Tongan

Young Tongan to receive award from Queen Elizabeth

The award celebrates inspiring young people from all over the Commonwealth who are dedicated to driving change in their communities and beyond.

“Being selected as a Queen’s Young Leader will further assist me in my efforts to provide equal opportunities for all Tongan citizens,” said Kite.

She teaches a braille class to visually impaired students as a volunteer at the Mango Centre for the disabled. The centre provides rehabilitative therapy, education and vocational training to disabled Tongans.

Tongan man dies in industrial accident in Auckland suburb

According to Kaniva News, the deceased has been identified as Hamani Topui.

Family, kāinga and friends took to Facebook to pay tribute to Topui’s wife, ‎Tupou Loata Meilini Topui and their children.

Emergency services were called to the Neilson St site in Penrose shortly before 12.30pm yesterday.

A Fire Service spokesman confirmed it was a fatal accident.

Sergeant Rob Kennedy of Auckland City Police said police are currently at the scene. He said the accident involved a fork-hoist and that a man had died.

'I did not want him to die that day,' says Heneli Kaufusi who killed wife's ex-husband

He was only trying to protect his family.

"Never meant for him to die that day," he told a Utah court on Wednesday. "I did not want him to die that day."

But while Morris conceded that the original fight may have been a case of self-defense, there came a point when it went well beyond that. And because of that, there are consequences that Kaufusi will have to face for his actions.

"I agree with everyone who said this was a tragedy, and I agree that whatever I do, there are no winners. There are only losers today," the judge said before handing down his sentence.

First Tongan to qualify for Mr Olympia in September

Mateo Vaihu of Veitongo said he had to keep to a strict diet to ensure he gained the right weight for the competition.

Vaihu told Kaniva News he had to maintain his weight between 93-95kg about 12 weeks before competition.

He said he had to lose some muscle to get the weight.

Vaihu will compete in the Mr Olympia physique competition in September after defeating Teina O’Malley in the New Zealand International Federation Bodybuilding Classic Men’s Physique early this month.

He is the only competitor from the Pacific to compete in the event in September.

Tongan near London terror attack receives “message” from husband to stay inside

Falasima Tuʻifua Kautoke was attending a Mass at the Westminister Cathedral near the attack scene when she received the message.

Five people died and at least 40 others were injured after the attacker drove a car along a pavement in Westminster, stabbed a policeman and was shot dead by police in the grounds of Parliament.

Tonganow Online reports Falasima was in London while her husband Paulo Kautoke was working as Director of the Trade Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Tongan cartel bodyguard jailed for 20 years over drug trafficking

According to Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office Funaki Falahola, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 240 months in federal prison following his guilty plea in May 2016 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute at least five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Former Tonga prop Taione Vea forced to retire

RNZ reports the Newcastle prop suffered the injury during the Falcons English Premiership season opener against Sale in September.

"I took a bad knock in the game against Sale and spent a few nights in hospital, and when I had my scan results unfortunately things didn't come back too well," he told the Newcastle Falcons' club website.

"I had quite a bit of swelling in the spinal cord, around some really important areas of the neck, and it is just one of those things.

"I was left paralysed for five or six minutes on the field, where I couldn't feel my whole body.

Katikati Tongan Community in shock at death of fruitworkers

RNZ reports the men were killed after their car was hit by an unladen logging truck as they left work at a Katikati kiwifruit coolstore last night.

Simione Vakasiuola, who is a church elder in the local Tongan Methodist church in Katikati, says one of the victims was based in New Zealand while the other four were seasonal workers from Tonga.

He says 28-year-old victim Halani Fine was living with him and worked in the coolstore part-time while studying to be a Youth Counsellor.

Also among the victims were father and son Sitiveni and Koli Vaipulu.

Tongan man shot dead in US while returning from church

According to Kaniva News, Police have identified the deceased as 20-year-old William Fifita.

Fifita was returning from a church event in Torrance when another vehicle pulled up to his car and opened fire in what police describe as a “senseless murder.” Fifita was struck in the upper body and pronounced dead at the scene.

Alo-Bridget Namoa: Sydney terrorism suspect jailed in inhumane conditions, lawyer says

The Supreme Court heard 18-year-old Alo-Bridget Namoa is accused of possessing a tactical hunting knife and a document written in Arabic, allegedly detailing how to make an improvised explosive device.

She was charged separately for refusing to answer questions at the New South Wales Crime Commission about her 18-year-old husband Sameh Bayda, who is also facing terrorism charges.