Bula vinaka all
Here are some headlines that made The Fiji Times’ edition for Thursday, December 9.
But before that, remember we are celebrating our 152nd year anniversary and you can win cash. You can scroll down or turn to Page 14.
HEADLINES
PAGE 1
EFL audit-exempt
ATTORNEY-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has exempted Energy Fiji Ltd from being audited by the Auditor-General under the Audit (Exemption) Regulations 2021 gazetted last week. The move has been questioned by National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad, who said it “trashes accountability and transparency” because the State-owned 51 per cent of EFL.
PAGE 2
Cyberbullying
CYBERBULLYING cases could unavoidably increase in the coming years because of the increasing coverage and number of internet users in the Pacific. This, according to Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar.
COVID spot fines
THE COVID-19 spot fines must be seen as a means to promote COVID-safe measures and not that every single transgression will be picked up and fined, says Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong.
PAGE 3
A-G denies claims
ATTORNEY-GENERAL Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum last week dismissed claims in Parliament that the owner of a large warehouse and pharmaceutical chain with “close links” to Government was wanted by the international police agency INTERPOL. National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad made the claim in Parliament last Thursday during debate on the Medicinal Products (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021.
BACKTRACKS
The musical journey continues. Read about: Waikoula kei Tavua
LONG before the advent of the internet, mobile devices and social media platforms, events of importance, disasters and accidents in Fiji in the 70s, 80s and 90s were relayed to the public via the airwaves or the dailies. Around this time, popular iTaukei band Waikoula Kei Tavua was making waves around the country with their foot stomping hits. Band founder and composer Waisale Vuniwaqa said for him, The Fiji Times and its iTaukei vernacular newspaper Nai Lalakai provided fodder for some of the band’s most popular tunes.
SPORTS
The big one on the back page is about rugby union.
Read about: New 7s head coach
THE Fiji Rugby Union is expected to announce its new 7s head coach next week to replace Olympics gold medal winner Gareth Baber. He is expected to lead the Fiji 7s team to the next leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Spain. This was revealed yesterday by union chief executive officer John O’Connor. “We are in the process now of selecting a coach and hopefully by the end of next week,” O’Connor said.
YOU CAN WIN CASH WITH THE TIMES
Remember we are celebrating our 152nd anniversary and you can win cash with the Times. There were 10 winners in September and 20 winners in October. In November, 30 lucky readers had the chance to win $152 each, and also get into the draw to win the grand prize of $15,200. In this month of December, 40 lucky readers will win cash prizes!
All you have to do to get into the draw is to cut out the masthead of the Fiji Times, write your name and address, and a phone contact on it, and drop this into a bin at a participating store near you. Turn to Page 14 for details!
