The Inter-College Rugby Union, traditionally a showcase of Tongan sportsmanship and youth leadership, descended into chaos Friday as violent clashes between school factions erupted.
Viral videos allegedly showed alumni both celebrating and instigating the brawls.
It follows Tonga Police issuing “all students, ex-students, and supporters to uphold peace and show respect during Friday’s Inter-College Rugby Union event.
“This is a time to celebrate school spirit, talent, and sportsmanship. Let’s ensure that our support builds pride,” the statement read.
Authorities announced their presence throughout the tournament, with mounted patrols monitoring crowd behaviour and additional officers stationed at potential hotspots.
The police statement outlined clear expectations: positively supporting schools, respecting officials and opponents, avoiding violence or disorderly conduct, and complying with all security instructions.
According to footage shared on social media and seen by Kaniva News, multiple fights erupted in downtown Nuku’alofa and surrounding areas.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes of physical altercations and thrown objects at Hihifo before onlookers stepped in and restored order.
It is unclear whether any arrests were made.
Police emphasised their zero-tolerance approach, warning that instigators of further disturbances would face immediate consequences.
“We remind everyone that Police operations are in place throughout the event and surrounding areas to ensure safety and public order.
“Any form of violence or disruption will be dealt with appropriately.
“Let’s make this a safe, enjoyable, and memorable occasion for our youth and our nation.”
The IDF confirms carrying out strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, claiming Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami and other commanders were killed in the attack.
Iran reports six scientists among the dead, with state TV alleging civilian casualties—including children—though these claims remain unverified by independent sources.
Israel says Iran has launched 100 drones toward its territory in retaliation for the attack and the killing of military leaders.
In an operation that redefined modern warfare, Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency successfully infiltrated Iran’s most secure military and nuclear facilities years before launching last night’s devastating strikes.
According to senior security officials speaking exclusively to The Times of Israel, the attack—which crippled Iran’s air defenses and missile infrastructure—was made possible by a secret drone base and elite commando teams operating undetected on Iranian soil. The mission, years in the making, involved smuggling precision weapons into the country and positioning operatives near critical military sites.
The operation relied on meticulous, long-term planning between Mossad and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Precision weapons systems, including explosive-laden drones and guided missiles, were covertly transported into Iran and hidden near key military installations.
A secret drone base was established inside the country, allowing Israel to launch strikes without detection. Meanwhile, undercover commandos embedded themselves near anti-aircraft sites and missile launchers, ready to activate at a moment’s notice.
The Three-Pronged Attack The strikes unfolded in three synchronised phases, each designed to dismantle Iran’s defences systematically.
Second, pre-positioned drones swarmed a major missile base outside Tehran, destroying launchers that had been poised to strike Israeli targets.
Finally, modified vehicles equipped with electronic warfare tools disrupted remaining air defences, ensuring Israeli jets had complete air supremacy.
This operation’s reliance on subterfuge rather than brute force made it unprecedented. “This wasn’t just an airstrike—it was a surgical occupation,” a security official revealed. Mossad agents, disguised as locals, moved weapons and equipment undetected, while AI-powered drones evaded Iranian surveillance for months.
The success of the mission highlights Israel’s ability to wage war deep inside enemy territory without traditional military engagement.
Iran’s Intelligence Failure Perhaps the most startling aspect of the operation was Iran’s apparent lack of awareness. Despite heightened security, Israeli operatives smuggled weapons, established a drone base, and positioned commandos near critical sites without detection.
The strikes have exposed vulnerabilities in Iran’s counterintelligence capabilities, raising questions about how deeply Mossad has penetrated its security apparatus.
The attack marks a shift in modern conflict, where wars may increasingly be won through covert infiltration rather than overt military campaigns.
If Israel can execute such an operation inside a heavily guarded adversary like Iran, other nations may reassess their own defence strategies. Meanwhile, Tehran faces a dilemma—how to retaliate against an enemy that has already embedded itself within its borders.
The Nuku’alofa Supreme Court has handed down a five-year prison sentence to Movete Mala’efo’ou for drug-related offences and assaulting a police officer during a violent escape attempt.
However, his sentence had the last six months suspended for two years. His co-accused, Sosefo Tukia, received a fully suspended sentence on conditions.
The case stemmed from an incident on October 17, 2024, when police searched for a suspect, Kesomi Taufa, at Tonga Cable Limited.
Authorities received a tip that a green Mazda Demio with a rental license plate was delivering drugs to Taufa. Officers later spotted the vehicle near Vakūho and approached Mala’efo’ou and Tukia.
Tukia immediately fled, discarding 10 packs of white substances and a white bag containing 217 empty packs before being apprehended.
Meanwhile, Mala’efo’ou violently resisted arrest, shoving Police Officer Tafea, jumping into the Mazda, and reversing into the officer—injuring his left arm—before speeding off. During his escape, he discarded a black bag, which police later recovered.
A search of the suspects and their belongings uncovered incriminating evidence. Tukia was found with a violet straw in his pocket and $120 cash in a body-worn bag.
Mala’efo’ou’s black bag contained a weighing scale, a pink straw, empty drug packs, three packs of white substances, dried green leaves, and aluminium foil packets.
The abandoned Mazda was later located in Tofoa, and a search of Tukia’s home revealed more drugs and a silver weighing scale hidden in a wrecked car on the property.
In a separate incident on October 9, 2024, police previously arrested Mala’efo’ou near Kolomotu’a after receiving a tip that he was using a vehicle (C37141) to supply drugs.
A search uncovered drugs, including packs of white substance, cash, an empty pack with a car key, and shredded green leaves near the vehicle. Mala’efo’ou admitted ownership of the items.
The court considered the severity of Mala’efo’ou’s actions—particularly his assault on an officer and prior drug involvement—in imposing the sentence.
Tukia, who showed lesser involvement, received a more lenient punishment.
Both accused did not cooperate with police, the court document said.
Movete had previous convictions.
Both Movete’s and Tukia’s early guilty pleas and status as first-time drug offenders were considered mitigating factors.
Israel has carried out military strikes inside Iran, targeting what it described as the “heart” of Tehran’s nuclear program.
The attack comes just days after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, defiantly rejected a key U.S. demand to halt uranium enrichment—a major sticking point in stalled nuclear negotiations.
In a televised address, Khamenei warned that Israel would face “severe consequences” for the strikes, which Iranian state media say killed top officials, including Hossein Salami, chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as several nuclear scientists.
A spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces vowed that both Israel and the U.S. would pay a “heavy price.”
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu called the strikes a “targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.”
He claimed Iran was “weeks away” from producing a nuclear weapon if left unchecked.
Israel has since declared a state of emergency, anticipating retaliatory attacks “in the immediate future.”
The U.S. proposal for a revived nuclear deal, mediated by Oman, was presented to Iran over the weekend.
However, major disagreements persist, including Iran’s refusal to cease domestic uranium enrichment or export its stockpile of highly enriched uranium—a potential precursor for nuclear arms.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Washington had “no role” in the strikes and provided no assistance.
The attack marks a dangerous escalation in the shadow war between Israel and Iran, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Analysts warn that Tehran’s promised retaliation could trigger further instability across the Middle East.
Former Minister of Infrastructure Sevenitini Toumo’ua has denied allegations that he entered into a non-compliant arrangement with a company to purchase two new trucks.
The Ministry of MOI’s CEO Lōpeti Heimuli (L) and Former Minister of MOI Sevenitini Toumo’ua
This was Toumo’ua’s second response to Kaniva News’ report that six months had passed since the Ministry’s $140,000 truck payment, with delivery still pending. He had served as Minister when the purchase was made.
It follows an allegation that the vehicle supplier later demanded what was believed to be an additional $100,000 beyond the original $140,000 payment.
As we reported yesterday, an official letter dated 19 March 2025, leaked to Kaniva News, MOI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Lōpeti Heimuli confirmed the ministry’s TOP$140,000 payment for a Nissan Atlas truck (TOP$50,000) and a Hino Ranger crane truck (TOP$90,000) in December 2024, based on an August 2024 invoice from the Logistics company.
However, the vehicles remain undelivered, prompting the ministry’s formal intervention.
According to the letter, it appeared that New Life Logistics CEO Lesieli Namoa had a “previous arrangement with former Minister” Toumoua to justify the additional payments.
The letter said: “Your previous arrangement with former Minister, was not in order with the Government Procurement Regulation 2015”.
The ministry’s letter specifically refutes allegations that it attempted to illegally transfer vehicle ownership, calling these claims “false accusations.”
Toumo’ua’s Response
When previously contacted for comment, former Minister Toumo’ua said the vehicles are still with CEO Namoa, and the Ministry should talk to her.
He said in Tongan: “Koe ongo loli ena oku ia Lesieli pe I Tonga ke nau talanoa kiai.”
After reporting the story, Toumo’ua contacted Kaniva again.
He wanted to clarify that the purchase and the payment had been approved by MOI and paid by the Treasury according to the government’s procurement regulations.
Toumo’ua stated that the Ministry required the trucks for road maintenance, noting that the purchase prices were competitive.
He noted MOI had dispatched an engineer to evaluate the trucks before CEO Heimuli authorised the purchase – a procedure requiring Treasury approval before payment.
“There was nothing non-compliant and I did not know about that claim by Lopeti that there was an arrangement that was not in accordance with procurement procedures”, Toumo’ua told Kaniva News in Tongan.
Additional Accrued Fees
When asked why the trucks appeard to have been stored at the wharf for an extended period, causing the supplier to demand approximately $100,000 in additional accrued fees, Toumo’ua stated that Heimuli should be the one to answer that question.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Dr Taniela Fusimālohi, and the CEO, Heimuli, have been contacted with a copy of the letter for comment.
We requested confirmation regarding their communication with Namoa, as well as to address claims that Toumo’ua’s arrangement with Namoa did not comply with the government’s procurement regulations.
Namoa could not be reached for comment.
Third-Party Complicates Standoff.
According to Heimuli’s letter, third-party Samuela Mafile’o claimed the vehicles after wharf clearance.
Despite this development, the MOI maintains it would only negotiate directly with New Life Logistics, the original supplier.
The ministry earnestly requested Namoa to provide the vehicles.
The letter read, “Therefore, we kindly seek your assistance to deliver the two vehicles to the Ministry as per full payments made in December 2024.”
A reliable source told Kaniva News that there appears to have been no contractual agreement between the MOI and Namoa at the initial purchase.
The source further alleged that Namoa subsequently demanded an additional $100,000 on top of the $140,000 paid by the MOI in December 2024, purportedly for storage fees.
Nuku’alofa, Tonga – Tonga mourns the passing of Dr Viliami Fukofuka, the visionary statesman who helped establish rugby league in the Kingdom in 1986 and famously proclaimed it “a sport for Tonga.”
Dr Viliami Fukofuka. Photo/Kalino Latu (Kaniva Tonga News)
The former educator and politician passed away, leaving an indelible mark on Pacific sports history.
Dr Fukofuka, who worked alongside New Zealand-Tonga footballer George Mann to introduce the sport in the 1980s, often urged Tongan authorities to treat rugby league “a piece of gold.”
He championed the game as perfectly suited to Tongan athletes’ strength and agility, noting, “Our boys need to pick the ball and run—and they do it brilliantly.”
His passion was most evident during Tonga’s historic 2017 Rugby League World Cup campaign. Though heartbroken by the controversial semi-final decision against England (“They tarnished our boys’ excellence”), he wept with pride listening to radio broadcasts of Mate Ma’a Tonga’s matches, declaring: “God has put Tonga in a position we’re so proud of.”
From Pacific Cup to Global Stage
Dr. Fukofuka cherished Tonga’s 1986 Pacific Cup debut – a tournament so significant it drew royal attendance and featured skydiving displays.
Thirty years later, he witnessed his dream realised as thousands braved rain to celebrate MMT’s homecoming, with fans dancing on rooftops along Taufa’ahau Road and players receiving royal honours.
In his Kaniva News interview at his Popua home, the emotional pioneer reflected: “The world has witnessed how marvellous our boys played.”
His words echo today as Tongan athletes dominate global leagues, proving his enduring truth – rugby league truly is Tonga’s sport.
Democracy, Media, Leadership
Fukofuka was a close ally of Tonga’s global democratic defender, ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, who received the Defender of Democracy Award from Parliamentarians for Global Action for his early 1980s advocacy.
Fukofuka also served as editor of Kele’a, the newspaper Pōhiva established in 1986 to support their political campaigns.
Beyond his media role, Fukofuka was a Member of Parliament and Chief Executive Officer at the Ministry of Education.
San Francisco, CA – A federal appeals court has cleared the way for a Tongan family to pursue justice after an unauthorised police chase led to the death of 28-year-old Lolomanaia “Lolo” Soakai, a beloved member of Oakland’s Tongan community.
Lolomanaia Soakai’s family announced a lawsuit against the City of Oakland today alleging negligence by Oakland Police officers during a chase that led to his death. Credit: Pointer Buelna law firm
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that Oakland Police officers Walid Abdelaziz and Jimmy Marin-Coronel can be held accountable for Soakai’s 2022 killing, marking a rare challenge to qualified immunity.
This legal shield often protects police from civil lawsuits.
On June 26, 2022, Soakai was celebrating a family graduation when he stopped at a taco truck on International Boulevard.
Moments later, a 19-year-old suspect fleeing a sideshow crashed into parked cars during an illegal “ghost chase”—a pursuit conducted without lights, sirens, or supervisor approval.
The impact sent a motorcycle flying into Soakai, killing him instantly. His mother suffered a broken back, and two cousins were hospitalised.
Body camera footage revealed one officer saying of the suspect, “I hope he dies,” which the court cited as evidence that the chase may have been motivated by vengeance, not public safety.
Previous comments on social media show the Soakai’s family, backed by Tongan community leaders and civil rights attorneys, called the ruling a critical step toward accountability.
“Lolo was a proud Tongan son, a hard worker, and the glue of our family,” said a relative.
“The police took him from us in seconds because they chose to break the rules. Now, they must answer for it.”
One report said: “The case lands amid debate over pursuit policy. Governor Newsom has urged Oakland to loosen restrictions, but critics argue Soakai’s death shows why stricter oversight is essential.”
Auckland, NZ – The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges in the Auckland District Court against Ilaisaane Malupo, an unregistered lender trading as Nane Easy Loan Finance Services NZ (Nane Loans).
A Facebook ad for Nane Loans from 2023. Supplied to The Post
The Commission alleges Ms Malupo illegally provided high-interest personal loans to members of Tonga’s South Auckland community since March 2024, exploiting vulnerable borrowers already facing financial hardship.
Associate Commissioner Joseph Liava’a stated the Commission takes swift action against unregistered lenders to protect consumers.
“Often these kinds of lenders are a last resort for people who are struggling to borrow from reputable lenders.
Many people who borrowed from Ms Malupo were already under financial pressure and on low incomes, so irresponsible lending could have had a big impact on borrowers and their families,” Mr Liava’a says.
Investigations revealed Ms Malupo charged exorbitant weekly interest rates of 15%, which doubled if loans weren’t repaid within 28 days, along with daily late fees of $10.
Many borrowers reportedly took loans for essentials like food or to pay existing debts, with some forced to sell personal belongings or miss rent payments to keep up with repayments.
The Commission found Ms Malupo operated primarily through social media, where she allegedly threatened to publicly shame defaulting borrowers on Facebook and Tongan media platforms until debts were settled.
“Public shaming is unacceptable and puts vulnerable people at greater risk,” Mr Liava’a emphasised.
Ms Malupo faces serious charges under the Financial Service Providers Act for operating without registration, carrying potential penalties of 12 months’ imprisonment or fines up to $100,000.
Additional charges under the Commerce Act for allegedly misleading the Commission could result in further $100,000 fines. The Commission has prioritised stopping her from issuing new loans or enforcing existing ones while its investigation continues.
The Commerce Commission continues to investigate similar cases across Auckland’s Pacific neighborhoods as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure fair lending practices for all New Zealanders.
Tonga Police have arrested a 27-year-old man from ‘Ananā in a targeted operation against drug distribution in the community.
The suspect was taken into custody yesterday following reports of alleged drug sales, with officers seizing illicit substances, drug paraphernalia, and an undisclosed amount of cash during the raid.
Acting on community intelligence, police apprehended the man and found drugs in his possession.
A subsequent search of his residence uncovered additional illegal substances, equipment linked to drug use, and cash suspected to be proceeds of illicit activities.
The accused remains in police custody as investigations continue.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the type or quantity of drugs seized, but emphasised the operation as part of their broader crackdown on drug-related crimes.
In a statement, Tonga Police reaffirmed their commitment to combating drug distribution and urged residents to report suspicious behaviour.
If you have information, contact your nearest police station or call 922.
The arrest underscores ongoing efforts to disrupt drug networks in Tonga, with police vowing zero tolerance for such offences.
For media inquiries, contact the Tonga Police Media & Public Relations Office at 740-1614.
Nuku’alofa, Tonga—Groundbreaking research into the historical collation and translation of French Catholic records into English and Tongan has uncovered a remarkable story about how 19th-century missionaries secretly preserved rare religious texts for future generations.
Dr Felise Tāvō
Dr Felise Tāvō, who is leading the research, revealed that in May 1980, two hidden stashes of books were discovered, one at the Catholic mission in Lifuka, Ha’apai, and another at the Fungamisi mission in Vava’u.
The books had been carefully buried in sand beneath the priests’ residences, ensuring their near-perfect preservation.
The discovery was made by Dutch historian Dr Theo Cook, who served as the Marist Archivist at the time.
Treasures of Ha’apai and Vava’u
The collections included rare theological, historical, and medical works, all in French. Among the most significant finds in Ha’apai were:
Scripturae Sacrae Cursus Completus by Migne (28 volumes)
Christian Perfection by Rodriguez (multi-volume sets)
Sermons by 17th-century preacher Jacques Bossuet
Complete works of Bourdaloue
Books by St. Francis de Sales (incomplete set)
Histoire de l’Église by Rohrbacher
Les Vies des Saints by Ribadaneira
Medical Manual from 1836 (2 volumes), etc
Tāvō speculates that the medical texts may have belonged to Fr Philippe Calinon (Patele Kalino), a missionary who also served as a self-taught doctor in Ha’apai during the 1860s.
Tāvō previously said that Fr Kalino arrived in Tonga’s Pea village in July 1844 as only the third French priest to settle at Pea after Frs. Chevron and Grange.
“He was what the French would call ‘tête dure’ (hardheaded), which was probably the kind of temperament needed for those rough and tough early days at Pea”, according to Tāvō.
He said Kalino was also a talented woodworker who was once congratulated by Taufa’ahau, King George Tupou I, on a wooden table and case that the priest made for him at Lifuka.
“But his talent that stood out the most was his knowledge of medicine, for he’s even described as “the most competent doctor in the archipelago” (Mangeret 2.265).”
Meanwhile, the Vava’u collection included:
Life of St Teresa of Avila by the Bollandist Society (2 volumes)
Works of St. Teresa of Avila by Marcel Bouix (3 volumes)
Apostolic Letters of Pope Leo XIII (7 volumes)
Le Missionnaire de la Campagne by Joseph Jouve (4 volumes)
Exegesis of the Apocalypse by A. Chauffard (2 volumes)
Thirty-nine other books published between 1900 and 1937, etc
A Lost Tongan Translation
One of the most intriguing discoveries is the Tongan translation of Rohrbacher’s Histoire de l’Église (History of the Church), completed by Fr Castagnier (Patele Petelo) in the 1870s while stationed in Kolovai.
According to Tāvō, excerpts of this translation were read to Chief Ata, who initially opposed Catholic presence in his estate but later attended a Catholic Katoaga de lecture.
Although the translation was published in Fribourg, Switzerland, no known copies survive today.
Where Are the Books Now?
Tāvō has received widespread praise for his exemplary work in translating and compiling the Church’s records into English and Tongan. He said these records, which have been stored in French for over a century, currently have uncertain whereabouts.
He was expected to make contact with the Catholic Church headquarters in Tonga for any leads.
Tāvō believes they may have been transferred to the diocesan archives.
Tongan-French dictionary
Tāvō also highlighted the significance of a 422-page Tongan-French dictionary, compiled and published in Paris in 1890, based on the meticulous notes of early French Catholic missionaries. The dictionary draws heavily from the records of Fr Joseph-André Chevron (Patele Sōsefo-‘Atelea Sevelo), who served in Tonga from 1842 until his death in Lapaha in 1884.
The manuscript was later reviewed and prepared for publication by Fr A. Colomb, a French Marist who signed as “P.A.C.s.m.” Colomb organised the entries and contributed an 18-page introduction on Tonga and a 22-page Tongan grammar section preceding the dictionary.
Tāvō noted that the dictionary offers a fascinating snapshot of the Tongan language as spoken in the late 1800s, capturing vocabularies used by Tongan communities and documented by missionaries. At the time of publication, the French term “Tongien” (for “Tongan”) had not yet been standardized—reflecting the era before “Tonga” (instead of “Toga”) became the official spelling and before the “ng” spelling was formally regulated in the 1940s.
Digitised for Future Generations
Tāvō said the historic dictionary is now available in the public domain, allowing scholars, linguists, and cultural enthusiasts to explore this invaluable resource.
“Even if French is an issue for you, the dictionary is interesting in that these were some of the vocabularies used by our forebears in the second half of the 19th century that were picked up by Patele Sevelo and his fellow Marist missionaries,” said Tāvō.
