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As I read the March 17th edition of The New Zealand Herald, I finally realized how close Tonga is getting to another "Civil War". Professor Futa Helu was quoted as saying, "The King is decrepit and the Crown Prince has no other interests but his own businesses. If the Prince continues to abuse his power, there will be a popular revolt, maybe bloodshed" These are strong predictions from Yoda, the wisest of the Jedis (masses of the Star Wars). -Tama Foa

The local papers this week, 4-8 April 2005, were dominated by the death of Pope John Paul II. A few corruption stories were also prominent.

Eight new track and field records were set on April 7, at Teufaiva Stadium during the first day of the Inter-Collegiate Athletic Sports competition. The first two records set for the day were in the Midget Boys 80 metres hurdles by Vili Takau of Vava'u setting with a new record of 12.64 seconds, followed by Manase Folau of Tupou College with 12.88 seconds.

Tongan juries often bring in verdicts of manslaughter (killing by an unlawful act such as assault, without the intent to kill) rather than murder (intentional killing of another, or recklessness as to the outcome of a grievous assault) when the facts clearly support a finding of murder. -David Garrett

The 58th Annual Inter-Collegiate Athletic Sports competition began today with top athletes finally meeting up close to compete in the three day track and field events, filling Teufaiva Stadium with a capacity crowd of over 10,000. The morning began with joyous marching from 15 sports teams from Tongatapu's local high schools, and three teams from the outer islands of Vava'u, Ha'apai and ‘Eua, in sunny weather with a light breeze. Photos by Linny Folau.

Tonga High School students will be moving back to their home ground on July 2, 2005, after the People's Republic of China officially handed-over a new $10 million pa'anga school campus to the Government of Tonga today.

Tonga's top teenage athletics from four island groups will line up tomorrow for the national Inter ...– College Sports 2005, with three days of track and field events at the Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa from April 7-9.

Though I vigorously believe that there is hardship poverty (but not extreme poverty) in Tonga, the important question remains why poverty exists at all on an island blessed and endowed with important assets and commercial resources like the latest technological tools, such as satellite transmissions and the internet dot to domain. These are communal resources should be shared by all, instead of being the privilege of the elite few in the country. -Dave Tonga

The local weeklies were back to normal this week after the general election,and were featuring a range of front page news stories. The Taimi ‘o Tonga featured ‘Etuate Lavulavu, Talaki reported a possible challenge of the outcome of the Ha'apai election because of alleged dual registration by some voters and the Kele'a captured the attention of the reading public with the second and the final part of an interview of Shoreline whistle-blower Piveni Piukala, by Tavake Fusimalohi.