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Fiji Announces End To Emergency Laws

Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has announced an end to emergency laws that have been in place in the country since 2009. In his New Year's address to the nation, Commodore Bainimarama said the Public Emergency Regulations would end from Saturday. The regulations give police and military extended powers, restrict media freedom, limit the right to public assembly, and set limits on political and religious commentary. Commodore Bainimarama says the laws will be removed to allow preparations for drafting a new constitution, after the old one was abandoned in 2009. He says a nationwide consultation process for a new constitution will be announced in the next few weeks. "The constitution must establish a government that is founded on an electoral system that guarantees equal suffrage - a truly democratic system based on the principle of one person, one vote, one value," he said. "We will not have a system that will classify Fijians based on ethnicity; and, our young men and women, those 18 years old must have the right to vote." But some Fijians fear the restrictions are only being lifted by the interim regime in preparation for upcoming elections. Last week, former Fijian MP and businesswoman Mere Samisoni was detained by police and held in custody
Australian relations
Relations between Fiji and Australia have soured since Commodore Bainimarama seized power in a coup in 2006. He has been under heavy pressure to return the country to democracy after delaying parliamentary elections several times. Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific IslandAffairs, Richard Marles, says the Government is cautiously optimistic about the lifting of the regulations. "The public emergency regulations were an abuse of human rights and we have been calling for their lifting since they were imposed back in 2009," he said. "It is good now to see that they are being lifted. It is a step in the right direction. "There is a long way to go and I think we need to remember that in acknowledging the important step forward today." Australian Council of Trade Unions president Ged Kearney has cautiously welcomed the end to emergency regulations. Ms Kearney, who was part of a trade union deputation deported from Fiji in December, says the laws are draconian. "We will wait to make sure that the lifting of these violations of human rights actually extends to people like trade unionists, who have been particularly targeted with regards to being not able to meet or operate in a free way," she said.
and accused of conspiring to overthrow the government by force. Ms Samisoni's daughter, Vanessa Charters, says she doubts the emergency laws are being lifted for the reason given. "It is probably related to a press junket that's been organised for the international press," she said. Meanwhile a magistrate in Fiji has granted bail to Ms Samisoni and three others under strict conditions. The date for their
next appearance is yet to be announced. Commodore Bainimarama stressed that "public order" would be maintained despite the easing of emergency laws. "We must all remember that public order, protecting the vulnerable and safeguarding the economy will always be paramount," he said. "We must also as a nation be intolerant of those that seek refuge and political power in religious, ethnic and communal divisions."
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Friday, January, 6 2012
Indo-Fijian Woman Dies In A Suspicious House Fire In Edmonton

Relatives of a woman killed Saturday in a suspicious fire in northeast Edmonton say they are stunned and devastated by her death. Family in Fiji has identified the woman as Rukhmani Prasad, 60, an Edmonton resident for about 40 years. Its really bad. Everyone is in shock, said Prasads younger brother, Madan Kumar, 53, his voice breaking during an interview from Fiji Monday. How come the fire was in only one room and one of them could escape and the other one couldnt? Arson and homicide investigators are trying to pinpoint what caused the fire that started just after noon Saturday in the upstairs bedroom of a house at 14716 32 St. in the Kirkness neighbourhood. Firefighters had the blaze under control and contained to the bedroom in less than half an hour, but Prasad died of her injuries at the scene. Her husband is in hospital with burns to about 60 per cent of his body, police said. Police said they believe Prasad died of injuries from the fire and that there were two people inside the home when the fire began. Neighbours went into the house before firefighters arrived to try to save Prasad but they couldnt get through the heavy Christmas Eve and said she and her husband, who Kumar identified as Surendra Prasad, had visited Fiji together in September. She was with me for about two weeks here ... for my daughters wedding, Kumar said. She did not tell me anything about any problems. They were very happy when they came here, but they had problems years ago. The couple married about 40 years ago and moved to Edmonton where they had two children, a son and daughter who are now in their 30s. The couples daughter lived with them but had left for work about two hours before the fire started. Rukhmani Prasads friends and relatives in Australia and around Fiji are organizing a gathering and prayer service to remember her. Rukhmani Prasad has many relatives in Fiji and hundreds of people are expected to attend the service, he said. Prasad has no relatives in Canada but has a brother and two sisters in Fiji, said her nephew, Ravinesh Kumar. They are very disturbed and only crying since they heard about this, Ravinesh Kumar said. We are very upset here in Fiji after the shocking and heartbreaking news.
smoke. Police are treating the death as a criminal investigation pending results of an autopsy. Homicide section Staff Sgt. Bill Clark told media on the weekend that investigators have an idea what caused the fire but wont release the information yet. That is one of the reasons homicide is leading the investigation. Kumar said his sisters son phoned him from Edmonton to deliver the terrible
news. I thought he called me to say happy New Year and then he started crying ... When they told me about that, I thought it was the middle of the night, they were sleeping and there was a house fire and they both were in the house, Kumar said. Then I found out it was in the midday. How could you be sleeping in the house and it caught fire in the midday? Kumar last spoke with his sister on
Sitiveni Rabuka Sorry For Leading USA, Uk Welcomes Fijis Move To Lift Fiji Military Coups Public Emergency Regulations
Former Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has issued a public apology for 'the wrong' he committed in 1987 by leading the first two military coups. The leader of Fiji's first coup, MajorGeneral Sitiveni Rabuka, has apologized for "the wrong" he committed in 1987. Major-General Rabuka has taken out a full page newspaper advertisement to apologize for leading Fiji's first two military coups. He told the reporter that he does not feel guilty, but an apology is part of the move towards democracy "I just feel that I need to tell them that I feel remorse for the tough things that they went through," he said. "There were people who resigned or who went about resigning from the civil service because they were worried about their future." Major-General Rabuka also says the announcement by Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama that emergency laws will be lifted is a positive step forward for the country. But he warns the situation in Fiji is still very fragile. "I'm hoping that people will be responsible about the use of their freedom, both sides of government will act responsibly when people criticize some of the things they do, and there should be give and take on both sides," he said. The United States of America has welcomed the lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations. A spokesman for the US Embassy said, In concert with our regional partners, we have consistently called for the lifting of the PER as a critical step towards the holding of free, fair and fully transparent elections. The United States also welcomes the government's announcement of a February start to public consultations on a new Constitution. We look forward to an open and inclusive consultative dialogue leading to the creation of constitutional processes guaranteeing the rights and institutional framework required for truly democratic elections, said the spokesman in a statement Meanwhile, the Government of the United Kingdom welcomes the announcement made by Commodore Bainimarama to lift the Public Emergency Regulations (PERs) on January 7, 2012. Acting British High Commissioner, Martin Fidler said, The United Kingdom, together with other members of the international community, has been calling for the lifting of the Regulations as an important step towards the holding of free and fair elections. We look forward to a public consultation process on a new Constitution which will commence in February 2012.
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Australia Urges Fiji To Restore Democracy
Australia on Tuesday said Fiji's announcement that it would lift emergency laws was a first step but urged the Pacific state to restore democracy as soon as possible. Fiji's Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said Monday that the regulations, including tight censorship of the news media and a ban on public meetings, would be removed and talks begin on a new constitution. What we are seeing from Commodore Bainimarama is the announcement of a first step, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said. But from the point of view of the Australian government all steps need to be taken to restore democracy to Fiji. That has been our consistent call. In his New Year message, Bainimarama said the emergency laws -- which were imposed in 2009 after a Fiji court ruled his 2006 coup was illegal -- would be lifted on Saturday to pave the way for consultation on a new constitution. I will, over the next few weeks, announce the nationwide consultation process which will commence in February 2012, Bainimarama said. Australia and New Zealand have called stridently for a return to democracy in the nation, a significant economic and travel hub in the South Pacific, and Gillard warned that Bainimarama had failed in the past to deliver on pledges. Initial promises for an early return to democracy failed to result in elections, leaving Fiji facing sanctions from many countries and suspension from the Commonwealth. Bainimarama has promised elections in 2014. Getting rid of these emergency regulations is a first step, having a consultation period is a first step too. But these steps need to be followed up by further action, Gillard told reporters in Sydney.
As soon as possible democracy should be restored in Fiji. Meanwhile, the announcement that the emergency regulations will be lifted on January 7 has been welcomed by New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully who says the Government has been calling for the lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations as an important step towards the holding of free and fair elections. We'll have to wait and see if the Commodore can be taken at his word but it's a step in the right direction, says McCully, adding that he also welcomes the announcement that public consultations will commence on a new constitution in February. While a range of steps will be required before free and fair elections can be held, these are important moves in the right direction, he said. The international community will want to see these changes improve the lives and freedoms of ordinary Fijians." The latest developments in Suva were also welcomed by the Commonwealth Secretariat, which said the announcements would clear the way for free and fair elections. The Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Kamlesh Sharma, called this a positive step, which was long overdue, a secretariat spokesperson said Monday. Sharma hoped that the consultations on a new constitution would be fully inclusive, clearing the way for credible elections and the return of a democratically elected government without further delay, the statement added. Bainimarama said that even though the emergency regulations were being lifted, public order, protecting the vulnerable and safeguarding the economy will always be paramount. He said that the new constitution must establish a democratic, elected government.
No More Media Censorship

THE media will no longer be censored following the government's lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations PER - on January 7, 2012. This was confirmed by Information Ministry permanent secretary Sharon Smith Johns. She made the statement following Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama's announcement on Sunday that the PER would end by January 7. Ms Smith-Johns said: "Government will no longer censor the news once it lifts the PER on January 7th. There will be no more censors or censorship of the news." In his New Year's Message, the Prime Minister said he would "in the next few weeks" announce a nationwide consultation process for a new constitution for the country. He said in order to facilitate this process, the Public Emergency Regulations, commonly known as the PER, would cease. Ms Smith-Johns said this did not mean the media not would be held accountable for information they disseminated. "We (Fiji) will be reverting to the Media Decree," she said. "There will also be the Media Authority who will monitor the media. "Once the PER is lifted, they (Media Decree and the Media Authority) will continue to ensure that the media is balanced and accountable in their reporting." Ms Smith-Johns said the media had an "integral part" to play in shaping Fiji over the next two years as the country prepares for elections. "The media will play an important part in shaping the thoughts of people and I certainly hope they continue to support Government in moving Fiji forward."

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Education Ministry To Assist Underprivileged Students

The Ministry of Education will continue assisting underprivileged students this year, says Permanent Secretary for Education Dr Brij Lal. Dr Lal said that bus fare scheme, food voucher scheme and all programs designed by the ministry to help underprivileged students will continue this year. We are also providing text books, paying tuition fees and this is done so that the highest level of education can be provided to all students in all areas in Fiji, Dr Lal said. Dr Lal said even though some of these things will take a few years to do the ministry will try its best to provide what it can in order for students to have equal access to education. The Ministry of Education was allocated $257 million in the 2012 budget which is an increase of $9 million from the year 2010.
India Provides Scholarships

The Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), High Commission of India, through the General Cultural Scholarship Scheme is providing 35 scholarships to selected students in the South Pacific. About 25 recipients would be selected from Fiji, six from Tuvalu, one each from Tonga, Cook Islands, Nauru and Kiribati. Centre director Doctor Kamal Kishor Mishra said applications were open. For many years the Indian government has been annually giving out scholarships for students to pursue their tertiary education in India, Dr Mishra said. He said the Indian government was ready to assist the people of Fiji for higher studies in India. So many students of Fiji have benefited from the scholarships and the Indian government continues to provide educational assistance to the most vulnerable in Fiji, Dr Mishra said He said Fiji needed a lot of human resources and this was one area that the Indian government had taken an initiative to help in the economic growth of Fiji. He said students could study a wide variety of courses at over more than 400 universities in India. Dr Mishra said interviews for scholarships would be held at the end of this month. Commissioner Northern LieutenantColonel Ilai Moceica thanked the centre, India and the Fiji Government for the opportunity.
Former Fiji military commander Tevita Mara says the lifting of emergency regulations in the country will not make a difference.
The Fijian military regime's promise to lift oppressive laws has been met with skepticism by a fugitive former military commander who was once a senior figure in the country's government. Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized control in Fiji after a coup in 2009 and imposed emergency regulations to heavily censor the media and ban public gatherings. Commodore Bainimarama said the laws would be lifted from Saturday so Fijians can participate in constitutional reform and prepare for elections in 2014. But former military commander Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara, who fled Fiji last May, says the announcement is window dressing and it will make no real difference to the people of Fiji. He says the lifting of emergency regulations will not make any real difference because the regime has introduced new rules which have the same effect as the emergency laws. "Freedom to the people means the army being recalled back to barracks and Bainimarama giving leadership over to a civilian government," Lieutenant Colonel Mara said. "That is when you will have freedom in Fiji. "It doesn't mean that they've removed the controls that they have in place. There are still people in place; there are still police, military people in place monitoring things. "I was just talking to people back home and they said, 'No, it doesn't mean anything at all'. "People are still being taken in, still being charged for sedition, for saying things against government. "What he's trying to do, it's part of a plan that was had before, is to put all the leaders of all the political parties, charge them with trumped up charges and by the time the election comes it's only him left there to run for government. "There's no-one else because they've charged all the leaders of all the political parties of Fiji." Seventy-four-year-old former MP and vocal critic of the regime Mere Samisoni is among four people who, according to Fiji's ministry of information, is to appear at the Suva Magistrates Court charged with conspiring to use violence to overthrow the government. The former commander of Fiji's land forces, Jone Baledrokadroka, was Commodore Bainimarama's secondin-command, until he was accused of trying to stage a mutiny before defecting to Australia. Mr Baledrokadroka holds concerns over the fate of Mr Samisoni. "I think a lot of people are skeptical as to what are the motives behind Mere's being detained and charged now," he said.
Fugitive Tevita Mara Skeptical On Fiji Law Change
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Community Pharmacist Recognised In New Year Honours List

Community pharmacist Lila Thakerar, who has run her own pharmacy in Harrow, Middlesex, for 19 years, has been awarded Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the community in the New Year honours list for 2012. As well as offering a range of clinical and public health services at Shaftesbury Pharmacy, Mrs Thakerar also provides a free taxi service to take frail and elderly patients to their GP surgeries and hospital appointments. In a statement she said: "Words can hardly explain how honoured I am to receive this award. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that an ordinary community pharmacist, just helping people in need, could be recognised in this way." "I'm absolutely thrilled and want to thank everyone who has supported me and made my work possible." Ms Thakerar was born in Fiji and she left in the early 1970s to further her education in New Zealand and Australia. In 1979, she qualified as a pharmacist and then married and settled in Britain. She bought her own community pharmacy, Shaftesbury Pharmacy, in Harrow, Middlesex with the vision to provide a state of the art community pharmacy. Ms Thakerar said her work within her pharmacy and the local community always extended far beyond just the normal 'pharmacist-patient-customer' relationship. Her charitable work also includes being the Charter vice president for Lions Club International and has raised substantial money for children's charities.
Commonwealth Welcomes Prime Minister Bainimaramas Move

The decision by Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to lift the Public Emergency Regulation (PER) this Saturday has been welcomed by Commonwealth. Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamlesh Sharma said the positive step was long overdue. Sharma said that the Commonwealth has also welcomed the announcement of national consultations on a new constitution starting next month. Such consultations will be fully inclusive and that they will lead to a genuine national consensus on the constitution, clearing the way for credible elections and the return of a democratically elected government without further delay, he said. The PER came into effect in the year 2009 following the abrogation of the 1997 constitution.
Civil Service To Have Performance Based Pay Structure In 2013

Starting 2013, the pay structure of the civil service will be based on performance. Public Service Commission Permanent Secretary Parmesh Chand said there will be a performance management system implemented throughout this year which will come into effect next year. Chand said even now the work of civil servants is being guided by performance as more are now going on contracts. All civil servants and members of the disciplined forces received a 3% pay increase effective from last Sunday.
Japan Govt Welcomes Lifting Of Per

The Japanese Government has welcomed the decision made by Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to lift the Public Emergency Regulation this Saturday. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan it said that with the PER coming to an end this weekend and the consultation of the new constitution starting next month, the international community should value these measures as a positive step forward. Japan sincerely hopes that Fiji will continue to take concrete action towards free and fair election in 2014 and it intends to maintain close dialogue with the Fijian authorities as it is ready to provide necessary support.
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State Stern On Funding For Ministries In 2012

GOVERNMENT institutions will have their funding taken away if they are lax in implementing projects and programs. And, according to the government statement, these funds will be diverted to ministries and departments that have ad-hoc projects, which come on board at some stage during the year. In the statement, Finance Ministry permanent secretary Filimone Waqabaca said the deployment of funds is done at times but there were no additional finances introduced aside from what had been budgeted for that year. "If we find that they are not spending on projects that were identified earlier and if there are other ministries that need money, maybe for ad-hoc projects that have come on board, then at some stage during the year we may decide to just transfer across," Mr Waqabaca said. "So there is no extra money but we can work within so if we find some ministries are unable to implement projects, then we move it to another, which may be in need of money." Mr Waqabaca said the Financial Management Information System does not allow ministries to exceed their budgeted amount and shows how much is available for use. "It (FMIS) is a check against what ministries are given and how much they have spent and how much they have left," he said. One of the reasons for the diversion of funds is the repair and rehabilitation work required in the aftermath of a disaster. Mr Waqabaca said these unforeseen events need to be catered for and take precedence over other activities.
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Increase Duty On Dvd To Stop Piracy

A DEALER of original DVDs says the government needs to increase the duty on imported DVDs and CDs if it is serious about stopping piracy. "Existing anti-piracy laws are not being enforced. DVD sellers continue to engage in piracy, and the public and the authorities continue to turn a blind eye," says IMHD managing director Chris Caine. According to Mr Caine, IMHD, the only seller of original DVDs in Fiji, has suffered extensive losses over the past years as a result of the illegal practices of competitors. He said he had made a proposal to the government prior to the compilation of the 2012 Budget in which suggested an increase in the duty on imported DVDs and CDs. "We had asked for a $5 duty on imported DVDs and CDs. The logic behind this was that $5 was a suitable price point that would stop piracy. "Think about it, would you pay $5 for a pirated DVD or CD? You might pay $2 for it but definitely not $5. "$1 is too little and will not help stop the practice of piracy." Mr Caine urged the government to increase the duty, saying a mini-budget update was required within the next six months so the matter could be decided on. "They need to jack up the tax. "Businesses like ours are suffering terribly and action needs to be taken. They can use the existing platform and jack it up to $3 and hopefully $5 by the end of the year." Despite the amended Copyright Act 1999 coming into force on September 1, 2009, original DVD sellers like IMHD have continued to suffer with one Australian company even being forced to shut down its local operations in 2008.
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As the new school season is set to begin, parents have been urged to buy Fijian-made exercise books as it will be cheaper. Ministry of finance permanent secretary Filimone Waqabaca said government has placed an increase in imported exercise books so people can practice buying Fijian-made products. Post Fiji staff Ledua Vakalala said there is a huge difference between the
price of imported exercise books and the locally made ones. She compared prices between a Fijianmade 80 pages notebook and an Ecobrand imported notebook which saw a price difference of $4.04. The price of the Fijian-made notebook is 40 cents while the imported one costs $4.44. Fiscal duty on imported exercise books has increased from 15 per cent to 32 per cent.
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the other countries so they will launch progressively in 2012 but Fiji is the first location to launch the uniforms, Mr McCarthy said. The design on the tie of the uniform is what they call PNG storyboard and Mr McCarthy said this was all part of the standard design for BSP. In PNG custom they tell their stories by carving symbols into the different places in the timber like table tops, buildings and its a part of the PNG custom. In BSP situation, our head office in Port Moresby has been designed with this PNG storyboard and because this is a standard uniform, PNG will see their first Bula shirt as a uniform, he said. THE Australia Fiji Business Council has asked the Australian government to acknowledge the steps taken by its Fijian counterpart in lifting the Public Emergency Regulations. And the council has asked the Australian government to make some adjustments to the travel sanctions imposed on Fijians. Council president Greg Pawson made the call while welcoming the lifting of the PER on January 7. Mr Pawson welcomed the announcements by Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama on the lifting of the PER. "This is a positive first step in moving Fiji in the right direction of normalcy but there remains much more to be done to reassure potential foreign investors including ensuring legal rights of redress," he said. He said lifting of the PER would provide an opportunity to move forward. Mr Pawson said the Australian government had previously said that the lifting of the PER would, with some other steps, assist in moving bilateral relations onto a more normal footing. "The council now calls on the Australian government to acknowledge this step by the Fiji government and
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BSP Fiji Launches 2012 Uniform

A Fijian company has won the bid to manufacture and supply Bank South Pacific (BSP) and BSP Life with their new uniforms for 2012. At the launch of their 2012 new uniforms, BSP Life and BSP announced that Fijis United Apparel (Fiji) Ltd had won the tender to manufacture and supply the 2012 BSP Life, BSP uniform. BSP country manager for Fiji Kevin McCarthy said, It had been a longtime coming and weve been in Fiji for two years now. The reason it took so long is that BSP decided they wanted new uniforms around about the same time with the BSP Group. There was a worldwide search for a design and the manufacturer for the uniforms; this went through countries like Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Asia. Im very delighted to say that the tender was won by a Fijian company; United Apparel (Fiji) Limited, Mr McCarthy said. He said Fiji was the first of the countries with BSP presence to launch their 2012 new uniforms. The manufacturing is still going on for
Business Council Urges Australia To Lift Sanctions

make some adjustment to the travel sanctions on Fiji citizens to reduce the difficult impact they are creating for business and on families." Mr Pawson also called on the two governments to restore their respective diplomatic missions to full operating status.
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Pleass Beverages and Packaging (PBP) has announced its resolution to pay one cent per share as interim dividend based on the half year financial results ending June 30, 2011 and the provisional accounts to December 2011. The announcement by its board of director will see the interim dividend being paid on February 1 with exbenefit date being January 16, and a record date of January 24, 2012. PBP a Fiji based company publicly listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange and principally bottles water and distributes food and beverage packaging across the South Pacific.
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Fiji News
11
Canadian Immigration, A Year In Review - 2011!

By Mumtaz Khan
Now that we are in 2012, and the year 2011 has gone into the annals of history, I wanted to review the year that was for you some of the major changes made to our immigration laws and regulations. Minister of Immigration, the Rt. Hon. Jason Kenney, has been very active, nay, prolific, and the laws have been changing at a breathtaking pace. This constant evolution has been a little difficult to keep track of, but I have tried to highlight some of the changes. Please note that they are in no particular order of importance, but just my choice of order. 1. Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants replaced by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council Of course, I would start with this, this was the best thing that could have happened for consultants, as 2011 saw Jason Kenney enacting legislation to remove the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants as the regulator of immigration consultants in Canada and replacing it with the ICCRC - the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. CSICs most serious problems had to do with poor governance and a wilfully unaccountable leadership, in particular the six-year chairmanship of John Ryan. He ran CSIC as though it were his own private fiefdom. 2. Changes to Family Class Immigration Rules There have been four major changes in this area. Jason Kenney has already stopped sponsorship of parents and grandparents, for two years, apparently, but I suspect it will not be reopened. Firstly, a new Parent and Grandparent Super Visa was introduced as a multiple entry visa with a maximum validity of 10 years (renewed every 2 years). Processing times are expected to average 8 weeks and parents/grandparents will be required to obtain private health care coverage and meet other admissibility criteria. Secondly the Minister has made changes to spousal sponsorship, which includes a new category of permanent residents. That is persons who are sponsored to come to or remain in Canada as a spouse, common law or conjugal partner will have a conditional permanent residency status for two years, after acceptance. If the new spouse, common law or conjugal partner leaves their sponsor during the two years following immigration, the new spouse, common law or conjugal partner resident will face removal and deportation proceedings where Immigration authorities determine that the relationship behind the sponsorship was not genuine. It has been a long time coming. This, I hope, will put an end to marriages of convenience orchestrated for the purpose of gaining entry into Canada that have been so prevalent in the community. Thirdly, the persons, who themselves have been sponsored to Canada as a spouse, common law or conjugal partner, will be barred from sponsoring a new (second) spouse, common law or conjugal partner for a period of five years following the date the now new sponsor originally gained permanent residency. This will apply even if the person has become a Canadian citizen. This just does not make sense to me. I expect that the government will be challenged on this in court, under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. And lastly, the government is enlarging the list of violent crimes which will make a person ineligible to sponsor any family member, not just spouses, for a period of five years following completion of sentence for the conviction. This will put a stop to criminals sponsoring. There should be some repercussions for convicted criminals. 3. The Federal Skilled Worker Program In 2011, the Program further limited the number of new applications to 10,000 a year, with a maximum of 500 new applications in each of the current 29 priority occupations. The government is trying very hard to try to control immigration levels and use this as a tool, but they have not been successful. Some occupations filled up in a few days, while others have not filled at all. 4. The Federal Immigrant Investor Program The Investor program was closed temporarily until next year after a new annual cap of application numbers was imposed. The Federal Entrepreneur Program was also suspended until further notice. I expect the Investor program to be reopened, but the Federal Entrepreneur Program has died a death, and will not be resurrected. 5. Provincial Nominee Programs In 2011, the Government continued to allow the provinces to select immigrants who best meet their regions labour market needs. With the Federal Programs becoming more and more restrictive, the Provinces are taking up the slack. I expect that to continue this year. 6. Reform to Refugee Laws The law was enacted in 2010, and was supposed to take effect in December, 2011, but is now scheduled to take effect June 2012. It gives civil servants the power to make decisions with regards to Refugee Protection, and the whole decision making process is supposed to be completed within 60 days. There will be a paper appeal available to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD), but generally it is proposed that failed claimants will be deported within 6 to 8 months. The Minister is also going to designate countries that are Safe Country of Origin (SCO). You can make a claim if you are from these countries, BUT an Appeals process will not be available people claiming from these countries to the Refugee Appeal Division. The Minister, did not come up with this by himself, but has copied from the American and Australian Systems. 7. Niqab Rules introduced to ban Muslim Face Coverings during Citizenship Ceremonies The government introduced on December 12, rules which prevented Muslim women from wearing face coverings during citizenship ceremonies. The reason given was that they are they are aberrant. I expect that that there will be a Charter of Rights challenge to this law. These are just a few of the changes that occurred in 2011. Looking forward to this year, my predictions for 2012 are:
Continued on page 12
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scare Newcrest away from pursuing Namosi's big-time potential: its entry into the joint venture with Japanese partners occurred in July 2007. When Newcrest picked up the running at Namosi, the Waisoi deposit was about half the size of the present resource estimate. Recent work has been focused on finding higher-grade ore positions that could sweeten the economics of what would be a multibillion-dollar development. In its September-quarter report, Newcrest said drilling in an area six kilometers from Waisoi had confirmed higher-grade mineralisation over a distance of 200 meters and 500 meters in vertical extent. Newcrest would not comment on the latest political shift in Fiji. It has said previously it plans to complete a feasibility study into development options at Namosi by June. Despite the world-class size of the known resource, analysts at present give little, if any, value to the asset in their valuations of Newcrest. Newcrest shares climbed $1.10 to $30.70. The strong gain was in line with other gold stocks, which were buoyed by the gold price rise.
12
Fiji Opening Lifts Newcrest Hopes

NEWCREST stands to be the big winner among Australian companies should the lifting of emergency powers by Fiji's military dictator, Frank Bainimarama, prove to be the first step to the restoration of full-blown democracy in the Pacific nation. The Melbourne company is the manager and 69.94 per cent owner of the Namosi joint venture, 30 kilometers west of the capital, Suva. Namosi is home to the Waisoi deposit and other copper/gold targets that are being evaluated. The Waisoi deposit ranks as one of the world's biggest undeveloped copper/ gold deposits, with Newcrest last estimating a total resource of 7.9 million tonnes of copper and 7.7 million ounces of gold. Had it not been for Fiji's political turmoil, stronger copper and gold prices would by now have made the deposit a real development candidate. Hopes that development may proceed have risen since a new year address by Commodore Bainimarama in which he said that emergency powers would be rescinded and a new constitution was in the works. Commodore Bainimarama seized power in a 2006 coup, the fourth since 1987. The fallout from the 2006 coup did not
SINGLE mum Shareen Lata fainted several times when she heard the news that the body of her eldest son Kishan Krishneel Kumar was found floating in the Kumkum River at Nukuloa, Ba, on Monday night. The 43-year-old could not hold back her tears knowing that she would never see her son's graduation later this year. The grieving mother said her son was a final-year student at the Fiji National University in Samabula, Suva, and was supposed to graduate this year. She said their dream of him becoming an engineer and looking after the family was shattered. Mr Kumar drowned while trying to cross the river on horseback at about 10am. His death is the second drowning incident this year. On Sunday, a schoolteacher drowned during a picnic. Mrs Lata said her son and three others were visiting one of their friends nearby when the tragedy happened. "I just cannot believe that my son is dead," she said. "We were so looking forward to his graduation. "I really don't know what to do now.
Mother Grieving Over Son's Death
"Nothing on this Earth will replace my son." Ashwant Lal said his nephew was riding a horse while crossing the river when the incident happened. "The river was deep and the horse was struggling to walk, so Krishneel decided to swim. "Minutes later his friends were trying to locate him. "His body was seen later at night around 7pm." Police spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri confirmed the body was found more than five hours after the incident. He said members of the public should always take precautionary measures while crossing or bathing in a river. "It is sad to see that despite the many drowning awareness campaign made people still fail to take heed of the warnings," said Insp Sokomuri. "We sympathise with the family but it should also serve as a warning to people on consequences faced if advice is not taken seriously." The deceased is survived by his mother, sister and a brother.
Continued from page 11

a) Federal Skilled Worker category being reduces even further to a total 5000 per year; b) Introduction of a payment of $75,000 to fast track sponsorship applications for parents and Grandparents; c) Quebec will attract more immigrants in 2012; d) More deportations of permanent residents; e) Increase in Provincial Nominee Immigration Programs; f) This government will introduce mandatory English or French tests for people who want to become Canadian Citizens; g) Court challenges to a number of Immigration laws; h) More refusals of PNP cases by the Canadian Immigration Central Intake Office in Sydney; Mumtaz Khan, practices immigration law in Surrey at M. Khan & Co., and is certified by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council, he is an immigration specialist. For more information, visit www.mkco. ca or email: khan@mkco.ca
Issuance Of New Scrap Metal Dealer Licenses Cancelled

The issuance of scrap metal dealers license has been suspended. The Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the step has been taken to control the number of scrap metal dealers and monitor the compliance of the general public with the Scrap Metal Trade Decree, in partnership with the Fiji Police Force. He said as of December last year, a total of 23 dealers have been licensed however the recent cases of theft of public property demonstrates negligence of the law by a number of unlicensed dealers and possibly licensed dealers. He said all scrap metal dealers who are operating without proper license will be inspected by the enforcement officers and if found guilty, will face prosecution that will carry fines from $10,000 to $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 5 years under the Decree that has come into effect from May 16th last year. People have been asked to call police or the Ministry of Industry & Trade of any illegal or suspicious trade of scrap metals.
Fiji News
Other domestic export products included textiles that contributed 7.8 per cent and vegetable products that contributed 7.5 per cent, of which flour contributed 2.3 per cent and dalo 1.8 per cent. Compared to June 2010, live animals and animal products went down $11.8m to $15.6m because of decreased exports of fresh fish. In June, Fiji's major export destinations included the US that saw a $0.05m decrease in export earnings to $20.4m because of decreased exports of fresh fish; and also Australia that noted a $7.2m decrease to $20.1m because of decreased gold exports. Japan upped $2.8m to $11.6m because of increased exports of woodchips; New Zealand upped $1.1m to $6.2m because of increased exports of sweet biscuits; and Hong Kong upped $1.1m to $3.7m because of increased exports of meals and pellets of aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans. Fiji's imports for June, on the other hand, was $301.5m, marking a reduction of $2.5m when compared to the previous corresponding month. Mineral products, machinery, mechanical and electrical appliances; live animals, and vehicle, aircraft and vessel equipment comprised imports; with trading partners including Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China and the US.
13
$39M Increase In Exports

FIJI'S total exports increased by $39.9million to $171million for June last year, the Fiji Bureau of Statistics latest overseas merchandise trade statistics has revealed. The bureau's provisional data also revealed that domestic export was recorded at $85.6m. Of the total exports, domestic export decreased by $5.8m (6.4 per cent) while re-exports increased by $45.7m (114.7 per cent). "Re-exports totaled $85.5million compared to $40million in the previous corresponding month," the Bureau said. "Petroleum products also sold to visiting ships, aircraft and to the neighbouring Pacific Island countries earned $62.1million," it said. For June, the Bureau said live animals, animal and vegetable products, prepared foodstuff, beverages, spirits and tobacco, wood, cork, textiles, pearls, stones and metals comprised 84.5 per cent of domestic exports. Of that, prepared foodstuff, beverages, spirits and tobacco contributed 27.7 per cent, of which mineral water contributed 18.2 per cent; live animals, animal products contributed 18.2 per cent; wood (11.9 per cent); pearls, precious and semi-precious stones and metal contributed 10.4 per cent of which gold contributed 10.1 per cent.
Fiji Pm's Announcement Welcomed By Australia And New Zealand

Fijis Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimaramas announcement to lift the Public Emergency Regulations Saturday has been met with approval from the Australia and New Zealand Governments. New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the move is an important step towards holding fair elections. It's a step in the right direction," McCully said. He also welcomed the announcement that public consultations on a new constitution will begin next month. Australia government's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles echoed the same sentiments. Fiji National University governance and ethics professor Richard Herr says the announcement by Commodore Bainimarama should help ease Australian concerns about the restoration of parliamentary democracy by 2014. "I don't know that it would expect Australia to lift all the sanctions, but I think that it might help that it would at least begin to engage on some of the issues associated with those sanctions and that would be a positive step," he told the media.
More overseas based nurses are showing interest in working in Fiji, according to Fiji's Director of Nursing Services, Selina Waqa. They are receiving applications from nurses in the Philippines, India, Dubai, New Zealand and some other regional countries who are interested to work in the island nation. Waqa says local nurses who have undertaken work overseas are also applying for local positions as the status of nurses working in Fiji is being upgraded. But the Ministry of Health has strict guidelines to adhere to before these nurses are taken in. "We register people according to their qualifications. The recognition of the nursing program that they had qualified in, not only that, we also look at work experience. Actually the whole credential work is looked upon when they submit their applications," she said. The Ministry of Health believes that local qualified nurses should be employed first as they seek to take in another 170 nurses early next year. The Nursing Decree 2011 repeals the Nurses, Midwives and Nurse Practitioners Act. This came into effect on September 11 after it was gazetted by President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau. The decree requires all nurses, midwives and student nurses to be registered annually with the Fiji
Overseas Nurses Look For Job Opportunities In Fiji
Nursing Council. It states the Nurses, Midwives and Nurse Practitioners Board will become the Fiji Nursing Council. The council, which will be made up of a chairperson appointed by the Health Minister and 10 other members, shall consist of all stakeholders including a member of the public. The roles of the council under the decree would be to protect the health and safety of the public, promote training and education of nurses and issue, suspend and revoke annual nurses practicing certificates. Nurses from outside of Fiji who wish to practice in Fiji even for a short period would also have to get registered. The decree also caters for disciplinary proceedings and investigations into complaints against nurses and they could be expelled from their profession or even face a fine or jail term in accordance with the findings of the Professional Conducts Committee, which is also to be established under the Nursing Decree. To co-ordinate and facilitate the continuing professional development of registered nurses, the Fiji College of Nursing would also be established. Nurses from Fiji are always sought for the world over in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and the U.S. because of their friendly faces and caring attitude.
Food Voucher For 100 Families

A TOTAL of 100 needy families in the Northern Division are being assisted with $100 worth of food vouchers by the iCharity Organisation. The distribution began from Labasa and organisation representatives from Australia and New Zealand also participated in the handover of vouchers. iCharity official northern Iqbal Hussein said the recipients were issued with $100 worth of food voucher each, which they could claim at the Downtown Supermarket in Labasa Town. "With this voucher, the recipients can choose which food items and materials they needed for the household from the allocated supermarket," Mr Hussein said. Australian branch representative Mukim Khan said the recipients were selected from poor and needy families that had no source of income. The recipients included broken families, elderly persons, widows, orphans and single-parent families with no financial support. "Funds are collected by this group iCharity when earning members of the group contribute 2.5 per cent of their annual income," Mr Khan said. "We are focused towards providing assistance in five major areas and these include food, water, shelter, medical treatment and education." Mr Khan said the assistance program was being carried out for the last 10 years and not only in Fiji. "We provided assistance to the people in Somalia during the devastating drought and to the people in Pakistan during the recent flooding. "This is a way we can give back to the community and to help other people who are struggling to make ends meet to survive."
Government is all set to host 11 Japanese students to study in Fiji for a year. Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March last year, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama offered 20 places to university and high school students affected by the disaster. Under the assistance program, students from the affected region will relocate to Fiji for up to one year. The 11 students will be admitted to the Fiji National University and various secondary schools in Fiji. Five high school students have arrived and the remaining six students are due in the country by mid-February.
Govt To Host 11 Japanese Students
Former Publishers Thesis On 2000 Speight Coup Taints The Fiji Times
Fijian gatekeepers comprised the editor Samisoni Kakaivalu, his deputy Netani Rika and the senior Fijian newsroom team including Margaret Wise. Lack of coordination appears to have stemmed from unbridled newsroom control on the local staff who produced slanted headlines and the choice and manufacture of stories. A case was cited where a journalist at FT admitted that the article she wrote about a Minister had been totally twisted and the headline was given by a member of the senior staff. The management expatriate executives ought to be accountable for what was found as an environment which gave unbridled gate keeping duties to unqualified, insensitive and partisan newsroom staff. c) FT provided ample opportunity for opponents to attack the highest office of the country - the President and the Prime Minister. A responsible media, especially in a developing country divided on racial lines, would be expected to exercise caution and ethics and not permit a display of such disrespect to the leaders of a the nation under the guise of media freedom. d) The number of important issues where government had to resort to letters to editor columns to tell its side of the story was evident that there was something seriously amiss in media balance that called for equal opportunity for response. FT failed in its duty of keeping Fiji well informed to safeguard democracy. e) In Fiji, equitable distribution of civil service positions at all levels to reflect the countrys demographic makeup is a Constitutional requirement. It seems this escaped the knowledge of FT. That is why it allowed misinformed viewpoints without trying to point out the anomaly. It not only ignored the lopsided racial mix in the civil service, but it itself did not abide by the general principle that the newsroom should be the mirror of the country. There was marked favour of Fijians , not only at all levels of its news team, but also in news reporting where some 95 per cent of the stories with by-lines were from indigenous Fijian reporters in a racially divided nation with IndoFijians comprising some 40 per cent of the population at that time. f) There appeared to be a double standard of scrutiny and criticism of different governments by FT. Its zeal and so called investigative prowess in unearthing scandals and indulging in muckraking were seen to be inversely comparable when reporting on Chaudhrys Indian government and Qarases Fijian government respectively. While the objective of this thesis was not to determine this question, the difference was so marked that at least three cases showed FTs favourable stance to a Fijian Qarase government. These included appointments of a disbarred lawyer, Qoriniasi Bale as Fijis Attorney General, non renewal of work permit of Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Peter Ridgway and paying little media scrutiny to Simione Kaitanis admission of the criminal offence of sedition on the national TV programme Close Up. These examples bring into question FTs media ethics and its claims of being an independent, neutral and free media. g) The question of ethics arises from the role played by star FT reporter Margaret Wise whose romance and affair with a prime minister and a child out of wedlock was common knowledge. The person who placed very sharp scrutiny on others, especially Chaudhry and his government, was spared by her employers, who allowed and apparently encouraged undeserving and hostile attacks on the government in general and Indo-Fijians in particular where she penned many racially divisive stories. Concluding remarks on the credibility of the Fiji Times The analysis showed that FT projected Chaudhry government as an Indian one which could not be trusted to safeguard the interests of the Fijians. It failed to inform the common people about the safeguards enshrined in the 1997 Constitution which stipulates that no Prime Minister, at his own whim, could implement any changes affecting native land and laws protecting the rights of the indigenous people. FT also did not edit treasonable, seditious and hate-speech that were seen as derogatory to others in any civilised democracy or civilised media. It appeared that FT had a policy of highlighting the negatives and subduing the positives of Chaudhry government. It presented the government in a bad light, and effectively painted it as dishonest, untrustworthy, corrupt and
14
Thakur Ranjit Singh

On 15th December 2011, I graduated with Masters in Communication Studies (MCS) with Honours from Auckland University of Technology (AUT). My thesis was based on Speights coup of 2000 on Chaudhry government. My choice of thesis was not very difficult, because as a former Publisher of the Daily Post newspaper, I was aware that sections of Fiji media were not fair to Chaudhrys government. I wanted that to be substantiated by comprehensive and in-depth content analyses of the Fiji Times (hereafter referred to as FT) during one-year rule of Chaudhry government. The analysis and interpretations presented in my thesis amassed into some interesting findings. Some of the notable concluding observations from the content analysis are: a) There was a clear discord between what FT said and advocated in its editorials and what appeared in the papers and its news selection and writing in the newsrooms. In fact, it was comparable to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde approach, where the same individual tends to show two completely different and diametrically opposed opinions and attitudes. This description aptly fitted FT on occasions where it appeared to have one view of the editorial writer while an opposite stance was seen in the stories appearing in the news pages. b) There was lack of coordination between the newspaper management and the newspaper operations. The management comprised of expatriate policy and editorial formulators, notably the expatriate publisher and the editor in chief, Alan Robinson and Russell Hunter (for part of the time) respectively. The operations or the
undeserving as a government led by a non-believer and a womaniser. While Chaudhry himself was also responsible for democracys downfall, FT hastened and helped the process. While FT helped create such an atmosphere that was ripe for the removal of the government from means other than democratic, contributory factors from Chaudhrys style of leadership hastened the process and discouraged any uprising in support of democracy. Had Chaudhry been able to build bridges, especially with the Fijian community and its institutions, such huge support for Speight and the ethno-nationalist elements may not have materialised. All the good things about media being a uniting force were rarely seen in FT. If anything, FT lived to its colonial reputation of being anti-Indian since it was established in 1869. While no proof has come to light to substantiate allegations that some sections of the business community contributed to the fall of the Peoples Coalition Government, this research indicates enough motives for that to be so and why the business community wished to see Chaudhry go. The earlier studies on FT have indicated that despite the passage of time, the partisan approach of the newspaper in favour of the elite class has not changed. Times have changed. Even the elites have changed; from the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR), the British government and the colonial Europeans to the indigenous Eastern Fijian chiefs, the Fijian elites and the Indian business community. What has not changed is the credibility of the Propaganda Model which remained steadfast in giving credence to Herman and Chomskys (2008) theory on how the media becomes, and in case of FT, continues to be a sympathiser and mouthpiece of the elites, at the cost of its watchdog role. (Thakur Ranjit Singh is our regular contributor, and he graduated last year with a media qualification from AUT in Auckland. He analysed the Fiji Times during one year rule of Chaudhry government between May 1999 and May 2000. His full thesis is available online at: http://aut.researchgateway.ac.nz/ handle/10292/2554
Fiji News
All operations however resumed in mid November. PAFCO, the major employer in the former capital, plans further improvements this year. PAFCO chief executive Bhan Pratap Singh confirmed this to the reporter. We will carry out continuous improvement and required upgrade works to meet relevant regulatory requirements, he said. Mr Singh said all employees who had been temporarily laid off have resumed work. He also added trials required by the Americans are being conducted when required.
15
2011 was not necessarily a very good year for Pacific Fishing Company Limited (PAFCO) in Levuka. But now it is back in business and planning a much better 2012. The company, last year had to lay off around 650 employees temporarily as a result of the import ban placed on PAFCO products by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Certain changes to the American regulations which PAFCO could not immediately comply which resulted in the closure of one of the sections.
PAFCO Plans For 2012
Bamboo Garden Park For Vanua Levu

BAMBOO Fiji is working with the Department of Forestry, Indonesian Embassy and a landowner in Savusavu on a proposed bamboo garden park planned to be established this year. It has been confirmed that the landowner had promised the land for the development. At the same time, as corporate members of the Bamboo Society of Australia, they also sought suggestions as to the best bamboo to grow in Fiji. Bamboo Fiji founder and supporter Sean Cody said they had discussions with the Department of Forestry and they had mooted the concept up at the latest meeting of landowners on Taveuni recently. At this time, he said Bamboo Fiji had submitted a written proposal to the Indonesian Embassy for their support in training local people in the manufacture of bamboo items.
Police Continue Crackdown On Jaywalkers

The public can expect harsher penalties for jaywalking. Police Assistant Superintendant Tevita Waqabata says officers are booking over 20 jaywalkers daily. "After some time we relaxed the booking, but kept monitoring it, and what we have seen is that most of the pedestrians are not taking heed of it. It's a hard case. So we have started taking up booking again, and we have around 20-30 booked a day." Waqabata said authorities have done their best to allow the public ample time to get used to the laws. Over the holiday season they relaxed monitoring in Suva City, and the result was a skyrocketing leap in the amount of offenders. He adds that to reduce jaywalking, the authorities are educating the public through awareness campaigns.
Fiji Residents Help Families In Seattle

FORMER Fiji residents living in the USA have all the reason to make their island nation proud as they take on projects this year to assist needy families in their adopted country. Known as the Fiji Multi-Cultural Association of Washington, the group has already drawn up plans to continue to feed the homeless in Seattle. Association president Kamleshwar Singh said the group also planned to build a community hall that would be used to promote the Fijian and Indian culture. "We also feed the homeless of Seattle once a month and we are doing everything to promote and preserve our Fijian/Indian culture and heritage," he said. "We are celebrating all festivals and social activities and promoting Fiji and its people."
Peoples Charter Good For Fiji: Rabuka

Fijis former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says, the pillars of the People's Charter for Change Peace and Progress is good for Fiji. Responding to questions made by the media on what characteristics should shape Fijis new constitution a hesitant Rabuka said it should be in accordance with the pillars of the Charter. And with the Charter being criticised by many he said the pillars of the Charter will only be effective when people will work for the good of Fiji. Rabuka said most of the new laws in Fiji have been born out of necessity. We cannot say or do anything but accept what comes out and move forward for the general elections in 2014, he said.
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Hari Punja & Sons Ltd Sells Shares In CFL

Communications Fiji Limited announced that with the Media Industry Development Decree 2010 in place, Hari Punja & Sons Ltd has sold its entire shareholding of 27.82% to Parkinson Holdings Ltd. The trade involved 989,967 shares at $2.10 per share. With this purchase, Parkinson Holdings Ltd representing Managing Director William Parkinson, will now have 55.48% shareholding in CFL. An announcement will be made in due course with regards to change in the board of CFL. Hari Punja who was the chairman of CFL said as the founding shareholder, the decision to sell was a very difficult one but he had very little choice in the matter and is pleased that the control remains in the hands of the founding shareholders.
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the woods yet. It is just that according to the goodwill of the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama the PER has been removed. In removing the PER, the democratic process hasnt kicked in yet. This is to allow for consultations in regards to having the new Constitution. The democratic process will only be up and running when we have general elections in 2014. From now until then, whilst the PM has announced the removal of PER, for the media, it is a matter of adhering to the code of ethics, he said. With the lifting of the PER scheduled to take place from this Saturday, the Authoritys work as the monitoring agency also starts at the same time. The censors will be taken out of the newsroom so that journalists can freely do their work. Even the Government would want a very responsible media while moving forward. Even at the media authority, we want people to do their work diligently and it is a matter of playing by the rules,." The Authority came into existence when the Media Decree of 2010 was implemented. They will be the agency looking into complaints against media organisations, amongst other things. We will be working closely with the media organisations, talking and we think that is what is needed, the solutions are in the newsrooms. We had been meeting with media organisations and they have been asking as to when the PER would be lifted and now that it is being done, we call for responsibility." Talks are also taking place to form a Fijian Media Association, to look at the welfare of media personnel and issues that affect them such as the safety of journalists. Media freedom is one of the issues picked up by the Fiji Labour Party in its response to the plan to lift the PER. Under the heading, "Cautious welcome to lifting of PER", the FLP says the judiciary is the other sector that needs to return to independence ASAP: The Fiji Labour Party cautiously welcomes the decision to lift the PER later this week to allow for political consultations on the new constitution. As an obnoxious and repressive set
16
A Hint Of Things To Come For The Media After The Per Is Removed
How will the media operate and what news and information will it actually deliver after Saturday, when the Public Emergency Regulations are removed? The Media Industry Development Authority has confirmed censors will no longer be in the newsroom dictating what can and can't be run, but it's warning reporters they will still have to abide by the code of ethics and avoid what it says is 'preconceived ideas.' Media Authority will monitor media outlets The Media Industry Development Authority (MIDA) has welcomed the removal of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER), but at the same time, has cautioned journalists to exercise responsibility. Authority deputy chairman Matai Akauola said with the removal of censors from newsrooms, MIDA will be the body monitoring news items in print, broadcast and television media. Mr Akauola said journalists needed to let go of their pre-conceived notions when doing news articles. We should be glad that censors are being removed but in saying that, we are not out of of measures, the Public Emergency Regulations should never have happened. However, the Party believes that simply lifting the PER is not enough. To be fully effective, it should be accompanied by the following: the restoration of full media freedom restoration of the Judiciarys independence and the restrictions on its jurisprudence lifted Government accounts together with Auditor Generals reports must be published There must be absolute accountability and transparency in the affairs of the nation Ministerial salaries must be made public All abuses under the PER must be investigated and those found guilty, punished FLP statement re the PER
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South Pacific News

hours ticked down to 2012. Pools and beaches across the capital Apia were packed with Samoans and tourists celebrating the country's sudden position as the first in the world to ring in the New Year, rather than the last. Despite the extended festivities, Samoan police said there had been no reports of any problems. "More than 90 per cent of our people really appreciate the change, and that contributes to its success," said one official who could not be named as he was not authorized to speak publicly. Elsewhere across the globe, people prepared to say goodbye to a year that was marked by upheaval and mass protests in several Arab countries, economic turmoil and a seemingly endless string of devastating natural disasters. Sir Michael Somare and Lady Veronica are among more than 30 public servants who are now under the Task Force Sweep Team investigations for money allegedly used in Singapore while the Grand Chief was undergoing medical treatment last year. The investigation focuses on the use of almost K4 million when Grand Chief Sir Michael was bed ridden in a Singapore hospital for three months. Among them is Chris Haiveta, who is now an executive in the ONeillNamah Government. National Planning Minister Sam Basil announced on the eve of the New Year that the Task Force sweep team has been handed the confidential list which details the millions of kina money used. He said those on the list will soon be called upon to be questioned in the New Year. Details of the expenses, according to a report by the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council show that Grand Chief used about K400,000, Betha Somare, daughter of Sir
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Samoa First To Celebrate 2012 Somares Come Under Probe

The New Year's Eve parties started a whole day early on the South Pacific island nation of Samoa, after a hop across the international date line transported the country 24 hours into the future making it the first in the world to ring in the new year. Samoans began celebrating under a rainbow of fireworks at the stroke of midnight on Thursday, Dec. 29 when the country skipped over Friday and moved straight into 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 31. Samoa and neighboring Tokelau lie near the date line that zigzags vertically through the Pacific Ocean, and both sets of islands decided to realign themselves this year from the Americas side of the line to the Asia side, to be more in tune with key trading partners. The time-jump revelry in Samoa continued throughout Saturday as the Michael, incurred K192,583.14, while Ms Seke Ua Karingal, Sir Michaels personal assistant, spent K191,224.81. Next on the list was Lady Veronica Somare who spent K171,825.34, followed by Richard Gogo who spent K143,200.09 and Constable John Keai spent K107,594.91. Rodney Kamus spent K104,733.79 followed by brother of Sir Michael, Paul Somare with K76,350.60. A Mr Tambon Tara spent K76,268.01 while Const. Rodney Eminoni spent K87,081.42 to name a few. The list has been given to the Task Force sweep team and arrests will soon be made, Basil said. But the Somare-Agiru Government welcomed the investigations and said that those involved were ready to face the Task force Sweep team. Ms Somare recently defended the allegations saying that Grand Chief Sir Michael was in a sick bed and had no input in all the funds used. She also said that the funds were entitlements as Sir Michael was the Prime Minister of the day at that time who was also entitled to allowances.
Former Senator Elected Marshall Islands President

The Marshall Islands elected Christopher Loeak as the nations sixth president at the opening of parliament. The change of leadership was accomplished without rancor with outgoing President Jurelang Zedkaia promising his support of Loeaks new government. The new president is a traditional chief, continuing the trend of traditional leaders holding the top political office in the Marshall Islands. Of the six presidents who have held office since 1979, five have been chiefs. Loeak was elected 21-11, the widest margin since MP Kessai Note was first elected president in 2000 by a unanimous vote of the parliament. Loeak has been a cabinet member in previous governments and has served in the parliament for 25 years. His election showed the strength the opposition was able to put together by joining forces with Notes splinter group.
Bad Timing For Some Samoans

Samoa's ''great date robbery" scuttled the birthday celebrations of 775 residents and poured cold water on 43 wedding anniversaries in the island nation. December 30 was rubbed off the Samoan calendar after Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi decided to move the dateline in a bid to aid his nation's business community. Residents went to bed on December 29 and woke up on December 31 aligned with New Zealand time. The move was ushered in with prayers, fireworks and songs at a public celebration in Apia in the hours before midnight on December 29. "Tonight is a momentous and noteworthy occasion that will be documented and recorded in the history of Samoa," Tuila'epa said. "It alters the typical number of days and weeks observed worldwide in Samoa. May God be gracious on Samoa." Others took to less formal celebrations. At Apia's `Y Not', guests were invited to warp into the future Star Trek-style while sipping sci-fi themed cocktails. But the time travel move has not gone down well with everyone. Opposition MP Aveau Niko Palamo felt for those born on December 30, or who had weddings and other anniversaries on that date. It's understood a number of the 775 Samoans set to celebrate their birthdays on December 30, or those who were to mark their wedding anniversaries, had expressed their disappointment to the government. But Tuila'epa said the move was in the nation's best interest, telling the Samoan parliament: "In doing business with New Zealand and Australia, we're losing out on two working days a week. "While it's Friday here, it's Saturday in New Zealand, and when we're at church on Sunday, they're conducting business in Sydney and Brisbane." The date change comes two years after an equally contentious decision to overhaul the country's road code, including changing from driving on the right of the road to the left. And Tuila'epa wants further reforms in 2012, including changing the national flag.
Samoa is not only celebrating the New Year but 50 years of governance since gaining independence from New Zealand in 1962. For decades, Samoa was subjected to British, German and New Zealand colonial rule and after years of lobbying to a reluctant United Nations the people of Samoa voted for independence. This came after a peaceful resistance movement, The Mau, was set up in the early 1900s, enraging New Zealand administrators who rounded up leaders and sent them into exile. In 1929 a peaceful march turned violent after New Zealand police tried to arrest one of the group and fired into the crowd, killing seven, including leader Tupua Tamasese Leolofi III. Later this year Samoa will hold a number of special events to commemorate its independence.
Samoa Toasts 50 Years Of Independence
Tongas King Promotes A Private University For The Kingdom

The King of Tonga, George Tupou the 5th, wants to establish a private university in Tonga, focusing on renewable energy and the environment. Matangi Tonga reports the king envisages a university enrolling up to 320 students each year. He is seeking funding from private foundations, but is also anticipating backing from the US State Department. Its thought the university project might be supported by the U.S. military in return for Tongas participation in US military operations abroad. Matangi Tonga also reports that the king thinks Tonga could tap into the Copenhagen Environmental Fund for such an education project. Tonga has made a major commitment to renewable energy.

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New Zealand News

Christchurch Arsonist Abuses Judge
A 20-year-old man accused of breaking into and setting fire to vacant earthquake-damaged homes in Christchurch swore at the judge when he appeared in court. The man, who has interim name suppression, appeared on 10 charges including arson, attempted arson, willful damage, burglary, and disorderly behaviour. He is yet to enter a plea. He was remanded in custody by Judge Brian Callaghan to reappear on January 18 at a district court hearing at Christchurch Men's Prison. As he was taken away from the dock by police, the man shouted comments across the court to his lawyer and partner, then profanities at Judge Callaghan. Police allege he broke into three vacant earthquake-damaged homes in Woolston to steal hot water cylinders. One home he allegedly set alight on January 2 was left moderately damaged. Police are investigating similar incidents in the area.
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Fist Fight Erupts Over Parking Space

Frustration over scarce parking spaces in Paihia boiled over into a fist fight between a 65-year-old local man and a 37-year-old Auckland visitor, leaving both with bruises and a police warning. Sergeant Peter Masters, of Paihia police, said the incident took place at the corner of Williams Rd and Selwyn Rd about 1.30pm after the Auckland man had already driven all the way around town looking in vain for a parking space. The visitor's sister saw a space come free so stood in it to hold it for her brother; he was just driving towards the newly vacated spot when a Paihia man seized his chance to back into the parking space. The confrontation was initially between the woman and the 65-year-old, but then the Auckland man joined in. "They came to blows," Mr Masters said. Both parties were in the wrong and both had been officially warned. Mr Masters urged motorists to "show a bit of patience". "There's a lot of people in town, and the heat and humidity does make people act in ways they usually wouldn't."
'Runaway Millionaire' Remanded In Custody

The man known as the "runaway millionaire'', Leo Gao, will remain behind bars. The 31-year-old Rotorua man appeared briefly in the Rotorua District Court to apply for bail. However, Gao's lawyer Ron Mansfield asked for the application to be adjourned. Gao faces 17 charges of theft, including one joint charge with Kara Hurring, of the theft of $6,782,000 and 10 charges of money laundering. Gao and his then partner, Kara Hurring, are alleged to have fled New Zealand in May 2009 after Westpac mistakenly gave him a $10 million overdraft instead of $100,000. Judge Jocelyn Munro remanded Gao in custody until his next appearance on January 23 where an application for electronically monitored bail will be made. Gao, 30, was arrested in Hong Kong in September and returned to New Zealand with police just before Christmas where he was remanded in custody. The couple's disappearance sparked an international manhunt involving Interpol and other overseas agencies. Hurring, 32, was arrested when she reentered New Zealand earlier last year and is due to stand trial next month.
A mystery foreign group won approval to buy a big chunk of New Zealand in a secret $1.3 billion deal last year. The sale did not proceed but the deal inflated figures for approved foreign investment in New Zealand to almost $1.9 billion last year, almost five times more than the previous year. A group opposed to foreign ownership, Cafca, believes the deal was approved in June. But all details, including the foreign buyer's name and the seller's name, were kept confidential, as well as the price. The sale could still go ahead in future. Overseas Investment Office figures made public show that in the 11 months ended November, 132 deals were approved, worth a net investment of $1.87b. That was up from $404 million in the same period in 2010. Big deals already made public include the sales of alcohols group Independent Liquor and soft-drinks company Charlie's to Japanese brewing giant Asahi. The biggest land deal in the past year was the sale of more than 22,000 hectares of leasehold land at Queenstown's Coronet Peak Station, understood to be to pop singer Shania Twain's former partner "Mutt" Lange. The mystery $1.3b deal was approved by the Overseas Investment Office, but did not go ahead, research and support officer Peter Hill said. The OIO kept details secret to avoid "unreasonably prejudicing the commercial position of the parties who are the subject of the information". Buyers and sellers can ask for information to be kept secret, but the OIO makes the call on that. A deal of such size would require an asset of the scale of the $1.2-billion-ayear aluminum smelter at Bluff. Cafca said the decision where details were kept secret was "not unique". Council of Trade Unions economist
Mystery $1.3B Bid To Buy NZ Asset
Bill Rosenberg, who was formerly involved with Cafca, calculated the deal was worth just over $1.3b, after excluding all other deals for that month. He also calculated it included 3586 hectares of freehold land and 24ha of leasehold land, and involves the transfer of a half share to overseas owners. Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa organizer Murray Horton said they had been unable to find out what the transaction was. Often when foreign buyers were willing to pay top dollar for assets and land in New Zealand, locals could not compete, he said. "Farmers are getting priced off the market" with large international corporations buying up farms. While 132 purchases by foreign buyers have been approved in the past 11 months, the most controversial deal, for the Crafar farms, remains undecided. There had been an expectation that the deal to sell to a Chinese company would be approved after the election because of its sensitive nature. But it was not included in the decisions for November. The Shanghai Pengxin bid for 16 Crafar farms, understood to be for $220 million, has been waiting nine months for an answer from the OIO on its application to buy the central and southern North Island Crafar farms. A bid in 2010 by Hong Kong's Natural Dairy was declined because it failed the "good character test". Cafca believes there are "ructions" at the highest level in the National Party and a split about selling the farms to an overseas buyer. There are no official figures on how much land foreigners own in New Zealand, but Cafca has estimated in the past that it is about 7 per cent of productive land and that figure is probably higher now.
4.8 Aftershock Rattles Christchurch

A magnitude 4.8 aftershock has rattled Christchurch Thursday morning, GNS Science reports. The jolt struck at 8.28am, and was centered 10km east of the city, off the coast of New Brighton, at a depth of 15km. The quake was felt strongly across the city and felt throughout the Canterbury region. Earlier, a magnitude 3.8 struck at 12.31am, 20km northeast of the city at a depth of 15km.
NZ Farmers Forced To Dump Milk

Dozens of New Zealand dairy farmers have been forced to dump thousands of liters of milk as damaged roads from flooding have prevented trucks collecting it. The eastern Bay of Plenty region has been deluged by heavy rain in the last few days, causing flash flooding. The farmers have been told they will be compensated by multinational dairy company Fonterra. Meanwhile The Bay of Plenty Regional Council said the milk dumping may lead to odour issues for neighbouring properties.
Friday, January, 6 2012 19 USA News Barack Obama Signs Bill To Freeze Hollywood Man, 24, Booked Over Los 700 Million Dollars Aid To Pak Angeles Arson Attacks
US President Barack Obama has signed a massive 662 billion dollars national defence authorization bill into law, which among other sweeping measures, seeks to freeze 700 million dollars in aid to Pakistan.
The US has suspended a big chunk of financial aid until Pakistan gives assurances it is helping fight the spread of improvised explosive devices. The bill for the year 2012 seeks to suspend 60 percent of the 1.1 billion dollars US military aid to Pakistan under the category Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund. The Obama administration has maintained that the bill under no circumstances results in suspension of US military aid to Pakistan, as being interpreted in Pakistan. US officials made clear that the Department of Defence and the State Department would work with the government of Pakistan to meet the requirements of the bill. According to the report, under the provisions of the bill, the Defence Secretary is also required to submit a report to the Congress on a discussion of US strategic objectives in Pakistan, a listing of the terrorist or extremist organisations in the country opposing US goals and against which the US encourages it to take action. While signing the bill on Saturday in Honolulu, Obama expressed many reservations about some of its provisions. He cited a litany of disagreements with various provisions of the bill after stating the fact that I support this bill as a whole does not mean I agree with everything in it. I have signed this bill despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation and prosecution of suspected terrorists, Obama said in a statement after signing the bill.
A 24-year-old man was booked by Los Angeles police on suspicion of arson following a spate of fires that spread fear and panic across the city.
dispute with the US government over the immigration status of one of his relatives, law enforcement sources said. Officials did not know if the arsons were related to the immigration dispute, but the LAPD was in communication with federal immigration officials about possible connections, the sources told the media. LAPD officers reportedly swarmed the area, setting up roadblocks to identify and arrest the suspect during a series of fresh fires before the person of interest could retreat back into hiding. The man was brought into custody as authorities responded to a dozen new fires in Los Angeles and West Hollywood. Crews were first sent to addresses in Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Hollywood and Eastwood Road in nearby Hollywood Hills, according to Captain Moore. Officers also responded to two different fires in Sherman Oaks, and two others in West Hollywood. Moore declined to specify the exact location of the other cases, saying that no injuries were reported. The new fires take the arson tally since last Thursday to 55, in what has been described as the city's worst spate of deliberately-set fires in 20 years. Of those fires, 45 occurred in the Los Angeles area, nine in West Hollywood, and one in Burbank, Erik Scott, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department, wrote on the department's blog. Nearly all of the fires have been started in cars or under the vehicle engine and in most cases spread to car ports, garages and homes. The suspect was spotted in a video of a car on fire inside the Hollywood & Highland Center - where the Academy Awards are held annually in the Kodak Theatre. Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a statement that he was "encouraged" by the arrest. "While the investigation continues, I am thankful for the ongoing and relentless effort by the LAFD, LAPD and other agencies to respond to these incidents and pursue every lead toward an arrest in the case," the statement read in part.
Hollywood area resident Harry Burkhart was being held in lieu of $250,000 bail at the Inmate Reception Center in downtown Los Angeles, citing booking records. There have been no further fires since Burkhart was detained but authorities are stressing that their investigation is ongoing. Speaking to reporters soon after the arrest, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Charlie Beck said, "I feel very good that we've got the right guy." The man "had the right stuff in his van, and we are very confident we found our man," he said. The man, who closely resembles a man seen in a surveillance video, was detained near Sunset Boulevard, a LAPD source said. Police confiscated the man's dark minivan with Canadian license plates at the scene. A police source told the Los Angeles Times that the vehicle contained materials that could have been used to set fires. The man is a native of Germany who was apparently involved in a
New York Woman Claims Boss Made Her Have Abortion To Avoid The Sack
A woman from New York claims that when her boss found out she was pregnant with her third child, he gave her the choice of either undergoing aborting or losing her job, according to a federal lawsuit.
According to Catherine Rizzo from Long Island, there was no way to misinterpret her supervisors ultimatum at Cookys Deli in Bohemia in May. The owners daughter pulled me in the office, and basically told me if I didnt have an abortion, I wasnt going to have a job, the media quoted Rizzo as saying. It was very, very clear. I have two other kids I have to take care of, and I needed my job, she said. Cookys Deli owner Martin Marsilio, vehemently denied the allegation, calling it a total lie. The struggling single mom said she was barely getting by on the 400 to 500 dollars a week she earned at the deli counter and knew that she couldnt afford to lose her job. As a direct result of this serious threat, approximately one week later, I was forced to terminate my pregnancy, she said. The 25-year-old filed a lawsuit filed on December 19th in Brooklyn federal court, seeking unspecified damages. She said that the unthinkable choice capped months of harassment. A co-worker regularly cursed at her, pushed her and told Rizzo she was a lowlife and a bad mother, the Sayville woman claimed in her lawsuit. She constantly complained to management, but nothing was done, Rizzo insists. I stuck through it all, Rizzo said. I stayed there because I needed my job, and I got the blunt end of the stick. I was trying to deal with it on my own, she said. Despite the abortion, she was abruptly fired in August. Rizzo and her kids were evicted from their apartment, but she got a new job and a new place until, she claims, employees of Cookys started showing up and taking pictures of her at work. Theyve kind of overturned my life. Its just not stopping. Im just trying to keep my head above water, she said. Her former boss claimed that Rizzo was canned for being chronically late, and she had never complained about harassment. We have had many female employees here that have gotten pregnant, had their children, took time off and came back to work, Marsilio said. However, Marsilio admitted tracking Rizzo down to a new job so that he could prove to the state unemployment office that she was allegedly working off the books.
World News
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'More Asylum Boats Likely After Visa Change'

The head of immigration with Indonesia's Law and Human Rights Ministry concedes that plans to ease visa rules for three major source countries for asylum seekers heading to Australia could spark more people-smuggling activity.
Indonesia is set to relax visa restrictions on citizens from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh within months, and similar changes for Pakistan and Afghanistan are now awaiting final approval. The changes come despite the four countries being among 13 nations that for a long time have been on Indonesia's immigration "red list", a reference to concerns that citizens from those countries could pose a security risk. Both the Law and Human Rights Ministry and the Foreign Ministry have confirmed the visa rules are set to be eased for the four countries. The director-general of immigration with the Law and Human Rights Ministry, Bambang Irawan, has also conceded that the new policy could trigger a fresh wave of asylum-seeker traffic to Australia from Indonesia. Indonesia is the chief transit point for asylum seekers heading to Australia, while Afghanistan and Pakistan are regarded as major source countries. "There's the potential for the new policy to lure more boat people heading to Australia," Mr Irawan said in an interview published in the Jakarta newspaper. "We will see what the progress is in the future and evaluate." The visa applications would be processed in Indonesian embassies in the countries of origin. "Based on our data, they head to Australia. To get there they have to pass our country," Mr Irawan said. However, he maintained that security factors would be taken into account, insisting also that Indonesia remained committed to a regional approach to combating people smuggling and the flow of asylum seekers. "This is a regional issue that will need co-operation between the transit and destination countries eyed by the people smugglers," he said. Mr Irawan said Indonesia already had "sufficient regulations" to combat people smuggling. The move to relax the visa policy follows the sinking last month of an Australian-bound vessel off the coast of East Java, which resulted in the deaths of as many as 200 asylum seekers. Authorities in Indonesia have detained four soldiers for their alleged involvement in the doomed peoplesmuggling venture, which is believed to have netted the syndicate responsible more than (AUD) $1 million. Only 47 asylum seekers survived when the 25-metre vessel, carrying about 250 people, sank in rough seas 40 nautical miles off the coast. It had a safe capacity of 100. Most of those aboard the boat were from Afghanistan and Iran, but there were also a number of asylum seekers from Pakistan. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa dismissed concerns that the relaxed rules could pose an increased security risk, saying the new policy was aimed at increasing tourism and business links between Indonesia and the four countries. "It's not right for us to stereotype as if a whole country, including children, is dubbed as a terrorist nation," Dr Natalegawa said. "I'm not going to begin stereotyping my brothers and sisters in Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Afghanistan as if they are all terrorists." he said.
Louvre Cements Spot As World's Most-Visited Museum

The Louvre cemented its position as the world's most-visited museum, with a record 8.8 million visitors making the trip to the Paris home of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and other masterpieces in 2011. The Louvre saw a 5 per cent increase in visitors in 2011, after three years in a row in which about 8.5 million people had visited the museum, it said in a statement. The museum said it enjoyed "a strong return of American visits and a more and more marked presence of visitors from emerging countries". Visitors from abroad accounted for 66 per cent of the museum's attendees, led by tourists from the United States, followed by Brazil, Italy, Australia and China. The number of visitors to French museums is expected to have grown overall by more than 5 per cent last year to about 27 million, French heritage officials said last week. According to a survey by Londonbased The Art Newspaper, the second most-visited museum in 2010 was the British Museum, with 5.8 million visitors, followed by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art with 5.2 million.
Winston Churchill's 1923 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce Restored To Former Glory
After rusting away in the garbage for decades, the 1923 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce used by Sir Winston Churchill has been restored to its former glory and is now estimated to be worth a whopping 250,000 pounds.
The vintage motor is said to have served the former British Prime Minister when he used it to give driving lessons to the first female MP, Lady Astor, on a Kent estate. During the war years, its back end was cut off to convert it into a recovery truck with a mini crane bolted on to the chassis for the auxiliary fire and ambulance service in Manchester. And in the 1960s, the Rolls appeared in 18 episodes of the hit series Avengers as the car of choice for English gentleman character John Steed. During the series, the classic car had a steak cooked on her engine and a ladder smashed through the windscreen. But after the show it was forgotten about and sat deteriorating in a Sussex garage until earlier this year. It had been purchased for just 200 pounds in the early 1950s by the grandfather of Tania Turner, from Sussex. He spent 2,000 pounds on restoring the vehicle, but sadly left it in his garage for decades before passing it on to Turner and her husband Andy. They enlisted the help of classic car expert Charlie Tope to return the Rolls to the open road. A friend had his old Alvis restored by Charlie and we thought he would be the ideal person to tackle the Rolls. She looks absolutely fantastic - better than new, the media quoted Turner as saying.
A member of the US military has been charged with trying to take explosives onto a plane at a Texas airport, says the FBI. Thirty year-old Trey Scott Atwater was detained at a security checkpoint at Midland International airport, as he tried to board a flight. He was carrying explosives in militarygrade wrapping, say detectives. The suspect had been visiting relatives in Midland and was returning to a
Texas Airport Explosives Find: US Military Man Charged

base in North Carolina when he was stopped. The explosives were spotted in his carry-on baggage by an x-ray machine. The airport terminal was evacuated for a short time while security checks were carried out. It is unclear whether he was wearing military uniform when he was detained and US officials have given no indication as to how much explosive he was carrying.
World News
21
Three Swiss bankers were indicted in the United States, accused of hiding $US1.2 billion in assets of US clients seeking to avoid declaring their full wealth to tax authorities.
The bankers, Michael Berlinka, Urs Frei and Roger Keller, were accused of "conspiring with US taxpayers and others" in a massive tax fraud scheme. In an indictment, the three bankers were said to have been client advisers at the Zurich branch of an institution identified only as "Swiss Bank A." They allegedly conspired with their US clients to hide the existence of bank accounts and the income they generated from the Internal Revenue Service, which collects taxes and requires US citizens to declare their holdings both at home and abroad. Swiss banks, which have a longstanding practice of offering clients secrecy, have come under steady attack by US authorities, highlighted by a probe into banking giant UBS which led to a deal between US and Swiss authorities. The service by "Bank A" was allegedly ramped up in 2008 and 2009 "in an effort to capture business lost by UBS AG and another large international Swiss bank in the wake of widespread news reports that the IRS was investigating UBS for helping US taxpayers evade taxes and hide assets in Swiss bank accounts," New York federal prosecutors said in a statement. They "allegedly told various US taxpayer-clients that their undeclared accounts at Swiss Bank A would not be disclosed to the United States authorities because Swiss Bank A had a long tradition of bank secrecy." The three accused bankers live in Switzerland. If convicted in the United States they would face maximum term of five years in prison. In the UBS case, some 4000 case files on American clients of UBS were handed over to the United States in 2010, after Washington dropped a summons against the bank over tax evasion. US tax authorities had started their offensive against UBS in 2008 after questioning a former banker, prosecuting the bank through US courts and forcing it to pay a $780 million fine and hand over client names.
Us Charges Swiss Bankers For Hiding $1.16 Billion
Indians Snap Up $45 Tablet Computer

The world's cheapest tablet computer has clocked 1.4 million bookings since it was put up for sale online two weeks ago in India. Bookings for the long-awaited Aakash, pegged at 2,500 rupees ($45), began on December 14 two months after it was unveiled as the "computer for the masses". The Aakash is part of a push to increase the number of students in higher education and to give them the technological skills needed to further boost the country's recent rapid economic growth. Critics had warned the device might struggle to live up to expectations with its limited 256-megabyte random access memory (RAM). The price of what has been dubbed "the world's cheapest computer" should fall to $35 and could even be hammered down as low as $10, DataWind has said. Datawind, the British company contracted by the Indian government to manufacture Aakash, said it was taken by surprise by the response in India, where Apple's iPad computers cost a minimum of $600. "The current response is overwhelming," a spokeswoman said. Datawind is now taking orders for an upgraded version, called Ubislate 7, for March and it will establish three new factories in 2012 to cope with the rush of orders. "We plan to produce 75,000 units per factory per month from around April," a spokeswoman said. The online edition of the Economic Times said the makers had run out of stock of Aakash, which has an 18-centimetre touch screen, Wi-Fi Internet function, a multimedia player and 180 minutes of battery power. The business daily said with around 400,000 pre-sales bookings for the Aakash, sales of the device were more than sales for the entire Indian tablet market last year which numbered about 250,000-300,000 units.
Man In Custody After Girl's Desert Death

Police have taken a convicted pedophile into custody following the death of an eight-year-old girl in Western Australia's Gibson Desert. Danielle Lane died 13 kilometers from the Tjirrkali community, which she had been missing from since Saturday. She was with 38-year-old family friend Augustine Winter Miller. Police launched a land and air search when the pair was reported missing on Monday. A plane spotted their car before ground crews found them. It is understood their car had broken down and they were attempting to walk 25 kilometers back to the community in extreme heat. The young girl was severely dehydrated and slipped into unconsciousness not long after police reached her. They performed CPR until medics from Warburton, 180 kilometers away, arrived. But they were unable to revive her and the death is being treated as suspicious. Police say Mr Miller is being held in custody pending a post-mortem examination of the young girl. "The death of this little girl is a terrible tragedy," she said. "It does raise some questions I think that need to be answered as to how is it the case that she was left unsupervised with a convicted pedophile."
Missing Wedding Ring Found On Carrot 16 Years After It Was Lost

A woman has miraculously found her white gold wedding ring on a carrot in her garden - 16 years after it disappeared.
Lena Paahlsson of Sweden took the white gold ring off while baking with her daughters during Christmas 1995, but it vanished from the kitchen counter where she had put it. The family searched everywhere for the missing ring, even pulling up floorboards at their farm in northern Sweden to try and find it. Paahlsson had given up hope of finding it until October this year, when she was picking carrots in her garden and suddenly found the ring around one of the vegetables. The family said the only explanation is that the ring must have fallen into the sink in 1995 and been mixed with potato peels that were later composted or fed to the sheep, because the soil in the garden is made from composted vegetables and sheep dung. The ring doesn't fit Paahlsson anymore, but she is now planning to have it enlarged. "I had given up hope. Now that I have found the ring again I want to be able to use it," she said.
World News
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Singapore Pm Worlds Best Paid Leader The World's Smallest Aquarium That
Despite a 36% salary cut, Lee Hsien Loong still out earns other leaders
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his ministers will see their pay slashed by about 36% as the government responds to opposition complaints over their high salaries but Lee will remain the worlds best-paid leader. Singapore pays its government members and civil servants generously to attract top talent to the public sector but leaders pay has been criticised as excessive by the opposition which made historic gains in a general election last May. Lee earns more than S$3 million (US $2.3 million) a year but will see that reduced to S$2.2 million (US$1.7 million) under the recommendations of a review committee he appointed last year, the committee said on its website. The committee was set up after the parliamentary elections that saw the tiny opposition make historic gains against Lees Peoples Action Party (PAP), which has ruled Singapore since independence in 1965. Despite the pay cut, Lees salary will still be three times that of Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, the worlds next highest-paid political leader who takes home about $550,000 a year. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard will get about A$480,000 ($498,200) a year under proposals unveiled recently while U.S. President Barack Obama earns about $400,000. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is reported to earn an estimate $315,000. The annual salaries of Singapore ministers will start from S$1.1 million, which is a cut of 37%, the committee said. The opposition said linking leaders salaries to what they could earn in the private sector meant they only focused on the rich. The pegging of the salaries to top earners has led to the PAP to focus on increasing the wealth of the richest in the country while neglecting the poor, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) said in a November proposal. The opposition party proposed instead that ministers earn a multiple of what the lowest 20% of wage earners get. Many Singaporeans complain about rising prices for basics such as housing and transport on the island, which has seen an influx of foreign workers over recent years. According to data from the Ministry of Manpower, the income of the bottom 20% of Singaporeans was flat or negative in the 10 years to June 2010. Details of the committees recommendations on ministerial pay were released at a media briefing earlier on Wednesday that was open only to domestic media. The review committees recommendations will be debated in Parliament on Jan. 16, the stateowned broadcaster Channel NewsAsia said on its website. Lee has said the government would accept the committees recommendations. The salary cuts will be back-dated to May 21, the committee said.
Fits In The Palm Of Your Hand
This is the world's smallest working aquarium - which holds just two teaspoons of water. The miniature wonder, which is made of glass and measures just 30mm wide by 24mm high and 14mm deep, can be held in the palm of your hand. And it is so small there is only room for tiny zebra fish. In 1996 he was even recognized by the Guinness World Records for the smallest ever book. Measuring just 0.9mm by 0.9mm the 29 page novel, an edition of 'Chameleon' by Russian author Anton Chekhov is dwarfed by a five pence piece. Working with a microscope, he has
built up quite a collection of miniature art over the years. Other creations include a caravan of 12 miniature camels inside the eye of a needle, which measures an incredible 0.25mm. Mr Konenko has also made an incredibly detailed ship in a bottle, which stands at just 0.25mm high, and a pair of shoes smaller than a matchstick. Some of his creations are worth as much as 50,000 euros, 44,000. He said: 'The tank was made out of curiosity. It is the worlds smallest and holds only 10 ml of water. For reference, 5ml is one teaspoon, so the aquarium can only hold two teaspoons worth of water.'
Murder Link To Sandringham Death

British police are launching a murder investigation after discovering a woman's body on Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham country estate in eastern England. The remains were found by a member of the public shortly after the Queen and her husband Prince Philip attended a New Year's Day church service nearby. Police said they sealed off the area where the body was found in woodland in Anmer, a village on the eastern edge of the 8,000-hectare site, and removed the remains for a post-mortem later. "We are at the very early stages of the investigation and it could be a complex inquiry," Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry of Norfolk police said. "The body had been there for some time. "The circumstances suggest this is a murder case and we are looking at missing persons reports and cold cases, both locally and nationwide." The Queen spent Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House in the west of the estate and is not expected to return to Buckingham Palace in London until February, a royal spokesman said. Her office said she had been informed about the discovery.
Italy Borrows Billions To Tackle Debt

The Italian government has raised about $US9 billion dollars on the financial markets in an overnight auction of long-term debt. It will be paying 6.98 per cent in interest on its 10-year bonds. That is 0.5 per cent down on last month, but still too close to the danger threshold of seven per cent. Italy will need to borrow another $300 billion in the next six months. But in the meantime, it will unveil a growth package to hopefully regenerate the sluggish economy. The Prime Minister, Mario Monti, said Italy had been sliding towards a debt crisis but, unlike Greece, had dug in its heels at the precipice. He added the current market problems were not Italy's alone. He said it was a European problem, so the solution needed to be unified and firm.
Bomb Scare At Taj Mahal

Police and the bomb disposal squad scanned the entire Taj, India's biggest tourist draw. The search led to nothing -- except tense moments. Deputy Inspector General of Police
An anonymous telephonic warning forced security forces to comb the Taj Mahal for a hidden bomb Wednesday afternoon, but it proved to be a hoax call.
Aseem Arun told the reporter: "We got a call at the police control room. We scanned the whole area and found nothing. Now we are trying to trace the caller. We will get him soon."
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ICBC Cases
Pawanjit S. Joshi B.A. (Hons.), LL.B. Puneet P.K. Sandhar B.A. (Hons.), LL.B. Amandeep S. Sanghera B.A., LL.B. Simi K. Saini B.A., LL.B. Barinder S. Sanghera B.Comm., LL.B.
CM
MY
After my accident I had constant neck and back pains. I felt sad most of the time and became very anxious about the future. ICBC said I was overreacting and offered $17,000. My case settled for $400,000 at mediation. MR. S. The damage to my car was only $700. ICBC said I could not have been injured; but I was. My lawyer finalized my claim for $28,000 plus expenses. MISS M. ICBC offered me $32,000 to finish my case. I was off work for 6 months and saw a specialist because of my jaw injury. I couldnt mop the floor or clean our bathroom without help from my children. I received $200,000 through my lawyers efforts. MRS. S. The damage to my vehicle was about $1,700. ICBC said this was a Low Velocity Impact (LVI) and refused to pay me for my injuries and physio costs. My lawyer obtained more than $45,000 for me. MRS. B. A car hit me as I walked across the street. ICBC blamed me because of the colour of my clothing. My lawyer worked hard and obtained necessary evidence. My case settled for over $300,000. MRS. C.
*Past cases are not necessarily indicative of future results and amounts recovered may vary according to the facts in each case.
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Madhuri Dixit at Madame Tussauds!! Vidya Appears On The List Of Most Wanted
Bollywoods evergreen beauty Madhuri Dixit is the next star to have her statue waxed at Madame Tussauds, London. The actress will closely monitor the entire creation process, joining the team to agree the pose and even donating a Manish Malhotra sari for her figure to wear. An official statement from Madame Tussauds London said: The decision to include Madhuri is set to delight Bollywood fans around the world as we are constantly inundated with requests to feature Madhuri. Her figure will make a stunning new addition to our Bollywood area which continues to grow in popularity every year. Madhuri Dixit said: I am very happy that I was chosensomewhere it is a recognition of your art, of what you stand for, and kind of a reward for all the work that you have put in.
Actresses To Perform At Award Functions!
Saif-Amritas Daughter Makes Her Debut

HELLO magazine January issue features Saif and Amritas Singhs daughter, Sara, on its cover, making this her first media debut. Donned from top to bottom in Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla embroidered outfit, mother and daughter are part of a special story featured in the magazine. Talking about her daughter Sara, mommy Amrita said that her 16-yearold aspires to be a doctor. However, she may turn out to become a lawyer as well. She adds. The next two years will be critical for her as she will finally decide on her career, says Amrita. But with such good looks inherited from her mother and, her father acting genes in her, we will not be surprised if Sara turns out to become an actress!
Salman Khans Kick Not Postponed!

Lately, Salman Khans action flick Kick has been in news, quite often. It was said that the film release might get delayed. However, the latest news is that the film will roll on time. The film stars Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha in lead roles. Rumors also had it that Salman Khan did not want to pair up with Sonakshi Sinha as he is also starring with her in Dabangg 2. However, now, all is well. Since Salmans 2012 calendar is jam packed, buzz had it that Shirish Kunders Kick would have delayed release. But now, Shirish is doing all that he can do to make sure Kick rolls on time. The director himself has confirmed that Kick hasnt been postponed.
Ever since 'The Dirty Picture' happened, Vidya Balan is in great demand. The latest buzz has it that the organizers of an event are ready to shell out Rs 50 to 75 lakh on Vidya, for her one performance. Now that the season of award functions has begun, Vidya Balans name is in almost all the lists of most wanted actresses to perform at these events. In 2011, Vidya was nowhere in the lists of any events. According to a source, While Vidya is a very good actress, she was far from being the glamour girl. She was not perceived as oomphy as Kareena, Katrina, Deepika, Priyanka or even Anushka when it comes to performing on stage. Adds the source, Apart from being approached to perform on the Ooh la la and Naaka mukka tracks, shes
also being offered a handsome fee, averaging to about Rs 50 lakh per event. Confirming the news, Mohammed Morani, one of the top event organisers says A chartbusting song and a super hit film is what is required of a star for the award functions.
Lifestyle
Health Benefits Of Watermelon
Aside from watermelon's thirst quenching taste it has many health benefits. It is green on the outside. It is part of the cucurbitadae family. The edible part is inside the watermelon and has a red pinkish color. Watermelon comes in many forms. You can buy seedless, baby, and regular watermelons at your local grocery store. all sorts of antioxidant drinks. This is one of the biggest health benefits of watermelon.
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Macular Degeneration
Health Benefits
energy production protects against macular degeneration fights heart disease loaded with antioxidants reduces the risk of cancer prevents erectile dysfunction good source of vitamins and minerals
Eating watermelon can protect against the negative effects of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is just a fancy word for loss of vision. It fights the age-related symptoms of vision loss. Studies show that eating watermelon is actually healthy for your eyes than eating carrots. That is true in both short-term and long-term vision loss.
Cancer Fighting Properties
Energy Production
Watermelon is concentrated with B-vitamins. B-vitamins are responsible for a lot of your body's energy production. This means eating watermelon can give you substantial energy. It also has high amounts of the energizing nutrients magnesium and potassium. Eating watermelon is a safe alternative to taking energy drinks prior to exercise. It also hydrates you due to its high water content as opposed to caffeine filled energy drinks that dehydrate you.
Antioxidants
Watermelon is a natural source of nature's most powerful antioxidants. It is a good source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A. It is also a good source of the powerful antioxidant betacarotene. Watermelon's antioxidants can help prevent a number of things. It reduces the risk of colon cancer, asthma, heart disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostate cancer. Antioxidants should be a staple in everyone's diet. They provide health benefits that other nutrients cannot. When it comes to things that are beneficial to your health antioxidants are at the top of the list. They are better than vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs, and any other nutrient because they have so many benefits. If you do not take some sort of antioxidant whether it is through food or something else you should consider incorporating a food that contains antioxidants or supplement with them. You can buy
Supplementing watermelon into your diet can help prevent and fight cancer. It does this because of its rich antioxidant profile. The antioxidants of the watermelon are very concentrated and kill the cancer causing free radicals. They especially help prevent heart and colon cancers. Of all health benefits of watermelon this is probably the most significant one. Any food that fights cancer provides great health benefits. Nutrient Profile Per Serving Vitamin A: 10% Vitamin C: 25% Vitamin B6: 10% Vitamin B1: 10% Magnesium: 7% Potassium: 5% The health benefits of watermelon are largely attributed to its nutrients. Vitamin C is the main nutrient of watermelon and is one of the strongest antioxidants of any kind. Magnesium is one of most important minerals of the human diet. Magnesium deficiency has negative effects.
History
The watermelon was first cultivated in Egypt. It was a very sought after fruit in Egypt. Some hieroglyphics suggest that it was put in the tombs of some pharaohs. It is thought that the watermelon was so heavily sought after in Egypt because of its high water content. The hydration that eating watermelon is probably the reason it was so heavily regarded due to Egypts hot weather, lack of water, and deserts. Many people probably depended on watermelon as a primary water source. After all watermelon is 92% water. The health benefits of watermelon have been known about for a long time. It is not just a recent find.
1. Bananas regulate the bowel system: Are you suffering from constipation? The best solution to constipation is eating a banana a day. This is one of the major health benefits of bananas. Bananas are rich in fiber that helps in regulating the bowel functions. 2. Bananas reduce the risk of heart diseases and blood pressure: You might be surprised to hear this health benefit of bananas; yes, bananas reduce the risk of heart diseases as well as lowers blood pressure levels. How? Bananas are rich in potassium, which is very vital for the muscle contraction and proper functioning of the heart and nervous system. Do you know how much of potassium is required a day? It is just 4g and you get this by eating a banana. 3. Bananas reduce depression: Tryptophan acids are present in bananas and these help in reducing depression and thereby improve your mood. Studies show that bananas are also helpful in reducing stress levels. In this age of stress, this health benefit of banana is truly great. 4. Eat bananas for healthy bones: What do you require for healthy bones? One requires calcium for healthy bones, am I right? Probiotic bacteria help in absorbing calcium and increasing the digestive ability. This helpful bacterium is present in bananas. Green bananas are especially helpful in absorbing calcium. 5. Reduce menstrual pains with bananas: Do you get menstrual pains? Majority of the women folk take pills to reduce menstrual pains. Rather taking these pain killers eat a banana. Bananas are rich in vitamin B6 that helps in regulating blood glucose levels. This helps in balancing your overall mood
Benefits Of Bananas
and hence reduces menstrual pains. 6. Bananas help ulcer patients: Another major health benefit of bananas is their capability of fighting intestinal disorders. Eating a raw banana reduces irritation in the stomach and reduces the effect of over acidity. 7. Bananas and anemia: Bananas are not only rich in potassium but also rich in iron; therefore, eating a banana increases iron and thereby high hemoglobin. When hemoglobin content is increased, naturally anemic conditions decreases. Forgot those pills for anemia and take a banana. 8. Quit smoking by eating bananas: Another amazing health benefit of banana is that it helps people who wish to quit smoking. Smokers have a high level of nicotine; minerals in banana like potassium and magnesium and vitamins B6 and B12 help in reducing nicotine. 9. Bananas increase brain power: A survey was conducted very recently among 200 students at a school in Middlesex. They were given bananas along with their normal diet for their breakfast, break and lunch. Research proved that potassium in bananas helped to increase their mental alertness and boost brain power. Remember this health benefit of banana and make your child eat a banana everyday to score high in studies. 10. Reduce itching of mosquito bites with bananas: What do you normally do when there is an itching or swelling due to mosquito bites? We go in for creams that reduce itching and swelling. Rather using these creams, use banana peels. Rub the itching or swelling area with the inside of banana peels and see for yourself how soon you get relief from mosquito bite itching or swelling.
Chai Time
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Your Horoscope For 2012

Yearly Horoscope of the Zodiac Sign "Aries" for the year 2012 with general forecast, career, romance, lucky colours, numbers and more. Sign: The Ram Ruling planet: Mars Ruling house: 1st house Element: Fire Compatible zodiac sign: Libra, Cancer, Capricorn, Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius and Pisces Incompatible zodiac sign: Aquarius that has lingered for a long span of rime. Positive energy is the keyword for Aries in 2012. You will preach optimistic and constructive thoughts. Your understanding, which is sharper than common, will be high. Some domestic fights are on the cards. Nevertheless, your anger will always be in your control and will never lose your temper. Practicing detachment is advised to attain spiritual liberating self. in terms of achieving an enviable status in the organization. 2012 is the going to be the best year in your life. There are high possibilities of some potential gains on your part. All you will be required to do is stick to your long term goals and be determined to achieve what you wish to achieve. You will be guided by the powerful constellation of Mars, Jupiter as well as Mercury. The constellation itself will make it sure that you experience a smooth and tension free progress all throughout the year in terms of monetary gains. Lucky color: The specific colors which are going to be lucky for you are red and scarlet. Lucky number: The specific numbers which are going to be extremely lucky for you in the coming year are 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63 and 72. Great people with this zodiac sign: There are in fact great dignitaries who have been born on this particular date. For example you should like to cast a look at these entities- Charlie Chaplin, Ravi Shankar, Ramanathan Krishnan and many more.
ARIES
Romance 2012
General forecast 2012
Span/Date: March 21 to April 19
In the year 2012 you will feel the existence of a highly powerful source of positive energy in your being. Everything will seem to be happening in a positive manner and ultimately yielding rich benefits for you. Optimistic as well as constructive thoughts have always been a forte with you. It is these two qualities which will make you an idol in the eyes of all in the coming year. Because of your power of your understanding capacity as well as your quick decision taking habit you might come up with steady solution to a problem
Career 2012
As it regards your career as well as profession, this is a year which is replete with enormous prospects. In the medial segment of the year you might expect a significant career change. A good pay hike as well as promotion in job might be on the cards. You can in fact prove to be a pioneering figure or an asset for the organization you are working for. There are possibilities of your hard work and dedication to get noticed which will in the long run be of immense help to you
Your love life is going to be quite interesting in the coming year. The emotional bonding between you and your partner is going to be much stronger based on certain events. You might get in touch with a charismatic personality at your work place or at any shopping complex as well as at any fitness centres. Within a couple of interactions you might get involved in a lifelong bonding. If you are already in a steady relationship then it is high time that you both spend some quality time in the relationship. By spending more time together you will be able to understand the needs related to your relationship. Make it a point to keep your love interest contented and let the love quotient grow exponentially.
Finance 2012
From the financial point of view the year
TAURUS
Yearly Horoscope of the Zodiac Sign "tAURUS" for the year 2012 with general forecast, career, romance, lucky colours, numbers and more. Sign: The Bull Ruling planet: Venus Ruling house: 2nd house Element: Earth Compatible zodiac sign: Virgo, Leo, Scorpio, Aries and Capricorn Incompatible zodiac sign: Aquarius, Pisces Span/Date: April 20 to May 20 avoid any sort of heated debates with your friends that might end up in a chaotic situation. After all it is your friends only who are always there right beside you when you need them most. work alive. There might come some situations where you will be required to act pro active. the situation you have to see that you are avoiding the tendency of making haste. You will be required o take your decisions in a calm state of mind. What seems to be more important is the fact that you will be required to make the fiscal decisions with the application of your acumen level. Do not maker decision from your heart. Choose to be a bit diplomatic at some situations. Lucky color: The specific colors which are going to be lucky for you are green and blue. Lucky number: The specific numbers which are going to be lucky for you are 6, 15, 24, 33, 42 as well as 51. Great people with this zodiac sign:There are in fact a bevy of great dignitaries who have been born on this particular date. For example you should like to cast a look at these entities- Queen Elizabeth, William Shakespeare and many more.
Romance 2012
Career 2012
General Forecast 2012
Year 2012 is definitely going to rope in smile onto your face. In terms of advancement in your career or stability in love live as well as conjugal life or in terms of making some significant financial gains the coming year will have some pleasant gift of memorable moments for you. However when it comes to your relationships with your friends you will be required o be a bit careful. You might get into a serious tiff with your friends. Therefore try to
Your hard efforts are going to be appreciated in plenty in the coming year. The upcoming year is in every way going to be a truly eventful year for you. You can expect a superb growth trajectory in your particular field. Both in terms of recognitions as well as position you are going to be at the center of attention in your domain or in your organization. However in order to see that it happens exactly the same way as you have long wished you have to be consistent. Make it a point to stick to your long term goals as you have continued to do so far. Most importantly keep your tenacity for hard
When it comes to your love live as well as your conjugal relationships you may expect that 2012 is going to get you in any sort of phase replete with emotional turmoil. The year is going to be peaceful. In case you are single there are chances that you might get on touch with someone who is close to the vision that you have in your heart regarding a dream partner for life. The upcoming year is replete with high chances of a sudden wedding as well as new romantic relationships.
Finance 2012
2012 can prove to be a great year that ascertains a good deal of monetary gains for you. However in order to make sure that you take the full advantage of

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7) What unique art form was developed by First Nations people on the West Coast? A. Paintings. B. Kayaks. C. Sculptures. D. Totem poles. 8) What does a Member of Parliament do? A. He or she works for the Governor General. B. He or she links Canadians to the federal government. C. He or she liaises with the municipal government. D. He or she represents the Queen.
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HOW TO HANDLE RAW MEAT

KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE AND HEALTHY
THINKING OF BECOMING A CANADIAN CITIZEN? This is Practice Test

Discover Canada
Theres no reason to fear handling raw meat. In fact, theres a simple four-step process you can follow to prevent food borne illness in your kitchen and keep your 9) What does Register of Electors family safe.
contain? A. List of Canadian citizens less than 18 years old who are qualified to vote in federal elections and referendums. B. List of all Canadian citizens who are qualified to vote in federal elections and referendums. C. List of Canadian citizens of more than 18 years who are qualified to vote in federal elections and referendums. D. Personal information of voters which is given to each political party. 10) What does voting by secret ballot mean? A. No one can watch you vote or look at your marked ballot. B. No one can watch you vote except the election officer. C. The voter should not tell anyone for hom he/she voted. D. Only the candidate you vote for can watch your marked ballot. ANSWERS 1.C 2.C 3.D 4.D 5.B 6.A 7.D 8.B 9.B 10.A 1. Chill Cold temperatures reduce the growth of bacteria. Shop the meat department last, and refrigerate or freeze meat within two hours of purchase. Always defrost and marinate meat in the refrigerator, not on the counter! 2. Separate Never let raw meat touch ready-to-eat foods. Keep raw meat separate from other foods in your shopping cart; store it on the bottom shelf of your fridge to keep accidental leaks from contaminating other food. Use separate plates, utensils and cutting boards when preparing food at home: one set for raw meat and the second for other foods. 3. Clean Wash hands for at least 20 seconds in hot, soapy water to prevent the spread of bacteria after touching raw meat. Also remember to wash anything that has touched the raw meat, including cutting boards, counters and utensils, in hot, soapy water. 4. Cook Always cook your meat to the recommended internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness without cutting into the meat. Promptly refrigerate leftovers in a shallow container
1) What are the first two lines of Canada's national anthem? A. O Canada! We stand on guard for thee. B. O Canada! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. C. O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. D. O Canadian! Our home and private land! True love in all thy sons command. 2) Which province is known as the "Land of 100,000 Lakes"? A. Quebec. B. Alberta. C. Manitoba. D. Ontario. 3) How are Members of Parliament chosen? A. Appointed by Governor of each province. B. Elected by the Provincial Parliament. C. Appointed by the Prime Minister.
D. Elected by Canadian citizens. 4) Who has the right to vote in a federal election? A. A Canadian citizen, at least 21 years old and must work for the government. B. A Canadian or British citizen, over 18 years old. C. A landed immigrant, 18 years old and a member of the Canadian Forces. D. A Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day and on the voters' list. 5) When is Canada Day? A. September 6th of each year. B. July 1st every year. C. The second Monday of July. D. The third Monday of May. 6) What is meaning of the Canadian coat of arms and motto: "A Mari Usque Ad Mare"? A. From sea to sea. B. From land to sea. C. From land to land. D. From coast to coast.
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Horoscope
Aries (March 21-April 19):
The purchase of a vehicle or property is strongly indicated. You will receive some news about it. You will succeed in completing your work with relative ease. Those appearing for interviews are bound to be successful. Family ties will be strengthened. Gains are indicated through your regular work. Those looking for accommodation will find a good place. Involvement in family affairs will keep you busy in this week. Travel is indicated and will be favourable. News about a creative endeavour will be encouraging.
Taurus(April 20-May 20):
Gemini (May 21-June 20): You may have to work overtime to conclude an assignment on schedule. A letter or phone call will have some good news to convey to you. Travel on a short journey is also likely. This is a good opportunity to combine work with pleasure as your mate will be able to accompany you.
Cancer (June 21-July 22): You get an opportunity to make substantial gains through commission or trading. It is a good week to handle financial matters and settle your accounts. You will be entertaining family or friends on this week. A long distance call on phone may bring in a pleasant news. Leo (July 23-Aug 22): You will be given an useful tip for investment. By making a quick decision you could make a large profit. A tiring weekend for some of you. Plenty of visitors may drop in, besides, you may also have to attend to weekend chores around the house Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 21): Partnerships and joint efforts will do well provided you have a more conciliatory approach in your dealings with others. You will be involved in family affairs on this week. A trip out of town is also likely. You may decide
to take your mate or beloved along. Libra (Sept 22-Oct 23): A meeting scheduled for this week is bound to have good results that will lead to further gains for you. A visit to a club or public place is likely on Sunday. You will be meeting someone interesting and form a profitable association. Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 21): Success at work is certain. Negotiations for some new work will be settled in your favour. The employed will be promoted or given additional benefits at work. A happy atmosphere at home prevails. Those in media or communication will be in the limelight. Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21): There will be a lot of visitors at home over the weekend so any plans that you may have had will have to be shelved temporarily. Try to keep your disappointment under check and avoid making an issue of it. Stress and strain
could lead to minor health problems in this week. Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19): Things are going very well for you right now. However, this is not the time to make any rash moves though you may be tempted to do so. An outing on this week will be enjoyable. Your mate or beloved will help you with your work and chores. Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18):
Your earlier investment will now begin to yield profits. Applications for loans or job will have a favourable response. Immediate gains are indicated but you will have to work really hard for it. You will have to take the initiative to sign a new deal. Keep a check on health and relax whenever you can.
You may consider investing some money in a security. This will be profitable in the long run. You may be buying something expensive. Friends will drop in to see you. An outing or a celebration of an important occasion will turn out to be enjoyable.
Pisces (Feb 19-March 20):
CHICKEN IN COCONUT MILK Ingredients
Chicken Club Pizza What You Need

1 can (13.8 oz.) refrigerated pizza crust 1/4 cup kraft Mayo with Olive Oil Reduced Fat Mayonnaise 1/2 cup kraft Ranch Dressing, divided 1-1/2 cups kraft Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese with a Touch of PHILADELPHIA, divided 1-1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken 8 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled (optional) 1-1/2 cups finely shredded lettuce 1 tomato, finely chopped
Method :
Hot and Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings

1/2 cup butter reduced fat Italian dressing 10 lbs chicken wings 2 oz hot sauce 1 cup garlic, minced
1.5 kg Roasting chicken 2 Medium chopped onions 4 cloves Garlic, minced 1/4 tsp Jeera 1/4 tsp Sarso 2 teaspoons Chopped fresh ginger 4 Red chilies 2 cups Coconut milk 2 tbsp Curry powder 1 teaspoon Turmeric 6 Curry leaves 1 1/2 teaspoonSalt 1 large Chopped tomato 2 tbsp Oil Cilantro to garnish.
Cut up chicken into curry pieces. Grind onions, garlic, ginger and chilies. Add about half cup of the coconut milk and blend to a smooth puree. Warm up the oil. Add jeera, sarso and curry leaves. Now add curry powder, turmeric, salt. Add ground onion, garlic, ginger and chillies. Add tomatoes. Add chicken and mix well. Cover and cook until chicken is tender. Add balance of coconut milk. Bring slowly to the boil, stirring occasionally. Do not cover pan, or coconut milk will curdle. Garnish with chopped cilantro Serve with white rice, naan or roti.
Ingredients
Directions
Make It
HEAT oven to 400F.
UNROLL pizza dough on baking
sheet sprayed with cooking spray; press into 15x10-inch rectangle. Bake 10 min. MIX mayo and 1/3 cup dressing; spread onto crust. Top with half the cheese, chicken, remaining cheese and bacon.
Put chicken wings in roasting pan and bake on 425 F (210 C) for an hour or until wings are crispy. In a separate pan melt butter then add garlic, Italian dressing pack, and jar of hot sauce (like Franks red hot) stir and heat till hot. Drain any excess juice from chicken wings once done cooking. Put chicken wings in a large container with a lid and add sauce mix and shake well. Serve with celery and cream cheese or blue cheese dressing. Enjoy!
golden brown and cheese is melted. Top with lettuce and tomatoes; drizzle with remaining dressing.
BAKE 5 min. or until crust is deep
31
READING IS FUN
Reading begins at home. As a parent you are the first and most important teacher your child will have. Enjoy stories with your child from a very early age. Even newborns can sense your enthusiasm when you read to them. Try to set aside a special time each and every day that you and your child can enjoy a number of books together without interruption. Your child will signal you when he or she begins to tire of this activity. Let this be your clue that story time has ended. It is probably best to let your child dictate the length of time spent reading, and you will find that as the activity becomes standard, your child will sit and listen for longer periods of time. Be sure and engage your child in conversations, for communicating orally is a prerequisite to understanding the written word. Encourage and ask questions like "Why?", "What would you have done?" or "Who was your favorite character?" from a book or television show. Your child will have a lot of fun choosing books from the library or bookstore and will enjoy even the simplest of tales. Once your child begins to read independently, take turns reading to each other. This is also a great time to begin to read longer stories, perhaps a chapter or two a day. There are plenty of books out there that will keep kids on the edge of their seats until the next reading session. Be certain that your child has the opportunity to watch you enjoy reading. Don't save those newspapers, magazines or novels until after the little ones are in bed. Children will begin to read on their own timetable. They may be a "listener" longer than other children their age. Don't worry; they will begin to read when the time is right for them. Should you have a question about their reading ability, don't hesitate to ask your pediatrician or school personnel about early reading and literacy programs in your community. They may be able to suggest steps to take to further your child's reading abilities. Don't be a prisoner of age related material. Use age suggestions as a guideline only. Even very young children can listen to and comprehend rather technical, scientific or historical books. Your child may be interested in dinosaurs or trains for example. Let them choose their books and read them over and over if necessary. If it is a subject dear to their heart, they will become a walking, talking encyclopedia on the subject! Make a habit of giving children's books or magazine subscriptions as gifts. There are books and magazines for every interest and age group. If in doubt, a gift certificate from a bookseller is a great gift for all ages. Write your own stories! Even a child that cannot write yet can dictate a story to you. Keep a journal of these stories. They will make a wonderful keepsake and will bring back very special memories for you and your child. Encourage older children to keep a journal or diary. This not only allows them to perfect their writing skills but will help them relieve the stresses of everyday life. Ask relatives or out of town friends to correspond by mail with your child. Not only do they get the thrill of receiving their own mail, but they will also enjoy reading their letters and best of all replying to them. Playing word games is a fun way to learn new words and develop a larger vocabulary. Board games like Scrabble and homemade games are excellent learning tools. Try playing rhyming games with your child when driving or walking. Think of a word and take turns thinking up words (real or imagined) that rhyme with it. Get your child a dictionary. This will not only be educational, but your child might even spend time reading it and discover lots of new words! Always have a book with you! A short story is just the thing to pass the time when waiting in line, sitting at the doctor's office or picking up siblings from school. I hope these reading tips have been helpful to you and wish you a very happy trip on the road to reading!
Hansel and Gretel
Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once, when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety. He groaned and said to his wife, "What is to become of us? How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves?" "I'll tell you what, husband," answered the woman, "early tomorrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them." "No, wife," said the man, "I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest? The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces." "Oh! you fool," said she, "then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins," and she left him no peace until he consented. "But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same," said the man. The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, "Now all is over with us." "Be quiet, Gretel," said Hansel, "do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us." And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little
coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, "Be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us," and he lay down again in his bed. When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying, "Get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood." She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, "There is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else." Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, "Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for? Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs." "Ah, father," said Hansel, "I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say goodbye to me." The wife said, "Fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys." Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebblestones out of his pocket on the road. Continued next week
32
Health
Using Nitroglycerin For Sudden Chest Pain
What Is Nitroglycerin?
pills, tablets, skin ointment, and skin patches. This topic does not cover these long-acting forms of nitroglycerin. Your doctor will prescribe the right amount for you. Do not use another person's nitroglycerin. Use the spray under your tongue or on top of your tongue. Push the spray canister button once. Close your mouth right away. Take one tablet or spray dose. If after 5 minutes the chest pain is not better or gets worse, call 911or other emergency services immediately. After you call 911, continue to stay on the phone with the emergency operator. He or she will give you further instructions. Regardless of what happens, you should let your doctor know that you had an episode of angina. If this is unusual for you, your angina episodes are occurring more frequently or lasting longer, or you need more medicine to control them, tell your doctor. Report any change in your chest pain (unstable angina) to your doctor. taken one of these erection-enhancing medicines, be sure to tell your doctor so that you are not given nitroglycerin or another nitrate medicine. Do not take the pulmonary hypertension medicine sildenafil (Revatio) if you are taking nitroglycerin or another nitrate medicine.
When do I use quickacting nitroglycerin?

Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, a medicine that opens blood vessels to improve blood flow. It is used to treat angina, a type of chest pain that happens when there is not enough blood flowing to the heart. To improve blood flow to the heart, nitroglycerin opens up (dilates) the arteries in the heart (coronary arteries), which improves symptoms and reduces how hard the heart has to work. Nitroglycerin comes in quick-acting forms and long-acting forms. Quick-acting forms of nitroglycerin are used to relieve sudden chest pain or used just before activities that typically cause chest pain. The quick-acting forms include tablets or oral sprays. The tablets are placed under the tongue (sublingual) or between the cheek and gum (buccal). The spray is used on or under the tongue. This topic covers these quick-acting forms of nitroglycerin. Long-acting forms of nitroglycerin are used to prevent chest pain from happening. They are not used to stop sudden chest pain. These long-acting forms include
Your doctor will advise you when to use your nitroglycerin. In general, quick-acting nitroglycerin is used: To relieve sudden angina. Before stressful activities that can cause angina, such as walking uphill or having sexual intercourse.
How do I use quickacting nitroglycerin?
Sit or lie down to take your nitroglycerin. If you are driving, pull over and park the car. Taking nitroglycerin can lower your blood pressure, which could cause you to pass out if you are standing up. For sudden episodes of angina, use nitroglycerin in a tablet or liquid spray form. Place the under-the-tongue (sublingual) tablet under your tongue. Leave it there until it dissolves. If you accidentally swallow the tablet, take another. The medicine won't work if it is swallowed. Place the between-cheek-and-gum (buccal) tablet between your cheek and gum. Leave it there until it dissolves. If you accidentally swallow the tablet, take another. The medicine won't work if it is swallowed.
Can nitroglycerin get lose potency? Are there side effects or old andcan get old. And when it is Nitroglycerin interactions with other old, it may not work. If your nitroglycerin supply is past its expiration date, get a drugs that I should be new prescription as soon as possible. Keep your nitroglycerin in the container aware of? it came in and tightly closed. Do not open
Normal, temporary side effects of nitroglycerin include a warm or flushed feeling, headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness. You may also feel a burning sensation under your tongue. Do not take the erection-enhancing medicines sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), or tadalafil (Cialis) if you are taking nitroglycerin. Combining nitroglycerin with any of these medicines can cause a life-threatening drop in blood pressure. If you develop chest pain and have your sublingual nitroglycerin until you need a dose. Replace your tablets every 3 to 6 months. A nitroglycerin spray may last up to 2 years before it expires. You may get a headache when you use nitroglycerin. Or you may feel burning or tingling under your tongue with nitroglycerin that is used under the tongue. But if you don't have a headache or feel burning or tingling under your tongue, it does not mean the medicine is not working.
Store nitroglycerin pills in a darkcolored (such as brown), airtight, glass container that you cannot see through. Keep the container tightly closed. Keep nitroglycerin pills and liquid spray away from heat and moisture.
How should I store Nitroglycerin?
Black Tea Is Beneficial For Health

While many people prefer being cautious about taking too much tea at home or workplace, researchers now suggest that by taking three cups a day one can slash heart attack's risk by 60 percent and dramatically reduce diabetes threat. Researchers believe that the humble cuppa, packed with health-giving antioxidants, can help prevent the two killer conditions in a triple-pronged attack, as reported. The study found that in most cases black tea was found to produce a significant protective association. Regular consumption of tea is claimed to prevent artery-blocking blood clots, control blood pressure and stop arteries from dangerously constricting and inhibiting blood flow. All three conditions can set off a killer heart attack as blood vessels feeding oxygen to heart muscles become blocked. An extensive review of 40 research papers by Carrie Ruxton and Pamela Mason, and published in the UK Nutrition Bulletin, evaluated a raft of data linking black tea and disease prevention. Ruxton and Mason estimate that people taking three to six cups of tea a day lower their risk of contracting heart disease by 30 to 57 percent compared with people who never drink it or who drink small amounts. "Given the available evidence to date, regular black tea consumption is linked with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes," Ruxton said. "Though the amount required to produce such benefits should be the subject of further research, three to six cups of black tea daily appears to contribute to cardiovascular health."
Australia News
33
Australia Targets On Tax Cheats

THE Australian Tax Office wants the power to use police phone tap information to catch tax cheats.
146 Jobs Lost As Heinz Closes Girgarre Factory

HEINZ will no longer make tomato sauce in Australia leading to the loss of 146 jobs when it closes the doors on a factory in Victoria's north. The company will complete its last day of production at the Girgarre factory on January 6 before moving sauce production to New Zealand. The move will see 146 employees lose their jobs and affect three tomato growers. Heinz announced the closure of the factory in May last year but workers received their notices at Christmas. Heinz Australia's supply chain director Mike Robinson said the cost of making the factory competitive was too high. "Girgarre requires millions of dollars of investment just to keep the plant going, with no likelihood of making it competitive into the future," he said. Heinz says eligible employees have received their redundancy payments and the company has funded 10 scholarships at a local TAFE. Heinz has also donated 10 hectares of land to the Girgarre Development Committee. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union organiser Jason Hefford said the company had met its EBA responsibilities but said the redundancies represented the continuation of the Goulburn Valley's hard-luck story. About 150 workers also lost their jobs when SPC Ardmona closed a fruit cannery in September last year. "You take $800 or $900 a week out of 150 pay packets and it's a lot of money gone from the region," he said. "And what kind of work are these people going to go back into, is it going to be casual, contract?"
The ATO is aiming to charge tax on wealth that can't be explained by people's legal income, as reported. But the potential for misuse of the power has been questioned by AttorneyGeneral John Rau, who said it could only be applied on a case-by-case basis. The ATO currently gives information to police about the tax records of suspected criminals to help bring them to justice but says the exchange should be a two-way process. "Enabling the ATO to receive and use (police) intercept information for the purposes of raising taxation assessment would enhance the Commonwealth's ability to address unexplained wealth associated with organised crime," it has proposed to a federal parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry is working out why a 2009 law that would allow unexplained wealth to be confiscated from suspected criminals has failed to bring any cases before the courts despite law enforcement agencies lobbying for the powers for years. Attorney-General John Rau said there was merit in the ATO sharing police information but warned the power would have to be used cautiously. "In general terms, data sharing between Councillor Molony says he misjudged the amount of alcohol he had consumed while having dinner with his wife. He says he had two beers and a glass of wine over a couple of hours and he did not think that was enough to put him over the limit. The 69-year-old says when he was stopped by police he recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.111. Councillor Molony says he has never been charged or criminally convicted in his life, and he is embarrassed and
agencies can be beneficial. However, the particular circumstances of each proposal need to be examined because the devil is always in the detail," he said. South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon, one of the first to propose legislation to confiscate wealth that cannot be explained by legal earning, cautiously welcomed the idea. Senator Xenophon said authorities should explain why the laws appeared not to be working. "We need to have the necessary powers to catch the bad guys without impinging on the rights of the good guys," Senator Xenophon said. The effectiveness of the legislation has been criticised during the inquiry by many federal and state law enforcement bodies. Police Commissioner Mal Hyde has told the inquiry the effectiveness of the wealth confiscation laws could be improved by better information sharing between state and Commonwealth agencies. "The effectiveness of identifying unexplained wealth targets across jurisdictions to counter serious and organised crime will probably be limited unless clear mechanisms are developed and implemented to facilitate appropriate information exchange," he said. sorry about it. Long-time friend and federal independent MP Bob Katter says people should not be too quick to rush to judgement. "If he stumbled and fell, well, put your hands up all those that haven't stumbled and fallen sometime," Mr Katter said. "It doesn't justify the stumbling and falling but it does say we are all human, and I avail myself of this opportunity to pay tribute to a bloke who I consider to be a great Australian."
Qantas Pays Compo To Passengers

More than 140 passengers on board a Qantas plane that plunged twice over Western Australia have received compensation payouts of up to A$400,000 ($525,000) each. The Airbus A330 was flying from Singapore to Perth in October 2008 with 303 passengers when it plunged hundreds of meters near Exmouth, in the north of the state. An out-of-court settlement has been arranged for 144 passengers. But 16 passengers who suffered more severe injuries are launching a class action in the United States against Airbus and aviation technology company Northrop Grumman. Lawyer Floyd Wisner said injuries included psychological trauma, fractured vertebrae, broken bones and cuts. In its final report, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said at least 110 passengers and nine of the 12 crew members were injured. Twelve people were seriously injured and a further 39 received hospital treatment, the bureau said. The report said one of the plane's three air data units began sending incorrect information on airspeed, altitude, air pressure, temperature and the flying angle to the computers controlling the flight. Within two minutes, the autopilot disconnected and the plane plunged twice. About 60 passengers not wearing seatbelts and crew who were standing hit the ceiling. Qantas says the pilots operating the flight responded quickly and landed safely. Airbus has redesigned the flight computer software to prevent the problem recurring.
Mayor Accused Of DUI
Two people have died after eating death cap mushrooms at a New Year's Eve dinner party in Canberra. The deaths were confirmed by a spokesman for Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. The victims were waiting for liver transplants after eating the fungus. "It (the mushroom's toxin) is particularly toxic to the liver so you will eventually go into a liver failure and that's how these individuals
Two Die After Eating Death Cap Mushrooms
would have succumbed to death," Dr Naren Gunja from the NSW Poisons Information Centre said. Four people ate the toxic mushrooms, which look very similar to a popular edible Chinese mushroom. One has been released from Canberra hospital and another is still receiving treatment in Sydney. Tasmanian food writer Graeme Phillips says the deaths highlight the need for more detailed public information.
34
Actor Prem Chopra Booked For 'Fraud'

Yesteryears Bollywood actor Prem Chopra and some others have been booked for defrauding a man in Rajasthan capital Jaipur on the pretext of giving him a role in a film and offering a partnership in a dance and acting school, police said Wednesday. According to police, the first information report (FIR) was registered at Subash Chowk police station against Prem Chopra and other on a complaint by Waseem Khan, a resident of Ramgarh Road. Others named in the FIR are Saleem from Saleem Productions, his wife Radha Keshwani, choreographer Sujata Bakshi and Rakesh Pandey. 'Waseem Khan had approached the court of additional chief judicial magistrate and filed a complaint against the accused,' a police officer told the media. Waseem alleged that Saleem took money from him saying that he would produce a movie in which he would be given a role, he said. The police officer said that the complainant
Bollywood
alleged that he was also promised that a dance and acting school will be started using his money. 'Waseem alleges that Saleem took him to Mumbai and made him meet Prem Chopra there. Waseem claims to have given a total of Rs.350,000 to the accused,' said the officer. The complainant alleged that despite the fact that he contacted them several times to start production of the movie and start the dance and acting school, nothing has been done. "He used to be very romantic. He was the most romantic man I ever met in my life... and listening to songs, he would sing them to me rather than listening to them," the 56-year-old actress said. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan launched Anupam's book and Pritish Nandy was also present at the event. The actors, who met thanks to their love for theatre, tied the knot in 1985 after Kirron's separation from her first husband. Kirron says Anupam has evolved as a partner in last 25 years and added: "Anupam and I started as friends. I remember, every time I went through rough times, emotionally rough times, Anupam would always be there. In fact, Anupam had this strange quality of pulling me out of depression and making me feel much better... and that was not when we were in love, we were just friends." The national award winning actress was feted for her performance in Rituparno Ghosh's "Bariwali" in 1999. Kirron's last Bollywood appearance was in
Anupam Most Romantic Man, Says Wife Kirron Kher

"Action Replayy" and she also judged the reality show "India's Got Talent". Her notable films include "Sardari Begum", "Devdas", French-German production "Khamosh Paani", "Veer Zaara" and "Rang De Basanti".
Anupam Kher is "the most romantic man I ever met in my life", revealed Kirron Kher at the launch of the actor's book "The Best Thing About You Is You".
Karishma Kapoor Says No To Lovemaking Scene

Karishma Kapoor is making her foray into Bollywood after a long hiatus in Vikram Bhatts Dangerous Ishq. Usually, Bhatt camps movies as we all know involves intimate scenes but it stands exception for Karishma. They chopped out lovemaking scenes for Lolos convenience. The source informed, "When Vikram Bhatt approached Karishma, one of her basic anxieties was regarding intimate scenes. Though she is quite excited about playing five different avatars in one film, a lot of intimate scenes in the script were a cause of worry. Vikram's films have always been unabashedly erotic. Dangerous Ishq was no exception." However, Vikram has denied the story and informed that his film does not contain any bold scene. When contacted, co-star Ravi Kissen said, "I play a man who is consumed by passion for her. But it's all done from a distance. There was no question of any intimacy. She is Karishma Kapoor and we had to keep her character's decorum in mind all the time." Rajneesh Duggal, the male lead in the film added, "Karishma and I play lovers in different lives. We don't have intimate scenes together. Just happy romantic and colourful moments." Mother of two, Karishma Kapoor looks million dollar in her comeback film.
Raghavan revealed that the celebrity couple - Saif and Kareena Kapoor shot for the last day of "Agent Vinod" on December 24. "My shooting with Saif and Kareena is over. We are all done. Saif and Kareena
The long-delayed Saif Ali Khan production venture "Agent Vinod" has been completed and the film will release March 23, says director Sriram Raghavan.
'Agent Vinod' Complete, Release Date Final, Says Director
did their last shooting for my film on December 24 and left for their holiday. We are now in post-production work. The release date is March 23," said the director known for making thrillers "Ek Hasina Thi" and "Johnny Gaddaar". The Kareena-Saif wedding would follow in the last week of March or the first week of April and the next schedule of Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine" has been advanced from the end of February to the middle of February to accommodate the promotion and release of "Agent Vinod" into Kareena's clogged schedule, followed by the wedding and honeymoon. "After the release of 'Agent Vinod', the wedding will happen immediately. Kareena and Saif don't want to delay it anymore," said a source.
35
7 Bollywood Films You Must Not Miss In 2012

From Shah Rukh Khan to Aamir Khan, from Katrina Kaif to Kareena Kapoor, 2012 serves the hottest celebs on your platter in mouthwatering amounts. As the new year ushers in new hopes & joys, Bollywood dishes up some much-awaited films for your eyes only.
1.
Bollywood
3. With Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherjee and Kareena Kapoor as the star ensemble, it cant get any bigger! Undoubtedly, the biggest film of the year which has already spawned rumours & fake posters on the net, is expected to become a blockbuster. Farhan Akhtar dons the producers hat while Reema Kagti anchors the directorial ship for this suspense thriller. Expect a humungous turnout when Talaash hits theatres on June 1. Watch out for: Aamir Khan as a cop on a mission to hunt down something or someoneumm.the plot is being secretly guarded.
Agneepath
Talaash
5.
Ek Tha Tiger
Shah Rukh Khan To Star In Tamil Remake 'Ramanaa'

After Aamir Khan and Salman Khan it is now Shah Rukh Khan who showed interest in Hindi remake of south film. King Khan has agreed to act in the remake of Tamil blockbuster 'Ramanaa'. Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has acquired the rights of the 2002 hit Tamil flick. This is not the first time that any South film has impressed Bhansali. He is already working on Hindi remake of South film, Rowdy Rathore starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha. Actually, Bhansali was not keen on remaking any more south film but when one of his friends insisted him to see Ramanaa which has a strong anti-corruption message, he was highly impressed and decided to acquire the rights. The film will be directed by Ghajini director A.R. Murugadoss. Ramanaa was first made in Tamil with Vijaykanth and then in Telugu with Chiranjeevi.
With the release date of January 26th, this Hrithik Roshan starrer is the first of the biggies to hit the silver screen this year. Being a remake of the 1990 cult classic, expectations riding on the film are colossal. Hrithiks brawny, rippling muscles will breathe a fresh life into the aggressive character of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan essayed impeccably by Amitabh Bachchan in the original. Watch out for: Sanjay Dutt as a psycho bald baddie, Katrina Kaif as Cheekni Chameli 2.
Salman Khan, the new Badshah of Bollywood, teams up with his real-life ex flame Katrina Kaif in this scorching romantic thriller. This box-office shattering material is expected to prowl into the cinema halls this August. Watch out for: The brawny Salman & the irresistible Katrina. 6.
Heroine
Rowdy Rathore
4 Anurag Basus Barfee sees heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor playing a deaf & dumb character in a murder mystery. Giving him company will be Priyanka Chopra as a young girl suffering from autism. The films is likely to be released in July. Watch out for: The hot and gorgeous Ileana DCruz playing the narrator.
. Barfee
Sunny Is 'Singh Sahab The Great'

Director Madhur Bhandarkars ambitious project, loosely based on lives of Hollywood sex siren Marilyn Monroe and our own Madhubala, is likely to see daylight in September. Watch out for: Kareena Kapoor in a powerful female-centric character. Also look out for the talented Shahana Goswami, the in-form Arjun Rampal and the deliciously chiseled Randeep Hooda. 7. Yash Chopra returns behind the cameras to direct another runaway romance with Shah Rukh Khan (who else). The untitled films strategic release date of Diwali, 2012, is bound to draw in the audience. Watch out for: King Khans chemistry with two young ladies- Anushka Sharma & Katrina Kaif. Whoa! The Anil Sharma - Sunny Deol combo, which created magic with GADAR, has teamed up yet again. The film-maker, who delivered a success in APNE in the intervening period, is planning an entertainer with Sunny in the lead and it's called SINGH SAHAB THE GREAT. "The film with Deols [Dharmendra, Sunny, Bobby], an entirely different project, will commence later," Sharma clarifies at the very outset, "SINGH SAHAB THE GREAT is with Sunny alone." The film-maker has signed the writer of GADAR, Shaktimaan, to pen the screenplay of SINGH SAHAB THE GREAT. "It took me two years to lock this amazing script. In fact, I wish to state that it will be a landmark film in my career, like HUKUMAT and GADAR were," Sharma beams confidently. He plans to begin filming SINGH SAHAB THE GREAT few months from now.
The Khiladi Akshay Kumar returns to hard core action with this Prabhu Deva directed action flick in a double role. Scheduled for June 15, this cop-con movie is surely going to be the USP of the summer. Watch out for: The Dabangg lasso Sonakshi Sinha on her second outing.
An SRK untitled film
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Bollywood's Best Looking Uniformed Men

A uniform undoubtedly adds to the masculinity and attractiveness of a man. That perhaps is the reason why women find uniformed men hotter than anything else. The uniform adorning a mans body enhances his personality and imparts a rigidity and power to his appearance which multiplies his male charm. In Bollywood too, we have seen, over years, a lot of actors getting into uniform to take up social responsibilities which additionally imparts to their glamour on the silver screen. Here we try to categorize the Bollywoods best uniformed men. 1. Shahid Kapoor played the role of an Indian Air Force officer in his latest movie Mausam. The female lead of the movie is Sonam Kapoor has already gone crazy about Shahids uniformed looks in the movie and has appreciated it publicly. With the crisp attire and well built muscles, Shahid finally seems to be able to shed his boyish image.
Bollywood
3. Hrithik played an amazing role of an army officer in his movie Lakshya. Known for his sharp physique and good looks, the actor did full justice to the role and the appearance in uniform. His tough uniformed looks were wonderfully contrasted by the utmost vulnerability expressed through his eyes.
Vivek Oberois New Years Eve Fiasco!!

as promised by the organizers, Vivek got his cheque of Rs 80 lakh. The actor is currently holidaying with his wife.
Hrithik Roshan
Shahid Kapoor
The New Years Eve did not go as Vivek Oberoi had planned. The Bollywood actor was all set to give a performance at the Country Club in Andheri. But guess what happened?? Well, the cops did not allow the gig to happen. Well, the reason the cops stopped the bash from happening was because the organizers failed to take the requisite permission to hold a bash. It was literally a drama, that day. A crowd of around 2000 people were present at the venue, to be entertained by Vivek. The angry audience and the actor were asked to leave the party for their safety. However, soon the matter was settled and the actor was called back to the club. On returning to the venue, the cops who were still present there, did not allow the party to begin. One thing good that happened was that
4. Amitabh Bachchan has played the role of a uniformed cop numerous times in his career, but what stands out as far as appearance is concerned, is his getup in the movie Major Saab where he plays an epitome of discipline and solidarity.
Amitabh Bachchan
2. Salman Khans role of Chulbul Pandey in the movie Dabanng has not only made him popular to the masses, but also has put him in the list of best looking men in uniform with the sheer class that he has displayed in that attire.
Salman Khan
5 Shah Rukh Khan played the role of uniformed officer in two of his popular movies Veer Zara and Main Hoon Na. It is not required to be mentioned that the romantic actor looked fabulous in the man on duty uniform and did full justice to the role.
. Shah Rukh Khan
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At The Movies
Entertainment
trouble everywhere. Along with trusty dog snowflake the two fall victim to a polished madman bent on finding some far flung treasure. Never one to resist a challenge our born adventurer signs on for the task, against his will, and gets hurled into a global seafaring yarn thats as tall as they come. Rest assured that through it all our hero will emerge unscathed in the best Indiana Jones/Raiders of the Lost Ark tradition. Wildly flambouyant at raucous from start to finish The Adventures of Tintin never lets up, doesnt stall for nary a moment, and will have you in the palm of your hands. Some scenes, especially towards the climax, are done in the best cliffhanger tradition and would do justice to any of famed archaeologist Indiana Jones offerings. Able to ham things up considerably is current James Bond incarnation Daniel Craig who is well suited as an evil robber baron while Jamie Bell strikes just the right pose as the meekminded Tintin. Terrific action scenes and spectacular edge of your seats keep you engrossed in this crossocean trek that takes you all the way to mysterious North Africa in the quest for some unbelievable booty. Humour also takes its rightful place in this child fantasy that most adults will get a big kick out of.
Gaga, Bieber Clooney

LADY Gaga, Justin Bieber and George Clooney were named the most charitable celebrities of 2011.
Pop star Lady Gaga topped the annual list, compiled by teen campaigning website DoSomething.org, after she launched her own charity the Born This Way Foundation, which aims to empower youth and inspire bravery. She was also praised for her antibullying campaigning and her work for AIDS/HIV charities. Teen pop sensation Bieber jumped from 10th place in last year's list to second place after encouraging his fans to take part in the School 4 All campaign, which raises money for new schools across the world. He also launched the Believe Charity Drive, which benefits a range of good causes including children's cancer. Hollywood star Clooney was named third most charitable celebrity in honor of his campaign for human rights in Sudan. Other A-listers who made the top 10 included: Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
The Adventures of Tintin (PG) * * * *
Born To Run!
By ROBERT WALDMAN
Flambouyant fun is on tap in The Adventures of Tintin, a riot of a film from Paramount Pictures now shining bright at the Esplanade 6, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Cineplex Theatres around B.C, Comic books have always been popular among kids the world over. While North American youth were lapping up the exploits of The Man of Steel, The Caped Crusader, Spiderman and the like, countless clones materialized. Across the pond in Europe arose a hero named Tintin. Thanks to Paramount Pictures and the combined talents of
no less than Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings) we now have the opportunity to see a big sized version of this European fan point. No one will be disappointed with the end results if you like adventure, fantasy and unparalleled imagination. Set your sights high and sail away to far off lands as we encounter relentless reporter and local man about town Tintin. Though this film is all animated with adequate 3-D effects its the story here that captures the imagination. Cosmopolitan Europe is home base for Tintin who has a habit of finding
Clever to a fault, even the opening credits have a mischievous bent to them, bound to delight. Again Steven Spielberg (Catch Me if you Can) shows his mastery at storytelling and ingenuity and pulls off another crowd pleaser thats perfect for this or any other holiday season. A real treat! This film has a never say die attitude and one particular encounter at the docks pitting machines against machines will show the utter charm of this boys with toys adventure yarn that both sexes will be begging for more.
Hollywood filmmaker, Joseph Mungra recently arrived at Gujarat with the crew members to shoot for his film, American Gandhi, a movie based on Save India against illegal mining campaign. The director said that the plot of the movie revolves around Martin, a skilled but unemployed mining analyst who later becomes a protagonist once he gets involved in certain malpractices. Basically, the whole story is saving India against illegal mining, said the director, Joseph Mungra. Mungra asserted that the movie is scheduled to release in 2013. The movie will be completed in 2013 and it will be released in the same year first in America and then in India, added the director. Hollywood star James Patrick Stuart is playing the lead role of Mark Martin in the movie. Mungra, originally from Jamnagar district in Gujarat, has worked in various Hollywood films and has also scripted several movies throughout his film career.
Film Crew Of 'American Gandhi' Arrives In India For Shoot
India News
India has declared itself free from bird flu (H5N1). The declaration was made here on December 29, 2011 and notified to France-based World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE). However, the government said surveillance will be continued throughout the country especially in the vulnerable areas bordering the infected countries and in areas visited by migratory birds. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture has advised the states to maintain vigil against the disease. Outbreak of bird flu was notified on September 8, 2011 in village Bhamondanga, part- I, Agomoni Block in Dhubri district of Assam.
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What Guinness? My job is to run: 100-year-old Fauja Singh

His marathons at the ripe old age of 100 may not have been recognised by Guinness World Records on technical grounds, but Punjab-born British citizen Fauja Singh says the only thing he cares about is to keep running.
India Declared Free From Bird Flu

This was followed by another outbreak in Betai Nanshatola and Putimari Christianpara in Tehetta Block of Nadia district of West Bengal, which was notified on September 19, 2011. Thereafter, there has been no further outbreak, said the government. The control measures adopted in the outbreaks were stamping out of entire poultry population including destruction of eggs, feed, litters and other infected materials in the radius of 3 kms. around each outbreak location, restriction on movement of poultry, poultry products to and from the area of outbreak, disinfection and cleaning up of infected premises. The final disinfection process was completed on September 2011. 'Viagra'
In fact Fauja, who will turn 101 on April 1 this year, says he has not even heard of Guinness. "Mainu taan Guinness book da naam vi nahin pata, taan main uhdi fikar kyon karaan (I don't even know the name of Guinness book, so why should I bother about it)," Fauja Singh asked during an interview. The marathoner is currently in India on a visit to his village Beas Pind, near Jalandhar, and other places in Punjab. "My job is to run and I will continue to do that. Recognition by any book or agency will not affect my spirit towards running. "For the record though, you can check my British passport that states my year of birth as 1911. Even the Queen Elizabeth) sent me a congratulatory telegram April 1 last year (2011) on my completing 100 years," the Punjabi-speaking Fauja Singh, who is illiterate, said. Guinness had refused to recognise Fauja Singh as the world's oldest marathoner in October last year after he successfully completed the Toronto Marathon (42.195 km) in just over eight hours. Though Guinness officials came to witness his feat in Toronto, they refused to acknowledge him as the oldest man running marathons as he could not produce a birth certificate. Chandigarh-based author Khushwant Singh, who wrote Fauja Singh's biography, "Turbaned Tornado" (Rupa Publications, price Rs.250) last year, says Guinness not recognizing Fauja Singh as the oldest marathoner showed a definite bias. "In 1911, when Fauja Singh was born in a Punjab village, there was nothing like birth certificates. I feel that rules of Guinness book and other agencies in western countries are
quite biased towards achievers from Asian countries. Would they question the British government, which ruled India at that time (1911), why it didn't have birth certificates at that time," Khushwant asked. An e-mail sent to Guinness authorities by the reporter regarding Fauja Singh's record did not elicit a response. Guinness had recognized Dimitrion Yordanidis, 98, from Greece as the oldest marathon runner in 1976. However, there is little evidence to prove that Yordanidis, born in 1878 in Greece, had produced his birth certificate. Fauja Singh moved to London in 1992. Before that, he used to go there occasionally. The death of his son Kuldip and earlier of his wife forced Fauja to search for a worthwhile alternative in life. At 89 years, he took seriously to running and ended up in international marathon events in London, Glasgow and Toronto. When he first turned up for training at Redbridge-Essex with coach Harmandar Singh, he was dressed in a three-piece suit. Fauja ran his first race, the London Marathon, in 2000. Before that, his early memory of being a runner was, at best, limited to participating in village sporting competitions before World War-II. He was well-known in his village, where he was a simple farmer, for running "from one place to another". Fauja has also rubbed shoulders with the likes of football star David Beckham and other sport celebrities as brand ambassador and poster-boy of leading footwear company Adidas for their international campaign. Billboards featuring him once used to be prominently displayed on busy London streets.
Maximum Temperatures Dip In Punjab, Haryana

After getting a respite from low and sub-zero temperatures in the past one week, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh saw a sharp drop in the maximum temperatures Wednesday
Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 17.2 degree Celsius (four degrees below normal) and a minimum temperature of 6.2 degrees in the last 24 hours. Ambala city in Haryana recorded a high of 14.8 degrees, four degrees below normal. At 11.30 a.m. Wednesday, Chandigarh recorded a temperature of 14.6 degrees while Ambala and Patiala were at 12 and 9.6 degrees, respectively. All flights from Chandigarh airport were cancelled Wednesday due to adverse weather conditions. Thick fog engulfed several parts of Punjab and Haryana Wednesday morning as cold wave conditions continued in both states. Met Centre officials here said the minimum temperatures at most places were higher than the sub-zero temperatures recorded last week. Several districts in both states were affected by fog. Amritsar had a low of 3.4 degrees. The maximum temperature in the city was 19.8 degrees.
Man Gets Life For Rape, Murder
Chemical engineer Mohiraj Kulkarni was awarded life imprisonment on Tuesday by a local court for raping and murdering a 10-year-old- girl.
Kulkarni had raped and then killed the daughter of his house-maid at his Narayan Peth residence in 2009. The retired officer of Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) by Additional Sessions Judge S D Darane for raping the minor girl and three years of RI for destroying the evidences of the crime. The court had also imposed a fine of Rs. 12,000 for the crime. As Kulkarni did not deposit the fine, he will have to undergo nine more months of imprisonment. All the sentences will go on simultaneously. According to reports, the 82-year-old man used to take pills to increase his sexual power. He was also involved in a physical relationship with the victim's mother Rekha Randive. Randive had later turned as the approver in the case. Her confessional statement proved to be crucial in the case. The case was registered at the Vishrambaug police station. According to reports, Kulkarni had threatened Rekha not to disclose the crime and even increased her salary to keep the incident under covers. Both Rekha and Kulkarni were arrested in 2009. Rekha was arrested for abetting the crime. She later turned the approver in the case.
Canada News
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Canada-Us Border Crossed By Man Using Ipad As Id
B.C. Raises Threshold Of Homeowner Grant

British Columbians who own homes worth up to $1.285 million may be eligible to receive the entire homeowners' grant this year, after the Province raised the threshold to accommodate rising property values. BC Assessment estimates the value of all homes based on their market value on July 1 each year. The Province then reviews the information and adjusts the threshold of the homeowner grant to make sure at least 95.5 per cent of eligible homeowners receive the full amount. Those with homes valued above the threshold may still be eligible for a partial grant. The homeowner grant provides a maximum reduction in residential property taxes on principal residences of $570 in the Capital, Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional districts and $770 elsewhere in the province. An additional grant of $275 is available to those who are age 65 or over, permanently disabled or a veteran of certain wars. The government also announced in November 2011 plans to create a further grant of up to $275 for lowincome Canadian Forces veterans with more recent service in the event they do not already qualify as seniors or persons with disabilities. These details will be announced shortly. In Budget 2007, the homeowner grant program was also expanded to include eligible low-income homeowners who, but for the high assessed value of their homes, would have been eligible for the full grant. The homeowner grant is one of the ways the Province helps B.C. residents with property taxes. The Province also provides property tax deferral options for qualified individuals, including homeowners over 55, persons with disabilities, and families with children. The deferment programs are lowinterest loan programs that allow qualifying residents to defer all or part of their property taxes until they sell or transfer ownership of their home, or it becomes part of an estate. Application forms are available when property tax notices are issued in spring.
Mr Reisch says he scanned the passport in case he lost it while travelling A Canadian man who forgot his passport has said that he managed to cross the border into the US using a copy of the document he had scanned on to his iPad. Martin Reisch, from Montreal, presented the US border office with his digital device after realizing near the border that he did not have his passport. He said he told the official that he was heading to Vermont to deliver Christmas presents. Mr Reisch said he knew that the officer had made an exception. "I thought I'd at least give it a try," Mr Reisch said. "He took the iPad into the little border hut. He was in there a good five to six minutes. It seemed like an eternity. When he came back, he took a good long pause before wishing me a Merry Christmas." The 33-year-old said he believed that
Child car-seat safety rules that came into force with the new year included new testing requirements and higher weight limits for car seats as well as a new definition of infants. The new regulation came into force on January 1. Child car seats sold in Canada will meet Canada's highest testing standards and, therefore, will be as safe as possible. The updated rules are part of a regular review of safety standards using the most up-to-date technology available for testing. The updates align elements with those in the United States and incorporate specific Canadian testing requirements. The major changes include: - A new testing requirement using a three-point seatbelt to secure car seats;
New Child Car-Seat Safety Rules
the true story he told, as well as his driver's license, helped him get across the border to deliver the gifts last week. Mr Reisch, who successfully managed to re-enter Canada later the same day, has said he will not forget his passport in the future. However, he hopes one day scanned identification will become the norm. "I see the future as 100% being able to cross with your identity on a digital device - it's just a matter of time," he said. Since 2009, Canadians have needed more than a driver's license as a form of identification for US land border crossings. Canadian citizens can only enter the US at land crossings using a passport, an enhanced driver's license or a Nexus pass, the Canadian Border Services Police Believe Increase May Be Due To Confusion Over Court Decision Agency advises. There has not yet been any official comment from either border agency. The RCMP report a big increase in the to blow remains a Criminal Code number of impaired driving charges offence," said Gaumont. in B.C.s Lower Mainland over the Those convicted of that offence face the same consequences as those holiday season. In the two-month period ending Jan. convicted of being impaired, including 2, police laid 399 impaired charges up losing their driving licence, having the - Changes to the seats' dynamic testing from 308 the previous year, an increase interlock device put on their vehicle, and taking the expensive Responsible of nearly 30 per cent. to adopt most U.S. parameters; - Changing the definition of an infant to RCMP officers also handed out 332 Driver Program. any child weighing up to 10 kilograms, three-day suspensions, compared to Drivers who blow in the warning range 240 last year, which is more than 40 between .05 and .08 blood alcohol rather than nine kg; still face immediate suspensions and - Increasing the maximum weight limit per cent higher. Also, officers charged 63 people for may have their vehicles impounded. of child seats to 30 kg from 22 kg; Introducing dynamic testing refusing to take a breathalyzer test, The statistics released Wednesday do not include charges laid in Vancouver, compared to 37 last year. requirements for booster seats; and - Allowing harnesses to be used on Part of the increase might be due Delta, Abbotsford and other Lower school buses by special-needs children. to confusion about the recent B.C. Mainland cities with local police There is no need to replace an existing Supreme Court decision on drunk forces. child seat as a result of the new standards. driving, said Supt. Norm Gaumont. But seats should be replaced if they The court ruled police can no longer were installed in a vehicle involved in issue an immediate 90-day driving ban For the best value for your a collision or if the shell or materials on for those who fail or refuse roadside dollar, advertise in screening. the seats are ripped or damaged. Parents should also check the expiry But Gaumont said that doesnt mean date of the seat and be sure to replace it police are backing off on enforcement. "To set the record straight, refusing when it reaches that date.
Impaired Driving Charges Up 30% In Lower Mainland
Canada News
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Peter Mackay Weds Former Beauty Queen

MP marries Iranian-Canadian activist at private ceremony in Mexico
Defence Minister Peter MacKay has announced his marriage to a former beauty queen who was born in Iran and later represented Canada at a Miss World pageant. "I am overjoyed to announce Nazanin Afshin-Jam and I married at a private ceremony surrounded by family and loved ones today," MacKay wrote in a posting Wednesday on his constituency website. "Since coming into my life many of you have met Nazanin on her many visits to Nova Scotia. She is the most important person in my life and over the coming months, Nazanin and I look forward to spending more time at home in Central Nova and sharing our happiness with all of you." The couple reportedly tied the knot at a private ceremony in Mexico. Friends said MacKay proposed over the summer. Afshin-Jam, who fled Tehran with her family as a young child, was crowned first runner-up at the 2003 Miss World pageant, and has since been known in Vancouver as a vocal campaigner for human rights issues, having co-founded the organization Stop Child Executions. She speaks fluent English, French and Persian. Afshin-Jam has also acted in bit television and film parts, with roles in the Cold Squad TV series and a small credit in the movie sequel Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed in 2004. 'Canada's Sexiest Male MP' for years The newlyweds reportedly met in 2004 when Afshin-Jam visited Ottawa to speak about human rights abuses. MacKay, 46, has until now been known as one of Ottawa's most eligible bachelors, having been ranked as "Canada's Sexiest Male MP" by The Hill Times for several years. Before finally meeting his match in the 32-year-old beauty contestant turned activist, MacKay was previously tied romantically to some high-profile and high-powered women, including a rumored romance with former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice. MacKay has also been engaged twice to Lisa Michelle Merrithew, daughter of former Mulroney cabinet minister Gerald Merrithew, as well as to Jana Juginovic, who was a CTV executive. He once dated fellow Tory MP Belinda Stronach, although the pair endured a very public split when Stronach dumped him in 2005 to cross the House floor to join Paul Martin's Liberals.
Rod Robbie, 83 Dead: Architect Who Designed Skydome, Expo 67 Pavilion

Rod Robbie, the architect who designed the SkyDome and was part of the team that designed the renowned Canadian pavilion at Expo 67, died Wednesday morning at St. Michaels Hospital, which he started to redesign from his deathbed a few days ago. He was 83. Theres no question that his work was his life in many ways. He never stopped being the architect. Even when he was in hospital in the last week, his son, Angus Robbie, said on Wednesday night. At some point he overheard some of the professionals say St. Mikes was going to be developing a new facility, and he wanted to get his firm that work. So, while hes a patient, hes trying to do a building footprint analysis to try to figure out how they can change the layout of the block at Bond St. to get more footprint so they can get a bigger building. And its like, Oh my goodness. But that made him happy. Robbies office, Angus said, was like a blizzard of paper and ideas tons of stuff written out. In a 1998 Star column, Robbies former business partner, the late Colin Vaughan, wrote: There's always been a touch of a loveable, agitated, mad scientist about Robbie. It's all arms and legs akimbo, lots of loud talk and a bearded, slightly rumpled air to match the big ideas. Once, during a turbulent personal period, Robbie just sat down and wrote a 750-page, self-published book on the meaning of life. Nothing is too big a challenge, Vaughan wrote. The SkyDome, now the Rogers Centre, is an engineering marvel that has been criticized with increasing intensity since it opened in 1989. Robbie who mortgaged his Moore Park home to obtain the cash he needed to enter the stadium design competition defended the building in a 2009 interview. The general public, he said, has always liked it, even if other architects didnt. There was a lot of bitchy criticism of the design, most of which didnt take into account the budgetary constraints, which were extremely severe. Nobody can quite believe that, I know. But all of this had never been done before. Let's face it, it was an experiment, he said. Engineer Michael Allen was the other key figure behind the SkyDome project. Robbie, an Officer of the Order of Canada, was chairman emeritus of Robbie Young + Wright/IBI Group Architects. He became ill in November, Angus said, and died of an obstruction of blood flow to his small bowel. Predeceased by his wife Enid, an artist and historian, he is survived by his four children. Robbie and his wife became political activists upon immigrating to Canada from England in 1956. They were founding members of Canadas movement to ban nuclear arms. Angus said Robbie was especially proud of his work on the Canadian pavilion, known as Katimavik, for the Montreal Expo in 1967. The inverted pyramid became a national icon.
Mandatory detention and delayed family reunification wont deter refugees from arriving en masse at borders, say Australian advocacy groups opposed to Ottawas antihuman smuggling bill. The coalition of Australias leading refugee organizations hope Canada will learn from their experience and reconsider Bill C-4, which is based on the Australian model and currently before Parliament. A policy of mandatory detention will be a financial and humanitarian disaster for Canada, the coalition said in a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The advocates concerns echoed earlier comments made by Australian Immigration and Citizenship Secretary Andrew Metcalfe in Canberra.
Tough Measures Wont Stop Refugees, Canada Told

Detaining people for years has not deterred anyone from coming, Metcalfe told a Senate committee in October. Australia, two-third of Canadas population, introduced the tough measures in 1999. Nonetheless, the number of unauthorized arrivals has multiplied to more than 6,000 last year. Canadas anti-human smuggling bill would give Immigration Minister Jason Kenney the authority to designate specific refugees as irregular arrivals. The designation would put them under mandatory arrest and detention for up to a year. Even if accepted as refugees, they would not be allowed to apply for permanent residency or sponsor their families for five years. According to Australian authorities,
134 boats carrying 6,535 people arrived in 2010. (In the same year, 23,000 refugees came to Canada, including the boatload of 500 men, women and children aboard the MV Sun Sea in Vancouver.) The coalition, led by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, said 4,223 asylum seekers are currently in detention in Australia, including 370 children, at a cost of $137,317 per year per person. Last year, Canberra reported six suicides, 1,320 hunger strikes, 2,473 hospitalizations and 93 psychiatric admissions among detainees. Other self harm incidents, including three boys who sewed their lips shut in July, were reported allegedly out of desperation for attention to their plights.
SCAMS
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Better Business Bureau Announces Top Ten Scams For 2012

Crooks are co-opting legitimate businesses to swindle you out of money and steal your information. The Better Business Bureau has released its Top 10 Scams list for 2012 and it includes old and new schemes. "What we have seen this past year is not too different from what we've experienced 100 years ago," says President Lynda Pasacreta as she stood beside a 1912 BBB warning poster. "But the same key elements remain: advertising claims not adding up to what was promised, businesses with confusing and misleading contracts and overall questionable business practices targeting vulnerable people." This years Top Ten Scams list focuses on how scammers can use misrepresentation to gain consumers trust. We are seeing trends towards spoofing well-known brands and scams of the moment which capture peoples attention because the topic is in the public consciousness, says Lynda Pasacreta, BBB President and CEO. Scammers are capitalizing by using false pretences to get our attention and steal our trust. The following Top Ten Scams list, themed Pay Attention to the Message, is developed jointly by BBB, Consumer Protection BC, and BC Crime Prevention Association. In no specific order, here are the Top Ten Scams to be on the lookout for in 2012. 1. Brand Spoofing Brand spoofing (aka phishing) is a general term for e-mail, text messages and websites fabricated and sent by criminals and designed to look like they come from well-known and trusted businesses, financial institutions and government agencies in an attempt to collect personal, financial and sensitive information. If the recipient follows the link provided and connects with the fraudulent website, any information entered into the data fields (account #, PIN, contact information, social insurance number etc.) could be recorded, collected and used for fraudulent purposes. Additionally, some variants of phishing scams make use of Trojan horses to infect recipient computers with malware. QUICK TIP: If you receive these messages just delete them and do not click on any links, and hang up on callers you arent familiar with. Never give credit information online or over the phone unless you are sure of the identity of the caller. If you are a victim of ID theft, call your financial institutions to have them cancel your cards and re-issue new ones. Contact your local police and Canadas main credit reporting agencies: TransUnion Canada at tuc.ca (1-800-663-9980) and Equifax Canada at equifax.ca (1-800465-7166). 2. Advance Fee Loans Consumers have reported losing substantial sums of money responding to advertisements that guarantee loans to people, often online. Consumers complete credit applications and are told the loan (from $5,000 to $100,000) has been approved and the promised funds will be received once a fee is paid. After payment, the loan is never received as promised. QUICK TIP: It is illegal for a company to charge a fee in advance to obtain a loan, even if that fee is disguised as the first or last months payment. Watch for claims of guaranteed loans even if you have bad credit, no credit, or a bankruptcy, and demands that you wire or send money before you can have a loan offer confirmed in writing. Report any suspected fraudulent schemes to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1 (888) 495-8501 or antifraudcentrecentreantifraude.ca 3. Gold Buying Schemes When the BBB was created in 1912, the average price of gold was $18.93 per ounce (and it had been so for about 100 years before). In 2011, the price of gold soared, rapidly fluctuating and averaging over $1735 per ounce. Similar to gold rushes of the past, a strained economy and high demand for gold resulted in many consumers selling, trading and receiving unfair returns when cashing in their gold and jewellery. QUICK TIP: Before cashing in on the gold rush it is important to do your research. When choosing an appraiser, find someone locally whom you know and trust. Know that the true price of gold may not be what you will be paid for every ounce of gold you own. Get multiple appraisals and compare prices before selling. Be sure that jewellery of differing karats is weighed and priced separately. Have jewels such as diamonds priced separately from the gold they are contained in. 4. Financial Elder Abuse Financial elder abuse occurs when seniors pocketbooks are exploited by scammers who take advantage of a persons vulnerabilities associated with age - like hearing loss, loneliness, physical limitations and impaired mental capacity. Common financial elder abuse frauds include tricking seniors into giving out private banking information; encouraging unnecessary home repair work, telemarketing and mail fraud; and swindles by family or friends that result in seniors giving up money, property, personal information and decision making capacity. QUICK TIP: Most elder abuse happens to a senior by someone they know, such as a family member, friend or caregiver. Many victims do not even realize they have been taken advantage of. Signs a senior is being financially abused include: missing belongings, unusual activity in bank accounts, suspicious stories, sudden changes in Power of Attorney or Wills, bounced cheques and numerous unpaid bills. Report all incidents of financial elder abuse to your local police. 5. Power Saving Claims The switch to Smart Meters in B.C. fostered a rise in false claims and deceptive ads by some scammers selling energy conservation devices. Consumers reported purchasing a number of power saving devices they claim did not work and that did not meet electrical safety standards. QUICK TIP: BBB was created 100 years ago to put a stop to unethical, deceptive claims and advertising. The BBB Ad Review program seeks to help consumers and businesses identify untrue, deceptive, fraudulent and insincere statements. Protect yourself from deceptive advertising by doing your research before making a purchase. Always check out a companys BBB Business Review (bbb.org) first and report deceptive advertising and business claims to your local BBB. If it sounds too good to be true, remember that it probably is. 6. Door-to-Door Sales Each year a variety of unscrupulous door-to-door salespeople use high pressure sales tactics to frighten people into purchasing expensive, substandard - often unneeded products and services. Be wary of overly aggressive sales people selling everything from alarm systems to vacuums and air purifiers, as well as roofing, paving, window washing, painting, plumbing, heating, repair and landscaping services. QUICK TIP: Dont give in to high pressure sales tactics. If you feel threatened by an aggressive salesperson, ask them to leave your property. If they refuse, call the police. Before making any purchase, take the time to do your due diligence, getting the name and location of the company and ensuring all details and verbal promises are included in a contract. Door-to-door contracts are regulated by Consumer Protection BC. Complaints or questions? 1 (888) 564-9963 or www.consumerprotectionbc.ca 7. Virus Fixing Scheme In the case of the alleged caller from Microsoft, he/she claim to be phoning about a serious problem with the persons computer. The caller warns that if the problem is not solved, the computer will become unusable. In order to fix it, the computer owner is directed to a website and told to download a program, plus pay a fee for a subscription to this preventative service. The catch: there was never anything wrong with the computer, the caller is not working for Microsoft, and the owner has downloaded to their computer damaging malware and spyware. QUICK TIP: Treat all unsolicited phone calls with skepticism. Check with the organization directly that the caller is claiming to be from, using the contact numbers found on their website. Do not provide any personal information to avoid identity theft. Never provide credit or debit card information for payment. Report any fraudulent activity to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1 (888) 495-8501 or www.antifraudcentre.ca. 8. Fraudulent Locksmiths Consumers reported local locksmiths advertising online using a local telephone number and local address, but when contacted, consumers are connected to a call centre in another city and there is no locksmith at the address listed in your area. Consumers who have hired these companies allege that they have been overcharged for products and services, received bad advice or poor workmanship, or have had difficulty contacting the business to correct problems.
continued on page 42
42
Better Business Bureau announces Top Ten Scams for 2012

continued from page 41
QUICK TIP: Dont just pick the first local company you find online. Confirm the company address and ask for the legal name of the business. When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, a business card and their license. In BC, locksmiths are licensed through the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General. Also make sure that they are insured, so you know costs will be covered should any damage be done to your personal property. Expect a legitimate locksmith to ask you for identification to confirm your identity as the homeowner. Check out their BBB Business Review (bbb.org). 9. Penny Auctions Online ads, often designed to look like news reports, are cropping up on popular websites claiming that you can get great deals on iPads and other electronics with online penny auctions. Most commonly with a penny auction, users must set up an account and purchase bids with a credit or debit card; each individual bid may cost less than a dollar and are often sold in bundles of 100 or more. Every item has a countdown clock and as people bid, the cost of the item goes up incrementally and more time is added to the clock. Even if you dont win the item, you still have to pay for the bids you placed which can add up over time. QUICK TIP: Before providing any personal information or signing up for any free trial with a penny auction, read all of the fine print carefully on the website. Pay close attention to details on signup and annual fees, minimum bidding requirements, maximum prize amounts and how to get a refund. Know what youre buying. Before bidding on an item, research how much it costs elsewhere and keep track of how much youre spending on bids overall to see if you really are getting a good deal. Keep a close eye on your credit card for unexpected charges. 10. Anti-Social Network Social networks like Facebook and Twitter are becoming more and more popular. Users are often subject to targeted advertising and direct messages, and scams of all colours use social networks to operate. Fraudulent work-at-home job offers are sent through Twitter tweets and Facebook messages, deceptive free trials are advertised, and clickjacking on Facebook convinces users to unknowingly post malicious links on their status updates. QUICK TIP: Your computer should always have the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a secure firewall. Use the most up-todate versions of your web browser to offer further protection. Be wary of messages from friends and especially strangers that direct you to another website via a hyperlink. To learn more about how to protect yourself from false or misleading advertising, contact the Competition Bureau at competitionbureau.gc.ca or 1 (800) 642-3844.
Here's what you need to know.

1. Do your homework. Start with the Lemon-Aid guides and www.lemonaidcars.com as well as Consumer Reports books and www. consumerreports.org. You can also find good information from the APA (www.apa.ca). Go to the library, read consumer literature and surf the Internet for used-car websites. 2. Set a price range. As for how much to pay, you can find out what the going rate is by checking the Canadian Red Book Vehicle Valuation Guide, a volume the insurance industry uses to determine used-car prices. Order a Red Book ($16.95) at www. canadianredbook.com or ask for it at your local large bookstore. 3. Choose your seller. Plan to spend enough time looking at cars to allow you to test-drive at least three. Consider reputable new-car dealers who also sell used models, or a private sale. As for the corner used-car lot, it's probably a good idea to give it a miss unless you live in a small town where everybody knows everybody, because there, the dealer won't want to damage his reputation by selling you a lemon. You'll do better on the price if you buy from a classified ad rather than paying a dealer's markup. Bring someone along if you're going to a stranger's home. 4. Research the car. Your first line of defence to avoid a rip-off is to ask to see the vehicle's maintenance record. Ask to see it for the whole time the seller owned the car. Write down the vehicle information number (VIN), which is the long serial number inside the car around the bottom of the driver's side of the windshield. Phone it in to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), if you are a member; a local automobile protection agency; the provincial transport office; or a third party vehicle proof service company. You will be able to find the vehicle's claims history and if a lien exists against the car. Confirm the VIN matches the vehicle registration form. 5. Take a look. Beware of a car that's too clean. Never buy a car in the rain, when all cars look great, or at night, when you can't see what you're buying. Give the car a good visual once-over. Step back a few meters to make sure all the wheels look aligned and face forward. Do the tires match? Are their sidewalls worn from repeated bumping up against curbs? Check the wipers, horn and lights. Bumps and scratches are OK, but major cosmetic problems show the car wasn't well cared for. 6. Give it a whirl. Take the car for a thorough test-drive. Take it on the highway and see how it reacts. If the car pulls or chatters, you want to know. Keep the radio off and don't let the seller talk in your ear; you need to listen to the car. 7. Seek an expert opinion. Absolutely have the car inspected. If a buyer doesn't, she can end up with a car that looks good and needs a new transmission in 30 days. Take it to a qualified mechanic, such as a BCAA master mechanic, for a full inspection; even better if it's also a body shop. 8. Negotiate. Buy with your head, not your heart. Be prepared to walk away during negotiations. A dealer will never sell a car at a loss, so drive that price as low as it'll go.
Tips On Buying A Used Car
Tips For Cleaning The Kitchen - Spills, Drips And Drains

How to Clean the Microwave - Place two halves of a lemon on a plate, cut side down. Add a few drops of water and microwave on high for one minute. Now the mess is easy to wipe down! How to Clear a Slow Drain - Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain in question. Add half a cup of white vinegar and cover the drain. The mixture will foam for a bit and after a few minutes follow it up with eight cups of boiling water to flush it. Use this method on its own - don't follow up or use this after any commercial cleaner. How to Clean your Coffee Maker Instead of buying chemicals to rinse through your coffee maker (yuck!), clean it every other week by filling the water reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water and set to brew. Follow this up with fresh water for three brew cycles to flush it out. How to Clean the Oven - If you don't have a self-cleaning oven, take the racks out of your oven and soak them in the bathtub with half a cup of dishwashing detergent and cover and several inches of warm water. Let them soak for 45 minutes and then dry.
43
Top ten tips for staying fall-free this winter

Snow season has arrived, along with icy conditions that can lead to an unexpected slip or trip. Falls are the most common cause of injury among British Columbia seniors and are the main reason why older adults lose their independence. Each year, one in three seniors over the age of 65 experience at least one fall and nearly 40 per cent of fall-related hospitalizations involve a hip fracture - which greatly impacts the health and well-being of the senior as well as the B.C. health-care system. Winter conditions, such as snow and ice, are known to increase the likelihood of experiencing a fall. Last year, 319 B.C. seniors aged 65 and over experienced fall-related hospitalizations due to ice and snow. According to Canadian Institute of Health Information data, over 70 per cent occurred between January and March. This information is often referred to as the tip of the iceberg, as many more fall injuries are treated in clinics, emergency departments and doctors' offices. Falls usually happen due to factors that can be prevented. Identifying fall risk and taking the appropriate action to prevent falls can help seniors to stay independent and increase their overall health and well-being. Top ten tips to help seniors stay fallfree this winter: 1. Check your traction - wearing appropriate shoes and boots for slippery sidewalks and stairs can help to avoid a fall. Research has shown that wearing an anti-slip shoe device can reduce the risk of a fall in icy conditions. 2. Slow down - 'tis the season for many exciting events... Falls often occur when you're in a rush. 3. Stay connected - letting people know your plans and taking a cellphone with you when you leave the house are great ways to keep in touch with friends and family this holiday season. 4. Vitamin D and calcium - research has shown that Vitamin D and calcium play an important role for muscular strength and bone health. During the winter months, it is especially important to eat foods high in Vitamin D and calcium and/or take supplements to get the recommended daily intake. 5. Stay active - strong muscles and bones are important in preventing falls and getting around safely. If winter conditions make it unsafe to exercise outdoors, stay active with an indoor routine that includes strengthening and balance exercises. 6. Bring in the salt - keep your salt and shovel indoors to avoid slipping while on your way to the garage or storage shed to get it. 7. Shovel the walkway - keep your steps and pathways clear. Check your railings and ensure they are sturdy, as they may save you from an unexpected slip or trip. 8. Ask for help - 'tis the season to lend a helping hand. Most people are happy to help an older person navigate across a slippery sidewalk or parking lot. 9. Have a plan - if you experienced a fall, what would you do? Being prepared in the event of a fall can assist in getting help as quickly as possible, and may even save your life. 10. Ask yourself if you are at risk - check your risk for falling with the Staying Independent fall risk assessment tool: www.seniorsbc.ca/stayingindependent
Don't leave the driveway without these winter essentials. For nine million women, a Canadian winter means driving 67 billion kilometres in hazardous conditions. Accidents and breakdowns can happen at any time. Being prepared can mean the difference between an easy out or a long dark night freezing half to death. Car emergency kit ingredients to take the icy edge off winter driving. In Your Front Seat A cell phone. If you're lost, stuck or broken down, it could save your life. Forget the fancy phones and expensive packages if emergency use is your only concern. Get the most basic model for as little as $0 plus the $20-$35 cost of a car-lighter adapter. Typically, 200 minutes of air time costs about $25 per month. Behind Your Front Seat A jug of windshield washer fluid, the kind specially formulated for winter conditions. If your car does not have a windshield washer gauge, check the fluid level frequently. A quality snow brush and scraper to carefully clean off all the surfaces of your car. Seeing and being seen is the top list for safe winter driving. Being seen is having your car wiped off and not looking like a big snow bank driving down the road,. Seeing does not mean peering through those little semi-circles created by overworked
Snowy Weather Survival
wipers. It means all your windows are clear. Take extra care to remove snow and ice from lights, wipers and windshield washer spouts. In Your Glove Box A first-aid kit containing bandages, antiseptic, scissors and clean wipes. Add matches, long-burning beeswax candles for light and warmth, and energy bars for emergency snacks. Alongside your first-aid kit, keep a road map and reliable flashlight with a spare battery. Include a small address book with the names, addresses and phone numbers of people to contact in an emergency. In Your Trunk Extra clothing and footwear. Staying warm is a high priority if you break down. A blanket, heavy coat, toasty hat, and high, waterproof boots help ward off cold while you wait for help at the side of the road or dig yourself out of the parking lot at work. Save some space for a shovel, a bag of kitty litter or sand, and some booster cables. Use the shovel to remove snow from around your tires if you're stuck and then the kitty litter or sand to add traction. Booster cables are handy if your battery is dead and you can flag a good Samaritan to boost yours with hers or vice versa. These items should be snuggled up against the inflated spare tire and pressure gauge that never leave your trunk.
44 Friday, V6 No5 Fiji Sun-TimesDecember 30, 2011
Places of Worship Places of Worship

TEMPLE HOURS Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 9pm 1pm to 7pm 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 8pm 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 9pm 10am to 1pm
Fiji Sun-Times V6 No4 Friday, January, 6 2012 44
SUBRAMANIYA SWAMY TEMPLE OF BC

Every Tuesday at 7pm
8840 No. 5 Road, Richmond, BC 604.274.7906 Sunday 10am to 3pm Ramayan Katha Monday 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 8pm
SANATAN DHARM CULTURAL SOCIETY

SHIV MANDIR 5600 DORSET STREET, BURNABY BC PH: 604 -254 -2624
HOURS OF OPERATION Monday 5:30pm9:00pm Tuesday 7:00pm9:00pm Sunday 10:00am12 noon
Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam Educational and Cultural Society, BC, Canada (EST. 1982 Incorporated S176969)
For Pooja Booking Contact: Aiyaar Shivachariyar Sada Shiva, 604.274.7906
GOOD NEWS ASSEMBLY FOR JESUS

COLEBROOK UNITED CHURCH
5441 - 125A St, Surrey B.C.
Affiliated with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
SERVICE TIME
SR I VENK ATESHWAR A MAHA V ISHNU TEMPLE

TEMPLE HOURS Monday to Sunday Daily Aarthi Ramayan Katha
9326 - 116th Street, Delta, BC

Morning 8:00am10:00am Evening 6:00pm8:00pm 7:00pm Friday 6:00pm10:00pm Pooja/Special Prayer Sessions/Temple/Hall PT. Shiu Madri 604.582.4899 PUJARI Soma Sundaran 604.363.7180 Maathar Sangam Activities & Volunteers Shakuntala Naidu 604.576.4529
Treasurer: Muniappa Naidu 604.576.4529
1pm Sundays
(Hindi & English)
James Kumar 604-581-3191 (res) 604-599-9518 (work) Cecil Labon 604-572-4854
President: H.C. Gopal 604.290.1114
Secretary: Ganesh Murti 604.315.3166
HINDI PUNJABI FRASERVIEW GOSPEL CHAPEL

14630-107A Avenue Surrey BC V3R 1V1 Serving the community since 1972
Sunday Service 10:30 am12:00 noon Service in Hindustani & Punjabi Sunday School for Children
ALL WELCOME
ARYA SAMAJ SOCIETY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

holds Hawan, Pravachan and Satsangh followed by Preetibhoj every Sunday 10:00 a.m.12:00 noon at the Arya Samaj Centre, 6884 Jubilee Ave., Burnaby, B.C.
For further information, contact: Pushp Kant Singh, President 604.437.7903 Jack Sundar, Secretary 604.541.9359 Kushwaha Kant Singh, Treasurer 604.328.5454
Pastor Santosh Raj 604-582-2650 chital06@hotmail.com
ASIAN CHRIST CHURCH OF CANADA

15964 88th Ave. Surrey, B.C. V4N IH5
Yoga, Pranaayaam and Meditation classes held every Wednesday 7:00 p.m.8:30 p.m. at the Arya Samaj Centre, 6884 Jubilee Ave., Burnaby, B.C. For further information call 604.874.9856
Rev. Emmanuel Cheema 778-241-9066 asianchristchurch@yahoo.ca

Sunday Service @ 5.30 p.m. (Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi & English)
We pray for sickness, demon possessed & family problems. We have testimonies, come and see Gods great work.
You are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5: 11)
shree mahalakshmi temple

467 E 11th Avenue, Vancouver, V5T 2C8 Phone: 604-874-0175 shreemahalakshmi@gmail.com www.shreemahalakshmitemple.ca Programmes in December 2011
Date Sat. Dec. 24 Wed. Dec. 28 Time Program Shree Mahalakshmi Japa 6:30pm Shree Hanuman Japa 6:30pm Shree Lakshmi Vinayaka Japa
shree mahalakshmi temple

467 E 11th Avenue, Vancouver, V5T 2C8 CONTACT Anantha Krishna Bhat 604-874-0175
GLOBAL FIJIAN ASSEMBLIES

Pastor Isimeli Lesi Korobasaga
Affiliated with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Gita Jayanti: Please join in the chanting of Bhagawad Gita chapters 118 On this auspicious Mokshada Ekadashi day. Devotees, please note that this month Hanuman japa will be on Saturday Dec. 24th starting at 6:30 pm. Please join in the prayers with family and friends and obtain the blessings of the Divine Mother. Hari Om.
Every Sunday 25PM @ Peoples Full Gospel
14455 - 104th Ave., Surrey, BC Phone: 604.592.9001 Cell: 778.938.2734 Email: lesi1968@yahoo.ca
HINDI CHRI STIAN FE LLOWSHIP

#4-6468 King George Blvd, Surrey BC
Sunday Service @ 2:00PM
Uplifting Worship | Prayer for healing | Music (CD) Available
Shailendra (Shal) Singh 604-596-7353 or 604-323-6506 | hindichristianfellowship@yahoo.ca
NAYA JEEWAN CHURCH

38868 - 128th Street, Surrey BC
Service Sundays 2:00pm Bible Study (Hindi & English) Wednesdays 7:30pm
Prayer, Counselling & Visitations Available
Pastor Eileen Reddy 604.842.2189
ABHISHEK PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY

If youre looking for a place to belong or have been searching for answers to lifes questions or healing, come to our services or contact us. Allow us to introduce you to Jesus Christ and help you come into a full relationship with him.
Sunday School/Worship Service: 1pm 11601-82nd Ave, Delta BC (604) 590-8836 samuel_k@telus.net www.abhiskhekassembly.com
Services are in Hindi and English
Senior Pastor Rev. Samuel Krishna
Vancouver Sunday Worship Service: 1:45pm 6075 Inverness St 45th Ave (Pilgrim Baptist Ch Bldg) Contact Pastor Silas Naidu (604) 517-4490
45
WEEKLY SPORTS
Vancouver Canucks: Midseason Awards For The Canucks
After a difficult start to the season for the Vancouver Canucks, the month of December was tremendous to the team and saw them rise to second spot in the Western Conference from the bottom of the West earlier in this years campaign. Several Vancouver Canucks players have stepped up and enabled the team to be so successful and they deserved to be acknowledged. The Vancouver Canucks team awards for MVP, Unsung Hero, Top Scorer, Most Exciting Player, and Best Defensemen will be discussed coming up. month with an astounding 20 assists to go along with 2 goals for a point total of 22. Henrik is the Canucks top scorer at the midway point of their season.
Walter 'Babe' Pratt Award (Best Defenseman): Kevin Bieksa
Cyrus MacLean Award (Leading Scorer): Henrik Sedin
The Walter 'Babe' Pratt Award for the Best Defenseman was a much more difficult decision. Three of the Canucks six d-men could compete for this award in Dan Hamhuis, Alex Edler, and they decided victor of Kevin Bieksa. They have all had terrific campaigns thus far this year, but the all-around play of Bieksa has him leading the Canucks D at the midway point this season. Bieksa is second among Canucks d-men with 23 points this year, but has also kept his plus/minus at +7 and is playing a lot better in all zones. Where Bieksa used to pinch in the past and get caught, he has made smarter decisions in the offensive zone, is taking less penalties when he has to catch up to breaking opposition players, and his play in his own zone is second to none on the team this campaign. This award could arguably go to all three prior mentioned players, but as of right now it belongs to Kevin Bieksa.
cross ice to a teammate or even sniping one top shelf, your heart gets pumping when Hansen is on the ice. Not only is he offensively skilled, but also Hansen is not afraid to be physical. He will hit, block shots, and basically do anything he can to keep the puck from going in his own net. This may come as a surprise pick, but it is hard to argue that Jannik Hansen has not been an exciting player to watch on the Vancouver Canucks this season.
Cyclone Taylor MVP Award: CoMVP's Daniel & Henrik Sedin
Fred J. Hume Unsung Hero Award: Cody Hodgson
Most Exciting Player Award: This award is pretty self-explanatory. Jannik Hansen
The Cyrus McLean Award is given to the Canucks leading scorer at seasons end. So far in 2011/12, Canucks Captain Henrik Sedin leads the Canucks in scoring and is in a tie for the NHL lead with 46 points through 40 games, but let's not count his brother Daniel out either as he is just two points back of Hank with 44 points. Henrik was a beneficiary of the Canucks strong December, and finished the
Often thought of as an unsung hero for the Vancouver Canucks, forward Jannik Hansen has emerged as a key piece to the puzzle this season. Following his success in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, Hansen has already surpassed his career best in goals with 12 this season. Each time Hansen gets the puck on his stick, you know something good is going to happen, whether it be skating hard to the net or finessing the puck
Another pick that may come as a surprise is that we are giving the Fred J. Hume Award for the Canucks Unsung Hero to rookie center Cody Hodgson. Up against stiff competition in Chris Higgins, Hodgson has not demanded the praise that Higgins has been receiving and thus is our Unsung Hero winner. Hodgson is fifth in rookie scoring in the NHL this season with 22 points, and is also 9th overall on the Canucks. Although he only averages 12 minutes of ice time, Hodgson has stepped up into his role this season and is performing. He has 9 goals on the season, and is winning 41.9% of his face-offs. Hodgson has the coaching staff won over and is receiving a bit more time on special teams as well. Cody Hodgson has the capability to change a game, and in such small increments of time on the ice it is incredible he is able to do so. Much like Jannik Hansen, Hodgson is willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team and is thus the Canucks Unsung Hero.
Another season, another incredible output by the Sedin brothers. Both Daniel and Henrik Sedin are the coMVP's of the Vancouver Canucks at the midway point this season. They both are the only players on the team averaging over a point per game this season, and all the while are at the top of the ladder in plus/minus on the team as well. The Vancouver Canucks would not be battling for the number one spot in the Western Conference had it not been for the play of the Sedin's so far this season. With the brothers in first and third in the NHL in points, and far ahead of the rest of the Canucks, there isn't anyone else on the team that could contend for this award at the halfway point of the season. Although this choice seems to be the obvious one, other players who need to get their game to how it has been in the past including Ryan Kesler could be contending for the award come seasons end, but until then, the Cyclone Taylor Award to the MVP's of the Canucks goes to the Sedin brothers.
Sports
46
Why The Strikeforce Heavyweights Will WWE: Could A John Cena/R-Truth Fail To Compete Seriously In The UFC Alliance Be Good For Raw?
John Cena is currently embroiled in a feud with Kane, but when that is over, and his match with The Rock has come and gone, Cena will need something to do. If the WWE does not wish to put the WWE title back on him right away so some of the younger guys can have runs with the belt, then a transition to the tag team division could be the answer. The WWE has always taken singles stars and paired them up to make tag teams. Look at Big Show, and Jericho, Big Show and The Miz, Big Show and Kane, Big Show and The Undertaker. Wow, Big Show has gone through a lot of partners. Others have had this same treatment as well. It gives main-event guys something to do while others fill the main-event matches for a time. Cena has been tag champs with a couple guys in the past, but they were always quick runs that ended in betrayal. Giving him a solid partner for a while could help freshen up Cena's character and get the stigma of being the main-event hog off his back. Cena and Truth would make a great team for several reasons. They have
Not every heavyweight can be judged by a company. Individuals will succeed and fail based on their own merit and not anything else. After all, it seems like Alistair Overeem is doing well in the UFC. However, the UFC stripped him from Strikeforce before the rest of the other heavyweights followed, so he might be one exception. There was an article about how Fabricio Werdum would beat Roy Nelson, so perhaps the focus should be on their competition at the highest level. The a level where in which fighters who reach it are talked about being put in a title shot and possibly being the future of the division. No matter how fans break it down, most of the Strikeforce heavyweights will get beaten once they appear in the UFC or otherwise self-destruct. Many of the heavyweights that are in MMA's second biggest promotion are polite and healthy. The only one who might be destructive is Josh Barnett. He not only competes in pro wrestling, which the UFC and its president, Dana White, won't condone, but also he has been busted several different times for taking different types of substances banned in MMA. He was a large part of the reason why Affliction folded so quickly. They may have been headed down that route anyway, but his removal from their main event didn't help. It's hard to see a guy like that not butting heads with White and the UFC. The other heavyweights are a little different. Most are names that casual fans won't have heard of. The only one they probably know is Herschel Walker. The others are fighters like Chad Griggs, Daniel Cormier and Antonio Silva. Some of these men have faced former UFC fighters and done well.
Some have just started cutting their teeth and are now being thrown into MMA's shark tank. And that is the real problem. It isn't that they aren't good enough. It's that they aren't prepared. Strikeforce's business model left them with a few marquee heavyweights but mostly young or inexperienced fighters who were just cutting their teeth. Some are very good, but they haven't been put in with elite opposition or anything close to it. They won't know how to react to not only the pressure in the UFC, but the nervousness which goes with being viewed by that many fans. It is tough and there is no way to really prepare for it. Especially when the Strikeforce heavyweights realize that there is nowhere else to go back to. Between a lack of experience and the intensity they will face when they step into the cage, it will trouble them heavily. When fighters get in the cage, they do so as themselves and should be judged as such. It doesn't matter what organization they fought for. It does, however matter what opposition they have faced and how it prepared them, and to be honest, the Strikeforce heavyweights are not ready. And just like the division, the fighters will be swallowed up by the UFC.
had alliances in the past and, with Truth coming into his own over the past year, it could benefit both guys to pair them up and have them go after the tag titles. This would also help WWE keep building their tag team division. Giving young guys like The Usos and Epico and Primo the chance to not only face, but defeat guys like Truth and Cena would help legitimize them as superstars without necessarily lowering the stock of Cena or Truth. Many random pairings have yielded some great tag teams. The Miz and Morrison were a very popular team who were originally paired to give them something to do. Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston have proved to be an exciting pair, and who could forget the pairing of Booker T and Goldust back in the day? Cena is always getting flack from fans who feel he is in too many segments on Raw. If they did this with him, then he could eliminate that problem before eventually moving back to the main event. What do you think, would Cena and Truth make a good pairing?
IMMIGRATION
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104-8556 120th St., Surrey, BC V3W 3N5 www.zenithconsultant.com info@zenithconsultant.com
Zenith Consultants
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/mo
Ask us for details.

Taxes are extra. Limited time offer. Restrictions may apply on combining offers with other offers or promotions and only applicable to new activations. Receive 50% off all regular rate plans for 6 months with any new activation on a regular rate plan; and for 12 months with any new activation on a regular rate plan and while on preauthorized credit or debit. All features included in each plan must originate within the Mobilicity Unlimited Zone. Premium and special numbers are excluded. Additional terms and conditions apply. Subject to change without notice. 2011 Mobilicity. Mobilicity, Now thats smart, the Mobilicity designs and the Mobilicity logo are trademarks of Mobilicity. Other trademarks shown may be held by their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Visit us at: 8673-B 120 Street, Delta, BC, V4C 6R4 778-438-3017
Regalia
Mobilicity
DELTA Scott Road
Dollar Store Quizno Sammy J. Pepper
Nordel Way
KFC
48
CREDIT PROBLEMS? WE CAN HELP YOU TODAY!

CALL NOW! BAD CREDIT DIVORCED IMMIGRANT NO CREDIT BANKRUPTCY SUB CONTRACTOR COLLECTIONS
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA
STK#E08-443
30 MIN CREDIT APPROVAL

2009 SUBARU TRIBECA 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA S 2007 ACURA TLW/NAV PKG
STK#E07-353 STK#E09-432 STK#E09-438
08 ACURA TLS
STK#E08-426
30 MIN. APPROVAL FINANCING LOANS & LEASING AVAILABLE
NEW IMMIGRANT OK!

STK#D07-435
2007 DODGE NITRO SLT 4X4 2008 FORD F350 XLT 4X4
STK#E08-439
$17888
BANKRUPTCY OK!
$26800
YOURE APPROVED!
STK#E07-295
2007 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT 2008 GMC ACADIA SLE AWD 2006 ACURA CSX TOURING
STK#E08-453 STK#E06-316A
$14888
BAD CREDIT OK!
$21888
DIVORCED OK!
$23999
BAD CREDIT OK!

STK#E08-431A
2008 HONDA CIVIC DXG
$16800
SEE ME ONLINE
STK#E07-284
2007 MAZDA CX-7 GS
$29999
NEW IMMIGRANT OK!

STK#E09-452
2009 LEXUS RX350 AWD
$20999
BANKRUPTCY OK!
STK#E08-446
2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE
$22500
YOURE APPROVED!
STK#E08-338
2008 NISSAN ROGUE SL
$13999
BANKRUPTCY OK!
STK#E10-283
2010 GMC ACADIA SLE
$14400
YOURE APPROVED!
STK#E089-450
2009 TOYOTA CAMARY XLE
$17888
BAD CREDIT OK!

STK#E11-419
2011 TOYOTA SIENNA LE
$39800
COLLECTIONS OK!
STK#E08-433
2008 TOYOTA RAV 4 4WD
$42888
NEW IMMIGRANT OK!

STK#E09-381
2009 FORD F-150 XLT 4X4
$16999
SEE ME ONLINE
STK#E10-287
2010 VW JETTA TREND LINE
$26900
NEW IMMIGRANT OK!

STK#E08-427
2008 HONDA ACCORD LX
$20488
BANKRUPTCY OK!
STK#E06-384
2006 CHRYSLER 300
$25888
DIVORCED OK!
STK#E09-417
2009 TOYOTA CAMRY LE
$19888
BAD CREDIT OK!

STK#E10-425
2010 TOYOTA PRIUS
$20888
NEW IMMIGRANT OK!
CALL NOW! BAD CREDIT DIVORCED IMMIGRANT NO CREDIT BANKRUPTCY SUB CONTRACTOR COLLECTIONS
$16700
BANKRUPTCY OK!
$20495
YOURE APPROVED!
$13999
BAD CREDIT OK!
$16500
SEE ME ONLINE
$22900
NEW YEAR CLEARANCE

ONE STOP SHOP You choose...We finance...We insure...You drive away
Ajit S. Hare
Errors may occur in print. We reserve the right to correct such errors.
604.580.7755
Visit www.haremotors.com for more vehicles
604.580.7757
Nav S. Parmar
12375 KING GEORGE BLVD, SURREY BC V3V 3K2 WWW.HAREMOTORS.COM

January 6

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Fiji Times

FRASERIDGE REALTY Requests that for

Fraseridge realty unsurpassed service

www.amexrealty.ca Ph: 604-322-3272

#200-6325 Fraser St., Vancouver, BC www.amexrealty.ca

Fiji Announces End To Emergency Laws

M. Khan & Company

We are an experienced and fully qualified team of Immigration experts.

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VANCOUVER 604.324.2277 #303-8128 128th St. 6550 Fraser St.

ABBOTSFORD 604.854.6088 #2-2488 Clearbrook Rd.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Fiji Sun-Times V6 No5

thiNkiNg of seNdiNg bags or boxes to fiji!!

alBErta CUtoFF: JanUary 15 BC CUtoFF: JanUary 22

(403) 250 6851 (ami)

Edmonton (780) 292 0701 (Prakash)

(604) 724 5941

Fiji Sun-Times V6 No5

Friday, January, 6 2012

Indo-Fijian Woman Dies In A Suspicious House Fire In Edmonton

To get the best value for your dollar

Friday, January 6, 2012

Fiji Sun-Times V6 No5

Fiji Sun-Times V6 No5

Friday, January, 6 2012

Australia Urges Fiji To Restore Democracy

No More Media Censorship

To get the best value for your dollar

Friday, January 6, 2012

Fiji Sun-Times V6 No5

Education Ministry To Assist Underprivileged Students

India Provides Scholarships

Fugitive Tevita Mara Skeptical On Fiji Law Change

For the best value for your dollar, advertise in

Fiji Sun-Times V6 No5

Friday, January, 6 2012

Community Pharmacist Recognised In New Year Honours List

Commonwealth Welcomes Prime Minister Bainimaramas Move

Civil Service To Have Performance Based Pay Structure In 2013

Japan Govt Welcomes Lifting Of Per

We repair PCs, laptops and mobile phones

Toll Free: 1-866-790-8984

Friday, January 6, 2012

Fiji Sun-Times V6 No5

State Stern On Funding For Ministries In 2012

250,000 Immigrants are expected in 2012.

Increase Duty On Dvd To Stop Piracy

Parents Urged To Buy FijianMade Books

Ashton College | 1190 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC Ashtoncollege.com | 604.899.0803

Fiji Sun-Times V6 No5

Friday, January, 6 2012

RD INDIAN FOOD MART INC

NZ LAMB LEGS (LONG CUT)

QILLA BASMATI RICE

MILLSTREAM ROTI ATTA

VERKA DESI GHEE

MAHARANI BASMATI RICE

WAGH BAKRI TEA

RAMESH BRAND BORA BEAN

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