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604.584.1411
#303-8128 128th St.
(Payal Business Center)
VANCOUVER
604.324.2277
6550 Fraser St.
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YOUR COMPLIMENTARY WEEKLY NEWSPAPER SINCE 2006 March 23, 2012
Voreqe Bainimarama
Australian and New Zealand Investors
can feel more positive about their
offshore property investments in Fiji,
off the back of the recent positive
statements from newly-appointment
Australian Foreign Minister Senator
Bob Carr.
Foreign affairs spokeswoman Julia
Bishop commented, The change in
foreign minister is an opportunity for
the Labor government to recast its
relationship with Fiji.
The temperamental relationship
between the Australian and Fijian
governments since the military coup
of 2006 has fnally been given some
respite, as Fiji continues to make
steps towards democratic elections in
2014, promising to see the Australian
Government making noises of positive
reengagement with Fiji.
Bob Lowres, the owner of one
of Fijis largest master planned
communities Naisoso Island, sees
this as encouraging news for new
investors, The re-engagement
between both governments helps to
remove an impediment investors may
have concerning the political standoff
between the respective governments
and their lack of recognition of Fijis
Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama
and his government.
This barrier will be eradicated
and with the backing of the strong
Australian dollar, we expect to see a
tremendous increase in Australians
seeking to invest in Fiji.
Continued on Page 3
Fiji Offers A Positive And Bright Future For Investors
Friday March 23, 2012 Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No. 16
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Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Fiji News
3
The time is appropriate for Australia
to assist Fiji bring about its Democratic
reforms and elections. Of the one
million plus Australians who have
visited Fiji since the Bainimarama
Interim Government came to power,
they have seen for themselves that Fiji
continues to move forward and provide
a wonderful, friendly and safe holiday
opportunity for families.
Fiji has already been heading in leaps
and bounds with its escalating tourism
fgures for this year, encouraged by
the governments ongoing backing of
Tourism Fiji and monetary injection
into this sector.
Naisoso Island echos this sentiment
with the latest supply and demand
fgures looking optimistic for property
investors.
New tourist developments in Fiji
are encouraging a more diverse
experience for travelers, which are also
encouraging property investors to buy
in the area. The new Casino on Denarau,
the Grand Pacifc Hotel project in Suva
and the prestigious Peppers apartments
on Naisoso Island are just a handful of
new attractions raising the bar in Fiji,
Mr Lowres said.
The new Peppers development is
positively geared towards investors
and produces a minimum of six per
cent Net return a year.
As the largest service apartment
operators in Australia and New
Zealand, Peppers are keenly awaiting
their completion on Naisoso Island, as
forward bookings are already strong,
Mr Lowres said.
Fijis infrastructure development,
overseas investment in resources,
minerals and agriculture, mining, plus
residential development is all evidence
that Fiji is heading for a bright future.
Overseas investment partnerships in
Fijian resources by Australian, Chinese
and Indian powerhouses coupled with
the positive 2014 elections indicate a
golden decade ahead for the country.
Mr. Lowres said.
Weve certainly noted a spike of
Australian interest with Naisoso Island
property investment land and Peppers
apartment packages. Our analytics
indicate that 67% of our property
enquiries came from Aussies last month.
The mounting interest in Fiji
investments offers a bright outlook for
both the Fijian economy and Aussie
property developers.
Lowres said given this encouraging
recent political news, now is the ideal
time to invest in a piece of paradise,
including the Naisoso development,
due for full completion in 2017.
For more information about Naisoso
Island, please visit www.naisosoisland.
com
Fiji Offers A Positive And Bright Future
For Investors
Continued from Page 1
Bob Lowres
Zip Up, Or Else
ANY person proven guilty of gossiping
can spend up to a year behind bars, the
Fiji Police Force said.
Police spokesman for the Northern
Division police Constable Luke
Rawalai made the comment amid a
public outcry over earlier reports that
a woman constable warned a group
of female market vendors of the
consequences of gossiping.
"We have received a series of complaints
from vendors over this issue and it's
really a waste of our time to solve these
matters when there are more pressing
cases to attend to," he said.
Constable Rawalai cited Section 213
of the Crimes Decree 2009 which
stipulates that any intention of insulting
the modesty of any person through
utterances, gestures or sound, or
exhibits is punishable under the charge
of indecently insulting or annoying a
person.
The Crimes Decree, the 44th decree
of the administration, states the charge
covers intrusion of a person's privacy
by doing an act of a nature likely to
offend his or her modesty.
"It does not directly mention gossiping
but people can be charged for insulting
the modesty of a person orally so
gossiping too is included in it,"
Constable Rawalai said.
He said police had earlier issued the
warning against gossiping after a brawl
broke out among a group of female
vendors.
Constable Rawalai said gossip was
casual or unconstrained conversation
or reports about other people, typically
involving details that were not
confrmed as being true.
Put An End To Racism: CCF
THE Citizens Constitutional Forum
Limited is calling on all Fijians to stand
up to help put an end to racism.
"Racial intolerance has been the
root cause of the political and social
conficts within Fiji and continues to
divide our communities," said forum
CEO Reverend Akuila Yabaki.
He said the forum had conducted
civic education to deal with racism
and religious intolerance "and this
year we call on the people of Fiji to
make a stand to end all forms of racial
discrimination".
"As we mark the Convention on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Day, the CCF is putting the fnal
touches to the NGO 2012 Report on
CERD.
"While we recognize the steps taken
by the current government to introduce
policies which create a diverse but
united Fiji, these steps fall short of
fulflling our international obligations."
The forum has submitted 22 points as
concrete measure towards eliminating
racial discrimination in Fiji.
They include enshrining a Bill of Rights
in the Constitution after consultation with
the communities and enacting legislation
which criminalizes discrimination by
ethnicity, and legislation to prohibit
discrimination and vilifcation on the
grounds of religion.
Getting Connected With The Past
Eighteen youths will embark on a
trip around the country to empower
themselves with the knowledge their
forefathers have about the land and sea.
The group will travel aboard the Alvei
- a non-proft schooner operating out of
Nelson, Zealand - under Captain Evan
Logan.
The frst phase of the Honour Fiji
Journey will cost approximately
$130,000 including activities to be
implemented, incidentals and other
administrative costs, says Econesian
Society founding member Teddy Fong.
Mr Fong said fundraising for the
journey was progressing steadily, but
there was still work to be done.
He said the organisers had two
corporate sponsors Port Denarau
Marina and the Namosi Joint Venture.
"Our partners so far are the
Econesians, Wantok Moana, the
University of the South Pacifc's Land
Management Students Association,
Faculty of Science, Technology and
Environment, and School of Marine
Studies, Global Vision International,
Island Spirit, South Pacifc
Projects, Na Draki Weather, Pacifc
Emerging Environmental Leaders,
Environmental Law Association and
Feroz Photography," Mr Fong said.
The Econesian Society is fundraising,
which although small in nature, Mr
Fong, is optimistic that the project will
go ahead.
"We are not in this for ourselves. We are
doing this for you, your children and
Fiji's future. Thus is the determination
in this young society and its members."
The Honour Journey program provides
an opportunity for individuals to
reconnect with their human origins,
to rekindle their collective past and
memories of living in harmony with
the natural world.
Friday March 23, 2012 Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No. 16 4
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Fiji News
Russian Foreign Affairs Minister,
Sergey Lavrov
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5
Being Fair To Homeowners
IT'S time homeowners are given a fair
deal, says the Consumer Council of
Fiji.
The comment comes as the real estate
market pushes for a decrease in the
number of mortgaged properties.
These were among highlights of the World
Consumer Rights Day forum, council
chief executive Premila Kumar said.
She said positive outcomes that
emanated from the Suva forum included
the willingness of the Association
of Banks to work with the council in
improving information dissemination
to mortgagors.
The theme of this year's World
Consumer Rights Day was Our Home,
Our Rights: Fighting for Transparency
in Mortgagee Sale.
Mrs Kumar said the association had
indicated its willingness to improve
the contents of default notices sent to
consumers by fnancial institutions by
including the hardship clause provision
and developing minimum guidelines
for fnancial institutions to follow prior
to home repossession.
"By improving practices in mortgagee
sales will make the process more
transparent and accountable," she
said, adding the Real Estate Licensing
Agents Board shared the council's
concerns over the matter.
She said the board wanted banks not to
rush into mortgagee sale but look for a
better price for the mortgaged property
rather than selling below market value.
"This will allow the borrower to be
cleared of the debt and also be awarded
with surplus, if any," she said.
Magistrate Seruvatu's Contract
Not Renewed
Magistrate Alofa Seruvatu
One of Fijis resident magistrates,
Alofa Seruvatu has confrmed that she
will no longer be a magistrate from
April 19th.
Magistrate Seruvatu said that she
received a letter two weeks ago
advising her that her contract will not
be renewed.
She said she was appointed as Fijis
resident magistrate in 2007 and has
always ensured that she serves Fiji
well.
Magistrate Seruvatu said she accepts
the decision with humility and she
thinks she has served Fiji with passion
for fairness and justice.
The Chief Justice Chambers said the
matter will not be aired publicly on
what may have caused this.
The outgoing magistrate said it has
been a great 5 years and she has
enjoyed every bit of it.
She said she is now planning to take a
short break in Papua New Guinea before
thinking of other job opportunities.
The contracts of some other magistrates
are coming to an end next month.
However, they have refused to make
any comments on whether their
contracts have been renewed.
Keep Peace, RFMF
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces
(RFMF) Land Force Commander,
Lieutenant-Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga,
has urged politicians, groups and
individuals not to stir up trouble in the
lead up to the 2014 General Election.
He said law enforcement agencies in Fiji
would be out to maintain law and order
and would take full responsibility on the
safety and well-being of the citizens.
Since the lifting of the Public
Emergency Regulations (PER) early
this year, people have been allowed to
voice their opinion freely.
Government made the decision
to lift the PER as the consultation
process for the new Constitution
begins, however, Lieutenant-Colonel
Tikoitoga said people were also given
the responsibility to maintain peace.
The PER has been lifted and political
parties or whoever wishes to air their opinion
are entitled to do so. Freedom of speech is
their right. Colonel Tikoitoga said.
Government will not entertain
instigation of violence and those
who will be out to stir up trouble.
Colonel Tikoitoga assured the nation
that they would not allow violence to
take place.
Police will investigate any criminal or
intimidation of law and order because
at the end of the day, the safety of the
public is paramount for us, he said.
Colonel Tikoitoga maintained that Fiji
is safe.
Friday March 23, 2012 Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No. 16
Email: info@fjitimescanada.com
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Tel: 604-909-4088
Fax: 1-888-528-(FIJI) 3454
www.fijitimescanada.com
David LINGAM
Publisher
Times Fiji News
The Fiji Times Canada
All materials used in this paper is the
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(2010) Ltd and cannot be copied or used in
part or whole, without the written consent
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not responsible for any loss or damages
caused by the advertiser to the consumer.
Russian Foreign Affairs Minister,
Sergey Lavrov
6
Refreshed Coach Brand Takes Tourism Forward
New coach at Tourist Transport (Fiji)
Limited, Nadi.
FIJI'S newest brand, in the tourism
industry has gone through a successful
rebranding with the merging of two
largest and oldest tour operators, Coral
Sun (Fiji) Ltd and Tourist Transport
(Fiji) Ltd in late 2010.
Now the company has set itself as
one of the best in the country, with
2011 marking the integration and
development of the two Fiji icons
resulting in a refreshed brand to take
Fiji tourism forward.
Some of the key achievements of the
new company over the past year include
the successful rebranding which also
led to rebranding of the highly popular
Queens and Fiji Express to offer
domestic and international travellers
an unrivalled level of service on Fiji's
main route.
The company is operated by an
experienced management team and
170 dedicated workers. TTF general
manager, Brad Rutherford said they
also introduced to the world via
online channels a new website; www.
airportshuttlefji.com, which offers
tourists Fiji's newest innovating ground
handling booking service.
He said they had also completed a
successful review of their highly
subsidiary brands; Great Sights
Fiji and Feejee Experience to now
offer international representation in
Auckland, Sydney and London - to
further promote Fiji to the world.
"Feejee Experience also gained preferred
partner status with Student Travel
Agency Global, a feat no other operator
in Fiji has achieved thus far," he said.
"We do everything from airport pickups
to tour work, to cruise work series work,
charter work incentives so basically
anything to do with two arriving in
a private car to the transport of 500
passengers." We service basically the
Australian and New Zealand markets
and some of them are from the United
States and the United Kingdom." With its
continuous dedication to further improve
its facilities, vehicles and customer
service, TTF has also established itself as
environmentally friendly.
Mr Rutherford said they were very
conscious of the environment. "As an
effort to contribute to our 15 per cent
reduction in paper usage in 2011, all
our marketing collateral is now online
or provided in soft copy only," he said.
"TTF is proud of our efforts in working
towards environmental sustainability
through our new emission friendly
feet, reusable grey water in our newly
constructed driver's rest room and
recycling initiatives at our headquarters
to accompany our paper usage
reduction." The company is owned 60
per cent by the Australian based, Jetset
Travelworld Group and 40 per cent by
Suva based PA Lal Holdings Ltd.
Uncle Discharged In Accused Rape Case
A Savusavu man charged with raping
his niece was found not guilty by the
High Court in Labasa.
The court heard the man had carnal
knowledge with her without her
consent and also raped her in July last
year.
The three assessors had found the
man guilty but Justice Paul Madigan
overturned the three assessors' decision
because he said the evidence was
unsatisfactory.
The court heard the victim gave
evidence which was inconsistent
with her police statement and told the
Court that she didn't have sex with the
accused on the frst occasion.
The court also heard that she told a
medical examiner that she did not have
sex with the accused, nor had she ever
had sex with anybody however medical
fndings appeared to contradict this,
although not conclusively.
Justice Madigan said the evidence of
the complainant was so unreliable that
it created a genuine doubt in his mind
Naitasiri Farmers To
Generate $7M From
Ginger
Naitasiri farmers are expected to get
$7 million from ginger production
by 2013, says Fijis Prime Minister
Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
Speaking at the Naitasiri provincial
meeting in Kalabu, Bainimarama said
the government will give $200,000 to
assist the farmers to plant 4,500 tonnes
of ginger.
The farmers earned $3.5 million last
year from ginger production.
The government will also help with
vanilla, cocoa and rice farming.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
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7
Friday March 23, 2012 Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No. 16
ICBC Cases
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.
*Past cases are not necessarily indicative of future results and amounts recovered may vary according to the facts in each case.
www.slglawyers.com
Puneet P.K. Sandhar B.A. (Hons.), LL.B.
Barinder S. Sanghera B.Comm., LL.B.
Simi K. Saini B.A., LL.B.
Amandeep S. Sanghera B.A., LL.B.
An Association of Independent Lawyers & Law Corporations
Newton Crossing 203 7134 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC, V3W 5A3 T 604.543.8484 F 604.543.8584 1.877.778.8484
C
M
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CMY
K
SLG_STICBC_FINAL.pdf 1 09/07/10 8:42 AM
8
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Fiji News
9
Fiji Participates In Global Meet
On Tobacco Control
Fijis Ministry of Health is participating
at the 15th World Conference on
Tobacco or Health to address health
and tobacco control on a global scale.
Minister for Health Dr Neil Sharma
joins leaders from around the world
who have converged in Singapore to
address and look at challenges towards
tobacco control and to address this on
both a regional and country level.
This international meet allows Fiji to
join the international community in
acknowledging the growing effects of
tobacco but at the same time look at
opportunities on tobacco control.
Minister Sharma co-chaired the frst
session on the theme Countering
challenges posed by the tobacco
industry in the era of the WHO FCTC
with Dr Margaret Chan, Director
General of the WHO this week.
The Minister and his Ministerial
colleagues were also briefed by
senior executives of the Singapore
Health Services Pte Ltd or Singhealth
on the services provided by them.
Singhealth now collaborates through
a Memorandum of Understanding
signed in November 2011 with Fijis
Ministry of Health.
The arrangement will see three Fijian
Doctors receiving specialised training in
cardiology, radiology and pathology in
Singaporean hospitals. The Minister was
able to confrm and learned at frst hand
with Singhealth authorities on details
regarding the attachment of Fiji doctors.
The conference brings together
hundreds of health leaders and workers
from Government, the private sector,
and civil societies from 124 countries
as well as regional and multilateral
institutions including the Secretary
General of the WHO, Dr Margaret
Chan, the secretary General of ASEAN,
Dr Surin Pitsuwan and Singapores own
Health Minister Mr Gan Kim Yong.
Health care insurance is a priority
under the Ministry of Health, that
the Bainimarama Government is
committed to putting in place especially
for Fijians who cannot afford to be part
of normal health insurance schemes
made available by private providers
in Fiji. The Minister also took the
opportunity to explore the possibility
of an MOU between his Ministry and
its Singaporean counterpart.
This was well received by senior
offcials and the High Commissioner
of Fiji to Indonesia (accredited to
Singapore) who was present with the
Minister, will be pursuing a draft in
due course with the senior offcials
concerned.
Lbr Permanent Secretary Taito Waqa
Minimum Wage Rate To Be Implemented
By Year End
Cane Growers Receive Third Payment
Cane farmers around the country
started receiving the third of the
four cane payments from last year's
crushing season.
Fiji Sugar Corporation executive
chairman Abdul Khan said most of
the farmers were given their payments
Thursday while others will receive it
A national minimum wage rate is
expected to be put in place by the end
of this year.
Labour Permanent Secretary Taito
Waqa said preparations are underway
for consultants to carry out the survey.
Waqa said this is part of governments
commitment in reducing the poverty
rate of the country.
A total of 10 industries are currently
under the minimum wage rate.
The survey is expected to be carried
out in three months time.
by Friday or in the coming days.
We will make sure that those farmers
who have not received their payments
will be paid by this weekend, said Khan.
He said the fourth payment will be
made before the May crushing season.
About 15,000 sugar cane farmers are
getting paid.
Tanoa Hotel Group Awards Staff
The Tanoa Hotel Groups inaugural
awards dinner has been labeled a great
success.
Fifty-nine staff was awarded for going
that extra mile in terms of customer
service and determination to perform
their best.
Staffs who were awarded were treated
to a gala dinner in which the entire
meal was served by company directors,
senior executive and hotel managers
from around the Pacifc.
Special guest at the awards function
was former New Zealand 7s player
Eric Rush who also congratulated the
winners for their hard work.
Mr Rush said the managers of the
company appreciated what the staff had
done for the company over the years
He said the work the staff did at the
hotels was quite touching with around
the clock service to provide the best
customer experience to visitors who
come to Fiji.
Supervisor of the Quarter award
winner from Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva
Sekoula Gadevavalagi said it was one
of the best experiences ever to win an
award.
This basically shows the staffs hard
work and dedication towards the
company being recognized, she said.
Mrs Gadevavalagi said she was grateful
towards the company for always putting
its staff frst and above everything else.
We can actually see the teamwork in
the Reddy Group through the services
provided to the winners with meals
being served to us by the company
directors, senior executives and hotel
manager, Mrs Gadevavalagi said.
Employee of the Quarter award winner
from Tanoa Skylodge Hotel in Nadi,
Padmani Chandra said she dedicated
her win to her family who were present
with her at the awards night.
I have won other awards in previous
years but this is the most special one
because we have Eric Rush here as the
chief guest and also the other hotel group
heads who are serving all the winners
with a wonderful meal, she said.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Fiji News
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Pacifc Sun Improves Services to Savusavu, Taveuni and Kadavu
Pacifc Sun has appreciably minimized
weather disruptions to its fights
to Savusavu, Taveuni and Kadavu
following upgrades and investments
made to its feet of DH-6 Twin Otter
aircraft, which will now be able to fy
year-round in inclement weather
greatly improving the regularity of
services to these destinations.
The update came at a recent meeting of
the Attorney-General and Minister for
Civil Aviation Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
and Permanent Secretary of Civil
Aviation Elizabeth Powell with General
Manager of Pacifc Sun and Managing
Director & CEO of Air Pacifc (also a
Pacifc Sun Director) to discuss matters
pertaining to the operations of Fijis
domestic and regional airline, Pacifc
Sun.
Over the past four months, Pacifc Sun
has experienced signifcant operational
challenges due to a company-
mandated retroft and maintenance
programme to modernize safety and
increase operational reliability of the
airlines DH-6 Twin Otter feet. The
three aircraft were all given nose-to-
tail inspections by Otter maintenance
experts, and had weather radar and
GPS equipment installed.
The neglect of Pacifc Suns prior
management dating back to 2006
created the problems that were dealing
with today, said Minister Sayed-
Khaiyum. However, the current
management of both Pacifc Sun and
Air Pacifc are working diligently
to clean up this mess and have made
impressive progressed so that they now
are able to continue scheduled fights
without compromising on the safety of
our people and international visitors.
Pacifc Sun has spent more than
$100,000 on each of its DH-6 Twin
Otter aircraft and upgraded each
aircraft so that they now have modern
GPS and weather radar equipment.
Pacifc Sun has commenced daily
operations with two Twin Otter aircraft,
using the third aircraft for additional
pilot training. The new schedule will
consist of approximately two fights
per day to Savusavu, Taveuni and
Kadavu. This frequency of services is
based on Pacifc Suns research of all
services provided by itself and local
charter operators, which confrm that
there is more than enough capacity to
accommodate all passengers to and
from these destinations.
Pacifc Sun is investing an additional
$400,000 into each of its aircraft over
the long-term to install a new, modern
cockpit avionics package, which
will include state-of-the-art Ground
Proximity Warning Systems (GPWS),
new IFR instrumentation, and new
VHF & HF radios.
By August this year these additional
modifcations will be completed and
additional pilots trained, enabling
the utilization of all three Pacifc Sun
Twin Otter aircraft to increase the
number of fights within its domestic
network. Pacifc Suns improved feet
will enable it to better manage services
during the regions next inclement
weather season.
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Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Fiji News
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11
BSP'S New Home Loan Package
Bank South Pacifc (BSP) in Suva
launched its new home loan package
called EasyHome Loan.
The new product offers an introductory
fxed interest rate of 5.25 per cent per
annum for six months.
It offers fxed interest rollover option
for 12 months and 24 months at 5.5 per
cent per annum and 5.75 per cent per
annum respectively.
The variable interest rate is set at 6.95
per cent per annum.
BSP general manager retail banking
Lew Kenah said the new product was
because of the positive indications
noted in Fijis housing market.
The market has been picking up and
we have seen a big demand in the last
few months for housing loans, he
said.
Mr Kenah said with the new product,
BSP hoped to help facilitate home
ownership in Fiji.
We have researched the market and
observed consumer behaviour. This
package offers what customers are
looking for and to allow them to own
their own home, he said.
All these rates give customers choices
and we will work with them to show
them the benefts of each of the
scenarios in their case.
Recently, concerns had been raised
by the Consumer Council of Fiji
in terms of mortgagee sale, but Mr
Kenah stressed BSP always tries to
help customers if they fnd diffculty in
making repayments.
One of the concerns of consumers
would be the stability of the variable
interest rate which if increased, could
lead people into fnancial diffculty.
But Mr Kenah said the variable interest
rate in Fiji at the moment was very
stable as liquidity remained quite high.
We hope people will take full
advantage of this opportunity and take
home loans, he said.
Included in the package are:
$1000 pre-approved MasterCard
or overdraft facility for the primary
applicant.
House and Contents Insurance
where BSP will pay the premium for
thefrstthreemonthsofaminimum
of 12 months cover. Customers will
also have the option to continue
with this cover and have the bank
add these to your home loan
repayments.
Mr Kenah said the additional offers like
the preapproved credit and insurance
options added value to the deal for the
customer.
They can use the additional fnance
in any way that they need including
furnishing the home. The insurance
offers additional protection for their
investment, he said.
Mr Kenah said this new and
innovative package showed the banks
commitment to deliver superb products
and services and facilitate more people
having their own homes.
Government Responds To Election
Inquiries
The Fiji Times has asked the
Government questions pertaining to
the voter registration and election
process that amounts to wondering
why we are not doing it like last
time. If it is not plainly evident, the
last time failed.
Despite having such things as an
Independent Electoral Commission
and an independent Supervisor
of Elections, the 2006 elections
were subject to anomalies, lack
of transparency and rife with
mismanagement. Many of these issues
are detailed in the European Union
Election Observation Mission report.
These include but are not limited
to: fawed registration processes;
lack of integrity in the electoral roll;
inappropriate allocation of polling
stations and ballot boxes; high levels of
invalid votes; no recount of some close
votes; and even a 101 percent voter
turnout in one constituency.
Fijians, and in particular the Fijian
media, should not be looking to
precedent as perfection. It was not.
Just like the purported democracy Fiji
experienced before, processes for the
previous elections were independent
or transparent in name only.
The Bainimarama Governments
approach to, for example, voter
registration has taken into account
many considerationsin particular the
EU reportand is designed to ensure
we have in place an enduring system
that advances transparent processes
under the principle of common and
equal citizenry.
Indeed, to further this objective the
Bainimarama Government has agreed
to discuss these matters with a UN
Needs Assessment Team, which will
be in the country in a few weeks time.
The Fiji Times instead of trying
to create disquiet, politicise every
issue, and undermine the modern
and progressive systems and agenda
being implemented, should be future-
focused, intellectually robust and
honest, and pro-Fiji.
Should Chiefs Get Higher Lease Payments?
The chiefs of the Naitasiri province
have to ask every member of their
landowning unit on whether they agree
to give more money to the chiefs.
The Bose Vanua of Naitasiri made
a submission to Prime Minister,
Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama that
they want the old system of distributing
the lease money to be brought back.
Under the old system, the chiefs and
the high ranked individuals get the
bigger chunk of the lease money.
Speaking on behalf of the Bose
Vanua, Viria Tikina Representative
Penisoni Naicegulevu said if the equal
distribution continues, the chiefs will
not meet other contributions that are
needed by the province in terms of
monetary contributions.
He also said the chiefy role will not be
respected by their people.
We asked the Roko Tui Naitasiri, Peni
Sokia on whether this is the view of
everyone receiving the lease payments
and whether everyone living in
Naitasiri agrees with this submission.
Sokia said Commodore Bainimarama
has made it clear that everyone in
Naitasiri need to be consulted
We also asked Sokia whether the Bose
Vanua represents the view of everyone
receiving the lease money in Naitasiri
and whether everyone has agreed that
the chiefs should get more from the
lease payment.
Prime Minister Commodore
Bainimarama stresses that the equal
distribution of leases has been approved
by the government and it will not be
changed.
He also said everyone in the province
should be consulted on the issue.
When the government had decided
to start the equal distribution, it was
suggested by Permanent Secretary at
the Prime Ministers Offce, Lt Colonel
Pio Tikoduadua that those that do not
agree with the equal distribution can
give the extra lease money they receive
now back to the chiefs of their villages
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Fiji News
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Laisenia Qarase And Mahendra
Chaudhry Are Hypocrites: Army
Fijis military says deposed Prime
Minister Laisenia Qarase and Fiji
Labour Party leader Mahendra
Chaudhry are hypocrites who are only
working together now because they see
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe
Bainimarama as a threat to their
political survival.
It is quite interesting to see them now
portraying a friendship never before
seen, agreeing to disagree with the
PM, Republic of Fiji Military Forces
Land Force Commander Colonel
Mosese Tikoitoga told the reporter.
Anyone worth his salt can look
through the masks and see that they
both see the PM and his policies - which
are far better than any they can design
in their lifetime - to be a threat to their
political survival and as such they are
joining hands. Isnt that hypocritical?
he asked.
Colonel Tikoitoga said the two are
seasoned politicians who have lost
sight of what Fiji's common people
aspire to.
He said the two have, in their time as
political leaders, continually played
race against each other for their own
political agendas.
He said both of them were given
chances to be different under the
aspirations of Bainimarama but they
decided to maintain racial politics.
By doing so, he said the duo has limited
the growth of Fiji to its full potential.
Chaudhry declined to comment when
contacted.
Shaheen Ali - Need To Boost Intra-Msg Trade
There is a need to boost the intra-
Melanesian Spearhead Group trade as
some MSG countries currently charge
higher tariffs than the normal most
favoured nations (MFN) tariff.
Special Trade and Economic Offcials
Meeting chair and Fijis Ministry of
Industry and Trade permanent secretary
Mr Shaheen Ali told trade offcials at
the MSG meeting that intra-MSG
trade is small compared to trade with
non-MSG partners.
While Fijis trade with MSG countries
has been important, most of it takes
place outside the MSGTA (MSG Trade
Agreement), he said.
He reminded participants that currently
there were some instances where MSG
tariffs to MSG member countries were
higher than the normal MFN tariffs.
Colleagues, this is not only
inconsistent with our international
obligations but runs counter to the
spirit and the ethos of MSG.
The TEOM is the core of the MSG by
virtue of churning out the important
decisions to progress the trade and
economic well being of the region, Mr
Ali said.
The outcomes of our deliberations
will form the way forward for the MSG
Members, after being considered by
the Senior Offcials Meeting (SOM),
and endorsed by the Foreign Ministers
(FMM) and the Leaders, he said.
Mr Ali re-emphasised the sentiments
of Fijis Prime Minister and MSG chair
Voreqe Bainimarama that progress
lies not in enhancing what is, but
in advancing towards what will be
after he spoke on progressing issues
discussed at the meet.
The chair was of the view that it
was imperative that the MSG, and
the TEOM in particular, in order to
become progressive and a strong bloc,
must have a vision and cannot afford to
backtrack.
He noted that much of the resources,
skills and knowledge of the South
Pacifc rests with the fve MSG
countries.
The TEOM over the next two days will
discuss an array of issues including the
MSG Rules of Origin Handbook, MSG
Skills Movement Scheme (SMS),
MSGTA Review Study and new
architecture, Principles for Enhancing
Fiscal Management in Melanesia and
the Memorandum of Understanding
on Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture
Development.
The Trade in Services Sub-Committee
(TISSC), Customs and Quarantine
(CQSC), Economics and Social
Development Sub-Committee
(ESDSC) and the Fisheries Technical
Advisory Committee (FTAC) will also
be presenting the outcomes of their
meetings.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
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13
Qarase Says It's Not Too Late
The recruitment of voter registration
clerks should be carried out by the offce
of the Supervisor of Elections, former
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said.
Mr Qarase, who was the line minister
for elections during his term as
prime minister, made the comment
following an advertisement for voter
registration clerks to apply through the
Justice Ministry for 1050 posts in the
Electronic Voter Registration team.
"The offce of the Supervisor of
Elections was accountable to the Prime
Minister's offce," he said.
"We never interfered. We tell them under
what constitution the next elections
must run and when to have it."
Mr Qarase said registration was the
frst step in the election process and
should be carried out by the offce of
the Supervisor of Elections under the
direct supervision of an independent
Supervisor of Elections.
"The point is, the offce of the Supervisor
of Elections offce deals with all matters
pertaining to the elections. That's its
independent function.
"Such an offce should be independent
from any government ministry, subject
only to a relevant minister regarding its
reporting requirements and budgetary
provisions.
"A qualifed Supervisor of Elections
who will command the respect and
trust of the people of Fiji should be
appointed immediately.
"The entire election process including
the recruitment of staff must be handled
by the Supervisor of Elections."
The position of Supervisor of Elections
has not been advertised since the offce
was vacated by Soro Toutou.
Mr Qarase said the recruitment of voter
registration clerks by the Attorney-
General's offce raised the question of
independence of the election process
from the beginning.
He said it was not too late to change
the decision to ensure the entire
election process is implemented by the
independent offce of the Supervisor of
Elections.
"This will protect the integrity of the
voter registration process and ultimately
the general election itself," he said.
Questions sent to the permanent
secretary of the Justice Ministry, Mere
Rakuita, to whom applications are
sent for the voter registration clerks'
positions remained unanswered.
MSG Should Be Role Model For Pacifc
The Melanesian Spearhead Group
should rightfully be the role model
for other groups and institutions in the
Pacifc says the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs permanent secretary and MSG
Senior Offcials Meeting (SOM)
chairperson Mrs Saipora Mataikabara.
She says that as the leading sub
regional bloc representing majority
of the population and resources of the
Pacifc, it is imperative that Melanesian
and MSG countries take a lead role.
It is a calling that Melanesia must
fulfll if we are to contribute to a
resilient Pacifc community through
self reliance at all levels, she said.
It is a standing that calls for a
responsible and exemplary Melanesia,
leading the Pacifc in demonstrating
fexibility and innovation in pursuing
sustainable livelihoods for our people.
The Meeting of Senior offcials from
the MSG bloc is very important to
the work of the Melanesian countries
as all deliberations and progress
reports at constituent committee levels
are escalated to SOM for careful
consideration and endorsement.
She reminded delegates to acknowledge
SOMs standing as the Melanesian
Group amongst all pacifc people.
It is in principle, a standing
inevitably bestowed upon Melanesia
as representing 80 per cent of both
the population and total resources
that is bequeathed to the entire
Pacifc Community or Small Islands
Developing States (PSIDS).
Fruit Flies Infest Crops
Rotuma has been declared an infested
bio security-controlled area as it
contains two species of fruit fies -
one of which can cause signifcant
economic loss.
The fruit fies species Bactrocera
kirki and Bactrocera obscura are only
present on Rotuma.
The declaration means Rotuman
islanders and visitors are not allowed
to transport any fruits out of the island.
Biosecurity Authority CEO Elvis
Silvestrini confrmed the island was
declared an infested bio security-
controlled area last December.
"The presence of economically
signifcant fruit fy such as Bactrocera
kirki, which is only found in Rotuma
and not in other parts of Fiji, can restrict
our exports of fruits and vegetables to
New Zealand and Australia.
"Under this declaration, the island
of Rotuma has been declared as an
infested biosecurity controlled area.
"Movements of any life stage of
Bactrocera kirki and its hosts (mango,
citrus, kavika, breadfruit, papaya, vutu)
and any other fruits out of Rotuma
without the permission of a biosecurity
offcer is strictly prohibited," Mr
Silvestrini said.
He said the restriction of movement
included transporting and carriage of
any of the fruits from Rotuma to any
ship, boat, or aircraft.
The authority also warned of a
maximum fne of $40,000 and or 12
months imprisonment or an alternative
fxed penalty of $800.
Mr Silvestrini said fruit fies attacked
fruits and crops such as oranges,
pawpaw, eggplants, mangoes,
breadfruits, kavika, ripe pineapples
and wi.
The Agriculture Department on
Rotuma said they were working with
farmers in raising awareness on the
fruit fies.
Sigatoka Resident Wins Free
Tickets To Hong Kong 7S
A dream came true for an unemployed
resident of Sigatoka after winning a
trip to watch the Hong Kong 7s.
Vitoriano Ravosamanu said he was
in disbelief when he was told he had
won.
30-year-old Ravosamanu said that
even after seeing the passports and the
offcial documents he is still shocked
and that he is also looking forward to
the trip because this will be his frst
time on a plane.
Ravosamanu who lives in Sigatoka
won two return tickets to Hong Kong
where he will also be taking his friend
Ilisoni Tavailagi.
The two will be staying at the Regal
Hong Kong Hotel with a $1000
spending money.
The trip was possible after he took part
in a competition called Win two tickets
to Hong Kong with Woodstock.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Fiji News
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Japanese Students Welcomed
The Government of Fiji offcially
welcomed Japanese students who are
current recipients of the Fiji education
scholarships established after the great
tsunami that struck Japan in March last
year.
Held at the Fiji National University
campus in Nasinu, the welcoming
ceremony highlighted the assistance
provided by the Fijian government
towards its counterpart in Japan to
assist with rehabilitation works in
Japan.
Education minister Filipe Bole who
offcially received the eleven students
at the ceremony, highlighted the
magnitude of the disaster in world
history and in Japans history of natural
disasters since modern record keeping
began in 1900.
After the tragic disaster last year,
the Government of Fiji expressed its
readiness to assist in the rescue and
recovery process, Minister Bole told
guests at the ceremony.
He also said that this disasters
economic cost was US$235 billion
making it the most expensive natural
disaster in world history.
The Education Minister reassured the
students that Fijis environment and
friendly people would quickly heal
the psychological trauma of what they
experienced.
Experience the beauty of nature as we
in Fiji are also close to nature and in
doing so, learn more about yourself as
most of you are in your middle and late
teens, advised the Minister.
Ambassador Bole urged the students to
make as many friends as they could
and to make Fiji their home.
The Minister also called on local
communities to look after these
students as they are now part of us and
give them the support they need.
There are fve secondary school
students and six tertiary students who
are recipients of this scholarship.
Before a full I Taukei traditional
ceremony was accorded, a one minute
silence was observed to remember
those whose lives were lost in this
disaster.
Let The People Decide, Says Chaudhry
Let the people of Fiji decide who they
need to lead them, says Fiji Labour
Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
He made the comment in reaction to
a statement by the Prime Minister
Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama last
week that leaders like Chaudhry and
SDL leader Laisenia Qarase were not
needed.
"Whether Laisenia Qarase, Mahendra
Chaudhry or anyone else for that matter
are needed or not is for the people to
decide through the democratic process
of free fair and credible elections," Mr
Chaudhry said.
He said the SDL and FLP parties had
held 68 of 71 seats in the House of
Representatives and this was reason
enough for both to be involved in Fiji's
political processes.
"Now that the nation is engaged in the
constitutional processes there should
be no question of shutting anyone out."
Mr Chaudhry said Fiji needed to adopt
a mature approach to the process to
ensure all views were heard.
"Only then can the process be
considered inclusive, participatory and
transparent," Mr Chaudhry said.
Meanwhile Mr Qarase voiced his
disapproval at the de-establishing of
the Great Council of Chiefs, saying it
was a sad day for Fiji.
"By the stroke of a pen, one of the
key institutions in our country, the
Great Council of Chiefs, was suddenly
removed from our national life," said
Mr Qarase. "This marks one of the
saddest days in Fiji's history,"
He said ever since the frst meeting
of the GCC in 1882, people of all
communities in Fiji had regarded the
institution with reverence and great
respect.
Fijian Prime Minister pays tribute to
Tongan King
Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe
Bainimarama sent condolences to his
Tongan counterpart Lord Tuivakano
on the passing of the late of King of
Tonga, King George Tupou V.
On behalf of all Fijian citizens and
the Republic of Fiji, it is with deep
sorrow and profound respect that I
express condolences on the sudden
passing of the late King of Tonga, King
George Tupou V, Prime Minister
Bainimarama said.
In a diplomatic note sent to the Offce
of the Prime Minister of Tonga, the
head of Fijis government expressed
the nations regret adding that the
passing of the late King George Tupou
V is one that is felt across the Pacifc.
Fiji, together with fellow Pacifc
neighbours, will miss one of our
regions great leadersa loss which
we will all feel.
It is our prayer that the Almighty
Lords healing comfort and divine
assurance will restore peace on the
Royal family and the whole Kingdom.
Prime Minister Bainimarama
highlighted the links between Fiji and
the Kingdom of Tonga including both
countries historical links.
Finally, Prime Minister, I wish to
assure your Government that Fiji
will continue to strive to maintain
its traditional links and bilateral
cooperation with the Kingdom of
Tonga, especially in common priority
areas, Prime Minister Bainimarama
said.
Tongan King
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Fiji News
15
Fijis Roving Ambassador to the
Pacifc Islands Litia Mawi presented
her credentials to Tuvalus Governor
General, His Excellency Sir Iakoba
Taeia Italeli.
In presenting her credentials, High
Commissioner Mawi highlighted the
relations shared between Tuvalu and
Fiji and the developments that have
progressed since.
I have the honor and privilege to
present to your Excellency the warmest
personal greetings of His Excellency,
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, President of
the Republic of Fiji, with sincere best
wishes for your good health and for the
prosperity of the people of Tuvalu,
Ms Mawi said.
Fiji and Tuvalu have enjoyed an
affectionate relationship since entering
into diplomatic relations. The existence
of the Tuvalu High Commission
in Suva is testimony of Tuvalus
commitment continually enhance and
enrich these relations in the political,
economic, social and cultural contexts
through closer collaboration between
our private sectors, our civil societies
and our communities in nurturing a
Resilient Pacifc Community Through
Fiji Envoy Presents Credentials To Tuvalu Governor General
Self Reliance At All Levels.
High Commissioner Mawi also
conveyed to Governor General
Sir Italeli the Fijian governments
commitment to work in solidarity with
other island states to address global
issues.
As far as small island states are
concerned, Fiji believes that the time
of unprecedented global challenges
which do not differentiate between
the rich and poor, the big and the
small, the vulnerable and the secure,
is a time where we need to stand even
closer by each other. Fiji appreciates
this motivation for closer relations and
intends to capitalize on the opportunities
that available through regional and
international organisations that harness
the global advocacy of mattes that are
in the best interests of our people, Ms
Mawi said.
I stand ready to work with your
representative in Fiji, His Excellency
Aunese Simati, to explore ways and
means of exploring newer modes of
development cooperation that will
provide our people with opportunities
to productively engage and share
solutions to the increasing challenges
that are facing them in a fast changing
world.
Mr Hideo Kiji Commissioned As The Republic Of Fijis
Honorary Consul In Kanagawa
Mr Hideo Kiji was commissioned as
the Republic of Fijis Honorary Consul
in Kanagawa this week at the Royal
Park Hotel in Yokohama.
While solemnizing the occasion, Fijis
Ambassador to Japan His Excellency Mr
Isikeli Mataitoga congratulated Mr Hideo
Kiji and expressed deep gratitude on
behalf of the Government of the Republic
of Fiji for accepting the appointment. Mr
Mataitoga added that his vision, when
he assumed the appointment of Fijis
Ambassador to Japan in 2009, was to
deepen all forms of bilateral relations
between Fiji and Japan.
A statement issued from Fijis mission
to Japan said that part of the strategy
was to identify Japanese business
people who were well connected in
their local context and who also has a
diplomatic personality with a positive
and gregarious outlook in life. It did not
take long for Ambassador Mataitoga
to identify Mr Hideo Kiji and with
just only one meeting with him, the
Ambassador was convinced that he
had found the right person to be Fijis
Honorary Consul in Kanagawa.
Fiji Embassy in Tokyo is aware of the
importance and contribution of the
Kanagawa Region to the economic
development of Japan. Being perceived
as one of Japans largest trading centre,
Kanagawa is highly rated for offering
very friendly investment facilities.
The inaugural occasion was witnessed
by about 300 invited guests comprising
of members of the Diplomatic Corp,
Business Communities and the Fiji
community in Tokyo, Yokohama and
its peripheries. The Commissioning
ceremony eventuated only after relevant
authorization from both the Fiji and
Japanese governments were obtained.
This is the second Honorary Consul
that has been established in Japan
as the frst one was commissioned in
Osaka in 2009. The establishment
of this Honorary Consulate is in line
with Fijis long standing policy in
establishing and maintaining friendly
relations with countries that have
demonstrated genuine goodwill
towards Fiji. The apex of the program
was the offcial handing over of the
Consular Commission duly signed
by the Minister for Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation of the
Government of the Republic of Fiji,
Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
It all began from a personal encounter
between Ambassador Mataitoga, the
Governor of the Kanagawa prefecture
Mr Shigefumi Matsuzawa and
representatives of the Chamber of
Commerce and Industries in 2010. From
those initial contacts, it was quite evident
that Fiji stands to gain much more from
deepening its trade and investment
promotion in Kanagawa. It was for such
reasons that the establishment of the
Honorary Consulate offce in the area
was further pursued.
Ambassador Mataitoga emphasized
that similar set ups will be targeted
in other regions of Japan in the near
future.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Fiji News
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16
Gas Price Hikes
THE Consumer Council is reiterating
its call for gas prices in Fiji to be
monitored and regulated.
This comes as consumers brace for the
effect of a 10% hike in the price of Fiji
Gass 12kg cylinder. The price of the
standard Fiji Gas 12kg cylinder has
increased effective March 19th from
$49 to $54 meaning consumers have to
fork out $5 more for cooking gas. The
price of Fiji Gas 4.5kg Handi cylinder
has increased by $2.20 (16%). So far
Blue Gas has not increased the price of
cooking gas.
In 2011, Gas Companies decreased
the quantity of gas from 13 kg to 12
kg where consumers paid more for
less gas. In April 2011, Blue Gas sold
13kg cylinder for $49.00 whereas Fiji
Gas sold 12 kg cylinder for $49.00. In
July 2011, Blue Gas also reduced the
size of cylinder to 12kg and the price
remained $49.00.
The Council is baffed by the behavior
of Fijis Gas suppliers where retail
gas prices continue to move in one
direction (upward) despite downward
movements in the international prices
in 2011. From October December
2011, the Saudi CP (contract price)
for butane dropped but retail prices in
Fiji remained the same. The Saudi CP
is the international pricing benchmark
followed by Australia Fijis main
source market for LPG. It is obvious
that the gas suppliers do not pass the
decreases to consumers. They are very
quick to apply increases when the
international price moves up as seen this
February, which is the highest increase
seen in gas price at international level.
It is obvious that an unfair system exists
where the gas companies are allowed a
free rein on pricing. Price monitoring
and regulation will bring about more
transparency in costing and fair retail
prices for consumers.
The Council calls on policymakers
to consider practices in neighbouring
countries like Tonga where LPG prices
are regulated by the Ministry of Labour,
Commerce and Industries. In 2011
that Ministry embarked on a review
of its LPG pricing template aimed at
increasing the level of scrutiny of costs
that feed into prices and the long term
trend of LPG pricing.
The Council urges the Fiji Commerce
Commission to seriously investigate
the pricing practices of the two gas
companies in particular parameters
such as freight rate and operating cost
to make cooking gas more affordable.
The duopoly in the gas sector deserves
close scrutiny so that the lack of
response to international price drops is
curbed.
2 On Bail For
Graffti Incident
Two people have been charged for
their alleged involvement in the graffti
incident.
A 32 year old and a 45 year old have
been each charged with 4 counts of
damaging property.
The two have been bailed and will
appear in court on April 12th.
The graffti was scrawled in some areas
in Suva and Flagstaff calling on the
Prime Minister not to hold elections.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times South Pacifc News
17
Tonga's King Tupou V Dies In Hong Kong
Tonga's King George Tupou V, who
gave up most of his powers to bring
a more democratic government to his
Pacifc island nation, died Sunday at a
Hong Kong hospital. He was 63.
A state funeral for Tonga's late King
George Tupou V will be held in the
South Pacifc island nation's capital
Nuku'alofa on March 28, offcials said.
The king's body would be fown to
Tonga from Hong Kong on a Chinese
charter aircraft, then lie in state in the
royal palace for two days before his
burial, a government spokesman said.
He said Tonga had declared an offcial
period of mourning until June 19 for
the dead monarch, remembered as an
eccentric who brought democracy to
his impoverished nation.
Over the period, Tongans will be
encouraged to wear black and refrain
from loud entertainment and celebrations.
The prime minister said the king's
younger brother and heir to the throne,
Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka, was
at the king's side when he died.
The king, who was a bachelor, had a
liver transplant last year and suffered
other health problems, according to
Tongan media reports. He had reigned
over the island nation of 106,000 since
his father, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV,
died in 2006.
The father had long resisted ceding any
powers of Tonga's absolute monarchy
during his four-decade rule. But after
his death, rioters unhappy with the
pace of reforms took to the streets and
destroyed the center of the capital,
Nuku'alofa.
Against that backdrop, the new king
delayed his offcial coronation until 2008
while he put together the framework for
sweeping political reforms. Three days
before the coronation ceremony, Tupou
announced he was ceding most of his
executive powers to a democratically
elected parliament. The king remains
head of state, and some parliament
seats are reserved for nobility.
While the parliament is now responsible
for much of the day-to-day running of
the country, the king retains the right
to veto laws, decree martial law and
dissolve the parliament.
New Zealand Prime Minister John
Key released a statement Monday
saying that he hopes the king's work
leading Tonga toward democracy will
continue.
"He believed that the monarchy was
an instrument of change and can truly
be seen as the architect of evolving
democracy in Tonga. This will be his
enduring legacy," Key said.
Tupou V did allow himself an elaborate
coronation, a fve-day-long affair that
included roast pig feasts, tribal rites
and British-style pomp. Its price tag of
$2.5 million put a heavy strain on the
impoverished nation.
He will be remembered by many for
his throwback fashion choices
which included wearing, at times, a
top hat and even a monocle. He studied
at King's College in Auckland, New
Zealand, and in Britain.
Pesi Fonua, publisher of the Tongan
news website Matangi Tonga, said the
king also advocated for technologies
such as mobile phones and the Internet,
and made some enemies among
conservative Tongans for his efforts
to make the economy more market-
driven and open to foreign competition
and investment.
The prime minister declared that the
royal family and entire nation was in
mourning. Fonua said he ended his
address with a Tongan expression
meaning "The sun has set."
150 Bearers To Carry Tongan
King's Body
Tonga's late King George Tupou V will
be accorded a traditional burial next
week after his death in Hong Kong at
the age of 63.
King George's body will be fown from
Hong Kong to Nukualofa on a Chinese
charter plane on Sunday night and will
lie in state for two days before next
Wednesday's funeral.
Offcials say the monarch will be given
a traditional Tongan burial and will
be carried to his resting place on an
ornamental platform held aloft by 150
people.
The country is swathed in black during
the offcial mourning period, which
lasts until mid-June.
The king died in hospital in Hong Kong
last weekend.
He had been treated for cancer and
type-2 diabetes.
During his reign, which began in 2006,
King George Tupou relinquished many
of the monarchys powers and was a
driving force behind the countrys frst
democratic elections.
Tonga's New King Formally
Proclaimed
King Tupou VI
Tongas new monarch has been
formally proclaimed as King Tupou
VI.
He automatically succeeded to the
throne when his brother King George
Tupou V died in Hong Kong.
The declaration of a new king came in
a notice from Cabinet Secretary Busby
Kautoke.
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God
to call to His Mercy His Late Majesty
King George Tupou V by who decease
the Crown of the Kingdom of Tonga
devolves upon Crown Prince Tupouto'a
Lavaka, it began.
Naming the members of the Privy
Council it concluded: do now hereby,
with one full voice and consent of
tongue and heart, publish and proclaim
that Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka
has now become the only lawful and
rightful heir to the throne, King of the
Kingdom of Tonga, to whom we do
acknowledge all faith and constant
obedience with all hearty and humble
affection, beseeching God by Whom
Kings and Queen do reign, to bless His
Majesty, King Tupou VI, with long and
happy years to reign over us.
The king himself will decided his
Christian name, although he was born
'Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho.
There is a strong possibility that he will
be known as George or Siosi.
George became a chiefy name thanks
to James Cook in the 18th century.
Throughout his travels in the South
Pacifc Cook referred to the Hanover
kings of England, all named George.
Meanwhile, a Pacifc academic says
Tongas new King is much more open
to the public than his older brother, the
late King George Tupou V.
The new King, Tupou VI was Tongas
Prime Minister from 2000 to 2005,
resigning amid Tongas pre-democracy
protests.
He has been Tongas High
Commissioner in Australia for the past
fve years.
Vanuatu Police Issue Warning
Over Port Vila Prison Escape
Police in the Vanuatu capital have warned
the public to stay in their homes at night
after 12 high risk prisoners escaped from
the Port Vila Correctional Centre.
Police say the 12 escaped at night, the
latest of a series of jailbreaks from the
main correctional facility over the last
three years.
Only last month, seven of them had
escaped after overpowering the security
guards at the prisons entrance.
Police and Mobile Force Offcers are
reported to be out in force to recapture
them.
School Teacher Faces Assault
Charges After Death Of Student
The police in Samoa have charged a 25
year old primary school teacher with
assaulting an eight year old girl who
died a week ago.
The police spokesman and assistant
police commissioner, Leaupepe Fatu
Pula, has told reporters the accused
used a ruler to beat the child which
was the cause of several bruises to the
deceaseds legs.
The accused Telesia Funai will appear
in court when a pathologists report
into the cause of death is completed.
The dead students father has told local
television that his daughter died from
leukemia.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times New Zealand News
18
Husband Flew From Australia To New Zealand To Kill Ex-Wife
A man accused of fying to Auckland,
breaking into his estranged wife's
house and killing her with a craft knife
will defend his innocence on cultural
grounds and memory loss.
Uday Desai, 48, is accused of murdering
45-year-old librarian Titiksha Desai at
her Highland Park home on February
14, 2011.
Desai, who elected to represent himself,
described his shame during his opening
statement at the High Court at Auckland.
"I am ashamed of myself... That these
hands are with the blood of the woman
I loved for 30 years."
Desai is also charged with threatening
to kill and assaulting neighbours who
came to Titiksha's aid.
Desai told of a diffcult family dynamic
that "stretched" him to his limits.
He and his former partner were second
cousins and he inherited seven brother-
in- laws from the marriage.
Desai said he had been "highly mentally
traumatized".
There were two words the jury needed
to remember Desai said: "Affair and
family."
Desai spoke of a "severe betrayal of
trust" and said his defence would be on
the grounds of "culture and religion".
He also claimed he had memory loss.
The truth of the case needed to be
exposed for the sake of his daughter,
Desai said.
The former couple, who have a 20-year-
old daughter and owned a house
together on Abberfeldy Ave, split up in
March 2008 and Uday Desai, moved to
Australia.
Prosecutor Aaron Perkins said in
February 2011, Desai few to Auckland
on a one-way ticket, hired a car, and the
next night, broke into Titiksha's home by
breaking a glass panel on her front door.
"He attacked his wife a short time
later using this implement," Perkins
said, holding up a large, blood-stained,
plastic-handled craft knife with a
retractable razor blade.
Perkins said the Crown's contention
was that Desai's journey was for the
express purpose of killing his wife.
"On his arrival card he ticked the
box: visiting friends-slash-relatives,"
Perkins said.
Evidence would show he immediately
drove to a supermarket and bought the
Stanley knife and a set of screwdrivers.
Perkins said a neighbour spotted Desai
approaching the house and called police.
When the neighbour went to investigate
he could see Desai holding the woman
by the neck and attacking her with the
knife.
The witness went to get a golf club and
came back.
Desai was still attacking the neck of his
victim who was on the ground by this
stage.
The neighbour's attempted blow with
the golf club hit a clothes line and
Desai started chasing the neighbour
with the knife saying: "You are next, I
will kill you."
Another neighbour would testify that
Desai "took a swing at him with the
knife", Perkins said, which led to the
assault charge.
A "large" neighbour arrived and
managed to subdue Desai who the
group tied up with rope.
Attempts to save Titiksha were
unsuccessful.
She died from blood loss from the
multiple "large lacerations" to both
sides of her neck, arm and hand.
Perkins said while Desai was being
transported by police he told an offcer
he "had to put his wife down".
"By put her down, do you mean kill
her?" the offcer asked.
"Yes, that's the word you might use,"
Desai replied.
The trial before Justice Mark Woolford
is estimated to last two weeks.
Man Regrets Leaving Toddler Outside Pub
The man who left a toddler alone in a
car outside a pub says he doesn't expect
forgiveness for what he did; he just
wants to see the girl again.
Richard Fletcher, 39, is accused of
leaving the 23-month-old girl outside
the Kuripuni Tavern in Masterton at
11pm on Saturday while he went inside
to drink with a friend.
Police say he had driven drunk to the
pub, and had left two other children,
aged 10 and 11, home alone.
He told the reporter that he had been a
wreck in the days since.
"I haven't slept, I haven't eaten, I've
just been so depressed ever since it
happened," he said.
"I know I did a really stupid thing."
A concerned member of the public
alerted police, who found the "lightly
clad" girl asleep in a car seat.
When breath-tested a short time later,
Fletcher recorded a reading of 968
micrograms of alcohol per litre of
breath, nearly 2 times the legal limit,
police said.
Fletcher said that he had been a good
carer for the girl.
"I've looked after her for two years. It's
so hard not being able to see her."
He had recently "gone off the rails a
bit" but that was no excuse, he said.
"I don't expect people to forgive me,
because I don't think I'll even be able
to forgive myself."
Child, Youth and Family is investigating
the incident.
Police returned the children to their
mother. She said her youngest had
been "very, very quiet".
However, she agreed that Fletcher had
been a good carer.
Fletcher is due to appear in Masterton
District Court charged with drink-
driving and willful neglect of the
children.
PM Key 'Very Disappointed', Names
New Ministers
New Zealand Prime Minister John
Key has accepted with sadness the
resignation of Dr Nick Smith from his
ministerial portfolios.
The resignation came after intense media
questioning of Dr Smith's judgement to
support an ACC claimant while he was
minister during the previous term.
The following ministers will act in
portfolios previously held by Dr Smith:
Gerry Brownlee in Local Government,
Craig Foss in Climate Change Issues
and Chris Finlayson in Environment.
Key acknowledged Dr Smith's
huge contribution to the National
government but said he expected
higher standards of his ministers.
It is important that Ministers are
seen to actively manage both real and
perceived conficts of interest in the
exercise of their duties, Key said.
I have always expected high standards
from my ministers - and I will continue
to do so.
Dr Smith has been a hard-working
and diligent Minister, but perceptions
do matter and he knows he has let
himself down.
I am very disappointed to have lost
such a capable Minister. Dr Smith
has made a huge contribution to the
National Party and to this Government.
Dr Smith did excellent work in
the climate change issues, local
government and environment
portfolios. His obvious expertise in
these and other, complex areas will
continue to be valued by our Caucus.
Auckland To Get Double Decker Buses
Double decker buses will soon be
a regular sight in Auckland with
bus companies set to introduce the
larger vehicles to keep up with ever-
increasing passenger numbers.
Ritchies director Andrew Ritchie said
the company had already ordered its
frst double decker bus, which it hoped
to have on the road as a trial as soon as
October.
The bus would run from Albany into
central Auckland and would carry up
to 114 passengers, up on the maximum
88 passengers currently.
The company said it planned to
introduce 20 double decker buses in
the future, all operating along North
Shore routes.
It is understood NZ Bus company
is also planning to introduce double
decker buses.
Yellow Pages Warns Of False
Invoice Scam
Directory group Yellow Pages is warning
businesses of a fax scam where illegal pro-
forma invoices have been sent out falsely
charging businesses for online listings.
The directory said customers should
be extremely careful when dealing
with the company Yellow-Directory-
NEWZEALAND, which is allegedly
responsible for the fax.
Charlene White of Yellow Pages said
that despite the company technically
having a trading different name, "it was
very, very similar to the Yellow Pages."
White said Yellow Pages was frst
alerted of the scam when businesses
began checking with their company
about the false invoices. She added
some of their own staff had family
members who had received the fax and
passed it onto the Yellow Pages group.
White said they were unaware of any
businesses that had been caught out by
the scam and recommended the fax be
disregarded by anyone who receives it.
People who are contacted by the Yellow-
Directory-NEWZEALAND, which lists
interests in Hong Kong, United States
and the United Kingdom can complain
to the Department of Internal Affairs
and the Commerce Commission.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Australia News
19
MP Wants Laws To Shut Out
Door-To-Door Sellers
Australians would be able to ban annoying salespeople from knocking on their
doors under a proposed new law.
But religious groups, charities and
political candidates would still be free
to approach homes directly.
Labor MP Steve Georganas has
proposed a draft law to establish a Do
Not Knock Register.
If the law is debated and passed,
Australians could choose to put their
addresses on the register for three years.
Salespeople who ignore the ban on that
address to sell goods would be punished.
Mr Georganas said the Do Not Knock
Register would cost little to set up and
would be modeled on the Do Not Call
Register, which was working well.
Mr Georganas said the new plan would
help protect vulnerable people such as
the elderly.
"My mother, for example, says 'my
telephone bill is so expensive now',
and I say 'when did you change
company?'," he said.
"She says 'there was a lovely young
lady who came and told me I should'."
It's only a logical extension of the Do
Not Call Register
In January, the media revealed that
angry Victorian customers were
lashing out at door-to-door salespeople
with physical and verbal abuse.
A code of conduct was developed because
of community anger, and doorknockers
now had to offcially register as
salespeople - facing exclusion from the
industry if they ripped off people.
But no law exists to stop people from
approaching houses.
Mr Georganas has met with Attorney-
General Nicola Roxon to discuss the
proposed law, and is hopeful people
on both sides of the Parliament will
support the move.
"It's only a logical extension of the
Do Not Call Register, to give people a
right to peace and security in their own
homes," he said.
The South Australian MP said
extending the law to include political
campaigners and religious groups was
not reasonable.
"I think its part of a democracy, and
you are not selling a product, no one
is going to be locked into a contract,"
he said.
Bosses Warned Not To Question
Sick Notes
Bosseswarnedonquestioningthetruthofdoctor'scertifcatesoverconcerns
withpatientconfdentiality
Bosses are warned to tread carefully
when questioning the truth of
employees' sick certifcates after
a blue among pollies over patient
confdentiality.
Doctors stake their reputations on
the legal documents and Australian
Medical Association NT president
Paul Bauert says it should not be taken
lightly, the media reported.
"I would be upset if someone questioned
the credibility of a certifcate I had
issued," he said. "I would go out of my
way to explain it - without disclosing
the nature of a patient's illness.
"I've never heard of any of our
members being questioned about this
by the Medical Board."
The issue was raised in Federal
Parliament after Opposition Leader
Tony Abbott demanded to know why
a Labor MP had taken sick leave,
claiming that "abdominal pain" was
too vague an explanation.
But medical certifcates aren't bound to
contain a diagnosis.
Civil and criminal legal penalties
may ensure from a false statement
and repeated offences could see the
practitioner's licence revoked.
Dr Bauert said, in his experience,
bosses don't often pry into their
employees' private lives.
Dr Bauert said doctors made the best
judgement call for a patient based on
the extent of the illness.
Medical certifcates can be extended or
cut back at a client's request.
School Suspends Boy After
Shaving Head For Charity
A schoolboy was suspended after he shaved his head to raise funds for a cancer
charity and support a friend who is battling leukemia.
Going beyond a "number two" haircut
was against the school's uniform and
grooming policy, said school principal
Christopher Houlihan of Padua
College in Mornington, southeast of
Melbourne.
The Year Nine student received an
internal suspension. He was taken back
into the school but must wear a cap
until his hair grows back.
"He took it on himself to shave his
head for a very good cause, he didn't
go through school procedures and deal
with us frst," Houlihan said.
"I've always told students who wanted
to support World's Greatest Shave it
was OK, as long as hair length was
within acceptable levels - a number
two. Then we can also then support
them with publicity."
Every March thousands of people
shave, color and wax their hair to raise
funds for the Leukaemia Foundation
in what is one of Australia's biggest
fundraising events.
Melbourne radio station 3AW reported
that the teenager's act was in support of
a friend who is battling leukemia.
Immigration Refutes Asylum
Seeker 'Handcuff' Claims
Refugee advocates say some asylum
seekers are being moved between
Australian Immigration detention
centres in handcuffs.
The Refugee Action Coalition says two
Afghan men were moved from the Curtin
detention centre in Western Australia to
Christmas Island, via Darwin, last week.
Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul says he
believes the two men have been detained
for more than two years, despite being
found to be refugees a year ago.
"The routine use of handcuffs and
this kind of thing is, I think, part and
parcel of that lack of accountability of
SERCO," he said.
SERCO is a private contractor, which
provides security services at Australia's
Immigration detention centres.
"(These are) people who are not guilty
of anything," Mr Rintoul said.
"There are no serious accusations;
there are no charges against them.
"To be moved from place to place in
handcuffs is not just a humiliation; it is
... a breach of their human rights."
He said members of the pressure group
had spoken to people inside the Northern
Immigration Detention Centre in Darwin.
"They were in handcuffs when they
were brought from Curtin to NIDC in
Darwin," he said.
"They were put in handcuffs when the
SERCO response group came to take
them from Darwin to Christmas Island.
"People inside actually saw them
handcuffed."
The Immigration Department says the
men were not placed in handcuffs, but
it says "fexi-cuffs" were used.
It says restraints are only used as a last
resort.
Adelaide Pensioner Killer Appeals
Conviction
An Adelaide woman who murdered
and dismembered an 82-year-old
pensioner has asked the Court of
Criminal Appeal to quash her murder
conviction, arguing the death could
have been accidental.
Angelika Gavare, 36, was found guilty
in the Supreme Court of murdering
Reynella pensioner Vonne McGlynn
as part of a plan to steal the victim's
house and gain access to her bank
accounts.
Though parts of Ms McGlynn's
dismembered body were recovered,
her head and hands were never found
and the court heard the cause of death
remains unknown.
Gavare's lawyer argued a conviction
for manslaughter was open to the
court because the death may have been
accidental and Gavare's identity theft
crimes may have been opportunistic.
But prosecutors argued that defence
was never put forward in the trial when
Gavare denied all involvement.
She is also appealing against her 32-
year non-parole period.
The court will deliver its ruling later.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times World News
20
Emirates Airlines To Launch New
Flight To Washington
Dubai-basedluxurycarrierEmiratesAirlineswilllaunchanon-stopfight
between Dubai and Washington in September.
Earlier this year, Dallas and Seattle
were also connected by fights from
Dubai.
In 2011, the UAE was the US' largest
trading partner in the Middle East.
Trade between the two countries was
valued at over USD 18 billion, a 43
percent increase year-on-year.
Emirates Airlines employs over 700
Americans globally and has placed an
order for 50 Boeing 777-300ERs worth
USD 24 billion.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
ambassador to the US, Yousef Al
Otaiba, welcomed the announcement.
"This new fight represents a bridge
that will not only connect two of the
world's great cities, but also facilitate
and enhance cultural, business and
diplomatic connections between the
UAE and US," he said.
"Dubai is a hub for business in
the Middle East. More than 800
US companies have a presence in
Dubai and the UAE. The new fight
underscores the deepening economic
relationship between the UAE and US,
and marks another milestone in the
two countries important and expanding
bilateral relationship," he said.
Woman, 101, Sets World
Paragliding Record
A 101-year-old Utah woman who ushered in her birthday with a tandem
paraglide ride last year will soar into the record books.
Great-great grandmother Mary
Hardison has been offcially recognised
as the "Oldest Female to Paraglide
Tandem" by Guinness World Records.
She has supplanted a 100-year-old
woman from Cyprus who took her
fight in 2007.
Hardison few with an instructor
on September 1, 2011, while four
generations of her family watched
and cheered. The fight went smoothly
and even included a few tricks that
Hardison encouraged.
In a questionnaire submitted to
Guinness, Hardison said she wanted to
paraglide because her 75-year-old son
began doing it as a hobby.
While she is "humbled" by her record,
she hopes it doesn't stand.
"My desire is for the elderly to keep
on going. Do things as long as you are
physically able," Hardison said. "Be
positive. Friends don't like a grumpy
person."
Passengers Flee Russian Plane
After Noticing 'Hole' In Engine
PASSENGERS about to take off from a Moscow airport abandoned the plane
after they noticed what they believed was a hole in the engine, Russian news
website Press-Line said.
The Transaero fight from Moscow
to the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk
was about to depart from Moscow
Domodedovo Airport when a passenger
spotted a missing inspection panel and
reported it to the crew, believing it to
be a hole in the engine.
The pilot thanked the eagle-eyed
passenger but, following a two-hour
delay, resumed preparations for the
takeoff without covering the hole.
Some 27 frightened passengers then
abandoned the plane, which took off
anyway and reached its destination
safely.
The airline confrmed that the panel
was missing but said that regulations
allowed planes to fy without it.
Hawaii To Pay $15.4M After Deaths
Of Two Tourists In Waterfall Plunge
THE US state of Hawaii has agreed to pay $15.4 million to the relatives of two
tourists who fell to their deaths at a waterfall.
Elizabeth Ann Brem, 35, of California,
and her cousin Paula Andrea Gonzalez
Ramirez, 29, of Colombia, died
after falling from a state park trail at
Opaekaa Falls, on the island of Kauai,
on December 19, 2006.
Under the terms of the out-of-court
settlement, Brem's family will receive
$15 million, the media reported.
Honolulu attorney Mark Davis, who
represented Brem's family, said she
was married with two young sons and
was a successful lawyer.
"She had an extremely bright career
ahead of her, but the family decided
they would settle the case for this
negotiated amount to give them closure
to the tragedy and move on," Davis said.
Ramirez's family will receive
$425,000, their lawyer, Teresa Tico,
said. Ramirez was a businesswoman in
Colombia, but her settlement amount
was lower because she was not earning
as much as Brem, Tico said.
Last year, Kauai Circuit Judge Kathleen
Watanabe ruled the state liable for the
deaths for failing to warn the tourists of
the dangers of the trail.
The settlement still needs to be
approved by the state legislature.
Nissan Reviving Datsun Brand
NISSAN is bringing back the Datsun brand.
Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co
said that Datsun vehicles will go on
sale in India, Indonesia and Russia
from 2014.
Datsun debuted in Japan in 1932, and
hit American showrooms more than 50
years ago.
It was discontinued globally starting in
1981 to unify the model lineup under
the Nissan brand. Nissan also makes
Infniti luxury models.
The decision was announced in
Indonesia by chief executive Carlos
Ghosn.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times World News
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21
Queen Makes Diamond Jubilee
Speech
Queen Elizabeth II has made a rare
public speech to celebrate her 60 years
on the throne, rededicating herself to
the service of her subjects.
The 85-year-old monarch's speech was
made before British MPs at the houses
of parliament in London.
"It was my privilege to address you
during my silver and golden jubilees
- many of you were present 10 years
ago and some of you will recall the
occasion in 1977," she said.
"Since my accession, I have been
a regular visitor to the Palace of
Westminster and, at the last count; have
had the pleasurable duty of treating
with twelve prime ministers."
The Queen noted that she is only the
second English monarch after Queen
Victoria to celebrate a diamond jubilee.
"We are reminded here of our past, of
the continuity of our national story and
the virtues of resilience, ingenuity and
tolerance which created it," she said.
"I have been privileged to witness some
of that history and, with the support of
my family, rededicate myself to the
service of our great country and its
people now and in the years to come."
In her speech that paid tribute to the
works and sacrifces of politicians,
volunteers, and the armed forces, she
also paid tribute to her husband.
"Prince Philip is, I believe, well-known
for declining compliments of any kind.
But throughout he has been a constant
strength and guide," she said.
Although the Queen did not wear her
traditional robes and crown for the
ceremony, opting instead for a matching
buttercup yellow coat, dress and hat,
the event was rich with pageantry.
Queen Reopens Kensington Palace
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh revealed the new public face of
Kensington Palace, which was once home to Queen Victoria, Princess Margaret
and Princess Diana, after a 12-million-pound renovation.
The two-year refurbishment of the
palace, which was bought by King
William III and Queen Mary II in
1689, was fnanced through grants and
donations.
The gardens of the palace have been
landscaped and the statue of Queen
Victoria, which was damaged by
shrapnel during World War II, has been
restored, the media reported.
The statue was erected in 1893 for
Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, but it
took some years to complete. The nose
of the statue was damaged in 1945
and was initially replaced in the early
1950s.
It has been replaced again during the
present revamp.
The royal couple looked at the new
Victoria Revealed exhibition, where
they watched footage of Queen
Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations
and viewed displays of outfts sported
by the former monarch, including her
wedding dress.
Later, the Queen met people involved
with the charity Age UK and pupils
from St Mary Abbots School, in
Kensington, as they produced bunting
in the palace's new education centre for
the Queen's own forthcoming Diamond
Jubilee celebrations.
"We have set out to awake the sleeping
beauty of Kensington Palace," Charles
Mackay, chairman of the Historic
Royal Palaces board, said.
"Our objective was to open up the
palace to make everyone feel welcome.
"It has been the most ambitious
and complex project we have ever
undertaken."
A majestic entrance has been created
from the Round Pond in Kensington
Gardens, a new lift has been installed
to give access to all foors of the palace
and new education and community
facilities have been instated as part of
the refurbishment.
The palace also houses the Royal
Ceremonial Dress Collection - 10,000
items worn by royalty and courtiers
since the 17th Century.
Children will get free admission to the
palace, which will host a number of
exhibitions for the public from March
26, including a display of some of
Princess Diana's dresses.
Last November the Duke and Duchess
of Cambridge selected an apartment in
the palace as their permanent London
residence, but they will not be moving
in until at least mid-2013.
Swedish Woman Convicted Of
Pushing Sons Into Lake
A 31-year-old mother who pushed her two young sons into a lake and watched
them drown was convicted of murder and sent to a psychiatric hospital.
Attunda District Court in Stockholm,
Sweden, was told the woman had been
planning on killing her children for a
week before she pushed them into the
water near the Munkholmen swimming
area in Sigtuna in September, the TT
news agency reported.
At frst, she denied killing 4-year-old
Elias and 8-year-old Tevin, but she
later admitted pushing them in and
watching as they drowned.
During interrogations, she said, "Tevin
didn't scream but Elias screamed for a
long time. It was loud and he shouted
'no, no, no'."
She also claimed she had intended to
drown herself, TT reported.
The court ruled the woman - who
was not named - should be convicted
of murder, rather than manslaughter,
because she had been thinking about
killing the boys.
Since her arrest, she has been held
at a secure psychiatric hospital in
Huddinge, south of Stockholm.
Medical examinations confirmed
she has serious mental health
problems.
President Obama's Message On The
Passing Of King George Tupou V Of Tonga
With the passing of King George Tupou
V of Tonga, the United States has lost
a friend and the people of Tonga have
lost a visionary leader.
Upon ascending to the throne, King
George championed a process of
peaceful democratization that led to
the frst majority elected Parliament of
Tonga taking offce in 2010.
As I said when I met with the King at the
U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduation
last spring, Tonga is one of the United
States closest partners among the
Pacifc Island states and we are grateful
for its role in Afghanistan, where
Tonga makes an active contribution to
the international coalition.
On behalf of all Americans, I extend
my deepest condolences to the Queen
Mother Halaevalu Mataaho, the Royal
Family, and the people of Tonga on the
passing of King George Tupou V.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times World News
22
Four Dead In French Jewish School Shooting
THREE children and a teacher were shot dead outside a Jewish school in Toulouse, southwestern France, in an attack which bore close similarities to two
previous fatal shootings of French soldiers.
The gunman opened fre outside the
Ozar Hatorah School in the Croix-
Daurade neighbourhood of Toulouse
on Tuesday at around 7.55am local
time, shooting everything that moved
and chasing terrifed children indoors,
before feeing on a scooter.
"He shot at everything he could see,
children and adults, and some children
were chased into the school," local
prosecutor Michel Valet said at the scene.
The dead were named as Jonathan
Sandler, 30, his two sons Aryeh, three,
and Gavriel Yissacher, six, and the
daughter of the school's principal, Miriam
Montenago, aged 10, Valet added.
Sandler was an Israeli-French dual
citizen, originally from Jerusalem, a
relative told the media.
Five others were injured in the attack
including a 17-year-old boy who
is seriously injured and was being
operated on in a hospital in Toulouse.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy,
who arrived at the scene, declared
the shooting a "national tragedy" and
vowed to do everything possible to
fnd the killer, adding that his interior
minister, Claude Gueant, would remain
in Toulouse "as long as it takes".
"We should not back down in the
face of terror," he said. "Barbarism,
savagery, hate must not win. The
republic is much stronger than that
...You cannot murder children like this
on the territory of the Republic without
being held to account."
Police believe the gunman involved
may be the same man who killed two
uniformed French soldiers and seriously
wounded a third in a drive-by shooting
as they withdrew money from an ATM
in the centre of nearby Montauban last
week, the newspaper reported.
The gun and the getaway vehicle used in
the school attack appeared to be the similar
to those used in the March 15 shooting; a
police source told the newspaper.
One witness to the school shooting said
the gunman shot one of the children in
the back and then went up to her body to
A major earthquake struck hit south-
west Mexico, unleashing panic as it
forced evacuations in the capital and
knocked down homes in rural areas.
Offce workers fed into the street when
the 7.4-magnitude quake shook Mexico
City for more than a minute just after
midday on Tuesday (local time).
Phone lines went down, buildings were
evacuated, traffc snarled and the stock
exchange had to suspend trading early.
The governor of the south-western
state of Guerrero, Angel Aguirre, said
he had received reports of hundreds of
damaged homes.
"We're talking about more than 500
homes that collapsed, were damaged,
and some came down," he said.
Emergency services said 800 houses
were damaged in Guerrero state, many
of them in Ometepec, near the epicentre
of the quake.
The tremor was one of the strongest
since the devastating 8.1-magnitude
earthquake of 1985, which killed
thousands of people in Mexico City.
No deaths have been reported so far,
but it scared many residents.
Martha Suarez, an Argentine living in
the capital's Roma neighbourhood, said
she had never known anything like it.
"My TV set fell over; the building felt
like it was on a trampoline. This one
was like no other I have felt before,"
she said.
In Pinotepa Nacional in the state of
Oaxaca, 68 mud-brick houses were
damaged and fve people were injured,
one of them seriously.
More than two hours after the quake,
some residents of the capital were still
too scared to return to their homes,
fearing powerful aftershocks.
Part of a bridge collapsed onto a vehicle
on the outskirts of Mexico City, but
Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said no one was
injured and helicopter fyovers showed
there was no sign of major damage in
the capital.
Some buildings in the capital's trendy
district of Condesa were cracked by
the earthquake, and residents raced out
of buildings with young children and
dogs in their arms.
"There are no reports of serious
damage by the quake," President Felipe
Calderon wrote on his Twitter account.
In Acapulco, schools were evacuated
and some parents rushed to pick up
their children, but there appeared to
be no major damage to hotels or other
buildings in the resort.
"I swear I never felt one so strong, I
thought the building was going to
collapse," said Sebastian Herrera, 42, a
businessman from Mexico City.
The US Geological Survey said the
quake registered magnitude 7.4 and
there were several aftershocks.
It had earlier estimated the magnitude
of the quake at 7.9.
The quake was felt as far away as
Guatemala City.
The Pacifc Tsunami Warning Centre
said the inland earthquake would not
generate a destructive widespread
tsunami, but there was the possibility
of some local tsunami effects.
Mexico Rattled By 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake
shoot her again and ensure she was dead,
in another apparent similarity between
the attack and the shooting of the soldier
in Toulouse, BFM-TV reported.
The government ordered the tightening
of security at all Jewish schools and
religious buildings in France.
France's grand rabbi, Gilles Bernheim,
said he was "horrifed" and "stunned" at
the attack, while Israel also condemned
the shooting.
"We are horrifed by this attack and
we trust the French authorities to shed
full light on this tragedy and bring
the perpetrators of these murders
to justice," Israeli foreign ministry
spokesman Yigal Palmor said.
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Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Canada News
23
New Health Warnings Appearing Soon
On Cigarettes And Little Cigar Packages
OTTAWA - Tobacco manufacturers
and importers will now be restricted
to distributing and selling cigarette
and little cigar packages with the new
health warning messages and other
labelling changes. This came into
effect on Wednesday
"This milestone date represents
an important step towards the full
implementation of the new health-
related labels for cigarettes and little
cigars," said Minister Aglukkaq. "We
are now closer to putting important
health and quitting information into the
hands of millions of smokers."
Retailers now have until June 18, 2012
to sell their inventory displaying the
old health warnings. As of June 19,
2012, only packages of cigarettes and
little cigars that display the new health
warnings can be legally sold at retail.
"Recent research has reminded us that
young people are still very vulnerable
to the attractions of tobacco use", said
Heather Borquez, President and CEO
of the Canadian Lung Association.
"We welcome the new, stronger
warning labels for tobacco products as
a critical step to deter Canada's youth
from taking up smoking."
Changes under the Tobacco Products
Labelling Regulations (Cigarettes
and Little Cigars), introduced by the
Government of Canada last September,
include larger, more noticeable health
warning messages, now covering 75%
of the front and back of packages.
Each warning includes a reference to a
Canada-wide, toll-free quitline number
and web address, which link smokers
to provincial and territorial counselling
and resources to help them quit smoking.
Some warnings include messages from
Canadians whose lives and health have
been negatively affected by tobacco
use. Among them is Barb Tarbox, an
anti-smoking activist from Alberta
who died in 2003 from lung cancer
caused by smoking.
Other labelling changes include new
health information and information
on how to quit smoking located on the
inside of packs, enhanced with colour
and graphics. The sides of packs now
feature new and easy-to-understand
statements about toxic chemicals
contained in tobacco smoke.
For more information on the new
health-related labelling requirements
for cigarettes and little cigars, please
visit Health Labels for Cigarettes and
Little Cigars.
Canada Post To Mark Titanic
Anniversary
Canada Post will commemorate the
100th anniversary of the sinking of the
Titanic with a set of fve stamps that
will be issued on April 5.
The stamps, created by designers
Dennis Page and Oliver Hill of Halifax,
depict various parts of the Titanic,
which hit an iceberg and sank in the
North Atlantic on April 15, 1912, with
the loss of 1,500 lives.
A souvenir sheet of four stamps depict
the bow of the Titanic stretched over a
map of the Atlantic Ocean between the
points of Southampton in England and
Halifax.
The sheet of stamps also shows workers
below the ships three propellers.
A ffth stamp depicts the Titanic at sea
between Southampton and Halifax
with Cape Race, N.L., highlighted
because its radio station was the frst
land-based site to receive the ill-fated
ships distress signal.
Halifax played a central role in the
Titanic story as cable ships from the city
were dispatched to pick up bodies from
the Atlantic in the days after the accident.
Three cemeteries in the city contain the
remains of 150 people whose bodies
were recovered at sea.
Page says designing the Titanic stamp
was a challenge.
This was the biggest man-made
moving object on Earth that after
setting off on her maiden voyage hit
an iceberg and ended in disaster. That
really stuck with me and how I was
going to show that feeling, he said in
a statement released Tuesday when the
stamps were unveiled.
I imagined myself standing below her
bow looking up which really gives that
vantage point and perspective at how
vast something like this could be.
Best Place To Live In Canada - Ottawa
Toronto, Vancouver don't make top 10
Ottawa has been named the best place
in Canada to live for the third straight
year by MoneySense magazine.
When we speak of Canadas diversity
we refer to the geography of the land
and the ethnic background of our
people. Yet when you crunch the
economic data, as we have for Canadas
Best Places to Live 2012, it becomes
clear that how we live defnes us as
much as where we live. Not only is our
urban experience varied depending on
whether we live in downtown Montreal
or in small-town Saskatchewan, but
our ability to access health care or fnd
a job or afford a home is as diverse as
our land and our climate.
What is more, the economic factors
that determine how we live are always
evolving. Thirty years ago, the place to
be for jobs would have been southern
Ontario. Today, as the manufacturing
sector falters, we fnd good jobs are
becoming scarce but social services
left behind from good economic times
are abundant. Similarly, Alberta and
Saskatchewan are being transformed
by the boom in oil, gas and other
commodities. This puts a strain on
urban communities as services try
and stay ahead of the feverish growth
of resource towns, and housing prices
skyrocketwitness the average cost
of a home in Fort McMurray (Wood
Buffalo) is now a half a million dollars.
This year, for the third year in a row,
Ottawa takes top honours with a
score of 74 points out of a possible
105. Perhaps most notable however,
are the number of Western cities
that shot up this years list thanks
to strong economic growth and low
unemployment. Regina and Halifax
catapulted up more than 15 spots
each to rank 4th and 5th respectively.
Similarly, Red Deer jumped from 96th
to 9th on our list.
Canada's biggest cities were not among
the top-ranked places to live, according
to this assessment.
Vancouver's ranking was 56th, down
from 29th last year, as MoneySense
noted the high cost of housing in the
city. Toronto was 47th, while Montreal
was 149th.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
Burlington, Ont., at second: Kingston,
Ont., at third; Brandon, Man., at sixth;
Fredericton at seventh; Edmonton at
eighth; and Winnipeg at 10th.
MoneySense said it relies on "hard
measurable data," such as economic
statistics, climate and crime rates, in
compiling its rankings.
Australian Mum Takes Stand Over
Kids' Drowning
An Australian-born woman accused of
drowning her two young sons has told a
court in Canada she has no recollection
of the incident.
Allyson McConnell, from Gosford
in New South Wales, is accused of
drowning two-year-old Connor and
10-month-old Jayden in the bathtub
of her Alberta home in February
2010.
In past statements the mother admitted
to killing both children, but on Tuesday
she took the stand for the frst time
in her own defence, denying any
recollection of the deaths.
McConnell also told the court that
she has struggled with depression
throughout her life and tried to commit
suicide several times.
She also recalled being sexually abused
by her father, which led her to become
pregnant when she was 15.
The trial is expected to last another
week, with the defence focusing on
McConnell's state of mind at the time
of the drownings.
The prosecution will continue to argue
that McConnell planned the deaths of
her two boys and her own attempted
suicide.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times BC News
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24
House Prices Limit Number Of
Kids Couples Can Have: UBC Prof
Says young couples are paying 150 per cent more for housing
It's a new wrinkle on our high housing
prices: Could they be limiting the
number of children being born?
One expert says some couples
struggling to fnd a home are putting
off parenthood.
UBC Early Learning Professor Paul
Kershaw refers to people under 45 as
the "squeeze generation." He argues they
have to do more with less, which limits
the number of kids couples can have.
"The squeeze on their income after
housing prices, the squeeze on space
when they're less-often able to buy
yards and the squeeze on services like
child-care. They infuence people's
decisions around having a child. You
bet it does!"
Kershaw says young couples who want
to have kids can't afford it because
they're paying 150 per cent more for
housing than the previous generation.
"Our country's failing to use policy to
adapt to the declining standard of living
for the generation raising young kids."
"It's looking more and more like
Canada's unoffcial one-child policy,"
he claims.
If housing prices don't budge, Kershaw
argues the government should step in
with better policies around parental
benefts and child care services for
families.
Surrey Slumlord First In BC To Be
Fined
$115,000 handed to a landlord who failed to comply with maintenance and
repair orders
Renters in Metro Vancouver have long
complained about slumlords and today
the province says it's fned one for the
frst time ever. Critics say it should
have been done years ago.
Residential Tenancy Act legislation
was changed in 2008 to allow fnes to
be handed to landlords if they do not
follow orders from the Residential
Tenancy Branch. Nearly four years
later, the frst is handed out.
A landlord in Surrey will pay $115,000
for repeatedly ignoring calls for repairs
and maintenance. That includes a
$5000 one time fne and $500 per day
for the 220 days of inaction.
"It seems it's taken the government an
extended period of time to use this tool,"
says NDP Housing Critic Shane Simpson.
"I believe this probably shouldn't have
been the frst instance when this was
done. There are other cases where it
would have been warranted."
Simpson adds it is important to get
tough with fnes but he wants the
province to take it a step further. "I
think we should let British Columbians
know who these landlords are who
aren't acting in a responsible way." He
says that could prevent prospective
renters from falling victim.
Meanwhile, the province says these
fnes are levied in the most extreme
cases and when the landlord refuses to
respond to RTB reports. Others can be
dealt with through dispute resolution.
The Surrey landlord's payment is
due May 15, 2012. According to the
Ministry responsible for housing, the
Residential Tenancy Act allows for an
agreement to be reached that permits a
reduction or cancellation of the penalty
if the landlord meets certain conditions.
That has yet to happen.
Huge Id Theft Operation Busted In BC
Police in BC say they've busted a
huge identity theft operation covering
the entire Metro Vancouver area after
fnding tens of thousands of stolen
IDs and credit cards at a residence in
Burnaby.
Burnaby RCMP raided the property
earlier in March, seizing various
computers, stolen mail, passports and
a range of tools used to make fake
documents.
Also found at the home were 44,000
IDs, 80,000 stolen credit cards, hotel
receipts from the Surrey Sandman and
Kingsway Ramada, a Canada Post bag
and numerous weapons.
Insp. Tim Shields says police have only
just begun unraveling the operation.
"This investigation is so big that we
haven't had the opportunity to be able
to start looking up additional names
and fnding out exactly what may or
may not have been done," he said.
"We know that it involves virtually
every chartered bank where false
accounts were set up."
Police have laid 19 charges against
Anthony Pavos Stulec, 29, of Burnaby,
and Stephanie Jean Smyth, 21.
Stulec is known to police and allegedly
has 24 aliases, while Smyth has been
released on $500 bail.
The accused are scheduled to appear in
Vancouver Provincial Court on April 4.
Province Hinting At Aircare Changes
Transport trucks may also be tested
Changes could be on the way for
AirCare next year.
Newer, cleaner cars could mean it's time
to scale the program back, but BC's
environment minister is also talking
about possible expansion. Terry Lake
says modern technology has light-duty
vehicles contributing less to air pollution.
"AirCare comes as a cost to families
and we want to make sure that we're
getting the kind of outcomes for the
costs involved," he tells us.
He says the government is now looking
at the potential benefts of AirCare for
heavier trucks. "The trucks that are
used for transport around the Lower
Mainland, the Fraser Valley and
even off-road vehicles... heavy-duty
equipment that also has emissions that
contribute to air shed quality."
Lake says a full review of the program is
carefully considering its value. Last year,
statistics on the AirCare website show
about 12 per cent of cars tested failed.
Richmond Gets Two Night Markets
This Summer
One next to River Rock Casino; the other under Knight St. Bridge
It looks like there will be two night
markets in Richmond this summer.
The city is allowing the bigger of the
two to set up shop next to the River
Rock Casino, despite concerns over
traffc and parking.
"There were some traffc plans that we
created to make sure the River Rock
wouldn't be affected," said Raymond
Cheung with the Richmond Night
Market.
"We have put in 100-per-cent free
parking and we have also hired a
professional traffc company to monitor
the traffc. They will be helping to
make sure the traffc isn't backed up."
He adds many people will leave their
cars at home and take the Canada Line
to Bridgeport Station instead.
Cheung also believes there are enough
customers to support his venture and
the existing Summer Night Market
that is set up under the Knight Street
Bridge.
"This is not the frst time that people
asked this question," Cheung said. "In
2003 there were two night markets
when we were running ours at the
Lansdowne Shopping Centre."
Organizers for the Summer Night
Market also expect to have their plans
approved by the city this week.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16 25
MAGGI NOODLE
Errors may occur in print. We reserve the right to correct such errors.
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Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
THINKING OF BECOMING A CANADIAN CITIZEN?
Try This Practice Test - Discover Canada
26
1) Which group of Aboriginal peoples
has the largest population in the
Northwest Territories and Nunavut?
A. Mtis.
B. Acadians and Inuit.
C. First Nations.
D. Inuit.
2) What does Confederation mean?
A. The combination of neighborhood
to build a larger community.
B. The joining of provinces to become
a new country.
C. The United States Confederate army
came to settle in Canada.
D. The merger of colonies to form a
province.
3) What does a Member of Parliament
do?
A. He or she links Canadians to the
federal government.
B. He or she works for the Governor
General.
C. He or she represents the Queen.
D. He or she liaises with the municipal
government.
4) What country is Canada's largest
trading partner?
A. United States of America.
B. Japan.
C. Germany.
D. China.
5) When is Canada Day?
A. The second Monday of July.
B. September 6th of each year.
C. July 1st every year.
D. The third Monday of May.
6) Where do the majority of Mtis live
in Canada?
A. Northern territories.
B. West Coast.
C. Central Canada.
D. Prairie Provinces.
7) What is the population of Canada?
A. About 33 million.
B. About 26 million.
C. About 28 million.
D. About 39 million.
8) How many electoral districts are
there in Canada?
A. 98.
B. 302.
C. 168.
D. 308.
9) What do you call the Queen's
representative in the territories?
A. Lieutenant-Governor.
B. Member of the Legislative
Assembly.
C. "Sir".
D. Commissioner.
10) When did the British North
America Act come into effect?
A. 1876.
B. 1901.
C. 1867.
D. 1881.
ANSWERS
1 D 2 B 3 A 4 A 5 C
6 D 7 A 8 D 9 D 10 C
Canada Immigration Options for Skilled workers
Canada has been a very popular
destination for skilled professionals
from around the globe for several
years. Year after year thousands of
professionals move to Canada from
almost all the countries as permanent
residents to live and work in Canada
and make this their new home. With
Australia and New Zealand making it
diffcult for immigrants Canada started
becoming a favourite destination.
Earlier in the last decade Canada had
a relatively easier policy for skilled
workers in which applicants in almost
all the occupations could qualify if
they were able to score the desired
pass marks which were 67 at that
time. Which was not very diffcult
to achieve, this resulted in several
thousand applications being fled
every month resulting in a huge back
log. This increased the waiting time to
nearly 8 years for the skilled workers.
The honorable minister made some
tough decisions on the immigration
policies and introduced changes to
the program. This included accepting
application only in certain occupations
which are in demand in Canada to
further restricting the numbers in each
occupation. This resulted in bringing
the annual intake of applications down
drastically which would eventually
help clear the backlog that is pending
in the various visa posts all over.
Currently there are several programs
available for skilled professionals who
would like to immigrate to Canada
which includes the federal skilled
worker program, provincial nominee
program and the Quebec skilled worker
program.
The Quebec skilled worker program
needs a special mention here since it
is slowly picking momentum and is
becoming popular. There are several
positive aspects of the program which
include a lower pass mark.
Quebec skilled worker program does
require applicants to have knowledge
of French language. Some applicants
who have low French profciency can
still qualify as potential immigrants if
they are able to score marks in other
selection factors.
Second most important thing is that
applicants without graduate or post
graduate degrees from universities are
also eligible to apply and can qualify.
This means applicants with diplomas
still have a chance to qualify. Unlike the
federal program where there is limited
scope to score points for spouses,
Quebec offers more liberal points
not only for spouse qualifcations,
experience and age but also if you have
children.
Zenith Immigration Consultants
Limited has experts who can counsel
and guide applicants interested in
immigrating to Canada as skilled
immigrants. Our certifed consultants
will assess your case and guide
you in selecting the program under
which there are maximum chances
of success and then help you with
the complete process. To know more
about the skilled worker programs,
provincial nominee program or any
other immigration matter you can get
in touch with us.
Our frst session is always absolutely
free. For an appointment and advice
please call us 604.543.0024
Tips For Driving
Across The Border
Into Canada
The best way to make sure this
happens is to know what to expect and
be prepared. I drive across the Canada
/ US border regularly; here are the top
tips I would give to people crossing the
US border into Canada.
1. Know What ID is Necessary
2. Be Ready to Address the Border
Offcer
3. Have a Note for Children Traveling
without Both Parents
4. Know What You Can and Can't
Bring into Canada
5. Be Prepared to Answer Questions
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Lifestyle
27
Foods To Help You Focus
In today's hectic lifestyle, women are
busy multi-tasking as a wife, mother,
working woman and more.
But it is easy to stay focused by
incorporating these brain foods in your
diet for a more motivated you!
Caffeine
Sip on some caffeine to kick-start your
ability to focus; the key is moderation.
Too much caffeine and you'll end up
jittery and unable to concentrate.
Sugar
Just a spoonful of sugar can give your
brain the boost you are looking for,
although the effects are short-lived.
Snack on something naturally sweet
such as fresh fruit, or reach for brain
food like whole grain carbohydrates
such as pasta to improve your
attentiveness without expanding your
waistline.
Fish
Serve up fsh rich in omega-3 fatty
acids twice a week to give your brain
the vitamins it needs to develop and
function properly. When possible,
choose a fsh that has a low or no
mercury content, such as salmon and
herring.
Blueberries
Help protect your brain from
Alzheimer's disease and dementia by
consuming blueberries. Studies also
show a link between lab animals and
improved learning ability when it
comes to this blue fruit.
Popcorn
Adding foods to help you focus can be
as simple as popping popcorn. Puffed
with vitamin B6, B12, and E, these
crunchy munchies are believed to
enhance your ability to focus as well as
your memory and brain power.
Avocados
This creamy fruit not only helps lower
bad cholesterol and reduce risk of
plaque build-up to enhance blood fow
and fuel your brain power, it's also high
in omega-3 fatty acids. Avocados are a
great alternative to seafood for those
who aren't fans of fsh.
Nuts and seeds
Grab a handful of your favourite nuts
or seeds to fll up on antioxidants and
proteins to help you keep your mind
on track. Nuts and seeds also help give
your brain long-term protection against
the decline of your cognitive functions.
Green vegetables
Gobble down green vegetables such as
spinach, broccoli, parsley and brussels
sprouts to keep your mind sharp, thanks
to their high amounts of folic acid.
Low-calorie breakfast
To improve your attention span, fuel
up your body in the morning by diving
into breakfast. Be sure to include fruits,
dairy and cereals that are high in fber
and low in calories.
Supplements
If you can't get in enough focus foods
each day, talk to your doctor about
adding supplements to your diet.
Brain-boosting vitamins like B, C,
E, and nutrients like beta-carotene,
magnesium, ginseng and ginkgo are
thought to help enhance your memory
and ability to focus.
Using Your 'Wrong' Hand To Stir Your Tea Helps You Control Your Anger
'Training' yourself to use the 'wrong'
hand can help you improve your self-
control and behave less aggressively,
say researcher.
Dr Thomas Denson, of the University
of New South Wales, suggests right-
handers should get into the habit of using
a computer mouse, stirring a cup of coffee
or opening a door with their left hand -
and left-handers should do the opposite.
Dr Denson said practicing self-control
is no different from getting better at
golf or playing the piano.
In studies he showed people who try to use
their non-dominant hand for two weeks
keep a lid on their aggression better.
So if they are right handed, they are told
to use their left hand 'for pretty much
anything that is safe to do,' he said.
Dr Denson said it is only self-control that
keeps us from punching queue jumpers
or murdering conniving colleagues.
"Using the mouse, stirring your coffee,
opening doors. This requires people
to practice self control because their
habitual tendency is to use their dominant
hands," the media quoted him as saying.
In one experiment, participants were mildly
insulted by another student and were given
the option of retaliating with a blast of white
noise, a combination of all the different
frequencies of sound also known as static.
Those who had practiced self-control
responded less aggressively.
Dr Denson and colleagues said criminologists
and sociologists have long believed people
commit violent crimes when an opportunity
arises and they are low on self-control.
"It is an impulsive kind of thing," he said.
For the last ten years or so psychologists
have joined this research, using new
ways of manipulating self-control in
experiments, and found self control
and aggression really are tightly linked.
Studies have also found that, after people
have had to control themselves for a
while, they behave more aggressively.
"I think, for me, the most interesting
fndings that have come out of this is
that if you give aggressive people the
opportunity to improve their self control,
they are less aggressive," Dr Denson said.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
To get the best value for your dollar
Advertise in
604-909-4088 Toll Free: 1 866 840 2885
28
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Stars are taking a turn for the better
in this week, but don't dive into any
fresh quarrel at home or outside, or
into any new litigation. Mind would be
less boggled about the developments
affecting you if you take spouse into
confdence. If you are a Government
personage, see your son is not misusing
your name or status.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Now is the right time to implement any
plans relating to ownership of property.
If marriage proposal for daughter is
half-way, discuss it with her in advance,
lest her face indicates her disapproval.
If rift exists at place of work or within
wider family, bury it deep. Pay direct
attention to money management, stars
are favourable in this week.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Anger and outbursts should be kept
under control with mother of self
and spouse, and with colleagues.
Unfair means in exams get exposed
at valuation stage. Unless your kids
are agreeable, drop the idea of sale of
property. Politicians would extend the
help asked for. Foreign journey this
month is benefcial for medicos and
exporters. Dealers in motor spirit to
suspend all kind of adulteration.
CANCER (June 21 July 22)
Sudden chances of foreign travel for
professors, Government. offcers and
scribes. Postpone change of residence
till summer. Delayed dispatches
would cost exporters heavily. Consult
fnancial experts on your new project,
since estimates by your technocrats are
infated. Your father must drive very
safely in this week.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
If exam or viva dates got postponed to
this week, prepare afresh. Whether the
negotiations are for business, superior
job or marriage, touch of ego would
damage your case. Strong chance
of loss of cash by theft if you move
unguarded. Continue the existing
business with uncle/cousin, but avoid
starting a new one throughout year.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 21)
Re-read last weeks column relating
to you. Success is assured in a matter
pending with Government, provided
it concerns you or the daughter. Go
to Exam or viva with full confdence;
if its competitive test, refresh your
study. Spouse is told neither to pick
up a quarrel, nor to drive rashly. If
in manpower supply trade, someone
might trap you in legal or criminal
action/offence.
LIBRA (Sept. 22-Oct. 23)
Your wisdom (not your anger) would
protect your money and assets from
now till August next. Bright week for
students, competitors, scribes, critics,
medical people and politicians. If the
marriage is less than seven years old,
effort needed for harmony between
wife & husband. Don't stand security
or negotiate a loan on behalf of others.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)
If you are in any industry, or trade in
any kind of oil and lubricants, you must
try to expand or diversify your income
activity. Scribes and professors should
try for change of job or assignment
abroad. Exporters shouldn't trust every
visiting buyer. Do take full precaution
against theft, physical attack; keep
mind free of worry.
SAGITTARIUS(Nov.22-DEC.21)
In matters of profession, career
and business, all stars are presently
helping you, but success in industrial
management, and in talks regarding
marriage would depend on your quality
of acumen, especially if the proposal is
for your sister or daughter. Selective
studies would not help students, scribes
and fortune tellers. Those having
money dealings with foreign countries
stay alert of the government.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19)
Writers seeking foreign publishers
and scribes desirous of appearance
in foreign press get a good chance.
Exporters/importers get good business
from new contacts. If the female(s)
in family approve, fnalize the deal in
property. Girls wanting only tall boys
for marriage may have to wait for a
year more. Drive slowly on this week.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Undiverted attention is warranted to
your main source of income. Take care
of your important documents. Marriage
proposal meets with approval. Avoid
trouble with uncle/aunt/cousin. Do
not get into the trap of unsolicited
awards, free trips. No speculation or
gambling. Stand no guarantee or surety
for anyone.
PISCES (Feb.19-March 20)
No drinks, no speculation in shares.
No dispatch of goods to foreign buyer
without L.C. or Bank guarantee. If
promotion is even remotely due, its
likely to arrive. Politicians get one
step nearer to top boss. All business
transactions of high order go to your
beneft. Love affair or marriage
proposal be given a back seat. Spouse
should avoid injury to self and rift
within the family.
Cashew Chicken
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken
breasts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry
sherry
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed ginger
juice
Sauce:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Other:
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon green onion
1/4 cup cashews
4 tablespoons oil for stir-frying, as
needed
1 cup vegetables for stir-frying (your
choice)
Instructions
Add the salt, rice wine or sherry, ginger
juice and cornstarch to the chicken
cubes, using chopsticks to mix it in and
adding the cornstarch last. Marinate
the chicken for 20 minutes.
Prepare the remaining ingredients while
the chicken is marinating. In a small
bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients
and set aside. Finely chop the garlic.
Wash and chop the green onion on the
diagonal into 1-inch pieces.
Roast the cashews in a heavy skillet
over medium heat, shaking the pan
continuously so that the nuts do not burn.
Roast for 5 minutes, or until the cashews
are browned. Remove from the pan.
Heat the wok over medium-high to
high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When
the oil is hot, add the garlic. Stir-fry
for about 30 seconds. Add the chicken
cubes. Stir-fry until they change color
and are 80 percent cooked through.
Remove from the wok.
Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil
is hot, add the stir-frying vegetables.
Stir-fry as needed, then push up to the
sides of the wok. Add the sauce and
the chicken. Heat everything through.
Serve the chicken and vegetables with
the roasted cashews and the green
onion as garnish.
Dungeness Crab Bisque
About this Recipe:
In this recipe, you can use a combination
of shrimp and crab or replace them
with lobster.
Main Ingredients:
Onion: 1-2 tbsp, fnely chopped
Butter: 2-3 tbsp
Flour: 2 tbsp
Chicken broth: 2 cups
Fat-free half-and-half: 2 cups (or
replace with milk)
Dungeness crab meat: 1 lb, thawed
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
1. Saute onion in butter for couple of
minutes or until soft.
2. Add four. Stir and cook for 1 more
minutes.
3. Add chicken broth and half-and-half.
Cook for 5 more minutes on medium
heat.
4. Add crab meat. Season with salt
and pepper. Cook until the mixture
thickens.
5. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Dungeness Crab Bisque
Cashew Chicken
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16 29
Get Savvy With Your Smart
Phone And Avoid Fraud
VICTORIA The rise in popularity
of smart phones with social media
applications can put consumers at risk
of fraud.
The Province, Consumer Protection
BC, and the Better Business Bureau are
teaming up during Fraud Prevention
Month to provide tips to help British
Columbians get smart about their smart
phone usage.
According to a recent study by Javelin
Research and Strategy, 32% of all
smart phone users dont have the most
current version of their operating
system, 62% dont use a password
to protect their home screens and
32% save login information on their
phones.
Here is a typical user scenario:
Samantha carries her smart phone
with her everywhere. She runs all of
her favourite social networks from
her phone and its loaded up with all
of the latest apps, including one app
that allows her to do all of her banking
on the go. Samantha also keeps all of
her personal information on her smart
phone so that it is handy phone
numbers, addresses, birthdates and
even passwords. One day Samantha
leaves her phone on the bus. Not only is
Samanthas personal information now
available to any stranger who picks
up her phone, she is now a potential
victim of fraud and identify theft.
Here are some tips to protect you and
your family and become smart phone
savvy:
Get the latest operating system for
your phone so your security is up-to-
date.
AGGARWAL LAW OFFICE LTD.
We are open Monday to Friday 9:00 A.M TO 5:30 P.M
Saturday 10:00 A.M TO 4:30 P.M
Sunday BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Naresh Aggarwal
Barrister, Solicitor & Notary
ALL TYPES OF DOCUMENTATION &
ATTESTATION / NOTARIZATION
WE PROVIDE EXPERT &
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AT MOST
COMPETATIVE PRICE
Unit#10 8430 128th Street
Opposite Grand Taj Banquet Hall
Surrey BC, V3W 4G3
Off: 604-596-3366 Cell: 604-779-6726
Email: nareshaggarwal@live.com
Website: www.aggarwallaw.ca
CONTACT FOR EXPERT LEGAL ADVICE ON:
Family Law
Civil Litigation
Wills & Estates
Immigration Appeals
Property (Residential & Commercial)
Sale, Purchase And Mortgage
Business Sale Or Purchase
All Agreements, Contracts & Leases
We Speak ENGLISH,
HINDI & PUNJABI
Add a password to your phone for
access, so if it is lost a person does not
have access to your phone and your
personal identifers.
Password-protect everything,
preferably with unique passwords for
each social media service.
Look for remote wiping programs in
the user manual for your smart phone
so in case of loss you can remove and
destroy all data from your phone from
a remote location.
Check applications for geo-tagging
that allows you to tag a photo or
video with their current location. You
can turn this tagging option off in
applications if you feel uncomfortable
broadcasting your location publically.
Dont do your banking over public
Wi-Fi networks to avoid risk of
fnancial loss.
Be sure all the apps you download
come from legitimate vendors. Check
user reviews and learn about what
the application needs to access on
your smart phone. For example: If a
wallpaper need access to your contact
list, there probably is a virus attached
to the application.
Start with Trust when dealing with
businesses and companies youve
never heard of by researching them
at www.mbc.bbb.org.
To stay informed about possible
scams and to warn others:
- Visit Consumer Protection BC on
Facebook at: www.facebook.com/
ConsumerProtectionBC
- Report any fraudulent activity to the
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling
1 888 495-8501.
ICBC Expands
Translation Service To
Driver Licensing Offces
Customers who need language
assistance during the handling of their
driver licensing transactions will now
be able to converse freely with ICBC
in more than 170 languages through an
interpreter.
The initiative provided by Language
Line Services is an on-demand, over-
the-telephone translation service that
will be rolled out to all 20 of ICBCs
driver licensing offces by fall 2012.
All interpreters are trained in licensing
terminology and, on average, it only
takes a few seconds to be connected to
an interpreter.
The province values and celebrates
cultural diversity, and this service
ensures that British Columbians can
have the confdence to speak to an
ICBC representative in their language
of choice, said Finance Minister
Kevin Falcon. With an increasingly
diverse population, more and more
companies are realizing that multi-
language services are a necessity in
meeting the cultural and linguistic
needs of B.C.s diverse marketplace.
"We know that many newcomers
to B.C. fnd the process of getting a
driver licence to be different from what
theyre used to, which can naturally
create confusion and anxiety, said Fred
Hess, ICBCs vice president of driver
licensing. "This free service creates a
more comfortable environment that
allows customers to speak with our
staff and ask questions in the language
of their choice.
ICBC launched the translation service
in 2010 in claim centres and through its
Dial-a-Claim service. The service has
proven to be very successful more
than 15,850 calls used the language
assistance in 2011 alone.
The most in-demand languages were
Mandarin (approximately 4,800 calls),
Cantonese (approximately 4,200 calls),
Punjabi (approximately 3,000 calls)
and Korean (approximately 1,800
calls). Other commonly requested
languages include Vietnamese, Farsi,
Spanish and Japanese.
The expansion of the translation service
to all ICBC driver licensing offces
follows a successful pilot at licensing
offces in Abbotsford, Burnaby,
Point Grey, Richmond, Surrey and
Vancouver East.
The feedback from customers on this
translation service has been extremely
positive, said Hess. Our customers
tell us its helped make what can be a
complicated process understandable,
improving their overall experience
with us.
We know that B.C. is a culturally
diverse province and we want our
customers to know that no matter what
language they speak, we speak it too,
said Hess.
In addition to this translation service,
key information on icbc.com is also
available in Chinese and Punjabi
including how to get your drivers
licence, how to insure your vehicle
and how we can help you get back on
the road if you have a claim. Chinese
and Punjabi speaking customers can
also easily fnd their nearest auto body
shop, Glass Express shop, claim centre,
driver licensing offce, Autoplan
broker or chiropractor in their primary
language.
ICBC also provides Chinese and
Punjabi versions of its At the scene
of a crash claims card that customers
can keep in their vehicles and use if
necessary to help them record all of the
vital information they need to gather in
order to make a claim.
To get the best value for your dollar
Advertise in
604-909-4088 Toll Free: 1 866 840 2885
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
BUSINESS FOR SALE
Established Fijian Grocery Store & Meat Shop For SALE
LONG TERM LEASE AVAILABLE
Contact Sarbjit @ 604.763.4077
30
High Demand Jobs In Canada
Canada is one of the greatest countries
in the world. Well, at least we think
so anyway! This vast land mass is
home to some of the most advanced
institutions and metropolitan areas in
the world. It is also home to some of
the most beautiful, tranquil outdoor
spaces on the globe. The countrys
tremendous variety in terms of
landscapes, cultures and populations
translates into a need for workers in
all manner of industries, each required
to ensure that those functions vital to
the well being of the country are being
addressed. Canada relies on its citizens
to perform important duties which are
necessary for the survival and success
of the country, There is a need for
workers in various occupations, across
a number of industries and sectors to
fll jobs from forestry jobs to fnance to
hospitality jobs and medical jobs, just
to name a few.
Canada holds the distinction of being
the second largest country in the
world. It is the largest country in North
America and the most northerly of the
two countries it shares the continent
with, Mexico and United States of
America.
Canada is a democratic, multi-cultural
society that values individual rights
and freedoms.
In Canada's major cities you will fnd
people of all races and ethnicities
succeeding in all types of industries
and occupations. It is in part, the ability
of Canadian citizens from all walks of
life to work together, that makes this
country so great and its workforce one
of the strongest in the entire world.
Canada is a member of the G8, which is
made up of the top eight industrialized
Nations. It also holds membership in
the G20. Although there has been a
slowing of the local economy since
its most recent peak in 2007, of all of
the G8 Nations Canada is said to have
performed the best throughout this very
severe, and in some places, ongoing
global fnancial downturn.
Canada has a strong and stable
currency, the Canadian Dollar. In
recent years, the Canadian currency
has increased signifcantly in value in
relation to the United States Dollar.
Some of the countrys companies are
taking advantage of this development
and heading to the United States to
acquire U.S. assets. This bodes well for
Canadian citizens because it translates
into more jobs.There are three levels
of government in Canada; National,
Provincial and Municipal. Each has
its own responsibility to provide those
services necessary to ensure the proper
running of the territories under their
care and also to the populations who
live there. The National, Provincial and
Municipal governments each employ a
sizable staff which works to effectively
and effciently deliver those services.
Canada's GDP (Gross Domestic
Product) is approximately 1.3 Billion
Dollars U.S.
With a population of approximately
35 million, the countrys per capita
GDP is approximately $39,500, a
pretty impressive fgure, especially as
it compares to other countries, most
notably those in the third-world.
Canada is largely a resource-based
economy and much of the developing
world is hungry for resources. The
resource sector is one of the major
economic drivers of the Canadian
economy and its workforce.
Among Canada's vast resource based
industries are the Tourism & Hospitality
sector as well as the Medical sector.
Tourism and Hospitality Jobs
in Canada
The Tourism and Hospitality sector in
Canada is in need of qualifed people
to fll management positions as well as
entry-level to mid-level jobs in hotels,
restaurants and resorts through out the
country. These types of jobs are in high
demand because Canada is one of the
most visited countries in the world.
Workers are thus, being hired everyday
to service these tourists. Individuals
may fnd work as a hotel or restaurant
manager or be hired on as employees of
some of the countrys most popular and
well visited landmarks. These types
of jobs are available to those from a
variety of employment backgrounds
and education levels. Besides hotel,
resorts and restaurants jobs, other
service sector jobs in Canada include
more
Medical Jobs in Canada
Licensed Practical Nurse and
Registered Nursing Jobs in Canada
are some of the country's highest
demand medical jobs. Well trained
and skilled nursing professionals
are needed in hospitals and medical
facilities throughout the country. Other
high demand medical jobs in Canada
include rehabilitation medicine,
surgeons, social work and welfare,
dental hygienist and assistants, health
and medical laboratory technology
(In Demand Jobs). Nuclear medicine,
radiation therapy and radiographers are
needed as well. In order to secure such
jobs more
To get the best value for your dollar
Advertise in
604-909-4088 Toll Free: 1 866 840 2885
Open House!!!
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Continued from last week
The Three Little Pigs
31
And the wolf huffed and he puffed, and
he HUFFED and he PUFFED, and he
HUFFED again and PUFFED again,
but still the house, which had been so
well built with bricks, did The Three
Little Pigs not blow in, no matter how
hard the wolf tried.
The wolf went away to think how he
could trick the little pig, and he came
back and called through the window of
the brick house, "Little pig, there are
some marvelous turnips in the farmer's
feld. Shall we go there tomorrow
morning at six o'clock and get some?"
The little pig thought this was a very
good idea, as he was very fond of
turnips, but he went at fve o'clock, not
six o'clock, and collected all the turnips
he needed before the wolf arrived.
The wolf was furious, but he thought
he would try another trick. He told
the little pig about the apples in the
farmer's orchard, and suggested they
both went to get some at fve o'clock
the next morning. The little pig agreed,
and went as before, an hour earlier. But
this time the wolf came early too, and
arrived while the little pig was still in
the apple tree. The little pig pretended
to be pleased to see him and threw an
apple down to the wolf. While the wolf
was picking it up, the little pig jumped
down the tree and got into a barrel. He
rolled quickly down the hill inside this
barrel to his house of bricks and rushed
in and bolted the door.
The wolf was very angry that the little
pig had got the better of him again, and
chased him in the barrel back to his
house. When he got there he climbed
on to the roof, intending to come down
the chimney and catch the little pig
that way. The little pig was waiting for
him, however, with a large cauldron
of boiling water on the fre. The wolf
came down the chimney and fell into
the cauldron with a big SPLASH, and
the little pig quickly put the lid on it.
The wicked wolf was never seen again,
and the little pig lived happily in his
brick house for many many years.
Tips to Stop Children from Sucking
Thumb
One of the initial habits among
newborns is Thumb sucking, which
is developed by a baby to comfort
and please himself. Although, it is
harmless, but carrying on with the habit
during preschool years and beyond that
could cause dental damage. Therefore,
parents must intervene in order to
help their child get rid of the habit.
Babies often develop these habits such
as sucking on fngers, toys and even
clothes. As this could be a hindrance
in growth of child's mouth and teeth,
child should be stopped from sucking
thumb by the age of 5 years. Children
of over 5 years with this habit are also
teased by peer group in school, so
it's quite necessary to understand the
signifcance of abstaining child from
doing it.
Instructions
Dont try hard on children in
their toddlerhood. In many cases,
children lose this habit after going
past toddlerhood, by around age of
four to fve.
Plan your moves before childs
permanent teeth come in. The dental
issues are often refected if child persists
with the habit. If there is some anxiety
provoking him to suck thumb, look out
for the best way to sort out the issue.
Plan out something that motivates
them get past this habit. Motivation
could be one of the crucial factors
in the task of stopping the thumb
sucking habit.
Whenever you see him putting
thumb in mouth, distract them with
something. For instance, involve
them in some activity that could
only be done using both hands, for
which they have to take thumb out
of the mouth.
Provide several opportunities and
day care activities that keep their
hands busy, like drawing with
crayons, sketching with pencils
and fddling with toys.
Make them talk more and more
in order to keep fngers or thumb
away from the mouth. In addition,
talk to him about the abandoning
of thumb sucking habit.
You can also consult dentist on how
to get rid of childhood habit. Ask
him about the dental consequences
and various options for getting rid
of thumb sucking habit.
Some of the parents also try distasteful
products like vinegar on babys fngers.
Caring For A Baby With Constipation
Infants will pass a thick, green-black stool
(meconium) in the frst 24 to 36 hours of
life. As feedings become established, the
stool becomes more yellow-green. Most
infants have stools daily, but some have
them only every two to three days. If that
infant is feeding well, has soft stools and
isn't uncomfortable, she's probably not
constipated.
Formula-fed babies tend to have drier,
less frequent stools than breastfed babies.
Breastfed babies are rarely constipated.
Just after birth it seems they have a stool
every time they eat. But after a few weeks
the pattern can change to a stool every two
or three days or even once a week. If the
baby is not uncomfortable and the stools
are soft, there's probably no problem.
Even if your baby strains to pass a stool, he
may not be constipated. Babies often grunt,
become red in the face and pull up their legs
when passing a stool. If it's soft and passes
without pain, these behaviors are normal. If
your infant appears to be having diffculty,
curling the knees up against the baby's chest
might help.
If your baby's diet changes or he's sick, the
stool pattern may also vary. If stools become
drier, try adding a little water or juice to the
infant's diet. For older babies, adding fruit
or vegetables can make stools less dry. For
a formula-fed infant, ask your healthcare
provider about changing the formula.
When your infant hasn't passed a stool in
the usual time and seems uncomfortable,
try lubricating a rectal thermometer
and holding it in the rectum for three to
fve minutes. Inserting a small piece of
glycerine suppository may also help. If
it doesn't, or you keep having to do this,
consult your baby's healthcare provider.
True constipation can be a sign of a more
serious illness or an obstruction.
Never give an infant an enema or a laxative
unless your healthcare provider advises
this. These treatments can cause life-
threatening shifts in a young infant's fuid/
electrolyte balance.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Health
This information is provided for knowledge and educational purposes only. Individuals should visit their physicians for more information on their health.
32
Vitamins And Supplements May Shorten Lifespan
People taking vitamins or supplements have greater chances of dying over a given period than those not taking them, a new study has revealed.
In the new study, researchers
gathered data on nearly 1,800 people
between the ages of 62 and 74 who
were participating in a prospective,
population health study of the residents
of one town in Finland.
Over a 10-year period, 59 of the 221
people (26.6 percent) taking a vitamin
or supplement died, whereas 281 of
the 1,553 people (18.1 percent) of the
nonusers died.
After the researchers took into account
other factors that can affect a person's
risk of dying such as age, gender
and smoking they found that people
taking vitamins or supplements were
50 to 70 percent more likely to die
over the course of the study than those
not taking them, said study researcher
Dr. Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen, of the
University of Eastern Finland.
The fndings are in line with a recent study
from University of Minnesota researchers,
who looked at 38,000 women who were
around age 62 at the study's start, and
found a slight increase in mortality among
those taking vitamins or supplements.
They found, for example, that 40.8
percent of 13,000 women taking a
daily multivitamin died over the 19-
year study, whereas 39.8 percent of
the 10,000 women who hadn't taken a
daily multivitamin had died.
Both studies showed an association,
not a cause-and-effect link.
The Minnesota study had prompted
ideas that supplement users were a
"self -selected" group, Tuomainen told
the media.
It could be that people who take
supplements tend to have more health
problems than nonusers to start with, or
are more likely than nonusers to have close
relatives with health problems (which
could mean they are at greater risk for
developing later problems themselves).
But the new study suggests that
those hypotheses may not explain the
increased death risk, Tuomainen said.
He and his co-authors adjusted their
analysis to account for people who
reported pre-existing diseases and a
family history of the "major killer"
diseases, he said.
The adjustment brought down the
increased risk of dying seen among the
supplement users, but did not make it
disappear, he said.
Part of the reason behind the link may
be that taking vitamins or supplements
that include more iron or copper than
the body needs are harmful for health,
Tuomainen added.
These metals are pro-oxidants, and may
trigger the type of stress in the body
(oxidative stress) that is associated
with chronic diseases, though more
work is needed to show this.
Prostate Cancer Risk Could Increase With Use Of Hair Loss Drug: Health Canada
Health Canada is informing health
professionals and the public that certain
prescription drugs may be associated
with an increased risk of developing a
serious form of prostate cancer known
as high-grade prostate cancer.
High-grade prostate cancer is an
aggressive type of prostate cancer that
grows and spreads more quickly than
low-grade prostate cancer. This type of
cancer is rare, and the increased risk seen
with prescription drugs fnasteride and
dutasteride is still considered very small.
New warnings on this risk have been
added to the Canadian drug labels for
fnasteride and dutasteride products.
Finasteride is available under the brand
names Proscar (5 mg fnasteride) and
Propecia (1 mg fnasteride) and their
generic equivalents (all of which
contain fnasteride in their name).
Dutasteride is available under the
brand names Avodart and Jalyn (a
combination drug product containing
dutasteride and tamsulosin).
Finasteride and dutasteride are for use
in men only. Proscar, Avodart, and
Jalyn are used for the treatment of an
enlargement of the prostate that is not
cancerous, a common condition in men
over 40.
Propecia is used to treat male pattern
hair loss.
The new safety information is based on
Health Canadas review of two large
international clinical trials: the Prostate
Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) and the
Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate
Cancer Events (REDUCE) trial.
The trials showed that the long-term
daily use (over 4 years) of fnasteride
(5 mg) and dutasteride in men aged 50
years and older was associated with
a small but statistically signifcant
increased risk of high-grade prostate
cancer. The 1 mg fnasteride strength
(Propecia) was not included in these
trials but a potential risk has not been
ruled out.
The purpose of the clinical trials was to
provide evidence in support of a new
use for fnasteride and dutasteride: to
prevent prostate cancer. Both trials
showed that the possible benefts of
these drugs in preventing low-grade
prostate cancer are small relative to the
risk of developing high-grade prostate
cancer.
Finasteride and dustasteride are not
approved for the prevention of prostate
cancer in Canada.
The Canadian labels for the brand
name drugs have been updated to
inform about the increased risk of
high-grade prostate cancer associated
with these drugs and to emphasize that
these drugs are not approved for the
prevention of prostate cancer. Updates
to the generics will follow.
As noted in the drug labels, before
prescribing Proscar, Avodart, and
Jalyn, healthcare practitioners should
evaluate patients thoroughly to rule
out other urological diseases, including
prostate cancer as the symptoms of an
enlarged prostate and prostate cancer
are similar.
Patients with questions or concerns
about their treatment with fnasteride
or dutasteride should talk to their health
professional. Patients should not stop
taking their medication unless they
have been advised to do so by their
health professional. Patients taking
these drugs should see their doctor for
periodic follow-up evaluations.
Drug labels, or Product Monographs,
contain important prescribing
and safety information for health
professionals and patients, and are
available by search of Health Canadas
Drug Product Database.
Turmeric Compound Shows Promise In Parkinson's
Curcumin, a compound present in popular Indian spice turmeric, is showing promise in preventing the clumping of proteins that cause Parkinsons disease.
A team led by Basir Ahmad, Michigan
State University post-doctoral
researcher, showed previously that
slow-wriggling alpha-synuclein
proteins is involved in this process, a
prelude to Parkinsons.
The latest study, also led by Ahmad,
shows that curcumin can help prevent
clumping, the Journal of Biological
Chemistry reports.
Our research shows that curcumin
can rescue proteins from aggregation,
the frst steps of many debilitating
diseases, said study co-author Lisa
Lapidus, associate professor of physics
and astronomy.
More specifcally, curcumin
binds strongly to alpha-synuclein
and prevents aggregation at body
temperatures, added Lapidus,
according to a Michigan statement.
Parkinson's is a degenerative disorder of
the central nervous system. Symptoms
are tremors, slowness of movement,
rigidity and postural instability, among
others.
Proteins are chains of amino acids that
do most of the work in cells. Scientists
understand protein structure, but they
dont know how they are built - a
process known as folding.
Lapidus team is shedding light
on the process by correlating the
speed at which protein folds with its
tendency to clump or bind with other
proteins.
When curcumin attaches to alpha-
synuclein it not only stops clumping,
but it also raises the proteins folding
or reconfguration rate. By bumping
up the speed, curcumin moves the
protein out of a dangerous speed zone
allowing it to avoid clumping with
other proteins.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times USA News
33
Outrage In US As 13-Year-Old Boy Gets Life Sentence
Protests are building over the case of
a 13-year-old Florida boy charged as
an adult with killing his baby brother,
which could see him become the
youngest person in the United States
jailed for life.
Cristian Fernandez is also the youngest
person ever to be tried in the state on
frst-degree murder charges after his
half brother, David Gallariago, two,
died from a brain trauma incurred
when he was pushed into a book case.
Protesters around the world have
argued that Fernandez, who was 12 at
the time of the incident, should be tried
as a juvenile. If he is convicted in an
adult court, he faces life imprisonment
without parole.
Investigators have said the boy, whose
mother was also just 12 when he was
born, suffered a life of horrifc abuse
and neglect, yet has shown that he
could be rehabilitated back into society.
At a hearing in December in
Jacksonville, State Attorney Angela
Corey said she would offer a plea
deal lessening the charges to second-
degree murder, which also calls for a
mandatory life imprisonment sentence.
But public defender Matt Shirk turned
the deal down insisting Fernandez be
tried as a juvenile, which would reduce
any sentence to 36 months.
Mark Caliel, an assistant state attorney,
said prosecutors do not intend to seek
life imprisonment, but that has not
quieted a swell of protesters.
Jacksonville mother, Alicia Torrez,
who has two children who attended
school with Fernandez, and juvenile
justice advocate Melissa Higgins
have gathered 180,000 signatures
on a petition opposing the boy being
charged as an adult.
They cite concerns that psychological
testing ordered by the child's defense
team indicated Fernandez was a victim
of chronic abuse, but could also be
rehabilitated back into society.
They also say that court records indicate
that Fernandez's mother, Biannela Susana,
26, waited six hours after arriving home
and fnding her younger son injured
before taking him to the hospital.
Doctors have said the toddler might
have survived had he been treated
sooner. The mother has also been
charged with aggravated manslaughter,
as prosecutors say her negligence led to
the boy's death.
"Cristian's story touches a lot of people
when they get to know the details
of the case," said Higgins. "He is
clearly a child who has had a diffcult
background and his role in what
happened is not clearly defned."
In October 2009 before the family
moved to Jacksonville from Miami,
Fernandez's stepfather fatally shot
himself in front of the family to avoid
arrest on child abuse charges.
Higgins, whose website www.
justiceforjuvenile.com presents studies
advocating against adjudicating juveniles
as adults, set up the petition on Change.
org that focuses on Fernandez's case.
But Caliel said after a three-month
review, the state made the decision to
charge him as an adult.
"We do not believe the juvenile justice
system is equipped to appropriately
handle the defendant... given the
limited jurisdiction of that system
which expires when the defendant
turns 21 and limits incarceration to 36
months," said Caliel.
"We just felt the rehabilitation programs
and punishment for the crimes
committed could not be accomplished
in the limited time he would spend in
the juvenile justice system."
Caliel said the state is seeking a
hybrid sentence in which Fernandez
is incarcerated in a juvenile setting for
the duration of the jail term, until age
21, followed up with court supervised
rehabilitation.
"He will not be sent off to an adult
prison, and by law he cannot," he said.
Caliel said he is hoping to reach a plea
bargain before the trial and that even if
the case goes to trial prosecutors would
preempt a possible life sentence by the
proposed hybrid sentence.
But former state attorney Harry
Shorstein has also voiced opposition to
the move to try Fernandez as an adult.
"I think it illustrates a lack of
understanding of the adolescent brain
and its development," he said. "It's
totally different from an adult and yet
to be fully developed."
40-Yr-Old Charged For Attacks
On Temple, Mosque
A 40-year-old man from Queens has
been charged with hate crime for
throwing frebombs at four locations
across the city, including a Hindu
temple and mosque, on New Year's
Day this year.
An indictment unsealed in Brooklyn
federal court charges Ray Lazier
Lengend, also known as 'Suraj Poonai',
with hate crimes and explosives
offenses stemming from his racially and
religiously motivated fre-bombings
of the Imam Al-Khoei Foundation
mosque and a Hindu temple housed
in a private residence in Queens on
January 1, 2012, US Attorney for the
Eastern District of New York Loretta
Lynch said in a statement.
Lengend is also charged with an
explosives offense in connection with
his fre-bombing of a convenience
store in Queens. He will be arraigned
on March 26 before US Magistrate
Judge Ramon Reyes.
If convicted Lengend faces a minimum
sentence of 20 years' imprisonment
and a maximum sentence of life.
Lengend's fre-bombing spree began
on the evening of January 1 when
he threw a faming bottle flled with
gasoline at a local convenience store.
A store employee extinguished the fames
and no one was hurt in the incident.
Lengend's next target was a private
residence, which caught fre when
he hurled molotov cocktails at the
building. He later went to the Imam
Al-Khoei Foundation mosque, where
he threw glass bottles containing
gasoline at the building with the goal
of inficting damage on the mosque and
harming Muslims and Arabs.
Lengend's fnal fre-bombing in Queens
targeted the Hindu temple, located
inside the residence of the temples
leader.
Lengend was arrested within two days
of the attacks.
Oakland Postal Employee Accused Of
Bilking $4 Million From Government
A U.S. Postal Service manager and his
wife have been charged with conspiracy
for allegedly creating and operating
a four-year scheme that bilked the
government of more than $4 million and
increased profts of a private trucking
frm owned by the couple, according to
federal court records.
Federal prosecutors say that Balvinder
Singh Chadha and his wife Jaspinder
Kaur Chadha began their scheme in
2005 when Singh Chadha used his
position as the manager of postal
vehicle service to direct and approve
contracts between the government and
Golden Pacifc Logistics Inc., a private
trucking frm he owned with his wife.
In addition to illegally approving
contracts for a company he owned, court
documents fled last Friday state that
Singh Chadha also created and approved
payment of fake invoices for work
Golden Pacifc Logistics never did.
That work included invoices for
trucks Golden Pacifc Logistics never
supplied to the postal service and
maintenance and servicing costs that
was never conducted.
At the same time, the couple is charged
with actively attempting to conceal
their ownership of Golden Pacifc
Logistics by ordering GPL employees
not to mention them as owners and
listing Singh Chadha's sister-in-law as
a corporate offcer and director of the
company even though she had no role
in the operation.
Singh Chadha's wife is also charged
in the case, according to documents,
because she was also an owner of
the trucking company and knew the
scheme her husband was conducting.
"He knew that the GPL invoices overstated
the number of trucks leased and the
mileage incurred by the lease trucks and
claimed servicing and maintenance costs
not authorized for reimbursement under
GPL's contract," wrote Maureen Bessette
chief of the Oakland branch of the United
States Attorney's Offce. "
Singh Chadha faces 25 years in federal
prison for the alleged charges of wire
fraud and conspiracy. His wife faces
fve years in federal prison for one
charge of conspiracy.
In addition, the federal government
is seeking to confscate any property
owned by the couple.
Michelle Obama Reveals `Undercover`
Target Trip
Michelle Obama made an appearance on David Letterman's show and talked
about the time she made a trip to the Target store unnoticed.
While no one at the supermarket had
recognised her, Letterman revealed a
photo of Obama shopping there in low-
key garb.
"That's my Target run. I went to Target
I thought I was undercover," Politico
quoted her as saying on the show.
"I have to tell you something about
this trip though. No one knew that was
me because a woman actually walked
up to me, right? I was in the detergent
aisle, and she said - I kid you not - she
said, 'Excuse me, I just have to ask you
something,' and I thought, 'Oh, cover's
blown.' She said, 'Can you reach on
that shelf and hand me the detergent?'
I kid you not"
"And the only thing she said - I reached
up, 'cause she was short, and I reached
up, pulled it down - she said, 'Well,
you didn't have to make it look so
easy.' That was my interaction. I felt so
good. ... She had no idea who I was. I
thought, as soon as she walked up - I
was with my assistant, and I said, 'This
is it, it's over. We're going to have to
leave.' She just needed the detergent,"
she added.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Amitabh Bachchan
34
Shashi Kapoor, 74
Original Name: Balbirraj Kapoor
Birthday: March 18, 1938
Birth Place: Calcutta, West Bengal
Religion: Hindu
Marital Status: Widowed
Languages: Hindi, English
Father's Name: Prithviraj Kapoor
Brothers: Shammi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor
Spouse: English actress Jennifer
Kendal
Son: Kunal Kapoor, Karan Kapoor
Daughter: Sanjana Kapoor
Debut Film: Meena
He is remembered for many hit
Hindi flms like Jab Jab Phool Khile,
Kanyadaan, Pyar Ka Mausam, Ek
Shriman Ek Shrimati , Haseena Maan
Jayegi, Sharmeelee, Aa Gale Lag Jaa,
Fakira, Phaansi, Chor Machaye Shor,
Mukti, Satyam Shivam Sundaram,
Heeralal Pannalal, Junoon, Swayamvar
and many such flms, including
ones he starred in with Pran like
Chori Mera Kaam, Phaansi, Shankar
Dada, Chakkar Pe Chakkar and with
Amitabh Bachchan, such as Deewar,
Namak Halaal. He has also played
leading roles in a number of English-
speaking Indian flms, including the
very frst Merchant Ivory production
The Householder followed by such as
Shakespeare-Wallah, Bombay Talkie,
Heat and Dust, etc. In 2011, he was
honoured with the Padma Bhushan by
the Government of India
Shashi Kapoor started acting in flms
as a child in the early 1940s appearing
in several mythological flms. His
best known performances were in
Aag (1948) and Awaara (1951) where
he played the younger version of the
characters played by his older brother
Raj Kapoor. Right from the age of
four, Shashi had started acting in his
plays directed and produced by his
dad Prithviraj Kapoor, while travelling
with Prithvi Theatres. He was acting
in both, the plays, as well as the flms,
where he had small roles to play. He
got opportunity to work as assistant
director in flms with his brother Raj
Kapoor as the lead hero like Dulha
Dulhan, Shriman Satyawadi
He made his debut as a leading man in
the 1961 Yash Chopra flm Dharmputra
and went on to appear in 168 flms. He
was a very popular debonair actor in
Bollywood during the 1960s, 1970s
and the mid 1980s. Shashis initial
flms like Dharmaputra directed by
Yash Chopra and Prem Patra and
Benazir both directed by Bimal Roy
didn't do well. So he entered into
English Movies. He was one of India's
frst actors to go international.
But actress Nanda, who was already
an established star with hits under her
kit before Shashi tasted success, signed
half a dozen Hindi flms with him even
when he wasn't doing well as she had
faith in him that he could deliver good
performances. Although their frst
flm as a pair the critically acclaimed
romantic flm Char Diwari(1961) did
not work, the rest were successful at
the box offce.
In the 60s Shashi had slew of solo hero
box offce romantic hit flms opposite
Nanda like Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath
(1962), Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain
(1965), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965),
Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare
(1966), Raja Saab(1969) and Rootha
Na Karo(1970). In the nineties in an
interview, Shashi Kapoor declared that
Nanda was his favourite heroine and
regards as one of his mentors. Simlarly
even Nanda declared in an interview
that Shashi Kapoor was her favourite
hero. But Shashi Kapoor again faced
stiff competition from Rajesh Khanna
for acquiring romantic roles, due to
which he had a weak period from
19691974 although he had hits with
Sharmila, Rakhee, Asha Parekh and
Nanda in this period.
Shashi Kapoor formed a hit on screen
pair with Rakhee, Sharmila Tagore,
Zeenat Aman in the late sixties till
the mid eighties. With their frst
movie together Sharmelee becoming
a blockbuster, Rakhee was paired
frequently with him and they gave more
hit flms like Kabhi Kabhie (1976),
Baseraa (1981), Zameen Aasmaan
(1984) and Pighalta Aasman (1985)
and the critically acclaimed Trishna
(1978). The pair Sharmila- Shashi gave
hits like Waqt (1965), Aamne Samne
(1967), Suhana Safar (1970), Aa
Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Paap Aur Punya
(1974), Swati (1986) and the critically
acclaimed New Delhi Times (1985),
which fetched Shashi a National Film
Award for Best Actor in 1986. With
Zeenat Aman, he did Chori Mera
Kaam (1975), Deewaangee (1976),
Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Roti Kapda
Aur Makan, Heeralal Pannalal (1978),
Kranti (1981), Pakhandi (1984) and
Bhavani Junction (1985).
His most popular movies include
Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966), Haseena Maan
Jayegi (1968) and Ek Shriman Ek
Shrimati (1969) both with Babita,
Kanyadan, Pyar Ka Mausam (1969)
both opposite Asha Parekh, Chor
Machaye Shor opposite Mumtaz and
Abhinetri (1970), Aap Beati (1976),
Apna Khoon, Trishul (1978), Maan
Gaye Ustaad (1981), Aandhi Toofan
(1985) with Hema Malini, Bezubaan
with Reena Roy, Chakkar Pe Chakkar
(1976), Kali Ghata, Kalyug (1981),
Vijeta (1982), Pyaar Ki Jeet(1987) all
with Rekha and Bepanaah (1985) with
Rati Agnihotri. Other solo hits include
Dil Ne Pukara (1967), Naina (1973),
Phaansi (1978), Salaakhen(1975),
Fakira (1976), Junoon (1979) and
multi-starrer Neeyat (1980). He also
worked with Rajesh Khanna in Prem
Kahani.
In some of his successful flms from
the 1970s and in early 1980s he co-
starred alongside Pran which include
hits Biradari, Chori Mera Kaam,
Phaansi, Shankar Dada, Chakkar Pe
Chakkar, Rahu Ketu, Apna Khoon
and Maan Gaye Ustaad and with
Amitabh Bachchan in nine flms of
which Deewaar (1975), Kabhi Kabhie
(1976), Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar
(1979), Suhaag (1979), Namak Halaal
(1982) were commercially successful
and Shaan (1980), Do Aur Do Paanch
(1980) and Akayla were fops at the box
offce. Shashi was regularly casted with
Sanjeev Kumar too in flms like Mukti
(1977), Trishul, Muqaddar (1978),
Swayamvar(1980), Sawaal (1982),
Pakhandi (1984). In 1980 he set up his
production house, Film Valas, which
produced critically acclaimed flms
such as Junoon (1978), Kalyug (1981),
36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Vijeta
(1982) and Utsav (1984). In 1991 he
produced and directed a fantasy flm
titled Ajooba which had his frequent
co-star Amitabh Bachchan and nephew
Rishi Kapoor in the lead but the flm
was a disaster at the box offce.
He regarded Nanda, Pran, Ismail
Merchant, Dev Anand, Dharmendra,
Sanjeev Kumar as his closest friends
from the industry since the beginning
of his career and maintained cordial
relations with Amitabh, Yash Chopra,
MGR, Kishore Kumar, Mohammad
Raf and most of his female and male
co stars.
He accepted very few roles as a
character actor in flms since 1987.
He acted with Pierce Brosnan in The
Deceivers (1988). He also won a
National (special jury) Award for his
performance in Muhafz (In Custody)
(1994). His last and most recent flm
appearances were in Jinnah (1998), a
biographical flm of Mohammed Ali
Jinnah in which he was the narrator and
another Merchant Ivory production.
At the 55th Annual Filmfare Awards,
Shashi Kapoor received the Filmfare
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Awards
2011 Padma Bhushan by the
Government of India
National Film Awards Winner
1986 National Film Award for Best
Actor for New Delhi Times
1994 National Film Award Special
Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature
Film) for Muhafz (1993)
1979 National Film Award for Best
Feature Film in Hindi (as producer) for
Junoon
Filmfare Awards Winner
2010 Filmfare Lifetime Achievement
Award
Filmfare Best Movie Award Won
1980 Junoon
1982 Kalyug
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Won
1976 Deewar Ravi Verma
Nominated
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Nominated
1977 Kabhi Kabhie Vijay Khanna
1983 Namak Halaal Raja Singh
Other Awards
2011 Mohammed Raf Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
2009 The 7th Pune International Film
Festival
2009 The 11th Mumbai Film Festival.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16 35
Big B Pairs Up With Jaya Again
They have a vast difference in heights
but their on-screen chemistry rocks.
There is no word to describe their
real romance and togetherness.
Bollywood's ideal couple Amitabh
Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan will
again ablaze the silver screen with
their soothing romance and awesome
chemistry. Director Shoojit Sircar has
roped the couple in his next project that
deals with romance of aged couple.
Talking to tabloid, Sircar said, It`s
a retrospection of a marriage in the
closing years of a couples life when
theyre certain that one of them would
go before the other. After spending
35 years together, how does one-half
of the marital pair prepare to face a
spouse-less existence?
True love doesnt diminish over the
years. It just turns into a different
shade of emotion than what it
was earlier. I want to explore the
unconditional love of a couple who
have devoted their lives to one
another, added Sircar.
Sircar discussed the project with Big B.
Mr Bachchan and I spent two years of
our lives working on Johnny Mastana.
Its unfortunate that the flm is still
unreleased. I still say its one of Mr
Bachchans best works till date. My
next flm with him would be even
better, Sircar told the tabloid.
Bachchan and Jaya together delivered
hits like Sholay, Chupke Chupke,
Zanjeer, Abhimaan, Silsila and
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham.
Kailash Kher To Honour Sachin
Tendulkar With A Song
The talented singer will write a song for the master blasters
historic 100th century
The whole country was euphoric
when Sachin Tendulkar scored that
elusive 100th century of his luminous
career spanning over two decades.
When Sachin hit that record ton,
B-towns versatile singer Kailash Kher
was present in Dhaka to witness the
extraordinary moment. He also met
the little master to congratulate him for
achieving that milestone. And now the
38-year-old playback singer is going to
write a song in the honour of Sachin.
Kher has been on a whirlwind tour
performing across several cities in India,
Indonesia and Bali since the release
of his new album Rangeele. And now,
inspired by Sachins incredible sporting
achievement, Kher is gearing up to pen
as well as compose an exclusive tribute
to Sachin in the form of a song.
I want to compose a number that best
describes his personality. It will be an
emotional song. When I will sing in
front of Sachin, it will give me a new
high. Sachin is a true batsman that India
has ever produced, said Kher in an
interview. Kailash Kher had composed
the Hausla Buland anthem which was
written by the veteran lyricist Javed
Akhtar. Kher also performed this song
at the crucial match between India and
Pakistan which had set the tone for the
game. India went on to win the match
and now Kher wants to present his
latest creation to Sachin. We cant wait
to catch Khers new rendition!
FIR Lodged Against Genelia Dsouza
Bollywood actress Genelia DSouza
has been accused of duping people in
Hyderabad of their land. An FIR was
lodged against her after a local court
in Hyderabad directed the police to
register a complaint.
Apparently, Genelia was the brand
ambassador of a real estate frm in
Hyderabad which reportedly deceived
people after seizing their land. Genelia
and fve others have been held responsible
for the scam of over 250 crore.
However Genelias spokesperson
denied the actresss involvement in
the scam and said that she had just
endorsed the brand.
Amitabh Bachchan To Romance Katrina Kaif
If everything goes well then very
soon we will get to see a unique pair
romancing each other on-screen. In
this successful journey, Katrina Kaif
has been paired opposite many rocking
stars of Bollywood but this time she is
paired opposite such an actor working
opposite whom is said to be a lifetime
opportunity. Yes, it is right we will get
to see Katrina Kaif romancing Amitabh
Bachchan on-screen.
Patiala House and Kal Ho Na Ho
director Nikhil Advani has approached
the diva and the megastar to star opposite
each other for a highly unconventional
role in his next flm Mehrunnisa.
Nikhil Advani has approached Kat
to play this challenging role. If she
accepts the offer then it would be a
challenge for the diva whose acting
caliber always questioned.
Throwing light on the role that the actress
will be portraying, it is learnt that she will
be playing a 20 year old woman whose
life will be followed till she turns 60.
A source said, Nikhil is adamant on
having Katrina on board. He even few
to London just to be able to narrate the
flm to her. The fnal call will be taken
when Kat returns to Mumbai.
First time Kat will be cast opposite
an actor much older to her but Big
B already experienced to romance a
young girl. He was cast opposite Jiah
Khan in Nishabd.
Whatever, it will be a treat to watch the
two charming couple romancing on-
screen.
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Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Sonu Sood, who essays the role of
underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in
Shootout at Wadala, says doing so
was a huge burden for him.
"We talk about power. I remember
watching his images in the stadium
during cricket matches. In fact, now that
you are playing the same character, you
feel a heavy burden on your shoulders
as you are playing such an important
role and it`s such an important flm. So,
I have to be very right," Sonu at the red
carpet of Shootout at Wadala.
To prepare for his role, Sonu visited
those by-lanes of Mumbai that are
known for underworld activities, but
he is not afraid.
"I don`t think it was tough to enter
such areas. I remember during my
struggling days, I had friends who
used to hangout in such places. Even
I have been to such places. Now that I
am working on this character, I would
be more curious to know about it and I
hope I get some good inputs."
Sonu will also be seen in Maximum
in which he plays the role of a young
cop. It is releasing April 13.
36
Star-Studded Night Of Balaji Global Indian Film And TV Awards 2012
Many Bollywood stars turned up for Balaji Global Indian Film and TV Awards 2012 held at Filmcity . Among others, Ranbir Kapoor Bipasha Basu,
Kangna Ranaut , Vidya Balan and Priyanka Chopra attended the function.
Playing Dawood Was Tough For
Sonu Sood
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
By ROBERT WALDMAN
At The Movies
Jeff, Who Lives at Home (PG) * * * *
Family Growth!
One wacky family undergoes quite the
upheaval in Jeff, Who Lives at Home,
a wonderful comedy/drama piece from
Paramount Vantage now striking just the
right chord at the Fifth Avenue Cinemas
and International Village Cinemas
Few families are intact and
without worries. Such is the case for a
middle aged mom and her two grown
sons. Problems galore confront each
member of this clan headed by the
working Sharon, nicely portrayed by
veteran heavyweight Susan Sarandon.
Sharons offce problems pale in
comparison to the plight of her two
sons, particularly her 30 year old boy
named Jeff who, as the title suggests,
still lives at home. Perhaps its the cost
of living that makes grown children
return to the nest only in the case of
Jeff he has a few emotional issues that
are beautifully revealed by funnyman
Jason Segel in a truly restrained
performance.
Much bigger laughs in this
bittersweet comedy come courtesy of
Jeffs uppity brother Pat, a man on the
move. Rising star Ed Helms from The
Hangover lets loose as a husband up
to his neck in problems with his wife
Linda, well acted by Judy Greer.
Huge issues confront this
family and directors/writers Jay and
Mark Duplass deliver to us wonderful
original characters and thrust them into
truly unbelievable situations. Brotherly
love is at the core of this heartfelt story
that explores the ups and downs in
relationships. And marriage gets put
under the ringer in this wonderful tale
of fear and hope that will have you in
the palm of this familys loving hands.
Finding the right person
and managing to hang on is a tough
road to hoe for anyone. In Jeff, Who
Lives at Home we are truly treated
to an engaging expose of the joys
and dilemmas families face in their
struggle to stay together. Warm
comedy emanates throughout this
compassionate story thats comical at
times while also quite refective. A big
hit at the Sundance Film Festival Jeff,
Who Lives at Home is an endearing
small tale of diverse people trying to
connect with different results. Sudden
shocks to the system enliven this story
further with many twists and turns
giving us also a voyeuristic peak into
the weird peccadilloes of some truly
interesting characters sure to stay on
your mind for a long time afterwards.
37
Courteney Cox Says Split With Husband
Made Them Both Better Parents
The 'Scream' stars separated in 2010,
but they regularly meet up to take
young Coco on days out - and she
admits it feels like "a big deal" if they
go more than a week without seeing
each other.
The actress is convinced the split has
improved their parenting capabilities to
their seven-year-old daughter, as they
are able to talk through their issues more
easily now they lead different lives.
"We weren't really dealing with what
needed to be dealt with, which was how
to stay married and be true intimate
partners," the reporter quoted her as
telling Stella magazine.
"Now we're separate we're able to
talk about all our resentments and the
things we should have listened to each
other on. We kind of know where it
went wrong, and how we felt ourselves
drifting apart," she added.
"So now we have this really great, open
relationship. We speak to each other all
the time; if we don't see each other in a
week it's a big deal.
"And we're better parents to Coco.
We're more patient with each other,"
she said.
The actress also opens up about how
the stars parent their daughter.
"I'm probably not as good a
disciplinarian as David, but I relate to
her emotions. Mind you, I'm frightened
of the teen years. Coco's got a very
strong will, and I'm a little afraid of
that," she added.
'Mary Poppins' Co-Stars Reunite
After Almost 50 Years
JulieAndrewsandDickVanDyke,co-starsofthe1964musicalflm'MaryPoppins',
came together at an awards party almost 50 years after the movie's release.
Andrews, 76, looked practically perfect
in every way as she accepted the
Professional Dancers Society Gypsy
Award in California.
Last week it was revealed that Van
Dyke, 86, and make-up artist Arlene
Silver, 40, were married in a small
Leap Day ceremony at a Malibu chapel
near the actor's home.
"I've never seen him happier. She adds
a lot to his life," the media quoted
Andrews as saying.
The actress added that the couple has
much in common, including a love of
singing
Members of Silver's family and some
of Van Dyke's close friends were on
hand for the intimate wedding.
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Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times India News
38
Problems In Indian Aviation
Serious: IATA
International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General and Chief
ExecutiveOffcerTonyTylersaidtheproblemsfacingtheIndianaviationsector
were serious and beyond the control of airlines, and solving them will require a
government assisted team effort.
In his key note address at 'India
Aviation 2012, while referring to an
agenda to build competitiveness in
Indian aviation which rests on four
pillars including Taxes, Infrastructures,
Costs and Investment policies, he
said Ministry of Civil Aviation
(MOCA) had taken steps in the right
direction. But without the support of
the Ministries of Tourism, Finance,
Finance, Environment and petroleum
and the Competition Commission,
major changes cannot take place, he
said.
Many committees and groups of
government offcials have looked at
remedies in the past and formation of
another committee is not the solution,
he said and suggested that a common
vision-expressed in a National
Aviation Policy strongly linked to an
implementation plan could be the way
forward.
Such a policy has to address
competitiveness by focusing on the
diffcult issues of tax, cost, investment,
infrastructure, building on the ground
work already being done within MOCA
and in consultation with industry, Mr
Tyler said.
The situation in India today was critical.
'We must move forward urgently and
through IATA, I can certainly pledge
the resources of the Industry to support
the development of such a policy with
the greatest amount of determination
and speed, he added.
Referring to foreign direct investment
for Indian Airlines, he said foreign
airlines could own up to 49 per cent
of an Indian domestic carrier if the
MOCA proposed to lift restrictions.
India Displaces China As World's
Largest Arms Importer
Thanks to its aggressive shopping in
international arms bazaars and very
limited indigenous supplies, India was
the world's largest arms importer between
2007 and 2011, according to the latest
data from the Stockholm International
Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
India accounted for 10% of global
arms imports in 2007-11, SIPRI said
on Monday. The four next largest
recipients of arms in the same period
were South Korea (6% of arms
transfers), Pakistan (5%), China (5%)
and Singapore (4%).
The fgures were not surprising given
India's huge reliance on imports, at about
70% of its total defence requirements.
Since the Kargil confict of 1999, India
has been steadily buying up arms and
ammunition from foreign suppliers, and
has consistently been among the top
defence importers of the world.
The most visible trend during 2007-11
was how China, which was the largest
recipient of arms, exports in 2002-
2006, fell to fourth position in 2007-
11. The decline in Chinese imports
coincided with signifcant growth
of the Asian giant's indigenous arms
industry and its rising arms exports, the
report said.
"Between 2002-2006 and 2007-11,
the volume of Chinese arms exports
increased by 95%. China now ranks
as the sixth largest supplier of arms in
the world, narrowly trailing the United
Kingdom," SIPRI said.
"While the volume of China's arms
exports is increasing, this is largely
a result of Pakistan importing more
arms from China," said Paul Holtom,
director of the SIPRI Arms Transfers
Programme. "China has not yet
achieved a major breakthrough in any
other signifcant market," he said.
"Major Asian importing states are
seeking to develop their own arms
industries and decrease their reliance
on external sources of supply," said
Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher with
the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.
"A large share of arms deliveries is due
to licensed production," he said.
Asia and Oceania accounted for 44%
of global arms imports, followed by
Europe (19%), the Middle East (17%),
the Americas (11%) and Africa (9%),
the think tank said.
French Woman Commits Suicide
A French national, working in
her country's consulate allegedly
committed suicide by hanging herself
at her residence in suburban Bandra
on Monday, police said. The deceased,
identifed as Svonha Kusya (33), who
was said to be in depression, was found
hanging to a ceiling fan with a belt at
3pm by the owner of her house who
opened the doors using duplicate keys,
police said.
According to police, Kusya's colleague
called up the owner of the fat in Munich
building in Bandar, stating Kusya did
not attend the offce and asked her to
check if she was at home. Kusya was
not available on phone also, they said.
The house owner went to the fat rented
to the French lady and knocked the door
but in vain. She subsequently opened
the door using duplicate keys when the
foreign lady was found hanging, police
said adding deep cuts on Kusya's wrists
inficted with a sharp object were also
discovered.
"It is a clear case of suicide. Her
designation in the consulate is not yet
clear," said police offcial D Patel at
Bandar police station.
The offcer added "the lady, who was
residing alone, had been renting the
fat since November last year. Her land
lady last saw Kusya on Sunday when
she came back home at around 8pm."
"She left behind a three-page suicide
note written in French language, stating
that she is in depression and is not
able to concentrate on her work", said
another police offcial on condition of
anonymity.
Bus Falls Into Pond, Killing 14 Children
A speeding bus veered off the road
and fell into a pond, killing at least 14
schoolchildren in the southern Indian
state of Andhra Pradesh, police said.
Local villagers fshed out 14 bodies
from the pond in the small town of
Raghavpuram, said SA Huda, state
director-general of police.
Police and volunteers helped rescue
some of the children from the bus,
which was partly submerged. There
were at least 40 children in the bus
when it crashed, Huda said.
The bus driver lost control of the vehicle
when he swerved to avoid a head-on
collision with a motorcycle, Huda said.
Raghavpuram is about 250 kilometers
east of the state capital, Hyderabad.
India has the world's highest road death
toll, with more than 110,000 people
dying each year in accidents commonly
caused by speeding, overcrowding and
poor vehicle and road maintenance,
police say.
'Sholay' Scene Enacted In
Gurdaspur Central Jail
Gurdaspur Central Jail in Punjab witnessed the re-enactment of a Bollywood-style
scene when a young under-trial climbed atop a water tank in the jail premises and
the authorities had to take the help of other under-trials to get him down.
Jail Superintendent Shammi Kumar
said: "It was like a scene from the
Hindi movie "Sholay". The under-trial
prisoner created a tense atmosphere in
the jail. But now, I am feeling relieved."
The incident took place last Saturday
night when 25-year-old under-trial
Lakhwinder Pal Singh felt the urge for
a smoke. Since he was not allowed to
smoke in jail, he went and climbed the
water tank to create a scene. "When we
asked him what he wanted, he replied,
'Except for a cigarette, I need nothing',"
said Kumar.
Lakhwinder is facing trial in an excise-
related case. "It is a bail able offence and
his bail plea is to be decided March 31."
The whole staff of the jail was on its
feet for two hours to get him down.
"We fnally convinced three other
under-trials who had once worked
for the Border Security Force (BSF)
and the Central Industrial Security
Force (CISF). Three of them were
commandos and were sent up the tank
with a cigarette to lure the under-trial.
He was also convinced that it had extra
drugs in it," informed Kumar.
A safety net was installed below the
tank by the Army authorities, reducing
the risk factor.
Once the three inmates were with
Lakhwinder and offered him a
cigarette, the distracted Lakhwinder
was pinned down and tied with a nylon
rope, informed Kumar.
He added: "The under-trial will be out
on bail in a day or two. He has some
mental problem, probably depression
due to family issues."
The whole scene took place just before
the visit of Punjab and Haryana High
Court Justice M. Jeyapaul to the jail.
"He was very cool and understanding
in that he gave me enough time to
tackle the situation," Kumar said.
Kingfsher To Suspend International
Flights From March 25
Kingfsher Airlines Tuesday decided to
suspend all international fights from
March 25 and further curtail domestic
operations even as Government warned
the ailing carrier that its fying licence
can be cancelled if it failed to meet
safety norms.
"We have decided to suspend our
international operations as we are not
on IATA platforms. So, there is no
sense fying abroad," Mallya, who was
summoned by the DGCA, told reporters.
Kingfsher will not operate its
international fights in the summer
schedule starting from March 25,
airlines sources said.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Travel News
To get the best value for your dollar
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Visiting Delhi, India
39
Qutub Minar
The Qutub Minar made of red
sandstone rising to the height of
72.5mts is an architectural marvel of
the 13th century. Also a must is the
visit to Ashoka Pillar dating back to
the 5th century. Though made of iron
it has with stood the weathers of time.
A very interesting belief is assigned to
this pillar- Stand with your back to the
pillar, and if you can hold your hands
around it, then make a wish and it will
surely come true.
Jama Masjid
JamaMasjid is one of biggest mosques
in India-A magnifcent architectural gift
by Emperor Shah Jahan. Completed in
1658, this mosque has three gateways,
four angle towers and two minarets.
You can enter the mosque but take
precaution to take off your shoes and
make sure that you are properly dressed
before entering. One can also go to the
top of minarets. From here you can
have a birds eye view of Delhi.
Nizam-ud-Din Shrine
Its one of Delhi's major attractions.
It's the tomb of the famous Suf saint
Nizam-ud-Din Auliya. Inside the
premises of the shrine is a tank which is
surrounded by many other historically
signifcant tombs. The shrine also has
the tomb of Amir Khusru and the grave
of princess Jahanara, the daughter
of Emperor Shah Jahan. It is worth
visiting the shrine at around sunset on
Thursdays, as it is a popular time for
worship, and Qawwali singers start
performing after the evening prayers.
Here is a list of places you could visit
in Delhi other than the ones mentioned
above:
Old Fort
Jantar Mantar
Humanyun's Tomb
Safdarjung Tomb
Chhatarpur Temple
Raj Ghat
Gurudwara Rakab Ganj
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Incredible India Goes Aggressive
On Tourism Promotion
The Year 2011 was a great year for
Indian tourism. It received more than
6 million tourists recording a double
digit growth. Germany retained its top
position as one of the biggest source
market for Indian tourism. The number
of visitors travelling to India from
Europe as a whole is on the rise.
Tourism in India is already on the rise
with the country seeing the trend of
positive growth observed during the
year 2011 continuing in January, 2012
too with a growth rate of almost 10%.
But the country has much grander
plans and the Tourism Minister has
announced his plans to double tourist
numbers visiting and hopes to ensure
that 1% of all global tourists are in
India by the end of 2016.
Tourism Minister is of the opinion
that India will require an additional
200,000 hotel rooms, it proposes to
meet this demand through a range of
Public Private Partnerships offering
massive opportunities to would be
partners. The Hotel and Tourism
related industry has been declared as
high priority industry and Foreign
Direct Investment, up to 100%, under
the automatic route is permitted in
Hotels & Tourism Sector, subject to
applicable laws/regulations, security
and other conditionalitys. The plan of
fve Year Tax Holiday is already in place
for two, three & four star hotels those
are established in specifed districts
which have UNESCO declared World
Heritage Sites except the revenue
districts of Mumbai and Delhi.
With its natural beauty, vivid festivals,
exotic beaches and architectural
marvels, from Palace hotels to
temples/ mosque, desert to skiing in
the mountains, swimming or diving
at beautiful beaches; boat houses in
Kerala & Kashmir, luxurious camps
in national parks, luxurious train
journeys as well as the diverse range
of accommodation from budget to the
top 5-star properties and spa resorts,
India has charmed and mesmerised
its visitors. India has one of the most
lucrative health and wellness tourism
markets in the world. India has
promoted good quality unique travel
experiences across the country on
an emotional, physical, intellectual
and even spiritual level. Ministry of
Tourism and the states of India are
developing new products to capitalize
on India's potential from its traditional
systems of wellness and medicines,
such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Yoga,
to present the country as a unique
destination for spiritual healing.

By Ashok Sheth
Imperial Vacations Tours & Travels
Tel:604 502 5000 Cell:604 518 1864
Email:ashok@imperialvacations.ca
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Times Driving
40
2012 Ford Escape
It's been around the block, for sure, but
the 2012 Ford Escape isn't your average
11-year-old crossover vehicle. It's one
of the best-selling of its kind, despite its
age, thanks probably due to a truck like
appearance, a reasonable base price, an
available Hybrid edition, and a good
track record for safety and reliability.
It doesn't hurt that the Escape looks
like a 7/8ths-scale Explorer--frst-
generation, of course. While the
other compact crossovers whizzing
around the car world range from truly
cute looks to avant-garde pieces of
sculpture, the Escape still looks like
a utility vehicle, with tall windows,
bluff corners, and a chrome grille
that's pure vintage Nineties, if such a
thing can exist. The blocky looks, in
context, are an appealing counterpoint
to all the jellybean-shaped crossovers
introduced in the decade since it was
new. The truckishness carries over
inside, in a less great way: all the shapes
read cleanly and simply, but they're
clad in plastics that put durability over
a quality look and feel. It's downright
grainy in there, and looks especially
low-rent in lighter colors.
Some Escapes are greener than others.
For those who want to live up the
promise of the SUV body, there's a V-6
with enough thrust to carry a full load
of people and stuff. That's not so much
the case with the base four-cylinder;
they're fne as solo commuter cars and
capable and refned enough for that
kind of use. In either version, the six-
speed automatic's up to the task, with
very smooth shifting extracting better
fuel economy from these engines
than they've produced in the past. The
Escape Hybrid is our choice above all,
thanks to a gas-electric drive train that
can cruise along quietly at highway
speeds, weaving together battery and
combustion power, trimming fuel
consumption to 34/31 mpg in front-
drive versions.
On any version, the Escape's handling
isn't bad, but it shows how much
automakers have learned about
softening up ride and sharpening up
handling in crossovers in the 11 years
since the Escape took its frst bow.
The Escape feels tall, and body roll is
a big part of its M.O. It also has more
ride harshness than some more suave
crossovers; we'd pass on four-wheel-
drive versions for their comparatively
stiff ride as a result.
The Escape's upright body grants it
decent headroom, even though it has a
relatively high foor. It could use a little
more leg room so four adults can sit in
real comfort, but the cargo area's pretty
sizable, and the rear seats fold down
almost all the way to boost storage
capacity.
The Escape is no longer the safety
standout it had been, at an earlier time
when robust, car-based crossovers
weren't the norm. The Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
gives the 2011 Escape "good" ratings
for front and side impact protection,
but calls it "marginal" in its new roof-
crush test. And in the new federal tests,
the Escape gets an iffy three stars out of
fve in all tests. The Escape has standard
dual front, side and curtain airbags;
anti-lock brakes, traction and stability
control with rollover protection. It
also offers Ford's MyKey system,
which gives parents control over the
vehicle's top speed, volume levels
and other features, but lacks features
like a rearview camera and blind-spot
monitors. Active park assist uses the
Escape's electric power steering and
sensors to guide the vehicle into a
parallel parking spot, with the driver
controlling braking.
Hybrids and gas Escape models alike
can be ftted with the most up-to-date
infotainment features in the class,
which ends up being the Escape's
saving grace: you can control the audio
system and your phone through the
SYNC system, plug in your iPod via
USB to access your personal music
library, or dial up some Sirius satellite
radio for beamed-in radio--or traffc
information, sports scores and weather
reports. Leather seats, a sunroof,
remote start, navigation, HD Radio and
a rear-seat DVD entertainment system
are major options.
How To Save Money At The
Petrol Pump
MOSTofusdriveintotheservo,slamthenozzleintothefllerneck,
squeeze the trigger and get back on the road as fast as we can. We
all know life is busy and getting busier by the day but we could be
losingoutbybeinginsuchahurrywhenwefllup.
Get more for the bucks we spend on fuel:
* Fuel is stored in underground tanks
at service stations and the colder the
ground, the denser the fuel. So flling
up earlier in the day means you're
getting more for your dollar than you
are later in the day when the ground is
warmer and the fuel has had a chance
to expand. Buying fuel in the afternoon
or early evening will leave you short-
changed on every litre of fuel you buy.
* Use the lowest, or slowest, setting on
the pump nozzle. Using the slowest rate
minimizes the vapors created during
flling and that means there's more fuel
going into your tank.
* Fill your tank when it's half full and
there is less air space above the petrol
in the tank than when the petrol level
is lower. This way, there is less loss
through evaporation.
* Don't fll up if you see a tanker
delivering fuel at a service station. The
petrol in the underground tank can be
stirred up as the fresh fuel is pumped
in, and the muck on the bottom of the
tank could be stirred up and pumped
into your tank.
FIJI SENIOR'S SOCIETY OF CANADA
Social Gatherings at 1pm - Last Sunday of each Month
at SHRI VENKATESHWARA MAHA VISHNU TEMPLE
9326 - 116th Street, Delta, BC
Bhan Mati Raj 604-581-9859 James Kumar 604-599-9518
Kapil Vilas 604-590-1918 Satya Nand 604-590-5303
Bhan Pratap 604-839-5106 Thakur Kuar Singh 604-587-5439
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
RON
phone:
778.926.7854 fax: 604.594.7854
www.allseasonpatios.com allseasonsales@shaw.ca
Patio Covers
Gates & Fences
Power Gates
Sunrooms
Glass Railings
All Seasons
PATIOS & RAILINGS LTD.
Quality Work & Free Estimates
41
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1989
FLEETWOOD BRAKE & MUFFLER LTD.
-- Complete Automotive Repairs - Cars & Light Trucks --
We Repair ALL Makes & Models of Vehicles
Across from Fleetwood Islamic Center
#107-8468 162 Street, Surrey, BC
604-597-9466
Suspension Repair Tune Ups Brakes Air Conditioning
Electrical Transmission Service Oil Change
Wheel Balancing Tires Air Care Repairs
New Vehicle Maintenance Muffers Clutches
Towing Available
S.K.PRO
UPHOLSTERS&JOINERS
Leather Goods, Manufacturing, General Upholstery Repairs,
Refinishing, Convertible Tops, Auto Marine & Car Seats, Tarpaulins,
Boat Tops & Seats, Restaurant Booths, Bean Bags, Chairs
7780 135A Street, Surrey BC V3W 9A7
Contact Sarwan @ 604.377.9173
Tel: 604.594.5428 Fax: 604.594.0766
E: sarvanmudaliar@yahoo.com
PUREVEGETARIAN
MBM
7780 135A Street, Surrey BC V3W 9A7
Bakery&RestaurantLtd.
sarvanmudaliar@yahoo.com
MBM
Cell : 604. 377.9173
Fax : 604. 594.0766
Specializing in Fiji Bakery Product,
Pizza Shells, Variety of Baked goods &other baked goods.
Fiji Loaf, Cream Bun
Ph: 604.594.5428
Hours:
Monday - Friday 9 am - 7 pm
Saturday 8 am - 6 pm
Sunday 9 am - 4 pm
42
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
HOUSE FOR SALE
Built and assembled in December of 1965, the main structure
of this Pan-Abode style log home is one of the oldest still
standing homes in Fleetwood. It holds a master bedroom,
a master bathroom, spare bedroom, den / dining room, and
living room.
The garage was added in 1995, followed by the three bedroom,
two bathroom addition in 2001, that also holds a laundry room,
home offce, and kitchen
Spacious backyard with in ground salt water pool cleaned by
salt-water generator.View pictures at:
www.houseforsell.ca
Fiji Canada Senior Citizen's Branch
Seniors Meeting Schedule


For new membership contact:
Subhas Chandra 604.433.4298
43
N.Tejram 604.540.7009

April 1st 2012 1:30PM - 5:00PM
April 15th 2012 1:30PM - 5:00PM
April 29th 2012 1:30PM - 5:00PM
May 13th 2012 1:30PM - 5:00PM

Fiji Canada Hall
13629 108th Avenue Surrey BC
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16
Places of Worship
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday 5:30pm9:00pm Tuesday 7:00pm9:00pm Sunday 10:00am12 noon
SANATAN DHARM CULTURAL SOCIETY
SHIV MANDIR
5600 DORSET STREET, BURNABY BC
PH: 604-254-2624
For Pooja Booking Contact:
Aiyaar Shivachariyar Sada Shiva
604.274.7906
SUBRAMANIYA SWAMY TEMPLE OF BC
8840 No. 5 Road, Richmond, BC 604.274.7906
Sunday 10am to 3pm
Monday 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 8pm
Tuesday 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 9pm
Wednesday 1pm to 7pm
Thursday 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 8pm
Friday 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 9pm
Saturday 10am to 1pm
T
E
M
P
L
E

H
O
U
R
S
SERvIcE TImE
1pm Sundays
(Hindi & English)
COLEBROOK UNITED CHURCH
5441 - 125A St, Surrey B.c.
Affliated with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
GOOD NEWS ASSEMBLY FOR JESUS
James Kumar 604-581-3191 (res) 604-599-9518 (work) cecil Labon 604-572-4854
SRI VENKATESHWARA MAHA VISHNU TEMPLE
Temple hours
Monday to Sunday Morning 8:00am10:00am
Evening 6:00pm8:00pm
Daily Aarthi 7:00pm
Ramayan Katha Friday 6:00pm10:00pm
pooja/special prayer sessions/Temple/hall
PT. Shiu Madri 604.582.4899
PUJARI Soma Sundaran 604.363.7180
president: H.C. Gopal 604.290.1114
Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam Educational and Cultural Society, BC, Canada (EST. 1982 Incorporated S176969)
secretary: Ganesh Murti 604.315.3166 Treasurer: Muniappa Naidu 604.576.4529
maathar sangam Activities & Volunteers
Shakuntala Naidu 604.576.4529
9326 - 116th Street, Delta, BC
ASIAN cHRIST cHURcH OF cANADA
We pray for sickness, demon possessed & family problems.
We have testimonies, come and see Gods great work.
Rev. Emmanuel Cheema 778-241-9066 asianchristchurch@yahoo.ca
15964 88th Ave. Surrey, B.C. V4N IH5
You are the light of the world,
a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
(Matthew 5: 11)
Sunday Service @ 5.30 p.m. (Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi & English)
GLOBAL FIJIAN ASSEMBLIES
Pastor Isimeli Lesi Korobasaga
Affliated with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Phone: 604.592.9001 Cell: 778.938.2734 Email: lesi1968@yahoo.ca
14455 - 104th Ave., Surrey, Bc
Every Sunday 25Pm
@ Peoples Full Gospel
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

(Registered under the Society Act Of BC. Registered Charity # 891336349)
ARYA SAMAJ SOCIETY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Join for Hawan, Pravachan and Satsangh
followed by Preetibhoj Every Sunday 10:00 a.m.12:00 noon
Yoga, Pranayam & Meditation classes every Wednesday 7:00 p.m - 8:30 p.m.
Contact Shobha Rae 604.874.9856
Hindi Classes Sunday 12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m. Contact Madhu Varsney 604.222.1444
Hall rental also availabale. Contact Kushwakant Singh 604.328.5454
Pushp Kant Singh, President 604.437.7903 Jack Sundar, Secretary 604.541.9359 Kushwaha Kant Singh, Treasurer 604.328.5454
FIJIAN METHODIST UNITED CHURCH
12371 96 Avenue Surrey BC
Sunday Service @ 6:00PM
Ph: 604.593.5663
Pastor Sakaraia & Rev. Ema Karoi
Arya Samaj Centre, 6884 Jubilee Ave., Burnaby, B.C.
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
HINDI CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
#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
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
Pastor Santosh Raj 604-582-2650 chital06@hotmail.com
Shree Mahalakshmi Temple
Programs in March 2012
Date Time Program
23 Friday 7:00pm Gudi Padwa ,Chaitri Navaratri
26 Monday 7:00pm Lakshmi Vinayaka Japa , Navaratri
30 Friday 6:30pm Durgashtami , Kanya puja
31 Saturday 7:00pm Hanuman japa, Ramanavami
Sanatan Dharm Cultural SoCiety
Shiv Mandir
Shree ram naumi
Saturday march 31st - 9:00am to midday
Ram Katha, Havan, Aarti and Bisharjan
Everyone is cordially invited
Pritibhoj every night after pooja
Shri ram naumi
Sunday april 1st 10am to 12 noon
Come celebrate rams Birthday
Followed by pritibhoj
8840 NO. 5 ROAD, RICHMOND, BC
604-274-7906
SUBRAMANIYA SWAMY TEMPLE OF BC
Puja starts
at 6:30pm
Havan,
Ramayan Katha,
Aarti
March 24th
to
April 1st, 2012
Friday march 23rd
to
Saturday march 31st
By Pandit Shiv N. mishra
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Daily
Kirtan, Bhajan, Ram
Katha, Aarti and
Shantipath
5600 Dorset Street, Burnaby, BC
Pt Shiv mishra
604-253-5109
Shiv mandir
604-254-2624
44
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16

TImes sporTs
45
Shutout Streaks To Open The Season
Only 16 prior MLS teams had started season with 2 clean sheets
The season is only two weeks old, but
thats more than enough time for frst
impressions to be made.
For Houston, Sporting Kansas City and
Vancouver, its been a bright start with
two wins and two shutouts. Starting
the season with 180 scoreless minutes
may not seem like a lot, but only 16
previous MLS teams have done it in as
many years.
Of those 16, only four posted a third
opening clean sheet, and only the
2007 New York Red Bulls kicked off
the season with four in a row. Their
shutout streak of 421 minutes remains
the longest to begin a season, although
it was mostly all downhill afterwards.
Up 2-0 in the ffth game of the year at
winless Real Salt Lake, Chris Klein
scored a stunner from outside the
box to end the streak. Just 11 minutes
later, goalkeeper Ronald Wattereus left
the game because of injury (his form
wasnt the same upon his return), and
the game ended with two RSL goals in
the dying minutes to fnish 3-3.
It was the third straight season New
York went to Utah and gave away a
win at the death, and it was a reminder
that maybe that team wasnt quite as
solid defensively as the initial games
suggested. Indeed, the Red Bulls
fnished that year as only the ninth-best
defense in a 13-team league.
The 2012 Houston Dynamo, though,
probably dont expect things to go
sour. Theyre the frst team to play
their initial two games on the road
and record two shutout victories in the
process.
Meanwhile, Chivas USA and New
England have started the year with
two scoreless losses. Thats a dubious
feat only 10 previous teams can match,
but among them are last years Seattle
Sounders, who fnished with the
leagues best offense and one of the
best win/loss records of all time.
Theres also the case of the frst MLS
Cup champions, D.C. United in 1996,
who turned things around and won 14
of 17 in all competitions to end the
year, doing the double in the process.
So theres still plenty of reason to be
hopeful, although Chivas fans may be
less optimistic since both games were
at home. Previously, only the expansion
1998 Miami Fusion played two opening
games at home without scoring.
Another expansion team holds the
record for most scoreless minutes to
start the season. In 2007, one week
after Chris Klein had scored against
New York, Toronto FC didnt get their
frst goal until Danny Dichio netted
in the 24th minute of their ffth game,
becoming a team hero in the process.
No rookies for Dallas is no surprise
Another season opener has come
and gone, and one thing has been
consistent since Major League Soccer
began: FC Dallas didnt have a rookie
in their starting lineup. Every year
for 16 years, thats been the case for
the regular seasons frst game. In the
meantime, every other 1996 team has
started at least four rookies in openers,
including the defunct-for-10-years
Tampa Bay Mutiny.
Sure, theyve used rookies as
substitutes in openers before. But even
thats been quite rare; Eric Alexanders
appearance in the 2010 opener was
the only such case in the past decade.
So while frst-round SuperDraft pick
Matt Hedges was in the 18-man roster
against New York on March 11, the
North Carolina defenders lack of an
appearance fts in with team history.
No team started more than a single
rookie this year, but its happened
before on numerous occasions. Four
teams have even started three rookies
in their season opener. They are 2000
Colorado (Adin Brown, Jeff DiMaria,
Lance Key), 2003 New York (Ricardo
Clark, Jacob LeBlanc, Mike Magee),
2006 Chivas USA (Jonathan Bornstein,
Sacha Kljestan, Lawson Vaughn)
and 2007 New England Revolution
(Adam Cristman, Gary Flood, Wells
Thompson).
LA/NY both suffer consecutive losses
early in 2012, ending long streaks
A couple weeks ago, this column
featured LA and New Yorks long
streaks without losing consecutive
games entering the year. Well, that
didnt last long.
New Yorks second straight loss on
Saturday was the frst time in 55
regular-season games that they lost
two in a row, only four short of the
record. Earlier in the week, LA ended
a similarly impressive streak that
encompassed all competitions at 57
games by following the Real Salt Lake
loss with one against Toronto in the
CONCACAF Champions League.
However, the Galaxy did recover
to defeat D.C. on Sunday, ensuring
that Uniteds current record of 82
regular-season games without winning
consecutively continues.
Dana White Will Decide If Matt Hughes Will Fight Again
Matt Hughes is a legend of the fghting
game. Because of that, he's earned the
right to decide when he walks away
from the sport for good.
But as Hughes told MMAjunkie.com
prior to taping the episode of UFC
Tonight, the decision is isn't up to him.
It's not even up to his wife, who has
repeatedly told Hughes over the previous
12 months that she'd like her husband to
retire and come home to the farm.
"She wants me to retire from fghting
so fghting doesn't retire me," Hughes
said.
That's not the way she put it, he adds.
Somebody else told him that, but the
point is the same. She gets worried and
doesn't want to see her husband hurt.
"And I see where she's coming from,"
Hughes said. "She didn't grow up like I
did. She's a city girl, not rough at all. I
grew up on a farm with a twin brother.
We grew up beating each other up."
The decision rests with UFC President
Dana White, Hughes said. White has
noted in the past that he'd like Hughes
to retire soon, but Hughes said the
decision hasn't been made and that he
hasn't heard from White regarding the
end of his career.
I'm at a crossroads between fghting
another fght or retirement," he said,
adding that a decision will come
"soon." "I'm 38, and I keep getting
older, and the fghters keep staying the
same age. I wanted the fall and spring
off, and now it's time to talk with DW."
I've heard rumblings that Hughes may
be slotted for a fght against Yoshihiro
Akiyama later in the summer. If that's
the case, it would be a great fght for
both men. Akiyama probably should've
been cut already, but the UFC likes
guys who go out there and put on
exciting fghts, and that weighs heavily
in his favor.
A loss to Hughes would certainly spell
the end of his UFC run, though.
Friday March 23, 2012
Fiji Sun-Times . V6 No.16

TImes sporTs
46
UFC's Decision to Visit Canada 3 Times in 2012 Is a Smart One
UFC president Dana White and
Canadian director of operations Tom
Wright announced during a press
conference in Calgary Wednesday
morning that the UFC would be making
three stops in Canada during the 2012
calendar year.
The dates kick off with June's visit to
Calgary, which will be headlined by
Jose Aldo defending his featherweight
title against an unknown opponent.
They'll return in September for a show
in Torontolikely at the Air Canada
Centre and not the Rogers Centreand
then make the trek back to Montreal
two months later for what will likely be
Georges St-Pierre's frst fght in nearly
Canucks Sign Top Goalie Prospect Joe Cannata, Eager For Taste Of
The Pro Life With AHL Wolves
CHICAGO The ink was barely dry
on Joe Cannata's frst pro contract with
the Vancouver Canucks when he was
thrown to the Wolves.
That would be the Chicago Wolves, the
Canucks' AHL affliate.
Cannata, who signed a two-year
enty-level deal with the Canucks on
Wednesday, will head to Vancouver on
the weekend to spend a couple of days
meeting members of the organization.
Then it's on to Abbotsford to join the
Wolves, who meet the Abbotsford Heat
in back-to-back games late next week.
"From what they said, they don't know
if I am going to get a game or not, but
I'll get a taste of the pro life," Cannata
said over the phone from his suburban
Boston home. "I am going to fy back
with the team to Chicago, stay in the
team hotel there and then I'll head
home after the regular season ends to
fnish school and graduate."
Cannata is earning a business
management degree at Merrimack
College in Massachusetts, where over
the past four years he helped reverse
the fortunes of the small school's
hockey program.
"It has been my goal since I was a little
kid to play as a professional and I hope
to make the best of this opportunity and
see how far I can go," said Cannata,
who was Vancouver's sixth-round pick
in the 2009 draft. "It's just the start, but
it's exciting and I am happy to be a part
of the Canucks' organization."
Cannata was a four-year starter at
Merrimack and established himself
as one of the top collegiate goalies in
the U.S. Before joining Merrimack
he played for the U.S. national junior
program.
"When we got him, it was kind of a
thunderbolt moment for our program,"
Merrimack coach Mark Dennehy said
Wednesday. "He was the frst player we
got from the U.S. national program. We
tried to build this program from the net
out and we thought he was someone
who could help us do what we ended
up doing, which is become a national
threat."
Dennehy has no doubt that Cannata is
ready for the pro game.
"He is the stereotypical goaltender,
6-foot-1, 195 or 200 pounds, he is
two years.
"The doctors said it's the fastest
recovering they've seen in an ACL
injury," said St-Pierre, who indicated
that he wants to return at the Montreal
event.
The one Canadian city that won't
be getting a new UFC event any
time soon? Vancouver. After several
successful visits to the city, the UFC
is now fghting a ban on the sport
after the conclusion of a two-year
regulatory period. White noted that
Vancouver likely will not get a show
for the next two years, at the very
least.
Highly touted goalie Joe Cannata in action for Merrimack College in Massachusetts.
really good down low and is a big body
up top. Out of the 37 games he played
in this year he only gave up more than
two goals eight times. So in terms of
quality starts it was almost every night
he was giving us one."
The Canucks see Cannata as the heir
apparent to Eddie Lack in Chicago.
If Cory Schneider does get traded
in the off-season, the Canucks are
hoping Lack is ready to be a backup in
Vancouver. And they also hope Cannata
is ready for a heavy pro workload. He
thinks he is.
"I view this a little like going from high
school to college, everything is just that
one step faster and you have to up your
game a little bit and up your focus,"
Cannata said. "I am excited for the
challenge and hopefully the transition
works out as well as it did from high
school to college."
He hopes his even-keeled demeanor
will help him make the adjustment.
"The thing I have alwasy tried to do
well at is be composed, never really
let things affect me too much," he said.
"I try to use my size as best I can and
the one thing I have learned is the best
I can control that frst shot the easier
it is. That is something I have worked
on the last four years to get better at.
It's only going to get harder at the pro
level so that is something I am going to
continue to work at."
Cannata knows fellow Boston-area
native Schneider quite well. The two
have spent some time together the past
two summers and work with the same
coach, Brian Daccord.
"It was great to skate with him a couple
of times last summer and the summer
before that," Cannata said of Schneider.
"He is one of the best and someone I
have looked up to. You learn so much
just looking at him. He was helpful
enough to give me a couple of pointers
when I was in the net and hopefully I
can skate with him a couple of times
this summer, too."
Cannata received the maximum
$900,000 a year NHL salary he could
get under terms of the collective
bargaining agreement. He also
received the maximum signing bonus
of $90,000 for each year. His minor-
league salary will be $67,500.
The UFC is wise in making Canada
one of their centerpiece nations.
Having gone to six events in
Canada, I can tell you that the level
of rabid fandom that exists in cities
like Montreal far exceeds that of
anywhere else in the world. Okay, I
suppose you'd have to include Brazil
in that category.
But the point remainsCanada is full
of loving, supportive fans, and they're
going to continue getting big events
because of it. I think the rest of the
world should take notice, and I'm not
even a Canadian.
Highly touted goalie Joe Cannata in action for Merrimack College
in Massachusetts.
UFC President Dana White
Friday March 23, 2012
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