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Fiji PM Witnesses The Completion Of Fiji's New Airbus

It was a proud moment for Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and the joint Government-Air Pacific delegation in Toulouse, France.They witnessed firsthand the first of the three Airbus A330-200 – complete with the Fijian masi design and the new Fiji Airways logo.Commodore Bainimarama said the new aircraft would be the pride of our national airline.“This is a very exciting day for all Fijians. This is the first time in the history of Air Pacific – soon to be Fiji Airways – that we will own, not lease, a wide bodied aircraft,” he said.“Only a few years ago, this day would have seemed impossible. At that time, the future looked very uncertain and the thought of buying three new, state–of-the-art aircraft was inconceivable.“But thanks to the reforms that were undertaken and the incredibly hard work of the entire team at Air Pacific, we are here to witness a new chapter in our national airline’s history.”The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Tourism Elizabeth Powell, Air Pacific chairman, Nalin Patel, director Aslam Khan and managing director Dave Pflieger.The Fijian delegation examined the progress being made on Fiji Airway’s first A330-200 and took a guided tour of the interior.They received a full briefing on the features of the aircraft, which was designed and manufactured exclusively for Fiji’s Airways.The Fijian masi art – designed for Air Pacific by local masi artist Makereta

Matemosi – not only appears on the exterior, but has also been incorporated into the design of the cabins, including the seat fabric.The Prime Minister once again paid special tribute to Ms Matemosi for creating something that all Fijians can

be proud of.“Ms Matemosi’s design will represent Fiji as our new jets land at airports around the Asia-Pacific,” Commodore Bainimarama said.The delegation also saw the second Airbus A330-200 in the making where

wings were being fitted on.This first A330-200 will arrive in Nadi on March 19. The second and third will arrive in May and November respectively.The airline will officially become ‘Fiji Airways’ in June this year.

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Man Gets 16 Years Imprisonment For Raping A 13Yr Old Girl

A 48 year old bottle and scrap metal dealer, Abdul Rasheed has been sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for raping a 13 year old girl on different occasions from 2005 to 2011. While sentencing the man, Justice Paul Madigan said in recent months, the community has become particularly aware of the growing prevalence of rape, particularly rapes of children as young as nine months. He said it is for the courts to pass sentences to show the community that crime of this nature will not go unpunished and heavy sentences will be meted out to deter would be sexual abusers. Justice Madigan said the highly aggravating features in this particular case is that the rapes were affected by the use of witchcraft and fraud as Rasheed told the family that the 13 year old girl was possessed and he could cure her.

According to court documents, he tricked the family into buying items like a tabua, masi and tanoa for witchcraft purposes and also tricked them by saying that something bad was put in the 13 year old girl's food at school and her stomach was full of worms. Justice Madigan said the father trusted Rasheed and allowed him to heal his daughter. The court said there was a prolonged pattern of rape over 6 years, Rasheed demonstrated no remorse whatsoever, he sent other family members away on a pointless task to give himself time to commit the offences and he used violence on the girl. Rasheed also ran away at the end of the trial. However he has been caught and taken to prison. Justice Madigan said Rasheed has to serve a minimum of 14 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Fiji To Participate At Global Exhibition

RFMF personnel at the Premier Inn,Abu DhabiMembers of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Band have arrived in Abu Dhabi the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the International Defense Exhibition 2013 (IDEX 2013) and Gulf Defense Conference which opens this weekend.Led by the Chief of Staff, Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho, Fiji’s participation at the Exhibition was made possible through an invitation by the UAE Armed Forces, organizers of the IDEX 2013 and the 2013 Gulf Defence Conference.Fiji’s Ambassador to the UAE, Mr Robin Nair received the delegation from Fiji and expressed his gratitude to the RFMF for their participation adding that “it was a great day for the new Embassy’s public diplomacy and outreach agenda to receive Fiji’s premier military and cultural band and performers”.“The embassy will be taking advantage of this opportunity to showcase Fiji in the IDEX 2013,” Ambassador Nair said.Ambassador Nair said apart from performing at the IDEX 2013, the Embassy in conjunction with ADBox,

a high profile Abu Dhabi based Events company have also organised other locations for the group to perform. This includes main shopping malls and the Global Village in Dubai.He said other parts of UAE have also shown interest in inviting the group to perform.“I have received requests from throughout the seven Emirates, for the group to perform at their venues also”, Ambassador Nair said.It is expected that the RFMF Band’s performance will reach many TV audiences in the region and the world over.The 50 man party from RFMF, which includes two female members are all looking forward to their first performance on Sunday.IDEX is the only International defense exhibition and conference in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region demonstrating the latest technology across land, sea and air sectors of defense. It is a unique platform to establish and strengthen relationships with government departments, businesses and armed forces throughout the region.

Government Urged To Continue The Good Work

A family of farmers in Muaniweni, Naitasiri, who say they were terrorized, assaulted and robbed during the height of the 2000 coup want Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to continue leading Fiji.And, they were not alone in their call. Some students, who remember the events 12 years ago, and a village leader in the same province, echoed the same sentiments.The farmers, whose homes were nearly burnt by so-called rebels, said Commodore Bainimarama and his Government had been fighting corruption in Fiji.The students, on the other hand, said Government should continue because of free education.They do not want a repeat of the events of 2000. They still remember and do not want to be traumatized again.Meanwhile, Navatuvula Village eco-tourism committee president Savenaca Kubu said Government should continue because the tourism project given to them had become a lifesaver.NARAYAN FARMERSMuaniweni farmers; Vishal, 24, Vishwa, 40, Nitin Sivam, 17, and Ravinesh Naicker, 32, had just sent off a truckload of ginger to be sold in Suva when the reporter pulled up their driveway. They were resting on their home porch.They are members of the Narayan family who have been farmers all their lives.They told us their story of 2000. Their double-storey home was broken into at night by rebels. They were assaulted, terrorized, and their groceries forcefully taken.

They said this happened when the household leader was in Suva for a funeral.“It was terrifying. They took everything. They demanded money and took whatever they wanted, even the food we had and our groceries.“They then told us to remain indoors and poured kerosene around and inside our kitchen which was the basement of our home. We were lucky that while pouring kerosene they wet the box of matches and could not light the fire. We were saved then, but the experience was terrifying.“Developments are happening around the country. That is what the grassroots people want. Commodore Bainimarama should continue because his Government is stopping corruption. Before, when we want something for our farm, or apply for loan, we have to pay money to bribe some people. Nowadays Government bans corruption and that helps us poor people,” Mr Naicker chipped in.“We are not sure who to vote for, but if this Government stands, we will vote them because they help farmers like us. I had been National Federation Party supporter, not Labour Party because Mahendra Chaudhry is one-sided. He only helps farmers in the West. We want politicians who help everyone, not politicians who takes sides,” Vishwa said.STUDENTS WANT FREE EDUCATIONMuaniweni students, Bunasoli Kionia and Ruci Talei, said free education now offered would help children of Fiji prosper in the future.“I remember in 2000 that the Indo-Fijians from here were brought to our

village in Naqali to be protected. We were all frightened because there was lawlessness. Now it is peaceful and we have free education. This Government should continue because through free education, some children whose parents are poor are attending school,” Miss Kionia said.ECO-TOURISMMr Kubu said their eco-tourism had improved their lifestyle.Yesterday there were busloads of

tourists who were treated to iTaukei ceremonies and entertainment. Villagers were paid for being hosts.“Before we work hard in our farms relying on ginger, dalo and cassava. Today we stay in the village and money is brought to us by these tourists. We have toilets which are tiled, good water system and clean home and a clean village. This has been brought about by this Government. They should continue,” he said.

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Forger's Job Letter BackfiresA woman caught forging papers in an immigration scam supplied a supportive letter in her bid to avoid jail - but is now in prison because the letter was fake.Ravina Singh, 32, was sentenced to 11 months' home detention after admitting 30 charges of providing false immigration information, aiding unlawful entry to New Zealand, forgery, and providing immigration advice despite being unlicensed.Ravina and her husband, Alvin Singh, gained residency after presenting fabricated job offers and a visa application which used forged stamps in the name of a genuine justice of the peace. Singh used her residence status

to bring her parents from Fiji with false job offers, from which they later gained residency.The lies were unraveled by Immigration New Zealand investigators but she continued to perpetuate the fraud at her sentencing in 2011.She produced a letter which stated she was a valued employee and could continue working for her employer after sentencing. The letter of support helped convince the judge to sentence her to home detention, rather than prison.However, the letter was discovered to be a forgery and Singh admitted perverting the course of justice.She was sentenced to nine months' jail last November.

P&O Cruises Fleet’s Newest Addition In Town

The newest addition to the P&O Cruises fleet, Pacific Pearl’s eleven passenger decks arrived at Port Denarau.Port Denarau General Manager, Aysha Koya said this is the ship’s first stop in the country.Originally from Australia, Pacific Pearl’s top deck features a giant LED Big Screen and an outdoor circus arena where jaw-dropping acrobatics are

performed. Inside, passengers will find 270 degree views and entertainment galore in the Dome; a great range of bars including MIX cocktail bar and pub-style venue The Orient; and spectacular production shows in the Marquee Theatre.Pacific Pearl is the ninth cruise ship that has arrived in Port Denarau this year.

Call For Proper Pork Import Labels

The pig industry is calling on Government to ensure pork imports have proper labeling and adhere to biosecurity requirements.The plea comes from the Pig Association president, Simon Cole, as the association seeks Government’s support to introduce a 32 per cent duty on processed pork imports.Mr Cole said he was especially concerned about Canadian and European raised pork that is subsidized by their governments and then imported into Australia where it is processed into bacon, ham and other products.

“The processed meat is then sent to Fiji as Australian-made when in fact it is pork raised in Canada and Europe,” he said.“It is this distortion of the market that needs the attention of the Fijian Government and Biosecurity.“We believe if all of this is properly addressed, the pig industry in Fiji will return to health with food security and its contribution to the economy fully restored.”Mr Cole said in Fiji, pig farmers receive no subsidies but must carry all costs in raising the animals.

Bureau Records Rise In InflationTHE average annual rate of inflation for the 12 months to January 2013 stands at 4.1 per cent, according to the latest report on Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics.In a statement, government statistician Epeli Waqavonovono said this had increased compared to 3.2 per cent for the same period last year."All CPI for the month of January, 2013 registered an increase of 2.2 per cent over 2012 (143.3) and stands at 164.4," he said.

"There are two measures of inflation used in Fiji. One compares the average CPI over the past 12 months with the average CPI over the previous 12 months."The other, which is used in most countries, compares the CPI in the current month with the CPI in the comparable month of the previous year."Mr Waqavonovono said the bureau recorded a 4.2 per cent increase in the price of food.

Second Chance For Duck TheftThree men were given a second chance by Navua Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne.John Vikash, 36, of Waidradra settlement, Aporosa Tamaniveli, 38, of Veiwawa settlement and Epeli Navuki, 40, also of Waidradra allegedly stole 10 live ducks and four chickens from a businessman’s residence at Dakunikoro

in Pacific Harbour on December 31, 2012.They admitted the charge. Police prosecutor Constable Riteshni Lata said only four ducks were recovered from the three accused and returned to first complainant. Fourteen ducks were recovered by Police and returned to the second complainant.

Heavy Rain WarningA heavy rain warning is now in force for Western half of Viti Levu, Yasawa and the Mamanuca Group. The public is advised that heavy rain force may lead to flash flooding in these areas.Those living in the Western Division, especially those living in low

lying areas, are forewarned to take appropriate precautionary measures and to closely monitor the current situation and keep listening to radio for further development.Heavy rain is expected to continue through to the weekend.



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Air Pacific’s First Commercial Airbus Flight To Commence April 2

The first commercial flight by Air Pacific’s Airbus A330-200, will be on April 2 from Nadi to Auckland.This has been confirmed by the national airline, soon to be rebranded, Fiji Airways.Flights in between April to June, before the rebranding, will provide passengers with a ‘pre-Fiji Airways sneak peak’ of the airline’s 24 business and 249 economy class seats.The airline said the ‘pre-Fiji Airways sneak peak’ flights will provide passengers with an exciting opportunity to fly on the new A330 with its enhanced level of comfort and new in-flight entertainment.This before the carrier changes its name, offers a new service model and re-brands to become ‘Fiji Airways’ in June.Increased flight frequenciesAs big preparations are underway for the arrival of the A330 on March 19, Air Pacific has released an updated network schedule, highlighting routes to be served by the A330 aircraft.Air Pacific said arrival of new aircraft will result in increased frequencies to

Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles throughout 2013.The new aircraft is expected to provide passengers with improved schedule and more options to experience enhanced comfort and entertainment features of new A330.The airline said extra flights will allow better connections to intra-Fiji destinations, via Air Pacific’s subsidiary carrier Pacific Sun.This would offer visitors to Fiji even better opportunities to spend more time in outer islands like Taveuni, Vanua Levu, Kadavu, the Mamanuca, Yasawa and Lau group islands.Better service deliveryAir Pacific managing director and chief executive, Dave Pflieger, said their goal has always been to offer our customers the best flying experience in the Pacific.“Our new planes are going to make a huge difference in our ability to deliver on that promise, and we will be revealing even better service and other surprises when we officially become ‘Fiji Airways’,” he said.

Stunning livery and interiorThe airline’s new A330s are expected to be flying billboards for Fiji.The airline says their stunning new livery, interiors, seats, lighting and in-flight entertainment will make a dramatic difference in making customers feel like they are already in Fiji on vacation as soon as they step on-board.The plane’s new interior uses muted tones inspired by the Fijian islands’ elegant yet earthy beauty.The exterior livery draws its inspiration from a striking new Masi symbol designed by local artist Makereta Matemosi, originally from Namuka-I-Lau in Eastern Fiji.Retiring old fleetAir Pacific said by the end of this year, they would have retired their Boeing 747s.They would have also repainted and upgraded all of their Boeing 737s, rolled out new uniforms and introduced a number of new customer service enhancements.This would all be to reflect and elevate the new brand of ‘Fiji Airways’.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama (left) and Air Pacific managing director and chief executive, Dave Pflieger (right) with Air Pacific board members inside the airline’s brand new Airbus A330-200 business cabin.

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Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Stabbing

A man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was stabbed repeatedly at a property north of Auckland last Saturday night.Kumar Anal Kamal, also known as Anal Kumar, a 42-year-old welder from Fiji, was remanded in custody when he appeared in North Shore District Court. Detective Sergeant Scott Armstrong said police were called to the Orewa address about 8pm Saturday where

they found a woman with a number of stab wounds.She was taken to Auckland Hospital, where she is recovering after undergoing surgery.Kamal was located at the address and charged with attempted murder. A weapon thought to have been involved was also recovered at the scene.Mr Armstrong said Kamal was known to the victim.He will appear again next month.

Govt Welcomes Improved RatingFiji’s government hopes to continue providing better economic conditions for the people of Fiji.This is after Moody’s Investors Service, a bond credit rating business that performs economic research, recently revised Fiji government’s B1 foreign and local currency long-term bond ratings to stable from negative on February 13, 2013.Moody attributed the improved rating to improved fiscal and macroeconomic outcomes, as well as the demonstrated stability of the external payments position.The outlook of Fiji’s ratings had been negative in 2010.In a press statement Minister for Finance permanent secretary Filimoni Waqabaca welcomed the announcement saying Fiji’s progress has finally been recognized.

“When they make these assessments, the Ministry will open its books to them. They go through our fiscal numbers, our monetary policy with their experts who analyze how our numbers are and based and they make their judgement on whether we have improved,” he said.He further said that Fiji will continue to strive for better ratings to enable better access to funds.“We will continue to work towards those targets. Government has put out macro-economic targets going into medium term and we are headed towards those in terms of reserves level which is high and inflation which is low,” he said.Moody’s analytics is a subsidiary of Moody’s corporation that was established in 2007.

Money Changers Fined Over Fijian Stolen Money

Four moneychangers of Singapore have been slapped with hefty fines for failing to record transactions involving stolen Fijian dollars.The media reports that three of them - Amit Hamja Shaik Dawood, Sheik Allavudeen S S Omar and Nizamudeen D M Syed Ahmad were fined $15,000 each on one charge. The fourth man, Abdul Jaleel N.K.Mohammed Ali who is the owner of the money change outlet, 53, was fined $24,000 as he committed two such offences.The four are charged with not having recorded transaction of one million Fijian dollars that were stolen from Jurong Port on August 19, 2010.The money all in $20 notes, was part of a

shipment of newly printed currency worth 202 million Fiji dollars enroute from London to Fiji.The theft was only discovered when the container arrived in Suva.Singapore's Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) tracked down the four men after an unknown man, within three days of the theft, had exchanged $340,000 Fiji dollars for Singapore currency on two occasions at Abdul Jaleel's Anisha & Riyas outlet at People's Park Centre.Singapore’s Money-Changing & Remittance Business Act requires licensees to keep a complete record of transactions of above $5,000.The four men had pleaded guilty.

New Scholarship For Underprivileged Students

Fiji's government has announced a new university scholarship scheme for underprivileged students who had grown up in special circumstances.After announcing the Government’s Tertiary Education Loan Scheme (TELS) from France, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama also stressed on the importance of a scholarship scheme for special children.The Scholarship Scheme for Special Children (SSSC) is targeted at children who have grown up in the care of safe homes administered either by the State or by private institutions or have attended schools for children with special needs.The scheme provides full scholarships for up to 20 qualifying students a year to pursue any course offered by a recognised higher education institution in Fiji.The Prime Minister in a government statement said that it was important to recognise that there are young people in Fiji who have grown up in very adverse conditions, and that these children needed special care and attention to provide them with an avenue for success in life.“Many of these children were neglected or abused before coming to a safe home,” said Bainimarama.“Although they are provided with basic necessities through secondary school,

after that they must fend for themselves, and many fall back into poverty.”“These young people needed another option. It was absolutely critical that we put in place a scholarship initiative that recognises that they have grown up in special circumstances,” he addedSpeaking about the SSSC, Permanent Secretary for the PSC Parmesh Chand said that because many of these children are unable to meet the standard requirements and criteria for other scholarship initiatives offered by Government, the SSSC was developed to be as flexible as possible.Applicants are not required to provide guarantors as many of these young people are without family and are free to pursue any course of their choosing. In order to qualify, an applicant must only have a letter of offer from a tertiary institution and be endorsed by the management of their home or school.Chand has urged the management of safe homes and special needs schools to familiarize themselves with the details of this initiative and to recommend SSSC scholarships to qualifying students and assist them with their applications.Details of the SSSC scholarships have been advertised in the newspapers and the deadline for application for the current year is Friday March 21, 2013.

Trial For 2 Former CID OfficersA trial is expected to start soon in relation to two former CID officers who are alleged to have been involved in the break in at CID headquarters in May last year. Christopher Gustav and Antonio Terake are charged with theft, unlawful

supply of illicit drugs and interfering with evidence. Gustav informed the court that there is a slight change in his address and that he has moved a street further in Lautoka. The case will be called on the 14th of next month.

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Ethanol Plant Plan For Cane

EU Wants Access To Fish In Fiji Waters

THE Industry and Trade Ministry is negotiating with the European Union for European fishing vessels to fish in Fiji waters.This was revealed by the ministry permanent secretary Shaheen Ali.Mr Ali said the development is part of the rules of origin that set the rules for trading or the rules for entry under preferential arrangements, such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).Director of trade Sovaia Marawa said the EU was the biggest single market for Fiji's fisheries products."The EU purely wants our fish. It wants access to our fisheries resources. They just want to come and fish," said Ms Marawa. "They don't want us to send our fish. They want to enter our fishing ground with their fishing boats and take advantage of our fishing grounds."Ms Marawa said there had been different views within the region on EU accessing fisheries resources."For Fiji, we are willing to look at access but there has been some progress in looking at global sourcing on fresh, frozen and chilled fish," she said.The progress was possible after Fiji presented a case study to the EU that Fiji would benefit economically.She said the presentation did make a

difference. "We just have to come with facts and figures," she said.Ministry of Fisheries and Forests permanent secretary Inoke Wainiqolo said they were still negotiating with EU on the EPA."What they really need for fishing is the simplification of ownership and crew requirements linked to vessels used to harvest fish," he said.This means that some additional flexibility has been extended by ACP exporters."For the rules of origin, Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZs), from what we have known, is not as rich as other regions in the Pacific like those in the north and west of Fiji."However, Mr Wainiqolo said Fiji had processing plants, cannery and connectivity via air and sea.For the rules of origin, he said regional countries could source their fish through Fiji."Not only do they want to buy from us but they also want to participate in the catching of these resources in Fiji waters."While some Pacific islands do not want the EU to access their resources, he said Fiji was negotiating with them."That is the requirement they want for our waters," Mr Wainiqolo said.

Exploration results encourage Vatukoula

Vatukoula Gold Mines has unveiled additional high grade drilling results.Highlights of the drilling campaign on the Prince William and associated ore bodies at the Vatukoula gold mine include:l 53.14 grams of gold per tonne (g/t) over 1.29 meters, of which one section reported 264.47 grams of gold per tonne over 0.23 meters;l 16.38 grams of gold per tonne over 0.42 meters;l 16.22 grams of gold per tonne over 0.53 meters.Chief executive David Paxton labeled the exploration results ‘encouraging’ as they pointed to more resource upside within a currently-active mining area near the Philip Shaft.Meanwhile, the mine says positive explorations from in and around its Philip Shaft has continued in the

current fiscal year.It said resource definition drilling had confirmed the strike and down dip extensions of the Prince William ore body.“In addition, drilling from surface encountered an additional mineralized structure approximately 200 meters above the Prince William ore body, with some exceptional grades,” the company said.“The results reported are encouraging and indicate further resource upside within a currently active mining area proximal to the Philip Shaft.”Vatukoula said surface and underground drilling programmes in the area of the Philip Shaft had continued to intersect high-grade extensions of known ore bodies.It has encountered new mineralized structures both above and below the Prince William ore body.

PLANS to establish an ethanol production plant in the Western Division are continuing with the Fiji Sugar Corporation working in partnership with the Energy Department to identify a consultant.FSC executive chairman Abdul Khan said the diversification project was part of the corporation's move to establish more revenue streams."This is part of plans to move the industry from the sugar industry to the sugarcane industry," he said."At the moment we are hoping to, within a fortnight, engage a consultant to carry out a detailed project report."This will determine how much we require in capital costs and also to do a financial economic exercise to determine viability."

Mr Khan, however, said plans to establish a refinery were shelved because of their non-viability from an economic perspective."Rather than go into a huge capital investment, we will take our raw sugar to refiners because there is an overcapacity of refiners in the world."We always have to do a cost benefit exercise and determine what's best for the FSC and Fiji."Since taking the helm at the FSC in 2010, Mr Khan has laid out diversification plans to extend revenue streams for the country's only sugar miller in a bid to revitalize.Cogeneration plants are being established at Rarawai and Labasa as part of the diversification and expansion exercise.


Fiji Presents Case At UN Techno Forum

FIJI'S pursuit for the advancement in geospatial information technology was recently presented at the UN High Level Forum in Doha, Qatar.A government statement said geospatial was an approach to applying statistical analysis and informational techniques to data with geographical aspects.Such analysis would employ software capable of processing geographic data sets.Minister for Agriculture, Forest, Fisheries, Provincial Development and Disaster Management, Colonel Inia Seruiratu, made the presentation to members of the forum in the presence of the Emir of the State of Qatar and the people of Qatar.Col. Seruiratu thanked the UN Statistics Division for giving Fiji the opportunity to offer a statement on the importance of geospatial information."In Fiji, the evolution of technology is

at a pace more in line with the rate of development though there are demands for more advancement in the face of global demands and in technology know-how," Col Seruiratu said.He told the forum geospatial information was one of the most interesting fields Fiji was advancing into."Interesting because it implies the technology that incorporates land surveying, hydrographic surveying, GIS, satellite, remote sensing, cartography, photogrammetric and other methods of acquiring data and information of the earth and its resources," Col. Seruiratu said.He told the UN High Level Forum in Doha that Fiji and the Pacific had challenges in this field and would need quality and dynamic data to provide solutions allowing more proactive rather than reactive approaches.

ATH Absorbs Pain For Long Term Benefit

Short term pain will be long term gain. This is appropriately applicable in the case of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Limited (ATH) Group.The impairment of plant and equipment by the ATH Group may have led to a one-off loss, but it will have its benefits in the future.ATH acting general manager, Ivan Fong, said the move would lower operations costs and improved range of services.The group recorded an interim and unaudited consolidated net loss after tax and minority interest of $19.8 million for their third quarter ended December 31.They had however, recorded a consolidated net profit after tax and minority interest of $696,000 for the corresponding period the previous year.The significant loss recorded for the third quarter was attributed to an impairment of plant and equipment recorded at $70 million.

The group profit before impairment and income tax was $28.7 million. The impact of this impairment will only affect the ATH Group results for the current financial period.Impairment and reasonMr Fong highlighted the nature of impairment under the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).“Where the cash and profits generated from particular assets no longer support the value attributed to them on the books, then companies must make adjustments to the values,” he said.Mr Fong said: “Essentially within the group operating companies, where new technologies are invested in and brought online, these may have greater functionality and efficiencies that supersede older technologies.“So while the physical life of the equipment may be able to continue, economically it may not make sense.“For instance, operations cost of old equipment may be higher than just buying new equipment etc.”.

Japan Grant Put To WorkTHE Japanese Government has signed a $420,429 grant to aid three projects in the country.The projects are the compost centre for the Suva City Council, a women's empowerment project with HART, and a water supply project by Habitat for Humanity.This was made possible through the Japanese Government's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Program.Japan's ambassador Eiichi Oshima said the projects were important to Fiji."Upgrading of the compost centre at the Suva City Council is a very important

aspect of environmental conservation. The project for empowerment of single mothers and their children is anticipated to provide the inspiration and means for income generation. Habitat for Humanity will be constructing new water supply systems in villages in Kadavu, Beqa and Motoriki islands this year," Mr Oshima revealed.The ambassador said he believed the projects were models for human security because they recognised that education, women's empowerment, sanitation and water supply were some of the most important elements supporting the initiative.

Carpenters Motors Launches Isuzu D-Max Twin Cab

CARPENTERS Motors launched the latest model of Isuzu D-Max twin cab at their showroom in Walu Bay.Isuzu, which has been in Fiji for some time storms Suva at the launch with added features and modern built to go with the weather and road conditions in Fiji.National operations manager Vehicles Alvin Sharma said the model had not been with them before but had been a franchise for two of its competitors.Since taking over the franchise in 2000, Mr Sharma said this new model was built with reliability and had grown.They have launched four variances and these include D-Max 4x4 Crew Cab 3.0L, D-Max 4x4 Single Cab 2.5L, D-Max 4x4 Crew Cab 2.5L and a D-Max 4x2 Single Cab 2.5L.He said the targeted market for the car would be corporate and twin-cab for people who used utilities."Isuzu is not much of a flashy vehicle

and it's not destined to be. It's more of work utilities for workaholic people rather than a flashy image that are prevalent in Fiji," Mr Sharma said.He said the cars were fuel economical, built to last its maximized performance, and the vehicle was chosen to suit the scenery in Fiji.The cars are of good value, roomy and practical cabin, frugal engine and not the worst twin cab to drive.He added D-Max's road manners were a big step up on what would have been class-beating standards only a few years back."The good news starts with steering that is respectably direct and responsive."On a smooth road, it steers obediently, predictably and body roll is reasonably restrained."He said they had customers who were willing to buy.The price ranges from $56,000 to $94,000.

Kava Man AwardedTHE Commendation Award received at the FDB Small Business Awards for the Wholesale/Retail Category in November 2012 was a timely boost for Janendra Kumar of Nasau in Sigatoka.Mr Kumar, 44, is an entrepreneur who toiled hard to build his kava retail and export business in Sigatoka over the past eight years."I was really surprised when FDB called to inform me that I was one of the nominees for the wholesale and retail category," he said."The award is really good for my business because it gives recognition to this business I have built with my family. It also means that my hard work has paid off."Originally from Durumoli, Mr Kumar and his family moved to Nasau in 2004 after securing a 10-acre lease.This is where he plans the business activities for the stall at the Sigatoka market as well as exports to Samoa and New Zealand.He started exporting kava in 2006 and sources his supply from the Navosa Highlands, Labasa, Taveuni and Kadavu.

"I started with just selling kava from my stall at the Sigatoka market and this went very well as there was a lot of demand for it here in the west. At the back of my mind, I had always planned to export kava overseas. Exporting is better because I can sell in bulk compared to retailing locally where I have to compete for market share."Mr Kumar exports an average of 600 kilograms of kava to New Zealand and a further three tonnes to Samoa annually. He plans to expand his business by securing additional markets overseas and increasing the volume of export.

Janendra Kumar at his kava stall in Sigatoka.

Fiji News

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Times Fined $300,000A Suva High Court judge said The Fiji Times newspaper appears to have learnt little from its first conviction for contempt of court.Justice William Calanchini said the newspaper, while facing a second contempt charge, then also published further material. This was an aggravating factor of a grave nature.“As a consequence the court is left with no choice but to impose a heavy fine,” Justice Calanchini said.The Fiji Times Limited, its former publisher Brian O’Flaherty, and current Editor-in-Chief Fred Wesley, were sentenced in the High Court after being found guilty of scandalising the court and convicted on a charge of contempt.Justice Calanchini imposed a $300,000 fine on Fiji Times Limited, $10,000 fine on O’Flaherty, and sentenced Wesley to six months in prison, suspended for two years.All had maintained a not guilty plea throughout the case but were found guilty on October 1 last year. The fines are to be paid to the High Court (Civil) Registry within 28 days from judgment. All three were also ordered to pay $2000 each in costs to the the Attorney-General’s Office.Furthermore the Fiji Times and Wesley were ordered to arrange for an apology directed to the judiciary of Fiji. This was to be drafted and submitted to the Court for approval prior to being published in the Times within 28 days.The case was in relation to an article published by the Fiji Times on Monday November 7, 2011 entitled “FIFA

probes DOC” in which the court found Oceania Football Confederation Secretary Tai Nicholas made a scurrilous attack on Fiji’s judiciary.Justice Calanchini said the Fiji Times and its management appeared to have learnt little from its first conviction in 2009 for the same type of contempt, where the newspaper was fined $100,000. He said the newspaper publishing company must accept the ultimate responsibility for the publication of the contempt, and it

cannot hide behind its special position that has been acquired over its years of publishing in Fiji. He said, it reflected poorly on O’Flaherty and Wesley that they find themselves before the court convicted of contempt when less than four years earlier their predecessors had found themselves in a similar position. He said they had failed to heed the warning from the earlier proceedings.Justice Calanchini said the newspaper, under Wesley’s editorship and published by O’Flaherty, had reported

the outcome of court proceedings in Fiji, presided over by the judiciary. He said this posed the question as to why they published the words if it were not to challenge the very existence of a judiciary duly appointed according to law.He said they cannot rid themselves of any responsibility by simply saying they were not at work that day. Or that the material was published because junior staff or even senior staff did not follow the system.

Rape ChargeA former security guard of the University of the South Pacific was presented in the Suva Magistrates Court for a rape charge.The accused, Jacob Sutherland, 33, is alleged to have raped a fellow worker at the university on August 24, 2012.The alleged victim is a 27-year-old woman.Sutherland was arrested on February 19 and remanded at the Totogo Police Station in Suva.The case was transferred to the High Court because it involved an indictable offence.He was also advised to file his bail application in the High Court.The case has been adjourned to March 8 for first call.Until then Sutherland has been remanded in Police custody.

Fiji Times Limited general manager Hank Arts (left), Editor-in-Chief and publisher Fred Wesley, and lawyer Jon Apted (right) outside the Suva courthouse after the sentencing of the newspaper, Wesley, and the former

publisher Brian O’Flaherty.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com Fiji News 11

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“s u p e r V i s a”Party Rules

PRIME Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has raised concerns on allegations of fraud leveled against some agents of a certain political party during the collection of members' signatures.And this will affect the naming of the Constituent Assembly as the announcement will only be made once he has been advised of which existing political parties have successfully registered under the New Political Parties Decree.Commodore Bainimarama, in a statement, said he would wait for the decision by the Registrar for Political Parties regarding the allegations.Commodore Bainimarama said political parties which were successfully registered would be invited to the Constituent Assembly.The Registrar for Political Parties must — within 14 days — publish a notice of each proposed political party's application, after an initial assessment.Members of the public then have seven days to lodge serious objections as is

allowed under the decree.Should no objections be raised, the party will be entered into the Register of Political Parties.Commodore Bainimarama said in the statement the Constituent Assembly had the duty to review and approve the draft constitution as required under the Fiji Constitutional Process (Constituent Assembly and Adoption of Constitution) Decree 2012.The decree requires that the assembly be diverse, and where possible, be composed of members who represent registered political parties, faith-based organizations, trade unions, employers, the business community, government, farmers and members of rural communities.The statement read it is also to comprise representatives of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, national organizations, women, youth, people with disability, pensioners, other Fijian-registered civil society groups, and individuals among others.

Fiji Water Introduces Bottle Cap With A Built-In Straw

Fiji has introduced a straw for its water bottle that replaces the blue bottle cap. Handed out at New York Fashion Week and the SAG Awards, the straw cap is aimed at women and prevents them from smearing their lipstick while they’re drinking.Fiji has been developing the straw over the past few years as the company decided that a sports cap wasn’t on brand and noticed that a number of women prefer to drink using straws.The Wall Street journal reports that the newly designed bottles made its debut at the Prabal Gurung presentation and also appeared at Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and Marchesa, where bottles of water with the straw were passed on silver trays.According to the Fiji Water company’s vice president of marketing David Bowman Fiji starting developing the

straw three or four years ago."What we started to see was a persistent use of straws, especially by some of our biggest fans who were singers and touchstone cultural icons,” said Bowman.For instance, among the many performers who request Fiji in their riders, "Rihanna had created a unique cap on her own," he added. "It treated the water like we think of our water."Mass producing the straw "made sense for our female fan base," said Bowman."The straws are reusable, BPA free, and dishwasher safe. Around 1,500 were given out during fashion week.The straws will be available to purchase this summer in packs of five from the Fiji website, with plans to sell them in places like Target and Whole Foods in the future. The price of the straws hasn’t yet been revealed.

New Airbus Will Boost Tourism: Seeto

The arrival of Fiji’s new airbus A330 will attract more tourists in the country, says Fiji Hotelier Association president Dixon Seeto.Seeto said the new aircraft will help promote Fiji across the globe as it will be carrying the country’s name for the first time and it would be a great value to the tourism industry.Seeto said they hope their services to Fiji’s guests would be of standard so that they would always like to return to the country and it gives range to the

promotion of the country to countries like North-America.He said the airbus arrival will be a critical component to the industry and it brings with it the latest technology.He also said the tourism industry looks forward to its arrival.The first A330 will arrive in Nadi on March 19 while the second and third will arrive in May and November respectively and the airline will officially become ‘Fiji Airways’ in June.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com12 Fiji News

Rakiraki Community Urged To Change Mindset Towards

Health Issues

The Minister for Health Doctor Neil Sharma has challenged the communities in Rakiraki to change their mindset towards the increase in Non-communicable diseases which he highlighted is now becoming a serious concern for all Fijians.The Minister made the comments while officially opening the General Out Patient’s department and Accidents and Emergency at the Rakiraki hospital.“Substantial amount of people are suffering from hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes as well as other related diseases like mental health,” the Minister said.“Every family and community member need to take ownership of what they eat, drink because health officials and government cannot fight this deadly disease alone.”Minister Sharma highlighted that the ‘Best Buys’ approach was adopted in Fiji from a UN meeting that was held in 2011 that underlines four key areas that need addressing including; reducing alcohol intake, reducing salt intake in f foods and to actively participate in physical activities. Meanwhile, Dr Sharma reaffirmed governments’ commitment towards the

upgrading of the health sector.“Funds have been allocated by the Bainimarama government to upgrade our health facilities in the western division because we need better facilities to be able to provide better health care for our people,” Dr Sharma said.“More doctors and nurses will undergo training to improve in the delivery of health services because every now and then we receive complaints of laxity so this is one area to focus and drive people to be customer focused.”The new extension to the Rakiraki hospital is a joint partnership between the Ministry of Health and Cosmopolitan, non-governmental organization that provided furniture’s and two air conditioning systems.Cosmopolitan chairman Manikami Gounder said the group is made up of businesses partners that decided to give back something to the community.Acting Rakiraki special administrator Seini Raiko welcomed the initiative saying that this will greatly benefit the residents and villagers in the Ra province.The total costs of renovations and building works amounted to $179,000.

Minister Health at Rakiraki opening

Fiji Sugar Anticipates Increased Production

Fiji’s Sugar Corporation anticipates an increase in sugar production in 2013.FSC chief executive officer Abdul Khan in a statement said that the expected increase is the result of reforms undertaken during the off-season periods.“We are looking at producing 190,000 tonnes of raw sugar right through to September 30, 2013.This is an increase of 35,000 tonnes from what we produced last year,” Khan said.Khan said the off-season period provided farmers and stakeholders alike to improve on their production process.He further said that despite setbacks resulting from Cyclone Evan, they are optimistic that favourable weather

conditions will enable crops to be restored.FSC hopes to export an estimated 160,000 tonnes of sugar this year, an improvement from the 147,000 tonnes sold to lone overseas buyer Tate and Lyle last year.

Police Track Down Govt Cheque Thieves

Fiji Police are looking for two men who are believed to be part of a group who allegedly purchased items worth more than $71,000 using stolen government cheques.The alleged offence took place between January 13 and January 26, 2013. The cheque belonged to Bio-Security Authority of Fiji.Fiji Police spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said a 25-year-old taxi driver of Raiwaqa is in custody. He was caught after a police raid recovered

electrical items worth more than $17,000 from his home in Jittu Estate.Recovered items include nine laptops, five flat screens, three outboard engines, two 40 horse-power outboard engines and one laptop bag.The items were purchased from major retail outlets in Suva and in the western division.Police has called on business managers and shop assistants to be on the alert and always verify cheques issued by customers.

Bugs Found In CerealBREAKFAST turned into a nightmare for a family of three in Lautoka when they discovered insects in a 1.3 kilogram packet of cereal.Avinesh Kumar of Wairabetia was baffled when he saw small worm-like insects floating at the top of his bowl of cereal after he poured in milk."I was really surprised to find these insects floating around in the bowl," he said.Mr Kumar said the family had been using the infested wheat since last Friday."We bought it from a supermarket last Thursday. My wife was the first to suspect that something was off when she ate it on Friday morning," he said."But I told her that it was impossible because we had just bought it and the expiry date of the cereal was months

away."Mr Kumar said something needed to be done to prevent a similar incident from happening again."When I went to the supermarket to tell them about it, they told me that they could replace it but I refused their offer because the damage had already been done."Mr Kumar said he had lodged a complaint with the Consumer Council and the Ministry of Health.Meanwhile, health inspectors from the Lautoka City Council and the Ministry of Health have confirmed visiting the supermarket.LCC chief executive officer Jone Nakauvadra said the council was working closely with the Health Ministry and the Consumer Council of Fiji in its investigations.

Bureau Records Rise In InflationTHE average annual rate of inflation for the 12 months to January 2013 stands at 4.1 per cent, according to the latest report on Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics.In a statement, government statistician Epeli Waqavonovono said this had increased compared to 3.2 per cent for the same period last year."All CPI for the month of January, 2013 registered an increase of 2.2 per cent over 2012 (143.3) and stands at 164.4," he said.

"There are two measures of inflation used in Fiji. One compares the average CPI over the past 12 months with the average CPI over the previous 12 months."The other, which is used in most countries, compares the CPI in the current month with the CPI in the comparable month of the previous year."Mr Waqavonovono said the bureau recorded a 4.2 per cent increase in the price of food.



Fiji Business Pages



2013

Fijian Butlers Are The Best In The World - OwensAN integral part of the service culture at Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji is the uncompromising service of the Talai (butler) team.A total of 15 staff graduated from the Australian Butler School and received their golden "T" badge last week at the resort in Sigatoka. The staff members were trained in every aspect of butler service, food and beverage delivery, and customer service.Resort general manager Peter Hopgood was thrilled with the commitment from

his staff members to undertake the training and the ensuing outcomes that resulted from their hard work. "Our Talai team is at the forefront of our service delivery at Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji and we are excited that such a large number of our team has graduated," he said."The Australian Butler School is regarded as the number one training company based in Canberra, Australia and to have the opportunity to have our people trained by these professionals is

Fiji And Jica Sign Co-Operation Framework For Region

Fiji signed a Co-operation Framework with the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), paving the way for provision of capacity building assistances to neighboring Pacific Island Countries (PICs) under a South-South Co-Operation Programme. Through this programme, the Government of Japan through JICA would provide funding and technical assistance initially to run a pilot project entailing technical and vocational education and training for Kiribati and Tuvalu. The Public Service Commission (PSC) is the executing Agency for the project.Public Service Commission permanent secretary Mr Parmesh Chand said that the signing of the Agreement is in line with the commitment for offer of assistance which Fiji has made, as part of “Engaging with the Pacific Meetings”. “PSC worked closely with JICA and other stakeholders in undertaking surveys of technical and vocational education and training needs in Tuvalu and Kiribati,” Mr Chand said.“JICA also funded and facilitated an exposure visit to Singapore and Malaysia of relevant Senior Officials from Fiji to observe the implementation of the South-South Co-operation Programme in these two countries.”Mr Chand added that under the

Program, the PSC will mobilise training providers such as the Fiji National University and others who would be able to design and deliver training programmes for participants from Tuvalu and Kiribati. JICA together with the PSC would cost share to deliver such programmes. He said that the benefits to Fiji in this programme are substantial. Fiji will be able to earn income, enhance her human resource and trade capabilities and also contribute to the development prospects of her neighboring countries.JICA’s Deputy Resident, Mr Fukase Yutaka, said that they are pleased to work with PSC on this initiative. “The Government of Japan is committed to assisting PICs in achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” said Mr Yutaka.“This project is expected to contribute to that commitment, with particular emphasis on maintenance of basic infrastructure for the benefit of the people of the Pacific Region.”The signing ceremony paves the way for more detailed planning to be undertaken by both PSC and JICA to implement the South-South Co-operation Programme. After the initial piloting of the project for the benefit of Tuvalu and Kiribati, consideration will be given to extending the project to cover other selected PICs.

Radisson Blu Honoured With Dual Award Nomination

Radisson Blu Resort general manager Gerard Knight says the resort is honoured to be represented with two nominations at this Friday’s 2012 AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.The resort has been nominated in the Accommodation Deluxe and Fine Dining categories.In the Accommodation Deluxe category, the resort is up against Lomani Island Resort from the Mamanucas and Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji Resort from the Coral Coast.For the Fine Dining category, also competing are InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa’s Navo Restaurant, Outrigger’s Ivi Restaurant and Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa’s V Restaurant.“We are honored to be placed alongside similar such distinguished and well regarded Fiji hospitality icons,” Mr Knight said.DeluxeHe said the nomination for best Deluxe Resort was perfect for their property as Radisson Blu aims to have a market position of deluxe.“Our nomination was inspired by customer feedback which had us placed as the number one property on Denarau Island through almost all of 2012 on Trip Advisor,” he said.Mr Knight said: “Cross Restaurant’s nomination again reflects customer sentiment that their dining experience at Cross is second to none.”Cross restaurant has been nominated for three years running and won the

award two years ago.Mr Knight said winning the Fine Dining award has certainly helped lift the profile of Cross Restaurant amongst both the local community and guests visiting Fiji.“A higher profile leads to more customers, increased consistency of service and cuisine and ultimately more employment opportunities for our Fijian community,” he said.Award importanceMr Knight feels industry recognition is critical to maintaining tourism service standards at the highest levels possible.“Without such events, the enthusiasm to deliver excellence in customer service can become more difficult to generate,” he said.“Rewards in our industry come in many different forms but industry recognition is certainly an important part of this process in terms of understanding how your products and services are performing against industry best practice.“Our tourism industry is amazingly diverse and has built a fantastic reputation around the incredibly warm Fijian people.“The industry will need to keep evolving in terms of product to maintain its current strength but as the Fijian people are naturally wonderful hosts the reputation for great service will clearly stand the test of time.”The awards night will be held at the Sofitel Fiji Resort, also on Denarau Island.

extremely rewarding."Course facilitators, Georgia Owens and Darryl Attiwill, were overwhelmed by the natural warmth and friendliness of

the Fijian butlers.Ms Owens said Fijian butlers were the best she had encountered anywhere in the world.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com14 Fiji News

A Productive Workforce For A Better Fiji

The Ministry of Labour will adopt Quality Management Systems (QMS) this year to strengthen government’s commitment to good governance and equal opportunities for all Fijians in the labour sector.The ministry is currently building on its internal capacities through international benchmarking and standards and strives to be ISO 9001:2008 certified by the end of 2013. This would provide an international standard of work within the Labour Ministry and result in quality service delivery that would meet customers’ expectations.The Minister for Labour, Mr Jone Usamate said the ministry is focused on establishing an enabling and sustainable environment created through modern and progressive policies, legislations, programmes and actions that would make Fiji a highly attractive place to work and live in.He added that the progressive labour reforms are also scheduled for conclusion this year.“The Workers’ Compensation Reform, as part of our social protection to injury and loss of life during employment is scheduled for completion in 2013.

Our design is to merge the Workers’ Compensation Reform with OHS Reform into a new institution is also very interesting,” Minister Usamate said.He stressed that while this merger would strengthen Government’s initiative in providing social protection in the labour market, it would also contribute directly to the reduction in size of Government.“The new institution will become a self-funding authority and independent.”The Labour Ministry, as part of its productivity reforms, will also work towards the establishment of a Fiji Productivity and Training Agency to boost sectoral and national productivity.“The Agency will articulate the importance of sustainable productivity in alleviating poverty and improving the standards of living for individual lives, families, organisations, societies and the nation as a whole,” Mr Usamate said.The Labour Ministry will also focus on developing competency based training packages and conduct these trainings to enable the ministry staff to be competent in the work they do.

Ecuador And Fiji Establish Diplomatic Relations

The Republic of Ecuador and the Republic of Fiji formalized diplomatic relations at a ceremony at the Ecuador Mission to the United Nations in New York this week.The Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations, Ambassador Xavier Mendoza and his Fiji counterpart, Ambassador Peter Thomson, signed a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between the two developing nations.The communiqué expresses the desire of the Republic of Fiji and Ecuador Republic to establish their diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and in conformity with

the United Nations Charter and international law. The communiqué calls for the promotion of mutual understanding and the strengthening of friendship and cooperation among the peoples of the two republics.Following the formalization ceremony, Ambassadors Mendoza and Thomson held talks on areas of common interest between their two countries. Included in these talks were the forthcoming deliberations of the UN’s Special Committee on Decolonization, of which Ecuador is the Chair and Fiji is a long-standing member. Discussions also covered the upcoming negotiations, under Fiji’s Chairmanship, of the Group of 77’s position on the follow-up agenda for Post-Rio+20 Conference.

Signing of Diplomatic Relations between Fiji & Ecuador

Fijian Prime Minister Arrives In The UAE

The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama recently arrived in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates at the invitation of the Government of the UAE. The Prime Minister's visit to the UAE follows the ongoing participation by the Republic of Fiji's Military Forces including senior RFMF officials at the International Defence Exhibition 2013 (IDEX 2013) which is currently underway in the UAE. The RFMF Band who are part of the RFMF delegation to the UAE have also been invited to perform at the exhibition and in other parts of Abu Dhabi. Whilst in the Emirates, the head of government will also participate at the Gulf Defence Conference.

The Prime Minister is expected to meet the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to look at strengthening bilateral relations. IDEX is considered the largest exhibition for public security and armaments in the Middle East and provides the unique opportunity to raise awareness of the latest in naval, maritime and coastal security technology equipment’s and crafts.Senior members of the UAE's armed forces as well as Fiji's envoy to the UAE Ambassador Robin Nair met the Prime Minister on his arrival at Abu Dhabi.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama seen with Fiji’s Ambassador to Arab Dr Robin Nair during his visit to UAE.

Interplast Surgeons Provide 4-Day Free Service

FOR the cosmetic surgeons who are in the country, this week has been dedicated to free reconstruction surgery at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.The surgeons, who are part of Interplast Australia & New Zealand (Interplast), began their operations on Monday.However, their visit will continue until February 24 to facilitate plastic and reconstructive surgical services and training.Patients with conditions such as cleft lip and palate, scarring from burns, hand injuries and tumours are urged to contact the Surgical Unit at the CWMH for an appointment.Those with common skin diseases or cosmetic conditions will be excluded

from these consultations, the Australian High Commission confirmed on Tuesday.The team of plastic surgeons, which also includes two anesthetists and two nurses, is being led by Simon Donahoe.Interplast medical teams have been providing Fijians with free surgical intervention programs since 1983.A statement from the high commission said the teams had conducted 8311 consultations as well as 4539 "life-changing procedures"."The Australian government funds approximately 50 surgical teams every year in the Pacific," the statement said."The assistance fills specific gaps in local medical services and provides capacity building to local medical staff."


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Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com16


Fiji News

China Assistance To Benefit Ordinary Fijians

China's Economic and Commercial Counselor to Fiji Mr Cai Shuizeng signing the Banking Agreements for Aid with Permanent Secretary for

Finance Filimoni WaqabacaTHE Government of the People’s Republic of China continues to provide assistance for ordinary Fijians by contributing major aid funding to projects that will significantly improve their livelihood, said the Ministry of Finance permanent secretary Mr Filimoni Waqabaca.The comments follow the formalisation of economic and technical cooperation between the Fijian Government and the People’s Republic of China’s through its Economic and Commercial counsellor to Fiji, Mr Cai Shuizeng and Mr Waqabaca.In signing over the funding, Mr Shuizeng asked Mr Waqabaca to monitor the China-funded projects to ensure that it is rendered smoothly and without any delay.The permanent secretary reassured him that the projects will be given the attention it needs as per the agreements between the two countries. “The 30M RMB (FJD$8.55m) and 40MRMB (FJD$11.4m) will go a

long way for the people of Fiji and these funds are normally directed at projects particularly in rural areas and schemes that will address the needs of the people”.“The economic and technical agreement between the two nations, in particular the Chinese assistance, has contributed to our economic growth.”Mr Waqabaca said the assistance has also helped the Fijian Government to meet some of the demands put on the Government by the people especially by those in the rural and maritime areas.Mr Shuizeng said as Fiji and China enjoys a long-time friendship, the Chinese Government is happy to provide assistance to its “beloved friend Fiji” within its capabilities.“All these projects have been monitored by the Ministry of Finance and we hope that the Ministry continues to do so in the future.” Some of the projects that have received a boost from China include road and housing projects.

Fiji Volunteer Scheme To Expand To Regional Countries

Fiji will soon be sending volunteers to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor Leste.Public Service Commission (PSC) permanent secretary, Parmesh Chand highlighted that this opportunity is credited to the successful consultations by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and officials of the Fiji Volunteer Scheme (FVS) administered by the PSC with relevant counterparts in PNG and Timor Leste.Mr Chand said that the respective governments were briefed on the terms, conditions and entitlements for volunteers, the latest dispatch of volunteers to the region and the number of Pacific island countries who have expressed interest in engaging FVS Volunteers.He said the consultative meeting was promising given that relevant line agencies have shown keen interest in the scheme and appreciated the information provided.“This is an indication of the importance and sustainability of the Fiji Volunteer Scheme.”

Requests for volunteers from Timor Leste included English teachers, Nurses, Ambulance Drivers, English translators and Legal Officers. Papua New Guinea indicated considering the Scheme in the East Sepik Province.Mr Chand said the concept of volunteering under the FVS is about nation building and participating in programs in society that will bring about civic pride and patriotism on the part of individuals who are involved.“Individuals who are willing to offer their skills and expertise are encouraged to register as an Unemployed Graduate Trainee Volunteer, a Senior Volunteer (Local) or a Senior Volunteer (Regional),” Mr Chand added.He said under the scheme, local volunteers are eligible for a weekly allowance of $100 of which 50% is paid by FVS and 50% by the host Ministry or Agency.A person who wishes to be engaged as a Volunteer needs to first register with the National Employment Centre and can then be identified to be part of the Fiji Volunteer Scheme program.

Sala Toganivalu To Leave Tourism Fiji

A WELL-respected figure in Fiji and on the New Zealand travel scene will be leaving Tourism Fiji at the end of March.Tourism Fiji's regional director New Zealand Sala Toganivalu has announced this in a statement.Ms Toganivalu has, in her six years in New Zealand, been attributed with having played a pivotal role in Fiji maintaining a top five most popular overseas destination ranking with New Zealand travelers during her time at the helm.Bearing witness to this, a Tourism statement said about 100,000 Kiwis now visit the destination on an annual

basis.Ms Toganivalu said despite the many challenges impacting Fiji's tourism industry during her time in New Zealand, she had made Fiji proud in the world arena.From a trade perspective, Ms Toganivalu also achieved many objectives designed to the local industry up to speed with the latest developments taking place in Fiji.A graduate of the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Ms Toganivalu joined the (then) Fiji Visitors Bureau in 1996 as a senior marketing officer following five years at the Fiji Trade and Investment Board in Suva.

Sala Toganivalu, left, regional director of Tourism Fiji in New Zealand has announced she will be leaving Tourism Fiji.

Price Of Dalo Goes DownDALO farmers on Taveuni have complained about the drop in dalo price on the island despite the authorities decision for the Tausala breed to be sold at $1.20 a kilogram.Qila dalo farmer Jai Prasad said the price of dalo had been at an all time low and the commodity was losing its value."Before this used to be a cash crop that we depended on but since Christmas the price of dalo has been falling and we are not getting the returns that we expect," he said."The Department of Agriculture had actually set prices of dalo at $1.20 a kilogram but this has not been followed by buyers on the island and we are worried since buyers seem to be taking advantage of the inaction by the

authorities."They should monitor the price of dalo being set by these buyers," he said.Principal agricultural officer north John Cox said the price of dalo like any other commodity was wholly dependent on its demand from the market."There is actually nothing that can be done about the current price of dalo and it is well known that when the supply of dalo increases the prices fall and vice versa," he said."These are factors that are determined by the conditions in the market."The ministry cannot control the price of dalo as it is dependent on factors that is out of its reach," he said.Mr Cox said dalo price was usually low at this time of the year.


Dilbag (Dale) Sohi

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com18 Chai Time

Aries If you’re reluctant to make the next move in a love affair, you may need extra time to think through your options. You have the skills to take the lead at work, make sure your next move is beneficial for you. With money, it could be smart to leave the credit cards at home and build your bank account. Taurus When you reach out to help someone at work it can open up opportunities to move you up the career ladder of success. You never know who is watching, be your best at all times. Being critical is not the way to set the scene for a romantic rendezvous. Choose your words and actions carefully. Gemini When you take on extra studies it can cause a detour in your career path that can reveal some interesting options. A new door opens and it could be the journey of your dreams, but as Mercury goes Retrograde this week it is a better time to plan rather than for action. If you want to get someone’s attention,

wear your best first impression. Cancer Find ways to praise not criticize your love–mate to create a love paradise. To get your point across at work, focus on those who have the power to make decisions. Don’t waste time on people who don’t have any influence. With Mercury Retrograde this week, you will want to double check everything, especially your travel arrangements. LeoYour financial situation is looking up. There’s an opportunity to have a fresh start, which provides you with the opportunity to take a positive step forward. But be patient, with Mercury Retrograde there could be delays and worrying can cause you to lose control and act emotionally, not logically. Virgo Golden career opportunities are within your grasp. Focus on the highest priority, and steer clear of time wasters. Your generosity with your time and advice won’t go unnoticed, but be careful of being taken advantage of. With love, you need a spiritual connection for love to last. Stay healthy by sticking to

a routine. Libra Quality time at home can calm your inner spirit. Make sure you have a level of routine in your life so you feel balanced and in tune with your surroundings. At work, don’t give anyone reason to doubt your ability. Self confidence is the key to showing everyone you’re on top of the game. Scorpio Cautious Saturn, in your sign, goes retrograde this week, as does Mercury the communicator, which could cause some confusion. Whether it relates to home or work, try to see someone else’s point of view before you insist on having your own way. A compromise could turn out to be a winning formula. Sagittarius At work, take the lead, take control and choose the journey in life you want to take. If the flow of money slows down, be careful of impulse spending, it’s time to restock the bank. When it concerns love, you can have it all, but you may need to stay open minded as to how a situation plays out. If a family discussion is unavoidable; don’t over–

react. Listen first and consider your response.Capricorn Dreams can come true! Celestial influences make this is a potent and powerful time, however with two planets retrograde this week, there could be delays. View any setbacks as giving you the opportunity for thinking and planning time. Believe in yourself and have faith in your decisions. AquariusA change of attitude can change your life, especially your love life! For now, forget the past, live for today and get plans in place for tomorrow. When it’s about money, don’t take someone else’s advice, do you own research. Love is in the stars, and you could attract the attention of someone a little bit quirky.Pisces If you’re on bad terms with someone, extend your hand in friendship and settle an old issue once and for all. At work, stop worrying about somebody else’s problems. You have plenty of your own responsibilities to attend to. Love moves closer and pulls on your heart strings.

Spinach And Cheese SwirlIngredients:

1 Butter puff pastry sheet (about 1/2 pound), thawed according to the package instruction 1 Egg: (preferably room temperature) 1/2 cup shredded Muenster cheese (OR Monterey Jack cheese or Mozzarella cheese) 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese1/2 cup Ricotta cheese1/8 tsp Pepper1, chopped Green onion1/8 tsp Garlic powder1 pkg. Frozen chopped spinach: (about 10 ounces), thawed, and well drained

Egg wash:

1 Egg (preferably room temperature) 1 tbsp Water

Directions:1. Cook the spinach according to the package instruction and drain the excess water. Let cool completely.

2. Preheat the oven to 400F. 3. Lightly grease a baking sheet (or 2 depending on the size) or line with

parchment paper. 4. Stir one egg in a medium bowl. Stir in the Muenster cheese, Parmesan cheese, Ricotta cheese, green onion and garlic powder. 5. To make the egg wash, stir one egg

and 1 tbsp water in a small bowl. 6. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface*. Brush with the egg wash. Top with the cheese mixture and spinach. Starting at the short side closest to you, roll up like a jelly roll (if the sides are of equal size, just start at one closest to you). Roll so that the open edge is on the bottom (this will help in cutting) and then cut into slices of about 1/2 inch thick (about 20 slices). Cut carefully so that the filling doesn't come out. Don't worry if some does come out though; you can gently press them in using the edges of a knife.

7. Place the slices cut-side down on the baking sheets. Brush with egg wash.

8. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Serve warm or at room temperature.

*if not using a pre-rolled pastry sheet, roll it into a rectangular shape of size about 10inch x 10inch.

Gajar HalwaIngredients:

1 kg fresh carrot, peeled grated200 gm sugar1/2 lt full cream milk4 tbsp desi (pure) ghee10-15 cardamoms, peeled and ground25 almonds finely shreddedHandful raisins

Methods:- Put grated carrots and the milk to a deep pan on flame

- Allow carrots to absorb milk and cook on medium flame for 20-30 minutes- Add sugar, cardamom powder and stir- Add ghee slowly, stir and cook for 15-20 minutes- The carrots will turn a rich red and ghee will show on the top- Add raisins and chopped almondsTip: Add cashew and walnuts to the gajar halwa for added taste


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World News


Fiji Business Pages



2013

Fuel Leak Started Fire On Carnival Cruise Ship-US Coast

Guard

The fire on board the Carnival Corp cruise ship that drifted for days in the Gulf of Mexico awash in raw sewage started from fuel from a leaking diesel engine line that ignited, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Monday.More than 4,200 passenger and crew were stranded for five days last week on board the Triumph cruise ship, a journey followed closely by U.S. cable television news stations that regaled audiences with details about backed-up plumbing and overflowing toilets on board the damaged vessel.

The ship was towed into port in Mobile, Alabama late last Thursday.The fuel leaked from a diesel fuel oil return line that was touching a hot surface and caught fire, said U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Teresa Hatfield in a conference call with reporters.The investigation into the incident, which also is being studied by the National Transportation Safety Board, is likely to take as long as six months, she said.There was no indication the fire was intentional, she said.

Baby Turned Away By 10 Hospitals In Indonesia Dies

Indonesia's Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi has admitted Jakarta is under-resourced to handle complications with newborns.

A ONE-WEEK-OLD baby in Indonesia has died from respiratory complications after being turned away from 10 hospitals, her street vendor

father said, adding he could not pay what some demanded. Dera Nur Anggraini was born prematurely with her twin sister Dara on February 10, with a throat deformity that obstructed her breathing, said father Elias Setya Nugroho.He said his family searched for treatment but was turned away from 10 hospitals, with some claiming not to have the right equipment and others saying they were fully occupied."Dera was buried not far from our home," Mr Nugroho said, adding the baby died after being taken back to the Zahira Hospital in Jakarta where she was born."We tried several hospitals but they were full. Finally we went to a private hospital but we couldn't pay. In total 10 hospitals rejected us," the street sandal vendor said.He said the private hospital asked for a down payment of 15 million rupiah

($1500), even though the family held a health card that entitles low-income earners to free health services.He said his other daughter Dara, who was born weighing 1.4 kilograms was now in a public hospital fighting for her life.Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi said the baby who died would have had little chance of survival."The baby was born weighing just one kilogram, so she had little chance of survival. Usually babies are around three kilograms when they're born," she said.But the minister admitted the city was under-resourced to handle complications with newborns."The family was looking for a place for their baby. There are only 10 neonatal intensive care units (in Jakarta) and they were all full," Ms Mboi told reporters.

New York News Anchor Arrested For Attempting To Choke His Wife

Rob Morrison, 44, an anchor for WCBS-TV, was charged after last weekend confrontation at their Connecticut home.Morrison is accused of choking his wife, CBS reporter Ashley Morrison. She reportedly did not need medical treatment but displayed red marks on her neck, police said.

The Morrisons issued a joint statement saying they were "cooperating fully with the authorities to insure that all of the information necessary to properly evaluate this unfortunate incident is made available. The Morrisons are confident that a full review of this matter will show that the allegations have been greatly exaggerated."

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com20 World News


Fiji Business Pages



2013

Armed Thieves Pull Off Huge Diamond Heist

Machine-gun toting robbers disguised as police have made off with more than $60 million worth of uncut diamonds in a spectacular heist at Brussels airport.Officials say a gang of eight armed thieves drove two vans through a perimeter fence and pulled up alongside a Helvetic passenger plane bound for Switzerland.They then forced open the cargo hold to reach the rough gems that had just been loaded.The thieves stole a swag of uncut and polished diamonds in a matter of minutes, according to Brussels airport spokesman Jan Van der Cruysse."This was a very quick hit-and-run, very well-organised," he said."There has been no shooting. There were no injuries."Brussels prosecutors' spokeswoman Anja Bijnens says the masked raiders were "wearing police uniforms" and carrying "machine guns"."They wanted to pass themselves off as cops," she told a press conference."This was not a random robbery."It was well-prepared - these were professionals."

The gang seized at least 120 packages, which Ms Bijnens says was only a "partial" haul from the shipment.Ms Bijnens says the thieves made off "at high speed" through the same gap in the security cordon they had opened in front of unsuspecting ground staff and travellers.She says the passengers on board the plane "saw nothing" and that the aircraft, bound for Zurich, did not leave Brussels.One of the getaway vehicles was later found burned out just outside Brussels.Belgian state broadcaster VRT reported the total value was 350 million euros ($US467 million), but a spokeswoman for the global dealers syndicate, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, says the value may be closer to $US50 million.Neither the prosecutor's office nor the AWDC official have given any details as to who the shipment belonged to, or how much the diamonds were worth.A specialist Belgian prosecutors unit dealing with organised crime is investigating, and is collaborating also with Swiss authorities.

Grieving Family Anxious To See Killer Charged

A call was made during Amandeep Singh's funeral in India for a speedy outcome to the police investigation into his apparent murder in Gisborne New Zealand.Three-hundred mourners farewelled the 22-year-old at his home village last week, in what his cousin describes as a tearful, very moving funeral.The homicide inquiry continues into his death in Gisborne on the night of December 29.The ashes of Mr Singh were taken to the village of Agwanpur in Bijnor province, in the north of the country, by his cousin Atma Sidhu.The Singh family were anxious to see someone charged in relation to Amandeep's death, Mr Sidhu said."They are hoping to see this tragic thing finished soon."They want to see someone caught for this very bad murder."Police have been providing regular updates on their inquiry to the victim's family.A dozen detectives, including some from out-of-town, remain involved in the investigation.Head of Gisborne CIB, Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Scott, said they were continuing to work through the

information they had received.He is not providing a further public update on the investigation at this stage.The funeral service for Amandeep Singh lasted three days."Three days of prayers were held for him at the house where he was born," Mr Sidhu said.Last Friday his ashes were taken 300 kilometers to a Sikh holy place called Kartarbur in Punjab."There is a big Sikh temple there and Amandeep's ashes were scattered on a river nearby."Amandeep's mother and father attended, along with his 21-year-old sister Karmjeet Kaur, and most of his cousins, uncles, aunts and others."It was a very sad funeral. Everyone was very tearful."Mr Sidhu said Amandeep's mother Sukhwinder was doing much better now.She was critically ill 10 days ago and spent some time in hospital on a drip, after refusing to eat following her son's death."I cannot say she is OK yet, but she is at home now," Mr Sidhu said."She is slowly recovering from her ordeal."

Texas Woman Gives Birth To Two Sets Of Indentical Twins

A TEXAS woman has beaten long odds in delivering two sets of identical twins. Tressa Montalvo delivered her sons on February 14 - Valentine's Day.The odds of giving such a birth naturally are one in 70 million, as reported.Unlike quadruplets who split from one egg and grow with one placenta, these four boys grew in pairs with two placentas for 31 weeks before Tressa had a complication-free cesarean

section on Valentine's Day. The happy parents have named their boys Ace, Cash, Dylan and Blaine.The 36-year-old Mrs Montalvo delivered the sets of sons within a minute of each other.Mrs Montalvo says she and her 43-year-old husband, Manuel, planned the pregnancy but didn't use fertility drugs.In her words, "I guess we just succeeded a little too much.''

Sea Shepherd 'Rammed' By Japanese Ship

Anti-whaling activists claim two of their vessels have been "rammed" by a Japanese boat in the Southern Ocean.The Sea Shepherd group alleges the Japanese factory boat Nisshin Maru deliberately collided with their ships, the Steve Irwin and the Bob Barker, and ordered them to leave the area.They also claim Japanese coastguards are throwing "concussion grenades" towards the fleet."The Nisshin Maru has rammed the Steve Irwin and the Bob Barker but both vessels continue to hold their positions," Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson said in a statement on Facebook."The Bob Barker is taking on water in their engine room."Sea Shepherd spokesman Jeff Hansen

told the reporter the Steve Irwin had been struck on the stern and the right hull."We're now under attack with concussion grenades being thrown by armed Japanese coastguard in Australian waters at our crew," he said."We're very concerned for the safety of our crew at the moment." No injuries have been reported.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com World News 21

Russia Cleans Up After Meteor BlastRussians are cleaning up after a meteor plunged to Earth in a blinding fireball, damaging thousands of buildings and showering people with debris and shattered glass.Officials say the meteor exploded about 10,000 metres above the city of Chelyabinsk, releasing nearly 500 kilotons of energy - about 30 times the size of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb.The explosion sent numerous fireballs crashing into the ground, followed by a shockwave that knocked people off their feet.About 1,200 people were injured, including at least 200 children. Fifty people are still in hospital.A massive force of 2,000 emergency workers are now clearing away the damage.They are also working to patch up windows with plastic sheeting and checking 3,000 buildings for cracks.Repair work had to be done quickly because of the freezing temperatures, which sank close to -20 degrees Celsius at night.Police are patrolling the streets for marauders who threatened to take advantage of the broken storefronts that lined Chelyabinsk's main streets."We have taken all the facilities under our control," district police chief Marat Minzagirov told Russian state television as night fell.A piece of the meteor was believed to have plunged into the region's frozen Lake Chebarkul and possibly a few other locations.Divers have searched the lake, where a hole several metres wide opened in the

ice, but found nothing but mud and silt.Separate land search teams say they have found small objects up to about one centimetre wide that might be fragments of a meteorite, but no larger pieces.Yet meteor hunters appear unbowed and several Russian websites are carrying ads offering as much as $10,000 for an authentic piece of the latest space rock to hit the planet.A few sites even offered peculiar-shaped rocks for sale, but scientists cautioned that none were likely to be the genuine article.The scarcity of evidence on the ground has fuelled scores of conspiracy theories over what caused the fireball.The area plays host to many defence

industry plants, and Nationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky says it could have been "war-mongers" in the United States. "It's not meteors falling. It's a new weapon being tested by the Americans," he told reporters in Moscow.Asked about the speculation, an official at the local branch of Russia's Emergencies Ministry simply replied: "Rubbish".The meteor explosion is the most stunning cosmic incident above Russia since the 1908 Tunguska event, in which a colossal blast most scientists blame on an asteroid or a comet levelled trees across a stretch of Siberia.Scientists at US space agency NASA

estimate the amount of energy released in the atmosphere was about 30 times greater than the force of the nuclear bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima during World War II."We would expect an event of this magnitude to occur once every 100 years on average," NASA's Paul Chodas said."When you have a fireball of this size we would expect a large number of meteorites to reach the surface and in this case there were probably some large ones."The drama in Russia developed just hours before an asteroid whizzed safely past Earth at the unprecedented distance of 27,000 kilometres.That put it closer to the Earth then some distant satellites.It was not connected to the Russian meteor, but it still set off alarm bells in some Russian circles.Russian parliament's foreign affairs committee chief, Alexei Pushkov, says the time has come for joint global action on the space safety front."Instead of fighting on Earth, people should be creating a joint system of asteroid defence," he wrote on Twitter."Instead of creating a (military) European space defence system, the United States should join us and China in creating the AADS - the Anti-Asteroid Defence System."NASA estimates that a smallish asteroid such as the 2012 DA14 flies close to Earth every 40 years on average while only hitting the planet once every 1,200 years.

Sri Lankan Navy Rescues 32 Burma Nationals After Two-Month Journey On Boat To Reach Australia

SHOCKING pictures have emerged of a group of asylum seekers rescued after their boat sank after two months at sea as they desperately tried to reach Australia.

Just 32 Burmese nationals, out of a group of 130, survived the journey and were rescued by the Sri Lankan navy about 250 nautical miles off Sri Lanka's eastern coast last SaturdayThe group comprising 31 adult males and a boy had been at sea without food for 21

days when the navy rescued them after being informed by a local fishing boat.Some of the men had to be stretchered off the rescue ship while others were assisted off by navy officers. The survivors were taken to the southern port of Galle where they were treated

for dehydration and starvation with many placed on drips at a local hospital. Survivors have told local newspapers that there were 130 passengers at the beginning of the journey, and 98 died on the way with their bodies dumped to sea.

They said they were planning to go to Australia after their attempt to enter Malaysia failed.A spokesman for Burma's embassy in Colombo said they were waiting to speak with the boat people before deciding on a course of action.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com22 World News

Sixth Person Dies From Sars-Like Virus

A person suffering from a SARS-like virus has died in Britain, becoming the sixth fatality from the illness worldwide.The patient was being treated for so-called novel coronavirus at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, central England.The hospital said the patient died last Sunday, adding that they had previous underlying health issues.The victim was one of three people in the same family with the virus, which appeared to have been caught by one of the family members during a recent visit to the Middle East and Pakistan.Last week the World Health Organisation urged countries to be vigilant over the spread of the virus.

A total of 12 cases of the virus have so far been reported to the WHO with five previous fatalities - three in Saudi Arabia and two in Jordan.The person who died in Britain already had a "long-term, complex unrelated health condition", the hospital said."The patient was immuno-compromised and is believed to have contracted the virus from a relative who is being treated for the condition in a Manchester hospital," it added.The hospital was working with Britain's Health Protection Agency to trace other family members and contacts of the patients, it added.The other two patients from the same family are said to be recovering.

Tongan Criminals May Be In Australia After Records Wiped

Tongan police have told Australian officials that convicted criminals may have travelled to Australia after having their records wiped clean.Tongan police commissioner Grant O'Fee says 172 people convicted in Tonga have obtained police clearance letters, allowing them to apply for visas overseas.The New Zealand immigration minister says an estimated 40 of those people may currently be in New Zealand and some may have gained residency. Others are believed to have made their way to Australia.

Australia's Immigration Department is conducting an inquiry. A spokesperson says anyone who is found to have entered the country after being sentenced to a year or more in jail is likely to be deported. Commissioner O'Fee says police officers in Tonga are being investigated in relation to the practice, which is believed to have happened in the 10 years to 2011.New Zealand has put an immediate hold on Tongan visa applications that require police clearance.

Idaho Man Loses Job Over Allegedly Uttering Racial Slur, Slapping Baby

On Plane An Idaho man accused of uttering a racial slur and slapping a crying baby on a plane is out of a job.On Feb. 8, Jessica Bennett, 33, and her two-year-old son were on Delta flight 721 from Minneapolis, Minn., to Atlanta, Ga., when, during the final descent, her son began to cry, court documents say.Bennett said that a passenger sitting next to her "told her to shut that ['N word'] baby up," then turned and slapped the child in the face, court documents allege.Joe Rickey Hundley, of Hayden, Idaho, was charged with assault last week.AGC Aerospace and Defense, Hundley's employer, said he'd lost his job."Reports of the recent behaviour of one of our business unit executives while on personal travel are offensive and disturbing," the company said in a statement. "We have taken this matter very seriously and worked diligently to

examine it since learning of the matter. As of last Sunday, the executive is no longer employed with the company."

Nauru Detainees Stitch Lips Together

Refugee advocates say some asylum seekers at the Nauru detention centre have stitched their lips together as part of a hunger strike over their treatment there.The Refugee Action Coalition says more than a dozen detainees have joined the hunger strike, with four stitching their lips together.The incident comes after Monday's escape by three detainees, who were later found by police and returned to the centre.Refugee advocate Nick Reimer says the lip-stitching act shows how hopeless some detainees have become."This is the first time that we've seen we've seen this sort of protest action on Nauru since the darkest days of the

Howard era," he said."It's a very striking signal of just how desperate and acute the situation on Nauru now is."They're protesting against their treatment."They're protesting against the fact they're on Nauru at all while other asylum seekers who arrived around the same time are free in the Australian community, and the fact they're facing an indefinite amount of time on Nauru without any certainty about what their eventual fate will be."The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has confirmed that four detainees have been involved in an act of self-harm at the facility, but have refused to divulge details.

Young Indian Sisters Raped And Murdered

POLICE say three sisters aged between 6 and 11 were raped and murdered before their bodies were dumped down a well in western India.

The bodies of the three schoolgirls were found last week, two days after they went missing on February 14 from their home in the Bhandara district of Maharashtra state, police Superintendent Aarti Singh said."The bodies of the three young girls were found in a well, with their schoolbags and footwear," Supt Singh said by phone from Nagpur, adding they were aged six, nine and elevan."The post-mortem has confirmed that the girls were raped and then murdered."No arrests have been made but

Supt Singh said four people had been detained for questioning and investigations were still under way.Family members said the girls went to look for their mother who was out of the house and no one heard from them again.The incident led to protests by villagers, Supt Singh said, echoing angry rallies in the capital New Delhi after the brutal gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old student on a bus in December.That incident sparked a nationwide debate about the treatment of women and girls and their safety in India.

Joe Rickey Hundley

Indon Pollie Sacked Over Text Divorce

INDONESIA'S president has sacked a district chief who took an 18-year-old as his second wife but divorced her after four days via text

message, accusing her of not being a virgin. The case of Aceng Fikri, the chief of the town of Garut 200 kilometres southeast of Jakarta, has angered residents who wanted him removed from his position.Following a wave of protests, the local parliament launched an investigation and found that Fikri, 40, had breached multiple laws in his brief marriage. It recommended he be sacked, a decision later confirmed by the Supreme Court."The president has signed the dismissal letter for Aceng Wednesday," home affairs minister Gamawan Fauzi told reporters.Fauzi said he would pass on the letter to West Java's governor so Fikri could be dismissed, a process which would take about one week.Earlier one of Fikri's lawyers, Eggi Sudjana, had said the penalty on his client was too harsh."I must admit that from an ethical point of view his act was wrong, but ethical violations do not bear any sanction

other than social, such as being jeered at or insulted," Sudjana said.

Garut District Chief Aceng Fikri


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“After my accident I had constant neck and back pains. I felt sad most of the time and became very anxious aboutthe 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 myclaim for $28,000 plus expenses.” MISS M.___________________________________________________________________________________________

“ICBC offered me $32,000 to finish my case. I was off work for 6 monthsand saw a specialist because of my jawinjury. I couldn’t mop the floor or clean our bathroom without help from my children. I received $200,000 throughmy lawyer’s 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 color of my clothing. My lawyer worked hard and obtained necessary evidence. My case settled for over $300,000.” MRS.C.

*Past cases are not necessarily indicative of future results and amounts recovered may vary according to the facts in each case.

ICBC Cases

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com 27THINKING OF BECOMING A CANADIAN CITIZEN?

Try This Practice Test - Discover Canada

Continued Next Week

Moving To British Columbia, Canada

Social Insurance NumberContinued From Last Week

1) Which two fundamental freedoms are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? A. Aboriginal peoples' rights and to volunteer.B. Equal employment rights and opportunities.C. Basic living rights and obey laws.D. Freedom of belief and freedom of religion.2) What do political parties do? A. Plan for the celebration of Canada Day.B. Share ideas about how government should work.C. Work with the local governments.

D. Follow commands from the Queen.3) What does Confederation mean? A. The combination of neighborhood to build a larger community.B. The United States Confederate army came to settle in Canada.C. The joining of provinces to become a new country.D. The merger of colonies to form a province.4) Why is the Constitution Act of 1982 important in Canadian history? A. It lets Canadians to enjoy more freedom.B. It made changes to the Citizenship Act.C. Canada can modify the Constitution without the approval from the British Government.D. The Queen has more power in Canadian Government.5) When did the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms become part of the Constitution?

A. 1980.B. 1867.C. 1982.D. 1919.6) Which of the followings are the responsibilities of provincial government? A. Education, foreign policy, natural resources and policing.B. Education, health care, natural resources and policing.C. National defence, foreign policy, highways and aboriginal affairs.D. National defence, health care, citizenship and firefighting.7) Which group of people were important in the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway? A. English.B. Métis.C. French.D. Chinese.8) Which animal is an official symbol of Canada?

A. The beaver.B. The lion.C. The eagle.D. The tiger.9) What unique art form was developed by First Nations people on the West Coast? A. Paintings.B. Kayaks.C. Sculptures.D. Totem poles.10) What is the name of the leader of the Official Opposition at the federal level? A. Joy MacPhail.B. Nycole TurmelC. Stephen HarperD. Michael Ignatieff.

ANSWERS1 D 2 B 3 C 4 C 5 C6 B 7 D 8 A 9 D 10 B

6. How do I apply for a SIN using the Newborn Registration Service? Newborn Registration ServiceAvailable only in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.Parents of newborns in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and, Newfoundland and Labrador can now get convenient bundled services from Service Canada and its partners, Service Alberta, the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency, the Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency, the Vital Statistics Registry of Nova Scotia, ServiceOntario, the Prince Edward Island Vital Statistics Program, the Directeur de l’état civil (Services Québec), and the Newfoundland and Labrador Vital Statistics Division.You can use the Newborn Registration Service to complete your child's Birth Registration and apply for your child's Social Insurance Number (SIN) card. For the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, you also have the option to apply for your child's Birth Certificate.NOTE: You must be the parent of the child and a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident to use this service. If you are not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, you may still be eligible but you will need to visit a Service Canada Centre to apply for your child's SIN.With this integrated application, you can avoid going to different levels of government and entering the same information over and over again on separate application forms. The service is simple, convenient and secure!NOTE: For Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince

Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, the SIN card will reflect all the names provided on the Birth Registration form. For Quebec, the SIN card will reflect the “usual given name” and “surname” provided on the Declaration of Birth form. If you need to modify the name on your child’s SIN card, you will need to apply for your child’s SIN directly through Service Canada.7. How can I apply for someone else (e.g. on behalf of a child or an adult)?Inside CanadaThere are specific situations where you may have to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for someone else. All documents must be original.Select which best describes your situation:I am a parent applying on behalf of my child ; I am a legal representative applying on behalf of a child or an adult.Parents applying on behalf of a child Children who are 12 years of age or older may apply for their own SIN. However, parents can also apply on behalf of a child under the age of majority in their province. Here's what you'll need if you are applying on behalf of your child:At a Service Canada Centreyour SIN. If you were not issued a SIN, you must provide your original document(s); the original document(s) of the person for whom you are applying; Legal Guardians will need to provide an original or a certified copy of a document that confirms your legal guardianship, issued by a provincial/territorial authority (in Quebec, a notarized Will is an acceptable document); the $10 fee (if required).If your application and document(s) are in order, you will get your child's

SIN during your visit and receive the card by mail within 10 business days.Legal Guardians applying on behalf of a child or an adultChildren who are 12 years of age or older may apply for their own SIN. Adults over the age of majority in their province must apply on their own. However, legal guardians can also apply. Here's what you'll need if you are applying on behalf of a child or an incapacitated/intellectually disabled adult in your care:At a Service Canada Centreyour SIN. If you were not issued a SIN, you must provide your original document(s); the original document(s) of the person for whom you are applying; an original or a certified copy of a document that confirms your legal guardianship, issued by a provincial/territorial authority (in Quebec, a notarized Will is an acceptable document); the $10 fee (if required).If your application and document(s) are in order, you will get the SIN for the person for whom you are applying during your visit and receive the card by mail within 10 business days.Legal Representatives applying on behalf of a child or an adult Here's what you'll need if you are applying on behalf of a child or an adult:At a Service Canada Centre the original document(s) of the person for whom you are applying; Letter of Authorization issued by a provincial/territorial agency, confirming you as the legal representative and the name of the person for whom you are applying (Note: for court appointed lawyers or family members, this letter is not required); valid photo identification confirming

your identity; an original document or certified copy of a document that confirms your legal representation, issued by a provincial/territorial authority (in Quebec, a notarized Will is an acceptable document); the $10 fee (if required).If your application and documents are in order, you will get the SIN for the person for whom you are applying during your visit and receive the card by mail within 10 business days. Outside CanadaThere are specific situations where you may have to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for someone else. All documents must be original.Select which best describes your situation:I am a parent applying on behalf of my child; I am a legal representative applying on behalf of a child or an adult.Parents or Legal Guardians applying on behalf of a child Children who are 12 years of age or older may apply for their own SIN. However, parents can also apply on behalf of a child under the age of majority in their province. Here's what you'll need if you are applying on behalf of your child:By Maila fully completed, signed and dated SIN application form; your original document(s); the original document(s) of the person for whom you are applying; Legal Guardians will need to provide an original or a certified copy of a document that confirms your legal guardianship, issued by a provincial/territorial authority (in Quebec, a notarized Will is an acceptable document); t

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com28 Canada News

Additional Nexus Lane Opens At Pacific Highway, British ColumbiaThe Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Tuesday announced the opening of an additional NEXUS lane at the Pacific Highway border crossing located at Surrey, British Columbia and Blaine, Washington, providing more efficient border clearance for low-risk travellers. Doing this will enhance our throughput capacity and reduce wait times.Canada and the United States agreed on a plan to implement NEXUS technology at nine border crossings as part of the Canada/U.S. Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness (Action Plan). Under that commitment, two new NEXUS lanes in British Columbia, one at Douglas and one at Abbotsford, opened on November 8, 2012. The existing NEXUS lane is open from 7 a.m. until midnight, seven days a week, for entry into Canada. The second lane, announced Tuesdayday, will be used to process NEXUS members during high-volume periods. The new lane at the Pacific Highway port of entry is the fourth NEXUS lane in Canada to officially open as part of

the Action Plan commitment. Action Plan achievements for NEXUS to date include: conducting enrolment blitzes to assist with increasing application volumes; streamlining the membership renewal process; lifting the three-year residency requirement for Canadian and American citizens to apply to NEXUS; expanding Trusted Traveller Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) security screening lines in pre-clearance areas as well as for domestic and select international flights at Canada's eight major airports; expedited clearance through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check lanes at 27 participating airports for U.S. domestic travel; and delivering on our commitment to expand NEXUS lanes and booths by June 2013 at nine agreed upon locations.Currently there are over 790,000 NEXUS members who expedite their travel across the Canada-U.S. border at designated land, air and marine locations.

Husband Charged With Murder Of Missing Wife

A 40-year-old Vancouver man has been charged with the murder of his wife, seven years after she went missing.Jaswant Singh Gill is scheduled to appear in provincial court today, charged with the second degree murder of 33-year-old Gurpreet Gill in 2006.Sgt. Kevin McLaren said Gill was reported missing in 2006, but it wasn't until 2011 that the investigation into her disappearance became a homicide case.“We know that there is nothing that will ever make up for the tragedy and loss the family has suffered,” said McLaren.“But we hope that today’s announcement offers them some measure of comfort, as it has to the

investigators who never gave up in their efforts to solve the mystery and seek justice for the victim.”Gurpreet was married to Jaswant in an arranged marriage in 2000. While the couple lived in Vancouver, her family remained in India.McLaren says Gurpreet's remains were identified with the help of the Coroners Service two weeks ago in Richmond."They have a databank of DNA profiles of found human remains and familial DNA was matched just a short time ago," he said.McLaren said other suspects have been investigated along the way, but the only person to be charged is Gurpreet's husband.

Home Prices In Canada Fall For 5th Straight Month

Home prices in Canada declined for the fifth straight month in January, according to the Teranet-National Bank House Price Index. Prices were down 0.3 per cent over the 11-city composite index.Home prices declined in seven of 11 major Canadian markets from December, according to the widely followed index. Victoria, Halifax, Quebec City and Ottawa saw prices rise.Prices rose 2.7 per cent from a year earlier, but that was the lowest annual growth rate since late 2009 as the housing market continues to cool.January was the 14th straight month where the annual price increase was smaller than the month before, according to the Teranet-National Bank analysis.Only Vancouver has seen an annual decline in home prices, falling 2.5 per cent from January 2012.In Toronto, where many analysts are calling for a slowdown, prices were up 5.3 per cent annually.Starting to cool

Many analysts are calling on Canadian home sales to continue to cool, especially in the red-hot Toronto and Vancouver markets."We anticipate a further softening in both sales and pricing in 2013," Scotiabank economist Adrienne Warren said in a note to investors. But she expects the correction to be mild, with low interest rates and job growth preventing a sharper correction.The federal government has taken steps over the past couple years to avoid a bubble and cool the housing market by tightening mortgage rules.The Canadian Real Estate Association found that sales activity dropped by 5.2 per cent in January compared to a year ago, which they attributed to the tighter rules.Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney welcomed the cooling market, saying it's all part of the Canadian economy's transition from one dependent on borrowing to one more reliant on strong exports.

Missing Man Murdered In SurreyNo word on how the man died

Police are now confirming the body found in a car near an elementary school in Surrey last night is that of a man who vanished over the weekend.Vimal Chand, 29, is the victim of the city’s latest homicide. His body was found near Hyland Elementary.Chand had been missing since Saturday.“We received a call from a civilian in

the neighbourhood that they had seen the car parked on the street for three or four days. When he approached the car, he found a male lying in the car,” describes Sergeant Joe Johal.There is a tarp over a car at the scene.“The circumstances surrounding the death… are yet to be determined,” says Corporal Bari Emam with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com 29Canada News

B.C. Government Tables A Lean BudgetFeatures tax and fee increases; few pre-election 'goodies'

The B.C. Liberal government tabled a lean budget Tuesday that promises to deliver a surplus and includes a limited number of pre-election goodies, though it will require hiking both corporate and personal income taxes.Finance Minister Mike de Jong said the surplus will be achieved by increasing revenues and reining in spending, adding that continuing to operate a deficit is no longer an option. The provincial deficit is forecast to come in at $1.2 billion for the 2012-13 fiscal year, while the Liberals are promising budget surpluses in all three years of the 2013-16 fiscal plan for a total of $868 million by 2016."I think the citizenry should still be somewhat skeptical," said political analyst Michael Prince."They need to read the details, they need to hear what the finance minister will be saying over the next days and weeks and the caucus certainly has to go out, and they think they've got a budget to sell."Income tax, MSP hikesThe budget includes a few tax increases aimed at middle income and higher earners."We're asking people with a little more to give a little more," de Jong said.Effective in January 2014, the province is introducing a temporary two-year, 2.1-per-cent personal income tax hike for those earning more than $150,000 a year.The general corporate income tax rate will increase one percentage point to

11 per cent from 10, effective April 1, 2013.Medical Services Plan premiums will increase by about four per cent in January 2014.Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation criticized the tax hikes, saying the increases will do "a lot of damage" to families and employers."It's a hat-trick of tax increases ... for a government that's staking everything on their jobs plan, I was really surprised to just how tone deaf they are to the competitive concerns of B.C. businesses," he said."MSP is terrible. This is the sixth increase in five years. The average increase has been more than $300 per family ... It's a lot of money and it's hurting a lot of families ... They need to get less reliant on MSP, not continually re-entrench that system."But the provincial government also rolled out a few pre-election goodies in line with its "families first" agenda – though one isn't slated to kick in for three years.The province is implementing the B.C. Training and Education Savings Grant – a one-time $1,200 grant toward the Registered Education Savings Plan of any six-year-old child.Effective in 2015, the province aims to introduce a new tax benefit of up to $55 per month per child for families earning less than $100,000. Those earning between $100,000 and $150,000 will receive a partial benefit.

'Still a lot of question marks'The budget includes speculative revenues from natural gas royalties and asset sales, though de Jong was quick to point out the projected surplus also hinges on a number of other factors.Natural gas royalties are estimated at $282 million in the first year and another $677 million over the following two years.The sale of more than 100 surplus properties is estimated to bring in $500 million by 2015. The province is in various stages of negotiating agreements on the sale of properties, but to date has not brought in any revenue from selling assets, a plan rolled out in last year's budget.Prince questions whether the numbers will actually add up."Those are the honest questions that are going to be asked – they're selling a lot of assets, a lot of properties, to get to that magic black number out of the red," he said."Is that a sustainable number? What will they actually get? There's still a lot of question marks as to that final bottom line."When asked whether the public can trust the numbers outlined in the budget, de Jong said the government's record of fiscal and expenditure management isn't perfect but withstands reasonable scrutiny.A leaner budgetNine of the province's 17 ministries will see cuts in at least one of the three years outlined in the plan. But taking

inflation into account, all government ministries save health, agriculture and aboriginal affairs will effectively see funding cuts in the next fiscal year.While health care spending is going up, the rate of spending increases has slowed in recent years. Health spending is forecast to increase by an annual average of 2.6 per cent, compared to a 3.2 per cent annual average promised in the last provincial budget. Health-care spending is forecast to increase by a total of $2.4 billion by 2016.Prince is skeptical the budget delivered Tuesday will be enough to get the Liberals re-elected in May."This is a pretty skimpy, lean, mean budget. It's an incredibly risky budget in that it almost ignores the fact that there is an election coming," he said."I think the government has pinned its hopes on the word 'balanced budget,' that that phrase is going to be the campaign slogan that's going to win back disaffected Liberals. I don't see that in this budget."De Jong admitted the budget is lean, particularly for a government seeking re-election."If we chose to, we could ... roll out big, new spending programs. That is not uncommon in election years. And there is always pressure on the government, from many fronts, to increase spending in a long list of areas to try to please as many voters as possible," de Jong said."I'll tell you right now – we're not going to do that."

Canadians Took Record Number Of Overnight Trips To States In

DecemberCanadian retailers having a hard time keeping shoppers here

Was it for Christmas shopping? Gas? Maybe a trip to Red Lobster?Canadians took two million overnight trips to the States in December; that’s the highest figure since crossings started being tracked about 40 years ago.With many of us heading across the border to do our shopping, how were retailers on this side of the border doing?“Less business than they were for the first half of the year,” says James Smerdon, VP of Retail Consulting and Colliers. “It’s a combination of things, but the effective cross-border shopping

cannot be understated.”“The dollar was quite strong through the last half of the year. So, Canadians saw good buying power in the States, in addition to their increased duty-free limits.”However, Smerdon notes that there are no solid numbers available yet on how retailers here did in December.He adds retailers here have been trying to keep shoppers here, but it’s tough since many stores just can’t match the big Black Friday sales and the fact duty-free limits were increased.

Police Seek Public's Assistance In Locating Man Wanted For

Multiple Counts Of Fraud On February 14, 2013 Richmond RCMP initiated an investigation after an alert member of the public was approached by Mr. RUPERT who allegedly tried to convince her that he was a family member and needed money for emergency car repairs. The woman became suspicious and notified police. Unfortunately Mr. RUPERT left the area before being spoken to by police.It is believed that in early December 2012, Mr. RUPERT allegedly approached another victim who handed over to him an undisclosed sum of money after believing that the money was needed to repair a family member's vehicle. Richard Earl RUPERT is described as a white male, between 5’5 and 5’6 tall and between 140 and 160 lbs. He has dirty blonde and grey hair with a receding hair line, he is clean shaven, he has a pockmarked face with chiseled cheek bones, he has a large nose and ruddy (reddish) complexion, and has hazel eyes.Mr. RUPERT is known to usually target the elderly and will allegedly seek his victims in apartment buildings, senior centers, shopping centers and

anywhere else he can approach elderly victims. Mr. RUPERT is currently wanted by police in relation to various incidents across Canada. Members of the Richmond RCMP are continuing their investigation and are asking anyone who has any information on Richard Earl RUPERT's whereabouts to contact them at (604)278-1212, their local police department or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com30 Canada News

Canadian Tourist's Body Found In Tank

POLICE say the body of a woman found wedged in a water tank on the roof of a Los Angeles hotel is that of a missing Canadian guest.

Investigators used body markings to identify 21-year-old Elisa Lam, police spokeswoman Officer Diana Figueroa said late on Tuesday.A maintenance worker at the Cecil Hotel found the body earlier in the day after guests complained of low water pressure.Lam, of Vancouver, British Columbia, travelled to California alone on January 27 and was last seen by workers at the hotel on January 31.Investigators were trying to determine whether there was foul play in the woman's death or "a very, very strange accident" occurred, police spokeswoman Officer Sara Faden said."The location of the water tank is very

small and configured in a very tight way, so it's a little more difficult to get the body out," Faden said.Officials spent much of the day struggling to remove it from the water tank.The hotel is located in downtown Los Angeles, which has long struggled against the creeping destitution of nearby Skid Row, where drug addiction and homelessness is rampant.At the time of Lam's disappearance, police said it appeared suspicious.Lam was travelling to Santa Cruz, about 560 kilometres north of Los Angeles, and officials said she tended to use public transport.She had been in touch with her family daily until she disappeared.

Canada Issues Record Number Of Visitor Visas In 2012

Close to 1 million Visitor Visas ApprovedCanada issued a record number of visitor visas in 2012 with almost 1 million visas approved, Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and Maxime Bernier, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, announced Wednesday.“The Government is committed to attracting an increasing number of visitors to Canada as part of our plan to grow the Canadian economy and create jobs,” said Minister Kenney. “We strive to issue visas as quickly as possible to facilitate travel for genuine visitors – to welcome tourists, to reunite families – and benefit from the economic spinoff they bring to Canada.”The number of visas issued in 2012 represents an increase of almost 40% since 2004. This steady increase over the last few years reaffirms the fact that Canada continues to be a destination of choice for visitors.

“Welcoming more international travelers to Canada creates jobs and growth in our country,” added Minister of State Maxime Bernier. “Receiving a visa in a timely and efficient manner is important to our visitors, and helps position Canada competitively as a destination of choice in the world.”The Government has employed several new tools to attract visitors to Canada and facilitate their travel. For example, in July 2011, the duration of multiple-entry visas was extended from five years to 10 years. This allows visitors to enter and exit Canada for up to six months at a time over 10 years. In addition, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for the new Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, which is also valid for up to 10 years and allows parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time.

Liberal Insider Tears Strip Off B.C. Budget

Martyn Brown says budget will have NDP 'jumping for joy'The B.C. Liberal government likely has the provincial NDP “jumping for joy,” says Martyn Brown, chief of staff to former premier Gordon Campbell, in a scathing critique of the budget during an interview with CBC News anchor Gloria Macarenko Tuesday.Brown, a longtime Liberal insider in B.C., said the budget had done the NDP’s tax-raising “dirty work” for them.“The budget basically conceded the tax turf to the NDP,” Brown said.“I think the only ones jumping for joy today, really, will be the NDP because, effectively, this government has done the dirty work of saying it needs to increase corporate taxes, it needs to increase personal taxes on higher income earners, it’s increasing MSP premiums.”He said the Liberals basically came up with the very tax agenda that the New Democrats had been suggesting.“And most of that won’t take effect until next January, a year from now, so you won’t feel it in this election year

but you sure will feel it in the years to come,” said Brown.'A lot to do about nothing'Brown also predicted the budget will be dead before it has much chance to be enacted.“It’s not going to matter. This budget won’t see the light of day no matter who gets elected. They’re going to have to introduce a new budget. All the assumptions will be re-evaluated in May and all of the spending will be re-evaluated in May. So really, this is a lot to do about nothing.”Brown, author of the e-book, Towards a New Government in British Columbia, has been highly critical of the two-year-old Christy Clark administration, and for months has been predicting an NDP victory in the May 14 election.He says he still is pulling for the Liberals to win, but isn’t holding out much hope.“Miracles do happen in politics, but it’s a long shot, to put it mildly,” Brown said.

B.C. Budget : What It Means For You

The bad newsMedical Services Plan premiums will increase by an estimated four per cent on Jan. 1, 2014. The hike represents a 91.66-per-cent increase in MSP premiums since 2001. A temporary two-year increase in the personal income tax rate for individuals earning more than $150,000. Rising 2.1 percentage points to 16.8 per cent on Jan. 1, 2014. Smokers will pay an extra $2 a carton,

effective Oct. 1, 2013. No increase in alcohol taxes. General corporate income tax rate rises to 11 per cent from 10 per cent. That still leaves B.C. with a rate 33 per cent lower than in 2001 and still among the lowest in Canada, according to the government.

Does BC's Budget Families First as promised by Premier

Christy Clark?


Coloring

Continued Next Week

How Common Is Bullying?

Approximately one in 10 children have bullied others and as many as 25% of children in grades four to six have been bullied. A study published in the medical Journal of Pediatrics found that about one in seven Canadian children aged 11 to 16 are victims of bullying. Studies have found bullying occurs once every seven minutes on the playground and once every 25 minutes in the classroom. In the majority of cases, bullying stops within 10 seconds when peers intervene, or do not support the bullying behaviour. Students are most vulnerable to bullying during transitions from elementary to junior high school, and from junior to senior high school. There is a correlation between increased supervision and decreased bullying. Bullies stop when adults are around. What are the myths about bullying? Myth #1 - "Children have got to learn to stand up for themselves." Reality - Children who get up the courage to complain about being bullied are saying they've tried and can't cope with the situation on their own. Treat their complaints as a call for help. In addition to offering support, it can be helpful to provide children with problem solving and assertiveness training to assist them in dealing with difficult situations. Myth #2 - "Children should hit back - only harder." Reality - This could cause serious harm. People who bully are often bigger and more powerful than their victims. This also gives children the idea that violence is a legitimate way to solve problems. Children learn how to bully by watching adults use their power for aggression. Adults have the opportunity to set a good example by teaching children how to solve problems by using their power in appropriate ways. Myth #3 - "It builds character." Reality - Children who are bullied repeatedly, have low self-esteem and do not trust others. Bullying damages a person's self-concept. Myth #4 - "Sticks and stones can break your bones but words can never hurt you." Reality - Scars left by name-calling can last a lifetime.

Myth #5 - "That's not bullying. They're just teasing." Reality - Vicious taunting hurts and should be stopped. Myth #6 - "There have always been bullies and there always will be." Reality - By working together as parents, teachers and students we have the power to change things and create a better future for our children. As a leading expert, Shelley Hymel, says, "It takes a whole nation to change a culture". Let's work together to change attitudes about bullying. After all, bullying is not a discipline issue - it is a teaching moment. Myth #7 - "Kids will be kids." Reality - Bullying is a learned behaviour. Children may be imitating aggressive behaviour they have seen on television, in movies or at home. Research shows that 93% of video games reward violent behaviour. Additional findings show that 25% of boys aged 12 to 17 regularly visit gore and hate internet sites, but that media literacy classes decreased the boys' viewing of violence, as well as their acts of violence in the playground. It is important for adults to discuss violence in the media with youth, so they can learn how to keep it in context. There is a need to focus on changing attitudes toward violence. Talk To SomeoneLooking To Speak With Bullying Canada? Give Us A Call Toll-Free: 1-877-352-4497 We would love to hear from you! Please contact us with your stories and for suggestions.

**NOTE: We do not offer Counseling Services** If you contact us, we will provide you with a list of services in your area. VICTIM -Walk away -Tell someone you trust -Take the initiative to get help -Say something complimentary to the bully to distract -Stay groups to avoid confrontation -Use humour to deflect the situation -Never let the bully see you sweat -Practice self affirmation (i.e. I am a nice person)

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com Your Health 32

This information is provided for knowledge and educational purposes only. Individuals should visit their physicians for more information on their health.

Continued From Last Week

Diabetes And Nutrition

Savitri Singh-Carlson BSN MSN PhD

Continued Next Week

What is a diabetes meal plan? A diabetes meal plan is a guide that tells you how much and what kinds of food you can choose to eat at meals and snack times. A good meal plan should fit in with your schedule and eating habits. The right meal plan will help you improve your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers and also help keep your weight on track. Whether you need to lose weight or stay where you are, your meal plan can help.People with diabetes have to take extra care to make sure that their food is balanced with insulin and oral medications, and exercise to help manage their blood glucose levels.This might sound like a lot of work, but your doctor and/or dietitian can help you create a meal plan that is best for you. When you make healthy food choices, you will improve your overall health and you can even prevent complications such as heart disease and some cancers.There are many ways to help you follow your diabetes meal plan. Some ways are following the Food Guide Pyramid, Creating your Plate, and Carbohydrate Counting. They are all different but hopefully one is right for you.What is a healthy diet?A healthy diet is a way of eating that that reduces risk for complications such as heart disease and stroke. Healthy eating includes eating a wide variety of foods including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy products, beans, and lean meats, poultry and fish. There is no one perfect food so including a variety of different foods and watching portion sizes is key to a healthy diet. Also, make sure your choices from each food group provide the highest quality nutrients you can find. In other words, pick foods rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber over those that are processed.People with diabetes can eat the same foods the family enjoys. Everyone benefits from healthy eating so the whole family can take part in healthy eating. It takes some planning but you can fit your favorite foods into your

meal plan and still manage your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol. Do You Know What You Are Eating? Lose weight. Stay away from sodium. Eat less fat — but eat more fiber. Does this sound familiar? Is it confusing for you? You are not alone. All carbohydrate-containing foods are generally shown in servings of about 15 grams of carbohydrate, based on the American Diabetes Association and American Dietetic Association exchange lists. But as you might have heard from your health care team, it is not just about carbohydrates. Fats, calories, sodium, and fiber are also important to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. So there is hope when it comes to healthy eating! Here's how you can unlock some of these healthy eating mysteries:Explore Foods • Seek healthier alternatives to foods

that are overall lower in sodium or saturated fat, or higher in fiber, ranking options that may provide alternatives in a meal.

• Browse by food category (milk and yogurt, vegetables) or by a specific foods (pork tenderloin).

• Compare foods by 22 nutrients (more than what appears on nutrition facts labels), including potassium and phosphorus.

• "Sometimes the low-fat version of our favorite foods contain more sugar or sodium than the regular version or the sugar-free contains more trans and saturated fat," Stephanie Dunbar, ADA's Director of Nutrition and Clinical Affairs said. "It is a good idea to have the total picture before making a decision at the grocery store."

Recipes • Save recipes to personal recipe box

(with log in). • Search for recipes by amount of

calories, carbohydrate, sodium, and saturated fat.

• Search for recipes by main ingredient (such as salmon).

• Generate personalized shopping list."Let's say for example you are trying to watch the amount of carbohydrates you eat but also trying to increase your fiber intake," Dunbar commented. "You can search for recipes that meet both of those needs."Create a dish • Tracks all 22 nutrients consumed

each day. • Shows contribution of each new

food to the overall dish. • User can review a meal or recipe

to provide clues to increased blood glucose levels.

"If one person in the family has type 2 diabetes or heart disease, chances are

there are others around the dinner table who could be at risk as well," This healthy choice of eating can help to implement healthier food choices for the entire family. It is also useful for people with or at risk for heart disease, people with kidney disease and those just looking to lose some weight."Eat Your Vegetables "Eat your vegetables" is a favorite saying of mothers everywhere—not just parents of children with diabetes. In fact, adding more vegetables to your meals is a great idea for everyone and the holidays are a perfect time to get started. We all want to dress the table with plenty of tempting treats. Often the menu's vegetable section has the fewest options of all. Vegetables are a wonderful source of vitamins and minerals. Most vegetables are low in carbohydrates, making them great choices for children with diabetes.Although vegetables are great sources of vitamins and minerals, some vegetables really belong in the "starch" section of the food pyramid. Watch out for potatoes, corn, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, and other starchy vegetables because they are high in carbohydrate and raise blood glucose levels more than leafy greens and other veggie options. Talk to your diabetes educator or dietitian if you have any questions about which vegetables fall into this "high carb" category.Asparagus is a good vegetable choice because it is high in vitamins A and C, low in fat, and a good source of fiber. Another great option is any type of squash. Squash can be eaten year round because there are winter varieties as well as summer ones. Summer squash has soft outer rinds (like zucchini). Winter squash has hard outer rinds (like pumpkin). Squash contains vitamin A, C, some B vitamins, iron and calcium. Winter squash is especially high in vitamin A. Whether you serve steamed or grilled zucchini (squash) as a side dish or as a main part of your meal, it's a very nutritious addition to your menu planning.Also, a good rule of thumb with vegetables is that healthy meals are made up of colorful foods. Bright colors in natural foods like tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and green vegetables mean they contain antioxidants -- food substances that help prevent disease. The deeper the color, the more nutritious the food.The next time you think you don't have the time to eat properly, remember that vegetables are among the most convenient foods around. You can cook most vegetables in just a few minutes if you steam, stir-fry, or microwave them.

Is Your Pantry Suffering Sticker Shock

• Learn money-saving tips for

getting the most out of your grocery store trips.

• Eating healthfully on a lean budget requires a small investment of time.

Prices for food staples such as wheat, eggs, milk and rice have increased substantially in the last year, leaving many to wonder how to affordably plan their next shopping trip. If you or a loved one has diabetes, you know the importance of stocking a well-balanced pantry and eating healthy foods to maintain good diabetes control. American Diabetes Associations offer these tips to save money and help cost-conscious consumers navigate the grocery store shelves: • Boneless cuts of meat are often

better buys, since you are not paying for the weight of the bone. Think of cost per edible serving rather than cost per pound. Turkey has 46% edible meat per pound, while chicken has 41%.

• There is no nutritional difference between brown and white eggs. Choose white eggs since they cost less.

• Vegetables frozen in butter sauce cost twice as much as plain frozen vegetables – and they have more calories.

• Instead of buying small containers of yogurt, buy a quart and separate it into 1-cup servings yourself.

• Avoid individually packaged snacks. Reap significant savings with a do-it-yourself approach.

• Price fruits with an eye on the cost per edible serving. If you are paying by the pound, you will be paying for the inedible seeds and rinds.

• If fresh fruit is too expensive, buy frozen or canned fruit packed in water. If you buy fruit canned in syrup, rinse it before eating.

• Use nonfat dry milk for drinking, cooking and baking. It is inexpensive and has a long shelf life.

• Make your own cooking spray by putting vegetable oil in a spray bottle.

• Cook your own hot cereal to save money. Regular or quick-cooking oats are much less expensive than instant oats.

• Dry beans triple in volume when they are soaked and cooked. A 1-pound bag will make six 1-cup servings.

• When buying fresh greens by weight, be sure to shake off the excess water before you put them in your cart. It is amazing how much water can be hidden in between the leaves.

• The costs of special "dietetic or diabetic" foods are high and not necessary.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com 33Your Health



Obesity May Up Risk Of Gum Disease

Obesity is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer.Now, a new study has revealed that it also may be a risk factor for gum disease."We know that being overweight can affect many aspects of a person`s health. Now researchers suspect a link exists between obesity and gum disease," said Charlene Krejci, DDS, MSD, lead author of the article."Obese individuals` bodies relentlessly produce cytokines, proteins with inflammatory properties. These cytokines may directly injure the gum tissues or reduce blood flow to the gum tissues, thus promoting the development of gum disease," she added.Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory

infection that impacts the surrounding and supporting structures of the teeth. Gum disease itself produces its own set of cytokines, which further increases the level of these inflammatory proteins in the body`s bloodstream, helping to set off a chain reaction of other inflammatory diseases throughout the body.Research on the relationship between obesity and gum disease is still ongoing."Whether one condition is a risk factor for another or whether one disease directly causes another has yet to be discovered," said AGD Spokesperson Samer G. Shamoon, DDS, MAGD.The best way to minimize the risk of developing gum disease is to remove plaque through daily brushing, flossing, rinsing, and professional cleanings.

Black Tea `Good For Diabetics`People who drink black tea are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, according to researchers.A new analysis of data from 50 countries found that the nations who drank the most black tea also suffered the lowest levels of the metabolic syndrome.The study also found that high tea consumption was related to lower levels of obesity.Scientists believe that the fermentation process, which turns green tea black, could also cause the production of

complex health-giving flavonoids.They also analysed the consumption of black tea and the prevalence of various diseases, including Type 2 diabetes.The study stated that Ireland drank the most black tea, with each person consuming 2 kg each a year, according to sales data.Britain and Turkey were close behind, with all three countries found to have lower levels of diabetes than others where consumption was low, including Brazil, Morocco and Mexico.

Sugar Heals Wounds Faster Than Antibiotics

Pouring granulated sugar on wounds can help in healing faster than antibiotics, a new study has found.New research shows folk medicine from Africa may hold the key to treating wounds that defy modern medicine.According to the study, sugar draws water from the wound into a dressing accelerating the healing process, as reported.The study is headed by Moses Murandu, a senior lecturer in adult nursing at Wolverhampton University, who grew up in Zimbabwe where his father used sugar to heal wounds and reduce pain when he was a child.Sugar draws water from the wound into a dressing - bacteria needs water to survive - which allows accelerates the healing process, or kick starts it where progress has stalled.When Murandu moved to the UK he realised that sugar was not recognised as a traditional medicine that had

something to offer.One of the patients receiving treatment as part of the research is Alan Bayliss, from Birmingham, who was being treated at Moseley Hall Hospital`s amputee rehabilitation ward.He underwent an above the knee amputation on his right leg due to an ulcer at the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Hospital Birmingham in January 2013, and as part of the surgery a vein was removed from his left leg.For his post-surgery rehabilitation, Bayliss was moved to Moseley Hall Hospital where standard dressings were used but the left leg cavity wound was not healing effectively.Nurses contacted Murandu and Bayliss was given the sugar treatment and within two weeks the wound had drastically reduced in size.So far 35 patients receiving treatment have seen their condition improve, with no adverse effects reported.

Vitamin C Halves Incidence Of Common Cold

Vitamin C is beneficial against common cold particularly for people under heavy physical stress.In five randomized trials of participants with heavy short-term physical stress, vitamin C halved the incidence of the common cold.Three of the trials studied marathon runners, one studied Swiss school children in a skiing camp and one studied Canadian soldiers during a winter exercise.Furthermore, in a recent randomized trial carried out with adolescent competitive swimmers, vitamin C halved the duration of colds in males, although the vitamin had no effect on females. Regular doses of vitamin C of one gram per day or higher have reduced the average duration of colds in adults by 8 percent and in children by 18 percent.

Although these findings unambiguously show that vitamin C has a biological effect on colds, taking vitamin C every day to shorten infrequent colds does not seem reasonable. On average, adults have only a few common cold episodes per year and children have some half a dozen colds per year.Few therapeutic trials, meaning trials in which vitamin C was given only after the first symptoms of a cold appeared, have been carried out and their results are not consistent.Nevertheless, given the consistent effect of vitamin C on the duration and severity of colds in the regular supplementation studies, and the safety and low cost of vitamin C, the researchers consider that it may be worthwhile for individual common cold patients to test whether therapeutic vitamin C is beneficial for them.

Caesarean Babies At Higher Risk Of Asthma, Allergies

Babies, who are delivered by Caesarean section, miss out on protective bugs which could help prevent a host of disorders like asthma and allergies in childhood and later life, researchers have warned.Significant differences in the gut bacteria were found in infants born surgically and naturally.The researchers said that the findings will increase concern about potential lifelong effects for the baby from the increasing rate of Caesarean sections being done.Although the exact causes are unknown, Caesarean babies could be missing out on physiological changes which happened during labour including exposure to bugs that are necessary for the immune system to develop.For the study, researchers looked at data on 24 healthy infants, as part of the larger Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development study, who were representative of Canadian newborns with 25 percent being born by Caesarean and 42 percent breastfed exclusively at 4 months of age.Babies, who are delivered by Caesarean section, miss out on protective bugs which could help prevent a host of disorders like asthma and allergies in childhood and later life, researchers have warned.Significant differences in the gut

bacteria were found in infants born surgically and naturally.The researchers said that the findings will increase concern about potential lifelong effects for the baby from the increasing rate of Caesarean sections being done.Although the exact causes are unknown, Caesarean babies could be missing out on physiological changes which happened during labour including exposure to bugs that are necessary for the immune system to develop.For the study, researchers looked at data on 24 healthy infants, as part of the larger Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development study, who were representative of Canadian newborns with 25 percent being born by Caesarean and 42 percent breastfed exclusively at 4 months of age.The scientists used new DNA sequencing technique to find the gut bacterial composition of the babies, a technique that allows detection of virtually all the bugs present.The study report said that the potential long-term consequences of decisions regarding mode of delivery and infant diet are "not to be underestimated.""Infants born by Caesarean delivery are at increased risk of asthma, obesity and type 1 diabetes, whereas breastfeeding is variably protective against these and other disorders," the report said.


Sanjay DuttSanjay DuttSanjay Dutt

Prabhu Deva Moves To Mumbai Permanently, Gives Up Choreography

It's Goodbye to Chennai for Prabhu Deva. Plate so full with direction, choreography and yes, acting-he's next going to star in a musical with Madhuri Dixit in Bollywood that the selfconfessed workaholic has decided to make Mumbai his permanent residence. A huge leap in priorities for Prabhu, since until recently he ruled the Tamil and Telugu film industry with little time for Bollywood. Ìn fact I used to come here only for Boney Kapoor to do a song or two in his films. Now I am here in Mumbai and very aptly, I stay in a residence owned by him. So life has come a full circle. Yes, I am in Mumbai permanently now, `reveals Prabhu. Apparently Prabhu's decision to shift base has not gone down well with his Tamil and Telugu producers who feel he has betrayed his interests. A senior highly respected Tamil actor says, `This kind of migration apparently for a wider market always irks the South Indian film industry. It makes them feel exploited. ` But Prabhu is clear about his priorities. Ì've spent so many years working in Chennai. Now let me concentrate on Hindi cinema for a while. It's not as if I've cut ties with Chennai. My children still study there and I am constantly

flying between the two cities Mumbai and Chennai. But yes, as far as work is concerned it's fully Mumbai for me. ` Prabhu is currently directing Tips' owner Kumar Taurani's son Girish launch vehicle Ramaiyya Vasta Vaiya. Says Prabhu, Ì wrap up Ramaiyya Vasta Vaiya in January and go straight into Namak with Shahid Kapoor. Then there is a film with Salmanbhai. `Prabhu has also wrapped up a film as an actor ABCD which is partly based on his own life. With one film as a director to complete, and two more waiting his attention with a second acting assignment on the anvil Prabhu has no time for a personal life. `Where is the space for a relationship? I hardly get time to visit my own children. If I had my way I'd relocate them in Mumbai. But I don't want to uproot them from their friends. I don't have any time for a girlfriend. Work is all I think about. Last week I got four days free. I rushed to see a friend in London who needed to see me. `Dismissing all speculation on keeping tabs on his former girlfriend Nayanthara, Prabhu says, `She is busy with her assignments in the South. I am busy in Mumbai. We now lead completely separate lives. ` In fact Prabhu is so busy that

he's drastically cutting down on choreography, even in self-directed films. Ì can't do both direction and

choreography. I will choreograph only when it's unavoidable. If Boney Kapoor asks me I can't say no. `

Prabhu Deva with Salman Khan

Mallika Sherawat Is Not Bhanwari Devi!!

Controversies follow Mallika Sherawat like rains after gathering clouds. To no one's surprise Mallika has whipped up a storm of protests while playing Bhanwari Devi, the slain Rajasthani nurse, in K C Bokadia's Dirty Politics. In Indore for the shooting, Mallika apparently had unwanted visitors from a particular political party who claimed the Bhanwari Devi scandal was being dug up at another poltical party's behest. But Bokadia who knows real-life stories court controversies has decided to take the safe route out. He has made radical changes in the script. And the film is no longer being touted as Bhanwari Devi's story. `My film is not about Bhanwari Devi. First of all Mallika is named Anokhi Devi in the film. Secondly Bhanwari Devi was a nurse. Mallika is not a nurse in my film. The character in my film is not like the controversial nurse at all. People are unnecessarily jumping to

their own conclusions, ` says Bokadia with a poker face. Until recently both Bokadia and Sherawat couldn't stop talking about the real-life antecedents of her character. One hears there was a reality-curb placed on Bokadia's Dirty Politics after Mallika began getting threat calls. Says a source close to Bokadia, `We decided to steer away from the whole headline thing when politicians jumped into the fray. We didn't want to face what Shekhar Kapoor had to go through during Bandit Queen or what Ekta Kapoor had to face during The Dirty Picture. ` Mallika, one hears, has also been advised to go easy on talking about the biographical aspect of the film. And for those Mallika's fans who are dismayed to see the bold actress wrapped up in a saree, here's some heartening news. She will be doing some hot sizzling dance numbers. Says Bokadia, `Mallika plays a dancer. She will do whatever the role requires. `


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Fiji Business Pages



2013

'I Me Aur Main' Will Make Men Value Women: Prachi Desai

Actress Prachi Desai, who will be seen in "I Me Aur Main", says men will be able to relate to John Abraham's character in the film which will eventually lead them to valuing women in their lives."It is a kind of character which every man, every boy in our country is going to relate to. In general, there is a certain characteristic in all of them, they generally don't grow up that fast and because of that somebody is very self-

centred, somebody is very selfish," the 24-year-old said here in an interview. "So, all these things, I think are very relatable. It's about Ishaan (John's character) but at the same time there is so much about women in the film. I think when you will watch the film, you will start valuing us a little more," she added.Directed by Kapil Sharma, "I, Me aur Main" also features Chitrangada Singh and hits theatres March 1.

With 'Abcd...' Sequel, There's Pressure To Surpass Set

Standards: Remo

Choreographer-turned-director Remo D'Souza, whose directorial venture "ABCD: Any Body Can Dance" did decent business at the box office, says that with a sequel in the offing there's pressure on him to surpass the set standards. "The competition between them (the dancers) will increase as 'ABCD...' has set a standard. But it is going to be more tense for me because if I have to make a sequel then I will have to go above the set standard," the 38-year-

old said at a fashion show organised by Smile Foundation.Asked who, according to him, are the evergreen dancers in Bollywood, Remo said, "Mithun Chakraborty is an evergreen dancer. In heroines, Madhuri Dixit.""ABCD : Any Body Can Dance" featured Prabhudheva, Kay Kay Menon and choreographer Ganesh Acharya and Remo has confirmed that the sequel will see Prabhudheva and Ganesh together once again.

Prabhu Deva, Ganesh Acharya and Remo


No Haunted Mansions, Spirits In '3G': Sonal Chauhan

Actress Sonal Chauhan, who will soon be seen in "3G", says it is an unconventional horror film for Bollywood"'3G' is a horror film. But in Indian cinema, the horror films have been mostly about haunted mansions, spirits or black magic. '3G' offers you horror in a different way, something that I think the Indian audience will see for

the first time on screen, " the 27-year-old said at the launch of the film's first look."3G" revolves around a mobile phone, and the spooky events that take place after the movie's male protagonist, essayed by Neil Nitin Mukesh, buys it. Releasing March 15, the movie is co-directed by Sheershak Anand and Shantanu Ray Chhibber.

First 7 Minutes Of The Attacks Of 26/11 Crosses A Million Views

Ram Gopal Varma's 'The Attacks of 26/11' has struck a chord with the audience and there is curiosity around the movie. The first 7 minutes of the cinematic interpretation of the tragic event has crossed a million views on YouTube.People have connected well with the first 7 minute sequence of the movie. The video showcases how the terrorists enter Mumbai after hijacking the trawler 'Kuber'. The performance of all the actors especially Nana Patekar and Sanjeev Jaiswal has been highly appreciated. The promos and music has been well received by both critics

and fans.The cast and crew of the movie recently paid homage to the victims by launching the theme track 'Maula Maula' in Leopold Cafe. `Maula Maula marks the celebratory spirit thereby signifying that we won't be cowed down, ` said Ram Gopal Varma. According to Nana Patekar, The Attacks of 26/11 is not a film but an emotional journey of the terror attacks.Prominent celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Sujoy Ghosh, Pritish Nandy and Gul Panag have praised the content, performances and music of the movie.

Boman Signs A Telugu FilmAfter doing a variety of roles in Bollywood, actor Boman Irani has signed a Telugu film. "I am doing a Telugu film. I have just signed it. Pawan Kalyan is the hero. I wanted to do a film outside Mumbai and see what it feels like," the 53 -year-old said. "I am very proud they have accepted me with open arms. We haven't started shooting. I have just signed the film," he added.

Meanwhile, Boman says his upcoming film "Jolly L.L.B." will make a difference to the society. "It will be a film that will make a difference because it is about the judicial system in our country and it is told in a very funny way, in a sweet way," he said. "Jolly L.L.B.", slated to release March 15, also stars Arshad Warsi and Amrita Rao. Oops! When Salman Khan

Became NervousSuperstar Salman Khan, known for his witty one-liners, was nervous when he was about to take the stage to host Star Guild Awards 2013 It was the first time the 47-year-old hosted an award function."Everybody gets nervous when you do something for the first time, even I am nervous, " he told reporters at the red carpet of the award function."I just thought... let's try how does it feel to host (such functions). It is a very difficult thing, you have to remember many things, listen properly to others

and not get carried away, " he said.Salman, looking dapper in black suit, was the highlight of the night. He brought his signature style, camaraderie and flair on stage and won the hearts of the audience and contemporaries. The Renault Star Guild Awards function were held last Saturday night at Yash Raj Studios.Actor Arshad Warsi praised Salman on Twitter: "I had a fabulous time with Salman at the Star Guild Awards. It is always a pleasure interacting with him."


Fiji Business Pages



2013


By Robert Waldman

At The Movies A Good Day to Die Hard (PG) * * * * Family Plan! Give it up and give in to Bruce Willis. Back in action for this fifth go round in the Die Hard movies the old guy still has what it takes and then some. Pump up the volume and prepare to be set free for A Good Day to Die Hard. 20th Century Fox delivers the goods with this perfect Valentine’s Day present sure to appeal to the action gene in all of us. Catch all the firepower as this explosive film debuts at The Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Cineplex Odeon arenas around B.C. Vacations sure don’t come easy for one John McLane. Let’s see, in the original Die Hard surprise only to meet up with a master high tech German criminal/terrorist into taking over a skyscraper or two. This time Mr. McLane goes further afield as he heads down to Russia to help out his son. Things go from bad to worse in a New York minute. Wall to wall action explodes in this magnificent movie. Deep inside the Kremlin we learn of a power struggle with the possibilities of putting world peace at stake. Out to foil the plot of some high up Soviet officials is one Jack McLane who just happens to be John’s AWOL son who is truly a chip off the old geezer’s block in more ways than one. Fresh face actor Jai Courtney (Jack Reacher) looks like he could easily replace Willis to keep the McLean

legacy and genealogy alive. Tit for tat in both the fisticuffs and quips department is Courtney as the chemistry he shares with Willis is magnetic. Family connections abound in A Good Day to Die Hard and we’re not only talking about the McClane family here. Man of the moment Russian prisoner Komarov is at the centre of a complicated plot involving lots of powerful members of the Polit Bureau each apparently in for their own good. Top German actor Sebastian Koch (The Lives of Others) smoothly plays the Russian dissident in jail who is the subject of intense interest on all sides of the border. Spies and cops collide as the frenzy over his safety and security becomes of paramount importance to both Jack and John McLane who don’t quite realize their fighting on the same side and for the same values. Director John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines) loads up the action big time and the bonus is that there are numerous plot shifts that few filmgoers could ever predict. The result is a smart, snappy whirlwind of a film that flies by. Other notable actors in this piece include Yuliya Snigir, a former Russian chess master as Irina, a very vexing babe. Excitement galore abounds in Another Day To Die Hard, a thrilling adventure that the action crowd will just adore.

How John Met The Love Of His Life Priya RunchalJohn Abraham clears the air about how he met the love of his life Priya Runchal. And no, it was not at the gym!

Much has been said about how John Abraham met his current ladylove Priya Runchal for the first time. While speculations were rife that the two met at the gym where the actor and his former flame Bipasha Basu worked out, there were many fingers pointed at Priya for being an apparent home wrecker. However setting the record straight, John clarifies that Priya and he in fact met through common friends, who worked at the Mumbai office of the World Bank.At a promotional event for his upcoming film, John gets rather candid about his love life. He states, `Priya was here doing her stint at the World

Bank. It was much later that she started coming to the same gym where I worked out.` While the two have been together for quite a while now, John says they are in no hurry to tie the knot. He says, ̀ Right now Priya is studying and she has two more years to go. So it will happen once she completes her education. But we are in a very happy space right now.` The actor heaps praises on his sweetheart and adds that the couple tries and meets each other at least once in two months. `She is a very sorted and mature girl and we respect each other's space. She is in London right now.`


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Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com 39Continued From Last Week Visiting Suva - Fiji Islands

The main city on Viti Levu, visiting Suva is a pleasant experience as this town has a charm of its own. There are plenty of old colonial buildings that are well worth seeing, alongside the many places of worship here. This city is also has a number of beautiful gardens to visit, especially the Thurston Gardens, which was created in 1913. When in Suva, don’t forget to go shopping, with many colorful stores and markets found all over town. There are plenty of things to do in Suva to keep you busy for more than a few days.If you enjoy trekking and hiking, then visit the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, just outside the city. A superb place to go bushwalking, this verdant and green park is great for a picnic as well with three swimming pools, picnic tables, changing rooms and shelters. You can hike to Mount Korobaba, which is roughly a two-hour walk or if you are a serious trekker, climb up Joske’s Thumb for some incredible views of the surrounding area. Do keep in mind that you will need to get permission from the Fiji Visitors Bureau before you climb here. If you like, you can also contact the Rucksack Club in town for a walking adventure.For those who like to swim, visit the huge Suva Olympic Swimming Pool near Victoria Parade. Entry is cheap and there is a kid’s play area here as well. The pool is open to the public from Monday to Friday. If you are a serious swimmer, you can visit the university swimming pool, which is 25 meters long. Although Fiji is situated on the coast, there are no beaches here. The nearest beach is Deuba in Pacific Harbour, a 50-minute drive away.Diving & SurfingTo go diving, Beqa Divers Fiji is a short drive from Suva and takes you diving in the Beqa Lagoon. Various diving courses are available here for both the experienced and novice divers. For those interested in surfing, there is a surf break near the Suva lighthouse. Accessible by boat only,

the waves here are quite good. If you are unsure of what to do, give the Fiji Surf Association in town a call for some local advice.Sailing in SuvaSailing is a popular activity in Suva, with the Royal Suva Yacht Club located in Suva Harbor at Korovou. Open Mondays to Fridays, membership is open for visitors. The Club has a restaurant, bar and a kid’s playground on its premises along with an ATM. The bar here is a popular local hangout and is a great chance for tourists to mingle with the locals and share a drink. Suva AccommodationsThere are plenty of places to stay at in Suva, with accommodations found all over the city. Hotels, lodges, motels and inns are everywhere these days, as Suva’s importance grows in Viti Levu. Accommodations in Suva are numerous and many excellent budget and economical hotels can be found in town. If you are looking to self cater, there are a few good motels in Suva, while if you have a big budget there are a number of posh hotels in the city as well.For a more quiet escape, one of Suva’s best known budget hotels is the Raintree Lodge located near the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. The privacy here

is great and the lodge offers a range of facilities for their guests. Pricier cabins or bures are also available here. On Sundays, a lovo is held by the lakeside.If you wish to stay closer to Central Suva then the Colonial Lodge on Anand Street is a great option. A restored colonial lodge, the rooms here are comfortable and with a shared bathroom. Another great accommodation option in Suva is the USP Upper Campus Lodge, which has some lovely bungalow styled units that overlook the university’s botanical gardens. Staying here also means that you get to use the University of the South Pacific’s sports facilities.If you have an unlimited budget, the Holiday Inn on Victoria Parade, is the ideal place to stay at in Suva. With great views and spacious rooms, this hotel is always busy and full as it provides convenient access for businessmen and those who want to stay close to the city’s center. One of the best hotels in Suva has to be the Southern Cross Hotel with its fine luxurious interiors and country club ambience. The rooms here are large and well appointed, with excellent facilities and amenities for guests to enjoy.Getting To & Around in SuvaWhile Suva may not be the main

entry point into Fiji, nevertheless, the capital is well connected to the rest of Viti Levu by air, bus and boat links. Getting to Suva is pretty easy as you can land directly at the Nausori International Airport, which sits some 23 km northeast of Suva. Not many international flights land here unfortunately, except Air Pacific, which flies to Sydney, Australia; Air Fiji, which flies to Tonga, and Royal Tongan Airlines, which flies to Tonga as well. Mostly used as a domestic airport, with flights to other islands as well, the Nausori International Airport is main base of operations for Air Fiji.To get from the airport in Suva, there are no direct buses, so it is better to take a taxi into town. However, for those on a budget, the Nausori Taxi and Bus service has regular buses to and from the airport to the Holiday Inn Hotel in Suva. Alternatively, you can also take a taxi to Nausori and then ride the bus to Suva.Since international flights to Suva are limited, most people usually get to Suva by local buses from either Kings or Queens Road. A long ride, the journey can often be fun, if you have good company. Small trucks known as carriers can also take you to Suva from Nadi. A good idea if you are traveling in a group, the cost of a carrier is relatively cheap. Once you are in the city, getting around Suva is pretty easy. Most people who tour the city usually do so on foot, with most of the Suva’s attractions all located close to one another. Buses in Suva are cheap and can be found running all over town. Getting around Suva by taxi is affordable as well with short trips costing no more than $3. Be sure to use a taxi at night, as Suva’s streets are not safe to walk after dark.If you are in the city for more than a few days, you may want to rent a car to get around. There are few car rental companies in Suva such as Avis, Hertz and Budget Rent a Car.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com40 Autos

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2013 Nissan Pathfinder The Nissan Pathfinder is a mighty familiar SUV nameplate in the market. It's been around more than a quarter century; yet this year it warrants a complete reintroduction.Current or former Pathfinder owners looking to rekindle their relationship with the new version are likely to be sorely disappointed, as the 2013 Pathfinder doesn't exactly follow in the previous model's footsteps. This is no longer a musclebound truck; and Nissan wasn't shooting for rock-crawling ability, or powerboat-towing prowess.Those who clear their preconceptions will find who Nissan was opening the doors to: families, and especially families who need a little extra space. For that, you'll likely find the Pathfinder to be an attractive, well-thought-out vehicle that performs better (and more efficiently) than a number of other family crossovers on the road—where it matters.The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has made that transition to a passenger-oriented uni-body design—now with just a dash of ruggedness—and its styling, with a soft, rakish tall-wagon look, communicates exactly that. It's a little more swept-back, rakish, and curvaceous compared to other large crossovers, with a much more swept-back stance compared to most rival models; altogether it's more wagon-like to our eyes than any of its rivals, like the Highlander, Pilot, or Explorer—not a bad thing, really. The Pathfinder's heavily sculpted front fenders and rear fender accents give the design the right degree of 'pop,' and they fit right in with the design aesthetic of Nissan's latest passenger-car models like the Altima and Sentra. Inside, there's some trickle-down design and appointments from Infiniti for sure, but unremarkable materials and a limited set of just two rather drab interior colors makes the cabin feel unexpectedly conservative.Provided you keep to the streets and highways—as Nissan is anticipating that the vast majority of Pathfinder owners will do—this is a vehicle that responds far better than last year's model of the same name. All Pathfinders are now powered by the familiar 3.5-liter 'VQ' V-6, which has been used in everything from the 370Z to the Maxima and Murano, all in somewhat different tunes. Here it makes 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, is good to go on regular-grade gasoline, and provides strong, smooth acceleration with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). With a wider span than the previous unit—and a sturdy chain instead of a belt—this CVT allows quicker acceleration and lower revs when cruising, although we note that there's quite a delay for quick bursts of power for passing. Otherwise when you're behind the wheel of the Pathfinder, it's quite easy to forget that you're driving any kind of utility

vehicle. The Pathfinder responds in corners much more like a softly spring sedan than an SUV, and it drives without the nagging sense of heft that heavier models like GM's full-size crossovers (which weigh several hundred pounds more) have. The hydraulic-electric steering in particular is excellent.Models with four-wheel drive come with an Auto mode, as well as a 4WD Lock mode that sends an equal 50/50 to the front and rear axles, with traction-control electronics managing distribution side to side. There’s also a 2WD mode that can boost your gas mileage slightly when roads are completely dry and clear. There's still some trail ability here, but don't expect much more than you'd get in, say, a Subaru Outback (there's actually less ground clearance). When equipped with the tow package, the Pathfinder can pull up to 5,000 pounds, and the chain-driven CVT will settle to a different cruising RPM depending on loads.The new Pathfinder feels like it was designed for passenger comfort, interior space, and interior flexibility above nearly all else. It fits in for height and width within a few inches of the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Highlander, yet it's quite a bit longer than any of those models—a few inches shorter than the super-roomy GM full-size crossovers (Traverse, Acadia, Enclave) and around the same length as the Mazda CX-9. Most of that length goes to the cabin, and it follows that

the Pathfinder actually fits three usable rows of seating. Second-row bench accommodations can be slid back up to 5.5 inches when there's nobody back in the third row, though adults may find it hard to get comfortable as they're quite short, flat, and van-like, as well as surprisingly low—inviting a sort of legs-splayed position. The third row is low and hard, with barely enough headroom for an average adult—in other words, it's roomier than the typical third row. And the second row has a trick ‘Latch and Glide’ function that lets you leave child seats in place while tilting the second row forward.Ride quality is another strength for the Pathfinder. It's smooth and refined—Nissan has paid extra attention to secondary vibrations—and you don't

hear or feel minor road coarseness. Wind noise is also kept under wraps even at Interstate cruising speeds, and the V-6 here is one of the few engines mated to a CVT that doesn't drone insufferably when accelerating rapidly.Nissan boasts that the Pathfinder provides “premium features for all passengers,” and especially if you spring for one of the higher trim levels, and some key options, that's true. Opt for the top-of-the-line Pathfinder Platinum and for a bottom-line price of about $42k (4WD) you get the tow package, cooled front seats, the Bose audio system, navigation, and an Around View Monitor, all with a higher-resolution eight-inch WVGA display. With the available Nissan Navigation System, you also get traffic information, Bluetooth streaming audio, and voice recognition. Also on offer is a tri-zone entertainment system that lets you play separate programming for each of the two seven-inch rear screens (DVD, gaming input, or photos), all while front-seat occupants can listen to their own programming. All that's missing on the Pathfinder is the taste of high-tech convenience features—like adaptive cruise control, or a blind-spot system—that are starting to jump from luxury brands down to the mainstream.

L and N signsL and N signs let other motorists know you're a new driver or motorcycle rider. Important: If an L or N sign isn't displayed on a vehicle as required by law, the driver could be fined.Where to put the signYou must display the official ICBC learner’s (L) or novice (N) sign so that it's clearly visible to drivers behind you.Attach the signon your rear windshield (inside or outside) or elsewhere outside your vehicle, at the back.

Motorcyclists: Display the sign on the rear of your motorcycle or on your clothing.Lost your L or N sign?Here's what to do about it:Print a temporary L or N sign (in colour only, not black-and-white).


Continued Next Week


Lifestyle

Physical Activity

Physical activity improves health and well-being. It reduces stress, strengthens the heart and lungs, increases energy levels, helps you maintain and achieve a healthy body weight and it improves your outlook on life.Research shows that physical inactivity can cause premature death, chronic disease and disability. Health Canada encourages Canadians to integrate physical activity into their every day life; at home, at school, at work, at play and on the way ... that's active living!For children, regular physical activity is essential for healthy growth and development. For adults, it allows daily tasks to be accomplished with greater ease and comfort and with less fatigue.For seniors, weight-bearing physical activity reduces the rate of bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Regular physical activity also maintains strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination, and can help reduce the risk of falls.Being physically active not only strengthens your body, it also makes you feel good about yourself.What Can You Do?Physical activity is something that everyone can do. You don't need to run a marathon or spend hours at a gym. Look for simple ways to be physically active every day.You could:• Take a walk once a day; • Take the stairs instead of the

elevator; • Spend less time in front of the

television or computer; • Play actively with your kids; • Walk or cycle for short trips• Find out about walking and cycling

paths nearby and use them.Adding physical activity to your dayTake a step in the right direction by adding physical activity to your daily lifestyle. Start by slowly increasing your physical activity to meet the new physical activity recommendations.Physical activity doesn’t mean only sports – it can include everyday things like walking the dog, planting a garden, playing tag, building a snowman and

even household chores like raking the leaves, or sweeping the garage.Get active tip sheetsFor tips and information to help build physical activity into a healthy lifestyle. Physical Activity Tips for Children (5-11 years)

Physical activity plays an important role in the health, well-being and quality of life of all Canadians, and it is particularly important for children and youth. Habits formed early can last a lifetime.How much physical activity do children need? Children aged 5-11 should accumulate at least One hour of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. But more is even better!To make the most of their physical activity, try to include: Vigorous-intensity activities at least three days per week. Activities that strengthen muscle and bone at least three days per week.Tips to help kids get active• Encourage walking to school and

getting active as a family • Get them to skateboard, bike or run

instead of getting a ride • Ask them to walk the dog with you • Have them rake the leaves, shovel

snow or carry the groceries • Encourage them to dance to their

favourite music • Replace computer and TV time

with something active • Build active opportunities into

daily classroom routines and encourage students to join a school sport team

• Take kids to the playground or to the park to play

• Reduce screen timeHealth Benefits• Opportunities for socializing • Improve fitness • Increased concentration • Better academic scores • Stronger heart, bones and healthier

muscles • Healthy growth and development • Improved self-esteem

• Better posture and balance • Lower stress What is moderate aerobic activity?Moderate-intensity aerobic activity makes you breathe harder and your heart beat faster. You should be able to talk, but not sing.• Examples of moderate-intensity

physical activity include walking quickly, skating, bike riding and skateboarding.

What is vigorous aerobic activity?With vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, your heart rate will increase even more and you will not be able to say more than a few words without catching a breath.• Examples of vigorous activity

include running, basketball, soccer and cross-country skiing.

• What are strengthening activities?Muscle-strengthening activities build up your muscles. With bone-strengthening activities, muscles push and pull against bones helping make them stronger.• For children, climbing and

swinging on playground equipment is an example of a muscle strengthening activity.

• Examples of bone-strengthening activities include running, walking, and jumping rope.

Physical Activity Tips for Youth (12-17 years)

Every step counts. Try to do an hour every day of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity. Choose vigorous activities at least three days a week. Get stronger by doing activities that build muscles and bones at least three days a week.Combining aerobic and strengthening activities will improve your health and well-being.Tips to help you get activeWhat activities you choose to do is up to you:• Walk, run or bike instead of getting

a ride • Do something you enjoy -

run, jump, swim, skateboard, snowboard, ski, skate

• Check out yoga, hip-hop, or aerobics classes

• Try indoor rock climbing, play soccer, ride a bike

• Take the dog for a walk • Dance to your favourite music • Rake the leaves, shovel snow,

carry the groceries home • Join a team at your school • Choose activities you like or be

creative and try something new • Set physical activity goals with

your friends and family • Reduce screen timeHealth Benefits• Meet new friends • Do better at school • Increase your concentration • Improve your self-esteem • Build stronger bones and muscles • Improve your mental health • Improve your fitness • Improve your posture and balance • Reduce your stress • Have a strong heart • Helps with healthy growth and

developmentWhat is moderate aerobic activity?Moderate-intensity aerobic activity makes you breathe harder and your heart beat faster. You should be able to talk, but not sing.• Examples of moderate-intensity

physical activity include walking quickly, skating, bike riding and skateboarding.

What is vigorous aerobic activity?With vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, your heart rate will increase even more and you will not be able to say more than a few words without catching a breath.Examples of vigorous activity include running, basketball, soccer and cross-country skiing.What are strengthening activities?Muscle-strengthening activities build up your muscles. With bone-strengthening activities, your muscles push and pull against your bones, helping make your bones stronger.• Examples of muscle-strengthening

activities include doing push-ups and sit-ups, lifting weights, climbing stairs and riding a bike.

• Examples of bone-strengthening activities include running, walking, yoga and jumping rope.

Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com42 For Women

Domestic Violence and Abuse

Continued From Last Week

Myths about therapy Finding the right therapist for you

Top 10 Anti-Ageing Foods

Continued Next Week

Anger control and management tip 2: Be aware of your anger warning signs and triggersWhile you might feel that you just explode into anger without warning, in fact, there are physical warning signs in your body. Anger is a normal physical response. It fuels the “fight or flight” system of the body, and the angrier you get, the more your body goes into overdrive. Becoming aware of your own personal signs that your temper is starting to boil allows you to take steps to manage your anger before it gets out of control. Pay attention to the way anger feels in your body• Knots in your stomach • Clenching your hands or jaw • Feeling clammy or flushed • Breathing faster • Headaches • Pacing or needing to walk around • “Seeing red” • Having trouble concentrating • Pounding heart • Tensing your shoulders Identify the negative thought patterns that trigger your temperYou may think that external things—the insensitive actions of other people, for example, or frustrating situations—are what cause your anger. But anger problems have less to do with what happens to you than how you interpret

and think about what happened. Common negative thinking patterns that trigger and fuel anger include:• Overgeneralizing. For example,

“You always interrupt me. You NEVER consider my needs. EVERYONE disrespects me. I NEVER get the credit I deserve.”

• Obsessing on “shoulds” and “musts.” Having a rigid view of the way things should or must be and getting angry when reality doesn’t line up with this vision.

• Mind reading and jumping to conclusions. Assuming you “know” what someone else is thinking or feeling—that he or she intentionally upset you, ignored your wishes, or disrespected you.

• Collecting straws. Looking for things to get upset about, usually while overlooking or blowing past anything positive. Letting these small irritations build and build until you reach the “final straw” and explode, often over something relatively minor.

• Blaming. When anything bad happens or something goes wrong, it’s always someone else’s fault. You blame others for the things that happen to you rather than taking responsibility for your own life.

Avoid people, places, and situations that bring out your worstStressful events don’t excuse anger, but understanding how these events affect you can help you take control of your environment and avoid unnecessary aggravation. Look at your regular routine and try to identify activities, times of day, people, places, or situations that trigger irritable or angry feelings. Maybe you get into a fight every time you go out for drinks with a

certain group of friends. Or maybe the traffic on your daily commute drives you crazy. Then think about ways to avoid these triggers or view the situation differently so it doesn’t make your blood boil.Anger control and management tip 3: Learn ways to cool downOnce you know how to recognize the warning signs that your temper is rising and anticipate your triggers, you can act quickly to deal with your anger before it spins out of control. There are many techniques that can help you cool down and keep your anger in check.Quick tips for cooling downFocus on the physical sensations of anger. While it may seem counterintuitive, tuning into the way your body feels when you’re angry often lessens the emotional intensity of your anger. • Take some deep breaths. Deep,

slow breathing helps counteract rising tension. The key is to breathe deeply from the abdomen, getting as much fresh air as possible into your lungs.

• Exercise. A brisk walk around the block is a great idea. It releases pent-up energy so you can approach the situation with a cooler head.

• Use your senses. Take advantage of the relaxing power of your sense of sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste. You might try listening to music or picturing yourself in a favorite place.

• Stretch or massage areas of tension. Roll your shoulders if you are tensing them, for example, or gently massage your neck and scalp.

• Slowly count to ten. Focus on the counting to let your rational mind catch up with your feelings. If you

still feel out of control by the time you reach ten, start counting again.

Give yourself a reality checkWhen you start getting upset about something, take a moment to think about the situation. Ask yourself:• How important is it in the grand

scheme of things? • Is it really worth getting angry

about it? • Is it worth ruining the rest of my

day? • Is my response appropriate to the

situation? • Is there anything I can do about it? • Is taking action worth my time? Anger control and management tip 4: Find healthier ways to express your angerIf you’ve decided that the situation is worth getting angry about and there’s something you can do to make it better, the key is to express your feelings in a healthy way. When communicated respectfully and channeled effectively, anger can be a tremendous source of energy and inspiration for change. Pinpoint what you’re really angry aboutHave you ever gotten into an argument over something silly? Big fights often happen over something small, like a dish left out or being ten minutes late. But there’s usually a bigger issue behind it. If you find your irritation and anger rapidly rising, ask yourself “What am I really angry about?” Identifying the real source of frustration will help you communicate your anger better, take constructive action, and work towards a resolution.

Yogurt: Yogurt contains important minerals like potassium, calcium, protein and B vitamins. Most important of all it contains bacteria which helps in absorption of nutrients in the intestines and stabilises the immune system. Yogurt is also good for the skin. It has excellent anti-fungal properties. Regular application of yogurt on the affected sites works like magic and cures skin infections permanently, even without the use of medicines. Salmon:

Salmon being a rich source of protein is a perfect and complete food for people with an excuse that they don’t enjoy eating vegetables. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which make the skin healthy. Including salmon in your diet at least thrice a week will give best results.Garlic:

Yes, garlic which is an important ingredient of our day to day food is one of the most important foods provided

to us by nature. There are numerous benefits of this wonder ingredient as it helps prevent cell degeneration, keeps the blood thin and also prevents heart diseases. It also acts as an excellent antioxidant and thus helps in retarding growth of abnormal cells thereby preventing ageing. When eaten in the raw form, it proves to be most beneficial. Ginger:

It basically helps in good digestion and keeps the bowel movement in shape, thereby enabling good health. It is

therefore essential for the body. It also acts as a good anti-ageing food. Water: And last but certainly not the least, water is among the best options to fight ageing. It flushes out all the toxins from the body and also provides fluidity for the flow of blood. It is advisable to consume as much water as possible for that healthy and glowing skin. But, it is recommended to have at least 8 glasses of water to keep diseases at bay.


Continued Next Week

The Canadian Society of Fiji MuslimsAnnual General Meeting 2012

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of The Canadian

Society of Fiji Muslims for the year 2012 will be held on:

Date: Sunday 24th of February 2013Time: 15:00 hrs

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Some Bad Habits You Need To Quit NowSatisfying late night cravings with pizzas and chocolate cake might be a tempting way to end each day, but it's not doing your body any favours. It can impact you and your overall health on a long term basis.

Unintentionally, at times we end up hurting our body and our health on a daily basis due to our habits. Below are some bad habits that you need to quit today. If you have any of these habits, then it's never too late, the New Year has just started. Reverse these habits and start enjoying a healthy and happy life today.1. Nose/mouth picking

This annoying and silly habit of 'digging gold' is one of the worst habits that goes un-questioned. This habit is not only bad for your health but it is also against common social etiquette. Picking your nose can spread various infections like cold and flu, as cold virus is passed into your body through the mucus. After touching several things and then taking the same finger into your nose, you will land at the doctor's clinic. Hence, stop this awkward habit of pulling sticky substance from your nose, or fetching left over food strands from your mouth.2. Binge drinking

Binge drinking, causes many deaths and hospitalisation all over the world says. Binge drinking causes long term health problems like liver trouble and immediate problems like weight gain, dizziness and fatigue. To save yourself from such damage, the key is limitation. 3. You became an 'Owl' at nightMany of us, burn the midnight oil for exam preparations and work. But if

this becomes routine, you will damage your body in the long run. Without 6-8 hours of good sleep, you are damaging your immune system and other body processes and systems. Due to lack of sleep, your immune system becomes weak and thus produces fewer 'germ fighters' - lowering your tolerance for withstanding common bugs in your environment. To fight against various diseases, it is necessary to at least get a minimum of 7-8 hours of good sleep on most nights of the week. A good night's sleep also helps you stay awake and fresh throughout the day.

4. I am so 'lonely'

The key for good health is a healthy and fresh mind. If your mind is unhealthy, it will affect your immune system and put you at several health risks. If you spend most of your time obsessing over your loneliness, and any other social challenges, or whatever could cause feelings of despair and frustration, then you are harming your mental health, detaching yourself from people, and stressing your mind and body.5. Wearing headphones for long hours

Headphones or earphones are the sole

companions for some of us throughout the day. We listen to music to pass time, while travelling or while working out. But, if you have plugged in for hours, with no breaks, then you need to keep this habit under check. Listening to loud music via earphones, can cause hearing loss. Headphones aren't the culprits, it is the volume and the hours that can land you in trouble. Besides, ignoring minor symptoms of hearing loss is also one of the biggest criminals.6. TV trouble

Sitting for hours on the couch, watching that idiot box can put your heart and eyes at risk. Watching too much TV can put you at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and obesity. The more you are glued to the TV, the more immobile life will affect your levels of fat and sugar in your blood. Besides, it also strains your eyes and causes damage to the refractive lens. 7. Wearing heels

Women who wear heels on a daily basis, do lots of harm to their bodies. High heels can affect your posture, put pressure on joints - which can cause arthritis, back pain

and tendon injuries and other heels related accidents. Thus to prevent such horrible effects on your health limit your heels to not more than 1.5 inches, and wear insoles to reduce the pressure on your joints.8. Carrying an extra heavy bag

We love to carry our world wherever we go, because we can't afford to miss a single thing. This habit of hauling the world with our (lots and lots of) worldly things on the back or shoulder causes lots of harm to our health. Carrying heavy bags can cause various long term effects like serious back pain, neck pain and poor posture. To avoid ageing your body prematurely, do yourself a favour and empty that bag. 9. Sleeping with MakeupMany girls have a habit of sleeping with their makeup still on. Whatever the reason could be, this habit can cause grave damage to your skin. Sleeping with your makeup on, leads to clogged pores, congested skin and spots. Besides, mascara and other eye makeup can cause irritation, which can also lead to vision loss.


HOURS OF OPERATIONMonday 5:30pm–9:00pm Tuesday 7:00pm–9:00pm Sunday 10:00am–12 noon

SANATAN DHARM CULTURAL SOCIETYSHIV MANDIR

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604.274.7906

SUBRAMANIYA SWAMY TEMPLE OF BC8840 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

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COLEBROOK UNITED CHURCH5441 - 125A St, Surrey B.c.Affiliated 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 TEMPLETemple hoursMonday to Sunday Morning 8:00am–10:00am Evening 6:00pm–8:00pmDaily Aarthi 7:00pmRamayan Katha Friday 6:00pm–10:00pm

pooja/special prayer sessions/Temple/hallPT. Shiu Madri 604.582.4899PUJARI 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 & VolunteersShakuntala 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 God’s great work.

Rev. Emmanuel Cheema 778-241-9066 [email protected] 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)

(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 604.222.1444Hall rental also availabale. Contact Kushwakant Singh 604.328.5454

Madhu Varsney, President 604.222.1444, Jack Sundar, Secretary 604.541.9359 Kushwaha Kant Singh, Treasurer 604.328.5454

FIJIAN METHODIST UNITED CHURCH 12371 96 Avenue Surrey BCSunday Service @ 6:00PM

Ph: 604.593.5663

Arya Samaj Centre, 6884 Jubilee Ave., Burnaby, B.C.

NAYA JEEWAN cHURcH38868 - 128th Street, Surrey Bc

Service Sundays 2:00pm Bible Study (Hindi & English) Wednesdays 7:30pm

Prayer, counselling & visitations Available

Pastor Eileen Reddy 604.543-8339

HINDI CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP#4-6468 King George Blvd, Surrey BC

Sunday Service @ 2:00PMUplifting Worship | Prayer for healing | music (cD) Available

Shailendra (Shal) Singh604-596-7353 or 604-323-6506 | [email protected]

Hindi Punjabi Fraserview GosPel CHaPel14630-107a avenue surrey bC v3r 1v1

Serving the community since 1972sunday service 10:30 am–12:00 noon 6:30PM - 7:30PM

service in Hindustani & Punjabi • sunday school for Children

Pastor Santosh Raj 604-582-2650 [email protected]

Pastor Sakaraia & Rev. Ema Karoi

Places of Worship

abhishek pentecostal assemblyIf you’re looking for a place to belong or have been searching for answers to life’s 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: 1pm11601-82nd Ave, Delta BC (604) 590-8836

[email protected] www.abhiskhekassembly.comServices are in Hindi and English Senior Pastor Rev. Samuel Krishna

Please contact Murti at 604.599.4552

We will meet on the first Monday each month - 6-8 pmREFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

Come and experience a time of Prayer and Bible based answers to life’s difficult questions.

GLOBAL FIJIAN ASSEMBLIESPastor Isimeli Lesi Korobasaga

Affiliated with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

Phone: 604.592.9001 • cell: 778.938.2734 • Email: [email protected] - 104th Ave., Surrey, Bc

Every Sunday 2–5Pm @ People’s Full Gospel

FIJI SENIOR’S SOcIETY OF cANADASocial Gatherings at 1pm - Last Sunday of each monthat SHRI vENKATESHWARA mAHA vISHNU TEmPLE

9326 - 116th Street, Delta, Bc

Thakur Kuar Singh 604-587-5439Bhan Pratap 604-839-5106

Bhan mati Raj 604-581-9859 James Kumar 604-599-9518chand Lakhan 604-5880361 Satya Nand 604-590-5303

HOSANNA TABERNACLEAffiliated with Pentecoastal Assemblies of Canada

6075 Inverness Street, VancouverSunday Services in Hindi/English 2:00pm

Pastor Silas Naidu [email protected]

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple467 E 11th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5T 2C8

Phone: 604-874-0175 [email protected]

Date Time Program

7:00 pm Shree Lakshmi Vinayaka Japa

14 Thursday 7:00 pm Vasant Panchami

16 Saturday 4:00 pm Shree Purandara Aradhna

23 Saturday 6:00 pm Hanuman Japa

25 Monday 7:00 pm Shree Mahalashmi Japa

Programs in February 2013

13 Wednesday


Friday February 22, 2013www.fijitimescanada.com TImes sporTs

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Mason Raymond One Of The Biggest Surprises On The Vancouver CanucksIf Mason Raymond’s season was a novel, it wouldn’t be on the bestseller list yet. But the first few chapters have provided both enough intrigue to draw the readers in and enough action that they wouldn’t want to put the book down without finding out how the story ends. A month into the new National Hockey League season, the speedy winger has been one of the biggest surprises on the Vancouver Canucks. With five goals in his first 14 games, Raymond is showing flashes of the player who scored a career-high 25 times in the 2009-10 season.And it’s the way he’s scoring that is perhaps the surest sign that this is a different player than he was a year ago, when he struggled to regain any sort of form following a serious back injury suffered in the third game of the 2011 Stanley Cup final.The 27-year-old is being given the opportunity to be a difference maker, as he was in the late stages of the February 17 game against the St. Louis Blues. Down a goal with less than two minutes to play, the Canucks expected results when they turned to Raymond on a late power play.In recent seasons, it’s unlikely the Cochrane, Alberta, native would have been part of the power-play mix with the team trailing and needing a spark. In fact, in the 125 games he has played over the previous two seasons, Raymond had produced a grand total of three power-play markers. But, pouncing on a rebound against the Blues, Raymond came through for the Canucks with his team-leading fourth power-play goal already this season.“I’m getting more power-play time, so that obviously helps, and last year was last year—I don’t want to dwell on that,” he told the reporter after the St. Louis game in the locker room at Rogers Arena. “This is a new season; I’m feeling good right now, and that’s how it is.”The most noticeable difference to Raymond’s game this season is confidence and the willingness to battle. Since he broke into the NHL in

2007, Raymond’s skating ability and speed have been undeniable. But far too often, he stayed to the outside and failed to create anything off the rush once he hit the opponent’s blueline.This season, he’s taking pucks to the net and finding ways to stay there, too. There is far more purpose to his game and that is reflected in his point totals.“He’s battling harder,” Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault says. “He’s staying on his feet more. He’s going to the tough areas where you need to go to score goals, and he’s competing one on one. When he does that, he creates room for himself and for his teammates.”Perhaps it’s the fact it’s a contract year or the fact that the Canucks took Raymond to arbitration last summer

seeking to reduce his salary following back-to-back disappointing seasons. Whatever the motivation, it seems to have had the desired effect—at least in the early going.The challenge now is for Raymond to show that he can keep his performance at a consistently high level and continue to put pucks in the net. With a condensed schedule and plenty of travel, the road will only get tougher as the season unfolds.And, ultimately, Raymond needs to prove that he can be a valuable contributor in the playoffs, where he failed to score a goal in five games against Los Angeles last spring and had just two goals in 24 games before getting hurt against Boston in the Canucks’ run to the final.

Playoff hockey is a nightly grind where time and space are limited and brute force often rules the day. That’s not the way Raymond plays the game; however, the time will come when he has to show he can adapt and produce to help the Canucks get to where they want to go.But Raymond can’t prove his playoff worth until the postseason rolls around, so for now he just has to continue to develop his game and make sure there’s no slippage after his strong start.He seems to have found a rhythm with rookie centre Jordan Schroeder and Jannik Hansen on a line that can back defenders off because all three can fly.“I find we’re similar players and we’re looking for each other—that’s the biggest thing,” Raymond says, explaining the chemistry on the line. “Henrik and Daniel [Sedin], for example, they use each other. They’re great individual players, but when you use each other and you use your other linemates, that’s when you’re successful. And that’s what we’re doing and that’s what I have to continue to do to have success.”And the more success he has, the more likely it is that Raymond will continue to get power-play opportunities to help the hockey club. It’s been a while, but there are expectations on Raymond these days. And so far, he’s giving the Canucks what they need.“Special teams are a huge part of this game, and I think this is the best our second unit has been in a long, long time,” he says of a power-play group that can take some of the pressure off the Sedins. “We’ve continuously had the same guys out there and we’re starting to read and react off each other. When you know where guys are going to be, it becomes second nature to know where the puck needs to go.”For a while, Raymond seemed to have lost the offensive instincts that had served him well in recent years. But right now he seems to have turned the page on his scoring struggles and is authoring a surprising story in the early going this season.

Fiji FA Awards Nominees AnnouncedFiji Football Association chief executive officer Bob Kumar released the list of nominees for the annual OneWorld Flight Centre Fiji Football Association Awards which will be held this Saturday from 7pm at Fun Plaza Hotel in Nadi.1. Footballer of the Year- Men’sAkuila Mataisuva (Labasa)Kaliova Tivulu (Tailevu Naitasiri)Nathan Kumar (Nasinu)Samuela Vula (Suva)2.Women Footballer of the Year

Sofi Diyalowai (Labasa)Laijipa Rasaku (Ba)3.Coach of the YearTagi Vonolagi (Tailevu Naitasiri)Gurjit Singh (Suva)4.Team of the YearTailevu NaitasiriNasinuSuva5. Administrator of the Year: Premier DivisionSandeep Roy (Tailevu Naitasiri)Praveen Singh (Nasinu)

Shaneel Goundar (Rakiraki)6.Administrator of the Year: Super PremierMahend Prasad (Suva)7.Fair Play AwardMadhwan Goundar—(Tailevu Naitasiri)Praneel Chand (Nasinu)Waisake Navunigasau (Suva)8.Best Media Personality of 2012Raymond Stoddart (Nasinu)Indra Singh (Suva) (FBC)Baljeet Singh (Fiji Times)

9.Junior Footballer of the YearRobert Nair (Nasinu)10. Referee of the YearAmitesh Behari (Nasinu)Ravinesh Kumar (FFA Referees)11. Popular Footballer of the YearZibraaz Sahib (Lautoka)Remeuru Tekiata (Ba)Sofi Diyalowai (Labasa Women)Nathan Shivam (Suva)Ilisoni Logaivau (Labasa)

Mason Raymond

Congratulations


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FIFA Confirms Goal-Line Technology At World CupGoal-line technology will be used at the 2014 World Cup and two more systems could be considered in addition to the existing pair, soccer's world governing body FIFA said on Tuesday.Two systems, Hawkeye and Goalref, have so far been licensed by FIFA and both were used at last year's World Club Cup in Japan - one in each of the two stadiums - where goal-line technology was employed for the first time.FIFA said a third system, developed in Germany, had already passed examinations and that the providers were in licensing discussions. A fourth system, also German, has also been tested with the results due this week.FIFA confirmed goal-line technology was "successful" at the World Club Cup, although there were no incidents where it had to be used.It intends to install goal-line technology at all 12 venues at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil."After a successful implementation of goal-line technology (GLT) at the Club World Cup in Japan in December 2012, FIFA has decided to use GLT at the Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and 2014 World Cup," FIFA said in a statement."The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending

the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests."With different technologies on the market, FIFA has launched a tender, setting out the technical requirements for the two forthcoming competitions in Brazil."FIFA said Hawkeye and Goalref would have to join the selection process.Lampard controversyGoal-line technology providers had

been invited to join an inspection visit to the six Confederations Cup venues in March.Those venues will all be staging matches at the following year's World Cup.The use of goal-line technology - to help match officials in cases where it is not immediately clear if the ball has entered the goal - was approved by soccer's rule-making body, the

International Football Association Board (IFAB), last year.Goal-line technology had previously been rejected by FIFA, which performed a U-turn following the controversy over Frank Lampard's disallowed goal for England in the 2010 World Cup match against Germany.Replays clearly showed that the ball had crossed the line after bouncing down off the underside of the crossbar, but match officials did not award the goal.Germany, 2-1 ahead at the time, went on to win 4-1.However, goal-line technology is not favoured by European soccer's governing body UEFA, which instead prefers to employ two extra linesmen, one on each goal line.FIFA president Sepp Blatter has already said that extra linesmen are unlikely to be used at the World Cup.Many critics think that football should go further and allow the use of video replays to help referees make decisions concerning offside, handball and fouls.Referees have to make split second judgments with the naked eye while millions of television viewers are treated to slow-motion replays, from different angles, which often show clearly whether the official was right or wrong.

Fiji FA Deny Nadi Duo Game TimeNADI will miss the services of three key players when they clash against Navua in the National Football League this Saturday.Out of the team are Fiji under-20 players Napolioni Qasevakatini, Rusiate Matirereqa and veteran Ratu Veresa Toma.Matirereqa and Qasevakatini are part of the national squad preparing for the upcoming Oceania Football Confederation U20 play-offs next month.The Fiji Football Association has decided not to release the U20 players

for district duties until after the play-offs.Matirerega and Qasevakatini have impressed for the Jetsetters in the NFL and are joint top goal scorers in the competition. Ratu Veresa, on the other hand is on automatic suspension after picking up two consecutive yellow cards.Nadi Football Association president Navneeda Gounder said the trio's absence would be felt upfront, particularly against Navua who were always a threat to them.

"The Navua team will be out to stop our unbeaten run. They are a good team. For us it is another game where we will not treat our opposition lightly.""The coaches have mapped out a winning combination. The loss of the Fiji U20 will make some difference as both players have a lot of pace.""But we have Ajesh Narayan who has been starting off the bench. The morale of the players is high.""There is a lot of support pouring in. Former players are lending a helping hand during training. Right now Nadi

soccer is like a family unit."Meanwhile, the NFA local league competition will kick off at Prince Charles Park on Sunday with 24 teams booked in the competition.The super premier division has 16 teams while eight are in the premier division. Gounder said they were negotiating with a few business houses to sponsor the competition.DCA Sports and Malolo Transmitter represented the district during the Kriz Signs National Club Championship western playoffs last year.


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