Bula all
Here are some headlines that made The Fiji Times’ edition for Saturday, January 8.
THE YEAR THAT WAS
Before that, you must check out the special Year Ender edition inside.
It is big, bright, colourful and loaded with information… a quick look at the highlights of 2021… a quick guide to every important event… a look back in pictures and wonderful content!
Something you can file for future quick reference… very detailed… great tool for research work as well!
HEADLINES
PAGE 1
‘We expect better’ from Health Ministry
WITH two doctors at the helm of the Health Ministry in Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete and permanent secretary Dr James Fong, we expected better, says Fiji Nursing Association president Dr Alisi Vudiniabola.
PAGE 2
‘Safe school environment’
UNITED Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Pacific deputy representative Vathinee Jitjaturunt says Fijian parents can be reassured that the school environment is safe for their children.
Ventilation
FIJIAN schools are better ventilated and better prepared to handle COVID-19 than other schools globally, says Education Minister Premila Kumar.
Tropical Depression
THE Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) says Tropical Depression 03F, located about 440km West-northwest of Nadi or about 445km West of Viwa at midday yesterday, has a moderate to high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone by Monday.
PAGE 3
Unvaccinated students
GOVERNMENT’S decision to ignore sound advice and risk exposing unvaccinated students as young as five years old to COVID-19 from Monday is sheer negligence, says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad
People’s Alliance Party
I AM confident The People’s Alliance party will form the next government – Tabuya.
PAGE 4
Keep children safe
SAVE the Children Fiji is calling on parents and schoolteachers to keep children safe and to educate them on COVID-safe protocol
Northern schools
REPORTS are surfacing that teaching has not begun in schools around the Northern Division as some teachers are sick and have opted to remain at hom
Herbal medicine
SICK children, teachers and villagers living along the Lekutu and Dreketi corridor on Vanua Levu have turned to herbal medicine to recover from flu-like symptoms that have affected many.
PAGE 5
COVID-safe measures on buses
THE Fiji Bus Operators Association says the onus is on passengers to ensure buses comply with COVID-safe protocols by not boarding crowded buses.
Reservations
DESPITE his concerns and reservations due to the third wave of COVID-19, Napolioni Ajay Kissun will send his three children to school next week.
COVID-safe protocols
THE Fiji Taxi Association will only follow protocols issued by the Health Ministry, says president Raben Bhan Singh.
PAGE 6
SODELPA ‘sleeping cells’
SOCIAL Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA)leader Viliame Gavoka is calling “on the rest of The People’s Alliance party sleeping cells in the party to follow Lynda Tabuya” and leave.
Better expectations
WE expected better from the two doctors heading the Health Ministry, they know what is duty of care and they know that human lives should always come first, says Fiji Nursing Association president Dr Alisi Vudiniabola.
PAGE 7
Bail conditions
WE need to urgently review bail conditions for alleged domestic violence perpetrators and sex offenders, says Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali.
Nausori Highlands murder trial
Court in Lautoka. Picture: BALJEET SINGH
MOHAMMED Raheesh Isoof, the New Zealand resident facing murder charges for the death of a family of five in the Nausori Highlands in 2019, said the late Nirmal Kumar was more than a brother to him and they had so much respect for each other.
LETTERS
PEOPLE
FEATURES/OPINIONS
PAGE 12 – Shoot the messenger – By RICHARD NAIDU
IN politics, it’s so much more fun being in the Government than the Opposition. In the Government you have hundreds of millions of dollars to spend. You also have thousands of civil servants to help you spend it. They will write your speeches (or ring Qorvis Communications to get one), carry your bag, drive your airconditioned Landcruiser and cater to your every whim…
PAGE 26 – Safety of our students – By AJAY BHAI AMRIT
THE start of school, this week, was overshadowed by chaos, fear and uncertainty as we all waited for the Education Ministry to outline the very strict two-meter social distancing rules, plus other COVID-19 guidelines for our children to follow. Unfortunately, this information was not forthcoming.
PAGE 28 – Appreciate life – By RAJNESH LINGAM
WE are blessed to have seen 2022 and it is important to appreciate life and live it well. It is important to be happy and enjoy the provisions that have been given despite the trying times. 2021 is history, and it is vital that we reflect as we march into the new year.
PAGE 30 – Experts predict – By ILAITIA B. TUISAWAU
THIS is the time of the year when experts make predictions, especially in technology. Here’s my take on some trends to look out for in 2022: 1. Central bank digital currencies or CBDCs — There’s already limited experiments in China and other smaller countries implementing them.
PAGE 32-33 – FT Anniversary – By ANA MADIGIBULI
HORSESHOE Reef on which the Joyita wrecked in 1957 is a ring of coral a little more than a mile in diameter. The reef is situated 12 miles north-east of the light-houses on Wakaya Reef and Batiki Island.
PAGE 37 – Second chance – By ARVIND MANI
MY wife tells me that if I do not want to get depressed, I should not read the news. And mostly she is right. Yes, the news makes me cynical and jaded.
SPORTS
The big one on the back page is about soccer and an overseas based Fijian soccer star…
WIN CASH WITH THE TIMES
REMEMBER you can win cash prizes with The Fiji Times… check the newspaper for details!
