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Japan to consider downgrading Covid-19 to less serious infectious disease

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

Japan will consider revising Covid-19 measures as early as this spring, downgrading the disease to a less serious category, says Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Speaking to media after meeting with relevant ministers, Kishida said he had instructed them to consider the specific requirements for a reclassification that would put Covid-19 in the same category as seasonal flu.

“As we try to restore the lifestyles of a normal Japan, we would like to shift various measures step by step,” Kishida told reporters.

A classification downgrade to disease category five from the current category two would end an isolation requirement for infected people and their close contacts.

In a separate measure foreshadowed by Kishida, the government would also advise only patients with symptoms to wear masks in indoor public places, whereas currently it urges everyone to do so.

The government last revised coronavirus measures in May. It said then that people no longer had to wear masks when outside as long as appropriate social distance was maintained. Even so, the vast majority of people in Japan are still wearing masks in public, both outdoors and indoors.

– Reuter

Fakamatala fakaTonga

‘Oku pehē ‘e he Palēmia Fumio Kishida, ‘e toe vakai’i ‘e Siapani ‘a e fakafuofua ko ia ki he Kōviti – 19 ‘i he kamata’anga pē ko ia ‘o e faha’i ta’u failau, ‘e holoki hifo ai ‘a e mahaki ni ki he tu’unga ‘o e ‘ikai ke fu’u fakatu’utāmaki.
Ko ‘ene fakahā ia ki he ongoongo hili ‘ene fakataha mo e kau minisitā mahu’inga. Na’e pehē ‘e Kishida na’a ne tala mahino kia kinautolu ke fakakaukau’i lelei ‘a e ngaahi fiema’u tefito ki hano toe fakakalasi ‘e fai ki he Kōviti – 19 ke ‘i he kulupu tatau pē ia mo e fulūu ko ia ‘oku hoko fakfaha’i ta’u.
Na’e fakahā foki ‘e Kishida ki he kau fai līpooti, ” ‘Oku mau loto ke vakai’i ‘a e ngaahi fokotu’utu’u ‘i he sitepu ki he sitepu, ‘i he’emau feinga ko ‘eni ke toe fakafoki mai ‘a e tūkunga mo’ui anga maheni ‘a Siapani.
Ko hano holoki hifo ‘o e kalasi fokoutua ko ‘eni mei he tu’unga lolotonga ‘oku ‘i ai, kalasi ua [2] ki he kalasi nima [5], te ne fakangata ai ‘a e fiema’u ko ia ke fakamavahe’i ‘a e kakai ‘oku puke mo kinautolu na’a nau feohi vāofi.
Na’e fakalika mai foki ‘e Kishida ha tūkunga tu’utu’uni makehe, ko e fale’i ‘a e pule’anga ke tui me’a malu’i [mask] pē ‘a kinautolu ‘oku puke mo ma’u ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga puke [symtoms] ‘i he ngaahi fale fakataha’anga kakai, hangē ko ia ‘oku lolotonga faka’amua ke fai ‘e he toko taha kotoa pē.
Ko hono vakai’i fakamuimui taha ko ia ‘e he pule’anga ‘a e vailasi kolona na’e fakahoko ia ‘i Mē. Na’e pehē ai ‘oku ‘ikai toe fiema’u e kakai ia ke nau tui me’a malu’i ‘i tu’a, kehe pē ‘oku tauhi ‘a e vāmama’o [social distance]. Kaneongo ia, ko e toko lahi taha ia ‘o e kakai ‘o Siapasi ‘oku nau kei tui me’a malu’i pē ‘i he ngaahi feitu’u fakapule’anga ‘o tatau ‘i tu’a mo fale.  

Queensland Police hunting for missing Losaline Malaloi, three young children

Police investigation is underway into the disappearance of Tongan mother Losaline Malaloi and three young children in Australia.

Police are seeking public assistance to locate the 27-year-old Logan Central woman, and three young children who was last in contact with family on December 27.

Family reported her missing two days ago and police commenced inquiries to locate her and the three young children.

Losaline was last seen driving a white Nissan 2002 Pathfinder similar to the one pictured.

Losaline (pictured) is described as 165cm tall with black hair and brown eyes.

Police urge Losaline, or anyone with information regarding her movements or whereabouts to contact police.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Quote this reference number: QP2300101170

Crown Prince Tupouto‘a opens Tonga National University

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala has officially opened the kingdom’s new national university today.

The name is Tonga National University with its motto: Truth, Justice, Freedom.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a

“His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala this afternoon was the Royal Guest of Honour in a milestone achievement for Education in Tonga as the new Tonga National University was launched in Pahu, here on Tongatapu”, a statement said.

Prince Tupouto’a unveiled the university’s plaque, billboard and launched the university’s website.

The Honourable Prime Minister, Hu’akavameiliku, thanked HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a for gracing the historic event and announced that His Majesty King Tupou VI has also agreed to be the university’s Chancellor.

“As the Interim Pro-Chancellor of the Tonga National University (TNU), it is indeed my pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural assembly of the TNU. Today we are gathered to witness the coming to fruition of a national dream that was envisaged for many decades,” the Hon Prime Minister and TNU Interim Pro-Chancllor said .

“His Majesty the King of Tonga, Tupou VI, has honoured the TNU with his sanction and dedication, by graciously acting as the Chancellor of the University and has envisioned the University with the tripartite motto of: Truth, Justice, Freedom – Ko e Mo’oni, Ko e Totonu mo e Tau’ataina.

“Established by legal mandate of the The Tonga National University Act, Government is obliged by law to ensure the establishment and prudent management and administration of the TNU.  As such, 6 government-owned higher education institutions have merged to form the TNU – a hybrid university – offering both academic and vocational study programs. As we address the financial challenges of the post-covid period, a cost-effective option for tertiary studies is a significant commitment by the Government to support the upskilling and professional development of our young generation.”

The TNU comprises of 5 Faculties, delivering more than 50 programs ranging from Certificates to Diplomas and to Degrees. The programs cater for skills and knowledge-based demands of not only the Tongan employment market, but to also harness the opportunities from overseas skills demands.

Hon Hu’akavameiliku said the TNU is Tonga’s national university, a place to study while staying close to family and social networks and support, whilst contributing to the community and sustaining our local economy and workforce.

“I extend my best wishes to you as ‘pioneer’ students of the Tonga National University and strongly encourage you to maximize your potential while you study at TNU. I do hope your journey in learning will be guided by Truth,  in the pursuit of Justice, and in the spirit of Freedom.”

The President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Rev Dr Tevita Koloa’ia Havea dedicated the university and its staff during the program.

In attendance were Cabinet Ministers, senior staff of other local based universities, members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior civil servants, staff of the TNU and the Ministry of Education and Training, senior management of the Tonga Police Force and other invited guests.

Senior TNU staff revealed today were Dr Tangikina Moimoi Stein (Interim Vice Chancellor), Dr Raelyn ‘Esau (Dean of Faculty of Business and Public Administration) and Dr Sela Teisina (Dean of Facullty of Education, Arts and Humanities).

Māngere East shooting: Two seriously injured at South Auckland home

By RNZ.co.nz

Two people have been seriously injured after a shooting at a house in Māngere East, in Auckland.

Police generic

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Two people have been taken to hospital in serious conditions after a shooting in a house in Auckland last night.

Just after 7pm, police received reports of shots being fired at an address on Robertson Road, Māngere East.

“Two people later presented at hospital with gunshot wounds, both in a serious condition.

“Armed police staff responded to the incident as is standard for any report involving a possible firearm.”

Police were investigating, the spokesperson said.

“We recognise that this incident may have caused distress for those involved and for the wider community.

“Police have a responsibility to keep our communities safe. We must treat any report involving firearms seriously until we can attend and evaluate the situation first-hand.

“We would like to reassure the public that this matter is being taken extremely seriously and the protection of community is of the upmost importance.”

Provisional results  show Johnny Taione wins Tonga by-election

Provisional results from vote counting in Tongatapu 8’s by-election this evening indicate Johnny Grattan Taione was the winner.

The first runner up was Viliami Sisifā while the third was the PTOA (Democrats) candidate Sosefo Ngavisi Hēhea. Candidate Sipaisi Kutu became fourth.

Only four candidates competed against each other for the chance to represent the constituency.

Johnny Gratan Taione

Tongatapu 8 voters went to the polls since this morning to elect a candidate to replace their former PTOA MP, the late Sēmisi Fakahau.

Tongatapu 8 is regarded as a PTOA stronghold.

The election of Taione appeared to show a political shift which could be interpreted as the constituents’ supporting candidates who had created projects to help locals such as operating night study programmes to assist local students.

Taione told his followers before the official launching of the election campaign period that he was putting a hold to his toilet construction project which was currently underway at his village of Vaini.

He said although there was no law to stop him from continuing to do it at the time, he decided to temporarily stop it to be fair to his rival candidates.

Jonny is a younger brother of former MP Sione Havea Taione. He is a New Zealand resident.

No foul play suspected in Tu‘imala’s death, Police Commissioner says

Tu’imala Moala’s death in Tonga’s Vava’u island last year was by accident and there was no evidence of foul play, says Police Commissioner Shane McLennan.

Tuu’imala Moala (nee Fulivai) died in a house fire in Vava’u, Tonga, on November 8. Photo / Supplied

The 46-year-old Kiwi-Tongan born died in a fire at her home in Neiafu, in the early hours of November 8, 2022.

Emergency services and firefighters responded to the scene about 5am local time.

Tongan Police later said that based on a doctor’s report and evidence from witnesses, the victim died from smoke inhalation and “very severe burning”.

It said that investigation had concluded with a formal inquest at 10am the day after the fatal fire. It was chaired by the district officer of Neiafu and attended by a family member of the deceased, as well as members of the community, police said.

Moala was laid to rest that day, before the Police said they were aware of talk on social media around the incident.

After about more than a week of Moala’s burial, the Police said it had reopened the case after Moala’s family said livestreamed videos taken at the scene of the house fire appeared to have hold some important clues about her cause of death.

Further investigation results

This afternoon, Thursday, January 19, Police Commissioner McLennan said : “Tonga Police’s further investigations into the tragic death of Tu’imala Moala at the Vava’u house fire on 8 November 2022 to ensure that all avenues have been properly explored have concluded it to be an accident and there was no foul play”.

“Tonga Police gathered 34 witness statements from a range of people including those who worked ith Tu’imala as well as her husband. There were also eyewitnesses who observed the fire whilst it was happening, and though they had observed it from various distances and angles, the one thing that was apparent was that the husband and a witness were calling out to Tu’imala to jump.

“They also observed Tu’imala climbing down the roof to the patio on the second level where they noticed she was walking back and forth along the patio, in an attempt to climb over the railings.

“Unfortunately, she was not successful in getting over the rails. The initial fire investigation by Tonga Fire and Emergency Services (TFES) was unable to be thorough due to bad weather at the time.

“Tonga Police acknowledge that there have been various allegations appearing on social media, predominantly on Facebook which were all been considered and subsequently have been disproven.

“We have exhausted all means at our disposal in investigating what occurred on the morning of 8 November 2022. After reviewing the file by the investigators, as well as the Police Legal Unit oversight, there is nothing that would lead Tonga Police to believe there has been any foul play.

“Before the investigation is finalized, we await the final investigation report from TFES, however, we don’t believe there is anything suspicious that is known at this stage”.

Lulutai airlines worse than Real Tonga say critics as main aircraft is taken out of service

Airline services in Tonga are worse than when the kingdom was served by Real Tonga, it was claimed this week.

Frustrated passengers have been venting their feelings about Lulutai Airlines since Tuesday’s announcement that it was withdrawing its 34 seat Saab 340 aircraft for urgent repairs.

The airline said its 17 seater Harbin Y12 was still flying.

Passengers had already been upset by unexpected delays and cancellations.

Critics said the previous Tu’i’onetoa government had promised better and cheaper services when it took away the license to operate from Real Tonga.

They said these promises were not fulfilled and that services were worse than when Real Tonga was flying.

On January 17 Lulutai sent out this urgent public notice:

“We regret to inform the public that our Saab aircraft must undertake urgent maintenance work, and will therefore be unable to conduct flights beginning Tuesday 17 January, 2023,” the airline said.

“We cannot at this stage estimate how long the maintenance work will take, but we will provide further public notices as more information comes to hand. We are also trying to charter an aircraft from overseas to assist.

“We ask all Vava’u and Ha’apai passengers booked to fly on the Saab to contact the nearest Lulutai Office to arrange a refund for your tickets, or for travel at another date.

“Although our other aircraft, the Y12 is still flying, we kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation as we prioritise passengers travelling for medical reasons, and passengers travelling to connect to international flights. Once again, we apologise for the inconvenience caused, but safety of air travel is our most important consideration.”

While news of the withdrawal of the Saab 340 was not a cause for celebration, the fact that the airline had issued a statement was greeted as a rare attempt by Lulutai Airlines to improve its communication with the public.

Here is how the statement was welcome by a popular group on Facebook known as Tonga Expats and Locals:

“Nice to see communication with the public to stop rumours, a huge blow to outer islands, let’s hope maintenance is swift and ferries can pickup the slack, communication of sched is prompt, book early… Students returning to school etç Clearly an unfolding issue.”

Cancellations

Passengers travelling from the outer islands have faced delays and cancellations in the past.

In December last year Kaniva News reported that flights from Vava’u had been cancelled and that Lulutai airlines had been accused of failing to refund or reapprove passengers whose flights had been cancelled.

Former MP Sunia Manu Fili said at the time that Lulutai airlines was the poorest service ever in the kingdom.

“Ko e maulalo taha eni he fakahoko fatongia ki he fepunaaki ko e kautaha lulutai, ikai ha poto pe taukei”, he said in Tongan.

He accused the national airline of lacking experience and skills.

In November 2021 we reported that the then government had reached an in-principle agreement to sell the national airlines to the privately-owned Flyniu airlines.

For more information

Lulutai Airlines accused of ‘poor services’, failure to refund cancelled flight passengers

Gov’t agrees in principle to sell Lulutai airlines to Flyniu

Calls for review of use of circulars in Parliament and medical leave rules for MPs

The use of a circular by the Speaker of Parliament to canvas votes on whether to extend an MP’s sick leave has sparked calls for reform.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday there is speculation that Tongatapu 10 constituency may face a by-election if its current MP Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, is unseated.

Speaker Lord Fakafanua. Photo/Fale Alea ‘O Tonga

The former Prime Minister has been absent from the House on medical leave for nearly three months.

MPs are allowed to be absent from the Legislative Assembly for no more than three consecutive months if they have permission from the Speaker.

After the three months, they can apply for another three consecutive months, but that application must be approved by a majority of the MPs with the advice of the Speaker.

A Parliamentary circular was sent to MPs last week to canvass a majority vote to allow another three-month extension of Tu’i’onetoa’s leave on medical grounds.

If the House declines the extension, there may have to be a by-election to replace Hon. Tu’i’onetoa.

Tongatapu 8 will go to the polls on Thursday in another by-election to elect an MP to replace late MP and Cabinet Minister Semisi Fakahau.

Now there have been calls for the use of circulars to be reviewed and for the approval of MPs’ sick leave entitlements to be reconsidered.

Normal Practice

Newly elected Tongatapu 7 MP Piveni Piukala said he was concerned after he found out last week that there was no law to allow the Speaker to use a parliamentary circular.

Hon. Piukala said he questioned the Chief Clerk about the legality of the circular and was told there was no law to allow it.  Rather, it had previously been used as a means of communication to a point where it was accepted as a normal practice for speakers to distribute such documents.

“There was no reasonable ground”, Hon Piukala said in Tongan.

He said he was concerned about why the Speaker had used the circular to seek MPs’ ballots while the House was still open, and the king has yet to formally close it.

The Tongatapu 7 MP’s comment was made during a live streamed election campaign address last week. Afterwards, critics called on the Speaker to refrain from using it as there was no law to justify it.

They called on the Speaker to review the circulatory system and said that when there were important issues such as the request to extend medical leave, the Speaker should summon a session. “This type of non-transparent communication system is unacceptable”, a PTOA critic said.

Last year the Legislative Assembly’s Deputy Clerk, Dr Sione Vikilani, said the use of circulars was a means of communication used by the House and any information sent through it was legal.

In Tongan he said: “Ko e tohi ‘avetakai ko e founga ngāue pe ‘oku ‘ataa ke ngaue’aki pea ‘oku ‘ikai ke ta’efakalao ha tu’utu’uni ‘i hono fakahoko ‘i he founga koia.”

MP Paula Piveni Piukala

Critics also said the parliamentary medical leave law should be reviewed. They said there should be a clause to allow medical leave based on the doctor’s advice. If the MP’s sickness was incurable, Parliament should refrain from funding the costs of the MPs medical expenses if they are sent to overseas hospitals.

Sickness debate

This is not the first time sickness benefits for MPs have triggered a debate.

In 2019 Parliament met the costs of former MP and Cabinet Minister Viliami Hingano, who was sent to New Zealand for treatment. After six months’ medical leave he died and his body was returned to Tonga. This caused a fierce public debate.

Democrat supporters insisted the cost of the air ambulance was too much to be spent on Lord Fusitu’a alone while the government budget relied heavily on overseas donors to buy medication for the country.

Royal supporters insisted Lord Fusitu’a was entitled to have his full costs paid because it had been done for government officials in the past, including the Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.

Five more arrests in relation to death of Tauranga man Mitchell Te Kani

By Ethan Griffiths, Open Justice reporter of NZherald.co.nz

Police have arrested another five people in relation to the death of a Tauranga man, bringing the total number of defendants charged with murder to eight.

No caption

(file picture) Photo: 123rf.com

In May last year, police were initially called to a disorder incident involving a group of people at a residential address on Maungatapu Road, but officers arrived to find 51-year-old Mitchell Te Kani dead.

Five men, aged between 24 and 30, were arrested and charged with murder today, and will all appear in either the Tauranga or Hamilton District Courts early this week.

They were also charged with assaulting other people at the scene of Te Kani’s death.

A man and a woman were previously arrested shortly after the alleged killing in May last year. The pair was originally charged with aggravated burglary, which was upgraded to murder about a month later.

A third person was arrested just last week and also charged with murder.

Also today, police arrested two further people who were charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It is understood police investigated upwards of 20 suspects, with a large group of people believed to have been near the property at the time of Te Kani’s death.

Crown prosecutor Sonny Teki-Clark told the court in a previous hearing that the trial should be set down for the Hamilton High Court, with there being too many defendants to fit in the Tauranga courthouse.

While Te Kani had no kids of his own, an uncle of his said he adored his nieces and nephews.

“He was a very active and well-loved member of all of the communities that he associated himself with.”

The murder investigation remains ongoing, police say, with a trial tentatively set for 2024.

This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.

Covid-19: Child among 57 deaths as case numbers drop further

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala faka-Tonga

A child under the age of 10 has died with Covid-19 and a further 19,215​ new cases have been reported across Aotearoa over the past week.

The numbers cover the week from Monday, January 9 to Sunday, January 15.

As at midnight on Sunday, there were 333 people in hospital with the virus.

Eight people were in an intensive care or high dependency unit.

Fifty-seven more people with the virus have died, including a child under 10. Another was aged between 10 and 19.

Of the 55 other deaths, two were in their 30s, three were in their 40s, seven were in their 50s, six were in their 60s, 14 were in their 70s, 16 were in their 80s and seven were aged over 90.

Thirty were men and 27 were women.

Nineteen were from the Auckland region, seven each were from Waikato and Canterbury, six were from Bay of Plenty, three each were from Northland, Hawke’s Bay, MidCentral District and the Wellington region, two were from Lakes District, and one each were from Taranaki, Whanganui, Nelson Marlborough and Southern.

The number of deaths confirmed as attributable to Covid-19, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor, is 2437.

Last week’s positive cases, detected through rapid antigen tests (RATs) and PCR tests, are located in Northland (786), Auckland (6037), Waikato (1553), Bay of Plenty (1096), Lakes District (435), Hawke’s Bay (761), MidCentral District (776), Whanganui (269), Taranaki (546), Tairāwhiti (426), Wairarapa (202), Capital and Coast (1221), Hutt Valley (532), Nelson Marlborough (835), Canterbury (2325), West Coast (107), South Canterbury (149) and Southern District (1122).

The location of 37 cases is unknown.

The seven-day rolling average of cases is 2738. The seven-day rolling average of RAT results is 4440.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Mate ha leka ‘i lalo he ta’u 10 tupu mei he Koviti mo ha toe toko 19,215 ko e keisi fo’ou kuo lipooti ‘i Aotealoa ‘i he uike kuo sītu’a’.

Ko e fika ko ‘eni mei he uike kamata ‘i he Monite ‘aho 9 Sanuali ki he ‘aho 15.

‘I he tu’uapō Sapate na’e toko 333 ‘a e kakai ne nau ‘i fale mahaki ma’u ‘e he vailasi’.

Toko valu a e kakai ne ‘i he loki ‘initenisivi kea’ pe ‘iuniti hai’initipenitenisii’.

Na’e toe mate ha kakai foki ‘e toko 57 he vailasi’ kau ai ‘a e pepee’.

‘I he toko 55 kehe ne mate’ ko e toko ua ne ta’u 30, toko tolu ‘i he ta’u 40 tupu, fitu ‘i he ta’u 50 tupu , ono ‘i he ta’u 60 tupu’, 14 ‘i he ta’u 70 tupu’, 16 ‘i honau 80 tupu’ pea fitu ‘ova he 90.

Toko 30 ‘a e kau tangata’ kae toko 27 fefine.

Toko 90 mei he feitu’u ‘Okalani, tautau toko fitu ‘a Waikato mo Canterbury, ono mei BOP, tolu mei Northland, Hawke’s Bay, MidCentral District, feitu’u Uelingatonu, ua mei Lakes District pea taha mei Talanaki, Whanganui, Nelson Marlborough mo e Southern.

Na’e fakapapau’i ko e fika ‘o e ngaahi mate ne tupu ia mei he Koviti 19, ka ‘ikai pe ko ha mate tupu he Koviti pe ne kaunga ‘a e Koviti’ ki he tupu’anga ‘ene mate’.

Ko e ngaahi positive keisi ‘o e uike kuo ‘osi ne ‘ilo ia mei he ngaahi tesi (RATs) mo e  PCR tests, ‘i Northland (786), Auckland (6037), Waikato (1553), Bay of Plenty (1096), Lakes District (435), Hawke’s Bay (761), MidCentral District (776), Whanganui (269), Taranaki (546), Tairāwhiti (426), Wairarapa (202), Capital and Coast (1221), Hutt Valley (532), Nelson Marlborough (835), Canterbury (2325), West Coast (107), South Canterbury (149) mo Southern District (1122).

Na’e ‘ikai ‘ilo ‘a e ngaahi feituu ‘o e keisi ‘e 37 ne ma’u.