Tonga

Kaniva Pacific reports him saying many of the amendments to laws and the constitution passed by Parliament were vetoed by King Tupou VI because of this judicial committee.

The minister said the law changes by the parliament were not submitted directly to the King to sign but first vetted by the judicial committee.

He said through this process the judicial committee has caused instability in Tonga.

Mr Fa'otusia said this was the reason government had proposed to amend the constitution so cabinet members could become part of the Privy Council.

Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) New Zealand hosted six chocolate and coffee exporters from five Pacific Island countries at the show at The Cloud on Auckland’s picturesque waterfront last weekend.

Along with Tonga’s Tupu’anga Coffee were Samoa’s kokoloa, Solomons Gold from the Solomon Islands, Paradise Foods from Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu’s Tanna Coffee – all housed in a specially designed Pacific-themed stand titled the ‘Pacific Hub’. The six-booth PTI stand was one of the biggest at the show.

The Training is a follow-up from the Sixth Pacific Regional SAR Workshop held in Noumea, New Caledonia, in 2015 followed by one in Auckland in 2017. Pacific Island delegates were committed to promote cooperation in SAR matters among the 26 members of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

Delivering the training are two experts from RCC (Rescue Coordination Centre) NZ, Mr David Wilson and Ms Christie Wilson. They visited Tonga last November 2016 and met with relevant people to identify and scope out training that will enhance SAR response and boating safety.

Acting Police Superintendent, Semi Ve’ehala said the welfare of the child is paramount in their investigation.

He said Police and Victim Support are doing everything they can to support the victim and her family.

“Police are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent this type of abuse and harm, protect victims and hold perpetrators to account. It is vital that parents are aware of where their children are at all times, who they are communicating with and have some open and frank conversations about keeping safe, and not talking to strangers."

The suspect has been charged with Reckless driving causing death.

Police say accused was driving a rental car heading West on Taufa’ahau Road around 11.40pm on Saturday when he hit the deceased who was walking beside the road at Ha’ateiho.

The accused failed to stop and ascertain injury or death. He finally stopped at Tofoa and contacted Police about the fatal accident.

The 21 year-old victim of Ha’ateiho was rushed to Vaiola Hospital by members of the Ha’ateiho Community Patrol Volunteers.

He died yesterday morning. 

Nominations for candidates open on Wednesday and Thursday and 57,000 people have already enrolled to vote. 

PRN reports Tonga Chamber of Commerce Vice-chair, Aloma Johansson, hopes women voters will endorse and vote for women candidates.

"There are a number of women standing across the country," she says. "Now it's up to the voter and I'm hoping women, who make up over half of the voting population, will acknowledge that there are women who can not only represent their interests but also the interests of the country."

Photo via PRN/UNDP 

Wilex Samoa, a 100% locally owned family business, is showcase its delicately crafted KOKO LOA brand of chocolates.

The KOKO LOA is a new boutique cocoa brand that proudly celebrates its Samoan origins.

Elife’s Samoa Wild Tumeric is another Samoan product that will be promoted at the show this weekend.

Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, Elife’s Samoa Wild Turmeric Juice is uniquely prepared with alkaline ionised water to ensure you experience its unique and natural flavour, without the interference of additives and preservatives.

Police said the suspect was arrested in Lapaha on Friday night September 15.

Three sirens were stolen but only one was recovered. The sirens are part of a civil defence warning system that alerts the public to impending natural disasters such as tsunami.

Local media report the three sirens were installed 25m high up on the pole by the National Emergency Management Office. The siren recovered was found near the Liahona area.

Police are seeking the two other missing sirens.

There have been no arrests made after the burial service in Talafoʻou on Friday.

The post-mortem examination on Kevini Maka’s body was completed before it had been released back to his family on Thursday, a Police spokesperson said.

As Kaniva News reported Acting Police Superintendent Tevita Vailea said they had enough information to launch the investigation while Police were still awaiting an autopsy report.

The 33-year-old man was taken in last Thursday.

Kaniva News reports three people have also been charged with housebreaking and theft after the equipment were allegedly stolen from Tanoa Hotel in Nuku’alofa.

The accused are a 42-year-old  man from Tofoa and his 25-year-old  girlfriend from Lomaiviti and they allegedly stole a laptop and 4 flash drives which belonged to the surgeons.