Local News in brief
Island scholarships
TAIWAN has donated $119,227 towards scholarships for the Pacific Islands region. The scholarship scheme, managed by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, has 15 students from Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. It has also donated $843,420 for projects under the regional development assistance.
Low cane crush
THE National Farmers Union says the 5000 tonnes of sugar produced in the Northern Division over the past month is quite low. NFU executive officer Surendra Lal said they met Fiji Sugar Corporation officials in Labasa early this week where the union reps were informed about sugar production. "So far the FSC has crushed 74,295 tonnes of cane and produced 5499 tonnes of sugar, which is quite low." FSC chief exective Deo Saran, while admitting problems, said the company would meet its shipment quota.
Farmers wait
CLOSE to 200 farmers are left in limbo with no decision made by the Sugar Industry Tribunal in relation to the Olosara sector in Sigatoka. The Olosara sector produces close to 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of sugar cane per year and the livelihood of approximately 10,000 people from the area depends on the sugar industry. National Farmers Union Sigatoka representative Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi said the tribunal, Sugar Cane Growers Council and Fiji Sugar Corporation need to work through the issue so that farmers can begin harvesting in Olosara.
Healthy living
PROMOTING healthy living, Pacific identity, climate change adaptation, governance, peace and security and skills for life are the five thematic areas of focus for 600 youth leaders participating in the second Pacific Youth Festival in Fiji. PYF secretariat spokesman William Naisara said preparations have been finalised and they are anticipating a good turnout during the week-long event which started on Saturday. "The festival will help strengthen bonds between Pacific youths and it will provide them with the opportunity to discuss and learn about youths and issues that affect their development," Mr Naisara said.
Students tour
STUDENTS of Veiuto Primary School have left our shores to attend the Asia-Pacific Children's Convention at Fukuoka, Japan. The all-expenses paid trip by the Japanese Government is an exciting opportunity for six students of different ethnic backgrounds from Veiuto to be Fiji's junior ambassadors to the two-week meet. Headteacher and chaperone Apisalome Cola said the students from Veiuto would join other junior ambassadors from 56 countries from Asia and the Pacific.
Ocean litter
OCEANS and beaches around the world are getting covered with more litter which are harmful, says a new report. The first-ever report, Marine Litter: A Global Challenge, was launched on World Oceans Day by the UN Environment Pro-gramme (UNEP) and Ocean Conservancy. The report, which detailed the devastating impact of plastics in our ocean affecting every level of the marine food chain, highlighted 12 countries.
