Bula vinaka everyone
It’s the end of another work-week and as we count down the hours to the weekend, we wish you well wherever you are. Stay well and stay safe.
CASH PRIZES
Remember we are celebrating our 152nd year anniversary and you can get into the draw and win cash prizes.
This month of October, 20 lukcy people will win cash prizes. Now all you have to do to get into the draw is cut out the masthead of The Fiji Times newspaper, write your name and address, and a phone contact on it, and place this in a bin at a participating store near you. It’s that easy! Check Page 19 for details.
HEADLINES
Here are some headlines in the Fiji Times’ edition for Saturday, October 2.
PAGE 1
THREE political parties signed a memorandum of understanding this week to set a platform for uniting the Opposition in the lead-up to the 2022 polls.
PAGE 2
Economic recovery
FIJI is progressing its efforts to economic recovery through the national vaccination program, says permanent secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, Yogesh Karan.
RSE recruitment
NEW Zealand does not have immediate plans of expanding the recruitment of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme at this stage.
PAGE 3
Voter card
THE green-coloured voter card has expired and those with voter cards that do not match their birth certificates will have to upgrade to the blue-coloured one, Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said in a statement.
Fuel tax
THE primary cause of rising inflation and cost of living is the 20 cents per litre extra fuel tax imposed from April 2020.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
This is a must-read every Saturday. There is no doubt about the popularity of the letters pages. It’s much anticipated, and we have seven pages every Saturday of opinions. Feel the pulse of the nation. Feel the emotions, and get a feel of what’s trending in the public domain. Find out what people are talking about, what they feel strongly about, and their views on various issues. Pages 8,9,20,21,22,23 and 24.
PEOPLE
This is another popular section. It is about people, their journey in life, their hopes and aspirations, and the challenges they faced getting to where they are today. It is about people!
FEATURE/OPINION
Saturday’s edition has another standout section and this is it! We have a list of top quality writers for your weekend reading pleasure. The topics range from health, politics, cyber-crime to sports and the media!
Page 12 – USP, the forum and Fiji By SENI NABOU
IN the FijiFirst government and in Fiji’s contemporary history, the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, is the most powerful Cabinet Minister. He wields more authority and influence in practice than the Prime Minister himself. It is for Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to one day explain why he had allowed this to happen.
Page 28 – NRL final – By SATISH NARAIN
IT’S that time of the year when most sports lovers look forward to the National Rugby League (NRL) final. The Penrith Panthers face-off against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the big decider at Suncorp tomorrow night which, I am certain, not too many would have placed a bet on for finals action. The Panthers are chasing their third win and will be hoping to clinch victory for the first time since 2003 while the Rabbitohs are gunning for their 22nd title with their last win in 2014.
Page 29 – Said and unsaid – By RICHARD NAIDU
Parliament-watchers may have noticed the very last little drama played out in last week’s session – an end of week statement by an assistant minister in the Government, Selai Adimaitoga. Parliament’s “end of week statement” system allows MPs to give a 10-minute speech on a matter of concern to them but which isn’t otherwise on Parliament’s agenda. End of week statements are important to the Opposition, which, in the rigidly-controlled choreography of Fiji’s Parliament, doesn’t get to say very much. Of course (as if you haven’t heard enough from the Government already) Government MPs also get to have a go. In an outfit as rigidly controlled as the Fiji First Party Government, nothing happens by accident.
Pages 32-33 – FT Anniversary
BEFORE a hole believed to be the mythical Fijian seagod Dakuwaqa’s home was uncovered in 1971, the hole was already mentioned in the words of a chant for a meke (a traditional iTaukei dance) composed many years earlier. The hole which was uncovered in Rukua Village, Beqa was claimed by the villagers to be the sea god’s home when it was uncovered by a bulldozer working at the site.
Page 34 – Am I too old? – By ARVIND MANI
A leadership organisation has been advertising for the past few weeks. It is a rather vague posting as it only says, Want to make a difference? Be part of a unique journey. It looked strangely familiar. Then I realised that I had applied for it about 10 years ago.
Page 35 – Giant among men – By KAMAL IYER
“I HAVE accepted this responsibility … I will consider the interests of this country, the interest of the community and the interest of the coming generation and if those interests need my services, I shall give it unstintingly and willingly. The question of my resignation is only for my conscience to decide. The day my conscience tells me that I am of no use to my country by occupying the seat on the Government, I will vacate it without any hesitation”.
Page 36 – Roy Krishna – the pride of Fiji – By RAJNESH LINGAM
the Asia Football Confederation Cup Group D. Picture: SUPPLIED.
AFTER winning the Johnny Warren Medal for 2018/19 season, Roy Krishna shared this: “If you work hard, then dreams do come true.” It was his first Johnny Warren Medal after spending six seasons in the Hyundai A-League. He was only the third player from Wellington Phoenix to receive the Johnny Warren Medal.
Page 38 – Movies for OHS freaks – By VIKRANT KRISHAN NAIR
MILLIONS of people die every year due to workplace accidents, incidents and illnesses despite living in a proactive and digital age, where we mostly know the likelihood and consequences of the hazards. Some may happen unintentionally, some may happen due to human error and sometimes because of someone’s lethargy or laxity.
Page 39 – Fiji Airways Does It Again – By AJAY BHAI AMRIT
BULA readers! This week among the doom and gloom of the pandemic there is one very major positive I would like to share with you. Travelling, as we used to know, may never be the same, but with the travel safe protocols in place, I was impressed with the time and effort the Fiji Airways team put into practice to make international travel that little bit less stressful. I have flown hundreds of times with Fiji Airways, also formerly known as Air Pacific, and have never had a bad experience.
ENTERTAINMENT
We have pages of entertainment news for your reading pleasure. It’s brighter and colourful. Find out what’s happening in the entertainment industry.
MOTORING
This section is much more than just about vehicle parts. Check it out!
COMICS PAGES
For those who are into comics, find out what Hagar the Horrible is up to, and there are the long-running Phantom and Ginger Meggs comics. And there’s Big Ben Bolt!
SPORTS
The big one on the back page is about the Fijian Drua expecting to hit the right chords with the balance of youth and experience and coupled with different skill sets of players to be able to compete well in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
We have the latest on the soccer front as well inside.
MORE TO READ INSIDE
There’s definitely more to read inside but you’ll have to get a copy to know what we are talking about. Happy reading!
