commenting on the economy, said that remittances and foreign aid are the two main sources of foreign currency earnings for Tonga at the moment.

His view Tonga’s immediate prospects for the future, "is a perpetuation of the current situation."

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By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.

KOROR, Palau (Palau Horizon, Feb. 5, 2008) — The recent trip to Taiwan by four Senators benefited Palau in several ways, according to the trip report released to media outlets yesterday.

The five-day trip (Jan. 18-23) included Senate President Surangel Whipps Sr., Floor Leader Alan Seid, Sen. Yukiwo Dengokl and Sen. Caleb Otto.

Firstly, it served to strengthen the diplomatic tie and friendship Palau has with the government and people of Taiwan.

The trip report also said that the official visit offered an opportunity for the Senate to express its gratitude on behalf of the people of Palau for the many forms of assistance it receives from Taiwan for national development.

It also provided the Senators and opportunity to enhance their individual diplomatic aptitude and skills.

The trip was also an opportunity for the Senators to experience and appreciate Taiwan’s progress, natural resources and more importantly its...