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As Fiji announces HIV outbreak, UNAIDS echoes calls for a non-discriminatory approach  

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Government of Fiji has declared an HIV outbreak in response to a sharp increase in reported newly diagnosed cases during 2024. 

A targeted 90-day containment plan will speed up immediate, high-impact interventions while the HIV Surge Strategy approved last September will guide the AIDS response until 2027.

UNAIDS will continue to support the generation of strategic information, technical planning, program innovation and resource mobilisation as Fiji implements short- and longer-term plans to prevent new infections and ensure people living with HIV benefit from life-saving services. For these strategies to work, those most vulnerable to HIV infection must be able to safely access the information and care they require. They should also play a leading role in the design and delivery of those services.

“Prioritization of HIV by the Government is critical for not only the people of Fiji, but the entire Pacific,” said Eamonn Murphy, Regional Director of UNAIDS Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe Central Asia. “Rising new infections in Fiji put the entire Pacific region at risk. Political will is the essential first step. There must also be community leadership and regional solidarity to ensure these strategies work.” 

As Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon. Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu noted yesterday, there were 1093 newly-reported cases from January to September 2024. This is three times as many as there were in 2023. According to the Ministry, reported cases have increased nine-fold over the last five years. The rapid rise in newly-diagnosed cases met the national criteria for declaring HIV a national outbreak.

Preliminary Ministry of Health numbers show that among the newly-diagnosed individuals who are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy, half contracted HIV through injecting drug-use. An additional concern is that over half of all people living with HIV who are aware of their status are not on treatment.

“Fiji has the second fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia and the Pacific region. These data do not just tell the story about a lack of services,” Mr Murphy explained. “They indicate that even when people know they are HIV-positive, they are fearful to receive care. There must be a deliberate effort to not only strengthen health systems, but to respond to the unique needs of the most affected populations, including people who use drugs. Perpetuating prejudice against any group will slow progress. We must work together to make it safe and easy for people to access the information, services and support they require. In the words of Minister Lalabalavu ‘discrimination and stigma will only serve to make our current situation worse’.”

The HIV Outbreak Response Plan calls for a combination of prevention approaches including the introduction of harm reduction programs for people who inject drugs. Since the sexual transmission of HIV remains a significant factor, other key approaches are condom distribution and pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP. (PrEP is treatment taken by an HIV-negative person to reduce the risk of contracting HIV if they are exposed.) Through the Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific HIV Partnership, UNAIDS is supporting Fiji to scale up these comprehensive prevention approaches. 

The United Nations in Fiji recognizes the Government’s decisive leadership in addressing the HIV epidemic and reaffirms its commitment to supporting the national response.

“The declaration of an HIV outbreak and the launch of high-impact interventions, such as needle syringe programs and PrEP, mark a critical turning point in Fiji’s efforts to combat the epidemic,” said Mr. Dirk Wagener, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Fiji. “We commend the Hon. Minister for Health and Medical Services for his bold leadership in taking this pivotal step. The Joint UN Team on HIV, with UNAIDS as its Secretariat, stands ready to provide coordinated and sustained support to ensure the success of these strategies and to protect the most vulnerable.”

The HIV Surge Strategy includes tactics for Fiji to achieve the Global AIDS Strategy targets—95% of all people living with HIV aware their status, 95% of diagnosed people on antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of people on treatment achieving a suppressed viral load. People who attain viral suppression through treatment adherence and monitoring will live normal healthy lives and a person with an undetectable viral load cannot pass on the virus through sexual intercourse. This is known as Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U). 

“HIV treatment is effective. It not only keeps people living with HIV healthy, but can help prevent new infections,” explained Renata Ram, UNAIDS HIV Adviser in Fiji. “Every Fijian has a part to play by making our homes, communities, schools, workplaces and places of worship, spaces that support and care for people rather than shame and exclude them.”

Delays in Cabinet lineup appointment means Eke’s only five months to operate in full force with his July budget highly tight 

By
Kalino Latu
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COMMENT: The delays in the Cabinet appointment have resulted in Prime Minister Eke losing a crucial month of operation since the public service began on January 6. 

The nation is currently awaiting the appointment of the Cabinet lineup, which was anticipated yesterday. However, this has yet to occur.

Meanwhile, the new government faces another significant challenge as it is expected to navigate the complexities of the current budget, which the previous administration structured.  

Most of these budget allocations do not align with the new administration’s policies and priorities, creating a gap between their ambitious plans and the financial framework they inherit.  

Eke, a finance and economic expert, was instrumental in criticizing the current budget when it was introduced into the House before it was approved in June last year.  

As a standard practice, Tonga’s annual budget must be approved by the House in June for the period from July until June of the following year.

The Parliament usually closes in November.  

So, the remaining time means Eke needs to squeeze 12 months it supposes to prepare and implement the budget to less than just 10 months. This means he can only fully enforce his policies within about five months, from July to November.  

As a result, the new government must be very busy finding ways to either adapt the existing budget to better suit its objectives or devise a set of new financial initiatives.  

However, these proposed measures are anticipated to encounter significant pushback from the Opposition bench within the House, which may complicate implementation of the government’s plans and hinder progress on key priorities.  

Royal appointments 

Under the constitution, the king is required to appoint Cabinet Ministers upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.  

However, this procedure has now been increasingly shown to pose challenges to the efficient functioning of the government.  

The monarch appears to have exercised his constitutional authority in a manner that undermines the Prime Minister’s prerogative to select his Cabinet lineup independently.  

This action constitutes a significant affront to the principles of democracy and compromises the autonomy of a Prime Minister who has been duly elected by the majority of the House. 

Tonga’s 2010 political reform meant that the king would rule under the prime minister’s advice, not vice versa.  

The late King George V, who was instrumental in implementing the democratic reforms, indicated in an interview with a New Zealand journalist in 2008 that these reforms necessitated a transfer of executive power from the monarchy to the populace.

He was asked during the interview about his role as a monarch under this new democratic system.  

As part of his response, King George V said: 

“The difference in future is that I shall not be able to exercise any of my powers at will. All sovereign powers must be exercised solely on the advice of the Prime Minister on most things and in the traditional matters, the law lords”.   

Lack of transparency  

Eke has faced significant criticisms lately due to his insufficient communication about the developments in his meetings aimed at nominating his Cabinet lineup.  

Observers have expressed concern that the public remains largely in the dark about the decisions and the rationale behind them, fostering a sense of distrust and frustration among constituents seeking transparency in the governmental process.  

Many have called for more regular updates and more precise explanations of the selection criteria and discussions taking place during these important meetings. 

Critics have expressed concerns regarding Eke’s genuine commitment to his transparency policy. They particularly noted that the Members of Parliament who supported his candidacy in the premiership election identified this policy in the media as a fundamental element in the review of government ministries, especially the outgoing Cabinet.

One significant challenge Eke encounters is the need to unify the MPs of his political faction. The fact that they are a mixture of people’s independently elected MPs and noble MPs not chosen by the constituents presents a significant issue for Eke.

The difficulty of dealing with this diverse composition has proven to be a barrier in the past, especially its lack of legally binding provisions within the legislation. This hampers Eke’s ability to achieve timely agreements and complicates his efforts to address the diverse interests of all his MPs.

Tributes flow for two children killed in Tongatapu car crash

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tributes are pouring in for two children who tragically lost their lives in a car crash in Tongatapu.

Two siblings died in an accident on a HIhifo road. Photo/Supplied

Reports claimed a massive vehicle accident occurred on Hihifo road at Hōfoa yesterday.

The details of the fatal incident are still unclear.

Police have yet to comment.

The community is coming together on social media to remember the children’s vibrant spirits and the joy they brought to those around them.

Many shared heartfelt messages and memories, expressing their sorrow and condolences to the families affected by this heartbreaking incident.

One heartfelt tribute on Facebook expresses deep sorrow, stating, “It’s truly heartbreaking to learn about the tragic loss of the children who died in the crash.

“Their lives were just beginning, and it’s unimaginable that such a tragedy could take them away so suddenly”, another wrote in Tongan.

“My thoughts and prayers are with their families during this challenging time.”

“Sending my love and prayers to both parents during these very hard times of their lives.”

“May you rest in peace, babies.”

Tongan women laughing in disbelief after realizing they allegedly met wrong body at funeral home 

By
Kalino Latu
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UPDATED: A group of Tongan mourners finally discovered they were gazing at the wrong deceased in a room at a funeral home. 

The encounter was captured on camera and shared on Facebook. 

Kaniva News was unable to verify the authenticity of the footage. 

The funeral complex seemed to have been hosting multiple funerals simultaneously, creating a confusing atmosphere that mistakenly led the group to enter the wrong room. 

The details of the incident are still unclear.  

The footage showed one woman, who goes by the name Lisa Vaenuku Mahe, stepping out of the room with amusement as she learned of the mishap that had just unfolded. 

Another woman in the footage was overheard making a conscious effort to stifle her laughter as she watched the women reminiscing about the drama with playful banter in another room.  

One of the women said in Tongan: 

“O fai he tangi laulau mo e ‘uma”.  

This translates into English as:

We went and lamented and kissed.  

Va’enuku was overheard saying, “Sio mai e kaume’a ko ee mei mu’a ki he’eku tangutu. Mahalo nau pehe ‘e nautolu pe ko hai au?”. 

Lisa Mahe Va’enuku

This translates into English as:  

Those at the front looked at me. Perhaps they were wondering, who am I?” 

The streamed video has gained significant attention on Facebook, having been shared over a hundred times by various users.

Its widespread sharing has also sparked an engaging conversation, accumulating more than a hundred comments from viewers who are sharing their thoughts and reactions.

The footage has ignited a lively and interactive discussion among viewers, exchanging playful banter and engaging in spirited debates.

How Trump’s birthright citizenship revocation order may affect Tongans in the USA if courts could not block it?  

By
Kalino Latu
-

President Trump’s executive order banning birthright citizenship of babies born to many temporary residents of the United States could affect thousands of Tongans living in that country.  

As the order currently faces a series of legal challenges that may ultimately lead to a court battle, various experts have begun to analyze and share their insights on the potential consequences of this situation.

The decision could affect not just those who are in the country illegally but also those babies born to women living legally, but temporarily, in the United States — such as people studying on a student visa or workers hired by high-tech companies.  

These babies will not automatically be recognized by the federal government as U.S. citizens if the father is also not a permanent resident. 

Trump told federal departments, according to a Time report, “to deny the right known as birthright citizenship from children born to mothers and fathers in the country unlawfully. Under his order, it would also deny citizenship to children born to parents in the U.S. on work or study visas, tourism visas, or when neither parent is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The order could impact who is granted passports, social security numbers, and certificates of citizenship. If it stands, the changes would go into effect on Feb. 19”.

Reuters’ report on the matter said: “Trump’s order declared that individuals born in the United States are not entitled to automatic citizenship if the mother who was in the country unlawfully and the father was not a citizen or lawful permanent resident. It also declared citizenship would be denied to those whose mother was in the United States lawfully but temporarily, such as those on student or tourist visas, and whose father was not a citizen or lawful permanent resident”. 

A report by the New York Times said that there are serious questions about how Trump makes the move since the citizenship of babies born in the United States is documented in a two-step process. 

“First, the state or territorial government will issue a birth certificate confirming where and when the birth took place. The birth certificate does not include any information about the immigration status of the baby’s parents. 

Second, when that baby (or the parents, on the child’s behalf) applies for a passport, the birth certificate showing that the baby was born on U.S. soil is enough to prove citizenship. No other documentation is required”. 

If birthright citizenship were to be limited or eliminated, many Tongan newborns in the States could face uncertainty regarding their citizenship status.  

This is because most of their parents who have just arrived in the States were on temporary visas such as student and work visas and visiting visas. 

There were reports of about 10,000 undocumented Tongans in the States.   

This change could affect their children’s legal rights and access to education, healthcare, and government services.  

Tongans in the USA 

There are approximately 78,871 Tongans in the United States. 

A 2014 study of Tongans in the country by Amy Cooper found that “From 2001 through 2010, an annual average of 300 Tongans obtained legal permanent residence in the United States; most were immediate relatives of Tongans already living there”. 

It also said: “During those same years, more than 3,000 Tongans were admitted annually as temporary workers”. 

The report also mentioned that many Tongans came to the United States via a Mormon Church initiative, which offered immigrants “student and work visas and the chance for Tongans of marriageable age to meet spouses.”

Eke officially appointed PM of Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke has been officially appointed prime minister of Tonga by King Tupou VI at the Nuku’alofa Royal Palace.

King officially appoints Dr ‘Aisake Eke as Prime Minister of Tonga.

He replaces former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, who suddenly resigned last month.

The king is also expected to appoint Eke’s Cabinet Ministers shortly.

The king was overseas shortly after Parliament elected Eke in December.

His Majesty returned to the kingdom last weekend and made the official assignment this morning.

Dr Eke attained his first degree in Economics from the University of the South Pacific (USP) in the 1980s and his doctorate from the University of Southern Queensland in 2013.

He had been the chief executive officer of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning for over 10 years.

He was first elected to Parliament as an independent in 2010 after the constitutional and democratic reforms.

From a political perspective, Eke could be perceived as a leftist, demonstrating support for the founder of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, Paati Temokalati ‘a e ‘Otumotu Anga’ofa (PTOA), Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

Pohva consistently advocates for enhanced social and economic equality, endorsing socially liberal principles such as the CEDAW convention and advocating for limiting the king’s authority within the executive branch of government. Pōhiva had long campaigned for Tonga to become a democracy, which came to fruition in 2010 after the late King George V willingly relinquished his executive power.

In October 2011, Eke joined other MPs to protest against Parliament allowing large allowances for members on sick leave overseas.

He believed that MPs should not spend more public money on themselves when the economy was weak. He was one of eight MPs who voted against the increased allowances.

In January 2014, he was appointed as Minister of Finance.  He subsequently kept that position in the incoming government of Prime Minister Pōhiva.

In March 2017, he abstained during a parliamentary vote concerning a motion of no confidence against the Pōhiva government, which ultimately necessitated his resignation. Following this event, he lost his parliamentary seat in the election held in 2017.

Authorities ‘failed to prevent’ murder of Tongan mother in Auckland: Coroner 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A coroner report says that authorities did not take the necessary measures to prevent the tragic murder of a Tongan mother in Auckland.  

Toakase Finau (L) and Viliami Latu

Toakase Finau, 29, was murdered by his estranged husband, Viliami Latu, in 2021 before he took his own life.  

As Kaniva News reported at the time, Latu also breached bail several weeks before the killing at his brother’s house. 

Despite the breach, where he travelled to his ex-partner’s home, he was allowed to remain in the community subject to electronic monitoring. 

While at his court-approved bail address, detectives believe he killed Finau before taking his own life. 

Finau was the mother of their four children.  

Reports at the time of their death quoted neighbours and others who shared a house with the couple at their former rental property in Ōtara, describing an abusive relationship where Finau was often seen with injuries, including black eyes, Stuff reported.  

Others described Latu wandering the streets of Ōtara with a machete after staying up for days at a time. 

The coroner’s remarks highlight potential shortcomings in the system, suggesting that more could have been done to protect this vulnerable individual from harm. 

“Police, the justice system, the Department of Corrections, Oranga Tamariki, housing and health providers all interacted with this whānau and had concerns about family harm yet failed to prevent these tragic deaths,” Coroner Alison Mills  said. 

“Aotearoa New Zealand has an unacceptably high level of intimate partner violence. We have among the highest reported rates of family and sexual violence in the developed world. 

“There is no easy fix to this problem. 

“Toakase’s and Viliami’s deaths are an example of why a whole of government approach to family violence is needed. Their deaths are also an example of the consequences of the ‘gaps’ in services.” 

Biden issues pre-emptive pardons for Jan. 6 committee and witnesses, as well as Anthony Fauci and Mark Milley

By
Kaniva Staff
-

President Biden has announced a series of pre-emptive pardons to safeguard individuals connected to the Jan. 6 committee and its witnesses.

Biden pardoned former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley; Dr. Anthony Fauci; members and staffers of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol; and Capitol and Washington police officers who testified before the committee.

It is set to pre-emptively protect people President-elect Donald Trump had threatened, reflecting his commitment to protecting those who have testified or participated in the investigation surrounding the events of January 6, 2021.

The pardons extend to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, known for his leadership during a tumultuous political period.

This decision underscores the administration’s intention to shield these individuals from potential legal repercussions as partisan tensions continue to simmer in the wake of the Capitol riot.

The panel’s members were Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who was then a House member; former Reps. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., Elaine Luria, D-Va., and Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla.; and current Reps. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.

The police officers who testified before the committee included Harry Dunn, Aquilino Gonell, Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges. 

Just minutes before he left office, Biden also pre-emptively pardoned more members of his own family, including his two brothers and his sister, saying they had been subject to attacks “motivated solely by a desire to hurt me.” Biden was widely criticized last month for pardoning his son Hunter Biden, who was set to be sentenced on federal gun and tax evasion charges — something the former president had repeatedly said he would not do.

Trump reacted to the initial pardons of the Jan. 6 committee members and others in a text message to NBC News on Monday, saying, “It is disgraceful,” and claiming without evidence, “Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES!” 

King to appoint Eke this morning almost a month following prime ministerial election

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The king is set to appoint Prime Minister-elect ‘Aisake Eke this morning, Wednesday, 22.

The announcement marks a significant development nearly a month following the recent Prime Ministerial election on December 24.  

The announcement comes after Eke met the king at the Nuku’alofa Royal Palace yesterday.  

This is the second time a meeting between His Majesty and Eke was made public, although no details of the meetings were provided, after a private meeting in New Zealand early this month.  

The king’s Private Secretary, Sione Fifita, reportedly confirmed that the appointment schedule will be at 10am at the Royal Palace. 

The press gathered outside the palace yesterday expecting the appointment to occur, but the event did not happen, piquing curiosity.  

“Outside Palace grounds, no media allowed, no news of whether PM Designate was appointed by King or whether it was an audience” no press release or presser, the ABC Correspondent in Tonga Marian Kupu said on Facebook.  

“PM designate has left the Palace after Secretary of Foreign Affairs Viliami Malolo left the Palace”. 

The latest unofficial information circulating in the Tongan media has claimed that no nobility MP was nominated for the Cabinet.  

The nominations are allegedly all People’s elected MPs and four ministers outside the legislature, including Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, who will hold both the Foreign Affairs and Defence portfolios. 

Cocaine allegedly imported into Aus hidden in shampoo, conditioner bottles

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By 1News Reporters

A US national has been charged with allegedly importing 2.2kg of cocaine into Australia using shampoo and conditioner bottles.

Cocaine was discovered in these shampoo and conditioner bottles.
Cocaine was discovered in these shampoo and conditioner bottles. (Source: Australian Federal Police.)

The 33-year-old was spoken to by Australian Border Force officers at Brisbane Airport last month when drug detection dogs caught the scent of the possible presence of illicit substances in his luggage.

Officers noticed two 946ml bottles in his luggage, one containing shampoo and the other conditioner. A presumptive drug test was performed on both, and a positive result for cocaine was returned.

The combined weight of the cocaine was 2.2kg, which could have been sold as 11,000 street deals, worth an estimated NZD$972,000.

The man was charged with one count of importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.

Australian Border Force superintendent John Ikin said the strong management of the Australian border by his officers would continue to frustrate organised crime.

“Criminals should be warned, there is no clever way to import drugs. You will be caught. ABF officers use every means at their disposal, including highly trained dogs, advanced technology and intelligence shared by partner agencies nationally and globally, to detect and deter the scourge of illicit drugs at our border.”

Australian Federal Police superintendent Natalie Scott said transnational organised crime syndicates viewed Australia as a lucrative drug market and tried a variety of methods to smuggle illicit substances into the country.

“While these syndicates try to prey on our communities to make money, the AFP, ABF and partners are committed to stopping illicit drugs from entering Australia and inflicting harm in our communities.”

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