A car accident took down an electric pole on Taufaʻāhau Rd in Vainī causing a detour in the area.
The car crashed near a house on Saturday 1.
No one was trapped.
The main road was closed for sometimes before it was reopen, it has been reported.
China and Tonga have “more fruitful economic cooperation, closer links”, says Ambassador
H.E. Mr. Huang Huaguang, Chinese Ambassador in Tonga said the two countries have increasingly more close economic and administrative relationships.
He said there were more people-to-people exchanges and reconfirmed China would continue to work together with Tonga and increase the cooperation and give more benefits to its people.
Mr Huaguang made his statements in a speech during a reception his office hosted to celebrate the 67th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, in Nuku’alofa.
HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala was the Guest of Honour and the reception was widely joined by over 150 distinguished guests including Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, Acting Prime Minister of Tonga and Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Diplomatic Corps, Heads of Ministries as well as Chinese agricultural experts and leaders from Chinese community, a statement from the embassy said.
The celebration began with the National Anthems of the Kingdom of Tonga and the People’s Republic of China and followed by remarks by H.E. Ambassador Huang and Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni.
“In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador introduced the economic situation in China and said that against the down risk of global economy, China’s GDP achieved 6.7% growth rate and contributes nearly 30% of the world economic growth.
“H.E. Ambassador also briefed about the G20 Hangzhou Summit and said during the meeting, leaders from around the world have reached Hangzhou Consensus to make joint efforts for the recovery of global economy.
“H.E. Ambassador Huang spoke highly of the bilateral relations between China and Tonga and said in the year passed, both sides have frequent high level exchanges, more fruitful economic cooperation, closer links between local administrations and more people-to-people exchanges and reconfirmed China would continue to work together with Tongan side to enlarge the cooperation and make our people benefit.
“Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni on behalf of His Majesty, the Government and people of Tonga congratulated China on the prosperous achievements and said with competent leadership, strategic policy of reform and opening up, China has risen to become the world’s largest trader of goods, the 2nd largest economy with global influence and the world 3rd largest direct oversea investor.
“Both sides have good cooperation in sector of economic development, climate change, civil aviation, tourism, health, sports, agriculture, education, defense and key infrastructure. Hon. Acting Prime Minister also reconfirmed that Tongan Government would render its support to China in promoting stronger ties between two countries.
“The People’s Republic of China was founded on October 1st, 1949”.
Vavaʻu fuel crisis nears end; energy company says tanker due in Neiafu today
A tanker carrying about 570,000 litres of fuel was expected to arrive in Vava’u today.
Radio New Zealand quoted Pacific Energy manager Paula Tupou as saying the vessel was in Nuku’alofa and would be in Neiafu today.
Tupou said the fuel shipment consisted of 230,000 litres of petrol and 340,000 of diesel.
The news comes only days after Vava’u businessman Tomifa Paea claimed the tanker bringing fuel to the petrol starved outer island could be delayed until October 8.
Paea claimed he had been told by sources outside Tonga that the tanker would be delayed.
The businessman spent TP$500,000 importing fuel from New Zealand.
He has been selling the fuel in Vava’u for TP$2.95 per lire for petrol and TP$2.90 for diesel.
The decision to import the fuel was risky because the tanker might have arrived at the same time and he might not have been able to sell it.
“I did it to help the people of Vava’u,” he said.
“My personal view is that Pacific Energy knew about this three months ago and should have ordered fuel to be delivered to Vava’u using the same method I have done.
“To let the people of Vava’u suffer and make them go through this fuel crisis without feeling responsible is not acceptable and the government should be questioning them to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
On September 19 Kaniva News reported Vava’u Tourism Association president Calvin Schumaker’s warning that the region faced economic losses of more than TP$10 million.
Schumaker blamed the fuel shortage on the loss of the fuel barge that used to bring in fuel from Nuku’alofa. He said the barge had been sold and not replaced.
The main points
- A tanker carrying about 570,000 litres of fuel was expected to arrive in Vava’u today.
- Radio New Zealand quoted Pacific Energy manager Paula Tupou as saying the vessel was in Nuku’alofa and would be in Neiafu today.
- Tupou said the fuel shipment consisted of 230,000 litres of petrol and 340,000 of diesel.
- The news comes days after Vava’u businessman Tomifa Paea claimed the tanker bringing fuel to the petrol starved outer island could be delayed until October 8.
For more information
Tonga to get fuel supply up and running again (RNZI)
Crisis in Vava’u as fuel runs out; six weeks before new fuel ship arrives says Ministry
Noble MPs considered in search for Vakatā’s replacement, PM Pōhiva says
Tongan Prime Minister Ê»Akilisi PÅhiva said one of the nobles could be chosen to replace the Minister for Internal Affairs FeÊ»ao VakatÄ.
As Kaniva News reported on September 15, Hon. VakatÄ was dismissed after a complaint from the Ministry’s Director of Women’s Affairs, Tupou ‘Ahau Fakakovi, that he hurled a glass of wine at her in VavaÊ»u last month.
Hon. PÅhiva told Kaniva News he would meet with his Cabinet ministers today to discuss the matter.
He mentioned Lord Vaea, Lord Tu’ihangana and Lord TuÊ»iÊ»Äfitu as potential candidates.
When asked to confirm whether he could accept a recommendation from the majority of his Cabinet ministers to appoint one of the nobles Hon. PÅhiva said it would be a difficult decision for him.
“The problem is that there are four MPs chosen by the people that have yet to be given ministerial posts,†Hon. Pohiva said.
“That is MP Penisimani Fifita, MP MÄteni Tapueluelu, MP Veivosa Taka and MP Akosita Lavulavu.â€
He said he wanted to consult Cabinet before making any decision.
He said he understood some of his ministers might want one of the nobles to be appointed to the post.
He declined to reveal to Kaniva News whether he already had somebody in mind for the post.
Confidence
Hon Pohiva said he wished the vote of no confidence threatened by the nobles had been held.
He said he did not want to underestimate the nobles’ threat, but he just ignored it and concentrate on his job.
He said what he had heard so far about the motion was that there was no solid claims against his government.
The Prime Minister said he trusted his cabinet ministers to stand by him.
Hon PÅhiva said he strongly believed the nobles were split over the motion of vote of no confidence and some did not support it.
As Kaniva News has reported the Nobles leader, Lord Vaea, has claimed they have the number to topple Hon PÅhiva’s government.
He said they had already talked with some of the independent Cabinet Ministers and believed they would cross the floor on the day of the vote and side with them.
The main points
- Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva said one of the nobles could be chosen to replace the outgoing Minister Fe’ao Vakata.
- Vakata was dismissed after a complaint from a senior female civil servant that he hurled a glass of wine at her in Vava’u last month.
- Pohiva told Kaniva News he would meet with his Cabinet ministers today to discuss the matter.
- He mentioned Lord Vaea, Lord Tu’ihangana and Lord Tu’i’afitu as potential candidates.
For more information
King dismisses Tonga’s Minister of Internal Affairs
Tongan cabinet minister to resign
Noble MPs vow to topple government with no confidence motion when Parliament resumes
Tonga navy and aircraft help as hunt for US murder suspect widens
As Tongan police continued their hunt for the US murder suspect Dean Jay Fletcher, 54, today the Tongan navy also gave a hand.
Aerial searches were being conducted as search continued into its second day.
Police and HMAF Tonga Navy were searching the northern seas of Vava’u and surrounding areas, where Fetcher is thought to have escaped in his yacht, Sea Oak.
International police alerts are in place and active inquiries are underway, Police said.
“A full investigation into the circumstances of the escape has been ordered by Commissioner Steve Caldwel”.
READ MORE:
Tongan man extradited to Australia to face charges in death of Caleo
A Tongan man accused in the death of Rita Caleo in 1990 has been turned over to Australian police to face murder charges.
Alani Afu, 49, also known as Alani Koloamatangi was extradited from the kingdom yesterday over the stabbing murder of the Sydney woman.
He will appear in court on Tuesday for the first day of the committal hearing against his co-accused, the late Ms Caleo’s husband Mark Caleo and his brother Gerard Caleo.
One of his sisters has accompanied him from Tonga and sat in the back of the court today as her brother appeared via videolink from Surry Hills Correctional Centre, Telegraph reported.
Police alleged Ms Caleo, 39, was stabbed multiple times as her two children slept in her Double Bay home on August 10, 1990.
Her 36-year-old brother, Michael Chye, was fatally shot three times just under a year earlier as he drove into the garage of his Woollahra home. He died on October 16, 1989.
The case was reopened in 2011, and two men remain before the court after being arrested by detectives in 2014 and 2015.
Following further investigations, police identified another man and will allege he was involved in Ms Caleo’s murder.
ʻAlani remains at Surry Hills Police Station, where he is expected be charged with murder.
Police have alleged that Ms Caleo’s murder was organised by Mark and Gerard Caleo and carried out by Afu after a multi-million property deal with Mr Chye went wrong.
Police retreat after Vavaʻu sea standoff, US alleged killer on the run
A police standoff with an alleged US murderer in the northern sea of Vavaʻu has ended unsuccessfully police say.
Police were forced to pull out of a pursuit of the yacht, Sea Oak at 4.30pm yesterday Thursday 29.
“The escaped prisoner, Dean Jay Fletcher had fired several flares at the police boat in a 5-hour standoff. Fletcher was believed to be holding a bottle of benzene liquid and threatened to set fire to the police boat with the use of the inflammable benzene and flares”, Police said.
The police were not in a position to counter the threat and did not have the capacity to maintain the pursuit in open water, they said.
“The decision made by the police officers, to end the pursuit in all the circumstances was the right one, and now our energy goes into locating this desperate man and returning him to face justice for the charge of murder” says Commissioner Steve Caldwell.
International police services, Maritime networks and commercial flights have been alerted.
Police are appealing for public assistance on sightings of the yacht “SEA OAK”.
READ MORE
Tonga’s Lord Madraiwiwi Tangatatonga dies age 59
A leading Fijian judge who was elevated by Late king George V of Tonga as a kingdom’s lawlord has died after a short illness.
Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, 59, was Nauru Chief Justice and a former Fiji Vice President.
He was appointed to the Life Peerage in the Kingdom of Tonga in Jnuary 2010.
He held the title of Lord Madraiwiwi Tangatatonga.
Tongan Police struggle to apprehend escaped US murderer
Police in Tonga’s Vavaʻu islands were struggling to apprehend the US alleged murderer who was charged with the murder of his Canadian wife in Vavaʻu in June.
54yr old Dean Jay Fletcher escaped from police custody at Vavaʻu Police Station at approximately 3.30am this morning, 29 September 2016, a Police statement said.
Police confirmed Fletcher has used his own yacht to enable his escape.
“At 06.00am Police on board the Police Boat “Kapakau ‘O Tafahi” located the escaped prisoner and his yacht at approximately 6 – 10 miles Northwest of Vavaʻu and are attempting to apprehend him”, the statement said.
“The escaped prisoner is refusing to stop and making threats to himself and police officers, which has not allowed for a safe boarding at this stage. Further assistance has been dispatched to the area.
“Commissioner Steve Caldwell says that the full circumstances of Fletcher’s escape will be investigated but at this stage our priority is to safely apprehend and return Mr. Fletcher to custody”.
Tongan ringleader in US gets 15 years for smuggling cocaine on flights
Moniteveti Katoa used his experience working at DFW International Airport to smuggle what he thought was cocaine onto flights headed for cities nationwide.
He also recruited his wife, who worked the ticket counter for American Airlines, in the scheme.
And he was prepared to smuggle explosives through security and onto airplanes in exchange for money, prosecutors said Thursday.
Katoa bragged a lot about his criminal past, then he negotiated the deals. But his contacts turned out to be federal agents.
A leader in the local Tongan community who worked for an aviation company at the airport, Katoa was sentenced Thursday to 15 years and eight months in federal prison for his part in the drug-distribution network.
The defendants managed to get the fake drugs, which were provided by undercover police, onto commercial flights traveling from Dallas to Las Vegas; Newark, N.J.; Phoenix; Chicago; Wichita, Kan.; and San Francisco.
U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle agreed with prosecutors that Katoa, 53, was a leader of the drug plot, which was broken up in July 2015 when he was arrested along with 45 others, mostly from Dallas and Fort Worth, in an undercover sting.
Three others used their positions at the airport — or contacted people who worked there — to bypass security in order to transport what they thought was cocaine.
The defendants said they had relatives who worked in baggage handling, security and other DFW Airport jobs who could help, along with family members in other countries such as Tonga and New Zealand. Among those who have already been convicted are Katoa’s cousin and nephew.
His wife, Janelle Isaacs, 42, is scheduled to be sentenced in December.
“We’re talking about our airport” and someone willing to use it for “dangerous activities,” Boyle said before sentencing him.
The new information about explosive devices was revealed by an FBI agent during the sentencing hearing. Prosecutors introduced the evidence to support their request for a stiff sentence.
“He bragged that he could fly a bomb wherever he chose to,” FBI Agent Ray Harrison testified.
Agents decided to test that resolve.
In December 2014, Katoa told undercover officers he would be willing to fly plastic explosives on a plane from DFW Airport and he negotiated a $4,000 fee for the job.
Katoa apologized to the judge, saying he was sorry for what he did and that “I dishonored my family.”
“I hurt a lot of people that was depending on me,” he said.
Security hole
Katoa and others talked about exploiting a major hole in DFW Airport security by using employees, and they said it was a good thing terrorists didn’t know about it, Harrison said.
Katoa’s cousin, a baggage handler, told undercover officers that he knew when the Transportation Security Administration was conducting random checks of employees’ bags before they went to their work areas because a family member who worked in security would alert him.
Katoa said that he was fired from his airport job in 2012 for drug use but that he still had access to the airport and “extensive knowledge of airport procedures,” court records said. He worked for an aviation company at DFW.
In addition, Katoa said he had four cousins who worked at Federal Express who were moving marijuana. And he said he had family in Tonga, Hawaii and New Zealand who could help distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
Katoa had his wife book flights for him that didn’t have federal agents on board. She was also able to bypass security by using her employee credentials to smuggle drugs into the gate area.
Katoa knew where the airport security cameras were, meaning his wife could hand him the drugs in a backpack without detection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal said that Katoa’s wife could have gotten him discounted or free airline tickets due to her job and that the couple could have flown all over the world together. Instead, Katoa got greedy and selfish and decided to drag his wife into the illegal plot.
“In the end, that’s what it boiled down to,” Leal said. “It’s ‘me before mankind.’ … He doesn’t care about the safety of anybody.”
Boyle said Katoa is not like the typical defendant involved in a large drug conspiracy. She said he is a leader in his community to whom people looked up.
“I don’t know what happened to you,” the judge said.
Katoa’s attorney, Christopher Lewis, called his client an “opportunist” who was not a ringleader and who mostly bragged and exaggerated about what he could do.
“He was trying to sell himself,” Lewis said.
Cartel bodyguards
The case got started in 2011 when undercover federal officers investigating Mexican drug cartels learned about Tongan men whom the cartels hired as bodyguards, said Harrison, the FBI agent.
One of the bodyguards, Funaki Falahola, told an undercover officer in spring 2013 that he and a cousin and other family members could help transport cocaine on American Airlines and United Airlines flights from Dallas to cities across the U.S.
“Falahola stated that it would be no problem to transport to the other locations because they have contacts there,” a federal complaint said. “Falahola said the highest profit on drugs would be to transport them to Hawaii for sale.”
Falahola said methamphetamine and cocaine would sell for a higher price in Hawaii. Falahola told officers that Katoa had worked for American Airlines for 25 years. Falahola is scheduled to be sentenced in October.
Katoa, who is Falahola’s uncle, told one of the undercover officers that he could carry drugs on his body to their destination, in part by placing his name on the employee flight list instead of the passenger manifest, thereby skirting TSA scrutiny.
Katoa said that before September 2011, he had once moved 100 kilograms of cocaine by commercial aircraft.
According to the original federal complaint in the case, Katoa told the undercover officer that his younger brother earned between $280,000 and $480,000 a week transporting drugs to Hawaii before he was arrested and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He said his older brother got eight years in prison after being arrested in New Zealand with $900,000 worth of cocaine.
Katoa also told an undercover officer that he had several ways to smuggle illegal drugs and that he had been “flying several times a month to observe how TSA conducts its security checks in various cities,” court documents said. He also said he had been “waiting for the opportunity to transport illegal drugs on American Airlines.”
In one case in summer 2013, undercover officers gave Falahola a backpack that they said contained 4 kilograms of cocaine. He and Katoa then carried the package on an American Airlines flight to Las Vegas and gave it to another undercover officer for a $9,000 fee, the indictment said.
Fort Worth-based American, which uses DFW Airport as its main hub, issued a statement last year saying it was taking the matter seriously and had been cooperating with authorities. It said the company’s top priority is “the safety and security of our customers and employees.”
