Former Australian deputy prime minister Michael McCormack fell ill after drinking a bowl of Kava at once during his visit to Micronesia.&nbsp;

Kava is a powerful drink made with pepper plants with many qualities.&nbsp;

The MP took to Twitter and said, "Trouble is, I did stomach it! In a bid to show my respect to local traditions I drank the whole bowl of Sakau. Feeling much better now and it’s been a great chance to connect with our Pacific family in FSM."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Trouble is, I did stomach it! In a bid to show my respect to local traditions I drank the whole bowl of Sakau. Feeling much better now and it’s been a great chance to connect with our Pacific family in FSM. 🇦🇺🇫🇲 <a href="https://t.co/Bs1QKBvtYa">https://t.co/Bs1QKBvtYa</a>
— Michael McCormack (@M_McCormackMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/M_McCormackMP/status/1603297210904760320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fraud-alert-nearly-11000-australians-lost-over-7-million-to-a-hi-mum-message-on-whatsapp-543622">Also read |&nbsp;'Fraud alert': Nearly 11,000 Australians lost over $7 million to a 'Hi mum' message on WhatsApp</a>

As he fell ill, the Australian delegation fanned him and rubbed his back as he held a can to his mouth. He was then assisted to a vehicle and driven to the hospital treated for dehydration.&nbsp;

Talking to Guardian he said that he was in good spirits until he had that kava and fell unexpectedly ill.&nbsp;

He said, "I was trying to be respectful – I really took one for team Australia."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/toxic-spinach-sparks-health-alert-in-australia-after-people-suffer-sickness-hallucinations-543574">Also read | Spinach poisoning sparks health scare in Australia, people suffer sickness, hallucinations</a>

He added, "They made it in front of us, squeezing the juice out of these massive tree roots, just absolutely squeezing it. It had a peppery essence and I was OK for 10 to 15 minutes and then I thought, ‘ooooh, OK'."

"I went cross-eyed. I really did. Then someone got me a bucket and, well, yeah."

After he recovered the MP said he slept for 14 hours straight and later went to the Australian ambassador's house.&nbsp;

As a member of the bipartisan Australian parliamentary delegation on a tour to the Pacific region, McCormack stayed in Palikir while others went&nbsp;to Palau.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Former Australian deputy prime minister Michael McCormack fell ill after drinking a bowl of Kava at once during his visit to Micronesia. Kava is a powerful drink made with pepper plants with many qualities.

Former Australian deputy prime minister Michael McCormack fell ill after drinking a bowl of Kava at once during his visit to Micronesia. Kava is a powerful drink made with pepper plants with many qualities. The MP took to Twitter and said, "Trouble is, I did stomach it! In a bid to show my respect to local traditions I drank the whole bowl of Sakau. Feeling much better now and it’s been a great chance to connect with our Pacific family in FSM." Trouble is, I did stomach it! In a bid to show my respect to local traditions I drank the whole bowl of Sakau. Feeling much better now and it’s been a great chance to connect with our Pacific family in FSM. 🇦🇺🇫🇲 https://t.co/Bs1QKBvtYa — Michael McCormack (@M_McCormackMP) December 15, 2022 × Also read | 'Fraud alert': Nearly 11,000 Australians lost over $7 million to a 'Hi mum' message on WhatsApp As he fell ill, the Australian delegation fanned him and rubbed his back as he held a can to his mouth. He was then assisted to a vehicle and driven to the hospital treated for dehydration. Talking to Guardian he said that he was in good spirits until he had that kava and fell unexpectedly ill. He said, "I was trying to be respectful – I really took one for team Australia." Also read | Spinach poisoning sparks health scare in Australia, people suffer sickness, hallucinations He added, "They made it in front of us, squeezing the juice out of these massive tree roots, just absolutely squeezing it. It had a peppery essence and I was OK for 10 to 15 minutes and then I thought, ‘ooooh, OK'." "I went cross-eyed. I really did. Then someone got me a bucket and, well, yeah." After he recovered the MP said he slept for 14 hours straight and later went to the Australian ambassador's house. As a member of the bipartisan Australian parliamentary delegation on a tour to the Pacific region, McCormack stayed in Palikir while others went to Palau. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Australia's former deputy PM Michael McCormack rushed to hospital after drinking a bowl of kava at once

Matt Hancock, the former UK health minister suspended by the ruling Conservatives for appearing in a reality TV show, said Wednesday that he will step down as an MP.&nbsp;He is the latest member of Rishi Sunak's beleaguered ruling Tories to announce he will not stand at the next election with the party languishing in the polls.

Hancock, who was sacked as health minister during the pandemic after he was caught breaking social distancing rules with an aide he was having an affair with, angered many by flying to Australia to appear in "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!"

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exams-do-not-help-childrens-learning-uk-mps-score-lower-than-the-average-10-year-old-540873">Also read |&nbsp;Exams 'do not help children’s learning': UK MPs score lower than the average 10-year-old</a>

He reached the final of the show having endured being stung by a scorpion, sprayed with slime and made to lie in a pit of spiders and cockroaches, but was suspended from the Tory parliamentary party.

In a letter to Sunak, Hancock wrote: "It has been an honour to serve in parliament and represent the people of West Suffolk."

"I will play my part in the debate about the future of our country and engage with the public in new ways."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-festive-travel-set-to-take-a-hit-amid-planned-rail-strikes-in-december-540854">Also read |&nbsp;UK festive travel set to take a hit amid planned rail strikes from next week</a>

He also added that the party was due to reinstate him as a Tory MP, "but that is now not necessary".

The 44-year-old drew criticism from party colleagues after disappearing from parliament to be in the show.

More than a dozen Tories MPs, including&nbsp;former finance minister Sajid Javid, have said they will not contest their seats at the next election -- due before January 2025 at the latest.

Former leaders Boris Johnson, Theresa May and Liz Truss, however, aim to hold on to theirs.

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Matt Hancock, the former UK health minister suspended by the ruling Conservatives for appearing in a reality TV show, said Wednesday that he will step down as an MP.

Matt Hancock, the former UK health minister suspended by the ruling Conservatives for appearing in a reality TV show, said Wednesday that he will step down as an MP. He is the latest member of Rishi Sunak's beleaguered ruling Tories to announce he will not stand at the next election with the party languishing in the polls. Hancock, who was sacked as health minister during the pandemic after he was caught breaking social distancing rules with an aide he was having an affair with, angered many by flying to Australia to appear in "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!" Also read | Exams 'do not help children’s learning': UK MPs score lower than the average 10-year-old He reached the final of the show having endured being stung by a scorpion, sprayed with slime and made to lie in a pit of spiders and cockroaches, but was suspended from the Tory parliamentary party. In a letter to Sunak, Hancock wrote: "It has been an honour to serve in parliament and represent the people of West Suffolk." "I will play my part in the debate about the future of our country and engage with the public in new ways." Also read | UK festive travel set to take a hit amid planned rail strikes from next week He also added that the party was due to reinstate him as a Tory MP, "but that is now not necessary". The 44-year-old drew criticism from party colleagues after disappearing from parliament to be in the show. More than a dozen Tories MPs, including former finance minister Sajid Javid, have said they will not contest their seats at the next election -- due before January 2025 at the latest. Former leaders Boris Johnson, Theresa May and Liz Truss, however, aim to hold on to theirs. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UK's controversial former health minister Matt Hancock to step down as MP

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Australia's former deputy PM Michael McCormack rushed to hospital after drinking a bowl of kava at once

UK's controversial former health minister Matt Hancock to step down as MP