Bula
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, we watch with great interest and sadness as the death toll mounts.
It is sad, and unfortunate that things have had to culminate in this invasion and the wave of terror, destruction and death that is part and parcel of wars.
We have international pages inside that will give you a glimpse of the reality on the ground in Ukraine, and the connecting factors that add depth to this coverage.
PROMOTIONS
There’s an Easter hunt going on right now inside The Fiji Times. All you have to do is get a copy of the newspaper, and find where the Easter egg baskets are hidden within.
Fill out the entry form, stating the page numbers and drop this at participating stores around the country. Details are in the newspaper! Five lucky readers will get a chance to win a special holiday at the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island. It does not end there. Five more lucky readers get a chance to go into the draw to win $200 shopping vouchers!
HEADLINES
Here are some headlines that made The Fiji Times’ edition for Wednesday, February 2.
KAILA!
But before that, we have the Kaila! edition inside for the young at heart. It’s loaded with exciting stuff for the kids. Check out the fun activities, lyrics, jokes and riddles!
PAGE 1
Fuel prices
FIJI Council of Social Services executive director Vani Catanasiga hopes the recent increase in fuel prices will compel Government to include in the proposed mini budget this month incentives for green and clean energy particularly for low income families.
Veilomani
THE true Fijian spirit of veilomani was shown by 45 Fijian abattoir workers when they helped rescue 60 Lismore nursing home residents and others that were affected by the flood that wreaked havoc across New South Wales in Australia on Monday.
PAGE 2
Proposed party refused
The Registrar of Political Parties has refused the application of the proposed ‘We Unite Fiji Party’.
Voter registration in schools
THE Fijian Elections Office (FEO) had never conducted voter registration at any school premises for members of the public during school hours, says Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem.
PAGE 3
Rural poverty
FIJI has been plagued by severe rural poverty like many other developing nations since the onset of the global pandemic in 2019, Professor Partha Gangopadhyay told the national minimum wage consultation forum in Nausori yesterday.
PAGE 4
Health facilities
Villages in the districts of Kubulau and Wainunu in Bua need better access to health facilities.
COVID-19 cases
FIJI recorded 103 new cases of COVID-19 of which 97 cases were recorded last Saturday, four on Sunday and two cases in the last 24 hours, ending 8am yesterday.
PAGE 5
Rain
FIJI will continue to receive rain until August, says the Fiji Meteorological Service in its latest Fiji climate outlook released yesterday.
PAGE 7
Vilimoni Lalaobouma
VILIMONI Lalaobouma, the man charged with the alleged murder of late police constable Siuta Niumataiwalu retook his initial non-guilty plea and has now pleaded guilty for all six charges against him.
SPORTS
Page 36 (Back)
Fijian Drua
THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua match against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday at the Suncorp Stadium has been shifted to the Sunshine Coast in the north of Brisbane.
Page 36
Russian athletes
AS Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continued on Monday, sporting bodies moved to bar Russian athletes from competing in international events, with FIFA and UEFA suspending Russia’s national teams and clubs from international football. # More reports on PAGE 31.
