fijitimes may 27 2016 .pdf

8/16/2019 FijiTimes May 27 2016 .pdf

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$1.00May 27 2016

World Praise For PM BainimaramaPrime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama hasbeen praised in a world leaders’ forumfor his powerful and unambiguoustatement condemning violence against

women and children.United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, former Swedish Foreign

Minister Jan Eliasson, who chaired theWorld Leaders’ Roundtable in Istanbul,Turkey, said: “Thank you very much,Prime Minister. It’s reassuring to heara head of government taking such aprincipled and rm stand on violenceagainst women and children in adomestic environment.“It was absolutely wonderful to hear thatfrom you. The applause that interruptedyou is a sign of appreciation.”Mr Bainimarama made that stirringpeech at the rst World Humanitarian

Summit’s High Level Leaders Roundtableon “Women and Girls: Catalysing Actiono Achieve Gender Equality.”

He was given warm applause on twooccasions during his speech, one in themiddle and the second as he ended.This segmnent attracted the rstapplause: “I want to make it perfectlylear what my own attitude is and that

of the Government I lead. There is noustication, no excuse, for any man tonict violence on a woman or abuse hern any way. Those who do so are cowards

and criminals,” Mr Bainimarama said.

The second applause came towards theend when he said: “And we are sayingo the men of Fiji: real men don’t

mistreat women. They treat them withhe respect they deserve as our wives,

partners, mothers, sisters and daughters– the bedrock of our families and of ournation.”Mr Bainimarama said: “Far too manymen regard women as subservient and aspossessions for their sexual gratication.Far too many men routinely resort toviolence in a domestic setting. And weare currently in the throes of a nationaldebate about whether women are in any

way to blame for this, by provoking theirmen into acts of violence or inviting rapeby wearing provocative clothing.“I simply do not accept the argument thatthe onus is on a women not to provoke

her partner’s temper. And that if she doesso, that somehow justies or excuses thetreatment that is meted out to her.“It is a way of thinking that provides menwith an excuse to justify the unjustiableand women to accept the unacceptable.It is a way of thinking that is totally outof kilter with the norms of any societywith pretensions to decency.“And it is a way of thinking that perpetuates a cycle of violence and mustbe eradicated with the full force of thelaw. Zero tolerance for those who abusewomen and girls.”Mr Bainimarama’s statement was an

obvious response to the public debateFiji over a statement by the SpeakerParliament, Dr Jiko Luveni.Dr Luveni, while condemning violeagainst women, said women co

also help in solving this problem. Ssaid: “Maybe we women aggravate situation. Sometimes we know exawhat our husbands don’t like and we go ahead and do it. What do yexpect?” She has been criticised by Women’s Crisis Centre and other NGAlthough Dr Luveni said her statemhad been taken out of context, Minifor Women, Children and PoveAlleviation, Rosy Akbar, said she wsaddened by Dr Luveni’s statemShe said her ministry did not toleratecondone any violence against womand children.


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2 ewsFiji News

New Zealand Prime MinisterJohn Key ToVisit Fiji

New Zealand Prime Minister John Keys expected to make an ofcial visit to

Fiji next month.Mr Key will be in the country for a two-

day visit — on June 9-10, an informedGovernment source said.A planning committee is understood tobe working on the visit.Mr Key is due to meet Prime MinisterVoreqe Bainimarama.This will be a signicant step forward inhe relations between the countries. No

NZ prime minister has made an ofcialvisit to Fiji since 2006.Mr Key’s visit will be a follow-up to hisForeign Minister Murray McCully whovisited Fiji in February in the wake ofTropical Cyclone Winston.

n NZ, Mr Key had signalled more aidmay be in the pipeline for Fiji afterpledging NZ$3.2million (F$4.58m)ncluding defence force assets and

personnel.Diplomatic relations between New

Zealand and Fiji soured after the 2006takeover. Australia and NZ desertedFiji and were instrumental in Fiji beingsuspended from Pacic Islands Forum.But the relations were restored after Mr

Bainimarama’s FijiFirst party won 2014 general election.However, the situation was complicawhen Mr Bainimarama did not att

the Pacic Islands Forum meetingPort Moresby early September last yMr Bainimarama objected to Austrand New Zealand’s “undue inuenand said he would not attend the PacIslands Forum until the two countbecame development partners ratthan full members. He said he beliePacic Islands Forum no longer serthe best interests of Pacic islands.A few weeks later, on September Mr Key and Mr Bainimarama potogether for a photo in New York. Aa quick chat about rugby, the two lead

withdrew to a private room to contitheir meeting. Their talks focused Fiji’s role in the Pacic and a likelihoof a top-level visit by Mr Key.Next month’s visit would be the icingthe cake for the restored relations.

Tourism Fiji Announces Winners Of FijiMatai Campaign

Tourism Fiji has announced Andressa

Fanganiello from Australia andMaia Hiini from New Zealand as thewinners of its #FijiMatai Social MediaCampaign.The two travel agents, who are part ofhe Fiji Matai Programme, have wonhemselves a return trip to Fiji with Fiji

Airways.The #FijiMatai Social Media Campaignan from February 27 until the end of

April.The campaign was initially organisedo populate the Matai page with images

aken by Tourism Fiji’s Matai Agentswhen they were in Fiji for the annualFrontliner’s Famil earlier this year.However, due to the impacts of CycloneWinston, Tourism Fiji partnered withFiji Airways through the TourismAction Group to take advantage of theampaign and send out the message that

despite the destruction caused by thenatural disaster, Fiji was still open forbusiness.Tourism Fiji’s Regional Director, CarlahWalton says the annual Frontliner’sFamil is a much anticipated event on theAustralian agent calendar.

“This year it was more important than

ever to showcase that Fiji was still openfor business and the importance of theAustralian market to Fiji,” she said.“I congratulate all the agents who participated in the social mediacompetition as there were some amazingshots taken reecting Fiji’s beauty, buta special congratulations to AndressaFanganiello – it was an outstanding photo!”The campaign also served as a platformfor the Fiji Matai Agents to share withtheir networks the diverse tourism

products and services that Fiji has tooffer and promote the hashtag, #FijiNow.Ms Walton said: “Social Media isbecoming a much more importantmedium for our frontline travel agentsto promote their experiences onto theirsocial audiences many of whom arecustomers.“It’s a fantastic way to showcase agreat holiday experience and make itan aspiration for everyone who views.Congratulations to Maia Hiini – GreatPhoto!”Vodafone Fiji provided the Matai Agentsfree SIM-cards for the campaign.

About the Fiji Matai Programme:

The Fiji Matai Programme has bcreated by Tourism Fiji to provthe international travel industry wthe knowledge to sell Fiji. ‘Matai’Fijian means to be knowledgeableto be an expert in something. TourFiji’s Matai Happiness Specialists accredited travel agents from all overworld who have in-depth knowledge experience of Fiji to help you plan book your holiday. For more informaton the Fiji Matai Programme, plevisit matai.ji.travel.


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Fiji News

World Bank Back AFTER a 23-year hiatus Fiji resumedts lending relationship with the World

Bank last year with a loan of $50 millionfor a transport infrastructure investmentproject, which was implementedogether with the Fiji Roads Authority

and Asian Development Bank.Speaking at the opening of the WorldBank Group liaison ofce in Suvayesterday, country director, WorldBank, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guineaand the Pacic Islands, Franz Drees-

Gross said just last week, they werenegotiating a $50m emergency budgetsupport operation with Government tobasically help the Government for someof the additional expenditure it has hadfor the past couple of weeks, particularlyfor making social transfer payments forpeople affected by Severe TC Winston."Fiji joined the World Bank in 1971 andhe rst IBRD loan ever to Fiji was for

$2.2m in 1972 for the telecommunicationsector.After that rst telecom project between

971 and 1992, Fiji borrowed quiteheavily from the World Bank. So therewere about 15 projects worth about $153mfrom IBRD between 1971 and 1992. Afterhat there was a hiatus of about 23 years

without IBRD lending for Fiji."The IBRD is the International Bankfor Reconstruction and Development,an international nancial institutionhat offers loans to middle-income

developing countries.Mr Drees-Gross said through the IBRDoan, Fiji nanced the extension of xedelephone lines, international lines andelex.

"The world has moved on and I amvery happy to say that we are havingdiscussions with the Government ofFiji to nance a spur to a cable that willsoon be laid from Suva to Apia that willhelp connect Vanua Levu to high speedbroadband internet," he said.Mr Drees-Gross said the World Bank

had people on the ground in Fiji they did not have any permanent ofto operate from.He said they had a permanent ofceSuva which would make it easy for thto operate from. The World Bank has employees working in the Pacic regwith ofces in different countries.

Attorney-General and Minister for Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and World BaGroup country director for Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Pacifc Islan

Franz Drees-Gross touring the new World Bank Group liaison ofce in Suva.

Ofcer Dispels Fears Of Waters BeingUnsafe

A Ministry of Fisheries ofcial hasallayed fears of waters around Savusavubeing unsafe from shark attacks.The Northern Principal Fisheries ofcer

oji Vakawaletabua yesterday said theumours were not true and whoever waspreading them should cease.No one should believe these rumours

and whoever is spreading these shouldtop because it does not serve any good,”

Mr Vakawaletabu said.“There are divers who continue withheir business.”

Mr Vakawaletabua said the devastationaused by Cyclone Winston had affected

many families in Savusavu who needed

support to bring back some normalcy intheir lives.“Many families in Savusavu wereaffected by TC Winston and they

are trying to live a normal life,” MrVakawaletabua said.“We should support them instead ofwasting time in spreading rumours andcreating a fear in the communities.”He said the only reported shark attackincident so far this year was on March11 where a Cakaudrove, 45-year-olddiver was mauled by a shark.There was also a rumour that a resortowner in Savusavu was raising babysharks as pets.

These pets managed to escape wtheir cage was damaged during TropCyclone Winston in February.Some people in the Hidden Paradise s

a special overseas team in Savusavu wtrying to capture the pets.Mr Vakawaletabua said there was one in Vanua Levu keeping sharks pets or doing any business with shark“There is no value in doing such thiand why would anyone take a riskhave pet or do shark business,” Vakawaletabua said.“People would rather do seaweed pearl farming because it has great vaand a good turnover.”


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4 Fiji News

Annual Education Grant Signed ForNeedy Students

The Ofce of the Prime Minister and theFoundation for the Education of NeedyChildren (FENC) Fiji signed the annualgrant agreement yesterday to provide

ducation support to Fijian children whoface nancial difculties in accessingducation.

The signing was carried out by theDeputy Secretary at the PM’s Ofce,Mrs Penina Lalabalavu and the FENCFiji national coordinator Ms MereTikoduadua.Mrs Lalabalavu said that since 2010,he annual grant of $200,000 has been

provided to FENC Fiji for educationupport, workshops in the three divisionsWestern, Northern and Central) andommunity learning centres.

“FENC Fiji works with underprivilegedhildren coming from the poorest

families in Fiji. These children areprovided education and other assistanceo continue their education,” Mrs

Lalabalavu said.National Coordinator, Ms Tikoduadua

said providing community-learningcentres is their agship program and thiswould now be available in areas in theNasinu-Nausori corridor.

“It is an afterschool program where wecreate space conducive to learning. Wehave identied existing community hallsand structures and encourage local cellgroups to take ownership by offeringservices, skills and expertise in moldingchildren,” Ms Tikoduadua said.

Over the years, FENC Fiji has assisclose to 7000 students. Previouassistance took the form of school booschool bags, sandals, uniforms, exerc

and text books and school levies. Athe Government initiative and grato individual schools, FENC Fiji providing school books, school baschool sandals, exercise and station(one year supply) and launched community learning centres Fiji wid

ANZ Charged For Failing ToVerify Identity Of Customers

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr

Christopher Pryde, has approved chargesagainst a nancial institution under theFinancial Transactions Reporting Act 2004.The Australia and New Zealand BankingGroup Limited (ANZ) is charged withtwo counts of failure to verify customeridentities contrary to section 4(1) and 39of the Financial Transactions Reporting

Act 2004.

It is alleged that the ANZ failed to veand properly identify two customof the bank and established two baccounts without proper vericationthe customer’s identities.The matter will be called on July 7, 2for First Call at the Suva MagistraCourt.


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5Fiji News

Men Who Inict Violence On Women NChildren Are “Cowards And Criminals” – PM

The Prime Minister has made a strongtatement on the need to end all violence

against women and children.At the Leader’s Round table discussion

underway at Humanitarian Summitn Turkey, he said men who inictedviolence on women were “cowards andriminals”.

He told world leaders that Fiji had a seriousssue with male attitudes to women andhat rape and child abuse was rife.

Bainimarama added though the governmentwas committed to ending all forms ofbuse against women and children.I want to make it perfectly clear

what my own attitude is and that ofhe government I lead. There is noustication, no excuse, for any man to

nict violence on a woman or abuseher in any way. Those who do so areowards and criminals,” said Voreqe

Bainimarama – Prime Minister of Fiji.I simply do not accept the argumenthat the onus is on a women not to

provoke her partner’s temper. And thatf she does so, that somehow justies or

excuses the treatment that is meted outo her,” he said.

He told world leaders that constitutionensured the right to be free from

violence and that old laws that requiredcorroboration in cases of rape have beenamended.“We are empowering women byimproving their access to educationthrough free schooling, scholarships

and tertiary loans. We are empowerwomen by encouraging them to stheir own businesses with our smand micro business grants. And we saying to the men of Fiji: real men domistreat women,” he mentioned.

Minister Kubuabola Meets With UaeMinister Of State For Foreign Affairs In

Abu DhabiFiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon.Ratu Inoke Kubuabola held bilateralalks with the United Arab Emirates’UAE) Minister of State for Foreign

Affairs – H.E. Dr. Anwar Gargash in

Abu Dhabi.During their talks Minister Kubuabolahanked Minister Gargash for the

growing cooperation between Fijiand the UAE. He also spoke on theehabilitation phase that the Fijian

Government was coordinating followinghe devastation caused by Cyclone

Winston. He also explained the differentnitiatives that were being implemented

following this cyclone which includinghe Adopt A school Programme and the

Help For Homes initiative.

Minister Kubuabola also expressedhe Government’s appreciation for the

UAE-Pacic Partnership fund and theimpact that the fund provided in terms ofsustainable energy initiatives for Fijiansliving in Kadavu, Lakeba and Rotuma.He also thanked the UAE for its support

to the Pacic Islands DevelopmentForum and spoke on the birth of theSuva Declaration that was taken to lastyear’s 21st Conference of the Parties inParis, France.In his concluding remarks, the Ministerinvited his UAE counterpart to visit Fijiin the near future.

Minister Gargash commended Foreign Minister for the two countrgrowing relations and the work carrout by Fiji’s Embassy in the UAEstrengthen these relations. He a

commended the role of Fiji’s U peacekeeping mission in differ parts of the world including the MidEast.Minister Kubuabola will travel week to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia forformal opening of Fiji’s new DiplomMission there.

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6/28


6 Fiji News

Deportation Order Overruled

A man charged with one count of usingforged documents and another countof conspiracy to defraud –inuencinga public ofcial appeared at the Suva

Magistrates Court last Friday.Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili notedhat the accused was to be deported tondia last Saturday morning as per the

High Court order after a Habeas Corpusapplication was led by lawyer ParveshSharma on behalf of the accused earlierhis month.

However the State informed court thatafter the deportation order was made,Police submitted a le to the DPP’s ofceand after looking at the evidence andharges were laid against the accused. •

Mr Sharma argued that when the Habeas

Corpus application was being heard,State had informed the Court that noharges were going to be laid. •

Chief Magistrate Ratuvili questionedState that they have a court order tooblige then why the charges were laid.The matter was stood down for theaccused to be present in court by 12noon and State to get instructions.The Director of Public Prosecutions

Christopher Pryde appeared for the Statewhen the matter was recalled at the SuvaMagistrates Court.The DPP made submissions that based

on the evidence in the Police docket,charges were laid against the accused.He said provided that the court wassatised that the criminal proceedingswere properly instituted and were notvexatious or an abuse of the process ofthe court – no civil court may intrudeinto the domain of the criminal court.The DPP said the Habeas Corpusapplication was a writ to only test thelegality of the detention.He said after reviewing the Police lethere were evidence hence the chargeswere led on 19.05.16.He said the charges were lawfullybrought and there was no evidencethat the DPP has acted in any impropermanner in bringing the charges.Therefore, he submitted that any order inanother court even though a high courtmust be set aside and the court mustdirect its mind to the charges before it.Mr Pryde said the criminal court took precedence over any civil court.

The Defence submitted that when Habeas Corpus application was maState had informed that no charwould be laid hence the deportat

order was made.Mr Sharma informed the court that this no application by the DirectorImmigration to have the order rescindHe said the accused was kept in custofor 10 months in an Immigration shouse without being charged. He asthe court to dismiss the charges laidthe accused could be deported.However the DPP pointed out that thwas not appropriate for any other coto usurp the powers of the DPP unthe Constitution.He said that he had the powers to revand see whether an offence had bcommitted even after an order had bmade.The court noted both parties’ submissiand made an order that the High Cobe formally informed of the charges against the accused.The accused has been remanin custody and the matter has badjourned to June 3.

$275K In Investor FeesNVESTMENT Fiji registered06 Foreign Investor RegistrationCerticate applications with a proposednvestment value of $315 million,xpected to create 887 jobs, for the last

quarter of last year.t also received $275,000 in foreignnvestor registration fees for the last

quarter of 2015.nvestment Fiji CEO Godo Muller-Teut

said: "The amount collected in ForeignInvestor Registration fees reects theattractiveness of Fiji as an investmentdestination because of the pro-business policies of the Fijian Government.Investment Fiji is proud to be part of thissuccess and will continue to market Fijiwith dedication and enthusiasm."Mr Muller-Teut said sectors thatlargely attracted interest were services,

wholesale and retail and tourism.Ministry of Finance permanent secretMakereta Konrote said hundreds jobs were being generated througha range of sectors in the economy. Konrote said the investments not oboosted the performance of the sectwhich attracted the investment, boosted Fiji's economic performancea whole.

Captain Cook Cruises Introduces Half ThPrice SpecialsCaptain Cook Cruises has just launchedts Take a Friend Half Price’ sale on allhree, four, seven or eleven night Fijisland cruises.Take a Friend Half Price’ is on sale

until June 30 and valid for travel untilMarch 31, 2017.All four, seven and eleven night cruises

are aboard the newly refurbished30-passenger, MV Reef Endeavour

small ship cruise vessel which visits parts of Fiji larger ships cannot access.You can experience Fijian culture withvisits to remote villages, churches andschools and take part in traditionalvillage sevusevu ceremonies and Mekeand Lovo feasts.Relax on white sandy beaches, swim

in crystal clear waters, snorkel overamazing coral reefs and dive in

spectacular blue lagoons, all whbeing surrounded by Fiji’s breathtakscenery.Stay onboard the MV Reef Endeavand laze by the pool, in the Jacuzzibe pampered at the ship’s Senakai DSpa.Those traveling alone haven’t b

forgotten with a deal offering stravelers 25% off brochure fares.


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7Fiji News

SODELPA Aiming For High CalibreCandidates

Candidates applying for a SODELPAticket in the 2018 general election mustbe able to think on their feet.This means they must have the required

level of intellectual capacity to try tocounter what FijiFirst has to offer.The bar has been raised to meet the newexpectation brought about by sweepingchanges in the party’s amendedconstitution approved last year.The changes are designed to position theparty to give FijiFirst a credible challengen the next election. High calibre

candidates are part of these changes.The new candidate selection criteriacould mean that some current sittingmembers of Parliament would not bethere in the next general election.Sitting MP Viliame Gavoka has been usedas an example of the quality of candidatesthat the party would be looking for.Mr Gavoka seldom reads from preparedtexts and has the ability to articulatessues at the drop of the hat.

He holds his own in the debatingchamber of Parliament and captures theattention of listeners.“That’s the kind of people we want inParliament. They have the passion andthey speak with strong conviction,” oneofcial said.

“They have wide general knowledgeand are prepared to counter the pointsfrom the other side.”

Opposition MP, Viliame Gavoka

This selection approach, however,does not take into consideration the provincial preferences. The challenge

for the selection committee is howstrike a balance to keep the electohappy and eld the best candidates.


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8 Fiji News

No Compromise On PAC, Assures NewChair

Having Government chairing the PublicAccounts Committee does not mean itwould be compromised, says new chairAshneel Sudhakar.

Australia and New Zealand alsohave Government MPs chairing theirespective equivalent of PAC.

He sees no difference here. It’s businessas usual.Mr Sudhakar does not mince his wordson issues he feels strongly about. That’she way he was brought up in the cane

belt. He also understands the importanceof the sugar industry to Fiji.Mr Sudhakar has rapidly risen throughhe ranks of the FijiFirst Government

because of his passion about thegrassroots people. As GovernmentWhip, he is believed to be the youngestWhip on both sides of the House.He is believed to be also the youngestPAC chairman.His decision to enter active politicshrough FijiFirst Party came throughespect for the party’s policies.

“FijiFirst is the only party that practiseshe principles which I also always

believed in such as equality, justice,merit, social responsibility, equalitizenry, civic responsibility, racial

harmony, religious freedom, right to

education, development etc.“Even before the party was formed Igreatly admired the work done by thePrime Minister Hon. Bainimaramaand the Attorney- General Hon. AiyazSayed-Khaiyum.“They together were instrumentaln bringing to us true and genuine

democracy in Fiji for the rst time andaking Fiji to unprecedented heights. I

always believed in their able leadershipfrom the start and that made me applyfor FijiFirst’s candidature.”“My father despite being the headeacher of prominent schools around the

country always kept a cane farm in Ba.n the afternoons after school and duringchool holidays I used to work on the

cane farm with my father who taughtme the skills and knowledge of canefarming and the value of hard work.“I remember once I planted cane withmy father on Diwali day since my fatheraid that was the best day to work on the

farm even though it was a holiday.”He liked it because he is also a farm boyat heart.

“We also always kept cows on the farma tradition which was passed down the

generations as my ancestors are believedto be from the area in India where LordKrishna used to live.“I also used to assist in cane harvesting

and drove cane trucks and tractors.I attended and took minutes of gangmeetings. Due to all this, I gainedknowledge in all aspects of canefarming.“It is this cane farm that paid myfees through law school as in thosedays certain groups were not givenscholarships in law. I must add that theindustry needs reforms and the FijiFirstGovernment is taking genuine steps inrehabilitating the Sugar Industry.”PAC“PAC is tasked by the Standing Ordersof Parliament to examine the accountsof the Government and expenditureof Government. The committee canexamine how public money has beendealt with according to the rules, “ hesaid.“PAC like any other committee mustremain non-political and put its report toParliament in a transparent and unbiasedmanner. So as the new chairman for PACI will ensure that the committee carriesout its duties according to the StandingOrders and the committee is not used to

further political agendas.“The perception is of those who thinkonly the Opposition knows mathematicsand accounting. It is obviously amisconception. Public AccountsCommittee as I stated earlier has its taskscut out by the Standing Orders which isto scrutinise Government accounts andexpenditure.“So if the accounts show that theGovernment was given $50 to useand they have used it but they haven’taccounted for whole or part of it orhow that money was used then they areanswerable. It is that simple. Whetherthe chairman is from the Government orOpposition the job remains the same.”Excerpts from his viewsClosest group of friends:“A group of cousins who I call my ‘thinktank’ who have always been with meand provided me with knowledge fromtheir respective elds and expert advicewhen I need it. They are Arti, Arpana,Ashrit, Amit Chand, Upasna, Ulash,Ritesh Sachindra (Raju).”PAC

“As the Prime Minister correctly pointedout in his Ministerial Statement we love

our chiefs and they have importtraditional and cultural roles to pWe respect that. However, politicisatof the GCC by various political par

in the past produced undesired resundermining the important value of chiefs.”Fiji Times reporting“Fiji Times reporting has an apparanti-Government slant for obvireasons. The columns they run individual writers also have an elemof bias.“I have noticed that even at commilevels the positive outcomes committee meeting is seldom reporby Fiji Times. When they repcommittee matters you will alwsee pictures of Opposition membonly. Recently they twisted a story thcovered about my committee and bit out of proportion.”Sugar Industry “Sugar industry is a very importindustry for Fiji and about 200,0 people are reliant on it directly indirectly. The Government is taksome progressive steps in salvaging industry for the betterment of everyoAll stakeholders must come on boand assist with the rehabilitation of

industry.”Religious tolerance“Our Constitution provides the platfofor equal recognition and respect forreligions. In Fiji we celebrate and respeach other’s religions and religifestivals. In some countries of the woone is not free to practice their religin public. Fiji is a model for others wit comes to religious tolerance.”

Ashneel Sudhakar


9/28


Fiji News

PM Leads Fijian Delegation To WorldHumanitarian Summit

The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama,s leading a Fijian delegation to the

United Nations World HumanitarianSummit in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Summit is being attended byepresentatives of 175 countries,ncluding 53 heads of state and

government, who will discuss a rangeof humanitarian challenges such as themass displacement of refugees due toonict and natural disasters.n a series of statements at the Summit,he Prime Minister will call on the

global community to assist countries

such as Fiji with the funds they need tobuild their resilience to climate changeand brief other nations on the reliefand rehabilitation effort in the wake

of Tropical Cyclone Winston. He willalso be speaking about the need forinternational assistance to enable Fijito give permanent refuge to the peopleof Kiribati and Tuvalu in the event thatboth nations are submerged by the risingseas caused by global warming.In other sessions, the Prime Minister willspeak about the Government’s programto improve the position of women and

girls in Fiji and the steps being takenintegrate the private sector into decismaking and improve the ability the business community to deal w

disaster.Among the Fijian delegation are Minister for Agriculture, Rural Maritime Development and NatioDisaster Management, Inia SeruirFiji’s Permanent Representative the United Nations in Geneva, NazShameem and the Permanent Secretin the Prime Minister’s Ofce, YogKaran.

State Sets Major Priority On Job CreationJOB creation is one of the major focusesof the Government because most of thepopulation is under 40 years of age.Speaking at the opening of the WorldBank liaison ofce at the Ra MaramaBuilding in Suva, Attorney-GeneralAiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Fiji'sengagement with the World Bank andhe International Finance Corporation

would give Fiji the opportunity to tapnto the technical capabilities available

at the two institutions.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Fiji lackeda lot of technical skill sets requiredto put in place the foundation fora modern economy. He said therecommencement of the loans from theWorld Bank signied a renewed focuson development.Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said there wasexpected to be a lot of movement inthe areas of micronance and small tomedium enterprise development.He said Government was very much

focused on developing the privsector, particularly with the focusdivesting some of Government's shain state-owned enterprises.The Government was currently dealwith the Fiji Electricity Authority, whshortlisted a number of interested partHe said the focus was to get all development partners together to be ato focus on areas where the Governmcould get multiplier effects on economy.

Better Monitoring, Evaluationn an effort to better gauge the impactand results of its project activities andnterventions, the Pacic Island Centre for

Public Administration (PICPA) has embarkedon preparing a comprehensive monitoringand evaluation framework and template.Director for PICPA Parmesh Chand saidn line with international best practices,

PICPA had moved away from output-based reporting to outcomes and impactand results-based analysis and reporting.Mr Chand said this was also in line withreporting requirements of donors andother stakeholders.PICPA has engaged technical expertiseo prepare a robust framework andemplate. The Consultants engaged forhis project will trial test the prepared

framework and template using datafrom PICPA projects implemented inSamoa and Vanuatu.Mr Chand said PICPA, same as otherAgencies using donor funds had to befully accountable to the resources it wasprovided, ensuring there was desired

mpact and results and better value formoney for each dollar spent.

PICPA is a specialist centre which

responds to the identied needs and plans of Pacic Island Countries (PICs)

Parmesh Chand

for strengthened public administrat

to enable improved service delivery faster economic growth.


10/28


10 Fiji News

Fiji Backs Initiative To Help ClimateDisplaced People

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaramaays Fiji supports a move to build

consensus among countries to protectpeople displaced across borders in

natural disasters.The move is called the Nansen Initiative.Mr Bainimarama made the remarksat the inaugural World HumanitarianSummit (WHS) in Istanbul, Turkey.He said Fiji supported the Nansenprocess.t is about building consensus among

States to protect people displaced acrossborders in disasters caused by naturalhazards, including those linked toclimate change.“The launch of the follow-up to theNansen Initiative – the Platform for

Disaster Displacement, is one of themost important events for Fiji at thisconference,” he said.The reason, he said, was that because Fijihad already made a commitment to givepermanent refuge to many thousands ofpeople displaced by climate change andbecause of its very recent experience ofnatural disaster in the form of TropicalCyclone Winston.He said Fiji hoped that the Platform forDisaster Displacement would build theconsensus needed to establish an effective

nternational mechanism to protectpeople displaced across borders becauseof natural disasters and climate change.He said Fiji had offered to give a

permanent home to the populations oftwo of its closest neighbours – Kiribatiand Tuvalu – in the event that currentscientic projections were realised and

the rising seas envelop them altogether.“We will naturally need the assistanceof the global community to carry outthat mass movement of people when thetime comes, and help them adapt to newlives in Fiji.”As things stand, he said they had yetto establish an international legalframework for this to occur, but withthis initiative, they were at least buildingthe consensus they needed to adequatelyrespond to a situation that was unique inhuman history.“Entire sovereign nations – members

of the United Nations – disappearingbeneath the waves and their peoplehaving to be accommodated elsewhere.”He said that all this, of course, was stillsome way down the track, although someof the more alarming recent projectionsof global warming could make it soonerthan they thought.However, with the launch of thisinitiative, he said they had at leastbegun the process of recognising themagnitude of the task ahead of them andfor its part, Fiji had allocated funding to

explore the unresearched legal areas ofclimate change, including giving refugeto the citizens of Kiribati and Tuvalu.In the meantime, he said Fiji had

facilitated the purchase by Kiribati olarge area of land on its second biggisland, Vanua Levu, to ensure its fosecurity. And at the same time, Fiji

begun the process of moving its o people out of the way of the rising seMr Bainimarama said there was suggestion of any Fijian having to mto another country because of climchange. Nonetheless three entire villahave been moved so far and they hidentied more than 600 settlemein Fiji that are threatened by the risseas. Fiji has also lost a signicamount of arable coastal land, includin its important sugar cane industry, are currently mapping the areas that most at risk.

But Fiji’s more immediate concern isthreat to the welfare of its people andeconomy posed by the extreme weatevents caused by climate changedroughts, oods and cyclones – whare more ferocious now than ever befAs they build on the Protection Agein the work of the Platform for DisaDisplacement, Mr Bainimarama assured the world that Fijians wwelcome the people of Kiribati Tuvalu as Pacic brothers and siswith open arms.

However he said they would need assistance of the global communto do so and the search for a proframework had started now.

Nasolo Farmers Reminded Of Their RoleFarmers of Nasolo were reminded ofheir roles in the development of the Bua

Province in terms of dalo production.This follows a 2-day training onFarm Management by the Ministry ofAgriculture in Nasolo, Bua recently.

The Director of Land Resource Planningand Development of the Ministry,Nacanieli Waka during the trainingncouraged farmers to work together

with the Ministry in achieving a standardesult in the production of dalo.

“The Ministry of Agriculture hasprograms that focus on the developmentof rural and maritime farmers in areasuch as food security and increasing

exports,” Mr. Waka said.“Part of the Division’s role isenlightening farmers on FarmManagement practices and the trainingwe are conducting targets farmers and

all areas of Government’s productiondevelopment.”“The Ministry of Agriculture withthe decrease in dalo production fromTaveuni is selectively focusing on Buato meet the demand.

“Agricultural Development will beimplemented in Bua and it is the hopeof the Ministry that Bua will increase its production of dalo and yaqona.”Nasolo Villager Ilaitia Verenavanua saidthat he has been farming for the futureof his family and his son.“The Farm Management training has

taught me new things and has remotivated me to start farming abusiness,” he said.Farmers of Nasolo Village have aformed a cluster group for dalo program by the Ministry of Agricult

in a bid to boost productivity.Youth farmer Lepani Rabuli sthe formation of the cluster groempowered him to plant more.“The training has enhanced knowledge in dalo production and hwe farmers play an important role in economy,” Rabuli said.






11/28


1Fiji News

NZ Gives Additional $14M To FijiRehabilitation

PEOPLE on Vanuabalavu in Lauwhose homes were destroyed bySevere Tropical Cyclone Winston willhave their individual homes replaced

and constructed by the New ZealandGovernment with proper water andlectricity facilities implemented.

Responding to queries from thisnewspaper, NZ's First SecretaryDevelopment in Fiji Brendan Sherryaid NZ's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and Trade (MFAT) was developinga tender for the reconstruction ofpublic infrastructure for Vanuabalavu,ncluding Cikobia on Vanua Levu.

Recovery work will be focused onchools, government, and community

buildings.

She said MFAT and the HighCommission in Suva were working withhe Fiji government partners to planhe recovery work, and to ensure that

NZ's contribution was aligned to theFiji Government's Severe TC Winstonrecovery strategy.NZ will provide $NZ10 million

($F14.3m) to support Fiji's repairs to public infrastructure damaged duringthe cyclone and the support for therecovery phase is in addition to the$NZ5.4m ($F7.7m) provided to supportthe immediate response phase.Ms Sherry said advance notice of thetender provided interested privatesector companies with an indication ofthe package, and notice that the tender process would shortly be in progress."This allows potential tenderers timeto consider their interest in responding,as well as to seek clarication on the

reconstruction program by submittingquestions to MFAT."The full tender is being developed andwill be advertised in the coming weeks."

In other parts of Fiji, affected people given $7000 to rebuild their homethey were completely destroyed.Those whose homes were parti

destroyed were assisted with $3000$1500 depending on the severity of damage.People are to construct their own homThe advance notice was publadvertised on the public NZ GovernmElectronic Tender Service from M16 regarding an upcoming design construction request for tender.The notice has also been shared wlocal partners for advertising in Fiji.The notice indicated New Zealwas looking for a sole agency to responsible for the single family dwell

construction services, heavy constructservices, plumbing construction servielectrical system services and speciabuilding and trades services.

Health Ofcials Undergo DisasterResponse Training

Local health ofcials are undergoingdisaster response training from theAustralian National Critical Care andTrauma Response.The 3 three day training led by the teamof medical consultants includes disasterelief training and trauma response.

27 health practitioners have been part ofhe training.

“So the training was done here in 2014and that time until now there is a bigdifference in the level of knowledgein the local agencies about disastermanagement. I have been here sincethe end of December and I was hereat CWM during the response to TC

Winston and what I observed from my position of knowing a little about disaster

management is that the local authodid a fantastic job there was a really gosystem, everybody worked together the response was really timely and thdid a fantastic job so what we wando is to build on that local expertise spread it out even further,” said Dia

Stephens – Associate Professor MimMedical Director.


12/28


12 Fiji News

All Eyes On TourismTHIS month, two important reports,on the future prospects of growth anddevelopment in the Pacic region ingeneral and in Fiji were released by twonternational agencies.

One was the annual Economic andSocial Survey of Asia and the Pacic

2016 by the United Nations Economicand Social Commission for Asia and thePacic (UNESCAP) and the other washe study by the World Bank on The

Pacic Possible: Tourism.The third report, though not of thisweek, was launched early this month bynternational Monetary Fund (IMF) byts regional ofce based in Suva.

Entitled the Regional Economic Outlookon Asia and the Pacic, the IMF reportightly stresses the need for building ontrengths during turbulent times.

One of the strengths is the emergingourism sector, which has to be nurturedand taken forward for promoting growthand development.t is apparent that infrastructural gaps

and reducing the risks to minimisinghe damage because of vulnerability to

natural disasters would strengthen thenew engine of growth, tourism.Thus, we have three reports with a singlefocus: investing in the tourism sector.The survey The Economic and Social Survey ofAsia and the Pacic 2016 says PICs

grew only by 6.5 per cent in 2015, downfrom 8.7 per cent in 2014.Reasons are that PNG, whose outputdominates the total output of PICs to theextent of 60 per cent, was only at 9.9 percent as against the forecasted rate of 15per cent.The decrease was attributed to a fall incommodity prices as well as slowdownof the Chinese economy.Fiji's growth in 2015 was 4 per centcompared with 5.3 per cent in 2014

because of a fall in the production ofsugar, compounded by lower prices ofsugar as well as gold, which broughtdown the export earnings from thosetwo commodities.Fiji's growth in 2016 was predicted toslow down to 2.2 per cent because of

the adverse impact of Severe TropicalCyclone Winston on agriculture,especially sugar cane and otheragricultural crops.The growth is, however, expected to pick up in 2016, thanks to the ongoingcyclone rehab works and alreadyincreasing foreign aid and remittanceinows.The growth in 2017 is expected to beby 3.1 per cent. The survey reminds usthat the preferential access of sugar toEuropean Union will come to an end

and hence the new driver of growth hasto be tourism.World Bank tourism study The Pacic Possible: Tourism report saysPICs received $US1.4 billion ($F2.9b)by way of tourism generated fundsthrough hotel stays and expenditureon meals and tours in 2013, both inthe formal and informal sector, and ofcourse airport taxes and others.Fiji's share was $US722 million($F1.5b), which was nearly 52 per centof $US1.4b ($F2.9b).The per capita earning from tourism was

$US820 ($F1734). This is much lessthan corresponding gures of two islandcountries — Maldives: total: $US2.3b($F4.9b) and $US6,776 ($F14,333) percapita; and Mauritius: total: $US1.4b($F2.9b) and $US1117 ($F2362) percapita.The tourist arrivals in 2014 in PICstotalled 1.36 million. Fiji's share was 51 per cent with 692,630 tourist arrivals.Again, these gures are much lesscompared with the tourist arrivals of

Maldives (1.2 million) and of Mauri(1 million).The World Bank study suggests urgent need for a long-term, balanand manageable tourism growth generate an additional increase in tourism earnings by $US1.8b ($F3.

per year and create additional jobs128,000 by 2040.The World Bank study recommefour key strategy areas for attention:* improving international transport lito the region;* attracting higher-spending tourists;* improving public sector engagemeand* improving linkages between tourand local economies.These recommendations are not newBut the urgency is new: PICs may m

out if the opportunities offered in terof low commodity prices and oil, whhave contributed to lower inatenvironment with imports being cheathan before and with plentiful capoverseas, looking for higher returns.Actions neededThe UNESCAP survey calls investment in tourism-linked sectors* additional investment in hotel room* investments for upgrading road airport infrastructure to withstand onslaught of annual cyclones and otnatural disasters; and

* air carriage capacity.The IMF report stresses the followaside from removing infrastructbottlenecks:* structural reforms for facilitatgrowth by removing hurdles involvland availability that hinders privsector development;* reforms to improve business clima* broadening access to health education; and* promoting nancial inclusion.

Call To Reduce Import TaxesGARMENT manufacturers in theWestern Division want a reduction inmport taxes.

This will form a major part of theirequest to the Ministry of Finance whenhey make submissions on the 2016-

2017 National Budget in Lautoka.Lautoka Chamber of Commerce andndustry co-ordinator Mohammed

Salim said while they were happy thathe event was being held in the West,here were concerns about the impact of

high taxes on businesses.

"We want commerce and industry togrow but it is difcult with the amount oftaxes being levied and this is especiallytrue of the garment industry," he said.His sentiments were shared by Fiji-India Business Council president SwaniMaharaj.

"Duty on cotton products should reduced. And this is not only in termsimported clothing but also for garmindustries bringing in cotton. Cotis very good for our weather and yeis one of the most expensive fabricsimport," he said.






13/28


1Fiji News

Fiji Participates In 52nd Asia AndPacic Coconut Community Session And

Ministerial MeetingThe Assistant Minister for Agriculture,Rural & Maritime Development, andNational Disaster Management, Hon.Joeli Cawaki is leading a delegationat the 52nd Asia and Pacic CoconutCommunity (APCC) Session andMinisterial meeting in Jakarta,ndonesia.

The meeting is being hosted by theMinistry of Trade of the IndonesianGovernment.The Session was opened by the Hon.Minister of Trade for Indonesia, H.E.Thomas T. Lembong, who providedhe inaugural address to more than 50

delegates from 18 countries representedat the Session.n his opening address, H.E. Lembong

stated that the strategic direction ofhe APCC should be to ensure that the

coconut industry continues to portrayhe premium nature of the product.n this spirit, it must be marketed as a

niche product for the high-end of themarket and effort must be taken not tocommoditize it as a bulk product.The Ministers from the membercountries deliberated on 4 key agendatems during the Ministerial Session:i) Expanding APCC from a Regional

Organization to an International InterGovernment Body;ii) International Market Facilitation for

Coconut Products;iii) Establishment of International

Centre of Excellence for Coconut; andiv) International Collaboration on

Clinical Studies into the Nutrition andHealth Benets of Coconut Products.All agenda items were debatedhoroughly and endorsed by the

Ministers. The APCC will work on these

agenda items as part of the forthcomingcalendar of activities.Hon. Cawaki thanked the Indonesiangovernment for hosting the Sessionand took the opportunity to relay theFijian government’s appreciationof Indonesia’s assistance in therehabilitation and reconstruction effortsfollowing Tropical Cyclone Winston.The Fijian delegation also presented anoverview of Fiji’s coconut industry andhighlighted the impact of TC Winstonon the sector.“The monetary value of the loss in thecoconut industry is estimated at $8

million. While efforts are underway torehabilitate the industry, bringing theindustry to full production may take 4-6years,” Hon Cawaki said.“Other challenges in Fiji’s coconutindustry included the country’s distancefrom overseas markets, the distancebetween smaller islands within thecountry as well as lack of appropriateinfrastructure especially on smallerislands.”Hon. Cawaki reiterated that Fiji needsto align more closely with big coconut producers in the Asia/Pacic Regionbecause of their advanced technology

and in-depth technical knowledge of thecrop.The Assistant Minister added thatFiji was actively considering fast-tracking some key issues such as;the formation of manageable units(Associations/Clusters), clearing ofsenile palms, planting and replantingof high-yielding varieties, crop and product diversication, developing

local demand, improving preparednto Climate Change and strengthenmarket access through Fiji’s bilatrelations.At the Session, the Permanent Secretfor Agriculture, Jitendra Singh walso appointed to the APCC Technand Policy Advisory Group, which w provide technical and policy advcoordinate the development of relev projects and program proposals facilitate identication of fund sourand generate funds to support APapproved projects. There are six otmembers in the Group.

In addition, Dr. Paula Vivili of Public Health Division of SoPacic Community was appointedthe Pacic Island’s representativethe Scientic Advisory Group, whwill be responsible for an internatiocollaboration with multi-country multi-ethnic approach on clinical studinto the nutrition and health benetscoconut products.


14/28


14


15/28


1World News

Korean Air Jet Engine Catches Fire OnTokyo Runway

An engine re broke out on a KoreanAir jet about to take off from a Tokyoairport, forcing the evacuation of theplane and dramatic scenes of reghtersxtinguishing the blaze.

The Tokyo Fire Department said9 people were either injured in thevacuation or felt unwell after it, Japan's

Kyodo News service reported.Fireghters put out the blaze withinan hour, said Kyosuke Okada, agovernment ofcial assigned to HanedaAirport. He said 302 passengers and 17rewmembers were on board.apanese television broadcast livemages of re trucks blanketing theeft-side engine and almost the entireide of the plane with white foam as

moke came out of the back of theengine.Emergency exit chutes were deployedfrom the plane's doors, and passengersgathered on a wide grassy area next to

the runway and near the choppy waters

of Tokyo Bay.Flight 2708 was headed to Seoul. Therunway the plane was using was closedand all other ights were temporarilyhalted, Okada said. He said the cause of

the re was still unknown.

Korean Air said it will investigate cause of the problem with the Boe777-300. A different plane was senHaneda to transport the passengerssaid in a statement.

Obama At Hiroshima: 'Death Fell FromThe Sky'

Barack Obama paid tribute to the40,000 people killed by the world's rst

atomic bomb attack and sought to bring

global attention to his unfullled visionof a world without nuclear weapons, ashe became the rst sitting U.S Presidento visit Hiroshima.Death fell from the sky and the world

was changed," Obama said, afteraying a wreath, closing his eyes and

briey bowing his head before anarched monument in Hiroshima's PeaceMemorial Park that honors those killedon Aug. 6, 1945, when U.S. forcesdropped the bomb that ushered in thenuclear age. The bombing, Obama said,demonstrated that mankind possessedhe means to destroy itself."

Obama did not apologize, insteadoffering, in a carefully choreographeddisplay, a simple reection on thehorrors of war and his hope the horrorof Hiroshima could spark a "moralawakening." As he and Japanese PrimeMinister Shinzo Abe stood near anconic bombed-out domed building,

Obama acknowledged the devastatingoll of war and urged the world to do

better.We stand here in the middle of this

ity and force ourselves to imagine themoment the bomb fell ... we listen to a

silent cry." Obama said.A second atomic bomb, dropped onNagasaki three days later Hiroshima,killed 70,000 more.Obama also sought to look forward to

the day when there was less danger ofnuclear war. He received a Nobel Peace

Prize early on his presidency for anti-nuclear agenda but has since suneven progress."We must have the courage to escthe logic of fear and pursue a wo

without them," Obama said of nuclweapons.


16/28


16 World News

Continued on Page 17

Brazil Faces Its ‘Nirbhaya’ Crisis:16-Year-Old Raped By 33 Men In Rio

With less than two months to go beforehe world's top athletes and hundreds ofhousands of sport lovers head to Rio

de Janeiro for Olympics 2016, the city'smage has taken a severe beating with a

gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl by morehan 30 men in an impoverished favelaslum) of the city. The girl's nightmare

began last Friday night when she wento stay at her boyfriend's house on the

western fringe of the city. She woke upon Sunday morning and found herselfurrounded by 33 men, many of themarrying pistols and ries.

Badly shaken by the assault that went onfor more than 36 hours, the victim triedo escape from a hospital several times

on Thursday. "I just want to go home,"

he teenager has pleaded with hospitaltaff and her family.The case, which has sent shock wavesacross the biggest South Americanountry, came to the light on this

Wednesday after more than 800 peopleontacted a hotline in the state public

prosecutor's ofce to report about certainweets in which a couple of men were

bragging about assaulting a girl. Filledwith obscene description of her body,he tweets had photos and videos of the

girl, who is apparently drugged, nakedand struggling to regain consciousness.

As the victim now undergoes treatmentand counselling at the hospital, her poorfamily is completely devastated. "Shes crying and still shaken. They messed

up my daughter. They almost killed her.am in pain. She is traumatized," the

6-year-old's father told local media,asking them not to reveal his identity.The girl's grandmother too spoke toa local radio station, saying the girluffered a blackout during the assault.The video is shocking. I watched it.

She's completely off," the grandmother

old the radio.After a massive outcry against the crime, thepolice have detained four persons, includingher 20-year-old boyfriend who is suspectedof direct participation in the crime. An8-year-old is suspected of posting the girl's

naked photos on the internet.When the victim returned to her home onTuesday (May 24) the family suspectedomething was wrong but she didn'tay anything about what happened to

her. "She came barefoot, dishevelled,ooking drugged and wearing clotheshat were all torn. Probably they left

her naked and she put on whatever she

could to come home," a relative of thegirl told a Rio paper.The family only learned of the rape onWednesday (May 25), when the girl's photos and videos appeared on social

media.What is causing outrage in this country,where the women are 52% of the population, is the fact that the tweets,which have now been deleted, hadmore than 500 likes and many vulgarcomments which blamed the girl for hercondition.Though sexual crimes are not uncommonin the favelas where armed gangs operateand often target their unsuspectingvictims, the brutality of this assault hascompletely shaken the country. With

the #Estupro (rape) trending on thesocial media, hundreds of thousands of people have posted messages and videosagainst the crime.With a sudden wave of crimes sweepingthe city that will be hosting the biggestsporting spectacle between August 5 and21, Brazil's cultural capital is on the edgeas anger grows against the city and stategovernments. "It is an act of barbarityand cowardice. The attack on this youngwoman is also an aggression against allwomen. We are seeing an increasingdehumanization and disrespect for

others. The main victims have beenwomen. Our solidarity with the youngvictim, her family and all women," saida statement from the Human RightsCommission of Rio de Janeiro.Though the crime has revived thememories of the March 2015 case whenan American tourist was abducted bythree men in a van and raped in front ofher French boyfriend, the mainstreamBrazilian media has almost blacked out

the assault on the 16-year-old girl. Thas sparked anger on the social mewith thousands slamming the big megroups ignoring the story. "This crideserved to be reported for sev

minutes on national news. They didwhen the Swiss tourist was rapedIndia. Or when the gringa (Americwas raped in Copacabana, but not noCecilia Olliveira, a Rio resident, wron facebook.When India was rocked by the Nirbhcase in December 2012, the Brazimainstream media - print and televis — had covered the incident in gdetail, branding India as a "danger place for women". But as the media hkeeps silent on the Rio case and

more gang-rape reported in the statePiaui last week, it's coming under sevcriticism from all quarters. "People tof India and every case of rape thappens there. But India is here. Ththe case generated strong reaction, our reality is similar," Silvia Chakia prosecutor of Sao Paulo told the BBadding that crimes against women tto be more common in countries whgender inequality is more pronounceIn Brazil, a woman is raped everyminutes, according to data releasedthe Brazilian Forum on Public Secu

at the end of last year. In 2015, country recorded 47,646 cases of rapFor Brazil's interim government, heaby Michel Temer, the crime could have happened at a worse time. Alrefacing angry protests every day acrthe country, the growing anger agathe rape in Rio may bring more peoon the streets against the governmwhich does not have a single femminister.

Virgin Plane Yours On Ebay For$415K LADY Penelope, the rst 747-400 series jumbo jet to enter service with VirginAtlantic back in 1994, has been put onsale on eBay.The plane which ew her lastcommercial ight in September last yearfrom JFK to Heathrow has been sittingin an aeroplane graveyard in Arizonasince then.However despite being one of the mostglamorous planes when she came into

service, only one bid exists for Lady

Penelope of $US299,000 ($415,000)However while there is only one bid, page is getting about 2000 views per hBefore making a bid though there arfew disclaimers.1 — The price does not include deliv2 — You are basically buying the shThe engines and all key avionics hbeen removed.“We have all of the capabilities disassemble and transport the plane


17/28


1World News

Continued from Page 16

Thai Man Bloodied But Unbowed AfterIntimate Attack By Snake

A THAI man is recovering from a bloodyncounter with a three-metre pythonhat slithered through the plumbing of

his home and latched its jaws onto hispenis as he was using a squat toilet.

Attaporn Boonmakchuay was smiling asThai television stations interviewed himn his hospital bed about the intimatentrusion, and doctors said he wouldecover.

But photos of his blood-splatteredbathroom in Chachoengsao province, eastof Bangkok, were testimony to his ordeal.The 38-year-old told Thai TV Channel7 that he struggled to remove the snakefor 30 minutes on Wednesday before hemanaged to free himself with help fromhis wife and a neighbour.

After his wife tied a rope around thenake, Attaporn pried open its jawsbefore passing out.Emergency workers dismantled theAsian-style squat toilet, with the pythontill twined through it.

The snake was taken away to beeleased back into the wild, accordingo an emergency responder cited by the

newspaper Thai Rath.Doctors said Attaporn, bloodied but

unbowed, will recover.“He has a really good attitude … eventhough his own wife and children were

in shock. He’s been smiling and givinterviews all day from his bed,” hospdirector Dr Chutima Pincharoen said

Sydney Arrest Over Terrorism Plot - PolicAustralian counterterrorism policeaid they arrested a 24-year-old mann Sydney on suspicion of planning aerrorist attack, the latest in a string of

arrests connected with radical Islamist-nspired violence.A Bankstown man was arrested today

by the Joint Counter Terrorism TeamJCTT) Sydney as part of the ongoing

Operation Appleby investigation into

the alleged planning of a terrorist attackin Australia," the Australian FederalPolice said in a statement."It will be alleged in court the manwas one of a number of people - whohave been previously charged regardingthis matter - involved in formulatingdocuments connected with preparationsto facilitate, assist or engage a person toundertake a terrorist act."

Last week, police carried out raacross Melbourne in connection wve men accused of planning to trato Syria to join Isis (Islamic State) a journey that would start with a moboat trip from Australia to IndonesiaThe men, aged between 21 and were charged with preparing to ena foreign country "for the purpof engaging in hostile activities", offence that carries a maximum penaof life imprisonment.The ve, who were not identied, warrested after towing a 7m motor balmost 3000km from Melbourne Cairns.In an unrelated incident on the same d police in Sydney arrested an 18-year-man for allegedly planning to obtaigun to commit a terrorist act target public buildings or landmarks in city.Australia, a staunch US ally, has bon heightened alert for attacks home-grown radicals since 2014

authorities say they have thwartednumber of plots.

ections. It is also possible to sectionout the plane out if you only requirehe fuselage, cockpit or the wings,” theeller, Concord Aerospace, says on eBay.Lady Penelope, as with all Virgin

Atlantic plane liveries, has a unique

feature that is the large illustration oftheir iconic ‘Flying Lady’ on both sidesof the tail section,” the pitch on the eBay page goes on. “This is a 50’ by 30’ largescale painting on the fuselage that couldbe cut out and can become one of themost unique aviation memorabilia inany collection.”

Virgin Plane Yours






18/28


18 World News

Australia Wants Canada To Take In Refugees HeldIn Detention Centres On South Pacic Islands

Canada is being called upon to helpAustralia deal with more than 2,000asylum seekers being detained for yearsn miserable conditions on remote South

Pacic Islands.The issue caused headlines this weekduring Australia’s election campaignwhen a Labor MP said the nextgovernment should work with the UnitedNations to nd safe third countries toelocate genuine refugees.

Asked during a televised interviewo identify likely countries to sendonrmed refugees, Labor MP Anthony

Albanese replied: “There are a range ofountries that are possibilities. Canada,

for example, is an obvious one.”Labor leader Bill Shorten, whose party

s leading in the latest polls, appearedo quickly embrace the idea, noting that

Canada’s recent intake of more than25,000 Syrian refugees “certainly doesmake our government’s efforts not lookn any fashion heroic compared to that.”

He called Canada “an excellent settlementountry and we would certainly maket a priority” while working with the

UN High Commissioner for Refugeeso resettle refugees held in detentionentres in Nauru, a tiny South Pacicsland state 3,000 kilometres from the

Australian coast, and Manus Island,which is part of Papua New Guinea.The charity group responsible forprotecting refugee families on Nauruubsequently issued a statementupporting Labor’s position.

“The Australian government must beprepared to negotiate with countries likeCanada as a potential permanent placeof resettlement and protection for peoplewho have ed persecution and conict,and spent years detained in Nauru orManus Island,” said Save the ChildrenAustralia.

The Canadian government had little toay about the matter other than note it

hasn’t formally discussed the matterwith Australia.“There have been no ofcial talksbetween Immigration, Refugees andCitizenship Canada and the AustralianGovernment to resettle in Canadaasylum seekers that are currently underhe responsibility of Australia,” said

Felix Corriveau, a spokesman in theofce of Immigration Minister JohnMcCallum. “It would be inappropriate

o make further comment on theelection platforms or proposed policies

of political parties during the Australianelection campaign.Australia launched its so-called “PacicSolution” in 2001 to discourage the

inow of smuggled migrants, mainlyfrom Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan,Myanmar and Vietnam, arriving onrickety vessels from Indonesia.The new policy, which had the supportof both the Liberal-National governmentas well as the Labor opposition, requiredthem to be detained on islands far fromAustralia’s shores.The program was ended in 2008, butfour years later it was revived as thegovernment declared that there wouldbe “no possibility” that anyone trying toland in Australia without a visa would

ever be given residency.In 2013, Amnesty International visitedManus Island and said conditions were“tantamount to torture.”Nauru is a black hole. You never get out Australia’s hard-line position has beentested by recent events, including theself-immolation of two detainees atthe Nauru detention centre to protestmiserable living conditions, includinglth, abuse, and poor access to healthcare, food and water.A second pressure point was the decision

last month by Papua New Guinea’sSupreme Court to rule that the ManusIsland centre is illegal and must be shutdown.Earlier this month, the UN RefugeeAgency, responding to the self-immolations that left a young Iranianman dead and a young Somali womanin critical condition, condemned thesituation.“There is no doubt that the current policyof offshore processing and prolongeddetention is immensely harmful,” theUN agency said in a statement.

Asked where they should be sent givenAustralia’s hard-line position, a UNofcial responded: “That’s a matter forthe government concerned … in thiscase, the Australian government.”If Australia formally sought Canada’shelp it would present an unusual

situation, since both are westdeveloped nations and signatoriesthe 1951 UN Refugee Convention legally obliges states to protect refug

Canada is helping poorer countries Lebanon and Jordan to deal with ood of refugees from war-ravaSyria.Would Canada then pivot to the SoPacic to take asylum seekers rejecby a wealthy western ally and friencompetitor with Canada for Asmarkets?Save The Children Canada spokeswomCicely McWilliam said the internatioorganization’s Australian counterphas also pushed its government accept its responsibility under the 1

UN accord.But McWilliam said the key priohas to be the families languishing years in detention centres in miseraconditions, where they sometimwalk shoeless in human lth and whwomen are subjected to the frequthreat of rape and other forms of abuIf Australia refuses to budge fromhardline policy, then “by all methey should be considered as refuclaimants” in Canada, she said.The only known recent case of refug

from one of the islands settling in Cantook place in November, when Syrteen Ali Kharsa and his father Ahmafter three years on Nauru, were oto Saskatoon.They had been sponsored by AhmKharsa’s wife, who along with her otchildren had been accepted into Canas refugees.The family had ed from Aleppo, Syin 2012 and sought refugee statusMalaysia, but while waiting the son father tried to get to Australia by hira smuggler.

An overjoyed Ali Kharsa told Australian media outlet in February he wants to study in Canada to becoa human rights lawyer in order to hothers escape Nauru.“I don’t believe I’m here (in CanadNauru is a black hole. You never get ou






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1For Woman

Easy Ways To Keep Sweat Stains Away Sweat stains can be unpleasant andembarrassing, so try using sweat pads oran antiperspirant to prevent it, suggestsan expert.Protect with sweat padsYou can steer clear of embarrassingsweat stains by afxing a sweat pado the area of the shirt under your arm

on each side. The pad will soak up thesweat and keep your skin dry.Switch to an antiperspirant Deodorant does nothing to stop thencrease of sweat marks on clothes. Try

antiperspirants instead, as these will go along way in keeping you dry on the area.Go for talcum powderIt will absorb the sweat better before itsoaks your clothes. Additionally, it actsas an astringent, meaning that it causesyour pores to hamper, which may helpwith sweating. Try to clean your armpitwith utmost care regularly while bathingin morning.Shave your armpits regularly It will keep the sweat from accumulatingin your armpits by washing away all the

bacteria. If you clean that area regulait also helps in avoiding unpleassmell and, of course, protects frsweat stains.Clean it with wipesBe it wet or dry wipes, both works wto control the sweat. They are easycarry in the bag and whensoever youtime to go to the washroom just wipeyour underarms at regular intervalskeeps you fresh and you will surelyable to breathe easier since now yousweat-free.

Have You Tried The Magical Yogurt OnYour Hair And Skin?

Yogurt has benets galore and thosewho have experienced it have swornby the same. This dairy product ishighly helping in keeping your hair and

kin issues at bay. We tell you somemultiple benets when mixed with otherngredients.

Removes Dandruff: This trick cannstantly help get rid of the dandruff.

Mix it with few lemon drops and a pinchof salt. Apply this pack on especially theoots and see the difference yourself.

Also try mixing a few drops of olive oilwith thickened curd and apply on the dry

scalp, you won't see those embarrassingaks on your shoulders ever.Natural exfoliator: It's no hidden factthat the lactic acid in the curd helps

removes blemishes and makes your skinsmooth as well. This natural exfoliation process can be also done with when youmix yogurt with oatmeal powder andegg white; you shall start loving yourskin all over again.Bleaching agent: Curd is a fabulousbleaching agent. However, you can mixit with orange peel which is anotherbleaching agent that shall lighten the

layers of tanned skin. Thanks to the zelement in the yogurt, you won't havhold back from stepping out in the now.

Treat chapped lips: Summers adrastically affect your lips and mthem dry. Don't worry! The ingredient curd when mixed with tor three saffron strands for about minutes shall bring your lips backnormal. Also try the mixture of yogand mustard oil. Rub gently on the twice a day, you will see a change in colour tone of lips.

Herbal Pastes And Oil Massages To ColouYour Grey Hair, Naturally

Tired of applying chemical dyes toolour your grey hair?

Here are a few homemade pastes andmixes that you can use to naturallyolour your hair. Natural colouringauses less damage to the hair. Skinare expert Vasundhra Ravi suggests a

few oil massages and herbal mixes to

darken your hair. They will not darkenyour hair like a chemical mix, but theywill colour your hair and help keep ithealthy.HOMEMADE OILTake 50ml coconut oil, 50ml gingellyoil and 50ml olive oil. Mix all these andheat on low ame. In a pot, spurt 10gmmustard, 20gm curry leaves, 20gm dryamla and 20 henna leaves. Saute till theyare almost dry. Now, add the oil andheat this mixture for another 10 minutes.Store it in an airtight bottle and keep it

n direct sunlight for four days. Let thengredients settle at the base. Now, use

this oil and massage your scalp and haireveryday. This oil helps darken yourgreying hair.HENNA PASTEMake a paste out of henna and applyover the hair for two hours and rinse.After a few hours, mix 100g of indigo powder with warm water and make a

paste. Apply this paste all over the hair.Leave it on for 45 minutes and rinse.You will be surprised to see that yourgrey hair has turned black to an extent.Apply this paste once a week.HAIR PACK Make your own hair darkening packby mixing the following together:henna leaves 50gm, aloe vera gel 20ml,haritaki or kadukkai skin 5gm, freshseedless amla 20gm. Grind all the aboveto a smooth paste, add the juice of half alemon to this mixture and apply on the

hair. Apply 10ml olive oil on hair priorto applying this pack. Leave on for 20

minutes and rinse to get a reddish-brotint to your hair.OLIVE OIL MASSAGEOlive oil is an excellent hair darkenSlightly warm 20ml of olive oil apply it on the scalp and give a genmassage for eight minutes. Leave itfor one hour. Apply this twice a weekget back your beautiful dark hair.HENNA-AMLA-KADUKAI PASTTake henna powder 200gm, am powder 25gm, kadukai powder 10gtulsi powder 10gm, tea decoction 100eucalyptus oil 2ml, curd 100ml, lem juice 10 drops, and olive oil 2tsp. Mall the ingredients in an iron vessel soak overnight. Next morning, apthis mixture on the scalp and hair. Leit on for two hours, and rinse. Do apply shampoo while washing the hThis paste gives a beautiful mar

tint to your hair. It also prevents furtgreying.


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20 Health

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious complex conditionwhich can affect the entire body. Its described as a chronic condition,

meaning that it lasts for a long time,often for someone's whole life.

n diabetes, the body does not properlyprocess food for use as energy. The bodyneeds a special sugar called glucose asts main source of fuel or energy. Most

of the food we eat such as breads,breakfast cereals, rice, pasta, potatoesmilk, yoghurt and fruit is turned intoglucose, or sugar, for our bodies to useor energy.

When our food is digested, the glucosemakes its way into our bloodstream.Our cells use the glucose for energy andgrowth. However, glucose cannot enter

our cells without insulin being present -nsulin makes it possible for our cells toake in the glucose.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just belowthe stomach. After eating, the pancreasautomatically releases an adequatequantity of insulin to move the glucose

present in our blood into the cells, assoon as glucose enters the cells bloodglucose levels drop. Insulin, thus servesas a "key" to open your cells, to allowthe glucose to enter and allow you to usethe glucose for energy.When you have diabetes, your bodyeither doesn't make enough insulin orcan't use its own insulin as well as itshould. This causes sugars to build upin your blood. This is why many peoplerefer to diabetes as "sugar." This excessblood glucose eventually passes out of

the body in urine. So, even though theblood has plenty of glucose, the cells arenot getting it for their essential energy

and growth requirements.Unhealthy levels of blood glucleads to short term and long tecomplications including heart diseablindness, kidney failure, and low

extremity amputations.There are three main types of diabetea. Type 1- Insulin dependent diabeLess common form.b. Type 2- Non-Insulin dependent diabeMost common form, 90% of cases.c. Gestational diabetes- Occurs dur pregnancy and usually goes away othe baby is born.All the types of diabetes are seriand complex. An important pointnote about diabetes is that it does discriminate. Anyone can deve

diabetes.Questions to ask your doctor:* How do I check if I have diabetes?

What Is Prediabetes?Prediabetes is a "pre-diagnosis" ofdiabetes-you can think of it as a warningign. It's a wake-up call that you're onhe path to diabetes.

Prediabetes means that your bloodugar level is higher than normal but

not high enough to be classied as type2 diabetes. It is known as "borderlinediabetes" or Impaired glucose tolerance.Normally, your body makes a hormonealled insulin to help control your bloodugar. When you have prediabetes, thatystem doesn't work as well as it should.

You might not be able to make enoughnsulin after eating, or your body might

not respond to insulin properly.f your fasting blood glucose level isetween 100 and 125mg/dL, you haverediabetes. This being the case, furtherests will be recommended by your doctor.

Oral glucose tolerance test & Glycated

hemoglobin( HBA1c) test can identify

persons with prediabetes.When you're in the prediabetes stage youmay not have any symptoms at all. When prediabetes becomes diabetes symptomslike increased thirst, increased urination, increased hunger along with weightloss may be noticed by patients.One possible sign that you may be at riskof type 2 diabetes is darkened skin oncertain parts of the body. This conditionis called acanthosis nigricans.Common areas that may be affectedinclude the neck, armpits, elbows, kneesand knuckles.Without intervention, prediabetes islikely to become type 2 diabetes in 10years or less. If you have prediabetes,the long-term damage of diabetes -especially to your heart and circulatorysystem - may already be starting.There's good news, however. Prediabetes

can be an opportunity for you to improve

your health. Progression from prediabeto type 2 diabetes isn't inevitable.If you have prediabetes, there important steps you can, and shoutake. Early intervention in the formhealthy lifestyle changes- such as eathealthy foods, including physical activin your daily routine and maintaininhealthy weight can turn back the cland return elevated blood glucose levto the normal range. Almost halfthe persons with prediabetes may prevented from developing diabeteslifestyle management.You hold the key in managing y prediabetes and preventing progressto type 2 diabetes and its complicatioQuestions to ask your doctor:* How do I check if I am at risk prediabetes?* How can I prevent prediabetes fr

turning into type 2 diabetes?

Myths About Diabetes As A DiseaseMisinformation about diabetes isxtremely common. A rst step in

managing this serious condition isearning the correct facts. Find out

which commonly held notions aboutdiet, exercise, weight gain, and more arerue and which are false.

Myth # 1: Diabetes is not a seriousdisease.Diabetes is a serious, chronic diseasehat can be controlled-but it still causes

more deaths a year than breast cancer andAIDS combined. Two out of three peoplewith diabetes die from heart disease orstroke. Diabetes is also responsible forother devastating complications andis amongst the commonest causes ofblindness, of end-stage kidney diseaseand of non-traumatic amputation oflower limbs.Myth # 2: Diabetes is caused by eatingtoo much sugar.

Diabetes is not caused by eating much sugar. There are two typesdiabetes: type 1 and type 2. Typediabetes occurs when the pancrcompletely stops making any insua hormone that helps the body to glucose (sugar) found in foods energy.Type 2 diabetes, on the othand, results when the body doe produce enough insulin and/or is una

Continued On Page 21


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Health 2

o use insulin properly (this is alsoeferred to as 'insulin resistance').

Myth # 3: Oral Pills and insulin can curediabetes.Till date, medicine hasn't offered usa cure for diabetes; it can only give

us control at best. But living withdiabetes isn't too difcult these days. Aombination of medication as advised

by your specialist, a healthy meal planthat balances carbs, proteins and fats)

and regular exercise does the trick!Oral pills (which make insulin functionbetter) and insulin shots are veryeffective and can help you lower yourhigh blood glucose.Myth # 4: My family has a long historyof diabetes. I can't escape it!ust because several of your family

members have Type 2 diabetes, itdoesn't mean you're doomed to have it

too! Nevertheless, you are denitely athigher risk of developing diabetes andhence, you should bring in healthierlifestyle changes. Control on diet and aregular exercise plan to maintain an idealbody weight and waist circumference (<90 cm in men, < 80 cm in women) canbe of real help in warding off the risk

of developing T2 diabetes. Despite allthis, if you still turn out to be diagnosedwith Type 2 diabetes, don't lose hope!Diabetes is a serious disease, but mostessentially, it is also controllable. Don'tlet this disease get in your way of livinga long and satisfying life!Myth # 5: People with diabetes can't eatsweets.There is no reason why people with Type2 diabetes can't eat sweets as part of theirhealthy meal plan. When eaten in small portions or as a special treat, diabetics can

eat whatever they want. Diabetes doesn'tmean you can never have a piece of cake

Myths About Diabetes As A DiseaseContinued From Page 20 again, just a smaller piece, and yo

have to be careful about what you with that piece of cake. Having a desoccasionally in a month is ne, but every night. Burn more calories when do this and monitor your sugars regulato know how that piece of cake did!Myth #6: If you have diabetes, you c

do too much exercise.Many long-term studies have shothe positive impact regular physactivity has on lowering glucose. Pleremember that any physical tn program needs to be approved by ydiabetes care team prior to startibut once you've settled into a progrbeing active and healthy with diabeis absolutely possible and is denitencouraged! In fact, coupled with proper diet regimen, exercise forms cornerstone in controlling your blo

glucose levels, in addition to helpingweight management.

BP Fluctuations May Be Bad For Your BrainHigher long-term uctuations in blood

pressure readings may be linked to fasterdeclines in brain and cognitive functionamong older adults, says a study.Blood pressure variability might signal

blood ow instability, which could leado the damage of the ner vessels of the

body with changes in brain structure andfunction," said Bo (Bonnie) Qin, leadtudy author and a postdoctoral scholar

at Rutgers Cancer Institute in NewBrunswick, New Jersey, US.These blood pressure uctuations mayndicate pathological processes such asnammation and impaired function in

he blood vessels themselves," she noted.For the study, the researchers analysed

results from 976 Chinese adults (half women,

age 55 and or older) who participated in theChina Health and Nutrition Survey over a period of ve years.Blood pressure variability wascalculated from three or four visits tothe health professional. Participants alsounderwent a series of cognitive quizzessuch as performing word recall andcounting backwards.Higher visit-to-visit variability in thetop number in a blood pressure reading(systolic blood pressure) was associatedwith a faster decline of cognitivefunction and verbal memory, the

ndings showed.However, higher variability in the

bottom number (diastolic bl

pressure) was associated with fadecline of cognitive function amoadults aged 55 to 64, but not amothose aged 65 and older.The ndings appeared in the jourHypertension: Journal of the AmeriHeart Association.While physicians tend to focus average blood pressure readings, the nndings suggest that high variabimay be something for physicianswatch for in their patients."Controlling blood pressure instabicould possibly be a potential strat

in preserving cognitive function amolder adults," Qin said.

Nearly Half Of All Heart Attacks May Be'Silent'

Nearly half of all heart attacks maynot have

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