Highlights from Tonga's newspapers, October 1-9, 2008. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

The Kalonikali on October 9 reports that police raided eight locations around Nuku'alofa and Nualei, and seized drugs and solvents thought to have been stolen from the Vaiola Hospital medical store. The medical store was broken into once in 2007 and twice this year.

Two diplomats presented their credentials to the king recently. They were Swaziland's High Commissioner to Tonga HE Mpumelelo J N Hlepho and HE Frank Carruet, Belgian Ambassador to Tonga, based in Canberra.

The war of words over the alleged unlawful unloading of cargo from the MV Tautahi continues. The Talaki on October 8 denies the charge by the Kele'a that it is conducting a smear campaign against Ha'apai no. 1 People's Representative 'Uliti Uata, the managing director of Uata Shipping.

An estimated 1,600 ton boulder, which sits 100 meters from the sea at the village of Kala'au, was swept ashore by a tsunami some 7,000 years ago, according to US researchers, reports the Talaki .

The Kele'a on October 8 reports that the media has been asked to assign their best journalists to cover parliament, since there have been complaints that recent school leavers were reporting on the House.

The Kele'a on October 1 reports that the Prime Minister told members of the Legislative Assembly that Tongasat had paid its dues to the government. People's Representative but 'Isileli Pulu asked the Prime Minister for more details, so that their happiness may be full. A petition was tabled in parliament, calling on the government to reverse the termination of its agreement with Tongasat.

The Taimi on October 1 reports that Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Viliami Tangi, who was nominated by Pacific leaders at the Forum summit as a candidate for the post of regional director for the Western Pacific region of the WHO, was defeated by two votes. The successful candidate, a Korean, had trailed Dr. Tangi by the same margin in the first round. There is speculation that up to three Pacific countries did not vote for Dr. Tangi.

'Atenisi Press has released its first publication, a book authored by Professor Futa Helu. The project received a donation from Princess Pilolevu Tuita.

The Talaki on October 1 reports that the Nuku'alofa Development Committee has taken charge of the capital's rebuilding.

The Talaki also reports that Alisher Usmanov, the billionaire from Uzbekistan who owns 23% of the Arsenal football team, is linked to Nautilus Minerals, which is prospecting for gold and other minerals in the Tonga seabed.

The Kalonikali on October 2 reports that work is under way to establish a National Farmers' Association.