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Trump weighs travel ban against Tonga amid document fraud, visa overstay problems

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan travellers may face new U.S. entry restrictions as the White House considers unprecedented bans. 

President Trump (L) and Prime Minister Eke

A new administration memo has outlined several reasons for the potential ban, including insufficient government-issued identity documents, high rates of visa overstays, and concerns about widespread government fraud.

Some nations were flagged for offering citizenship through monetary investment without residency requirements, while others were criticised over alleged “antisemitic and anti-American activity” by their citizens in the U.S.  

The newly listed countries are deemed non-compliant with U.S. benchmarks.

The US State Department memo, which The Washington Post reviewed, said it “was signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and sent Saturday to U.S. diplomats who work with the countries.”

The Post requested clarification and details from the administration, but has not yet received them.

The memo said “the governments of listed nations were being given 60 days to meet new benchmarks and requirements established by the State Department. It set a deadline of 8 a.m. Wednesday for them to provide an initial action plan for meeting the requirements.”

According to the Post, the memo identified varied benchmarks that, in the administration’s estimation, these countries were failing to meet. Some countries had “no competent or cooperative central government authority to produce reliable identity documents or other civil documents,” or they suffered from “widespread government fraud.” Others had large numbers of citizens who overstayed their visas in the United States, the memo said.

Other reasons included the availability of citizenship by monetary investment without a requirement of residency and claims of “antisemitic and anti-American activity in the United States” by people from those countries. The memo also stated that if a country was willing to accept third-country nationals who were removed from the United States or enter a “safe third country” agreement, it could mitigate other concerns.

For years, travelling to the U.S. has been a major concern in Tonga because applicants face high costs, including trips to Fiji to apply for a visa at the US Embassy there.

It was one of the key issues Tonga used to negotiate the establishment of a U.S. Embassy in Nukuʻalofa last year. 

In 2020, the US Census reported that 78,871 people in the US have Tongan ancestry.

One study described the Tongan community in the States as “a struggling Tongan immigrant population”.  

Research by Tongan scholar Vanesa Tu’i’one and others, published by the National Library of Medicine, says Tongans have among Los Angeles County’s lowest per capita incomes, and more than one in four Tongan Americans (28.5%) in Los Angeles County live below the Federal Poverty Level. 

The countries facing scrutiny in the memo: Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Benin; Bhutan; Burkina Faso; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Ethiopia; Egypt; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Ivory Coast; Kyrgyzstan; Liberia; Malawi; Mauritania; Niger; Nigeria; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; South Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uganda; Vanuatu; Zambia; and Zimbabwe.

The expanded ban follows the Trump administration’s initiation of a large-scale operation that has resulted in the arrest and deportation of many Pacific islanders. 

As Kaniva News reported previously, among the 1.4 million people at risk of deportation from the US, over 561 are former citizens of Fiji, 151 are Tongans, and 57 are Sāmoans. 

That report which was also published by other Pacific island media, alarmed leaders in Tonga, Fiji, Sāmoa, Papua New Guinea, and the Marshall Islands, all of which are already struggling to integrate a significant number of deportees, many of whom have been convicted of serious drug-related and violent crimes in the United States, Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Dr ‘Aisake Eke, Tonga’s Prime Minister, early this year expressed concern over Trump’s immigration policies, stating that the influx of deported migrants would worsen Tonga’s existing challenges.

It has been estimated that about 30 criminals have been deported to Tonga each year since 2010. 

Eke said he was concerned about the potential impact of the US immigration crackdown on Tonga.

Tongan couple arrived as visitors granted NZ residency after wife’s dialysis emergency

By
Kalino Latu
-

Auckland, NZ – Tongan nationals Patrick Sese Takau and his wife, Lolohea Faonelua Takau, have been granted New Zealand residence visas after a gruelling two-and-a-half-year journey marked by medical hardship and an immigration battle.

Koli Vənisi (R), Director of Pacific Immigration & Consultancy Limited, who successfully advocated for the Takau family’s residence visa under humanitarian grounds.

The couple arrived in New Zealand from Tonga on 14 November 2022 to visit their children, grandchildren, and extended family.

However, their plans took a devastating turn just weeks later when Lolohea was rushed to the hospital in December of the same year.

Diagnosed with a severe kidney condition, she was forced to undergo dialysis three times a week, leaving the family in distress.

Facing the prospect of separation or returning to Tonga, where consistent dialysis treatment is difficult to access, the Takau family turned to Koli Vānisi and his Auckland-based Pacific Immigration & Consultancy Limited for help.

The firm lodged a residence visa application on humanitarian grounds, arguing that Lolohea’s survival depended on New Zealand’s healthcare system and that deporting the couple would tear their family apart.

After months of legal efforts, the Immigration Protection Tribunal ruled in their favour, and the Associate Minister of Immigration approved the visas as an exception to standard immigration rules.

In a letter dated 19 May 2025, Immigration New Zealand confirmed:

“I am pleased to advise that the Associate Minister of Immigration has now considered the Tribunal’s decision and on 15 May 2025 granted your client and family member a residence application, resident visas as an exception to residence instructions.”

The visas were finalized on 11 June 2025, allowing the elderly Tongan couple to remain in New Zealand permanently.

Contacting Kaniva News, Vənisi stated: “This decision recognizes our services and our ability to help members of our community who are struggling with immigration needs.”

Tongan lesbian wins NZ asylum in first refugee case of its kind

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan woman has won the right to live in New Zealand after the Refugee Tribunal ruled she faced a well-founded fear of persecution in Tonga due to her sexual orientation as a lesbian.

This is believed to be the first time a Tongan citizen has successfully claimed refugee status in New Zealand due to persecution for being LGBTQ+.

The Tribunal overturned an earlier decision by a refugee and protection officer, who had declined her refugee or protected person status application.

The ruling identified her only as “EU (Tonga)” for privacy reasons.

In its ruling, the Tribunal found that the appellant would be at risk of serious harm if she returned to Tonga because of her identity as a lesbian.

Under Article 1A(2) of the Refugee Convention and section 129(1) of New Zealand’s Immigration Act, the Tribunal recognised her as a refugee, stating she qualified for protection due to the danger she faced in her home country.

While the Tribunal granted her refugee status, it determined she did not meet the criteria for protected person status under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) or the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Tonga sodomy law

In Tonga, gay couples cannot legally formalise their relationships, as civil unions are prohibited.

The Criminal Act  section 136 about Sodomy and bestiality says:

“Whoever shall be convicted of the crime of sodomy with another person or bestiality with any animal shall be liable at the discretion of the Court to be imprisoned for any period not exceeding ten years and such animal shall be killed by a public officer. (Substituted by Act 9 of 1987)”.

In 2016, the then-former Chief Justice Charles Cato sentenced and jailed Sione Iketau, with the final 12 months being suspended after the prisoner was convicted of sodomising a child under the age of 12.

Petition in Tonga

The news follows petitions organised in Tonga last year urging the king to revoke his appointment of the new Chief Judge after it was revealed that the judge’s LGBTQ+ lifestyle conflicted with Tonga’s constitution and the country’s conservative Christian values.

Tonga’s top judge sounds alarm over rising machete attacks while sentencing ex-soldier 

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Lord Chief Justice has issued a stern warning over the kingdom’s growing epidemic of machete violence while sentencing a former soldier for a drunken blade attack in Lapaha.  

Tonga’s Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop. Photo/Australian High Commission Tonga (cropped)

In a landmark ruling that laid bare the court’s hardening stance, Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop declared the weapon’s frequent appearance in alcohol-fueled brawls demanded urgent judicial intervention. 

In sentencing 26-year-old Seteone Mu’asika, Mr Bishop said: “What is serious about your case is the use of a machete, which is becoming more frequent in the Kingdom.”

“The Courts must do all they can to stamp out this invidious practice because let the facts be faced, a machete is a lethal weapon.  

“It could cause catastrophic and indeed fatal damage, the fact that no such damage was caused here is not determinative of the final outcome of the case because the Courts must do all it can to stamp out the increasing use of machetes during disagreements.”  

Chief Justice Bishop then sentenced Mu’asika to six months in prison with a conditional suspension for inflicting serious bodily harm during a machete attack.

The court heard how Mu’asika struck 17-year-old Fe’ofa’aki Pouono in the back during an alcohol-fueled altercation. 

READ MORE:

Makapaeo machete attacker loses appeal, 7.5-year sentence upheld 

Man sentenced to over two years in prison for Tongatapu machete attack 

Seven-year jail term for Vava‘u man who attacked two men with a machete 

Both Mu’asika and co-accused Sōane Tātola pleaded guilty, though the court was informed that Tātola had escaped jurisdiction and remained at large.   

According to prosecution evidence, the confrontation followed separate drinking sessions, with an initial fistfight between Tatola and the victim earlier in the evening.  

The situation later escalated when Mu’asika, armed with a machete, and Tatola, wielding a broken bottle, approached Pouono near the village bakery. 

Justice Bishop detailed how Tātola first stabbed Pouono with the broken bottle before Mu’asika chased the victim and struck him with the machete.  

“It was then that you pursued him with a machete and as he was attempting to mount the fence, you struck his back with the machete. He fell to the ground but managed to get up and escape. You then quit.” 

Justice Bishop stated that Pouono’s wounds were caused partially by Mu’asika and partially by Tātola. He then said: “So far as you were concerned, I am satisfied that the injury sustained to his back was consistent with the assault by the machete fortunately no serious injuries ensued, and he was treated conservatively.” 

While acknowledging the injuries were not life-threatening, Justice Bishop emphasised the attack’s inherent danger.

In his sentencing remarks, Justice Bishop acknowledged mitigating factors in Mu’asika’s background: “I have read quite a lot about you to your credit, and I am told that you have assisted in the suppression of public disorder in your community and you are in a de facto relationship and have two children. I am also told that you partially take care of your mother financially.” 

The Chief Justice noted the defendant’s military service and respectable family standing: “You used to be a soldier and were raised in what I am told and accept is a respectable family well known in the community and as I indicated earlier as you have assisted in the maintenance of good order in your community.” 

However, Justice Bishop clarified the limitations of such considerations: “I have considered the comparable authorities helpfully submitted by the prosecution and your learned counsel but as I have previously stated and as the Court of Appeal recently confirmed they are to be regarded as yardsticks rather than strict tumplines, as each case must be decided on their own in fact.” 

As part of Mu’asika’s sentence, the court imposed a 12-month suspended prison term for two years, conditional upon completing a life skills and anger management course administered by the Salvation Army, or an equivalent program as directed by the Probation Office.

Israel Warns ‘Tehran Will Burn’ in retaliation for Iranian missile attacks; IDF reveals names of killed nuclear scientists

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a grave warning to Iran on Saturday, declaring that “Tehran will burn” if the Islamic Republic continues firing missiles at Israel.

The threat came in response to Iran’s overnight ballistic missile barrage on Friday, which killed at least three people and wounded dozens more.

Katz accused Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of holding his own citizens hostage, warning that Tehran’s residents would “pay a heavy price” for attacks on Israeli civilians.

The missile strikes marked Iran’s first direct military assault on Israeli territory, escalating long-simmering tensions between the two nations.

According to military reports, Iran launched a combination of drones and ballistic missiles in retaliation for Israel’s recent attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

Air-raid sirens sounded across northern Israel and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights during the assault, with authorities urging civilians to take shelter in protected areas.

Iranian missiles have struck Israel’s top military headquarters in central Tel Aviv, according to local and international media.

The Kirya compound — home to the Israeli military’s central command and the Ministry of Defence — is often referred to as Israel’s “Pentagon”

Scientists’ Identities Revealed

In a related development, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) publicly identified nine Iranian nuclear scientists who were assassinated in covert operations targeting Tehran’s atomic program.

The scientists killed had decades of cumulative experience in the development of nuclear weapons. The scientists include Fereydoun Abbasi and Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari Daryani, experts in nuclear engineering; Akbar Motalebi Zadeh, an expert in chemical engineering; Saeed Barji, a materials engineering expert; physics experts Mohammad Mahdi Tehranshi, Mansour Asgari, and Amir Hassan Fakhahi; Abd al-Hamid Minoushehr, a reactor physics expert; and Ali Bakhouei Katirimi, a mechanics expert.

The military stated these scientists had played key roles in advancing Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities. The list includes experts in nuclear engineering, physics, chemical engineering, and reactor physics, among other critical fields.

The IDF says that it has killed nine Iranian nuclear scientists and experts. Previously, the Israeli military said it killed six during the initial wave of strikes it launched against Iran on Thursday night.

Israel now says the nine were killed “at the beginning” of the operation.

Separately, an Israeli military official has said the Esfahan and Natanz nuclear sites have been significantly damaged in strikes, according to reports from the Reuters news agency.

The IDF’s disclosure appears to be a strategic move, underscoring Israel’s determination to cripple Iran’s nuclear ambitions even as direct conflict between the two nations escalates.

The official tells Reuters that over 150 targets in Iran have been attacked. Most drones and missiles that have been launched towards Israel have been intercepted, the official says.

Meanwhile, Iran has warned the United States, United Kingdom and France not to help Israel stop Tehran’s retaliatory strikes, according to Reuters news agency, citing Iranian state media.

Reports say that Tehran would target military bases and ships located in the region if the three countries provide support to Israel.

Pacific Games at Risk? Tonga weighs new tax levy, turns to donors to cover $26m facility costs 

By
Kalino Latu
-

Nuku’alofa, Tonga—Tonga’s hosting of the Pacific Games hangs in the balance as the government scrambles to secure $26 million for critical facility upgrades.

Prime MInister Eke (L) and Minister of Internal Affairs Sinaitakala Tu’itahi

Officials are considering a new tax levy and reaching out to international donors to bridge the funding gap. 

The revelation came as Prime Minister Aisake Eke confirmed in Parliament the government’s commitment to host the Games.

The Prime Minister’s assurance dispelled concerns previously raised by the Opposition about potential withdrawal from hosting duties – a scenario that had occurred with the 2019 Games.

Sinaitakala Tu’itahi, the Minister of Internal Affairs, who oversees Sports, confirmed the financial shortfall recently, revealing that the Ministry is assessing all options to ensure Tonga can meet its hosting commitments. 

The Minister acknowledged the difficulties, stating in Tongan: “‘A ia ‘oku ki’i fai pē ki ‘i siosio holo ki he ngaahi donor, na’a nau tokoni mai.”  She was saying in English, “We are looking for donors to help.” 

She stated that the expenses and costs have been identified, although she stopped short of providing any details. She said the current focus was on securing the necessary funding.  

An estimate from the Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) outlines potential earnings from marketing and athlete housing, Minister Tu’itahi said.   

A delegation from Fiji and the Pacific Games Council recently visited Tonga to assess preparations, with officials expecting a formal update on the kingdom’s hosting status and financial plans by October.  

The financial challenge is compounded by Tonga’s heavy reliance on foreign aid—a dependency that previously forced the country to withdraw from hosting the 2019 Pacific Games in 2017. 

At the time, then-Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva expressed concerns about potential misuse of funds, leading to the revocation of the hosting permit.  

Tonga’s successful bid to host the Pacific Games 2031 surprised many, having been secured through the efforts of former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku without parliamentary approval.

Reports indicate that to appease the Pacific Games Council following Tonga’s withdrawal as the 2019 host, the Hu‘akavameiliku government struck a confidential deal with the Council—a move that angered critics, especially since Tonga was favorably positioned in its legal dispute with the Council at the time.

Tonga Police sportsmanship appeal falters as social media exposes ex-students backing brawls

By
Kaniva Staff
-

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.”

Mossad’s stealth invasion; How Israel smuggled drones & commandos into Iran before devastating strike

By
Kaniva Staff
-

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.

First, Mossad operatives deployed precision-guided missiles to neutralise surface-to-air defence systems, blinding Iran’s radar networks.

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.

Tonga Cable Ltd drug bust turns violent; dealer jailed after injuring cop with car 

By
Kalino Latu
-

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 strikes Iran’s nuclear facilities; Tehran vows retaliation as tensions escalate

By
Kaniva Staff
-

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.

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