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On a first visit to Tonga and the Pacific, US Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn from Washington DC, was welcomed by the Peace Corps Tonga staff with a traditional Kava ceremony on Tuesday, at the Peace Corps Office in Nuku'alofa. During her visit this week, Director Spahn will administer the oath of services to 19 new Peace Corps volunteers on Friday.

Raids by Tonga Police Drugs Squad over the past week have resulted in the arrest of 17 people on Tongatapu, allegedly involved with importation, intended sale, and distribution of methamphetamine. In several raids on August 9, 13-14, and 17, police seized a total of 6.1 kg kilograms of methamphetamine allegedly imported into Tonga from the United States. A customs officer, a prison officer, a prisoner, two Comanchero gang members and a local businessman, are among the suspects charged, Police reported today.

Twenty-seven vehicles, including 25 police trucks and two minivans, were handed over by HE Mr Brek Batley to the Prime Minister and Minister for Police, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku today, 16 August, at the Tonga Police College grounds in Nuku'alofa.

Tonga is experiencing unusually cool night time air temperatures that are forecast to continue throughout the week. Tonga Met reported that Hango 'Eua on the morning of Tuesday, 13 August, recorded the coolest temperature in 2024 of 11.3 celcius.

New runway lights for the Salote Pilolevu Airport in Ha’apai were turned on by the Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku with the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Brek Batley on 12 August 2024. The TOP$1.8 million project was funded by the Australian Government.

US Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn will Tonga next Tuesday, 20 August to meet with partner government officials, volunteers, and community partners. During her visit, she will administer the oath of service to 19 new Peace Corps volunteers.

Cable Ship Lodbrog found the northern end of Tonga's damaged fibre optic cable yesterday, 11 August, and is currently attempting to locate the southern end attached to Tongatapu. The repair of the submarine domestic telecommunications cable is hoped to be completed this Friday, 16 August.

For years the whale watch industry in Vavau has fought to have better practices and less licenses due to an over-saturation of licenses, badly behaved skippers and, in recent years, clients who believe they can do whatever they want in the water with the whales. Why is there no list of operators, their boats, skippers and guides and passenger numbers? I and others in the industry ask: Why are more licenses being issued and to boats that are not suitable for the purpose of whale watching?  - Kirsty Bowe.

South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces (SWPHMF) met Wednesday in an exclusive meeting in Nuku’alofa, held at the Leadership Center, Masefield Naval Base. Tonga's CMDR Taniela Tuita said the 14 heads of the maritime forces will share knowledge, skills and action plans. Sitting alongside the Pacific Islands maritime forces leaders, are Australia's Chief of Navy, VADM Mark Hammond and New Zealand's Acting Chief of Navy, CDRE Andrew Brown. “We know each other. We are partnering nations, that's the first thing," said CDRE Brown.