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SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Daily Post, June 26) - The long awaited World Health Organization (WHO) report on "The assessment of the risk of hepatotoxity with kava products" has finally been released signaling that kava is safe.

This was made known to the Fiji Kava Council by Professor Sotheeswaran from the University of the South Pacific (USP), who was part of a three-member WHO appointed committee to study the reasons behind the controversial ban on kava products in Europe.

Chairman for the council, Ratu Josateki Nawalowalo said as far as the kava industry in Fiji and the region was concerned, this was a major breakthrough since the WHO report was favorable to their cause.

"Our fight under the umbrella of the International Kava Executive Council (IKEC), since the ban in 2000 by Germany, UK and France followed by other European states and other international markets like USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, to lift the controversial product ban and trade...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, May 31) – Tonga’s King George Tupou V has called for reform of the country’s education.

In his speech from the throne today, opening the first session of Parliament since the destructive riot of November 16th last year, the King said there is a need for compulsory education to begin earlier to include five year olds, and to continue through until students are 18.

The Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele, says the King believes it is important, given the changing times, for all Tongans to have a full secondary education, or at least time in a technical or vocational institution.

Dr Sevele says it is a revolutionary call that is achieveable even though it will be costly.

"But I think there is room for maximising the training opportunities we now have. That’s the first thing. And sure, education is going to cost money, but if we want a future, a future that is based on knowledge and skills, this is the...

By Campbell Cooney

SYDNEY, Australia (Australian Broadcasting Corp. June 13) – The leader of the Solomon Islands opposition party has admitted making a payment that has been described as a bribe.

After Solomons Prime Minister Manesseh Sogavare accused him of trying to bribe one of his ministers with just over US$7,000, parliamentary Opposition Leader Fred Fono's only comment was that he was investigating the claim.

Late yesterday Mr Fono admitted making the payment to the still-unnamed minister.

But he says it was not a bribe but a response to a plea from the minister for financial help to pay his sons' school fees in New Zealand, and he has written evidence of this.

Mr Sogavare described the move as a "disgusting strategy" to overthrow his "God-protected coalition Government", and says seven of his ministers have been targeted with such approaches.

ABC News Online: http://www.abc.net.au...

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, June 12) – A Marshall Islands Immigration official acting without the knowledge or approval of his higher ups is being investigated for arresting a Fiji citizen who has been working in the Marshall Islands legally since 2005.

Majuro Motors manager Anoop Kumar on Friday said he lodged a complaint with the Attorney General’s office and Immigration over the arrest of one of his workers, and said in an interview that the arrest sends the wrong message to businesses and potential investors.

"We’re conducting an internal investigation on it," Attorney General Posesi Bloomfield said in an interview. Bloomfield, who oversees the Immigration Department, acknowledged that the alien worker was "put in jail without the approval of his director" and without Bloomfield’s knowledge. "If we find (the action) was malicious, he will be disciplined."

Kumar suspects that the arrest of one of his employees was personal retaliation by the Immigration...