Two individuals have been arrested following an alleged drug-related investigation, according to a media release issued by Tonga Police.
Police said a 40-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, both from Mataika in Tongatapu, were taken into custody after information was received alleging they were selling illicit drugs within the community.
Both suspects have been charged with possession of drugs (methamphetamine) and possession of drug utensils.
During the operation, officers seized a quantity of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and more than 70 boxes of tablets.
Police also recovered cash in multiple currencies, including Tongan paʻanga, New Zealand dollars, Australian dollars, and United States dollars.
Additional items believed to be linked to the alleged offending were also confiscated.
Police confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Authorities are continuing to urge members of the public to report suspicious activity, stressing that community cooperation plays a vital role in addressing crime.
“Every report matters,” the statement said, encouraging the public to work together with police to build a safer and stronger community.
Further details are expected to be released as inquiries progress.
A man responsible for a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a young Latter-day Saints missionary in North Carolina has been sentenced after pleading guilty in court.
PHOTO: TYZHAUN DIAMNE CARNEY, COURTESY: Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
Mecklenburg County court records show that Tyzhaun Carney entered guilty pleas to multiple charges related to the May 1, 2025, crash on Beatties Ford Road, which claimed the life of 18-year-old Elder Aleki Langi from Magna.
The charges included involuntary manslaughter, two felony counts of hit-and-run involving serious injury or death, misdemeanour child abuse, and driving while his license was revoked.
The court heard that Carney fled the scene after the collision, which resulted in the death of Elder Langi, who was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time.
The incident occurred just over a year before the sentencing.
Following his guilty plea, Carney was sentenced to an active prison term of 31 to 47 months, according to court records.
Elder Langi’s death was widely mourned by his family, church community, and members of the wider Pacific and LDS communities.
He has been remembered as a young man devoted to his faith and committed to serving others.
The sentencing brings a legal conclusion to the case, although the loss continues to be felt by those who knew him.
Tonga’s Ocean of Light International School has celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of an educational approach that seeks to integrate academic excellence with the cultivation of moral and spiritual values.
Minister of Education and Training, Dr Moʻale ʻOtunuku, cuts the ribbon during the 30th anniversary celebration of Ocean of Light International School in Nukuʻalofa.
The milestone was commemorated with a gathering of government officials, educators, students, alumni, and families, featuring cultural performances, speeches, and the official opening of a new science and laboratory facility.
At the heart of the anniversary reflections was a central question: how education can move beyond the mere accumulation of knowledge to nurture qualities such as unity, service, and responsibility.
Speaking at the event, school director Taʻhirih Fifita Hokafonu emphasized that the institution’s mission has always been to align intellectual development with ethical and spiritual growth.
“We have striven over these years to create a school where knowledge acquisition is guided by moral and spiritual principles and learning is directed toward service to humanity,” she said.
She explained that when education is understood in this way, students begin to see their studies not simply as personal achievement but as preparation for contributing meaningfully to their families and communities.
Government recognition and partnership
Tonga’s Minister for Education and Training, Moʻale ʻOtunuku, acknowledged the school’s contribution to the nation’s education system, highlighting its long-standing partnership with the Ministry.
“We are ensuring that students are prepared not only for examinations but for life,” he said. “They are equipped with knowledge, values, and skills to serve their families, their communities, and the nation.”
Dr. ʻOtunuku praised the school’s holistic model, noting its emphasis on both academic rigor and character development. Drawing from Bahá’í teachings, he described knowledge as “wings to the human spirit,” enabling individuals to rise beyond limitations and expand their vision.
The Minister also participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the school’s new science and laboratory facility, symbolising the continued growth of its academic programs.
Harmony of science and religion
A defining feature of Ocean of Light’s philosophy is its commitment to the harmony of science and religion. Speakers at the anniversary event underscored that the two are seen not as opposing forces, but as complementary systems of knowledge.
This perspective encourages students to think critically about both the technical and ethical dimensions of the world around them—examining not only how things work, but why they matter and how they should be used.
Educators at the school say this approach helps young people develop a deeper sense of responsibility, equipping them to apply knowledge for the betterment of society.
Growth from humble beginnings
Reflections from alumni revealed how the school’s ethos has shaped generations of students. Former student Mona Taumoefolau recalled being part of the school’s first class in 1996, which consisted of just nine students.
“We all remember, as alumni, the importance of unity and being able to work together as a team,” she said.
She noted that, from the beginning, the school fostered collaboration rather than competition—encouraging students to view each other’s success as interconnected. This culture of mutual support helped attract families seeking a different educational experience for their children.
Today, the school has grown to more than 580 students, ranging from preschool to high school. Its expansion was partly driven by parents who requested the addition of secondary-level education after seeing the school’s impact.
Teachers at the school say the emphasis on service applies equally to educators and students. Ms. Hokafonu described education as a shared journey toward higher ideals.
“This element of being called to our higher self, to our noble being, is most important as a student or as a teacher,” she said.
She added that fostering a spirit of service within the school community strengthens relationships and creates an environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute.
For current students, the school’s principles resonate with their own identity and aspirations. A high school student, Christine, said learning about unity has shaped how she views diversity.
“Even though we are from different backgrounds, we are all one—part of one human family,” she said.
Teachers echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that graduates will carry these values into wider society.
“We hope our students will become a light everywhere they go,” said teacher Pua Tuaimeiʻuta.
As Ocean of Light International School enters its fourth decade, its leaders say they remain committed to refining a model of education that integrates knowledge and character.
The anniversary celebration not only honored the institution’s history but also reaffirmed its vision: that education, when rooted in both intellectual and moral foundations, can empower individuals to lead lives of purpose and service.
Part of the Unitec campus in Mt Albert in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
The Mt Albert campus of Unitec was evacuated after a bomb threat was received.
Police assessed the situation supported by the campus’s security team, the head of the incident management team for MIT and Unitec Dan Brady said in a statement on Friday.
Students, staff and the community were the top priority, he said.
“We have received the all-clear for our operations to resume at the site.
“However, schools have the option to deliver online today to minimise any further disruption to learning caused by this incident. Normal services will resume from tomorrow.”
Earlier today, a Unitec staff member said they were worried about the evacuation.
The person said police and ambulances were on site.
One person has died following a house fire in Onehunga this morning, as emergency services remain at the scene and nearby roads are closed.
Emergency services are responding to a house fire that has sent smoke billowing over Auckland’s Onehunga this morning. (Source: 1News)
Police were alerted to the blaze on Trafalgar Street at around 7.20am, after reports of a house well involved in fire. Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews responded alongside police and other emergency services.
Several people managed to evacuate the property before firefighters arrived.
Fire and Emergency acting assistant commander Kenton Rusbridge confirmed that one person was located deceased inside the building.
“On arrival, the crews got straight to work to locate the person missing,” Rusbridge said. “We’ve confirmed that there is one fatality that’s been located inside the building.”
Details about the victim have not yet been released.
Authorities have established cordons around the area, with multiple roads closed to the public while emergency crews continue their work.
Trafalgar Street is closed between Pleasant Street and Forbes Street
Symonds Street is closed to Aumoana Lane
Officials expect the cordons to remain in place for most of the day.
Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate safely and without disruption.
Emergency services are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the fire. It is not yet known how the blaze started.
Police say further information will be released as it becomes available.
Investors linked to the collapsed BG Wealth Sharing scheme—including many Tongans—are being urged to avoid sending further money after United States regulators flagged renewed efforts to extract funds through a replacement platform.
In a warning issued on May 15, 2026, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) said BG Wealth participants are reportedly being redirected from the former DSJ Exchange to a new platform called the HQI Exchange (HQIEX).
Investors are being told they must deposit additional funds to “move” their accounts.
The alert follows the collapse of BG Wealth, whose operations were disrupted after US authorities seized its internet domain. Many investors have since been unable to access their funds.
The DFI said it has received reports that some individuals had already paid so-called “tax” or withdrawal fees under the scheme, but still could not withdraw their investments.
Authorities are now warning that requests for additional payments are a common tactic used in fraudulent operations.
“Fraudulent digital asset platforms frequently perpetrate advance fee scams to steal additional funds from investors,” the DFI noted.
The regulator pointed to a similar case involving the alleged cryptocurrency schemes League of Whalefall and TX Exchange, where investors were told to pay a US$400 “verification fee” to prove their accounts were legitimate. Those who paid the fee were still unable to withdraw any money.
Authorities say such schemes often follow a predictable pattern. Key red flags include:
Demands for additional payments to release or withdraw funds, often described as taxes, commissions or verification fees
Requirements that fees be paid using external funds, not from existing account balances
Pressure to pay by a deadline, with threats of losing the investment
The emergence of HQIEX has raised concerns that BG Wealth operators may be attempting to continue extracting funds under a new name, despite the collapse of the original platform.
Regulators are urging investors to exercise extreme caution and to avoid sending more money to BG Wealth or any associated entities.
As investigations continue, affected individuals are being encouraged to report their experiences and seek independent advice, as officials focus on preventing further losses.
A public exchange on social media has sparked tension in Neiafu after the town officer, Vava Lapota, accused the ‘Utukalongalu Market management of neglecting cleanliness duties, prompting a sharp response from a market staff member.
An area of the ‘Utukalongalu Market in Neiafu shows litter scattered near a rubbish bin alongside grassy edges, as vendors and vehicles occupy the busy market surroundings. Photo/Vava Lapota
The dispute began when Lapota posted photos on Facebook yesterday showing areas of the government-owned market lot, which he described as “repulsive” and unclean.
The photos appeared to show overgrown, unmowed grass, while one image depicted what looked like an overflowing black rubbish bin with garbage spilling out.
The post, accompanied by critical commentary, quickly drew attention from the local community, highlighting concerns about sanitation standards at the busy marketplace.
Among those who responded was a Facebook user whom Lapota later identified as a staff member from the ‘Utukalongalu Market Department.
The commenter challenged the town officer’s approach, suggesting that instead of public criticism, he should come to the market and take action. She reportedly urged Lapota to “come and clean it up” himself and invited him to address the issue directly with the department in person.
The exchange escalated after Lapota publicly condemned the response as “uncivilised,” maintaining that the responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of the government lot lies with the market authorities.
He argued that his post was intended to draw attention to an issue affecting public health and the town’s image, particularly in a key commercial and community hub like the Neiafu market.
“The duty to keep the government lot clean rests with the Market Department,” Lapota told Kaniva News, defending his actions and rejecting the suggestion that he should personally intervene in the clean-up.
The Market authorities were unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
The incident has prompted mixed reactions from residents, with some supporting the town officer’s decision to highlight what they say are long-standing sanitation issues, while others have questioned whether the matter should have been addressed privately rather than on a public platform.
Local observers say the dispute reflects broader concerns about accountability and communication between government officials and public service departments.
The ‘Utukalongalu Market is a key commercial hub in Vava‘u, serving vendors, farmers, and residents on a daily basis.
Its upkeep is considered essential for public health standards as well as for supporting tourism, with Neiafu remaining a major destination for visitors to the island group.
By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist and is republished with permission
Biman Prasad, left, and Manoa Kamikamica Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji
Two of Fiji’s former deputy prime ministers face trial on separate corruption charges after their applications to permanently stay criminal proceedings against them were dismissed.
The High Court of Fiji has refused Biman Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica’s applications to halt their prosecution by the country’s anti-corruption agency, ruling that grounds raised lacked “merit”.
The move comes as a general election looms in Fiji, with Fijians expected to go to the polls some time between 24 June this year and 6 February 2027.
Prasad and Kamikamica will appear in the Magistrates Court in Suva on Thursday, when a trial date is expected to be fixed. Both men have previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prasad, who is the current National Federation Party (NFP) leader, resigned from cabinet last October after the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) charged him with corruption.
He was charged with allegedly failing to declare his directorship in hotel ventures as required under the Political Parties Act.
Kamikamica, the former trade minister, stepped down a week before Prasad after also facing corruption charges.
The former deputy prime minister is charged with perjury and giving false information to a public servant.
A High Court judgement reveals that between December 2024 and March 2025, Kamikamica allegedly made a false statement while he was a witness during a controversial Commission of Inquiry into the appointment of FICAC’S former head, Barbara Malimali.
The prosecution alleges he “wilfully made a material statement on oath, namely that he had nothing to do with her appointment, a statement he knew to be false”.
Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo-Bull ruled in the High Court on Monday that Prasad, the former finance minister, had not met the legal grounds required to justify a permanent stay of proceedings.
She made a similar ruling regarding a bid by Kamikamica two weeks ago.
fijivillage.com reports that Prasad alleged that FICAC initiated the charge against him in bad faith because he was not interviewed under caution.
However, Justice Fa’alogo-Bull said the commission had previously explained in the Magistrates Court that Prasad had been overseas at the relevant time.
She ruled the absence of an interview, on its own, did not appear to compromise the fairness of a trial.
The 33-year-old heavyweight spoke to 1News while helping promote David Nyika’s IBF cruiserweight world title eliminator bout against Floyd Masson in Auckland set for August 8.
Parker said the situation was “crap” and has always maintained he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
When asked if he had any idea how it happened, he said he most likely took something that was contaminated or was the victim of “foul play”.
“Who in their right mind would take some stupid substance before a fight… when you’ve had the best, most perfect camp ever?”
He said he began to tear up when he found out he had failed the drug test – “it was such a shock”.
It’s been reported he launched an appeal on the grounds that any illegal substance entered his system without his knowledge.
He expected to get an answer in the next couple of weeks.
“We’ve given all the evidence we can provide to those in UKAD [the UK Anti-Doping organisation], so hopefully we get a result soon.
“It’d be nice to get it soon so I can just put it behind me and get to work, get to training, and get back to the top.”
Parker said he was “so close” to fighting for another world title before being derailed and having to fight this battle.
He said he has been able to keep training and has always known he did nothing wrong but the situation has been “right there, just hovering over me”.
He believed total exoneration or a light ban were the two most likely outcomes.
He has been able to enjoy spending much more time with his family over the past few months but he was desperate to get back in the ring and has kept training hard.
“I’m desperate to fight as soon as possible. I’ve given myself two years to achieve whatever I can achieve in boxing.
Nuku’alofa — Preliminary research by students at the Tonga National University (TNU) has found signs that intensive farming practices may be increasing soil acidity across parts of Tongatapu, raising concerns about crop productivity and long-term land health.
TNU agriculture students conduct soil testing as part of their research into changing soil acidity levels across Tongatapu. Photo/TNU
Second-year students from the School of Agriculture have been conducting the study to examine how repeated cultivation affects soil pH levels.
Their findings suggest that heavily farmed areas are beginning to show measurable changes in soil chemistry, with acidity levels rising in some locations.
The research team collected soil samples from every district of Tongatapu, aiming to build a comprehensive picture of soil conditions across the island.
By covering a wide geographic area, the students sought to ensure that their findings reflect broader trends rather than isolated cases.
The students hope their research will help raise awareness among farmers about the importance of sustainable cultivation practices, such as crop rotation, fallowing, and soil management techniques that maintain balanced pH levels.
