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Rental car and claw mattock allegedly involved in church minister’s house robbery caught on camera 

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police had been reportedly called after an alleged robbery in a residence on Tongatapu on Monday afternoon.  

Claw mattock (L) and rental car allegedly at the robbery scene

Photos of a rental car and a claw mattock allegedly used during the robbery had been captured on camera.  

Reports said a man was trying to steal precious Tongan handicrafts from a house belonging to a church minister.  

The person who reported the incident on Facebook said they were returning from work when they noticed the suspicious activities in their neighbour.  

They said they confronted the robber before taking photos of the car.  

They later found the claw mattock, apparently used by the robber, which had been left behind in the house. 

The news follows our report last week that a family in Touliki whose verandah was burgled while sleeping in the living room said they woke up to find their washing machine with laundry inside had been stolen. 

The robbers also took with them a bicycle. 

Air NZ flight aborts Christchurch take-off after bird strike

By
Kaniva Staff
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By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

An Air New Zealand flight was aborted moments before take off from Christchurch Airport Monday morning after a bird strike.

(Source: rnz.co.nz)

The plane was due to depart for Brisbane shortly after 6am, but abruptly halted its take off.

Ben Anderson was a passenger on the flight. He said everything was normal as the plane initially accelerated.

He estimated the plane was just 30 knots away from lift off when he heard a bang.

“Then suddenly on the brakes, front wheel down, and we’re full reverse and we’re coming to a stop, one wheel sort of skidding a little bit you definitely felt and eventually came to a stop.”

Passengers were later told birds had struck both engines, Anderson said.

Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer Captain David Morgan said flight NZ207 followed standard procedure after experiencing a suspected bird strike.

“Our engineering teams are required to complete a full aircraft inspection before the aircraft can return to service.”

Bird strikes were frustrating but not uncommon, Morgan said.

“Aircraft are designed with this in mind, and our pilots are fully trained for a bird strike scenario.”

The flight to Brisbane was cancelled, as was NZ272 from Brisbane to Wellington.

Most customers were expected to travel Monday on alternative services, Morgan said.

North Koreans eating hot dogs and seeking to divorce will be sent to jail 

By
Kaniva Staff
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North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un announced North Korea prohibits the consumption of hot dogs and the practice of divorce, with offenders facing the possibility of incarceration.  

The decision underscores the government’s stringent control over personal choices and lifestyle practices as part of a massive crackdown on Western cultural influences. 

These types of sausages were culturally imported from Germany and became popular in the United States. 

It has grown in popularity in South Korea, and Kim has since declared that serving sausages is now an act of treason against North Korea. 

North Koreans are said to love spicy noodle soup that uses hot dogs or spam.  

The dish, called Budae-jjigae, was imported from South Korea in 2017.

Budae-jjigae, also known as ‘Army Base Stew, is also made up of umami-rich broth, Korean hot pepper paste, beans, flakes and kimchi.  

But now vendors have been blocked from offering the soup at markets 

In another unusual and harsh measure, the hermit kingdom has begun imprisoning couples who seek to divorce because the dictator considers the act a “crime”.  

It has been reported that Kim Jong-un wants each person to be sentenced to up to six months in prison.  

He views divorce as a sign of being “anti-socialist”. 

International sanctions

A number of country and international bodies have imposed international sanctions against North Korea due to its nuclear weapons programme.

In 1988, the United States added North Korea to its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Gale warnings in place for Niuas, heavy rains forecast for Ha‘apai, Vava‘u 

By
Kaniva Staff
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A severe gale warning has been issued for the two Niuas, indicating that residents should prepare for potentially dangerous gusts that could impact safety and property.  

Tonga Met Service said this was an upgrade from its previous strong wind warning for the two islands. 

It warned that heavy rainfall is forecasted for the Ha‘apai and Vava‘u island groups, raising concerns about possible flooding and related hazards.  

Communities in these areas are advised to stay informed and take precautionary measures. 

At 7pm this evening, January 6, Met said: “The strong wind warning was previously in force for Niuafo’ou land areas, is now upgraded to gale warning. 

“A gale warning remains inforce for Niuatoputapu land area. 

A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remain inforce for the Niuas, Vava’u and Ha’apai land areas.” 

Patient arrested after assault at Middlemore Hospital – police

By
Kaniva Staff
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By rnz.co.nz

A man has been arrested following an assault at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital.

no caption

(File photo) Photo: SUPPLIED

Police said a person was assaulted by a patient at the hospital, about 3.20pm on Monday.

A 23-year-old man was arrested and faces a charge of attempted strangulation.

He was due to appear in Manukau District Court on Tuesday.

Police said they did not have have an update on the victim’s condition.

The incident comes just days after a gun was fired at Middlemore Hospital’s car park.

Police said the two events were not connected.

Baby killed in south Auckland crash police say

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police have revealed the victim of a car crash in South Auckland’s Karaka was a baby.

One person was killed and another seriously injured after the crash on Saturday evening.

A police spokesperson told Stuff on Monday, that the victim was a baby.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Walters Road and Blackbridge Road about 8:50pm after a single car hit a bank.

One person could not be revived by first responders and died at the scene, while the other was transported to hospital in a serious condition, the spokesperson said.

The Serious Crash Unit attended and the circumstances remain under investigation.

Tonga current caretaker role to continue until new gov’t formed ‘within next few weeks’

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga has extended the current caretaker government arrangements until the new government Cabinet is appointed by the king.

Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu

It is understood the Prime Minister-elect was in New Zealand over the weekend, and he was expected to meet the king.  

It has been reported that part of the meeting was concerning his appointment.   

The Prime Minister’s Office made the announcement this afternoon, saying the “Government is resuming work today, Monday, 6 January 2025”.  

It said the government services “shall continue as usual”.  

“The Government is currently on “caretaker mode” under the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu  and the current Cabinet Ministers.  

“During the caretaker period Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies shall not make or enter into any new financial commitments by or on behalf of the Government and no new policies are to be made or implemented.  

“The caretaker Government will continue until the appointment process for the Prime Minister Designate, Hon.  
 

Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke and the appointment of his new Cabinet Ministers is completed in accordance with the Act of Constitution of Tonga.   

“This process is anticipated to be completed within the next few weeks.  

“The new Government under the Prime Minister Designate will commence work for His Majesty’s Government once the legal appointment process of the Prime Minister Designate and the new Cabinet Ministers is completed.  

“After this is completed, the appointments of the current Cabinet Ministers will be revoked.  

“These arrangements are made pursuant to the Act of Constitution of Tonga, the Laws of Tonga and Government Policy Directives.  

The Office of the Prime Minister will issue a Public Announcement in due course of the commencement of the New Government”. 

Man confronting Lulutai airlines staff  goes viral 

By
Kalino Latu
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Etihad flight aborts take-off at high speed, leaving runway blocked in Melbourne

By
Kaniva Staff
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An Etihad Airways flight was forced to abort its take-off at high speed, resulting in the aircraft leaving the runway blocked in Melbourne.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was travelling close to 300km/h, according to flight tracking site Flightradar24, before it aborted take off just before 7pm yesterday.

Melbourne Airport said firefighting foam was used as a precaution and the runway was left blocked

The incident occurred due to damage sustained to the aircraft’s tyres, prompting the pilots to execute an emergency procedure.

As a result, airport operations experienced significant delays while crews worked to clear the runway and assess the situation.

Passengers and crew aboard the flight were unharmed, but the incident raised concerns about the aircraft’s safety and the need for thorough inspections before it could resume operations.

”Due to damage to the aircraft’s tyres, we have been unable to tow it off the runway,” the airport said.

“Repairs are currently underway. All passengers have disembarked the aircraft and have been bussed to the terminal.

“We continue to have one runway available for operations, which will be used for all arrivals and departures. Disruptions to other flights have been minimal.”

FBI lures Russian smuggler into Fiji before arrest 

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully executed the arrest of a Russian smuggler after enticing him to travel to Fiji.  

Maxim Marcenko

Maxim Marcenko was associated with companies in Hong Kong that exported electronics valued at $750 million to Russia.

These products were subject to strict sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.  

The exported goods included critical microchips, raising significant concerns regarding compliance with international regulations. 

In 2023, the FBI launched a covert operation to stop Marcenko, whose Hong Kong-based network supplied Russia with microdisplays used in military equipment such as pilot helmets, targeting systems, and night vision devices. 

Using a fake company, the FBI posed as a distributor for eMagin, a New York firm that manufactures microdisplays, according to international media.

Marcenko attempted to order 2,450 units worth $1.6 million, claiming they were for medical equipment in Asia. 

The undercover agents agreed to the deal but required a face-to-face meeting in Fiji. 

When Marcenko arrived in Fiji with his wife, he was arrested by local police and extradited to the U.S., where he pleaded guilty to smuggling and money laundering. 

In July 2024, he was sentenced to three years in prison. 

Despite Marcenko’s arrest, his smuggling network continues to operate. 

Investigations by C4ADS, a Washington-based organization, reveal that between August and December 2023, companies in Hong Kong exported $750 million worth of electronics to Russia, including critical microchips. 

Marcenko’s network, including his firm Alice Components, remains active. 

In April 2024, it shipped $220,000 worth of telecommunications equipment to Russia, items classified by the U.S. as essential for military operations. 

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