Bula vinaka all
As we count down the hours to the start of another work-week, I wish you the very best wherever you are…. stay well and stay safe!
HEADLINES
Here are some headlines that made The Fiji Times’ edition for Tuesday, January 4.
PAGE 1
Concerns for COVID protocols
AS classes resume tomorrow for Year 8 to Year 13 students, parents of children attending a prominent Tailevu boarding school claim the lack of clear protocols for students coming in from the north could expose their children to COVID-19. Ratu Kadavulevu School Parents and Teachers Association president Jo Korovulavula said he has been inundated with calls from parents who have raised concerns that their children could be at risk of exposure to COVID-19 via students arriving from red zone areas in Vanua Levu. He said there was no definite plan on how the students would be screened upon arrival and monitored while in school. In a statement, Education Minister Premila Kumar said parents should not send their children to school if they were not feeling well.
PAGE 2
COVID booster
THE COVID-19 booster dose has an impact, says Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong. “Many of us, including me, did not feel much except for a sore arm,” he said. Dr Fong made the comment in response to a question raised by this newspaper on how people were experiencing whole body systemic effects after their booster shot.
Sick kids
PARENTS are being advised not to send their children to school if they are not feeling well, says Minister for Education Premila Kumar.
PAGE 3
Will Government lift ban?
PERMANENT secretary for Immigration and PS in the Prime Minister’s Office Yogesh Karan says he cannot comment on the reason why Professor Brij Lal was exiled and barred from entering Fiji since 2009. He also said he could not make any statement as to whether Government would lift the ban on Prof Lal’s wife, Dr Padma Lal and their family to allow them to reenter Fiji now that Prof Lal had passed away. “That is not for me to comment,” he said.
COVID exposure risk
PARENTS of a prominent Tailevu boarding school have raised concerns that their children could be at risk of exposure to COVID-19 via students arriving from red zone areas in Vanua Levu. Ratu Kadavulevu School Parents and Teachers Association president Jo Korovulavula said as classes resume for Year 8 to Year 13 students, the lack of clear protocols about students coming in from the north was a serious concern.
PAGE 4
Weather watch
A SECOND trough of low pressure has been identified lying towards the northeast of the group. According to the Fiji Meteorological Services, the second weak system is expected to drift south and affect the country later today (Tuesday). Meanwhile, the trough of low pressure system that caused continuous rain over most parts of the country during the New Year’s weekend has drifted away from the country.
Concerned parent
KASANITA Rokowati says she will not send her four children to school today because of the escalating number of COVID-19 cases in Fiji. The Fiji Times came across Ms Rokowati and her family from Nakaile, Tokatoka, at Kiuva Beach, Nasilai.
PAGE 5
Struggling family
FIFTY-ONE-YEAR old Pravin Kumar is a single father struggling to make ends meet for his two disabled sons and seven year old daughter. The Voivoi Settlement, Legalega resident has been taking care of his wheelchair bound children after losing his wife to breast cancer three months ago.
Drowning case
A FIVE-YEAR-OLD old child of Saukaba Settlement in Navosa is believed to be the country’s first drowning victim of the year. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the victim was seen by a group of boys at around 2pm on Sunday near the Sigatoka river bank where she was allegedly told to go home.
Son identifies dad’s body
“WE are grateful to God for giving us a wonderful father. A father who fulfilled his duty to us.” These were the words of a devastated Saula Racuwaka who was given the heartbreaking task of identifying his father 69-year-old Jale Sole whose body was found floating along Moala River in Nadi on January 1.
PAGE 7
Murder trial: Poison found
POISON was found in the stomach of Nausori Highlands alleged murder victims Nirmal Kumar and Usha Devi. This was revealed by forensics pathologist Dr James Kalounivaki who took the witness stand in the multiple murder trial of Mohammed Isoof at the Lautoka High Court.
Security problems
SECURITY problems such as robberies tend to increase during the festive season, some Chinese nationals and enterprises have suffered severe economic loss and some have expressed concern about increasing threats to their personal security. This was the view expressed by Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo during an Exchange Forum on Public Security in Suva.
Constitutional redress case
THE state will file a motion to strike out dismissed Hot Bread Kitchen managing director John Samisoni constitutional redress case, says counsel for the Minister of Employment and the Attorney General, Devanesh Sharma.
Letters
Look out for this popular section of The Fiji Times.
SPORTS
The big one on the back page is about rugby union and the Drua’s opener against the Waratahs…
