Breaking News: Marie Osmonds’ Son Found Dead
Posted: February 28, 2010 Filed under: Analysis, Breaking News, Business, Community, Current, US & Foreign Affairs | Tags: accessory, Arts Culture and Entertainment, beginnings, Celebrities, daughter, death, decor, depression, fan, fashion, Henderson - Nevada, home, horizontal, in a row, looking, Marie Osmond, Nevada, store, suicide, tragedy, usa, Waist Up, Walking, youth suicide 2 Comments[picapp align=”center” wrap=”false” link=”term=marie+osmond&iid=7108149″ src=”a/7/9/a/Marie_Osmond_Debuts_47e3.jpg?adImageId=10798407&imageId=7108149″ width=”500″ height=”386″ /]
NEVADA, USA: Entertainer Marie Osmond and her daughter Abigail walk past fans lined up to see Osmond debut her Marie Lifestyle Collection line of fashion accessories and home decor by Giftcraft at a Hallmark Gold Crown store November 21, 2009 in Henderson, Nevada. Part of the day’s sales will be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images).
STORY BROKEN BY ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT A FEW MINUTES AGO:
ET has learned that Marie Osmond‘s son Michael Blosil leapt to his death Friday night in Los Angeles. Contacted by phone this morning, Donny Osmond told us: “Please pray for my sister and her family.”
Here are the details: Michael, who was 18 and is one of Marie’s eight children, died after jumping from his downtown Los Angeles apartment at about 9 p.m. on Friday night. He left a note explaining he intended to commit suicide due to his life-long battle with severe depression that left him, he said, feeling as if he had no friends and could never fit in.
“My family and I are devastated and in deep shock by the tragic loss of our dear Michael and ask that everyone respect our privacy during this difficult time,” Marie, who helped her son fight depression throughout his life, tells ET.
Donny and Marie’s Las Vegas show has been cancelled tonight.
TV3 Campbell Live Christmas Special at Lalomanu Village Samoa
Posted: November 21, 2009 Filed under: Breaking News, Community, Current, Earthquake Tsunami Samoa/AmSampa 09, Honour & Tribute, Lighter Moments, NZPacific, South Pacific Region | Tags: aleipata., broadcast, christmas 2009, christmas tv special, disaster, earthquake, families, grifts for christmas, john campbell, lalomanu, mazda, mourn, pacific news, samoa, samoa tsunami, taufua beach fales, tragedy, tsunami survivors, tv3 special in samoa 5 CommentsUpdate: To watch click here
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New Zealand’s TV3 Campbell Live’s team, including host John Campbell, will be returning to Samoa to broadcast a Christmas special on Saturday 12th December. Their location: Taufua Beach Fales at the village of Lalomanu. It was one of the South Coast villages hardest hit by the tsunami of Tuesday 29th September.
[tweetmeme]It promises to be a special day, especially for the children we hope. They say there’ll be lots of laughter, music and special guests. There’s expected to be a local choir, and as we can expect from Samoa, it will be sprinkled with genuine Samoan hospitality and alofa.To make the day even more exciting, they’re giving away Christmas gift packs. They’ve asked the Samoan Observer, a local Samoan newspaper, to help find those families deserving of these gift packs. That’s a tough call, we say. Any family that has survived the grief and trauma of those horrid days is deserving. That’s our verdict.
They’re hoping for as many locals as possible to come and share the day. That won’t be hard to do at all. It kicks off at 10am. We encourage you to nominate a family in Samoa for one of those Christmas gift packs. Make somebody’s day.
TV3 Campbell Live flew to Samoa on the afternoon of the tsunami. Host John Campbell along with reporters Mihingarangi Forbes were on the ground in Samoa, and briefly in American Samoa, on the first few days. TV3 News presenter Mike McRoberts and reporter Mike M. continued to report from Lalomanu for days after the fact.
Campbell Live is a half-hour magazine current affairs show screening Mon to Fridays at 7pm and can be viewed online at http://www.tv3.co.nz.
Transcripts Available: Tonga Royal Commission Inquiry into Sinking of Princess Ashika
Posted: November 13, 2009 Filed under: Analysis, Breaking News, Business, Community, Current, education, Fono Notices, NZPacific, South Pacific Region | Tags: commission hearings into tongan tragedy, disaster, heartache, lives lost at sea, mv princess ashika, royal commission of inquiry sinking of princess ashika, sorrow, south pacific islands, survivors, tongan tragedy, tragedy, transcripts on tonga royal commission inquiry sinking of princess ashika 1 Comment
Full transcripts are available on each day’s hearing of the Tonga’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Sinking of the Princess Ashika. They are publicly posted online on the Royal Commission’s website as PDF attachments. Having seen many a transcript in our time, these are incredibly detailed, and therefore lengthy. The inquiry team are to be commended for this level of detail. It allows people ,throughout the world, to read ALL that is said in the Inquiry, firsthand. You will have access and read the same source documents that journalists are privy to before writing their stories. All the testimonies and evidence presented in the Inquiry are detailed in the dated transcripts. The website also provides the practice notes , hearing dates and other relevant information.
Our sympathies to all the families and friends of those who perished in this tragedy.
Members of Tonga’s Royal Commission of Inquiry: Read the rest of this entry »
Updated: American Samoa Homeland Security Disputes CNN Report; Tsunami Warning Data Analysed
Posted: October 29, 2009 Filed under: Analysis, Breaking News, Business, Community, Current, Earthquake Tsunami Samoa/AmSampa 09, education, Environment, NZPacific, South Pacific Region, US & Foreign Affairs | Tags: abuse of power, allegations of corruption american samoa, AMERICAN SAMOA, Breaking News, breaking news american samoa scandal, breaking news tsunami probe, bush administration, CNN, cnn news about american samoa government, corruption, department of the interior, governor of american samoa, homeland security, mike sala, Obama Administration, samoanews, tragedy, tsunami waves american samoa 1 CommentBy Vienna Richards, Editor
The following reply from American Samoa’s Director of Homeland Security in response to our email after news broke yesterday on CNN’s report on dodgy governance practices in American Samoa. In this interview, Mike Sala disputes CNN’s assertions that the island had no tsunami warning system in place.
Mr Sala also says the role of federal government in the tragedy of Tuesday 29th September cannot be ignored. We have published his written answers in full, unedited. We will be following this story, and the issues it raises, in future posts.
pacificEyeWitness.org(PEW): Is it true that American Samoa does not have a tsunami warning system despite receiving disaster preparedness funding from the US?
Mike Sala, Director of American Samoa Homeland Security
It is true that we do not have a siren warning system, however, (to address the second half of your question) since I have been at the head of the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security, we have not had access to most that funding. Although some funding was granted under the previous director, much of it was later “disallowed”.
Some funding was frozen entirely, making the purchase of emergency equipment such as sirens impossible, although there was clearly a need for that equipment.
pacificEyeWitness.org: If it isn’t true, how so?
Mike Sala, Director of American Samoa Homeland Security
American Samoa does have a back-up emergency system, which was utilized the day of the earthquake and tsumani. It consists of 2-Way Communication radios which we utilized on that day to contact the radio stations. Because the epicenter of the quake was very close to the Samoas, and the NWS did not issue a warning until the tsunami was nearly upon us, the time frame created a “worst case” scenario for our system.
While working to reinstate our funding, and thereby acquiring the island wide warning system which we needed, my office, the American Samoa Government Department of Homeland Security has placed great emphasis on awareness, education, training and drills. Just one week prior to the tsumani, my staff had visited villages in the eastern district of the island given them very specific tsunami training. Although they are low-lying villages which were hard hit, no one died there and even tsunami scientists attributed that fact to the awareness and education which our office conducted.
pacificEyeWitness.org: Can the American Samoan Administration be trusted to spend wisely and carefully the funds coming from the Dept of Labour?
Mike Sala, Director of American Samoa Homeland Security
I believe that this is possible, but there must always be oversight and transparency in these transactions. I can only speak for my department in terms of absolute answers. Since I have come on board, it has been my goal to re-establish transparency, accountability and integrity in all matters related to funding. My staff and I, particularly my deputy director Jacinta Brown, have worked for the past two years with one goal in mind: to re-establish trust and credibility with our funding agencies, FEMA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. That has been our goal, and only within the last month has that funding been restored.
pacificEyeWitness.org: How can the people of American Samoa, and USA, be assured that it will go directly to where it’s meant to? And not to line the pockets of officials etc?
Mike Sala, Director of American Samoa Homeland Security
Again, I can only speak on behalf of my department. I have always placed great emphasis on integrity and accountabililty, and will continue to do so.
pacificEyeWitness.org: Any other comments?
Mike Sala, Director of American Samoa Homeland Security
The lack of oversight on the part of the federal government should not be ignored in this tragedy.
UPDATE: Friday 30 Oct 12pm(NZTime)
Received the following email response to questions raised earlier this week
pacificEyeWitness.org: Do you and your administration take responsibility for the lives lost on Tuesday 29th Sept? One could say you and your officials, including the Governor, have blood on your hands. What’s your reaction to that?
I’d like to explaining something to you that many people outside American Samoa may not understand. American Samoa is a small island, i’ts a small community, a very family oriented community, we’re all family. There is not one person on this island not personally affected by the tragic events of Septemer 29, 2009. We did not lose 34 strangers, we lost 34 members of our family.
It is true that American Samoa, in the past, has problems with corruption but in recent years that has been rapidly changing. Everything that could be done on September 29, 2009 to save lives was done accordingly. To suggest that government corruption contributed to the loss of our family members is not only unfounded but irresponsible. I hope you find this information helpful and that it clears up any misuderstanding.
Speaking on behalf of the new American Samoa Department of Homeland Security (ASDHS), there is no early warning/alert siren system today. Instead, funds were advanced to NOAA/NWS during the previous leadership for a weather/hazard broadcast system that has not been fully implemented. In terms of the tsunami incident of September 29, 2009, the existing early system (EAS COM Radio) utilizing two way radios was operational and instrumental in activating the EAS weather/hazard radio broadcast system and reporting events of the wave that devastated the territory. This EAS COM Radio system also known as the Territorial Emergency Radio System (TERS) was paid for by the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) with the understanding that then Territorial Office of Homeland Security (TOHS) under Birdie Alailima would reimburse ASCTA for fronting the purchase. Apparently, federal funds were not available at the time and ASTCA jumped in and paid for the system or else TOHS would not be eligible to apply for State Homeland Security Grants the following year. This radio system had to be in place for a modified full scale exercise that was also scheduled in the same time frame. This system contributed to saving lives on the morning of the tsunami in addition to a series of training and awareness campaigns conducted by ASDHS and NOAA. This year, funds have been approved for the new Siren System covering the Territory based on a study conducted in 2006.
mike
Editor’s note: The latest email response arrived after Mike Sala initially sent to pacificeyewitness.org a news story purporting to be written by Samoanews. It was included in his first email replies to our questions. We did not publish that news story pending verification from Samoanews that it was their story. It was a story critical of the federal government and casting dispersions on the former Homeland Security Director. It did not read like an article written by a journalist. We checked online and on samoanews website for the story and could find no record, whatsoever. We verified later last night that the story was not one written or published by samoanews. We emailed back to Mike Sala, the Governor of Samoa and Evelyn Langford, the Governor’s Representative for an explanation. Instead of responding directly to the email below, pacificeyewitness.org received the above response in the Updated Segment of this post.
From: Editor PEW [mailto:editor@pacificeyewitness.org]
Sent: Thursday, 29 October 2009 10:50 p.m.
To: ‘Mike Sala’
Cc: ‘Evelyn Vaitautolu-Langford’; ‘Teri Hunkin’; ‘JACINTA GALEAI’; ‘Jacinta Brown’; ‘Andy Puletasi’
Subject: Samoa News StoryMike, I have just checked with Samoa News and have been advised that the story sent to me from your email this afternoon, is in fact, not a Samoa News story.I can find no record of it being published by Samoa News or anywhere else on the Internet.
Please tell me where the story is from and who actually wrote it? Why is the byline “Samoa News staff” when I have been advised that this is not their story? If you can let me know those answers as soon as possible, thank you.
Now to clarify other points in this story. First, in the CNN report, an unnamed official source pointed the finger at “prior administrations” for failing to oversee funding to American Samoa. In fact, it was under the previous Bush Administration that stronger accountabilities on federal funding were applied to American Samoa. This included freezing homeland security funds to American Samoa. It was also under the Bush Administration (not the Obama Administration) that American Samoa was placed on the high risk list. The whistleblower who blew the lid on spending abuses was the former director for American Samoa Homeland Security, Leiataua Birdie Ala’ilima featured in the CNN Report. He was reportedly fired, along with his entire department, in March 2007. Mike Sala was later installed as the Homeland Security Adviser, despite initial concerns about his suitability for the role, after complaints about his drinking.
Samoa News reported 3 Feb 2009
The veteran law enforcement official’s drinking habits were raised by Sens. Tuanaitau Tuia and Velega Savali. Tuanaitau told Sala that he received the night before the hearing three telephone calls from the community on their concerns about Sala’s drinking habits.
Velega added the reason he raised this issue is because he didn’t want a situation where there would be a natural disaster or emergency in which ASDHS is needed but Sala was not fully aware of what was happening.
Sala said that when he goes to bars, he is gathering intelligence, which is the main function of his department, as well as talking to people and finding out from the public what is happening in the territory — things that ASDHS might not be aware of otherwise.
Finally, Mike Sala is correct in saying that American Samoa did not receive a warning until “the tsunami was nearly upon us”. Data from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre show that the first report of a quake was at 17.48 Zulu time(GMT) potentially generating a destructive tsunami that would hit American Samoa at 17:59. Yet the very first tsunami warning from the Centre was not issued to government agencies in the Pacific Region until 18:05 Zulu time(GMT). The first report confirming tsunami activity was issued at 18:56. Ponder the speed at which the quake triggered a series of deadly waves. Literally minutes to alert people before the first wave hit. Based on the following wave activity report, the first recorded tsunami waves to hit American Samoa arrived a mere 7 minutes after receiving the official warning.
MEASUREMENTS OR REPORTS OF TSUNAMI WAVE ACTIVITY GAUGE LOCATION LAT LON TIME AMPL PER ------------------- ----- ------ ----- --------------- ----- APIA UPOLU WS 13.8S 171.8W 1832Z 0.70M / 2.3FT 08MIN PAGO PAGO AS 14.3S 170.7W 1812Z 1.57M / 5.1FT 04MIN LAT - LATITUDE (N-NORTH, S-SOUTH) LON - LONGITUDE (E-EAST, W-WEST) TIME - TIME OF THE MEASUREMENT (Z IS UTC IS GREENWICH TIME) AMPL - TSUNAMI AMPLITUDE MEASURED RELATIVE TO NORMAL SEA LEVEL. IT IS ...NOT... CREST-TO-TROUGH WAVE HEIGHT. VALUES ARE GIVEN IN BOTH METERS(M) AND FEET(FT). PER - PERIOD OF TIME IN MINUTES(MIN) FROM ONE WAVE TO THE NEXT.
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What this highlights, at least for me, is the unpredictable and imperfect science of being able to get plenty of warning ahead of a earthquake, let alone a deadly tsunami. Sure, we get ball park forecasting from scientists but it’s not a precise science. Rather, it’s their best and most educated estimate . Analysing the data is a salutary reminder that we don’t control the universe. God still does.
With all this, that still does not explain the behaviour of American Samoan officials implicated in the alleged misuse of federal funds intended for disaster preparedness. How could they justify their actions and the mis-spend of disaster preparedness funds specifically allocated to purchase a tsunami alarm? Funds that the Homeland Security department itself never saw from what I can glean so far. Instead, CNN report the Governor’s office spent it on flat screen TVs, expensive leather coaches and trips to Las Vegas. More to come.
Australian Photographer Exhibits For Samoa Tsunami Relief
Posted: October 24, 2009 Filed under: Breaking News, Business, Community, Current, Earthquake Tsunami Samoa/AmSampa 09, Honour & Tribute, NZPacific, South Pacific Region | Tags: Australia, australia photographers fundraiser for samoa, australian business helps samoa, earthquake, helping samoa, mitch cameron, photographer helps samoa, pure pixels, samoa tsunami, samoa tsunami relief, sydney, tragedy, tsunami 1 CommentSydney photographer Mitch Cameron hosts photo exhibition fundraiser tonight for Samoa Tsunami relief with all proceeds going to the Red Cross.
Near Tragedy on ‘Survivor Samoa’s Latest Episode
Posted: October 24, 2009 Filed under: Breaking News, Current, NZPacific, South Pacific Region, US & Foreign Affairs | Tags: cast off, CBS show, samoa, south coast of upolu samoa, survivor samoa, survivor samoa filmed on locations affected on tsunami, survivor samoa tragedy, survivor tragedy, survivors, tragedy, travel 1 CommentIf you live in New Zealand, Survivor Samoa hasn’t yet screened so regard this a spoiler and click on another post now.
As for American viewers, Survivor Samoa is a hot topic right now online after Russell Swann collapsed during the latest challenge. It forced his exit from Survivor Samoa. It was scary to watch. Thank goodness for Jeff Probst calling the medics in, and the challenge off.
In the heat of Samoa, you have to make sure you are drinking lots of fluids otherwise you will dehydrate like Russell did.
His body would have been going into overdriven doing those physical challenges with not enough fluids and food going into his body. He’s lucky to be alive.
I’m just surprised that the others weren’t similarly affected.
Facebook has plenty of feedback on Survivor Samoa.
Here’s a sampling:
I felt relieved when Jeff stopped the challenge and called for the Medical team. You made the greatest decision in Survivor – Jeff. I could see that he was nervous about Russell’s situation. Hey brother, everyone has ONE life to live. I am glad you were humble and realize that leaving the game was the right choice for you especially your family. Good luck to you Russell and I hope you feel better. By the way, those two paramedics/doctors did a great job in assessing Russell’s situation.
Just thinking as I look at the show’s logo and put it in light of the disaster on our island…yes, Samoans are true Survivors! OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!
Alright, having followed every Survivor since the beginning, am I the only fan who wonders why nobody bothered to learn how to start a fire or build a good shelter if they were going for a million dollars on Survivor? Isn’t that like going on T…he Amazing Race and not learning how to drive a standard car….where is Rob Mariano when things get dull on Survivor…how about another all star episode.
“Tsunami kills people in Samoa near Survivor locations, but remaining crew is safe.”—headline of one of the news.Did the Survivor bring some bad karma to the island? Series 19 and 20 were filmed back to back and then the Tsunami. Whatever the case maybe, God bless the people of Samoa.
Click here to watch Survivor Samoa’s most harrowing episode
(if you live in a country where ‘Survivor Samoa’ has yet to screen, CBS viewing may be disabled for your region)
Live chat with Survivor Samoa latest castoff
NZ Parliament Expresses Sympathy to Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga: John Key
Posted: October 15, 2009 Filed under: Analysis, Breaking News, Business, Community, Current, Earthquake Tsunami Samoa/AmSampa 09, education, health, Honour & Tribute, NZPacific, Opinion & Commentary, Politics, South Pacific Region | Tags: AMERICAN SAMOA, Apia, condolences, disaster, doctors in samoa, Emergencies And Disasters, emergency, government, horizontal, john key, motion in parliament, natural disaster, new zealand, nurses in samoa, nz defence forces, nz parliament, nz police helping samoa, pacific tsunami, parliament, police officers in samoa tsunami, Prime Minister, public health tsunami samoa, Red Cross, samoa, samoa tsunami, sympathy, tidal wave, tonga, tragedy, tributes, tsunami, tutuila tsunami, Village, wave, weather Leave a commentTranscript of Yesterday’s Parliamentary Motion at 2pm.
Speakers:
- Prime Minister John Key
- Labour Deputy Leader Annette King
- Green Party Co-Leader Russell Norman
- Act Party David Garrett
- Maori Party Co-Leader Dr Pita Sharples
- Progressive Leader Jim Anderton
- United Future Peter Dunne
- Labour Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
- National Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
- Labour Su’a William Sio
Pacific Islands—Tsunami
Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) : I seek leave to move a motion without notice relating to the recent tsunami in the Pacific.
Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course being followed? There is no objection.
Hon JOHN KEY: I move, That this Parliament express its sympathy and concern to the people of Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga following the recent Pacific tsunami, and that it extend its condolences to the New Zealanders who lost family members and friends in that tragedy.
On Tuesday, 29 September after a magnitude 8.3 earthquake the sea rose up and struck several islands in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga with overwhelming force. It destroyed villages, devastated communities, and tore families apart. It took the lives of approximately 190 people, and changed for ever the lives of thousands more. Nine New Zealanders were killed and one is missing. On behalf of this House and all New Zealanders, I express our deepest sorrow and condolences to those who lost loved ones in this tragedy. Our hearts go out to them. Our thoughts will be with them in the weeks and months ahead.
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In Samoa, an estimated 4,500 people had their homes destroyed or damaged. Three primary schools and one secondary school were ruined. When I visited the weekend before last with Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, I returned to some of the places that had welcomed us so warmly in July. They were almost unrecognisable. In Poutasi village, which has strong links to New Zealand, at least seven people were lost to the waves, and every building that was not concrete was destroyed. The communities devastated by the waves have a lot of work ahead of them, and I am pleased that New Zealand is helping them to recover. It has been humbling to see the huge public support for tsunami relief efforts. I thank the charitable groups and aid organisations that have leaped into action, and the thousands of New Zealanders who have generously donated. I also thank Air New Zealand for its support of aid efforts since the tsunami.
New Zealand is providing a lot of help on the ground. I thank our consular staff, who juggled the difficult tasks of coordinating relief assistance while accounting for our citizens caught up in the disaster. We have deployed to Samoa over 100 Defence Force personnel, including medics, environmental health officers, engineers, air crews, and navy divers; about 20 police officers; search and recovery teams; victim identification teams; about 30 doctors and nurses, who are helping to treat casualties and maintain public health; and staff from NZAID and several non-governmental organisations. I thank each and every one of them for their good work. They have had a very difficult and often harrowing time. Some that I spoke to had been working for up to 20 hours straight per day, yet they were in good spirits. We are all very proud of them and the help that they are providing to these communities on behalf of the people of New Zealand.
New Zealand has also committed military assets. An Orion was stationed in Samoa for the initial search and rescue. A Hercules and Boeing 757-200 have airlifted supplies and personnel. Two Iroquois helicopters were stationed on Upolu. The HMNZS Canterbury sailed from Auckland on Saturday loaded with aid and donated goods. She berthed this morning in Nuku’alofa and is expected to arrive in Apia on Thursday.
New Zealand has been helping in other ways. We are working with several nations to coordinate the international response. We provided $2 million of initial emergency funding to help the Samoan and Tongan Governments, Red Cross, and other non-governmental organisations to deliver aid. On Sunday we announced that the Government will donate a further $6 million. This was matched with a similar donation by Australia. We are committed to helping the people of Samoa and Tonga and their economies recover over the long term.
On behalf of this House, I acknowledge other disasters that have occurred in the Pacific region recently. We send condolences to the people of Indonesia and their relatives in New Zealand following the earthquake on 30 September. We send our condolences to the people of the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia who are recovering from Typhoon Ketsana. New Zealand has provided $1 million in aid to these countries. We have also sent a team of earthquake engineers to Indonesia. I thank the engineers who have volunteered and the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering for their contributions.
Last week’s Pacific tsunami was a tragedy for the many people affected, but from the very worst of events we often see the very best of the human spirit. We saw that spirit in the stories of great bravery that have been told over the past few weeks, where people risked everything to warn others and save many lives. We have seen that spirit in the outpouring of support from New Zealanders to their Pacific friends, and we saw that spirit in recent memorial services, as people gathered in love, in faith, and in hope to help each other find peace and comfort in the midst of grief and loss. It is my hope, and the goal of this Government, that we will see the same spirit in the months and years ahead as New Zealand works with the people of Samoa and Tonga to help them bind up their communities, rebuild their lives, and rebuild their livelihoods. We look forward to working with the members of this House towards that end. May all those who lost their lives rest in peace.
Second Speaker Labour Deputy Leader Annette King
Video Link: Haiti Evacuation of US Citizens & Haiti Adoptions
Posted: January 20, 2010 | Author: PacificEyeWitness.com | Filed under: Analysis, Breaking News, Business, Community, Current, health, NZPacific, Opinion & Commentary, Politics, US & Foreign Affairs | Tags: adoption, aircraft, american, army, child, citizens, consulate, Creole, crisis, database, earthquake, emergency, english, evacuation, family, french, Haiti, military, missing, NGOs, orphans, people finder, Port-au-Prince, tragedy, us, us state department, video, welfare | Leave a commentUS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas Citizens Services Michele T.Bond on the situation in Haiti and the adoption of Haitian children, January 18th (yesterday NZ time). Full transcript provided: Read the rest of this entry »