Bula
There will no doubt be a lot of interest focused on how talks between the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Pacific Island leaders turn out today.
In sports, it was encouraging to know the Fijian Drua defeated the Melbourne Rebels 28-26 in a warm-up game as they prepare for the start of their Super Rugby campaign against the NSW Waratahs next week.
As we count down to the weekend, I wish you well wherever you are. Stay well and stay safe.
Here are some headlines that made The Fiji Times’ edition for Saturday, February 12.
Get a copy for the weekend. Relax and enjoy the top quality articles inside, and win cash prizes in our back-to-school promotion or get into the draw to win a holiday at a top resort in the Valentine’s Day promotion.
PAGE 1
- A war of words has broken out between Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry and Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission director Ashwin Raj.
PAGE 2
- A TOTAL of 284 nurses exited the Ministry of Health and Medical Services within the period of four years.
- THE People’s Alliance Party has received 120 applications from people interested in running for the party in the General Elections.
PAGE 3
- VAKABULI-PAIPAI Advisory Councillor Shamshad Ali is worried about the ongoing struggles faced by two farming settlements in Paipai, Lautoka following the recent heavy downpour that has damaged their roadways.
- THE deduction of funds for Bundle Insurance from the final cane payment of cane farmers during the 2020 season without their knowledge is an injustice, says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad.
- FIJI Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination director Ashwin Raj says he will not be moved by Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chauhdry’s antics.
PAGE 4 & 5
- OPPOSITION MP Mitieli Bulaunauca told Parliament that there was a need to protect our coastline, rivers, streams and tanks or buffer zones.
- THE multimillion dollar Ba Hospital will open next month.
- NATIONAL Federation Party and Opposition MP Professor Biman Prasad has questioned the Government’s failure to present the financial reports of the national airline.
- TECHNICIANS from Pakistan will be engaged in the setting up of a new tobacco manufacturing facility in Lomolomo, Minister for Defence and National Security Inia Seruiratu told Parliament during a debate on the Tobacco Bill 2022.
PAGE 7
- GOVERNMENT should increase the number of staff in nursing stations.
- THE Water Authority of Fiji’s new CEO begins work next month.
- THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has filed an appeal against the 30 month imprisonment sentence hand down by the Suva Magistrates Court on child sex trafficker Simione Tugi.
FEATURES/OPINIONS
- PAGE 12 – A Potemkin Parliament?
By RICHARD NAIDU
HERE’S a little story about Prince Grigory Alexsandrovich Potemkin, an eighteenth-century Russian general. Potemkin helped stage a coup in 1762 which brought to power Empress Catherine the Great of Russia (footnote – she overthrew her husband, the Tsar – clearly a tough lady). Catherine appointed Potemkin governor of Russia’s southern provinces.
- PAGE 28 – Are you a Balcony person?
By COLIN DEOKI
SORRY, but I don’t mean the Romeo and Juliet kind. Picture a stage for a moment. Now imagine it’s the stage of your life. Seated in the balcony is an incredible bunch of people who just happen to be your exclusive cheer squad.
- PAGE 30 – Pacific Nations on Global Focus
By JOSEPH VERAMU
REGIONAL and global news media outlets are reporting that Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister Simon Kofe has been nominated for the Nobel peace prize by Norwegian politician Guri Melby.
- PAGES 32-33 – FT 152 Anniversary
By JOHN KAMEA
ON Fiji’s second Independence Day celebration, the people of Fiji were told “to work harder to solve the nation’s problems”.
- PAGE 34 – Super 7s – Dazzling stars
By SATISH NARAIN
IT was great to catch up with 7s players, coaches, and rugby friends in Sigatoka last week, and I must acknowledge that Sale Sorovaki and his crew did a great job in organising a well-worked Fun Flavour Super 7s Series at Lawaqa.
- PAGE 38 – The good and the bad
By RAJNESH LINGAM
ON Monday, February 14, Valentine’s Day will be celebrated in Fiji. The significance of Valentine’s Day is eminent to most, if not all.
# PAGE 40 – ‘Healthcare Services in disarray’
By Neil Sharma
“THE evaluation of health policies and programs are long overdue”. This comment I made when questioned on the latest statistics released by the Health Ministry that had outpatient data recording more than 176,000 patients treated for diabetes in the five-year period (2013 and 2018).
- PAGE 41 – The legendary singer
BY AJAY BHAI AMRIT THIS week we pay respect to the late Lata Mangeshkar who was an icon of the Indian music industry. Her singing career spanned over seven decades and she is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential individuals in the entertainment industry.
SPORTS
Page 92
THE Swire Shipping-sponsored Fijian Drua team showed a glimpse of its attacking arsenal when it scored a come-from-behind 28-26 win against the Melbourne Rebels on Thursday. It was the first time the Mick Byrne-coached Fijians showed the Super Rugby Pacific family and the rugby world its powers and capabilities.
Page 90
OPPOSITION member of Parliament Ro Filipe Tuisawau is calling on the Fiji National Sports Council to better scrutinise and assist in graduating locals to be national coaches.
