In brief: Tonga’s bus drivers go back to work

Tonga bus drivers have ended a two-day strike after failing to get the government to lower diesel prices.

Tonga’s bus drivers go back to work

TONGA – Tonga bus drivers have ended a two-day strike after failing to get the government to lower diesel prices. The President of the Friendly Island Bus Association, Samipeni Finau, wanted to have the same price being charged to fishing vessels but he says the government told him it could not afford that. The Association has now decided to propose increasing the bus fares which have been the same for six years. Finau says if the government refuses the new proposal, they will go on strike again. “People asked for the buses to resume because of the Inter-college sports competition that is currently running – there are people who do not have cars to get there. And also we realise this weekend is Easter weekend. But we all are happy and at peace with the plans at this stage which is why we have decided to resume our services today.”.

Drawing straws to decide government

SOLOMON ISLANDS – Straws were expected to be drawn yesterday to determine who will win the Toi village seat in Niue, a seat which could play a crucial role in determining who will be Niue’s next premier. The results for Toi village were tied, with the two candidates, sitting member Dion Taufitu and teacher Mokaelalini Vaha, receiving 10 votes each. Apart from Makefu, which voted out a Talagi supported MP, the provisional results of Niue’s general elections saw the village seats remain the same. Businessman Stanley Kalauni polled highest in the common roll, 11 votes ahead of the second highest poller, Toke Talagi, the Premier since 2008. Mokaelalini Vaha is an aspiring female candidate and if she draws the long straw will give women three representatives in the house.

Cyclone Ita relief response defended

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The police commander in Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea has defended the response to Cyclone Ita after criticism from an MP. The MP for Samarai-Murua, Gordon Wesley, says there’s no need for a helicopter to survey damage, when barges should be taking food and rations to alleviate the thousands that had their crops destroyed. The co-ordinator of the response, Eric Balaria, says 57 bales of rice are already on their way to Wari island, and he hopes to send another boat on Monday to the outer islands. He says money takes three days to clear in PNG and although they have funds, it’s likely the boat won’t be ready to go any sooner. The police commander, Joseph Morehare, says due to communication difficulties, the helicopter will be the only way of knowing exactly what people need.

Security guard charged with murder

TONGA – A 38-year-old security guard has been charged with the murder of a 27-year-old man from Malapo, in the Nuku’alofa CBD at the weekend. Tonga Police stated that the security guard was arrested following an incident at around 4am on Saturday at the CBD Square opposite the ‘Uliti Uata Building. The police investigation followed the death of a 27-year-old man from Malapo, who is alleged to have been in a fight with the accused while they were allegedly drinking at the CBD square. “Police arrived at the scene and took the victim to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. The cause of death is yet to be officially determined,” the Commissioner of Tonga Police, Grant O’Fee, stated this afternoon. The accused who worked as a Security Guard at the Dataline Company, will remain in custody until April 28, 2014.

One-year-old drowns in fish pond

SAMOA – A toddler in Fiji has drowned in a fish pond 10 metres from her home in Naila, Tailevu. Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the one-year-old girl was left at home with her five elder siblings. She said the siblings were busy and no one took notice of the toddler going towards the pond. She added the mother was on her way home from work while her 36-year-old father was at a nearby rugby ground training. Naisoro said a neighbour discovered the body in the pond and notified the father. “This is yet another case where a toddler has drowned because the parents were not keeping an eye on her,” Naisoro said.