Highlights from Tonga's newspapers, September 10-13, 2007.

An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

The Taimi on September 10 claims that at a recent sitting of the Privy Council, HM King Siaosi Tupou V had announced that he will relinquish to the Legislative Assembly the right to appoint a Prime Minister.

The Kele'a of September 12 claims that the country's supply of Sudafed nasal decongestants, which was stolen from the government medical store in Tonga earlier in the year, is being used to manufacture amphetamines in New Zealand.

The Kele'a also reports that the Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele has filed charges against the Kele'a, with a summons alleging that a story in the Kele'a defamed the PM. Dr Sevele is reportedly seeking $500,000 in damages.

Royal Beer

The Talaki of September 12 reports that Hughie Clarke, Mark Gerard Sr. and Bruce Manson have bought out the king's holding in Royal Beer, Tonga's local brewery.

Tongan troops in Kuwait

The Kalonikali of September 13 tells us that Tonga's Iraqi-bound troops have arrived in Kuwait, where they will spend two weeks acclimatizing to the Middle Eastern weather, prior to their deployment. The Kalonikali reports the troops trained with M16 rifles in Pendleton, California, and took a crash course in basic Arabic as well as Iraqi culture. According to spokesperson Sergeant Siaosi Moleni, they missed the Tongan food, but "found solace in ice cream which was available in copious quantity at all meal times."

Argument outside Parliament

The Taimi on September 13 reports that a minor fracas developed outside parliament during the Tuesday morning tea break. According to the Taimi 'Akilisi Pohiva had to be physically restrained, as he hurled abuse at Noble Tu'ivakano, accusing the Youth, Employment and Sports Minister of irreverent speech inside the House. "Tu'ivakano did not utter a word, but turned and advanced towards the apoplectic People's Representative, only to be held back by Clive Edwards and Noble Malupo."