North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un announced North Korea prohibits the consumption of hot dogs and the practice of divorce, with offenders facing the possibility of incarceration.
The decision underscores the government’s stringent control over personal choices and lifestyle practices as part of a massive crackdown on Western cultural influences.
These types of sausages were culturally imported from Germany and became popular in the United States.
It has grown in popularity in South Korea, and Kim has since declared that serving sausages is now an act of treason against North Korea.
North Koreans are said to love spicy noodle soup that uses hot dogs or spam.
The dish, called Budae-jjigae, was imported from South Korea in 2017.
Budae-jjigae, also known as ‘Army Base Stew, is also made up of umami-rich broth, Korean hot pepper paste, beans, flakes and kimchi.
But now vendors have been blocked from offering the soup at markets
In another unusual and harsh measure, the hermit kingdom has begun imprisoning couples who seek to divorce because the dictator considers the act a “crime”.
It has been reported that Kim Jong-un wants each person to be sentenced to up to six months in prison.
He views divorce as a sign of being “anti-socialist”.
International sanctions
A number of country and international bodies have imposed international sanctions against North Korea due to its nuclear weapons programme.
In 1988, the United States added North Korea to its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
A severe gale warning has been issued for the two Niuas, indicating that residents should prepare for potentially dangerous gusts that could impact safety and property.
Tonga Met Service said this was an upgrade from its previous strong wind warning for the two islands.
It warned that heavy rainfall is forecasted for the Ha‘apai and Vava‘u island groups, raising concerns about possible flooding and related hazards.
Communities in these areas are advised to stay informed and take precautionary measures.
At 7pm this evening, January 6, Met said: “The strong wind warning was previously in force for Niuafo’ou land areas, is now upgraded to gale warning.
“A gale warning remains inforce for Niuatoputapu land area.
A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remain inforce for the Niuas, Vava’u and Ha’apai land areas.”
One person was killed and another seriously injured after the crash on Saturday evening.
A police spokesperson told Stuff on Monday, that the victim was a baby.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Walters Road and Blackbridge Road about 8:50pm after a single car hit a bank.
One person could not be revived by first responders and died at the scene, while the other was transported to hospital in a serious condition, the spokesperson said.
The Serious Crash Unit attended and the circumstances remain under investigation.
Tonga has extended the current caretaker government arrangements until the new government Cabinet is appointed by the king.
Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu
It is understood the Prime Minister-elect was in New Zealand over the weekend, and he was expected to meet the king.
It has been reported that part of the meeting was concerning his appointment.
The Prime Minister’s Office made the announcement this afternoon, saying the “Government is resuming work today, Monday, 6 January 2025”.
It said the government services “shall continue as usual”.
“The Government is currently on “caretaker mode” under the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu and the current Cabinet Ministers.
“During the caretaker period Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies shall not make or enter into any new financial commitments by or on behalf of the Government and no new policies are to be made or implemented.
“The caretaker Government will continue until the appointment process for the Prime Minister Designate, Hon.
Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke and the appointment of his new Cabinet Ministers is completed in accordance with the Act of Constitution of Tonga.
“This process is anticipated to be completed within the next few weeks.
“The new Government under the Prime Minister Designate will commence work for His Majesty’s Government once the legal appointment process of the Prime Minister Designate and the new Cabinet Ministers is completed.
“After this is completed, the appointments of the current Cabinet Ministers will be revoked.
“These arrangements are made pursuant to the Act of Constitution of Tonga, the Laws of Tonga and Government Policy Directives.
The Office of the Prime Minister will issue a Public Announcement in due course of the commencement of the New Government”.
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A viral video recently surfaced, showing what appeared to be a passenger in a heated argument with staff from Lulutai Airlines.
Photo/Screenshot
The audio of the footage shared on Facebook was unclear, but according to those who knew about the incident, it was apparently related to a cancelled flight.
Some said the flight was cancelled due to bad weather.
Kaniva News was unable to verify the authenticity of the footage.
Tonga Met Service has warned in the last 24 hours that heavy rain and flash flood advisory remains inforce for the Niuas, Vava’u and Ha’apai land areas.
The incident adds to a growing list of complaints against the airlines, raising concerns among travellers about their customer services.
The airlines had been accused of having the habit of failing to inform passengers when flights were cancelled in a timely manner.
Many complaints surfaced regarding passengers finding that their seats had apparently been swapped with others before they even arrived at the airport.
We reached out to Lulutai for comments on similar incidents in the past but have not received a response yet.
An Etihad Airways flight was forced to abort its take-off at high speed, resulting in the aircraft leaving the runway blocked in Melbourne.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was travelling close to 300km/h, according to flight tracking site Flightradar24, before it aborted take off just before 7pm yesterday.
Melbourne Airport said firefighting foam was used as a precaution and the runway was left blocked
The incident occurred due to damage sustained to the aircraft’s tyres, prompting the pilots to execute an emergency procedure.
As a result, airport operations experienced significant delays while crews worked to clear the runway and assess the situation.
Passengers and crew aboard the flight were unharmed, but the incident raised concerns about the aircraft’s safety and the need for thorough inspections before it could resume operations.
”Due to damage to the aircraft’s tyres, we have been unable to tow it off the runway,” the airport said.
“Repairs are currently underway. All passengers have disembarked the aircraft and have been bussed to the terminal.
“We continue to have one runway available for operations, which will be used for all arrivals and departures. Disruptions to other flights have been minimal.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully executed the arrest of a Russian smuggler after enticing him to travel to Fiji.
Maxim Marcenko
Maxim Marcenko was associated with companies in Hong Kong that exported electronics valued at $750 million to Russia.
These products were subject to strict sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The exported goods included critical microchips, raising significant concerns regarding compliance with international regulations.
In 2023, the FBI launched a covert operation to stop Marcenko, whose Hong Kong-based network supplied Russia with microdisplays used in military equipment such as pilot helmets, targeting systems, and night vision devices.
Using a fake company, the FBI posed as a distributor for eMagin, a New York firm that manufactures microdisplays, according to international media.
Marcenko attempted to order 2,450 units worth $1.6 million, claiming they were for medical equipment in Asia.
The undercover agents agreed to the deal but required a face-to-face meeting in Fiji.
When Marcenko arrived in Fiji with his wife, he was arrested by local police and extradited to the U.S., where he pleaded guilty to smuggling and money laundering.
In July 2024, he was sentenced to three years in prison.
Despite Marcenko’s arrest, his smuggling network continues to operate.
Investigations by C4ADS, a Washington-based organization, reveal that between August and December 2023, companies in Hong Kong exported $750 million worth of electronics to Russia, including critical microchips.
Marcenko’s network, including his firm Alice Components, remains active.
In April 2024, it shipped $220,000 worth of telecommunications equipment to Russia, items classified by the U.S. as essential for military operations.
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Tonga’s loan from China could have been now paid off if the funds borrowed had been exclusively secured to repair the damages from the 2006 riot.
St George Palace in Nuku’aofa. Photo/Kaniva Tonga
Former Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku said last week that the outstanding balance was TOP$157 million, equivalent to US$75 million.
He said the current debt balance resulted from payments made by his government towards the previous outstanding amount of TOP$197.2 million.
A Parliamentary Select Committee led by Dr Sitiveni Halapua and former Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said in its 2012 investigative report that the original loan was TOP$119 million.
The latest figure provided by Hon Hu’akavameiliku last week exceeded the $119 million by about TOP$78. The difference appeared to show that most loan repayments made to date have been allocated towards interest and accrued fees.
A recent report by the ABC claimed the loan is set to be paid off by 2030.
This means it would take Tonga six more years to pay it off, an equivalent of about $26 million a year, excluding any additional accrued fees and interest.
Dr Halapua said in an interview with this reporter that the loan, if managed appropriately and only secured to rebuild the damages caused by the riots, could have been only TOP$30 million to $40 million in total.
Investigation report
The report by Halapua and Pōhiva stated that $45.6 million should not have been included in the loan, as those funds were allocated to building projects that were not damaged during the 2006 riots.
It was referring to the $31.9 million Vuna Wharf Project and the $13.7 million Royal Palace Extension Project. The document argued that these projects were illegally included.
The report indicated that approximately 58 percent of the $119 million loan was spent and reallocated in violation of the terms outlined in the initial loan agreement.
The report argued that the loan failed to meet three legal requirements, which were stipulated under the Public Finance Management Act 2002 as follows:
The $TOP119 million loan far exceeded the $15 million limit, the parliament should have approved the loan by Resolution.
The loan amount, once approved by Parliament, must be used only for the purpose proposed by government and approved by the Legislative Assembly.
Once a loan had been approved by the Legislative Assembly, the loan amount must be treated as public money and as a statutory expenditure. It must be paid into an account agreed to by the government and the lender. This subjects the loan funds to the Public Finance Management Act, allowing its expenditure to be protected by the checks and balances of the public accounting system provided by the act.
Recommendations
The report made four recommendations:
The Parliament must conduct an urgent survey to ensure buildings and structures are earthquake-resistant.
To see if there were possible illegal activities associated with the spending of the TOP$119 loan.
To consider further investigation to find out the whereabouts of $23.5 million that was supposed to have been spent locally, and the reason for the transference of USD$ 22.8 million.
Unwise decision
The then Prime Minister Lord Sevele ‘O Vailahi had been accused of imprudently securing the TOP$119 loan, which far exceeded the intended purpose, and using a large amount of it for projects unaffected by the riots.
He reportedly said during an interview with TBC that he had made the decision after he thought China would write it off.
As Kaniva News reported in 2017, Lord Sevele and his City Assets business rejected a demand from the government to sign a contract to make sure he is obliged to pay back the money he borrowed to rebuild his business after the 2006 riot.
The then Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told Parliament five companies, including Lord Sevele’s, borrowed a total of TOP$42 million from money the government borrowed from China.
The Pohiva and Halapua report revealed that Lord Sevele’s City Assets business, formerly Molisi Tonga Ltd, was allowed to borrow money from the Chinese loan without Parliament’s approval.
