Finally, we have a public apology from PM Dr. Feleti Sevele for the government's egregious carelessness that led to the Princess Ashika disaster (Ashika Inquiry...24 Feb. 2010). In our custom, his humility finally invokes one of the most important cultural protocols that binds us all as "Tongans"; no matter what class in society we were born to. -Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi
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Monday 1 March 2010
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Salt Lake City-Utah, USA
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Monday 1 March 2010
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Paris, France
Futa is gone, and it is hard for his family, for everyone in Tonga and for his friends living thousands of kilometers away to realize he's not here anymore. -Marie-Claire Bataille-Benguigui & Georges Benguigui
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Monday 1 March 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The former Minister of Transport, Paul Karalus, told the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika on Saturday, February 27, that he was deeply saddened and embarrassed with the discovery that his report to the King, Prime Minister and the Cabinet that the MV Ashika was in good condition was based on incorrect information.
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Sunday 28 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tsunami Warning in force for Tonga since 1.15 am this morning was cancelled by the Tonga National Weather Forecasting Centre TNWFC at 12.30 pm today, February 28.
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Sunday 28 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A tsunami warning remains in force for Tonga, though its expected arrival time 8.40am has passed, and there is a sense of optimism that the tsunami may have weakened its power by the time it reaches Tonga. Meanwhile, hundreds of Tongan families headed for higher ground at dawn this morning, with many choosing the grounds of the king's villa and the surrounding areas at Mata-ki-'Eua.
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Sunday 28 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A tsunami wave moving across the Pacific this morning following an 8.8 earthquake in southern Chile is expected to reach Tonga's coastlines at 8:40 am Sunday 28 February but it is not known how high the wave will be. A tsunami warning is in effect for the whole of Tonga and the Pacific Islands.
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Sunday 28 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Chief Meteorological Officer, 'Ofa Faanunu said on Radio Tonga at 1:45 am Sunday 28 February that an 8.8 earthquake near Chile had generated a wave and the Pacific Islands were given a Tsunami warning.
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Friday 26 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lord Dalgety, the Secretary of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd, was arrested just after 5 pm today, when he left the Fa'onelua Centre, after giving evidence to the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of Princess Ashika.
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Friday 26 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Company Secretary of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd Lord Dalgety is under fire at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Ashika on February 25, after evidence revealed a "scandalous contract" of employment and possible use of public funds to finance personal and first class travels in his other role as Chairman of the Electricity Commission.
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Friday 26 February 2010
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Koror, Palau
The PNA, has been dubbed OPEC for tuna because it aims to control access to tuna in its waters and so increase economic benefits for Pacific Islanders. PNA waters supply around 25% of the worlds supply of tuna.
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Thursday 25 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Shipping Corporation Company Secretary Lord Dalgety who has been missing in action at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika since January 22 is expected to continue his evidence this week after it was confirmed by a doctor that his medical condition was that of dehydration.
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Thursday 25 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In another interesting turn of evidence provided by the former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus on February 25, he accepted a submission that he misled Cabinet in a memorandum regarding due diligence on the Ashika.
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Thursday 25 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Thursday 25 February 2010
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Sydney, Australia
Fiji's military government has threatened to pull out of the Commonwealth because of ongoing pressure from the international organization to hold democratic elections. Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama lambasted Commonwealth countries for trying to force him to take the country to the polls.
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Thursday 25 February 2010
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Geneva, Switzerland
The first Global Forum of the Noncommunicable Disease Network (NCDnet) marks the first time World Health Organization (WHO) has convened key stakeholder groups to address the large-scale and increasing global health and development burden posed by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
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Thursday 25 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The captain of the sunken ferry MV Princess Ashika, Viliami Makahokovalu Tuputupu, was released on bail this morning, February 25, after being arrested and charged on five counts of taking a passenger ferry out to sea, knowing that it was unseaworthy, and it is expected
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Wednesday 24 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus (61) told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Ashika today that during his time as Minister his understanding was that the power to detain an unseaworthy ship from sea was of the Director of Marine, and he, on the other hand, would just support it.
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Wednesday 24 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele was censured this morning for making an "inappropriate" personal remark to counsel assisting, in a closing statement he gave to the Ashika Inquiry, following an intense session of questioning that continued to midnight last night.
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Wednesday 24 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
John Jonesse was arrested and charged with criminal forgery last week, and is not permitted to leave Tonga before a court appearance scheduled on March 17.
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Tuesday 23 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In talks with SCP Managing Director John Jonesse leading up to the possible purchase of the Ashika ferry, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Public Enterprise 'Inoke Vala, took what Jonesse advised him at face value.
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