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75-Year-Old Tongan mother triumphs at St Peter’s 551 steps as Pope names third female Vatican leader

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan mother has been praised for her determination after climbing 320 of the 551 steps of St Peter’s Basilica’s Dome during a pilgrimage to the Vatican.

Kasilita Fonofehi Lanumata, among the oldest in her Tongan pilgrimage group, at St. Peter’s Dome’s summit during their spiritual journey. Photo/Malia Lanumata

Kasilita Fonofehi Lanumata, 75, one of the oldest members of Tongan groups travelling from New Zealand and Tonga, completed the ascent,a journey that typically takes an hour, as part of her spiritual journey.

Her daughter, Malia Lanumata, said the trip was a birthday gift for her mother, who turned 75 last month. 

“I knew this would be the most precious gift for her,” Malia told Kaniva Tonga News.

Despite being away from traditional Tongan food for the longest time in her life, surviving on potatoes and crackers, Kasilita remained in good health throughout the pilgrimage.

“She said she felt full from time to time because this was a holy place,” Malia shared, reflecting on her mother’s deep spiritual fulfilment during their visit for the appointment of Pope Leo XIV.

Malia marvelled at the structure of the Dome, describing it as “just amazing.” She noted the extensive use of marble stone, which she believed would ensure the historic building’s longevity.

Malia was happy to see her mum reach the top of the dome, believing she was one of the first Tongan elder mothers to achieve that.

She said her mum took the elevator before climbing the 320 steps.

Most of the Tongan pilgrims have now returned home, joining over 30,000 Tongan Catholics worldwide in celebrating their faith.

 551 Steps of St. Peter’s Basilica

The Dome of St Peter’s Basilica, designed by Michelangelo in 1546, is a Renaissance marvel.

Michelangelo completed the drum by 1564 but passed away.

Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana finished construction in 1590, adapting their design with minor alterations.

A total of 551 steps lead to the top of the Dome. Visitors can take an elevator for part of the ascent, reducing the climb to 320 steps.

Marking the tomb of St Peter, the first Pope, its soaring design creates a visual bridge between heaven and earth, evoking awe and reverence in all who behold it.

Women Taken Key Roles

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Sister Tiziana Merletti, former Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, as Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

She will serve under Sister Simona Brambilla, who made history in January as the first woman to lead a Vatican department, the Vatican News said.

Sister Merletti is now the third woman to hold a Secretary position in the Roman Curia, following Sister Alessandra Smerilli and her predecessor, Sister Brambilla.

This marks continued progress under Pope Francis’ reforms, allowing laypeople and women to lead dicasteries—a role once reserved for cardinals.

Since Pope Francis’ election, the proportion of women working in the Holy See and Vatican City State has risen from 19.2% to 23.4%, signalling a gradual shift toward greater inclusion in the Church’s governance.

North Korea warship damaged at launch attended by Kim Jong Un

By
Kaniva Staff
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By 1news.co.nz

A new 5000-tonne destroyer key to North Korea’s naval advancement was damaged during its launching ceremony attended by leader Kim Jong Un, state media reported.

Kim Jong Un speaks during a launching ceremony of a new naval destroyer at a western port in Nampo, North Korea, on April 25, 2025.
Kim Jong Un speaks during a launching ceremony of a new naval destroyer at a western port in Nampo, North Korea, on April 25, 2025. (Source: Associated Press)

The ship slid off the ramp and became stuck after the flatcar failed to move alongside it, throwing off its balance and crushing parts of the ship’s bottom, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

The accident at Wednesday’s (local time) ceremony at the northeastern port of Chongjin was an embarrassing setback for Kim, who has emphasised naval advancement as key to his nuclear-armed military.

Kim blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for what he described as a “serious accident and criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism”.

He called for a ruling Workers’ Party meeting to address their “irresponsible errors,” KCNA said. The agency reported separately that a plenary meeting of the party’s powerful Central Committee was scheduled for late June.

North Korean state media didn’t say whether the incident caused any injuries.

The damaged vessel was likely in the same class as the country’s first destroyer, unveiled on April 25, which experts assessed as the North’s largest and most advanced warship to date. Kim called it a significant asset for advancing his goal of expanding the military’s operational range and nuclear strike capabilities.

State media described that ship as designed to handle various weapons systems, including anti-air and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles. Kim also supervised test-firings of missiles from the destroyer afterward, and state media said the ship was expected to enter active duty early next year.

Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the damaged vessel was likely equipped with similar systems and remains toppled over in the sea.

Kim has framed the arms buildup as a response to perceived threats from the United States and its allies in Asia, who have been expanding joint military exercises amid rising tensions over the North’s nuclear programme. He says the acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine would be his next big step in strengthening his navy.

Outside experts say the destroyer was likely built with Russian assistance. While North Korea’s naval forces are considered inferior to South Korea’s, analysts still view the destroyer as a serious security threat, as it could enhance the country’s offensive and defensive capabilities.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated in recent months as Kim accelerates the development of his nuclear and missile programmes and supplies weapons and troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The US, South Korea, and their allies have expressed concern that Moscow could reciprocate by providing North Korea with advanced weapons technology, further enhancing the threat posed by its nuclear and missile programme.

Girl, 14, missing for four days from Auckland’s Ponsonby

By
Kaniva Staff
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By 1news.co.nz

(Source: NZ Police)
(Source: NZ Police) (Source: Supplied)

Police are concerned for the welfare of a teenage girl missing for four days from Auckland’s Ponsonby.

Marilyn, 14, was last seen in the Ponsonby area on May 18.

The girl is described as being 175cm tall with brown eyes and brown hair.

“Police and Marilyn’s family have concerns for her welfare and would like to find her as soon as possible,” police said.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact police on 111.

Supporting Sustainable Agriculture for a Resilient Pacific

By
Kaniva Staff
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Dear Editor,

I write with concern about the urgent need to support sustainable agriculture across the Pacificregion. Our island communities rely heavily on farming, yet climate change, soil degradation, and limited resources threaten our food security and livelihoods. 

Pacific farmers face increasing challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns, saltwater intrusion, and pests, which reduce crop yields and income. Without stronger support and investment, these vital food systems risk collapse, making our communities more dependent on 
costly imported goods. 

It is crucial for governments, regional organisations, and international partners to prioritize agricultural development that respects local knowledge and environmental limits. Introducing climate-resilient crops, improving irrigation systems, and providing training for farmers are key steps forward. 

Empowering youth and women in agriculture will also strengthen our communities and build long-term resilience. Sustainable agriculture not only protects our environment but also preserves our culture and identity. 

As a Pacific islander, I urge leaders to act swiftly and decisively to safeguard our agricultural heritage. The future of the Pacific depends on food sovereignty and resilient farming practices. 

Thank you for highlighting this important issue. 

Sincerely,
Uinise Finelaukau Hoponoa
Student ID: s11128120

Giant tsunami boulder in Tonga reveals Pacific’s violent history

By
Kaniva Staff
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A massive boulder weighing nearly 1,200 tonnes on Tonga’s Tongatapu island has been identified as one of the largest wave-transported rocks ever documented, offering crucial insights into the Pacific’s tsunami history.

Image: Martin Köhler standing in front of the Maka Lahi boulder. 

The Maka Lahi boulder, measuring 14 x 12 x 6.7 metres, was carried more than 200 metres inland by a catastrophic tsunami approximately 7,000 years ago, according to researchers from the University of Queensland.

They made the startling discovery after local farmers directed them to the enormous rock, which sits far from the coast amid dense vegetation.

“We had been surveying the southern side of the island of Tongatapu looking along the coastal cliffs at evidence of past tsunamis,” PhD candidate Martin Köhler said.

“It was late in the day, and we were talking to some farmers when they directed us to this boulder.

“I was so surprised; it is located far inland, outside of our field work area and must have been carried by a very big tsunami. 

“It was quite unbelievable to see this big piece of rock sitting there covered in and surrounded by vegetation.

“We made a 3D model and then went back to the coast and found the spot the boulder could have come from, on a cliff over 30 metres above the sea level.”

The Maka Lahi boulder is the world’s largest known cliff-top boulder, the researchers claimed.

Numerical modelling has established that wave heights of around 50 metres lasting around 90 seconds were needed to dislodge it from its cliff-edge origin and move it to its resting place.

Co-author Dr Annie Lau, a coastal geomorphologist, said Tonga had a long history of tsunamis triggered by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes along the underwater Tofua Ridge and the Tonga Trench.

“Tonga’s most recent tsunami in 2022 killed 6 people and caused a lot of damage,” Dr Lau said.

“Understanding past extreme events is critical for hazard preparation and risk assessment now and in the future.

“The findings we have reported on the Maka Lahi boulder are the evidence of a tsunami in the Pacific region in the Holocene epoch which began around 11,700 years ago.

“The analysis strengthens our understanding of wave transportation of rocks to improve coastal-hazard assessments in tsunami-prone regions around the world.”

Appeal Court extends receiver’s term in Lord Luani’s $3.38m claim against Lord Nuku 

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Court of Appeal has overturned a Supreme Court decision, reopening an eight-year legal dispute between Lord Nuku and Lord Luani, two members of the king’s nobility.  

Lord Nuku (L) and Lord Luani

The Appeal judges also extended the term of Lord Luani’s receiver, Dianne Warner, until 2026 to collect and enforce the decision made against Lord Nuku’s TOP$3,380,335.00 debt. 

In its May 16 ruling, the Court of Appeal found the lower court erred in dismissing enforcement proceedings, ordering the case remitted for rehearing with proper joinder of all parties while clarifying that receivers possess broad enforcement powers independent of the Land Act.  

The decision marks a significant development in Lord Luani’s protracted effort to recover the debt originally awarded in 2017, which had stalled despite a 2020 charging order securing Nuku’s tax allotment and two Veitongo leases, as lands officials cited procedural barriers to transfer. 

In a 2017 Appeal Court judgment, Lord Nuku had been ordered to pay Lord Luani the substantial sum. 

 Despite obtaining a 2020 charging order over Nuku’s assets, including a tax allotment and two leases (9436 and 9473) at Veitongo, enforcement stalled when the Minister of Lands claimed inability to transfer the leases without Nuku’s consent.  

By extending the receivership term and ordering costs against the Minister of Lands, the Court of Appeal has strengthened creditors’ ability to enforce judgments against land assets while setting the stage for potentially resolving one of Tonga’s most high-profile noble debt cases. 

The Court of Appeal criticized the Supreme Court’s handling of the case, particularly its dismissal of the Receiver’s application due to the absence of key parties, stating this procedural issue could have been resolved by joining Lord Nuku and the lessees rather than rejecting the claim outright.  

The Court of Appeal clarified several important legal principles.  

It affirmed that receivers appointed for equitable execution have broad powers to enforce judgments, including authority that may override provisions of the Land Act.  

The judges emphasised that charging orders operate independently of the Land Act and don’t require consent from the Minister or landholders.  

With the case now remitted to the Supreme Court, the next phase will require formal joinder of Lord Nuku and the leaseholders, potentially paving the way for Lord Luani to finally obtain the disputed properties.  

The Court of Appeal also ordered the respondent, the Minister of Lands, to pay the appellant’s costs, adding financial pressure to resolve the long-running dispute.  

The extended receivership term through February 2026 provides Warner with a two-year window to complete the complex recovery process.  

Illegal sea cucumber operation uncovered in Vavaʻu as Tonga considers extending harvesting ban

By
Kalino Latu
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VAVAʻU, Tonga – Authorities have seized illegally processed sea cucumbers in Vavaʻu amid reports that the Tongan government is considering extending a ban on harvesting the protected species.

It is understood the accused are in court in relation to the illegal sea cucumber operations. Photo/Vāvā lapota

Photos taken in Vavaʻu and obtained by Kaniva News show what appears to be a business buying and processing sea cucumbers, despite a nationwide prohibition on their fishing.

Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota documented the confiscated sea slugs, which Fisheries Officers took from an illegal operation.

He told Kaniva News that about two accused face court proceedings for illegal sea cucumber harvesting and trading.

The discovery follows an investigation by the Hōleva town officer after a cooler filled with rotting sea cucumbers was found abandoned last month.

This comes as the Tongan government weighs extending a harvesting ban to allow depleted sea cucumber populations to recover.

The ban has existed since the 2010s, with the latest extension in 2022.

Fisheries Ministry CEO Dr Sione Matoto recently stated that lifting the ban remains uncertain, citing a recent survey. He confirmed that harvesting is still prohibited.

Sea cucumbers, a delicacy in Asian markets, have been overfished in Tongan waters, prompting strict regulations.

Concerns over unsafe diving practices, including fatalities linked to scuba and hookah equipment, led to a ban on artificial breathing devices for harvesting.

Under Tongan law, possessing sea cucumbers on a boat with such equipment is a criminal offence.

The government’s continued suspension aims to restore stocks, but enforcement remains challenging as illegal operations persist.

Authorities have yet to comment on potential penalties for those involved in the latest case.

Witness horrified by Zombie Drug victims in NYC, ‘prays crisis doesn’t reach Tonga’

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan witness in New York City was left shocked after encountering what appeared to be victims of the so-called “zombie drug” lying motionless and uncontrollably drowsy outside Moynihan Train Hall.

Apparent victims of the “zombie drug” lie motionless outside New York City’s Moynihan Train Hall, a disturbing scene witnessed by a Tongan observer who fears the crisis could spread to Tonga. (Photo: Simaima Sekona/Kaniva News)

Simaima Sekona, who livestreamed the disturbing scene, told Kaniva News she prayed such a drug epidemic would never reach Tonga.

The term “zombie drug” refers to a dangerous class of synthetic drugs, including substances like xylazine, a powerful sedative often mixed with opioids, which leaves users in a trance-like, lifeless state.

The U.S. and other nations are increasingly alarmed by the rise of these drugs, which cause severe physical and mental deterioration.

Sekona described seeing multiple individuals slumped on the steps of the train hall, barely responsive, and seemingly under the influence of the drug.

“It was heartbreaking and frightening,” she said.

“I hope Tonga never has to face this kind of tragedy.”

While Tonga is currently battling its own illicit drug crisis, authorities have not yet reported cases of the “zombie drug” in the kingdom.

As Kaniva News recently reported, methamphetamine, cannabis, and other illicit drugs are now infiltrating families in Tonga and being sold near school zones, putting youth at risk.

The global spread of the zombie drug has raised concerns among nations in the Pacific about the potential for new and more dangerous drugs entering the region.

In 2020, the NZ Herald reported that a deadly drug known for inducing zombie-like behaviour, and linked to more than 70 deaths in New Zealand, had resurfaced in the community, putting authorities on high alert. The substance is “ultra-potent” and 85 times stronger than cannabis.

In 2015, it caused scores of users to exhibit “zombie-like” symptoms, including extreme lethargy and disorientation.

As international awareness grows, witnesses like Sekona are urging their home countries to remain vigilant against the threat.

Tonga’s new cargo monitoring policy, observation allowed, physical contact prohibited

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Ministry of Customs and Revenue has updated its new policy to allow customers to physically monitor their shipments and cargoes while being cleared by authorities at the wharf.

Former Minister of Revenue Māteni Tapueluelu. Photo/Tnews, Youtube

Under the new system, cargo owners or their authorised representatives may monitor physical inspections through CCTV or from designated viewing areas.

They are strictly prohibited from touching or handling goods during examination.

This follows Kaniva News‘ earlier report about the Ministry’s groundbreaking initiative to allow real-time cargo monitoring.

Minister Mateni Tapueluelu explained that the policy change addresses longstanding complaints about lost or mishandled shipments in the multi-agency clearance process involving Stevedores, Quarantine, and Wharf staff.

While enhancing transparency, the Ministry has implemented stringent security measures. Observers may only watch from approved areas, and all physical inspections remain the exclusive responsibility of relevant authorities.

The policy is currently in its trial period, during which authorities will evaluate its effects on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

This innovative approach aims to increase public trust in customs procedures while maintaining rigorous border control standards.

Trump unveils $175 billion ‘Golden Dome’ defense shield, appoints space force general to lead project  

By
Kaniva Staff
-

 WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping $175 billion plan to develop the “Golden Dome,” an advanced missile defence shield designed to protect the U.S. from aerial, hypersonic, and space-based threats.

The initiative, a cornerstone of his second-term military strategy, will be led by U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein, Trump revealed during a White House press conference Tuesday.  

Just seven days into his new administration, Trump directed the Defence Department to expedite plans for the system, which the White House described as critical to countering “the most catastrophic threat” facing the nation.

The Golden Dome—partly inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome but vastly more expansive—would integrate next-generation sensors, interceptors, and space-based technologies across land, sea, and orbit.  

The announcement came as Canada signalled its intent to join the project.

Former Defence Minister Bill Blair, during a visit to Washington earlier this year, confirmed Ottawa’s interest, stating that participation aligns with Canada’s “national interest,” particularly in monitoring Arctic threats.  

Next-Gen Threats: Hypersonics and Orbital Strikes 

Trump emphasised the system’s ability to neutralise emerging dangers, including hypersonic missiles and Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS)—Cold War—era concepts revived by recent advancements in Chinese and Russian arsenals.

“It will intercept threats from anywhere, even the other side of the world or from space,” he declared in the Oval Office.  

Critics question the feasibility and cost, but proponents argue the Dome could redefine global deterrence.

As contracts are drafted, all eyes are on Space Force’s timeline—and whether allies like Canada will secure a stake in the high-stakes project.  

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