Highlights from Tonga's newspapers, September 10-13, 2007. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

A senior customs official told the Talaki of September 19 that custom duties have not been raised, as is perceived by some people, but that custom officers are now applying the law fully, which they had not done in the past.

Queen Salote College ex-students have borrowed $1.5 million from Westpac Bank of Tonga and $1.9 million from the Tonga Development Bank, in order to buy a property belonging to Westpac on Railway Rd.

The Kele'a of September 19 quoted 'Akilisi Pohiva as saying that "one adverse effect of postponing political reform to 2010 is that the ministers will collect as much money as they can, in the intervening period."

Mother tortured 5-year-old

The Taimi of September 20 reports that 'Anau Makasini of Tofoa was sentenced to one and a half years imprisonment, but suspended for three years, plus 120 hours of community service for torturing and causing grievous bodily harm to her 5-year old daughter. Police Magistrate Peau Pifeleti told the 30-year old mother that her crime was utterly disgusting. The child had suffered injuries to her face, head and body and the pediatrician's report described her condition then as "grave". The 5-year old is now reunited with the aunt who had reared her for the past three years, while 'Anau is barred from going near or from contacting her for the next three years.

Blind graduate

'Ofeina, who is blind, will graduate next month from 'Unuaki 'o Tonga University with an Associate of Science degree in business administration. He had joined the university in 2004, after being turned away by every other educational institution he had applied to.

Miraculous Glory

The local newspapers were in jovial mood as they heaped praise on the national rugby team 'Ikale Tahi, for defeating the Samoans. The Talaki declared: "Glory in folding the Manu Samoa 19-15 and Tonga shocked Samoa, smashed and destroyed". The Kele'a said, the "'Ikale Tahi beat the Manu Samoa with the broom". The Kalonikali exclaimed, "'Ikale Tahi triumph over Manu Samoa." As for the Taimi: - "it is a Miracle by the 'Ikale Tahi".