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North Korean weapons displayed during parade are fake, sunglasses aren’t even combat ready, US military expert says

By
Kaniva Staff
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By ARIEL ZILBER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

North Korea’s soldiers mostly carry fake weapons during their mass-scale parades, a former US intelligence officer has said.

Michael Pregent believes many of the arms flaunted by menacing-looking North Korean troops during their displays are dummies, and claims even their sunglasses wouldn’t be fit for combat.

Pregent was asked to look at photographs from an April 15 military parade in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

He suggested many of the guns were not real, and hinted many may have even been given toys, in a move designed to boast their strength to the world.

‘This was more about sending a message than being combat effective,’ Pregent told Fox News, who now serves as an adjunct fellow at the conservative think-tank, the Hudson Institute.

The parade was held to mark the 105th birthday of North Korea’s founder, Kim Il-sung, the late grandfather of the country’s current ruler, Kim Jong-Un.

Images from the parade show what appear to be North Korean ‘commandos’ carrying AK-47 assault rifles with attached grenade-launchers.

But Pregent says that the objects seen affixed to the rifles are really ‘helical’ magazines designed to store bullets in a spiral shape.

Pregent says these magazines are often faulty since they frequently jam.

He also doubts that the AK-47s are even loaded since North Korea is believed to have serious shortages of domestically produced ammunition.

Pregent says many of the accessories worn by the troops are also far short of military-grade.

The sunglasses worn by the ‘special ops commandos’ are regular, flat-face frames that offer little protection for the eyes.

Soldiers in Western countries use specially tailored ‘ballistic safety glasses’ that wrap around the head.

Then there are the projectiles the troops attach to the end of their rifles.

Pregent says that these ‘weapons’ are ‘laughable’ because ‘you can see the plastic is over the muzzle.’

Though he concedes North Korea may have a substantial RPG capability, Pregent says that the soldiers on display during the parade were most likely given toy missiles ‘because Kim Jong-Un doesn’t want them to launch one at the viewing stand.’

Other troops marching appear to be holding silver-plated rifles, but Pregent believes ‘these are most likely painted.’

Crown Prince greets Pacific Energy and Transport Ministers in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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Crown Prince ʻUlukālala Tupoutoʻa talked to the Pacific Energy and Transport Ministers in Tonga this afternoon Wednesday 26.

His Royal Highness reminded the Ministers and Pacific leaders they have an important role to play in the world’s endeavour to save the planet.

He described it as a “challenge” for them to think about during the two-day convention in Nukuʻalofa.

More than 100 leaders and experts met in the kingdom for the Third Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministerial Meeting.

The meeting had a theme: “Affordable, reliable and sustainable energy and transport services for all.”

The regional meeting comes after the national energy targets in renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the adoption of greenhouse gas mitigation targets in the nationally determined contributions to the Paris Agreement was adopted.

“In all cases, energy sector is made up of various sub-sectors including coordination and planning, petroleum, power, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

“The planning and coordination of energy sector to meet governments’ sustainable development aspirations and obligation becomes a tedious task when these sub-sectors are managed and planned in isolation and independently of each other – when some have very old legislations and when there is no overarching legislative framework to coordinate them”.

Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni said the meeting was “timely”.

He said they have to agree on what they could see fits for the Pacific to take up with the global forums in support of the Paris Agreement.

In his opening address, Pacific Community Director-General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga highlighted SPC’s contribution to Pacific Island energy and transport sectors, including the adoption of uniform standards and tools for maritime safety and energy security.

He mentioned the support given to the private sector and governments to improve safety at sea and access to electricity and training of hundreds of professionals from governments, administrations and private sector each year.

“And more recently, providing technical assistance for members to reduce greenhouse gas from the energy and maritime transport sectors”.

The Pacific leaders will also celebrate SPCʻs 70th anniversary in Tonga with the inauguration of the Tonga-based Pacific Centre of Excellence on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE).

Fire-damaged buildings in Neiafu pulled down as clean up campaign starts

By
Kalino Latu
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The clean up campaign for the upcoming national celebrations in Vavaʻu had been kicked off this week by knocking down fire-damaged buildings and properties that lay derelict in the capital town for years.

Some of these burned-out buildings belonged to the Sanfts, a family well known in Tongan business circles.

Tourism Minister Hon. Semisi Sika said the foundations of these buildings were also ploughed up.

The campaign was led by the Vava’u governor Lord Fulivai and Hon. Sika which began from Vai-Ko-Lēlea and Fā Ko Fiemeʻa historical sites.

The campaigners worked to upgrade the public toilets and picked up rubbish at the area.

Hundreds of Tongan visitors and tourists from overseas were expected to start arriving in Vava’u in early June.

The 94th Free Wesleyan Church conference is held in Neiafu along with the 70th anniversary of one of its colleges, Siuʻilikutapu Mailefihi college.

The celebration of His Majesty King Tupou VI’s 57th birthday will begin in Vava’u in June as well as the Royal Agricultural Show in July.

Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was in  Vavaʻu with a government delegation last month and discussed the preparations with Vavaʻu authorities.

Tonga Tourism Minister Hon. Sēmisi Sika said the events would bring huge advantages to the kingdom.

At the time the Prime Minister announced a government-led clean up and beautification campaign to begin in Neiafu immediately after he met with the Vavaʻu governor.

LIVE Day Three: 93rd Inter-collegiate athletic competition at Teufaiva national stadium

By
Kalino Latu
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Live coverage from Tonga at Teufaiva stadium: Paula Moimoi Latu

Thousands of students and spectators have continued supporting their various teams of athlete at Teufaiva stadium today Thursday 27.

The four-day sporting events began on Tuesday 25-28.

The 93rd national event attracted competitors and supporters from Vava’u, Ha’apai, ‘Eua and Tongatapu which began with a parade at Teufaiva on Monday.

School athletes marched in their school colours for the opening ceremony.

The stadium was currently under construction as part of an effort to get the venue ready to host the 2019 Pacific Games.

Passenger dies in south Auckland after fleeing police

By
Kalino Latu
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A passenger was dead in Mangere this morning and Police have advised motorists to avoid the area of the Walmsley and Massey roads in Mangere, after a vehicle collided with a building.

“At about 3am this morning a Honda vehicle was observed by Police doing a burnout on Mangere Road, Mangere East”, a Police statement said.

The vehicle was signalled to stop by Police.

However, it fled at high speed along Mangere Road.

Police followed the vehicle for a short distance.

However, Police lost sight of the vehicle prior to Greys Ave, Mangere East.

The vehicle was located shortly after and had collided with a building at the intersection of Mangere and Walmsley Roads.

The male, whose age was unknown,  passenger of the vehicle died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

The driver was taken to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating and the matter will be reported to the IPCA.

Diversions are in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area of the Walmsley and Mangere/Massey roads intersection.

The intersection is expected to remain closed until around lunchtime.

Rev. Cowley ordained Archdeacon: “Love her like your own mother” says family

By
Philip Cass
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The Rev. Colleen Cowley has been ordained Archdeacon at the St Paulʻs Anglican Cathedral in Nukuʻalofa.

Rev Colleen was ordained by Bishop Halapua.

The ceremony was attended by Princess Pilolevu and her husband Lord Tuita.

The Rev. Cowley described her ordination as God’s calling.

“We all have our trust, faith and love and respect for our mother’s decision” a family spokesman said.

The family described Rev. Cowley as “down to earth, humble, loving, kind and honest.”

“We ask you members of the Anglican Church to love her like she is your own mother, sister aunty and friend. “

Rev. Cowley, who was then a priest assistant at St Paul’s, led the drive to refurbish the cathedral.

She was ordained a deacon in 2012, tripling the number of female clergy.

The Archdeacon is one of the most successful businesswomen in the kingdom and comes from a family well known in Tongan business circles, especially for its bakery.

The Rev. Cowley is the daughter of the late Bill Wight and Kolo kesa Tufunga.

She has seven children, Elizabeth Cowley, Alfred Cowley, Joanna  Ker, Charles Cowley and the late  Vangana Faletau, Kerry Mataele and A.J Cowley.

The main points

  • The Rev. Colleen Cowley has been ordained Archdeacon at the St PaulÊ»s Anglican Cathedral in NukuÊ»alofa.
  • Rev Colleen was ordained by Bishope Halapua.
  • The ceremony was attended by Princess Pilolevu and her husband Lord Tuita.
  • The Rev. Cowley described her ordination as God’s calling.

For more information

Anglican Taonga

Vaiola hospital partially evacuated after electrical fault and explosion

By
Kalino Latu
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UPDATED: Laboratory operations at Vaiola hospital this afternoon were disrupted after an inflammable acid allegedly spilled into an electric socket in the lab causing an electrical short-circuit at around 4pm.

Patients in the area had to be evacuated after a “small explosion” was heard.

A spokesperson for the hospital told Kaniva News  the fault caused damages to the electrical wiring system at the histology lab and a room at the operating theatre but was brought under control before fire fighters arrived.

No injury was reported and the operations have been returning to normal, he said.

Tongan shotput queen formally invested as Dame Valerie Adams

By
Kalino Latu
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In honour of her services to athletics Valerie Adams was formally invested as a  Dame Grand Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit at Government House in Auckland this morning.

Adams who is proud of her Tongan connection and wearing Tongan vala during her investiture spoke of the importance of generosity and giving to others.

“I don’t think you can stop giving or helping at community, school or church level. That’s my duty now. I’m helping out a discus thrower and another couple of girls who are trying to lose weight. The best thing you can give someone is your time, and my schedule is allowing for that,” she said.

Becoming the youngest New Zealander to be appointed a Dame, Adams also serves as New Zealand’s first sports ambassador, in which role she has toured the Pacific promoting healthy living among young people.

Adams has ruled out competing at the world champs in London this year but intends competing at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next year.

Apart from her Olympic achievements, she has won medals at the Commonwealth games, holds several international titles and is one of only nine athletes to have won at youth, junior and senior level in an athletic event.

She was appointed by Lord Vaea of Houma with the hingoa matapule (herald name) Tongitupe-He-Funga-Taua. It is believed she was the first Tongan woman to be formally appointed to the cultural position.

A North Korea nuclear attack would give Japanese citizens just 10 minutes to prepare

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Debra Killalea

Japan will have around 10 minutes to warn its citizens that a nuclear attack is coming.

But in the event it’s ever targeted in this way by North Korea, people could have even less time than that to flee to safety.

The country’s authorities have issued fresh guidelines on what to do if a nuclear missile hits its shores as tensions remain high across the region.

The Cabinet Secretariat Civil Protection Portal Site reveals how the public will be notified of an impending attack under the country’s J-Alert system.

The nationwide system, introduced in 2007 to warn its citizens of a disaster or threat, is designed to co-ordinate an emergency response and also provides information on what to do in the case of an evacuation.

Details of a disaster or attack are broadcast via satellite, phone and via the internet to disaster management authorities who then relay warnings via loud speakers, emergency broadcast channels and mobile alerts.

The Cabinet Secretariat Civil Protection Portal Site has seen a surge of visitors in recent weeks as fears grow over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile tests.

According to The Independent, Japan’s civil defence website had 5.7 million visitors in the first 23 days of April alone.

The site makes clear while risk of a full scale invasion remains the lowest it has been in 10 years, “Japan is facing urgent new threats to peace and security and diverse situations, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.”

However if a missile attack does take place, the Protecting Ourselves Against Armed Attacks and Terrorism document found on the site urges people to find a strong concrete building to find safety or head underground.

People should also take cover under something like a table while avoiding windows and doors.

Citing a missile launch in February last year which took 10 minutes to travel 1600km and fly over Okinawa, the J apan Timesalso reveals just how quickly it could hit the Japanese island.

The advice comes as prefectural disaster and crisis officials held a meeting in Tokyo last week where they were urged to make additional plans to establish their own response teams and plans.

Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura announced he will establish a response team in the event of a North Korean attack and said it would include officials involved in crisis management, the Japan Times reported.

But Mr Yoshimura warned there would be almost no time to respond and people may not have as much time as they think to escape to safety.

“A missile may not be detected as soon as it leaves the launch pad and that could take several minutes,” he said.

“Depending on the case, the warnings and alarms might only sound four or five minutes before a missile arrives.”

‘Point of no return’

Japan isn’t the only world power concerned about North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

US President Donald Trump told members of the United Nations Security Council at the White House that the “status quo” on North Korea is “unacceptable” and urged it to impose additional and stronger sanctions on Pyongyang.

And China’s official newspaper Global Times, controlled by the ruling Communist Party, has also warned North Korea the country’s patience is running thin and it will cross the point of no return if it carries out another nuclear test.

Similar concerns were echoed as top nuclear envoys from Japan, South Korea and the United States met in Tokyo yesterday and vowed “stern action” against any fresh North Korean provocations.

US special representative Joseph Yun said he discussed American policy to “enhance pressure” on Pyongyang “because we really do not believe that North Korea is ready to engage us towards denuclearisation”.

Meanwhile North Korea held major live-fire drills to mark the 85th founding anniversary of its military.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency cited a government source as saying the exercise was the North’s “largest ever”.

“Signs are detected that North Korea’s military is conducting a large-scale drill around the eastern port city of Wonsan on the anniversary,” a source told Yonhap News.

Driver appearing in court for fatal Maileifihi Siu’ilikutapu bus crash in New Zealand

By
Kalino Latu
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The 65-year-old driver in a school bus crash that killed three and injured several others in December 24, 2016 in New Zealand has appeared in court this morning.

Talakai ‘Aholelei is facing 30 charges, including three of careless driving causing death.

The Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu brass band was in New Zealand with a mission to fundraise for the college’s 70th anniversary in June.

‘Aholelei who is also known by the king’s heraldic title Māsila has been granted bail without plea, and has surrendered his passport.

He’s due back in court in a month’s time.

Newstalk ZB has quoted his Tongan lawyer Nalesoni Tupou as arguing “they need the time to sift through the large amount of information in the unique case”.

For more information:

“Lack of patience” mars good work after Mailefihi Siuilikutapu college fundraising in NZ

Vavaʻu band group in fatal crash in NZ to raise $200,000 for College’s 70th anniversary

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