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Tonga wins 26 – 24 against Fiji at Campbelltown Stadium

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Alicia Newton‌, National Correspondent‌‌, ‌‌‌NRL.com

A double to front-rower Leilani Latu has seen Tonga come from behind to defeat Fiji 26-24 in a brutal encounter at Campbelltown Stadium.

A monster hit from Manu Vatuvei on Kane Evans with three minutes remaining allowed Tonga the chance to win the game with Siliva Havili finding Latu in-close for the Panthers forward to go over for the match winner.

It was the veteran and rookie show on the Tongan left-edge throughout the night with Vatuvei and Moses Suli running for a combined 334 metres.

Completion rates and missed tackle counts went out the window for the Pacific Test as both sides threw caution to the wind on a number of plays with only a week’s preparation heading into the match.

Broncos legend Petero Civoniceva delivered a rap on Fijian prop Daniel Saifiti earlier in the week and the Knights forward put Fiji up by four with 15 minutes left in the game when he steamrolled his way past Tony Williams and Will Hopoate to go over next to the posts

Both starting props Saifiti and Evans provided Fiji with plenty of go-forward against the more-fancied Tongan forward pack, before Evans left the field after the collision with Vatuvei.

Early tries to Vatuvei and Latu had the Tongan side leading 10-0 early in the contest, before Fiji struck back with a pair of four-pointers of their own.

Tonga received some early luck in the contest when Latu was ruled to have stripped the ball off Evans backwards close to the line to regain possession.

Fiji were caught short as a result of the turnover and Wests Tigers rookie Suli found the veteran in Vatuvei to open the scoring in the sixth minute of the game.

Rabbitohs rookie Sitiveni Moceidreke put a strong shot on Latu to force the ball loose after points, but the Panthers forward extended the lead for the Tongan outfit when he steamrolled his way over after a strong charge from teammate Tony Williams.

Fiji bounced back in style with back-to-back tries to take the lead courtesy of two moments of magic from back-rower Viliame Kikau.

Fijian halfback Henry Raiwalui placed a pin-point kick between Bulldogs duo Will Hopoate and Brenko Lee for Kikau to pluck the ball out of the air and go over untouched.

Kikau then broke through past Tui Lolohea on the left-edge to find James Storer in support and bring the parochial crowd to their feet as the 35-year-old got over the line – his second try in consecutive Pacific Tests.

A Korbin Sims error after points would undo Fiji’s momentum with Roosters flyer Daniel Tupou planting the ball down in the corner to retake the lead.

Kevin Naiqama ensured Tonga’s advantage on the scoreboard wouldn’t last long at the break when the newly appointed skipper batted the ball back in the in-goal area to keep the ball alive for Titans recruit Ben Nakubuwai to have an open passage and get the ball down on the half-time siren.

Both sides were guilty of errors in the opening of the second half before Wests Tigers rookie Suli levelled up the game at 18-18 after Will Hopoate showed quick hands to get past a flying Suliasi Vunivalu who raced in to stop the raid.

Both sides went blow for blow in the final seven minutes until Latu ensured Tonga had the last say to defeat Fiji for the first time in their history.

Tonga 26 (Leilani Latu 2, Manu Vatuvei, Daniel Tupou, Moses Suli tries; Ata Hinganao 2, Tuimoala Lolohea 1 goals) def. Fiji 24 (Viliame Kikau, James Storer, Ben Nakubuwai, Daniel Saifiti tries; Apisai Koroisau 4 goals) at Campbelltown Stadium. Half-time: Fiji 18-14.

India’s top court upholds death penalty in Delhi gang rape case

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Suchitra Mohanty and Rupam Jain (Reuters)

India’s top court on Friday upheld death sentences against four men who fatally gang raped a woman on board a bus in 2012, a crime that sparked widespread protests and drew international attention to violence against women.

Applause broke out in court among relatives of the victim – whose identity is protected by law – as judges explained the crime met the “rarest of the rare” standard required to justify capital punishment in India.

“It’s a barbaric crime and it has shaken the society’s conscience,” Justice R. Banumathi said, as a three-judge Supreme Court panel threw out an appeal on behalf of the defendants.

The five men and a juvenile lured the 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist and her male friend on to a bus in New Delhi on Dec. 16, 2012, before repeatedly raping the woman and beating both with a metal bar and dumping them on a road.

The woman died of internal injuries nearly two weeks later in a Singapore hospital.

“I am very satisfied. Today I am happy,” the victim’s mother said outside the courthouse.

Her father said: “It’s not just a victory for my family, it’s a victory for each and every woman in our country.”

Four of the attackers were sentenced to death 2013 while the fifth hanged himself in prison during the original seven-month trial. That verdict was upheld by the Delhi High Court in 2014.

The four – gym instructor Vinay Sharma, bus cleaner Akshay Kumar Thakur, fruit-seller Pawan Gupta and unemployed Mukesh Singh – then appealed to the Supreme Court. The defendants were not in court on Friday.

‘RAPE EPIDEMIC’

The crime sparked large-scale protests and led thousands of women across India to break their silence over sexual violence that often goes unreported.

It also shone a spotlight on what women’s groups call a rape epidemic in the country. In 2015, police registered more than 34,000 rape complaints and 84,000 women filed sexual harassment cases, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.

Authorities have stiffened penalties against sex crimes, introduced fast-track trials in rape cases and made stalking a crime.

A.P. Singh, a lawyer representing three of the condemned men, said justice had not been done. He vowed to file a review petition to the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

The last recourse of the convicts, all of whom are now in their twenties, would be to seek clemency from President Pranab Mukherjee.

The sixth defendant, a minor accused of pulling out part of the woman’s intestines with his own hand, was sent to a reform home for three years and has since been released.

CAPITAL CONTROVERSY

Despite the toughening of the laws, debate continues over whether they serve as a sufficient deterrent.

On average, 50 crimes against women are registered every day by police in Delhi, including at least four cases of rape, according to a senior official in the federal home ministry.

Opponents of capital punishment argue that public and media pressure swayed the judges in the Delhi gang rape case to impose the death penalty, adding to the hundreds of already waiting on death row in India.

“There are many cases of rape and murder where death sentences were not ordered. It can’t be subjective,” said Seema Misra, a lawyer who has worked extensively on cases involving women.

More than 400 people are known to have been sentenced to death in India, according to a tally by Amnesty International, with 136 being condemned in 2016.

The last rapist to be executed in India was Dhananjoy Chatterjee, on Aug. 14, 2004. He was hanged at Alipore Central Jail in West Bengal, on his 42nd birthday, for raping and murdering a teenage girl.

(Additional reporting by Malini Menon; Editing by Douglas Busvine, Robert Birsel)

Mythical rock in Tonga has scientific theory

By
Kalino Latu
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The rock in the village of Kalaʻau in Tongatapu which has a mythical link to demigod Maui has a scientific theory.

Tongan legend said Maui, who lived in the island of ‘Eua, was angered by the noises made by his father’s rooster when it crowed in the morning.

He then hurled the huge stone at it and it killed the bird before the rock landed at the Hihifo village, about 50 kilometres away from the island.

But a team of Japanese researchers theorised the large coral boulder was brought inland from the ocean by a massive tsunami that struck Tonga thousands of years ago.

The connection between the hypothesis and  the historical site was significant to the Japanese as they were pushing for the United Nations General Assembly to adopt November 5, as World Tsunami Awareness Day.

Known as Maka Tolo ʻA Maui or Mauiʻs throwing rock the government officially recognised it in a plaque unveiling ceremony on Tuesday.

The ceremony coincided with the arrival of a parliamentary delegation from Japan led by the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan Mr Toshihiro Nikai.

They were invited and they joined Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister and guests at the historical event.

Hansen goes on trial for fraud tied to his alleged phony adult adoption scheme

By
Kaniva Staff
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Sacramento Bee. By Stephen Magagnini. smagagnini@sacbee.com

Hundreds of undocumented immigrants paid an Elk Grove man thousands of dollars each to arrange their adoptions by U.S. citizens on the promise that they would become citizens themselves. Instead, federal authorities say, those immigrants fell victim to possibly the largest scam of its kind.

Heartbroken immigrants from four continents – some in tears over losing their life savings – have been testifying in Sacramento federal court since April 17 against Helaman Hansen, a (Tongan) charismatic businessman who allegedly persuaded some 500 victims to pay more than $500,000 to join his phony adult adoption scheme, prosecutors said.

Hansen, 64, has been charged with 16 counts of fraud and two counts of encouraging illegal immigration for financial gain, according to U.S. District Judge Morrison England. Hansen and his agents, who operated in such far-flung locales as Tonga and Hawaii, allegedly charged undocumented immigrants between $150 and $10,000 each on the false promise that they’d become U.S. citizens after adoption.

The victims, some of them as old as 50, were also promised tax identification numbers, birth certificates, Social Security numbers and, ultimately, U.S. passports, prosecutors said.

No one adopted through Hansen’s program, which he called the “Americans Helping America Chamber of Commerce,” won citizenship, said assistant U.S. attorneys André M. Espinosa and Katherine T. Lydon. According to U.S. law, only undocumented immigrants under age 16 can win citizenship after being legally adopted by a U.S. citizen.

In the eyes of federal officials, Hansen is a ruthless con artist who misrepresented the U.S. immigration system “to deceive and hurt those who are trying only to make a better life for themselves and their families,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, a special agent in charge of the Homeland Security Investigations office in San Francisco. If convicted, Hansen could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and fined as much as $250,000.

Hansen has pleaded not guilty and is out on $250,000 bail. One of his attorneys, Federal Defender Timothy Zindel, told the jury that his client suffers from bipolar “grandiosity” and thought he was “acting in good faith, not for financial gain and didn’t encourage anyone to stay in the U.S. illegally.”

“This is a person who is very inspired but is mentally ill,” Zindel said. “Psychologists call his ideas ‘grandiose.’ ”

In February, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla warned the immigration consulting industry that state officials will be watching closely for anyone trying to scam undocumented immigrants panicked by recent federal raids and President Donald Trump’s pledge to crack down on people in the U.S. illegally.

Federal authorities said Hansen’s alleged adoption for citizenship scam was the largest of its kind they know of, with potentially more victims. Several others are under investigation.

Hansen told The Bee that he will “shock the world” when he testifies in the weeks to come. He said his scheme was legal under California law but accused the federal government of failing to take into account states’ rights.

“In my mind, I had to do something for these people,” Hansen said. “Some of them are related to me on my mother’s side.”

Hansen worked throughout the South Pacific and Australia before he won the diversity lottery and was granted a green card. He became a U.S. citizen in 2006. One of Hansen’s devotees observing the trial, Filipino native Chelsea Tomaquin Hansen, 52, said Helaman Hansen adopted her in 2015 for $1,500. In most of the cases, prosecutors said, Hansen arranged other people to adopt his clients.

Reyes Medrano, an undocumented Mexican construction worker from Castro Valley, said he and his wife first learned of Hansen’s “migration program” from members of his church. They then came to Rancho Cordova to meet Hansen and his associate, Jeffrey Sevier, who allegedly oversaw the adoption process. Medrano said he and his wife were promised citizenship within a year after paying $5,000 apiece. Reyes said his wife was adopted by Sevier in July 2015 in Alameda County Superior Court.

Medrano, 48, testified that when it was his turn to be adopted, “the judge addressed the person who was going to adopt me and said it shouldn’t be for purposes of immigration.” But that person, identified as a member of Medrano’s church, told the judge “it was because my mother was his sister and had died so he wanted to adopt me so we can start a family relationship,” Medrano said.

Medrano testified he told Sevier: “ ‘I don’t think this is right,’ and I was going to investigate. He said if I did investigate I would probably be deported because (Americans Helping America) had all my documents.”

Merrily Carter, a former company employee, called Hansen’s operation “the twilight zone” and testified that Hansen told her he’d met with a retired U.S. Supreme Court justice who helped guide him through the legal process. Carter said she “saw people in the waiting room in tears” because they had paid thousands of dollars to become citizens through the company.

Several other witnesses and former employees testified that after clients began flooding the office with questions, Hansen held a mandatory meeting for them in December 2015.

According to court testimony, Hansen reassured them that “everything was under control,” and the adoption program would work eventually. Hansen wouldn’t name anyone who had obtained citizenship through adoption, claiming those records were confidential, witnesses said.

Another churchgoer from Castro Valley, Gabriela de Jesus Hernandez, said the $9,000 she and her husband paid to be adopted “was the money we had saved in order to buy a house in Mexico.” Hernandez testified that “I told him I felt like a lump of jello; nothing was firm.”

Other alleged victims who took the witness stand came from El Salvador, New Zealand, Tonga, India and Fiji. Sui Winn, a New Zealander living in San Jose, said Hansen talked about creating a Polynesian cultural center and a community outreach program to help immigrants. Zindel, his attorney, said Hansen was born on a boat traveling between Tonga and New Zealand. “It sounded very appealing,” Winn said. “He was very charismatic.”

The trial continues Wednesday in Department 14 of the federal court building at 501 I St. in Sacramento.

Japanese $40 million grant builds five wind turbines in Niutōua

By
Kalino Latu
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Five wind turbines will be installed in Niutōua after Japanese government agreed to fund them in a $40 million paʻanga donation given to Tonga on Tuesday.

This is part of the Japanese helping Tonga uses more renewable energy and reduces its reliance on expensive imported diesel

The Niutoua turbine project was part of more projects the Asian government has agreed to fund.

The grant comes after a micro-grid control system and solar PV project for Vainī was successfully funded by the Japanese government in March 2015.

“These projects as well as others to follow will be instrumental in ensuring Tonga has access to clean energy sources that are reliable, cost effective and sustainable”, a government statement said.

The Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva thanked the people of Japan for their generosity, the statement said.

Hon Pohiva said: “Energy is a vital element in Tonga’s social and economic development and it enhances the wellbeing and livelihood of the Tongan people”.

“The Government of Tonga has taken extensive measures to ensure that clean and renewable energy is accessible, well maintained and transforming to the economic landscape of the physical environment and eco-system”, he said.

Japanese ambassador to Tonga, HE Mr. Yukio Numata and Hon. Pōhiva have signed the agreement in Nukuʻalofa.

Eight facing drug charges after seizure of 3,222 cannabis plants, ammo and cash in Tongatapu

By
Kalino Latu
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Eight people had been arrested with 3,222 cannabis plants, more than 20,000 cannabis seeds and six cannabis pot plants.

Police also seized two .22 rifles, ammunition, cash and electronic devices while they raided six properties in Fanga, Foʻui, Matahau and Sopu.

The men, aged between 16 and 42, were arrested after a public tip off to Police.

“Tonga Police are committed to disrupt and detect the supply of drugs where thereby preventing the harm this illegal activity causes,” Acting Commissioner Viliami ʻUnga Faʻaoa said.

“It only takes one call to Police to stop crime and the availability of drugs in your community,” he said.

Evidence and prosecution files are being progressed therefore Police cannot comment further at this stage, a statement says.

As always, the Police rely on members of the public to pass on any information about drug cultivation,manufacture and dealing, Faʻaoa said.

Any information on drug offences the public can contact various Police stations or get in touch anonymously via 23417 or 25147.

Firefighter accused of injuring a senior officer with iron rod while he was asleep appears in court

By
Kalino Latu
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A firefighter accused of attacking and injuring a senior firefighter with an iron rod while he was asleep has appeared at the Magistrate court.

Moʻale Vi of Pelehake was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after the senior officer was rushed to hospital with injuries to his head and hands.

Police alleged Vi went to the fire station in Longolongo while he was intoxicated on December 2016.

At one stage he got into an argument with one of the kava drinkers at the station.

The senior officer intervened and tried to stop them but Vi allegedly had refused to cooperate.

It was alleged that this had led into an altercation between Vi and the senior officer.

Police were called to the scene and they left with Vi, a report said.

A second complaint was later lodged with Police after Vi returned to the firefighters’ dormitory and attacked the senior officer while he was asleep.

The senior officer, who was only named by Kele’a online as Peni, woke up to find Vi attacking him. He was injured while he was attacked.

He fought his way out and sought help at another senior officer house nearby who rushed him to hospital.

Magistrate Folau Lokotui agreed with prosecutors that more time was needed for information gathering. Lokotui adjourned the hearing.

Tonga is the most Mormon country in the world, researchers say

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga is now the world capital of Mormonism with the highest number of Mormons per capita of any country, researchers said.

Its 64,000 followers make up just over 60 percent of the kingdom’s population, Radio New Zealand reported.

Samoa, American Samoa, Niue and the Cook Islands are the other top five countries for membership of the Latter-day Saints Church.

A Colorado-based researcher Matt Martinich said the church traditionally keeps members on its records, even if individuals no longer associate themselves with the church.

“Tonga church reported membership constitutes about 60% of the population, so although if you look at the number of active members, that percentage is much lower,” Mr Martinich said.

“It’s more like about 20% because about two thirds of the members of the church in Tonga don’t regularly attend church or they identify with some other religious group even though their names are still on the church records.”

It has been reported in 2014 that Mormons in Tonga have outnumbered Catholics and the number of its followers was continuing to grow.

Tonga tourism wants marriage law changed to give economy a boost

By
Kalino Latu
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The Ministry of Tourism is calling for a change to marriage laws that will mean a boost for Tonga tourism and local economies.

Foreigners who intended to have their marriage performed in Tonga were required to have one of the couple stays in the kingdom for a minimum of six months before they can get marry.

But the Ministry wanted this changed to allow them to get it done within five business working days after their arrival.

The Ministry hopes to promote Tonga as a “Marriage Destination”.

The Ministry is also trying to allow foreigners who would like to have their marriage performed in Tonga to apply from their countries within 28 days before they come to the kingdom.

The call for changes in the law is being discussed in a conference organised by a committee selected by the Ministry in Nuku’alofa this week.

Tourism CEO Fekita ‘Utoikamanu told TBC Television service the committee is also trying to raise the nation’s minimum age for marriage from 15 to 18.

Tongan parents are able to sign off on their children’s marriages from the age of 15.

Giving foreign couples the option to get marry in Tonga once they arrive could boost the local economy, and bring more visitors to the Friendly Islands, ‘Utoikamanu reportedly said.

The conference is attended by Church leaders, town and district officers as well as government stakeholders.

Tongan SWP worker left in coma dies in Australia

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan SWP worker who was left in coma and fighting for his life at Brisbane’s Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital while he was sick has died Thursday 4.

Sione Vakameilalo Fifita of Kolovai was in Brisbane as a Seasonal Work Programme worker.

Kennedy Tau, whose wife was looking after Fifita in hospital, has confirmed his death to Kaniva News this evening.

He also wrote on his Facebook page saying “Rest in Peace Sione Vakameilalo Fifita”.

“Folau a koe ‘ihe nonga ‘ae ‘Eiki. Koe ‘Otua ‘oku ne foaki. Koe ‘Otua ‘oku ne to’o. Fakafeta’i kihe huafa ‘o Sihova”, Tau wrote in Tongan.

Translated: “May you travel in Lordʻs peace. God has given God has taken. Thanks be to God Jehovah”.

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