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Here are some headlines that made The Fiji Times’ edition for Tuesday, November 30.
It’s the last day of the month of November. Remember we have a promotion running and you can win cash prizes. Details are below.
PAGE 1
PM Bainimarama issues apology
PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday issued an apology on behalf of all parliamentarians to the Fijian people. “I believe all of us have been guilty at one time or another of going too far, of saying things we should not have said or could have said better,” he said in the House in response to last week’s Parliament opening address by President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
Parliament reports
Parliament resumed today. We have reports from the House on Pages 2,3,4 and 5.
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Fijian troops deployed to Honiara
PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says 50 Republic of Fiji Military Forces soldiers will be dispatched to the Solomon Islands to assist the Australian Defence Force peacekeepers in their bid to restore order in Honiara. In his response to last week’s Parliament-opening address by President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, the PM said another 120 troops would remain on standby for deployment if needed to help maintain security.
‘No pressure’
NO one puts pressure on the Speaker. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau made the comment in the House after National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad said Government should not bully or pressure the Speaker, learn some decency and have some respect for the high office. “You take that from me. No one has put pressure on me as a Speaker, here or any of my appointments that I’ve held,” Ratu Epeli said. “I don’t go down to that.”
Fuel price
HUGE fuel price increases will come into effect from December 1. According to a gazette order published yesterday and jointly authorised by Commerce and Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya and Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission chairperson (FCCC) Isikeli Tikoduadua.
Economic performance
FIJI’S economic performance has been “erratic” and far below of our potential annual growth rate of five per cent, says Opposition leader Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
PAGES 4 and 5
Fiji Airways lease
OPPOSITION leader Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu claimed Fiji Airways was still paying the lease on two aircraft which allegedly had been returned to the lessor. He said the risks associated with guarantees, particularly with Fiji Airways in the leasing arrangements of aircraft were some of the questions that continued to linger in the public domain.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR/LEADER
Readers have their say on issues they can relate to. Read their views on Pages 8 and 9.
Dubai 7s
The Leader is on our campaign at the Dubai 7s. We raise the issue of how our team of rookies took on some of the best teams in the world, and came off with a blinder! Read this on Page 8.
PEOPLE
This section is about people and their hopes and aspirations.
Read about: Waisele Dokonivalu
WAISELE Dokonivalu did not let the financial challenges that forced him to drop out of school stop him from pursuing and achieving his academic dreams. Almost a decade after dropping out of school due to financial constraints, the Yavuloa, Nadroga lad defied all odds and graduated with a Bachelor of Theology from the Fulton Adventist University College in Sabeto, Nadi last week.
BUSINESS – InsideSTORY
This section highlights the pick of the week in business.
Read about: Cybercrime
CYBERCRIME activities continue to increase over the world with Fiji being no exception. It is described as a very broad term that includes any crime that targets or uses a computer, internet, network device or network with the primary purpose of committing a cybercrime activity for a financial gain or loss. The Westpac Bank recently reported an online fraud incident involving its Visa Debit cards and had to put a stop on all compromised cards.
SPORTS
The big one on the back p[age is about rugby 7s.
Read about: 7s campaign reboot
FIJI 7s team coach Saiasi Fuli is rebooting the national side’s campaign in the Dubai 7s this weekend. Fuli has demanded the best from his players after they fell short of the cup final at the weekend. The former Fiji 7s halfback said players needed to improve in order for the team to bounce back.
GOAL FIJI
You can find all the highlights of the soccer scene in this section. Check it out! We have pictures and reports!
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 this month of November, 30 lucky readers have the chance to win $152 each, and also get into the draw to win the grand prize of $15,200.
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 25 for details.
