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1 Clearing Fijis Roadblock To Democracy


AT a stroke, Australia has dealt itself back into the heart of events in the Pacific Islands. Fijis military ruler Frank Bainimarama described as fruitful his breakthrough meeting last Friday with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop - the first he has held with an Australian politician since an awkward encounter with foreign minister Stephen Smith more than five years ago. Bishops seizure of the initiative helped spur the Ministerial Contact Group of the Pacific Islands Forum, which had suspended Fiji, to announce at the weekend that it expects the countrys full restoration following elections in September. The Coalitions Fiji policy provided one of the clearest differences between the parties during the Australian election campaign last year. Its foreign affairs platform vowed to review the effectiveness of the sanctions against the Fiji regime with a view towards normalizing relations. The more recent announcement by Bainimarama that he would step down as military commander on February 28, and then announce details of a new party he would form to contest the election, provided Bishop with confidence that the timing was now right to take her bold Bula step. The next will be taken by Tony Abbott when he ventures for the first time on to the Pacific stage, at the forums Julie Bishop meets Mr Bainimarama in Suva next annual summit, to be held in the Micronesian state of Palau in July. by economic growth. The meeting a reassessment of the range of The Pacific Islands Development This should prove a watershed event will also anticipate the end of Fijis costly regional organisations that Forum, that Fiji itself principally for the region, when a new Pacific suspension following the election - have proliferated in recent years, funded, will probably fade away. Plan drafted by former PNG Prime leaders likely to agree a mechanism largely because of the Bainimarama And the Port Vila-based Melanesian Minister Mekere Morauta will move to do so swiftly after a government is governments fretting at its suspension Spearhead Group, on which retains Continued Page 3 Fiji to clear away bureaucratic clutter and formed in Suva. from mainstream bodies - also Continued On Page 3 refocus the forum on core targets, led The return of Fiji will trigger including the Commonwealth.
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Fiji News

Friday February 21, 2014

as a full member and which started to create a parallel infrastructure to the forum, is likely to find a more modest operational level. This is being made possible as Canberra seeks to demonstrate it is part of the Pacific neighbourhood and not a Big Brother whose ambitions are more global, as they largely were under the previous Rudd-Gillard governments. The government has helped demonstrate this by maintaining its aid funding to the Pacific while it has been widely cut elsewhere. Aid to Fiji, in particular, was already rising under Labor, doubling over two years to $56 million this financial year. Bishop outlined to Bainimarama a substantial whole-of-government program of new initiatives being offered by Canberra, including full restoration of defence ties that encompasses new or renovated patrol boats; exchanges between public servants in strategic departments including Foreign Affairs, Finance and the Public Service Commission; involvement in the New Colombo Plan to bring students from Australia; and participation in the seasonal workers program to provide opportunities for jobs in Australian horticulture. Bishop told the Fiji leader the travel sanctions against regime members - the issue most bitterly resented by Suva - were being reviewed, and could be reconsidered by cabinet once he stepped down as army commander. The pro-government Fiji Suns managing editor, Maika Bolatiki, wrote at the weekend that Bishop was warm and gracious and, much more importantly, she revealed that she had made a promise to the Australian people that she would strengthen relationships with Fiji, and that is what she is here to do. He said it is a fact that there is very deep affection between the people of Australia and of Fiji. About 300,000 Australian tourists visit Fiji every year. Satish Chand, a professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy, says: The best Australia can do for Fiji is to ensure that the government that takes office after the election is viewed both locally and internationally as being legitimate. Bishop agrees, noting the most important step already taken by the Fiji government is the registration of 543,000 voters, with indications that number will exceed 600,000 in a population of only 900,000 - a very positive sign that momentum is building for the election. She also welcomed Fijis registration of voters overseas, in New Zealand, Britain and the US - and in Australia, where five registration teams are working in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Jon Fraenkel, a professor of comparative politics at New Zealands Victoria University, says Bainimarama

Continued From Page 1

Clearing Fijis Roadblock To Democracy


will have to start addressing his own demons once he forms his own party - details of which he has promised to announce on March 1. He will then need to learn about dialogue, diplomacy and compromise. Information about the new party is closely guarded. Even its name remains a mystery. Bainimarama said on Sunday: It is an inclusive party and the name too will be inclusive. He added: My party manifesto is what the (army) fought for in 2006 - when it seized government. Three of the four rival parties registered have had histories of disappointing voters, but they do have loyal memberships with experience of fighting elections. The Peoples Democratic Party is a new creation, born in part out of the ideas of leaders of civil society groups and trade unions - the latter barred by the new constitution from forming or playing a leading role in parties. Bainimarama holds most of the cards, having introduced his own constitution and drafted the electoral rules, as well as having controlled the country tightly for more than seven years. He has intensified the undermining of non-military sources of authority in Fiji - the chiefs, the Methodist church, the courts and the parliament - that began with the first coup in 1987. The media is broadly supportive, only recently starting to emerge tentatively from years of military control. The government makes much of this election being conducted more fairly than its predecessors, which took place under a complex voting structure, introduced at independence from Britain, and which reflected ethnic groupings. Few people in Fiji - where no opinion polls have been held for some time are willing to bet on the outcome this time, despite the common expectation that the ubiquitous Bainimarama, campaigning from government, will be the man to beat even if he does not win. One of the alternative names still being raised is that of Sitiveni Rabuka, who will be 65 at the time of the election, five years older than Bainimarama. Both have been coup leaders and prime ministers, and have the popularrecognition factor. The identity of the new army commander remains under wraps. But Bainimarama says I have been given the assurance from the top brass that the military will continue to support his constitution, and thus the progress towards the election. At a church service on Sunday to farewell Bainimarama as military chief, Chaplain Joseva Tikonatabua said, hinting at divine guidance thrusting him towards electoral success, God has prepared a future for Fiji, and he is raising the commander to steer the country for better days. The forums Ministerial Contact Group, which includes Bishop, issued a statement welcoming Fijis significant progress since its previous visit 10 months ago, but emphasized that it would be in Fijis interest that the election be judged on its openness and fairness according to accepted international standards with observers assessing its legitimacy, and with access for international media critically important. A number of prominent journalists who focus on Pacific Island affairs, including the ABCs Sean Dorney and Fairfax New Zealands Michael Field, have been barred from Fiji. But most other points of contention are now fast being resolved. Business connections with Australia are being repaired. A government-industry working group that was operating in Fiji with Australian support, but which was suspended after the coup, will now be restored, with a focus on economic growth and job opportunities through joint projects. Greg Pawson, president of the Australia Fiji Business Council, says the council has long supported and advocated to successive Australian governments the need for the governments to come more closely together irrespective of their differences. The easing of travel sanctions, which I note has been taking place informally for some time, will certainly assist business, as some business people have been unreasonably denied entry to Australia in the past. He says that Fiji serves as a hub for commerce in the Pacific. The movement of business people between Fiji and Australia is the oil which keeps the mechanisms of trade turning, and removing the limitations on that movement will remove an impediment to business. Among the Australians running successful companies in Fiji is Mark Halabe, who was among a group of business people briefed by Bishop at the weekend. His Mark One Apparel garment factory has been operating for 25 years in Fiji, with design and other inputs from Australia. Among other niche markets, the firm produces many of the shirts worn by AFL and rugby league teams and their supporters. He employs more than 600 people, mostly women - about 10 per cent of the workforce in Fijis garment sector, which earns the country about $60m a year. He joins other business people looking forward to a return to elected government, without which investors have largely sat on their hands. Many boards and managements in Fiji have now begun planning for cautious expansion following the election. They - and the ministers from the other Pacific countries - anticipate a shift to less adversarial rhetoric too. Fraenkel says Bainimarama had gained much credibility within the region through use of anti-Australian rhetoric, and made this a central plank of his diplomacy. That siege mentality also played an important role at home, particularly among the new elite that cluster around the interim government. The rapprochement removes that plank. Bishops visit, Fraenkel says, provides a further test - of the Fiji coup leaders ability to make the transition from military strongman to a significant player on the international stage. Its success also promoted Bishops own development as a significant player on that stage.

Fiji Fails Export Demand

FIJI failed to satisfy the export market demand for 31,000 tonnes of dalo last year as only 9000 tonnes of the cash crop left the country. This was revealed by Agriculture Minister Lieutenant Colonel Inia Seruiratu when he spoke to his Northern staff in Labasa. Lt-Col Seruiratu said the market demand for dalo had always existed but farmers faced a lot of problems with its pricing. "Exporters are living in Suva and they pay agents to buy dalo for them, therefore farmers are struggling with the prices set by these agents," he said. "This has been an age-old issue that

needs to be addressed. We had made an agreement in 2010 under which dalo on Taveuni would not be sold below $1.20 a kilogram," he said. "However, if the farmers are selling their dalo at $1.20 they are still making money, but it is a challenge to address the issue of pricing because it is unregulated." Lt-Col Seruiratu said agents buying dalo for Suva-based exporters were the ones playing around with the price. "There is never a shortage of markets but the unregulated price of dalo has been the problem for a long time now. "The ministry cannot interfere in the issue because it is not regulated."

Friday February 21, 2014

Fiji News

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Whilst a number of factors led to Coca Cola Amatils reduction in earnings for 2013 of 6.9 per cent, the Fijian arm performance obviously was not a contributor to this reduction. In fact, the strong return to growth by Fiji and New Zealand was one of the positives for Coca Cola Amatil as was highlighted in their financial results for the year ended December 31. The financial results revealed Fiji and New Zealand delivered 18 per cent earnings growth driven by improved performance from both countries. The report said: The Fijian business delivered strong volume and earnings growth as it cycles the impact of major floods the past year and continues to benefit from the strong growth of Minute Maid Pulpy. Coca Cola Amatils group managing director, Terry Davis, said: The positives for the year included the Australian beverage non-grocery channel which delivered volume and earnings growth. Also the strong return to growth by New Zealand and Fiji and Coca Cola Amatils re-entry into the Australian beer and cider market in midDecember. Profits down Coca Cola Amatil took an axe to its

Fijian, NZ Arms Delivers Strong Growth For Coca Cola Amatil 4


struggling fruit cannery SPC Ardmona Capital upgrades are well advanced, after booking a massive AU$404 a strong new product pipeline and million write-down on the division. establishment of an export business for The huge value wipe out has pushed the Fiji beer and rum portfolio. Coca Cola Amatils bottom line full Australian alcoholic expansion year net profit down by 82.5 per cent Coca Cola Amatil returned to the to AU$79.9 million, against a profit of premium beer and cider market in AU$457.8 million in 2012. Australia in mid-December. It was the poorest profit result since 4 The successful start-up of brewing at 1994. the Australian Beer Company in both However, the write-downs are noncash, with Coca Cola Amatils 4 underlying net profit for the 2013 year down only 9.6 per cent to AU$502.8 million, from AU$556.3 million in 2012. AN angry tenant admitted to uttering The beverage company is also obscene words at his landlord last year. facing intense pressure at its flagship Vimal Singh told the court he was Australian soft drink business and its guilty of the offence as the magistrate once high-flying Indonesian arm has was getting ready to make arrest orders suffered an earnings slide. against the witnesses. Fijian alcoholic business Mr Singh was charged with annoying Coca Amatil had acquired Paradise any person. Beverages in 2012 (formerly known as The police prosecution informed Fosters Group Pacific Limited). the court that summons for the two It said the Fijian alcoholic beverage witnesses, including one who was a business is performing ahead of plan police constable, had been served last and has established an export business October. for the beer and Fiji rum portfolio. The court was told the witnesses had Strong progress has been made on the failed to appear and the prosecution revitalisation of Paradise Beverages made an application for a bench warrant in Fiji in both the beer and rum for the witnesses. Mr Singh told the operations, the report said. court there was no need to arrest the

international and local beer and cider brands enabled the business to be in market on December 17 with the expanded beer and cider range. Together with their domestic premium and craft beer portfolio, the expanded alcoholic beverages business is targeting to generate around one per cent in incremental earnings growth in 2014.

Tenant Annoys Landlord


two men because he committed the crime. The court asked him if he was doing on his own will. He responded in the affirmative. The court heard the incident occurred when the landlord told Mr Singh, who was partying with two women at his flat in Samabula, that partying was not allowed. In mitigation, Mr Singh said he was 41 years old and self-employed earning around $60 a day. He told the court he was paying rent for the flat and felt his landlord had ridiculed him in front of his guests. Mr Singh will be sentenced next Tuesday.

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Fijis Embassy to Japan has lent its support to Fijian companies exhibiting their trade products at the 2014 International Private Label Show in Tokyo. The international show which opened this week is seeing the promotion of Fijian products by renowned companies, FMF Foods Ltd [FMF] and Punja & Sons Ltd. Both companies were chosen by the Pacific Island Centre and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, to participate at the event. Despite cold weather conditions in Tokyo, Fijis Ambassador to Japan Isikeli Mataitoga and his diplomatic staff from the embassy have been supporting and assisting the companies at the exhibition. This is an important event in terms of understanding Japanese importers requirements for manufactured goods coming into Japan from outside, as regards packaging and labeling of products. These are important elements of the export chain that countries like Fiji and in particular companies that exports to the Japanese must fully appreciate and accommodate in their product manufacturing chain. The 4-day international event provides

an excellent opportunity for the representatives of the two Fijian companies to meet business contact from Japan and Asia, who may be keen to import Fijian made goods exhibited by the two companies. Ambassador Mataitoga highlighted the importance of engaging embassy staff with those companies promoting Fijian products. It actually makes the diplomats appreciate and value the importance of our Fijian businesses and the challenges they face. It also provides an opportunity to discuss with Fijian business representatives present, how to best assist them in niche market identification of their Fijian made products in Japan and in other market specific information relevant for Japan. Ambassador Mataitoga said that these support measures are also part of their core work in trade diplomacy and in assisting Fijian Made Goods enter the Japanese market. Diplomats from the embassy will be stationed at the event this week to assist the two companies in promoting Fijian products to both the Japanese and international market.

ABOUT 100 farmers in Lomawai near Sigatoka were encouraged to apply for a stake in government's $8.4million grant and to improve production. Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive officer Sundresh Chetty said because of the global challenges to the sugar industry, the onus was on farmers to improve production to drive down costs to aid in improving the industry's

Apply For The Grant

competitiveness. "The government has done its bit by supporting the industry through some very trying times and the FSC has improved milling, now it is up to you to improve production and yield per hectare," he said. FSC extension services manager Samuela Railoa said the dismal performance last season shouldn't be repeated.

Lautoka women market vendors have a reason to celebrate. Work has started on a shelter for women vendors. This will mean, no more nights spent on the footpath for these women. Most of them come from the interior of the Western Division to sell their garden produce in Lautoka. The new site can easily be described as a very cost-efficient move by the Lautoka City Council. It is located on a portion of the car park of the Sugar City Mall. By upgrading the existing structure, rather than building one from scratch, the council drastically reduced the cost of the shelter. Partly funded by UN Women, the $130,000 shelter will have sixty beds, toilet/bathroom facilities, laundry and a kitchen. The shelter is expected to be completed by the end of March. After this, the council and special administrator, Praveen Bala, will embark on the

Night Shelter For Lautoka Vendors

building of an open shed near Lautoka Market that will cost the council around $580,000. The president of the Lautoka Market Vendors Association, Makereta Rika, said she was pleased with the work Mr Bala and his team had been doing. I can now go back to my members and tell them, yes, we have got something now. I am very happy today. It is a very good day for all of us, she said. Mrs Rika has been a market vendor for 45 years and has educated her children from revenue as a market vendor. She said that she understood the hardships of women market vendors. Mr Bala said the council would always be ready to assist. He also hit back at council critics. The council is open to positive criticism but then we have those people who are merely criticizing for the sake of criticizing. They are welcome to come to the council and see what we have in store for the people of Lautoka, Mr Bala said.

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Fiji Establishes Permanent Representation With Global Energy Body


Fijis envoy to the United Arab Emirates, Ambassador Robin Nair has presented his credentials as Fijis Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency commonly known as IRENA. Ambassador Nair presented his credentials to the IRENA director 6 general, His Excellency Adnan Amin this week. IRENA is an intergovernmental 6 organisation, hosted in Abu Dhabi that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bio-energy, geothermal, hydro power, already using the technical assistance ocean, solar and wind energy in the capability provided by IRENA. He pursuit of sustainable development, said that a technical team from IRENA energy access, energy security and is currently in Fiji carrying out a low-carbon economic growth and renewable readiness assessment for prosperity. Fiji. In presenting his credentials, The Director General Adnan Amin Ambassador Nair said that Fiji valued welcomed Fiji as one of the first the Forum provided by IRENA countries to accredit a Permanent for international discussions on Representative to IRENA. In his cooperation towards a sustainable statement, he highlighted Fijis support energy future, particularly for small for IRENA by recalling that Fijis island developing countries. He Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe added that Fiji appreciated and was Bainimarama himself had attended

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THE New Zealand Government deported 28 Fijians between July 2008 and November 2013 immediately following the imposition of a prison sentence. Another 17 who previously held student visas were also deported between March 2012 and February 2013. Immigration New Zealand confirmed that those deported had been in the country seeking employment.

NZ Deports Fijians
"The majority of those unlawfully in New Zealand are not criminals," Immigration NZ said in response to questions from this newspaper. "They choose to remain here for a number of reasons such as employment and family. "In these cases, Immigration New Zealand focuses more attention on engaging with the individual and actively case-managing them towards what is termed a voluntary

the first IRENA General Assembly. He commented that IRENA provides special attention to the needs of the Pacific Islands. He said that IRENA will be represented at the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States to be held in Apia, this year. He recalled that IRENA was represented at the Inaugural Meeting of Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) in Fiji and he hoped he would be able to personally attend the Second Meeting of the PIDF.

departure." Immigration New Zealand is also working with former Fijian residents who are permanently residing in New Zealand to help identify those living illegally. "The emphasis on case management gives the individual the opportunity to co-operate with Immigration New Zealand, settle their affairs here and pay for their own costs in returning to their home country."

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Fiji News

Friday February 21, 2014

$420M Worth Of Road Works By MWH Global


Roading firm, MWH Global will carry out on $420million worth of road and bridges maintenance and capital projects this year alone. Addressing members of the media at the launch of their 2014 plan in Suva, branch and roading network manager for MWH in Fiji, Mike Rudge said much of the work involves general maintenance and renewal projects as well as clearing the backlog of which the magnitude is such that it can't be cleared in seven years. The backlog, Rudge says is the combined result of underfunding, incompetency, mismanagement in the old National Roads and a lot of leakage or corruption issues where money in the millions disappeared without being used on roads. "That is why Fiji roads are in the condition they are in now," Rudge said. "Last year we did some backlog catching up and this year a bit more so people will start seeing the general condition of the roads improve," Rudge said. He noted one of the uncompleted work the FRA had to address involved sealed road network which had not had any reseals applied on it. "Resealed surfaces last for about 1012 years, but there had not been any reseals since 12 years so we get leaks and then potholes particularly when with overloaded trucks. "Catching up on that re-sealed program is very important as well as clearing that backload. Generally you design a road for about 25 years and with good management they will last for about 40 years before you need to rebuild them. There really had not been any substantial rebuilding of roads at least for 10-12 years as well so that needs to be appropriately rebuild." In addition to clearing the backlog MWH Global expects to refill more than 100km of roads and carry out more than 40km of rehabilitation or rebuilding of roads this year. "We are also working on some larger capital projects, like the NASRUP project which is the Nadi Suva Road Upgrading Project, improving the access from Nausori through the Kings Roads, improving the Wainibokasi Road and the Kings Roads; making it a four-lane all the way back to Nakasi," Rudge said. "Then there are smaller improvements to be made between Nadi Airport and the Denarau area." The firm will also carry out $220million worth of works in the North which includes building 70km of new roads, building and maintenance of 14 bridges as well as the Buca Bay project and a number of other projects. Rudge further says the people of Fiji needed to understand that maintenance and renewals are ongoing projects that are not going to stop even when their five-year contract ends in three years' time. MWH Global was awarded a five-year contract in January 2012 by the Fiji Government to assist in establishing the new Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), and to build and maintain the country's 10,000km of roads, its 1000 bridges and 44 jetties.

Fiji's National Federation Party believes one day election in the country will turn out as a logistical nightmare. The party in its submission to the Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) late last week highlighted that in the absence of the electoral regulations, having 3,000 polling stations for a day election was a recipe for logistical nightmare. Given our geographical spread it will be impossible for voters to visit and cast their votes at designated polling stations although it is proposed that there will be 3,000 polling stations. NFP stated that with the elections marked to be before September 30, it meant that they have only seven months to go before Elections. The NFP is also concerned with the

One Day Election Will Be A Nightmare: NFP

delay in the electoral Promulgation although it has been announced that it will be gazetted by the end of the month." This leaves little time for voter education by both the electoral commission and political parties especially when there is a new voting system, the NFP fears an unusually high number of invalid votes may result during the polls because of lack of time in educating voters. In an earlier statement the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the delay in the electoral decree does not prevent any political party from campaigning and having their meetings now. The Decree is specific to the conduct of the elections itself.

More than 200 Fiji citizens residing in Australia have so far registered to vote in the upcoming general election. A nine day registration drive will see a total of 26 locations being covered by the twenty registration centers resourced with 13 staff from the Suva Elections office. The registration centers operate in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory and are being assisted by the officials from the Fijian High Commission in Canberra and Fijian Consulate in Sydney. Acting Permanent Secretary for Justice and Elections, Mohammed Saneem in a government statement said Fijians living in Australia were given unprecedented access to participate in the election. He also emphasized the need for intending voters to bring the required documentation with them when they visit the registration centers. A valid Fijian passport is all that anyone needs to register but some

Over 200 Register To Vote In Australia

people have been arriving with passports that have expired. They need to be renewed first and our diplomats are assisting in that process, wherever possible, he said. Fijian citizens who have registered but have moved to Australia have been encouraged to update their contact details to allow them to vote in Australia. Registration will continue in the major cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Teams will also visit Fijian communities on the NSW Central Coast, in the Blue Mountains, Geelong, Ballarat, Townsville and Cairns, with an additional centre open in Adelaide, South Australia, on Saturday, February 22nd. We are prepared to go wherever Fijians are living in any significant number to cast the net as wide as possible. So there is still time to contact us," Saneem added. The Voter Registration teams return to Fiji on February 23rd.

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Sex Racket Unveiled


IN what has been termed 8 as a breakthrough in investigations, police have uncovered a domestic human trafficking racket involving the sale of underage girls for sex. Fiji Police Force senior investigator at the Human Trafficking Unit Corporal Nischal Dass said the girls, aged between 12 and 17 years, were sold by relatives for prices ranging from $80 to $150 to perpetrators who are mostly older men. "The predominant case that we are on the verge of finalizing is a domestic trafficking case which involves minors. And the type of exploitation is sexual exploitation and this has happened here on Viti Levu and in one of the Western towns," Cpl Dass said. He said the girls, who are school dropouts, had run away from their homes and lived with their relatives who arranged clients for them. "These relatives are taking the girls and setting up clients for them for sexual intercourse and they are taking the money," he claimed. "The girl does not get any part of the money. All she has to do is to eat and live with the relatives and the relatives are living on the earnings of this child. So the relatives are actually benefiting by selling this child." He said their investigations revealed that older men paid for sex and younger girls were paid higher amounts. Cpl Dass said the perpetrators were normally people looking for young girls for sex. He said the girls were

Substance Abuse
Mr Bhagwan said there had been limited kava involved in the condolence gathering since its beginning and kava consumptions were from 10am to 10pm. "The church continues to honour the late president's teachings and directive as we look forward to farewelling him for the last time." Christian denominations, individuals and various church circuits gathered to pay their last respects at the Jubilee Hall and among them was the president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Bau high chiefs Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi. At their official residence on Pender St, his widow Joana waited with the vanua o Moala for the arrival of his body. The funeral service was held at the Centenary Church before heading to the Baker Hall where he was laid to rest.

DRIVERS who have a habit of talking on the mobile phone while driving should think twice. The warning from the LTA follows the continuous ignorance of drivers in Suva to refrain from the use of mobile phones while behind the wheel. Authority spokesman Iliesa Sokia said the last few weeks had been on education mainly. However, he said, it was time they enforced the law on drivers who continued to ignore the law. "The fixed penalty for this is $100 to $500 fine and we hope to book a minimum of 10 drivers per day, especially those who continue to ignore the law," Mr Sokia said. "We have had this awareness for the

Talking On Phone While Driving To Face The Law

taken to low cost hotels for a few hours. Concerns over the excessive "There is no timeframe. It has happened consumption of kava, tobacco and food in the day time, in the evening depending have led to strict monitoring of its use on when the client is available to come during funeral proceedings of former or when the girl is available. She has no Methodist Church of Fiji president other client, she is sold. Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu. "The clients are locals and of the major Methodist church communications races in Fiji. They use the girls for two secretary Reverend James Bhagwan to three hours. They walk in, pay the 8 said the church standing committee receptionist for those hours, do their discussed the issue at its meeting last thing and walk out." week. He said it took the unit one and half 8 "We have agreed that all Methodist years to build a case. Cpl Dass said church property will be smoke-free and it was the responsibility of parents to we have a sub-committee to examine keep track of the whereabouts of their the use of kava," Mr Bhagwan said. children. "This was rectified by the committee "They (parents) should be aware of as per the directives issued by the late which activities children are involved president last year. in and parents should also be aware of "The biblical understanding from the Shamima Ali what the children possess." late president was that the body was For instance, he said if a child had an the temple of God and that referred to iPad, the parents should ask themselves kava, tobacco, over-eating which are whether they could afford it. He said all forms of substance abuse." offences of human trafficking beg a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Fiji Women's Crisis Centre executive director Shamima Ali said the findings TWO people including a taxi driver, of the investigations were shocking. Ms Ali said while such things have are in police custody in relation to an been happening in the country, the alleged stabbing incident that claimed law should come down hard on those the life of a 33-year-old man of Vuci Rd in Nausori. involved. She said the centre was aware of Police spokesman Inspector Atunaisa such cases and assured that help was Sokomuri confirmed the deceased was in a drinking party last Sunday with available for victims. "It is sad to know of these kinds of incidents. I hope the victims are sent to the right place and to experts for counselling," she said.

Two Arrested Over Alleged Stabbing


five other men where a fight broke out. "The deceased was allegedly stabbed by a man and he ran across the road where he was hit by a passing taxi," Insp Sokomuri said. Insp Sokomuri said the 33-year-old was rushed to the hospital where he later died. Police investigations are continuing.

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Fiji News

Friday February 21, 2014

THE governments decision to fully restore relations with Fiji is a long overdue return of common sense and, indeed, common decency to Australian foreign policy. This particular policy move has been led, and now implemented, by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Its success or failure as policy does not depend on whether Fijis strong man, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, fully restores democracy. Of course, Australian policy will work towards that restoration and it is legitimately a high priority for Australian policy. But it is not the only priority. Australia has deep national interests at stake in Fiji and these continue no matter who rules in Suva or how. The policy to isolate Fiji because it suspended democracy under Bainimarama was always counterproductive, foolish and in many ways deeply immoral. The only area in the world where the US actually defers to Canberra on policy is the South Pacific. Senior US officials used to gnash their teeth with frustration that they could readily attend meetings in Pyongyang with quasi-genocidal dictators, but they were not allowed to have a cup of tea with Bainimarama in Fiji, because of Australian opposition. Privately, they thought it very poor policy. It certainly led to increased Chinese influence in the South Pacific. And it had some effect on isolating Fijis leadership, which is exactly the reverse of what an intelligent policy would have wanted to achieve. Bainimarama is no angel, but on the scale of global dictators he is an extremely mild variant. The policy of isolating Fiji began under the Howard government and it was a bad policy then. It accelerated under the Rudd and Gillard governments. One of the worst aspects of a policy of isolation is that, after it has been going for a while and achieved nothing, there is no easy way out of it other than to admit it was a dud policy in the first place. There is not a single bit of good that isolating Fiji did. Bishop used her time in opposition well to work the issues and make contacts across the region. She put in a lot of time in the South Pacific, especially with Papua New Guinea. She is now by far the best connected and best informed senior Australian politician on the South Pacific. The most successful ministers in the early days of the Abbott government Scott Morrison, Joe Hockey and Bishop all held their shadow portfolios for the entire four years of Abbotts leadership. As a result, they are all on top of their material, know all the relevant players and came to office with well developed policy plans. In restructuring Australias aid program, reversing Labors anti-Israel voting pattern at the UN, and now pushing comprehensive engagement with Fiji, Bishop has led very big, very consequential foreign policy actions for Australia. Fiji will always be a better place if there is deep Australian involvement. Australia will always be better able to pursue its interests in the South Pacific if it has a strong presence in Fiji.

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Deadly Fire
Tragedy struck the community of Wailea in Vatuwaqa early Sunday morning when 17-year-old Shanesh Kumar was killed in a fire which engulfed his home as he tried to get out. The last words his father heard him say were "papa, help me", the distraught father said. The father, Salesh Kumar, sustained burns to his face and hands while trying to tear the house open to get his son out, but it was too late and the fire was too strong. The fire is believed to have started at 3.45am, Mr Kumar recalled, when the boy was asleep and he (the father) was a few houses away at an after-prayer talanoa session. "We had a church function just near my house, then some grog and I sat with some of the church members afterwards talking, but I checked on my son every hour since about 11pm," the 42-year-old father said. "The last time I checked on him was at about 3.30am, just before the fire happened and once I heard a huge blast, I ran to the house to try and get my son out." Sadly, at the time of the interview Mr Kumar said his wife and 14-year-old daughter were still on their way back from their holiday in Australia and he did not have the heart to tell them the bad news. "I don't know how I'm going to tell my wife and daughter that our only son my eldest child is gone. If one of my relatives hadn't come to the house and pulled me out of there while I was searching for my son, I would have been gone too I don't know what to tell them." The National Fire Authority reported they received a call about 4am and responded immediately, but the house was already up in flames. Investigations are continuing. So far this year, there have been 31 structural fires.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama feels satisfied with nothing more but to see the Fijians get free education at primary and secondary level. Speaking at the opening of a new Draiba Primary School classroom, Bainimarama said he felt proud to know that he led a government that is able to provide free education for the first time. He was pleased to think that even children from unfortunate families could take advantage of this free education programme and be educated. Nothing has been more satisfying to me nothing has made me feel more

proud than to have led a government that has been able to provide free primary and secondary school education for the first time. And it makes me extremely happy to think that even the poorest child in Fiji is no longer being left behind. That even the poorest child is benefiting from the leg-up we have given every young Fijian to get ahead and fulfill their dreams. Cmdre Bainimarama told the students of Draiba Primary to seize the opportunity that they have been given. Run with it as fast as you can because together, we can make Fiji great.

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Fiji News

Friday February 21, 2014

The Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) concluded its two day visit to Fiji, consistent with the mandate of Pacific Islands Forum Leaders to continue to dialogue and engage with Fiji. The MCG comprises Ministers from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The MCG thanked the Fiji Government for hosting the Group and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat for making the programme arrangements. The MCG appreciated the opportunity to meet with the Attorney General and Minister for Elections, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum; the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola accompanied by other Ministers; members of the Electoral Commission; and representatives of registered political parties, trade unions and civil society organisations. Ministers welcomed significant progress made by Fiji since the Group last visited in April 2013, including important and significant efforts to prepare for elections by September 30, 2014. These include the approval on September 6, 2013 by the President of Fiji of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji; the registration of four political parties and the enrolment

Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group Outcomes Statement


of more than 540,000 voters including enfranchising Fijians living overseas; the appointment of an independent Electoral Commission and the commencement of a dialogue between the Commission and political actors; the bolstering of the Elections Office, with support from technical advisers from Australia, the European Union, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea and the public release of the National Register of Voters. Ministers looked forward to the early appointment of the Supervisor of Elections and the early release of the Elections Decree and legal framework for elections. Ministers were pleased to hear the assurances from the Attorney General that these steps were imminent. Ministers noted the logistical challenges still facing the Fiji Elections Office and the importance of ensuring widespread access to voter education. Recalling the expectations of the people of Fiji and the international community for free and fair elections, Ministers reiterated the need for political parties full engagement in the electoral process, including the ability to meet freely and campaign openly. In this respect, while welcoming the significant improvement that has taken place since their last visit, Ministers emphasized the importance of ongoing improvements to media freedom, freedom of speech, association and assembly. Ministers emphasized that it would be in Fijis interest that the election be judged on its openness and fairness according to accepted international standards. Ministers encouraged Fiji to welcome full international observation of the election to leave no doubt as to its legitimacy. They also emphasized the critical importance of access for international media. Ministers reaffirmed the clear commitment of all Forum members to encourage and support Fijis early return to parliamentary democracy, and reiterated members offers to assist electoral preparations as well as to provide immediate assistance to the Electoral Commission, if so requested. Welcoming the progress Fiji has made towards elections and a return to parliamentary democracy, and recognizing the importance of greater regional trade and economic integration, Ministers agreed to recommend to

Forum Leaders that Fiji be invited to participate in PACER Plus negotiations and Forum Trade Ministers Meetings at ministerial level. Ministers discussed with the Forum Secretary General steps for welcoming Fijis full participation in the Forum following Fijis September election, in accordance with the spirit and intent of the Biketawa Declaration. The MCG was chaired by the Hon. Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, and include: Hon. Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia; Hon. Rimbink Pato, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Papua New Guinea; Hon. Tuisugaletaua Aliimalemanu Sofara Aveau, Minister of Communication and Information Technology of Samoa; Hon. Taukelina Finikaso, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour of Tuvalu; and Hon. Nipake Edward Natapei, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Vanuatu.

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Fiji News

Friday February 21, 2014

15

Awards and accolades are nothing new for world-renowned Pure Fiji which has already made a mark in the international market arena with its uniqueness. Nevertheless, every award or nomination still counts indicating Pure Fiji continues to excel in their products range. Pure Fiji has been nominated in the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2013 once again in the Spa & Wellness category. The award was held at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island in Nadi. Pure Fiji director Gaetane Austin said they are honoured to have been considered. She said being part of such awards gives their business incredible recognition and credibility overseas as well as locally. Plans and products Ms Austin highlighted Pure Fiji is at the stage of consolidating and refining where necessary their existing products and packaging.

Pure Fiji For Big Tourism Awards

Grand Farewell
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) is preparing for a grand farewell for their Commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama. A committee, led by the military chief operations officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Amani Suliano, met again to discuss the programme. Were still finalising the progamme, but I can assure you that it will be a grand farewell, Lieutenant-Colonel Suliano said. Commodore Bainimarama will be stepping down as Commander on February 28 as he prepares for his political career. Under the new Constitution, it is required that he resigns as Commander to give way for his political career. Lieutenant-Colonel Suliano said details of the farewell would be released soon. The Commander had already been farewelled in the Western and the Northern divisions. But in this farewell they would thank the Commander for his leadership of the military in the last 15 years. He has given 39 years of service in the RFMF. New Commander On the day of the farewell, LieutenantColonel Suliano said they would also welcome the new Commander in a traditional welcome ceremony. He said they were all looking forward to the naming of the new Commander. The new Constitution has clearly stipulated the role of the RFMF and its Commander. Section 31 (2) specifies the role of the RFMF and it says It shall be the overall responsibility of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to ensure at all times the security, defence and wellbeing of Fiji and all Fijians.

The company recently upgraded its factory and staff numbers have increased to 130 people, she said. We recently introduced a new fragrance Guava which is proving to be very popular and we are constantly upgrading our packaging to compete with new trends overseas. Ms Austin said Pure Fijis future plans also include a wish to have a part in preserving the culture and memorabilia of the Fijian people. Use of local items Ms Austin said they employ a botanical harvester for the collection of select forest leaves which are dried in solariums at their factory and used in some Pure Fiji products. We try to use locally-sourced components where possible and to encourage sustainable use of these, she said. The company was also recently awarded ISO certification which reinforces international recognition of the companys scrupulous and researched manufacturing processes.

Murder Trial
THE State prosecution will produce 33 witnesses in a murder trial set to start at the end of next month. Davendra Naicker is charged with murder and appeared in the High Court in Suva. He is alleged to have killed taxi driver Vishal Mishra in December 2011. The prosecution informed Justice Prabaharan Kumararatnam that the proposed agreed facts given to the defence had not been agreed to. The court was informed that they would present 33 witnesses. The prosecution also was asked if the two weeks given would be sufficient for the trial. Justice Kumararatnam answered that if need be the court could hear the case until 6pm daily. Defence lawyer Tobia Ravuniwa told the court they objected to the use of photographs to show the extent of the injuries sustained by the victim. He said by showing these to the assessors, it would prejudice his client's case and that the doctor's expert evidence would be good enough. The prosecution said the photographs would not be prejudicial to either party. Justice Kumararatnam told the defence to file written submissions while the prosecution said it would make oral objections. The case is scheduled for March 11.

$9M Investment
PLEASS Global Limited is investing about $9million on development at Namosi. The integrated development consists of eco-tourism facilities (Kila Eco Adventure Park), organic farming (Kila Organics), a new bottled water factory and a 300 acre land subdivision (Kila Estates) being residential, commercial and industrial lots. Managing director Warwick Pleass says civil works clearing and earthmoving have begun at the new factory and the site is taking shape. "It is fantastic to be able to see through the jungle and one can picture the factory and overall development, now that the site is cleared," he said. "Phase one of the development was the acquisition of the land and completion of the farm and in-bound tourism improvements. "Those amount to in excess of $2m so far. "Phase two of the development is the office/water factory and warehouse complex, associated residences and services like power and waste water treatment. "Phase two costs are over $7m, financed from both internal and external sources," he said. He said handover of the new factory was scheduled for the second half of this year, depending on weather. "The first quarter 2015 should see the company fully operational in the new factory. "The locals around the Namosi area will benefit heavily from this new development. "If you mean locals in Namosi, employment will be in all stages of development and if you mean benefits for Fijians in general then you will have a world-class subdivision that is 30 minutes travel from Suva," he told this newspaper. He said the residential project would finish in 2017 and was targeted at middle-income families who wanted a safe, healthy, peaceful and abundant lifestyle that was close to Suva. Pleass Beverages and Packaging is a state-of-the-art water bottling factory that is being built adjacent to the farm and incorporates warehousing and new corporate offices. The business is the powerhouse of Pleass Global Limited water bottling and distribution of food and beverage packaging and remains the main revenue source for the corporation. The company also produces AquaSafe bottled water.

The Fiji National University has already put its hand up to assist in cash and kind to work towards making Nadi a Sports City. Vice Chancellor Ganesh Chand said the university already has plans in pipeline for a number of sporting facilities to be built in Nadi and Lautoka. He made these comments while speaking at the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Forum held at FNUs Namaka Campus. Dr Chand said the university has enormous interest in sports. He also urged the business community to work towards funding a state-ofthe-art gymnasium, which would be a replica of sort of the Vodafone Arena in Suva. Dr Chand said Government can assist in identifying at least five acres of land

FNU Ready To Assist Nadi Become Sports Hub

between Lautoka and Nadi for this facility. If we could enter into a donor funding agreement, we could certainly have such a facility or else Nadi would be left on the side, he said. Upcoming complex FNUs upcoming complex in Legalega, Nadi, would have a cycling and jogging track. Dr Chand said Governments involvement was equally important if such major steps are to be taken. He agreed that having major sporting facilities in Nadi would have multitude trickle down effects on other sectors as well. Dr Chand urged the community to collectively work towards establishing one body who can now look into this goal seriously.

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Fiji News

Friday February 21, 2014

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority has continued its solid performance from 2013, surpassing its January 2014 target by $31.6 million. A total of $167.3 million was collected during the period. The amount is $23.6 million over January 2013 collections. Chief executive, Jitoko Tikolevu, said: The $31.6 million variance recorded in January was about double than that seen over the past three years. The collections reflect sound economic climate with the 2014 GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate of three per cent. Our solid performance in the last two years can be attributed to improved debt collection along with continued compliance activities. More importantly, the governments expansionary fiscal policy stance is generating further economic activities that have translated into revenue collection. Mr Tikolevu said the uncollected debts and outstanding VAT refunds performance have improved slightly. The tax arrears level has decreased slightly, which is mainly attributed to continued effective debt collection. Arrears have fallen by over 49% from January 2013, he said. Driver of growth Mr Tikolevu said revenue growth

FRCA Surpasses January Target By $31M

for January collections was strongly driven by the positive collections in PAYE, Domestic VAT, Government VAT and Capital Gains Tax. Overall, tax collection was buoyant. Indirect taxes accounted for most of the revenue collected. The January collection is about eight per cent of the 2014 target of $2.039 billion, he said. The January collection is about 2% of the annual projected GDP. The buoyancy indicates that revenue is growing faster than the GDP growth. VAT accounted for 45 per cent of January collection. Domestic VAT recorded an exorbitant growth rate of 40.5 per cent during the month. The increase in consumption and growth in investment, as reported by the RBF, supports the notion of increased economic activity in 2014 which should also contribute positively to revenue collections, Mr Tikolevu said. We are certainly seeing signs of improved self-compliance by taxpayers. Its positive and showing a change in culture amongst our taxpayers. However, we will ensure that strict measures are taken to ensure that fraudulent taxpayers are dealt with in accordance with the law. Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority

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Fiji A Real Experience: Japanese Youth Official


Leaders of the Japanese youth delegation for Global Leaders Development (GLD) program currently in Fiji have been inspired by the Fijian hospitality and the experiences shared by the young people. The facilitator for the Japanese GLD delegation Hazuki Dwyer said: The experience is just overwhelming and it has had a positive impact on these young people. Japanese youths are very reserved and humble and form what weve noticed, the traditional welcoming ceremony and reception and the way they have been treated at their various families during homestays has really impacted them personally, said Dwyer. The Fijian warmth and the whole Fijian experience has inspired, motivated and has boosted their selfconfidence, she added. Dwyer said it was indeed an opportunity for them as foreigners to learn and share experiences with the locals. The Japanese youths arrived on Thursday last week, travelled to Suva and were accorded a full traditional ceremony of welcome at the Youth Training Centre in Valelevu by the Minister for Youth and Sports Mr Viliame Naupoto. Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Mr Josefa Sania, senior government officials, dignitaries and invited guests later hosted the delegation to a welcoming reception at the Tanoa Plaza. The delegation visited the University of the South Pacific before they were introduced to their Fijian families for homestays. My weekend was great and now I am a kai Naitasiri, said 21-year-old delegation members Isamu Moronaga. I have been entertained and welcomed to my homestay family as one of the own and was hosted to a great kava session, he said with a broad smile. Now I want to come back and work in Fiji if there is an opening for me, Moronaga said with a smile. We have really learnt a lot from our visits and what both countries need is a sense of pride within the community to help sustain good initiative and our environment, Dwyer added. We have to take pride in our natural resources and nature or we will lose our identity, she added. The delegation left for Naviti Hotel and were hosted by Nakabuta and Vatuolalai villages for a day of cultural exchanges before they flew back to Japan via Sydney.

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Fiji News

Friday February 21, 2014

17

Judge Unable To Lock Up Sex Offender Indefinitely

22-year-old woman charged with killing a Tongan woman and her baby daughter in a knifing attack in Lautoka has been further remanded in custody till next month. Three other children were hospitalized for injuries they sustained in the attack at Viseisei on December 18, 2013. Priya Darshani's case will not be called again till March 7, 2014 after the state sought time to await additional information. The case was called before Justice De Silva at the Lautoka High Court where the state informed the court there were documents that were still being awaited in relation to the medical certificates of the victims and the post-mortem report of the two deceased. Accordingly the court has given the state till March 7, 2014 to file the

Double Murder Suspect Remanded Further

information. Darshani was in a de-facto relationship with Mokai Patolo, 31, the husband and father of the victims, Sisi, 33, and seven-month-old Sarah. The accused also has a son with Mokai. The stabbing is believed to have stemmed from a dispute between Sisi and Darshani. Five-year-old twins, Grace and Fisi, and their three-year-old sister, Ana, were hospitalized and treated for stab wounds. Sisi and Sarah were buried on December 27, 2013 near the Viseisei chiefly burial ground at the request of itaukei Sawaieke, Ratu Tevita Momoedonu. On January 9, this year, Ratu Momoedonu gave the young family a piece of land about 100 metres from where Sisi and Sarah were buried.

SEX OFFENDER: A 1998 file photo Sumit Narayan. A High Court Judge while sentencing a Once the man had been allowed to Fiji born serial sexual offender labeled leave, Narayan ordered the woman into him "Dangerous" and said he wished his car and put a pair of shorts over her he could lock him up indefinitely. head while he drove her to a secluded Auckland man Sumit Narayan was spot 10 minutes away. found guilty at trial last year of using "Needless to say, she was terrified," a stun gun to abduct a prostitute and Justice Brewer said. violate her in a car park. Again, Narayan made her lie naked on The offending took place in 1997 and the ground and then violated her. charges were only laid after advances Before allowing her to leave, he said if in DNA testing linked him to the crime. she told anyone about the incident he Narayan has been in prison for the last would shoot her and he knew where 15 years for similar sexual offending she lived. from 1999 and the High Court at Justice Brewer said a probation report Auckland Justice Timothy Brewer on the offender was damning. added seven years to his sentence. "What's particularly worrying is that The judge said who would have you're assessed to be a high risk of preferred to sentence the "dangerous further violent sexual offending. You man" to preventive detention - an lack insight, lack concern for your indeterminate life sentence - but it was victims and you're impulsive. You not an option because the offender was have an interest in deviant sexual too young at the time of offending. practices and have possible personality Last year, a jury found the 35-year-old disorder," he said. guilty of four counts of sexual violation, "Having seen you give evidence at trial, one of attempted sexual violation, one I fully understand the comments made of indecent assault and two aggravated in the pre-sentence report. I judge you robbery charges. to be a dangerous man. If I could, I'd Narayan - 19 at the time - pulled sentence you to preventive detention, up alongside a prostitute who was but I can't. You were too young at the entertaining a client in her car. time of offending." He shot the man with a stun gun and Narayan will serve a minimum of ordered him to take his pants off and lie four more years in prison before being face down on the ground. eligible for parole. After threatening the young prostitute He was reclassified as a high-security with the weapon, he forced her to do prisoner after Corrections staff found the same as he stole her bag and the porn on a USB stick hidden inside his man's wallet. cell in February last year.

The British Army Welfare Service has been provided with a new home by the Fijian government to better serve ex servicemen in the British Armed Forces. Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration, Joketani Cokanasiga handed over the keys to the Welfare Service. British High Commissioner Roderick Drummond said they have also been offered funding from the Covenant Trust to rent and refurbish the building at Domain. He acknowledged the Fijian government for the offer saying that it was a Fantastic Gesture. Were happy, we have been in discussion about this for sometimes on whether we should buy a land and build but now that they have given

Govt Offers Home For Welfare Service

us this building where well rent and refurbish it. It will be ready in the next few months as a Welfare Centre to benefit the British Army soldiers and their families, Drummond said. He added with redundancy now happening in the British Armed Forces to see the resizing of the British Military; Drummond said Fijian soldiers were still allowed to serve in the Army but for the Commonwealth. We currently have about 1900 Fijians still serving in the British Armed Forces. And recruitment is still open for Fijians to join as commonwealth soldiers; however they need to live in the UK for the last five years and some are going through this process, Drummond said.

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World News

Friday February 21, 2014

Craiglist Killer Miranda Barbour Claims To Have Murdered 22 More

A WOMAN charged along with her newlywed husband in the murder of a man they met through Craigslist admitted to the slaying in a prison interview with a newspaper and said she has killed more than 20 others across the country, claims police said they are investigating. In an interview in Sunbury, law enforcement in several other states. Authorities said Miranda Barbour, a his neck. Pennsylvania, 19-year-old Miranda From information we gathered and petite woman with long brown hair, She said in the interview that she Barbour said she wants to plead guilty from information gathered from her told investigators she met the 184cm, doesnt want to get out of jail and to killing Troy LeFerrara in November. interview we are seriously concerned 127kg victim after he responded to her that she would kill again if she were She also said in the interview that she and have been in contact with the Craigslist ad offering companionship released. has killed at least 22 other people from proper authorities, Mr Mazzeo said. for money. Miranda Barbour offered little detail Alaska to North Carolina in the last six Lawyers for the couple did not Police allege in court papers that on the murders she claimed to have years as part of her involvement in a immediately return messages from the Elytte Barbour told investigators they participated in in Alaska, Texas, North satanic cult. media left at their offices last Saturday committed the crime because they Carolina and California. She claims I feel it is time to get all of this out. I night. An FBI spokesman referred wanted to kill someone together. The she joined a satanic cult in Alaska dont care if people believe me. I just questions to its Philly office, but an couple, who were married in North when she was 13 before moving to want to get it out, Ms Barbour told the email message wasnt immediately Carolina and moved to Pennsylvania North Carolina. Online records for the newspaper. returned. about three weeks before the crime, woman that the newspaper identified Sunbury police Chief Steve Mazzeo Prosecutors are seeking the death told police Miranda Barbour stabbed as Ms Barbours mother show her as told the newspaper that investigators penalty against Ms Barbour and her LaFerrara in the front seat of her car having lived in both Alaska and North have been in contact with the FBI and husband, 22-year-old Elytte Barbour. while her husband held a cord around Carolina.

I just want to get it out ... Miranda Barbour says she wants to plead guilty to killing a man she met on Craigslist, claiming she previously killed another 22 people

Wanted to kill someone together ... Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Miranda Barbour and her husband, 22-year-old Elytte Barbour

A homeless man has won 1.7 million after buying a lottery ticket on his way to a meeting for recovering alcoholics, and says he now plans to use the money to help other addicts. Hungarian Lszl Andraschek's windfall went almost completely unnoticed until earlier this month when he made a significant donation to a hostel for the homeless. Mr Andraschek said he had no job or place to live and was in heavy debt when he decided to spend his last few coins on a lottery ticket at a railway station. He was headed for Budapest at the time, and told reporters: "I had only picked six numbers and the female shop assistant reminded me that I needed to pick a seventh," he said. "I told her to make it 24 - it doesn't matter, anyway." The 55-year-old was proved wrong when he received 630 million Hungarian forints - one of the biggest ever lottery wins in the country. His first act after the win was to pay off his debts to family members, after which he bought flats for his three children to live in and a car to share. As well as donating a significant sum to a homeless charity - in a country

Homeless Man Wins 1.7M In Lottery, Donates It

where politicians face protests after attempting to ban sleeping rough Mr Andraschek says he wants to use the money to set up a foundation for addicts and women who have been abused. He said that after never before holding a passport, he and his wife Aniko would be taking a holiday to Italy but that they would be making sure they spend their money cautiously. "I have become rich but I have not become a different person," he told the reporter. Mr Andraschek has been attending workshops to help with his addiction since he quit alcohol five years ago. After winning the lottery, he said, he "now has no need to return".

A Chinese man has been sent to jail for five years for selling his four month old child. Zhou sold his baby in Guizhou province to raise funds for participating in a talent show, police said. His wife called the police when she discovered her son was missing. The local court recently sentenced him to five years of prison under kidnapping charges. The male child was sold last year for 10,000 yuan ($1650) to baby traffickers

Chinese Man Sells Baby To Become TV Dreams

who then sold it at a much higher price to a childless couple. Baby trafficking is rampant across China which has a one-child policy which disallows people from having a second child. The rule was relaxed recently. Zhou used the money to pay for participation fees and transportation costs for a talent show hoping to become a singing star on television. He was very passionate about singing but did not have much disposable income.

A university student in Spain went into a brief coma after eating a birthday cake baked with marijuana. A further 10 others became seriously said the students were all male and ill, officials said. aged between 18 and 22 and the most Javier Chivite, a spokesman for Madrids affected was studying veterinary emergency services, said two youths were sciences. hospitalised early on Sunday. He said one of Chivite say the others were found to be them was comatose and not responding to suffering from euphoria, red eyes and stimulus when admitted, but later recovered. irregular heartbeat. Jose Dominguez de Posada, dean Dominguez de Posada said the university of Madrids Alfonso X University, campus houses about 12,000 students.

Student At Madrid University Comatose After Eating Birthday Cake Laced With Pot

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World News

Friday February 21, 2014

19

Police Raid Private School In Philippines That Allegedly Hosted Child Porn Operators
GOVERNMENT agents have raided an internet child porn operation based in a Philippine school and arrested its president and eight other people, investigators say. Aguto said they have yet to conduct The suspects used a room at the a forensic investigation on the seized Mountaintop Christian Academy computers, but based on what they have to post online images and video gathered so far, the suspects will be of children and adults for foreign charged with violating laws against child consumption, said Ronald Aguto, pornography and obscene publication of cybercrime investigation head in the adult pornographic images. National Bureau of Investigation. More than 40 computers were seized as Authorities were still investigating, evidence during the raid late Monday but Mr Aguto said it didnt appear at the school in Metropolitan Manilas that children at the school were being Muntinlupa city. abused and that the operators were It was like a computer lab inside the uploading prerecorded images and school, Mr Aguto said in a telephone video stored. interview. Even during daytime, when The school had 2000 elementary and the pupils were there, they were using high school students, Mr Aguto added. Its it for this kind of offence. licence was revoked in 2006 for unknown He said the site operators worked day reasons but it had remained open. and night, chatting online with clients Puring Martinez, the arrested president and owner of the private school, told Accused ... suspects in an alleged internet porn operation cover their faces at and pretending to be women or girls depending on what the client wanted. GMA television network she rented out the Cybercrime division of the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila. They would then upload pictures and the room to the internet site operators prerecorded video of a nude girl or to augment the income of the school He said the internet operation was base operations in the country. because fees paid by students were not owned by an American from Tennessee, Gilbert Sosa, director of the national woman they claimed to be. who rented two rooms for 40,000 pesos polices Anti-Cybercrime Group said Last month, Britains National Crime enough to cover costs. She said she believed that the internet ($1000) in a bungalow separate from last month the Philippines was one of Agency said child abuse investigators links sold could only be opened by the classrooms but within the school the top 10 sources of child pornography in Britain, the US and Australia had foreigners and that the links led to compound. All of the suspects arrested in the world, and that police have been dismantled an organised crime group are Filipino, and the Americans cooperating with other countries to that streamed footage of child sexual naughty materials. crack down on it. abuse. The ring abused impoverished Ms Martinezs son, Tom, said the school whereabouts were not clear. had only 260 preschool, elementary The raid shows the extent of the Two other internet porn operations children as young as 6, the agency said. and high school pupils, and that their task facing Philippine authorities in in Quezon City were raided Monday Authorities made 29 arrests, including permit to operate was valid. It was not cracking down on child pornographers, night. At least 22 people were arrested 11 people in the Philippines who clear why there was a discrepancy with who exploit weak law enforcement and in those two raids and more than two had facilitated the crime. Some were increasing broadband internet access to dozen computers seized. members of the childrens families. the NBI information.

A MAN charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a neurosurgeon as he arrived for work at a Melbourne Hospital needs medical help, a court has heard. Kareem Al-Salami, 48, was charged broken English and was assisted by sends heartfelt wishes of support to Dr have responded. with attempted murder after he an Arabic interpreter during the police Wong and his family and colleagues, He said attacks of this kind on hospital allegedly stabbed highly respected interview, but not while speaking with Mr Wells said. staff were significantly rare. surgeon and award-winning researcher his lawyer. Other colleagues have reacted in Mr Harrison said hed called for a Dr Michael Wong in the foyer at the Mr Martini said he believed Mr disbelief after hearing news of the review of security practices at the Western Hospital in Footscray about Al-Salami understood he would be attack. hospital after the attack. 8.30am. remanded in custody until his next Dr Wong has also undertaken extensive I have asked for an investigation to be The 43-year-old doctor is undergoing court appearance, on May 13. research, including work into a novel commenced, he said. We will look at surgery. He said police had concerns, but Mr therapy for malignant brain tumour. His the processes around what we need to Defence counsel Rainer Martini said Al-Salami was determined to be fit to efforts were awarded the prestigious do around these instances. Mr Al-Salami, of Sunshine, was on a be interviewed Peter Leech Prize for the best scientific He apologised on behalf of the hospital large amount of medication and needed Meanwhile colleagues have pledged research by the Neurosurgical Society for a staff member being injured. to be seen by a forensic nurse. their support for the Dr Wong, a of Australasia in 2007. Were very sorry this has happened to I have concerns about his mental Neurosurgeon and Spinal Surgeon at Western Health acting chief executive the individual, he said. He was turning state... concerns about what he might do the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Russell Harrison commended staff and up for work. He was coming to do a to himself, Mr Martini told magistrate He is also Head of Neurosurgery at the public who quickly dragged the days work. Hed literally parked his car Duncan Reynolds. the Western Hospital, specialising in injured surgeon to safety. and was coming through the entrance. A balding and greying Mr Al-Salami the care of patients with intracranial The staff have done a remarkable job, Were working with staff here to make closed his eyes during the brief filing problems, spinal problems and and the individuals who helped out, sure he makes a full recovery. hearing at Melbourne Magistrates peripheral nerves disorder. he said. Our thoughts and sympathies go out Court. He has a special interest in Minimally We are very proud of the way staff to his family. Mr Al-Salami was charged with Invasive Spinal Surgery. attempted murder, intentionally The 43-year-old also conducts his causing serious injury, intentionally private practice at Epworth Eastern, causing serious injury in circumstances where the hospitals Acting Executive of gross violence, recklessly causing Director Malcolm Wells said Dr Wong serious injury and recklessly causing was a highly-respected member of the serious injury in circumstances of surgical team. Read the Fiji Times Canada online gross violence. The Epworth community was shocked www.fijitimescanada.com His lawyer said the man spoke very and saddened to hear of the attack and

Neurosurgeon Dr Michael Wong Stabbed In Foyer Of Western Hospital In Footscray

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Astrology

Friday February 21, 2014

ARIES:

Events in the last few days of the week show how much your position has improved. Decisions made then allow you to turn your attention to the nittygritty of change or recent developments. These include working with friends or associates and discussing plans for the future. Do not be disheartened if you go through several problems. It is a time of change and each revision adds something important of equal significance is time with loved ones or offspring. They too are changing and need your attention. The week brings you money, but luck forces you to undertake intense discussion; nothing could be more productive. A happy journey comes your way.

being, to certain troublesome issues. Initially, these seem uninteresting; however events around the week make you confront obstacles. Some involve partners; many are self-made. On the 1st, putting what you have learned into action proves more than worthwhile. Domestic matters are easy. Journeys and happy holidays come your way.

unturned. You may think you are sitting on the fence for some achievement, but that is the only way. The only real mistake you could make is to assume that others know what you feel or want. However obvious to you, recent changes have influenced everyones priorities, including yours. Further, discussions could be as important as any outcome. Remarkable opportunities could leave you better off financially in a new home or even madly in love; there are a few limits, though, to what you can do or experience. So do not wonder what might happen or waste time thinking what the best line of action might be. Travel may come your way. LIBRA: The week is all about practical matters, where situations demand concentration, combined with discrimination. Disciplines that once seemed restrictive are actually welcome. In fact, they make it easier to know how to respond to the remarkable opportunities on this week. Confusion on the next week requires caution, but nothing can undermine this remarkable week. Good news comes your way in business.

VIRGO:

CANCER:

TAURUS:

While you may face minor complications, this is an extraordinary week. Opportunities begin on Monday. In between you run into fresh ideas, new people and places. The trick is to show interest, but commit to nothing until very late in the game. Life has not always been kind to you in the past; now is your turn to make up for lost time. Career offers are positive and lucrative. Your familys health is faint and expenses are heavy.

Opportunities and dilemmas that involve money, travel, legal matters and certain obligations, some of which are out of your hands, are of considerable significance. But these may have to take a back seat to issues of a partnership nature. Some bring understanding; others raise uncomfortable but worthwhile issues. Decide on nothing until after this week, act quickly, since the pace picks up remarkably and you feel more than ready to capitalize on what arises. Cloudy trends persuade you to take on emotional targets.

duties to others which you really cannot ignore. Situations early this week force you to review these and while your first instinct may be to lighten your load - do not. It is far better that you work with others, sharing the burden. Personal happiness is accented and the more organised you become, the more time you have to enjoy happy moments with loved ones. Your career may go far.

CAPRICORN:

LEO:

GEMINI:

Wonderful opportunities thread their way through this week. But the planetary emphasis is on obligations to others, or work and duties to yourself, which range from your health and well-

During the week you encounter opportunities, intriguing people and even the option of travel. The one thing you cannot have, however, is the outcome of endeavour. Obviously, you are not happy about this. But it is a time to settle problems from the past that could potentially trip you up, while you explore options. Practical, financial and domestic matters need attention, but are easily resolved. After that the worlds your oyster. After this week, decisions must be made. Until then, leave no stone

The events on this week could lead to a crisis or could be a full-fledged opportunity, but with the speed of chance, which remains unclear until the end of the week. So give everything at least one try. Furthermore, confusion could obscure important facts. You are in the midst of a period of remarkable development. While nothing can undermine that, making the best of it requires a more easygoing approach to life than is your habit. Developments on the career scene keep you on your toes. Socially, a hectic phase.

AQUARIUS:

SCORPIO:

Usually it is you who introduces friends or colleagues to the latest in people, places or ideas. From late this week the roles are reversed and as much as you enjoy the attention, you are uncomfortable. But let others open doors for you; this is a time of change and the broader the spectrum of your experience the more satisfying is the next chapter of your life. On matters related to the family, home or security, there is some reluctance to give up what is familiar. But further exploration will not increase your anxiety, it will only make you more certain when decision time comes. Be prudent in your dealings with money matters. Opportunities taken are inextricably linked to increased responsibilities. Though things are going well, you could nevertheless begin to feel boxed in. Some obligations are made to yourself and relate to your physical or even emotional well-being; others are

It is not so much what you do, but achieving a balance between activities out in the world and responsibilities close to home that is your challenge. New people or intriguing developments make work interesting and life a joy; particularly with those you love. But confusion for most of the week could muddy otherwise clear waters; if you are worried or feel slighted, discuss your concerns. Duties of a family or domestic nature could easily dominate you, but you will regret allowing them to do so. Each star bring its own dramas, but also its own remarkable opportunities. Socially, an upward trend.

PISCES:

SAGITTARIUS:

Funds Available

Only sometime ago the stern and rather humourless Saturn departed from your sign, leaving you with a lighter and less complicated life, and with a kind of new discipline. This week brings opportunities, interesting new ideas and people, but you do not know what to make of them. Take your time, things may not be what they seem; you will later see the finest opportunities fruition. Hasty action achieves nothing. Health causes concern. Children bring good news.

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World News

Friday February 21, 2014

Hijacker Threatened To Crash Plane


Locking the pilot out of the cockpit, an Ethiopian Airlines co-pilot hijacked a plane bound for Italy and diverted it to Geneva, where he asked for asylum, officials said. One passenger said the hijacker threatened to crash the plane if the pilot didn't stop pounding on the locked door. Another said he was terrified "for hours" as the plane careened across the sky. The Boeing 767-300 took off from the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on an overnight flight to Milan and then Rome, but an Ethiopian official said it sent a distress message over Sudan that it had been hijacked. Once the plane was over Europe, two Italian fighter jets and later French jets were scrambled to accompany it. The plane landed in Geneva at about 6am (6pm NZT). Officials said no one on the flight was injured and the hijacker was taken into custody after surrendering to Swiss police. "The pilot went to the toilet and he (the co-pilot) locked himself in the cockpit," Geneva airport chief executive Robert Deillon told reporters. "(He) wanted asylum in Switzerland." Geneva police said the co-pilot, a 31-year-old Ethiopian man, claimed he felt threatened at home. It wasn't immediately clear why he chose Switzerland over Italy. Swiss voters recently demanded curbs on immigration and Italy has a reputation among many Africans as not being hospitable to asylum seekers. Ethiopian Airlines is owned by Ethiopia's government, which has faced persistent criticism over its rights record and its alleged intolerance of political dissent. The alleged hijacker is Hailemedhin Abera, a man who had worked for Ethiopian Airlines for five years and had no criminal record, Ethiopia's communications minister, Redwan Geneva prosecutor Olivier Jornot said the co-pilot will be charged with taking hostages, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison in Switzerland. In Ethiopia, he could face up to 25 years in prison for the hijacking. Jornot said the hijacker's chances of winning asylum were slim. "Technically there is no connection between asylum and the fact he committed a crime to come here," he said. "But I think his chances are not very high." The Swiss federal prosecutors' office took over the case later Monday. Passengers going to Milan were put on buses, while those going to Rome and elsewhere got alternative flights home. The plane remained at Geneva airport and officials said they did not know when it would be removed. The leader of Ethiopia's opposition Blue party, Yilikal Getnet, said he believed the hijacker was trying to make a statement about the political situation in Ethiopia. "I think he took the measure to convey a message that the ... government is not in line with the public," he said. Human Rights Watch says Ethiopia's human rights record "has sharply deteriorated" over the years. The rights group says authorities severely restrict basic rights of freedom of expression, association and assembly. The government has also been accused of targeting journalists, opposition members and minority Muslims. There have been at least eight hijackings by Ethiopians or involving Ethiopian planes in the last 25 years. The deadliest came in 1996, when hijackers stormed the cockpit of a flight from Ethiopia to Ivory Coast via Kenya, demanding that the plane go to Australia. The plane ran out of fuel and crashed off the island nation of Comoros, killing 125 of the 175 people aboard.

Police stand on the stairs after passengers were evacuated from a hijacked Ethiopian Airlines Plane. Hussein, said, adding that Ethiopia will seek his extradition. "His action represents a gross betrayal of trust that needlessly endangered the lives of the very passengers that a pilot is morally and professionally obliged to safeguard," Redwan said. One passenger, Francesco Cuomo, told the Italian news agency that he and other passengers woke up shortly after midnight when the plane started to "bounce". "The pilot was threatening (the hijacker) to open the cockpit door and tried to knock it down without succeeding," said Cuomo, a 25-yearold economist from Italy. "At this point, a message was transmitted by the loudspeakers in poor English, but the threat to crash the airplane was clearly understood," he added. Oxygen masks then came down, he said, making everyone on the plane very tense. "We had no clue about the hijacking but got scared when the plane suddenly started diving, it seemed like it was falling from the sky," Italian passenger Diego Carpelli, 45, told the newspaper. Carpelli was returning to his native Rome from a vacation in Kenya with his family. "Someone in an intimidating tone said we should put on our oxygen masks," Carpelli said, adding that he was terrified for the rest of the flight. Redwan said the plane was carrying 200 people, including seven crew members. They included 139 Italians, 11 Americans, 10 Ethiopians, five Nigerians and four French citizens, he said. Swiss authorities at first thought the Ethiopian plane just wanted to land in Geneva for an emergency refuelling before realising it was being hijacked, Geneva police spokesman Eric Grandjean said. A few minutes after landing in Geneva, the co-pilot left the cockpit using a rope, then went to police forces close to the aircraft and "announced that he was himself the hijacker," Grandjean said. Police escorted the plane's passengers out one by one, their hands over their heads, from the taxied plane to waiting vehicles. Geneva airport was closed down for about two hours.

Nine Dead, Dozens Feared Trapped In South Korea Building Collapse


Nine college students have been killed and dozens more feared trapped after an auditorium collapsed under heavy snow at a resort in the southern South Korean city of Gyeongju. As many as 450 students were believed to have been attending a concert in the building when the roof caved in around 1215 GMT. "So far we have four confirmed dead and 73 injured, 17 of them seriously," a spokesman for the local fire service said. Rescue workers were continuing to search for dozens more students who were feared trapped inside the collapsed structure, he said. The collapse appeared to have been caused by heavy snow which had piled up on the roof of the auditorium. "The ceiling came crashing down at the front near the stage," one student told the news channel. "Then pandemonium broke out and everyone started rushing towards the exits, shouting and screaming," he added. Pictures from the Yonhap news agency showed injured students being carried away on stretchers from the largely metallic structure that appeared to have buckled in on itself. "Heavy equipment has been brought in to clear the debris," the fire official said. The auditorium was part of the Mauna Ocean Resort, which had been hosting a freshman orientation event for close to 1,000 students from a foreign language college in the southern city of Busan. The resort was in an area that has experienced exceptionally heavy snowfall over the past week.

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Friday February 21, 2014

Black-Eyed Peas With Potatoes


Ingredients: 1 can Vishal black-eyed peas 3 tablespoons oil 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 large onion, finely chopped 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced 3 cloves of minced garlic 3 fresh green chilies, finely chopped 1 teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon cumin 2 firm medium tomatoes, finely chopped 1/2 cup fresh coriander, chopped 2 medium potatoes, cut into small cubes 1 eggplant salt to taste Instructions: Rinse and drain black-eyed peas. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds and stir for 1 to 2 minutes or until the mustard seeds turn grey and begin to splutter and pop. Add the onion and continue to stir for 5 to 8 minutes or until the onions are soft and starting to brown. Now add the ginger, garlic and chilies, stir for another minute, then toss in the curry powder and continue to stir another minute. Add potatoes, bean, eggplant and salt. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Now add the tomato and simmer for 5 minutes. Once potatoes are cooked add cilantro. Serve with roti or rice.

Fraser Foods Ltd

Black Eyed Peas Bora Bean Net Wt. 15 Oz 425g Imported In Canada & Distributed by GML Fraser Foods Ltd 604.277.0988
info@gmlfraserfoods.com www.gmlfraserfoods.com

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Canada News

Friday February 21, 2014

27

B.C. Budget 2014: 'Boring, Balanced Budget'


MSP premiums, tobacco tax to rise, while first-time homebuyers will get some help B.C. Finance Minister Mike de Jong tabled a 2014 budget Tuesday with few surprises or goodies for British Columbian taxpayers. De Jong described the budget as "a triple B budget a boring, balanced budget," and said he was proud to "boast that happy state of boring." The three-year fiscal plan includes the planned Early Childhood Tax Benefit and Training and Education Savings Grant for B.C. families, as well as a break for first-time homebuyers. However, it also budgets for an increase in MSP premiums, a rise in tobacco tax and a decrease in the Homeowners' Grant. MSP premiums rise for 6th time Medical Services Plan premiums will increase by four per cent, taking the cost for the average family up to $144 per month. Meanwhile, de Jong said, health-care spending will increase $2.5 billion over three years, and will account for 42 per cent of government expenses by 2016-17. "This is significantly less than would have been the case just a few years ago when health-care budgets were increasing by up to five per cent year on year. "I'm very pleased with the job the health sector has done, in many ways leading Canada in cost control." But Rick Turner of the B.C. Health Coalition said the extra money is not enough. "It will not keep up with demand.... We don't see enough support for seniors, and the time has come to introduce a lot of innovations into the system," Turner said. Meanwhile, tax on tobacco will increase $3.20 a carton starting April 1, 2014, which combined with a recent federal increase of $4 a carton, will mean a carton of cigarettes will cost an extra $7.20. De Jong said it was a bad day for smokers, but pledged to enter into partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society and other agencies to use a significant portion of that revenue to reinforce cancer prevention. Families benefit from tax credits The three-year plan sees the introduction of the much-touted Early Childhood Tax Benefit, promised last year, giving up to $55 a month to families with children under the age of six. The benefit will not be in place until April 2015. The budget also introduces the planned Training and Education Savings Grant, a $1,200 government RESP contribution for any child born on or after Jan. 1, 2007. Jordan Bateman of the B.C. Taxpayers' Federation was disappointed the budget offers nothing real in the way of tax relief for families. "It was pretty bland," said Bateman. "You've got to give them credit for seven per cent. The rates would apply to plants from the moment commercial operation begins. Final rates will be subject to legislation to be introduced in the fall. "We'd like investment decisions to be made, construction to start as soon as possible.... We've set targets for ourselves. We're being driven by that," said de Jong. Last year, Premier Christy Clark suggested revenues from the anticipated liquefied natural gas industry would flow into a prosperity fund to help the province pay off its debt. The budget dedicates $29 million to the development of the industry and $9 million to related environment assessments. "We have a choice as a society and government whether we want to embed that revenue stream in expanded government programming, or whether we want to earmark it for something few societies have an opportunity to do retire the accumulation of debt. And that's what we would like to do, but it is some years off," said de Jong. Government assets sale continues The government's drive to bring in revenue from selling provincially owned property, which is valued at about $72 billion, will continue. De Jong says the sales are on target and projects revenues of $300 million and $200 million in 2014-15. Economic indicators look positive Employment stands at 2.3 million, while exports were up almost seven per cent in 2013, amounting to $3 billion. The budget also sees an increase in total debt to $68.9 billion over three years, but a drop in debt-to-GDP ratio to 17.8 per cent by 2016-17. That is a third of Quebec's debt-toGDP ratio and the first time the ratio has dropped since 2008-09. Meanwhile, the government forecasts growth of two per cent in 2014, 2.3 per cent in 2015 and 2.5 per cent in 2016. Revenue is anticipated to rise from $44.8 billion in 2014-15 to $47.5 billion in 2016-17, but expenses are also expected to rise from $43.7 billion to $46.7 billion in 2016-17.

balancing the budget, but there was nothing else." Bateman was particularly upset about the rise in MSP premiums, which he described as "a slap in the face." $2.9B contingency fund The budget offers modest surpluses of $184 million, $206 million and $451 million over the next three tax years. These, combined with large contingency funds and prudent growth estimates, mean a potential cushion of almost $2.9 billion by 2016-17. De Jong said the surpluses could help cover unexpected costs, including public sector contracts in the process of being negotiated and liquefied natural gas development. It could be particularly important given the unprecedented ruling by the B.C. Supreme Court last month that the provincial government had violated teachers' constitutional rights and tried to provoke a full-scale strike. The court awarded the British Columbia Teachers' Federation $2 million in damages and ruled that class sizes and composition be returned to capped 1998 levels. The government estimates such changes could cost more than $1 billion and is appealing the decision. However, the ruling wasn't factored into the budget. "From time to time costs descend upon government, unforeseen costs in some cases.... But we can't quantify the fiscal consequences of a decision now being made by the appellant court," said de Jong. Glen Hansman of the BCTF said the minister's contingency numbers were pulled out of thin air. "What we need to do is sit down and figure out how we do this thing in an orderly way," said Hansman. "It will take more money and they have it in the contingency fund, so let's do it now." Mixed bag for real estate First-time homebuyers got some relief in the budget, with an increase to the threshold for property transfer tax relief for first-time buyers to $475,000. The new threshold means first-time

homebuyers will also get partial transfer tax relief up to $500,000. De Jong acknowledged the thresholds were set at a time when property values were very different. It is estimated 1,700 individuals will benefit, with possible savings of up to $7,500 per purchase. Meanwhile, the threshold for the phase out of the Home Owner Grant is lowered to $1.1 million. For properties valued above the threshold, the grant is reduced by $5 for every $1,000 of assessed value in excess of the threshold. It is expected at least 93.8 per cent of homeowners will still be eligible for the grant, down from at least 95 per cent when the threshold was originally set. LNG taxation regime outlined For the first time, De Jong also laid out plans for the taxation of the province's planned liquefied natural gas industry, specifically anticipated liquefaction plants. The two-tier tax plan would see plant operators taxed 1.5 per cent of its net proceeds for the first three years, by which time it would be expected to have paid off its capital investment. In years four and five, operators would pay up to seven per cent of net proceeds, with tax credits amounting to the total paid in the first three years. From year six onward, the operator would then pay a full rate of up to

An Edmonton man has been charged with marriage fraud. The Canada Border Services Agency alleges Gilbert Leland Platts wed a woman so she could apply for permanent residency in Canada. The agency alleges Platts was to receive $5,000 for agreeing to the marriage. Officials say it's the first time charges

Edmonton Man Charged With Marriage Scam

have been laid in such a case in Alberta. Platts is charged with misrepresentation and counselling misrepresentation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. He faces a maximum fine of $100,000 or up to five years in prison He is to appear in an Edmonton court on March 20.

28 www.fijitimescanada.com

Canada News

Friday February 21, 2014

Murder Charges Pending Against Low Canadian Dollar Dulls CrossParents After Diabetic Teen Dies: Cops Border Shopping In B.C.
B.C. retailers are asking Ottawa to drop tariffs and level the playing field Fewer British Columbians are crossing the border to shop since the Canadian dollar began its decline. The polling company Insights West says only 61 per cent of people in Metro Vancouver are shopping in the United States now, compared to 74 per cent a year ago when the currencies were at par. Despite the drop, about $2 billion Canadian dollars are still being spent outside the country. Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman says retailers here cannot compete. "We have an 18 to 21 per cent increase in our costs of doing business in Canada because of these tariff rates," said Huberman. She is calling on Ottawa drop the tariffs and level the playing field. The Canadian dollar was at 0.91 cents U.S. at 5:30 a.m. PT Tuesday.

Surrey Widower Sues Former Fiance To Get $228K Engagement Ring Back
A 65-year-old Surrey widower has filed a lawsuit to try to get a $228,000 engagement ring back from his former fiance. The B.C. Supreme Court suit says Jerry Renkers began dating 31-yearold UBC student Jessica Miller about a year before proposing to her in January. The two met through the online dating website establishedmen.com four months after Renkers' wife of 25 years passed away. Renkers claims his wife-to-be picked out a 3.42-carat yellow diamond ring at Tiffany and Co. which cost $203,500, plus $24,420 in taxes. Ten days later, the relationship ended. He filed the lawsuit on Valentine's Day. Renkers alleges his relationship to Miller was costly, as he spent thousands of dollars to furnish her Vancouver apartment, pay her rent, back taxes, credit card bills and repay student loans. He says he also bought her a new car, paid for dental repairs and covered an overdraft line of credit. Renkers claims Miller bought a laptop and bike for her brother and he confronted her on her spending in early February. That's when the two broke up. He says he fears she will sell the diamond ring and argues he should get it back because the marriage never went ahead and their engagement has been terminated. None of the lawsuit's allegations have been proven in court and Miller has yet to file a statement of defence. Parents of a teen who died after he allegedly didnt receive treatment for his previously diagnosed Type 1 diabetes are facing firstdegree murder charges, police say. On May 7, 2013, police were called to a Citadel home after reports of a dead youth. An autopsy on the 15-year-old, Alexandru Radita, was done the next day, but more tests were required. Police said the additional testing found the cause of death was bacterial sepsis (Staphyloccus Aureus), which resulted from neglect and starvation combined with the teens diabetes. Police confirmed the deceased had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes several years earlier, prior to moving from B.C. to Alberta, and believe his parents failed to provide him with the necessary treatment. The teens health deteriorated, he was confined to his room and later died, say police. The extreme circumstances and length of time the alleged neglect went on for are what led to the conclusion first-degree murder charges were warranted. Those charges were pending against the boys parents, Emil and Rodica Radita, Tuesday afternoon. This boy has suffered from long-term neglect to the point that he was unable to seek medical attention on his own and it is (the parents) responsibility to provide that for him, said Homicide Staff Sgt. Grant Miller. He said boy was home-schooled and didnt have a family doctor in Alberta. Thats why I think this could go on for as long as it did, he said. It most definitely could have been stopped before and when you care for a child or a loved one and theyre sick, you need to take them to the doctor. Investigators are unsure of the motive for allegedly not providing treatment, police said, but they dont think it has to do with religious beliefs. Its believed there are seven other children in the family, though some are now adults, he said, adding the other kids are in a safe place.

Chinese Millionaires Turning Backs On Canada: Report


Wealthy Chinese are moving to the U.S. and Europe because Canada has been scaling back entry, the South China Morning Post reported Sunday. The story about the shifting preferences of Chinese millionaires came in the wake of Canada scrapping its investor visa scheme which has allowed waves of rich Chinese to move here since 1986. The announcement was made in last weeks budget. "For decades, [the investor scheme] has significantly undervalued Canadian permanent residence, providing a pathway to Canadian citizenship in exchange for a guaranteed loan that is significantly less than our peer countries require," Jim Flaherty said. The paper says nearly 46,000 mainland applications for visas will not be processed and applicants will have their fees refunded. "I think I made a good choice," Hu Xiaofeng, a banker who obtained permanent residency in the U.S. last year through an investment program, told the South China Morning Post. "I wanted to move to Canada, but my agent told me the process was more complicated and the chances of obtaining Canadian residency status were slim." The U.S. has been promoting its investor scheme in China and allows foreigners to invest a minimum of US $500,000 in exchange for a green card, the paper says. European countries have also become more popular destinations by providing incentives to attract investment from rich Chinese. Ma Xiaoxue , an immigration consultant at Well Trend in Beijing, said the company had been consistently advising clients over the past two years to consider countries other than Canada.

Seattle Group In Vancouver Exploring Possibility Of NHL Team


Group will meet with Canucks officials, take in a game and chat with Tourism Vancouver over possibility of rival team How would you like a hockey team in contingent of Vancouverites that go to Seattle to rival the Canucks? Several Seattle for Seahawks game, and I would dozen sports, business and political venture to say it would be the same thing. leaders are coming to Vancouver next There would be a natural rivalry there week to talk about the NHL. based on jurisdiction and access. Walt Judas with Tourism Vancouver The group from the Emerald City will says bringing hockey to Seattle would be watching the Canucks take on the be great. He says it would bring more St. Louis Blues after meeting with money and people to both cities. I Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment. think theyre very interested in an NHL Judas says they wont just be talking team. We see a lot of people from Seattle about hockeytheyre also looking at coming to Canucks games. Similarly, our the possibility teaming up to host other respective soccer teams see fans from major sporting events on the West each of the cities And theres a strong Coast.

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Canada News

Friday February 21, 2014

29

A Vancouver woman accused of killing her newborn sons was so afraid of her parents finding out about her pregnancies that she gave birth alone in the family bathroom and then secretly disposed of the infants, says the Crown. Sarah Leung, 28, was charged with second-degree murder after the body of a baby boy was found in a plastic bag outside the home in April 2009. Police alleged Leung gave birth to a second baby boy in March 2010 and killed that baby as well, though the infant's body was never found. On Monday, Crown lawyer Sandra Cunningham told a jury on the first day of Leung's trial that after she was charged with another count of seconddegree murder in June 2010, Leung confessed to police that she was afraid to tell her parents about her pregnancy. "She told (a detective) her parents didn't really approve of getting pregnant before marriage, and she was scared to tell them because she knew they would be unhappy," Cunningham said in her opening statement. "She knew she had done something wrong against them, that they wouldn't have liked, so she hid everything from them." During Monday's hearing, the lawyer laid out a sequence of events that police believe led to the deaths of the two baby boys. Leung, wearing jeans and a black jacket over a grey hooded sweater, listened quietly. Jurors heard that Leung was dating a man and became pregnant with his child.

Vancouver Woman Gave Birth In Secret, Killed Two Newborn Sons: Crown

A B.C. Coroner carries the body of a newborn baby after it was found dead in a plastic bag between two homes in Vancouver, BC on April 2, 2009 Cunningham said the baby's father, who she eventually married, knew about the pregnancy and was happy, but she kept their relationship and her pregnancy from her family. In April 2009, Leung delivered the baby into a toilet at the home where she continues to live with her parents and brother, Cunningham told the jury. Afterwards, Leung put the baby in a plastic bag, cleaned up any signs of her delivery and told her boyfriend that she had a miscarriage, Cunningham said. "She put her baby boy, still, inside the plastic bag, outside between her house and the next door neighbour's, and carried on as if nothing had happened," she said. "No one suspected a thing." Leung's father later discovered the baby outside the home and had his son call police. When Leung's parents told her about the police investigation, they did not think her reaction seemed unusual, Cunningham said. "She reassured them she knew nothing about the baby or how it came to be in a plastic bag outside," the lawyer said. In August 2009, police determined from DNA tests that the dead baby belonged to Leung and her boyfriend. By this time, it was likely that Leung was already pregnant with her second child, Cunningham said. Jurors heard Leung and her boyfriend were married in November 2009 and were planning to move in together after the baby was born. However, Leung kept the marriage and her pregnancy

from her family. In March 2010, Leung gave birth to her second baby boy -- again into a toilet at her parents' home. Cunningham alleged Leung put the baby inside a plastic bag and held him against her chest to keep him quiet. The baby stopped moving, she said. Leung then put the plastic bag inside a garbage can outside her house and covered it with a piece of cardboard, Cunningham alleged. She said the garbage was picked up, and the baby's body was never found because police decided a search at the landfill would be unsuccessful. On Monday afternoon, Leung's mother, whose name is covered by a publication ban, testified that Leung is a quiet, selfconscious young woman who rarely talked about her personal relationships. She said she didn't notice anything physically or emotionally different about her daughter leading up to the day her husband found the first baby outside their home. Leung's mother said she and her husband taught their children to respect themselves and their elders, study and work hard, and value family. She disapproves of sex before marriage, and cannot accept her children having casual sexual relationships, she said. "If you have the bond of marriage there, then on both sides there would be a goal when you do something and you'll cherish each other more," she said through a Cantonese interpreter. None of the allegations have been proven. Leung has pleaded not guilty.

Canada, Mexico Sign Deals To Boost Trade, Growth, Air Travel


Canada and Mexico signed a number of agreements Tuesday to boost trade and economic growth between the two countries, including a deal to expand air travel despite an ongoing dispute over Canadas visa policy for Mexican travellers. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto watched as ministers and other stakeholders took turns signing the agreements during a ceremony in Mexico City Tuesday afternoon. In addition to an updated bilateral air transport agreement, which adds more direct flights between Canadian and Mexican cities for both passengers and cargo and allows for flexibility on pricing, other agreements include: a memorandum of understanding to enhance co-operation between Export Development Canada and Mexicos Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior. a master co-operation agreement to ensure financial support and other assistance for Canadian and Mexican companies in order to boost trade and investment. a declaration of intent on defence cooperation, which calls for the two countries to work together on North American security issues, as well as military training, defence research and material. a renewed joint Canada-Mexico action plan to promote the two countries shared values. an energy deal that will see Canada assist with regulatory development, technology and environmental monitoring. Canada and Mexico have enjoyed 70 years of dynamic diplomatic relations, Harper said in an address after the signing ceremony and remarks from Pena Nieto. But it has really been in the last 20 years that we have seen unparalleled growth in bilateral trade, tourism and investment since the conclusion of the historic North American Free Trade Agreement. Bombardier says it has benefitted from NAFTA by being able to build subway cars for international customers for cheaper labour costs, which keeps higher-paying jobs in Canada. Having the jobs in Mexico is assuring that the jobs in the States and in Canada can be preserved, said Alfredo Nolasco Meza, a Bombardier representative in Mexico. We dont have to see this as a competition between workers. Meanwhile, Harper told a group of Canadian business leaders earlier Tuesday that Canada and Mexico have a very unbalanced trade relationship and hed like to see that change. Harper said that while the 20-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement has promoted more commerce between Canada and Mexico, its been unbalanced. "Trade flows have gone up enormously, but mostly on the Mexican side, he said. Investment flows have gone up enormously, but almost entirely on the Canadian side. So we probably want to take a look at what we can do to grow some of those things more in a more balanced way." According to the Prime Minister's Office, Canada imported $25.5 billion from Mexico in 2012, while Canada exported only $5.4 billion to Mexico. Harper and Pena Nieto will be joined by U.S. President Barack Obama in Toluca on Wednesday for the annual North American Leaders' Summit. The meeting has long been dubbed the "Three Amigos summit, but in recent years, its been a little less than cozy, said Carlo Dade, director of the Centre for Trade and Investment Policy at the Canada West Foundation. Dade specializes in Canada-Latin American relations. In the decade or so Ive been following North America, I dont think Ive ever been more depressed about the state of relations, he told CTVs Power Play earlier this week. The Mexicans are mad at us in Canada; were mad at the Americans; and the Americans seem to have had in up to here with both of us. Its hard to see anything positive coming out of the summit. Mexico continues to resent the Canadian governments refusal to lift a visa requirement for visitors from Mexico. Canada is not pleased that the U.S. still has not issued a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. Washington has also dragged its heels on replacing the aging Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit. The U.S.,

Continued On Page 30

30 www.fijitimescanada.com

Finance

Friday February 21, 2014

Top Things Families Should Know About Taxes


Did you know? There are lots of benefits, credits, and deductions to help families with their expenses throughout the year and reduce the amount they owe at tax time. Important facts The following tips may help you or your family: Working income tax benefit (WITB) Working individuals and families with low income may be able to claim this refundable tax credit. The WITB includes a supplement for individuals who qualify for the disability amount. Eligible individuals and families can also apply for advance payments. Depending on your province or territory of residence, you may be eligible for a credit of up to $1,797. Childrens fitness tax credit Did your children play soccer, take golf lessons, or participate in some other program of physical activity in 2013? If so, you may be able to claim up to $500, per child, of the cost of these programs. You can claim an additional $500 for each eligible child who qualifies for the disability amount and for whom you have paid at least $100 in registration or membership fees for an eligible program. Childrens arts tax credit Did your children participate in a program of artistic, cultural, recreational, or developmental activity such as tutoring in 2013? If so, you may be able to claim up to $500 of the fees paid, per child, on these programs. You can claim an additional $500 for each eligible child who qualifies for the disability amount and for whom you have paid at least $100 in registration or membership fees for an eligible program. Child care expenses Did your children attend daycare or a child care program such as a summer day camp in 2013? You or your spouse or commonlaw partner may be able to claim what you spent on eligible child care in 2013. Family caregiver amount If you have a dependant with an impairment in physical or mental functions, you may be able to claim up to an additional $2,040 in calculating certain nonrefundable tax credits. Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST or HST that they pay. You can apply for this credit when filing your income tax and benefit return. Public transit amount Did you or your eligible dependant use public transit in 2013? You may be able to claim the cost of certain public transit passes or electronic payment cards for this 15% non-refundable tax credit. Home buyers amount Did you buy a home in 2013? You may be able to claim a non-refundable tax credit of up to $750 for the purchase of a qualifying home. Child disability benefit You may be eligible for this tax-free benefit if you cared for a child under the age of 18 who is eligible for the disability tax amount. Canada child tax benefit You may be entitled to a tax-free monthly payment that helps eligible families with the cost of raising children under the age of 18. To find out if you qualify for this benefit and others, use our online benefit calculator. To receive this benefit, its important for you (and your spouse, if applicable) to file an income tax and benefit return every year, even if you did not earn an income during the year. Universal child care benefit If you have children under the age of six, you may be eligible for this taxable benefit, which supports child care choices for families. You are registered for the universal child care benefit, if you have applied for the Canada child tax benefit. You can apply online through My Account using the Apply for child benefits service, or send the CRA a completed Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application. Medical expenses You may be able to claim a non-refundable tax credit based on the medical expenses paid for you, your spouse or common-law partner, and your children for any 12-month period ending in 2013. Disability amount If you or a family member has a severe and prolonged physical or mental impairment, you may be able to claim this non-refundable tax credit. To determine if you may be eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC), you must complete part A of the Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, and then have part B of the form completed and certified by a qualified practitioner (medical doctor, optometrist, audiologist, etc.) When done, send the certified original form to the Disability Tax Credit Unit at your tax centre. Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) If you saved for your retirement in 2013 by contributing to an RRSP, you may be able to deduct the amount of your contributions to reduce your income. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) online services make filing easier and let you get your refund faster The CRAs online services are fast, easy, and secure. You can use them to file your income tax and benefit return, make a payment, track your refund, and more. Sign up for direct deposit too! Your refund and any benefit or credit payments owed to you will be deposited directly into your account, putting your money in your pocket faster. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/getready.

Canada, Mexico Sign Deals To Boost Trade, Growth, Continued From Page 29 Air Travel
meanwhile, would simply like to focus on expanding U.S. trade. Dade said the visa issue has caused a big rift in relations between Canada and Mexico. Its hard to understate the degree of anger in Mexico about this... The man on the street in Mexico doesnt pay much attention to this, but in the circles that matter business circles, diplomatic circles its been a huge setback to the relationship, he said. The visa requirements were put in place in 2009 in a bid to cut the number of false refugee claimants. But former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson said its clear that the need for the visas ended long ago. On Tuesday, Harper would not commit to a timetable for lifting the visa requirement. We have clear criteria in Canada, why we do or do not have visas, Harper said. Its based on security criteria of national and public security, and illegal migration. Pena Nieto said the two men discussed the issue, and he is encouraged by Harpers willingness to continue the dialogue. University of Alberta politics professor Julian Castro-Rea said the number of Mexican visits to Canada has fallen by as much as 80 per cent, by some estimates, because the visa application has been cumbersome, time-consuming and intrusive. It has sent a signal to the average Mexican that Canadians dont like them, and that is not a good sign for the health of the bilateral relationship, he told CTV News Channel Tuesday. Before Harper left for Mexico, his office issued a statement hailing "70 years of excellent diplomatic relations and excellent bilateral relations. But Mexicos ambassador to Canada, Francisco Suarez had a different point of view. Earlier this month, he characterized Mexicos relationship with Canada as stagnant, expressing dissatisfaction that the two countries have not been able to move their economic relationship beyond the North American Free Trade Agreement, and telling students at Carleton University that relations have moved to a mature, dignified old age with flaws, limitations and increasing wrinkles on their face.

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Friday February 21, 2014

31

How To Teach Your Child About Saving Money From An Allowance Teaching your child that there is a much as washing and drying the
direct connection between work and earning money is essential knowledge in helping your child develop into a functional adult who contributes to society and is self-sufficient. Giving your child the opportunity to earn an allowance, or commission, for completing chores is the best way to accomplish these goals. Instructions Things You'll Need: Calendar Time Set amount each week for allowance Step 1 Sit down with your child and decide what chores he or she is old enough to have responsibility over. For example, a four year old can easily make up her bed each day. A six year old is at an age when he can feed the pets each day. An eight year old can certainly wash dishes twice a week and help with laundry. Step 2 Make a calendar for the chores. For example, on Mondays, your child may have the chores of picking up the family room, making his bed, and feeding the pets. On Tuesdays, your child may have the chores of washing dishes, picking up the family room, and again feeding the pets. Step 3 Decide how you will monitor and keep track of which chores were completed. Using a calendar template is an easy solution. Stickers, such as stars, are good ways to mark the calendar. You can also use a dry erase calendar that can be erased and recreated each week. Step 4 Create a system for payment. Decide if all chores are worth same amount or if different chores earn different amounts. For example, does picking up the family room earn as

Coloring

dishes? Add up all chores and amounts so that you and your child see how much your child could earn each week if all chores are completed. Your budget will determine some of the factors for payment. Another factor will be the age of your child. A six year old will complete different chores than a 10 year old and will also earn different amounts. Step 5 Consider what will happen if the chores are not completed. Does your child lose money he has earned if chores are not completed, similar to a fine? Will your child lose privileges for not completing chores? Step 6 Draw strong connections between the work your child completes and the money she earns for each chore. Frequently discuss how earning money for chores is the same as people working to earn paychecks. Step 7 Decide how often your child will get paid. Once a week is a motivating time frame. If your child has chores Monday-Sunday, then she can get paid on the following Monday. Be consistent! Step 8 Do not pay your child for chores he has not completed. Only pay your child what he has earned. While it may require more work on your part to keep up with what has been completed and what has not been, doing so will teach your child accountability. Step 9 Pay your child on her pay day, no matter what. Think of how you would react if you did not receive your paycheck on time. This will also teach your child trust and set another example of responsibility for her. Step 10 Celebrate your child's pay day, especially during the first few weeks. This will help your child realize that this is a major accomplishment and also encourage her to stay motivated.

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Your Health

Friday February 21, 2014

Keep An Eye On Your Child's Vision


Weak eyesight has nothing to do with age anymore. An increasing number of children are complaining of it Have you noticed a substantial rise in the number of children wearing glasses? Well, there's a reason for it. Experts say kids these days have more eye-related problems since the load placed on the eye has significantly increased. Not only has the quantum of school work increased, new technology has also led to massive eye strain. Says Ophthalmic surgeon Dr Keiki Mehta, "Ideally, for a growing child, nearpoint application, which includes reading on computers and tablets, should be restricted to two to four hours per day. However, the increasing emphasis on competition, at an even earlier age, has led to excess pressure on their developing system." Consultant cataract and refractive surgeon Dr Nikhil Nasta says many problems leading to visual loss are related to lifestyle. "Vision depends on a clear lens and rich microcirculation to the retina and the visual nerve cells of the retina called rods and cones. These are adversely affected when exposed to toxins and oxygen-free radicals. Poor dietary habits can also be harmful," he says. Common eye problems in children Near and far sightedness: Dr Nasta says refractive errors (spectacle number) account for 80% of visual impairment in kids. "This includes Myopia or nearsightedness, where distance vision is blurred, but a child can usually see well enough to read or do other such tasks. This occurs most often in school-going children. The prescription for glasses will indicate a minus sign before the power (for example, -2.00). Another problem is Hyperopia (far-sightedness), because of which crossing of the eyes, blurred vision or discomfort may develop. Most children are far-sighted early in life and it becomes a concern only in extreme cases where the focusing muscles are not able to keep the vision clear. A prescription for hyperopia will be preceded by a plus sign (+3.00)," he says. Astigmatism: This is commonly caused by a difference in the surface curve of the eye. Instead of being shaped like a perfect sphere (like a basketball), the eye is shaped with a greater curve in one axis (like a rugby ball). This causes fine details to look blurred or distorted. Prescribed glasses have greater strength in one direction of the lens than in the opposite direction. Anisometropia: This problem causes children to have a different prescription in each eye. This can create a condition called lazy eye, where the vision in one eye does not develop normally. Glasses (and sometimes patching) are needed to ensure that both eyes can see clearly. Lazy eye or Amblyopia: Seen only in one per cent children, it is a failure of the eye to connect to the brain due to lack of use of one eye during infancy and childhood. Therefore, the vision in the amblyopic eye remains poorer than in the normal one. To solve this, the weaker eye is forced to be used by patching the other one. Treatment also includes using glasses if necessary. Amblyopia must be corrected by nine years of age, by when it becomes permanent. To detect and treat amblyopia, it is necessary to examine preschool age children. Squint or Strabismus "Also called crossed-eyes, this means that the eyes are not aligned but are pointing in different directions. They may either point inwards towards the nose (esotropia), outwards to the ear (exotropia) or up or down (vertical strabismus). The problem can be constant or intermittent. However, intermittent strabismus occur in the first few months of infancy, especially when the baby is tired, since they are still learning to focus their eyes and to move them in a coordinated fashion. Most babies outgrow this by the age of three months. For others, various treatment options are available, including exercises for the eyes called orthoptics. Other common eye problems in kids include cataract, glaucoma and retinal problems," adds Dr Nasta. Simple things make a difference -All children need the same nutrients, no matter what their age. A healthy diet with an emphasis on fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts is a must. For non-vegetarians, add eggs and a small amount of fish. Avoid addictive sweets as well as junk food. Natural, unprocessed foods help preserve circulation to the retina, rods, cones and lens. -Regular exercise helps maintain low blood pressure and preserves blood vessels, which the retina is rich in. It also helps support the health of endothelium, the cells that line the arteries. These cells relax blood vessel muscles and maintain blood flow. -Lens and retina are damaged when exposed to ultraviolet light. However, moderate sun exposure is healthy. Widebrimmed hats and UV filtering sunglasses (in older children) protect the eyes. -In India, over 25% of childhood blindness is due to Vitamin A deficiency. Many dietary supplements improve vision and protect the macula (the area of the retina with the sharpest vision) and the lens. These are vitamins E and C, and the trace minerals Selenium and Zinc. Others are amino acid Taurine, carotenoids such as betacarotene, lycopene (found in tomatoes), lutein (from spinach) and anthocyanosides (found in grapes). What to do -Increase rest periods and emphasise on ocular hygiene. Reading in good light and keeping the book at a minimum distance of 12 to 14 inches are basic requirements. -Playing sports is one of the best ways to increase blood circulation to the eye and end point mobility. -A child should study in an area where he/she does not face the wall. It is preferable if they sit near an open window or in one corner of a big room this way, when they look up, they can look into the distance and relax. -While taking breaks in between studies, the eyes need to be relaxed. Reading a comic book or playing on a computer or cell phone defeats this purpose. -Yearly eye check-ups are recommended for children. Eye examination in children A pediatrician should examine a newborn's eyes. An ophthalmologist should examine all premature infants. Vision screening should be done between three and three-and-a-half years of age. Detailed eye examination is a must if there are symptoms of visual impairment.

Getting enough sleep is the most important thing but did you know that how you sleep can also impact your health? Lets take a look at eight common sleeping positions and what they do to your body. 1. On Your Back, Arms at Sides Sleeping on your back with your arms at your side is generally considered to be the best sleeping position for spine health and its good for your neck, too, as long as you dont use too many pillows. That said, back sleepers tend to snore more than those in any other position and sleep apnea is strongly associated with sleeping on the back. 2. On Your Back, Arms Up This so-called starfish position is also good for the back. Whether you have your arms up around your pillow or not, sleeping on your back may also help to prevent facial wrinkles and skin breakouts. However, like the arms-

Sleeping Positions And Their Effects On Health


down back sleeping position, this one can also result in snoring and problems with acid reflux. Plus, having your arms up can put pressure on nerves in your shoulders, leading to pain. 3. Face Down Sleeping on your stomach can improve digestion but unless youve developed a way to breathe through your pillow, it most likely leads to you tilting your face in one direction or the other. This can put a lot of strain on the neck. Sleeping face down can also cause back pain, as the curve of the spine is not supported. 4. Fetal Position Sleeping all curled up into a ball with your knees drawn up and your chin tilted down might be comfortable but it can do a number on your back and neck. The extreme curl of the fetal position can also restrict deep breathing. That considered, sleeping like a fetus can have you sleeping like a baby if you typically have problems with snoring or if youre pregnant. 5. On Side, Arms at Sides When youre sleeping on your side with both arms down, the spine is best supported in its natural curve. This can definitely help reduce back and neck pain while also reducing sleep apnea. The downside? Sleeping on the side can contribute to skin aging due to gravity, meaning facial wrinkles and sagging breasts. 6. On Side, Arms Out This position has many of the same benefits of sleeping on your side with your arms straight down. However, any side sleeping can cause shoulder and arm pain due to restricted blood flow and pressure on the nerves, which may be exacerbated by having your arms out in front of you. 7. On the Right Side

If youre a side-sleeper, which side you sleep on also makes a difference. Sleeping on the right side can worsen heartburn while sleeping on the left side can put strain on internal organs like the liver, lungs, and stomach (while minimizing acid reflux). For pregnant sleepers, doctors typically advise sleeping on the left side, since this can improve circulation to the fetus. 8. Pillow-Supplemented Regardless of which sleeping position you prefer, its highly likely that you can get a better nights rest with less pain in the morning by supplementing your body with a pillow. Back sleepers can put a small pillow under the arch of their spine, side sleepers can place a pillow between their knees, and stomach sleepers can place a pillow under their hips to support the joints and allow for full, pain-free relaxation.

This information is provided for knowledge and educational purposes only. Individuals should visit their physicians for more information on their health.

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Your Health

Friday February 21, 2014

33

Need to lower your blood pressure? Stock up on foods that take the pressure off, while skipping meals that could blow your gasket. Here's how What you eat affects your blood pressure The last thing you're probably thinking about as you dig into a delicious meal is how it will impact your blood vessels but it's an important consideration. More than 90 percent of us will develop high blood pressure (hypertension) during an average lifespanone-quarter of us already have ityet smart food choices can help prevent and treat the condition. Ask your doctor whether you're at risk; left untreated, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Eat more: Whole-some carbs You know that oatmeal, bran and brown rice do your body good for many reasons. Now it turns out that the fibre in these whole grains helps protect against hypertension too. A study of more than 28,000 women found that eating two to three servings of whole grains daily, over a 10-year period, dropped participants high blood pressure risk by up to 11 percent. Look twice Search for the words whole grain on the ingredient lists for breads and pastas. Whole wheat does not provide the same fibre-rich benefit. Eat more: Dark chocolate (daily!) Disease-fighting antioxidant compounds in cocoa also help regulate blood flow, researchers believe. Previous studies have indicated that high doses of cocoa can reduce blood pressure and boost mood in the short term. Yet a mere 6.3 grams of dark chocolate (just 30 calories) daily over fast-food salads. Be careful when ordering Even at healthier fast-food outlets, we tend to underestimate calories and order more calorie-stuffed sides (chips, cookies, pop). Since extra pounds pack a hypertension risk, skip the sides. Eat fewer: Comfort foods Winter has just arrived but chances are youre still dealing with some last winters love handles. Blood pressure is more difficult to control in winter than in summer. (Study subjects tended to gain weight during the colder months, possibly due to richer foods and lack of exercise.) Fight back by restarting your workout routine and watching meal choices. Retrain your taste buds Participants in the groundbreaking Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Sodium trialfeaturing a diet high in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairysaw their blood pressure decrease significantly. Drink fewer: Soft drinks One soft drink a dayeven the sugarfree kindjacked up blood pressure risk by 18 percent, according to a study. The high caramel content in some soft drinks may promote blood vessel inflammation, which in turn increases blood pressure. Drink fewer: Energy drinks High caffeine levels in energy drinks are known to elevate heart rate. People with hypertension or heart disease should not over react after witnessing blood pressure spikes in a small group of healthy volunteers.

Eat Your Way To Lower Blood Pressure

a 4 1/2-month period was enough to reduce hypertension by 21 percent. Watch your portions Have just a small square of dark chocolate: Its still high in calories and fat. Look for chocolate with 70 percent cocoa or higher; 99 percent offers maximum antioxidants. Eat more: Catch of the day Omega-3 supplements such as fish oil help reduce the risk of hypertension. And a new study found that those who ate more than 300 grams of omega-3-rich fish every week for a decade were 13 percent less likely to have hypertension. Order anchovies on your pizza Small and lean fish, such as sardines and anchovies, serve up omega-3s. If you opt for canned fish, such as salmon or tuna, look for low-sodium options or rinse off added salt. Eat fewer: Foods with 700 mg of sodium or more per serving Diets high in salt lead to increased blood volume, which ratchets up

the pressure on blood vessel walls. Seventy-seven percent of Canadians salt intake comes from processed foods, according to a study, compared to just 12 percent from cooking or at the table. The study authors say reducing sodium intake by 1,840 mg daily would result in one million fewer people with hypertension. Slash sodium Skip foods that list salt, sodium phosphate or monosodium glutamate high in the ingredients to cut your salt intake from the Canadian average of 3,500 mg per day to 1,500 mg, as recommended by Health Canada. Eat fewer: Fast foods (even those healthy-menu options) Choosing a salad instead of fries wont counter the rocketing blood pressure effect of a double burger. A greasy burger causes oxidative stress in cells. Even if you skip the burger, you may end up getting high amounts of calories and fat from dressings and toppings in

It is a well known fact that a majority of Indians prefer home remedies to OTC drugs. The use of ginger is beneficial when it comes to curing common cold and cough. Read on to discover how you can use ginger for better health.

How To Use Ginger For Better Health


symptoms of cough and cold. It helps stop watery discharge from nose and help cure headache and fever associated with common cold if taken in tea or as decoction with basil and honey. We have mentioned the health benefits of ginger, now check out different ways to use it. One can eat thin slices of ginger in a salt and limejuice mixture before and after meals to improve appetite and digestion. This can be the perfect remedy for fussy children. And adults too: Ginger could be a replacement for wine as an appetizer. It can be used in cooking as a fresh spice to enhance the taste. Cooking enthusiasts will agree with this point; ginger is used extensively in Indian curries. Therapeutically ginger juice is mixed with basil leaves juice and honey to cure cough and cold. Tulsi, ginger and honey - are three most beneficial ingredients and fighters for the common cold.

Why is ginger important?

The importance of ginger, "Ginger is very popularly used in Ayurveda for its benefits in digestion and respiratory disorders. It is a wonderful carminative, ant flatulent, stimulant and expectorant. Ginger has many useful minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc and few others.

How is ginger beneficial for travellers?


Ginger regulates digestive enzymes and improves assimilation and transportation of nutrients to body tissues. When kept in mouth before travelling it helps combat motion sickness.

Ginger as an appetizer?

Our specialist also makes a unique point about the benefits ginger. When used before meals, ginger improves appetite by igniting jatharagni (digestive fire) due to its hot potency. It also enhances digestion due to its pungent taste and alleviates ama (toxins of indigestion) from the body."

Did you know, ginger is good for joint pain?

Besides cold, ginger is useful for... Different ways of using ginger Fresh juice of ginger is used to cure for home remedies

Dried ginger or sounth has analgesic and anti inflammatory properties which is used therapeutically to alleviate joint pain and inflammation in arthritis. Other than these situations, ginger is an excellent spice that can be used daily.

Used as dried powder as analgesic and anti inflammatory agent for joint pains. If you can't locate an ayurvedic store, you dry the ginger yourself and grind it. Ginger juice application is said to be good for hypo pigmented patches on your skin. Bet you didn't know this skin care property of ginger. It can be used in scrubs and baths for fresh rejuvenating aroma. Not sure if ginger would give you a refreshing fragrance. A point to note: we have mentioned how ginger can be used for several ailments, but it would be wise to consult a doctor before for an intensive treatment. Ginger along with exercises, medication and healthy diet can reduce joint pain. These home remedies can complement your medical treatment but it should not be the only treatment.

This information is provided for knowledge and educational purposes only. Individuals should visit their physicians for more information on their health.

34 www.fijitimescanada.com
4. Who has the right to vote in federal elections? a. A Canadian citizen, 18 years or older and on voters list. b. A Canadian citizen, 18 years or older and must work for the federal government. c. A landed immigrant, 18 years old and a memberof the Canadian Forces. d. A Canadian citizen, over 25 years and a member of the Canadian Forces. 5. How is the Prime Minister chosen? a. The Queen appoints the Prime Minister. b. The Governor General with the Senate appoint the Prime Minister c. The leader of the party with the most elected representatives becomes the Prime Minister. d. The MPs vote on the Prime Minister6. Name all the federal political parties in the House of Commons and their leaders 6. Name all the federal political parties in the House of Commons and their leaders a. Conservative (Harper), NDP (Mulcair), Liberal (Trudeau), Bloc Quebecois (Paill), Green Party (May) b. Conservative (Harper), Green (May), Liberal (Rae), Bloc Quebecois (Duceppe) c. NDP (Layton), Green (May), Liberal (Rae), Bloc Quebecois (Paill) d. Liberal (Ignatieff), Conservative (Harper), NDP (Turmel), Green (May) 7. What is the largest religious affiliation in Canada? a. Roman Catholic. b. Muslim. c. Jewish. d. Hindu. 8. Who are the founding peoples of Canada? a. Mtis, French and British. b. Aboriginal, Mtis and British. c. Inuit, Aboriginal and British. d. Aboriginal, French and British. 9. What did the Canadian Pacific Railway symbolize? a. Easy access to the West Coast.

Friday February 21, 2014

THINKING OF BECOMING A CANADIAN CITIZEN?


Try This Practice Test - Discover Canada
b. What can be achieved by working together. c. Unity. d. Ribbons of steel. 10. What is the difference between the role of the Sovereign and that of the Prime Minister? a. The Sovereign is Head of State, the Prime Minister oversees provincial policies. b. The Sovereign is the guardian of Constitutional freedoms, the Prime Minister selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for operations and policy of government. c. The Sovereign links Canada to 52 other nations and the Prime Minister is the guardian of Constitutional freedoms. d. The Sovereign is the symbol of Canadian sovereignty and the Prime Minister is her aide. ANSWERS 1 D 6 A 2 A 7 A 3 A 8 D 4 A 9 C 5C 10 B

1. Who are the Mtis? a. The distinct aboriginal people of Atlantic Canada. b. A people of mixed Inuit/First Nations ancestry most of whom live on the Prairies. c. First Nations people speaking the Michif dialect. d. A distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry. 2. Which was the last province to join Canada? a. Newfoundland. b. Alberta. c. Saskatchewan. d. British Columbia. 3. Which country borders Canada on the south? a. United States of America. b. Central America. c. Mexico. d. Washington.
Continued From Last Week Protecting your valuables Before bringing highly valuable items with you when you travel outside Canada, you may wish to take advantage of a free identification service that is available at all CBSA offices. This service is available for items that have serial numbers or other unique markings. If the items do not have these markings, the CBSA can apply a sticker to them so that they can be identified for customs purposes as goods that are legally entering Canada. When you show your valuables to a border services officer and state that you acquired them in Canada or lawfully imported them, the officer will list the valuables and their serial numbers on a wallet-sized card called a Form Y38, Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation. This form is only available at the port of entry. If you are questioned about your goods

Entering Canada
when you return to Canada, show your card to the officer. This will help identify the valuables that were in your possession before leaving the country. Modifying an item outside Canada Under the customs legislation, if you take any item outside of Canada and change it in any way to enhance its condition or value, the CBSA does not consider it to be the same item when you bring it back into the country. You therefore have to declare the full value of the new item. Example: You take an old diamond ring with you on a trip outside of Canada. While outside of Canada, you decide to have the diamond taken out of the old ring and placed in a new setting. This is not considered to be a repair or an alteration. It is considered to be further manufacturing or processing. When you return to Canada, the original ring, which is now just a metal setting with no stone, will be considered to be a returning good because it has not been advanced in value. (In fact, it has decreased in value.) The new ring will be considered to be a new item and therefore must be declared accordingly, even though it contains part of the original ring (i.e., the diamond) that originated in Canada. The CBSA will treat the new ring like any other piece of jewellery purchased outside the country and the duties and taxes owing will be calculated on the full value of the new ring, including the diamond that was exported from Canada. This rule applies unless you have received previous authorization from the CBSA to have the new ring made while outside the country. Please note that such an authorization would only be granted if the work to create the new setting could not be carried out in Canada. Biosecurity at the border: food, plants, animals and related products Every traveller entering Canada has a key role to play in protecting Canada's animals, plants and environment. Many travellers are unaware of the hazards in failing to declare food, plant and animal products, but the risks to Canada's food supply, economy, environment and human health are very real. They threaten our food supply. They threaten Canada's agriculture industry and economy. They threaten our environment and natural resources. To protect Canada from invasive alien species, remember to Be Aware and Declare. When returning to Canada from another country, declare all food, plants, animals and related products to the CBSA.

Continued Next Week

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Friday February 21, 2014

35

Katrina Cuts Ties With Ranbir, Goes Back To Salman

What Is Sushmita Sens Next Film All About


The Miss Universe turned Bollywood hottie is kicked about her forthcoming Benagli venture
We have been missing Sushmita Sen from the silver screen for a long time. In fact, we were wondering when the gorgeous lady will make her divaesque presence felt on celluloid. And now heres some great news for Sush lovers who were waiting for the leggy beauty to make comeback. Our secret birdie has chirped to us that Sush will soon be seen in a Bangla film. One also hears that the Main Hoon Na actor has signed a Bengali film that will be directed by Basu Chatterjees daughter, Rupali Guha. The rest of the cast is yet to be finalised but Sushmita has signed on the dotted line. Sen apparently wants to keep this project under wraps since nothing has been finalised as of now. But we gather that Sush is planning to make the same movie in Hindi for which she is dealing with the producers to acquire rights for Hindi remake.

Katrina Kaif still maintains a relationship status with Salman Khan though that status might be of friendship. Katrina had a fall out with Ranbir Kapoor and now she is getting in closer to Salman Khan again. Katrina told that she is very much connected with Salman and is just a message away from him. She said, Salman Khan is always there, he is always just a message away. I am still very much in touch with him. Well, is that really true especially after Kats link up with Ranbir? Talking about her affair with Ranbir Kapoor, Kat said, I can't say anything till any bit of it is official. I might be in a relationship today but tomorrow it might break. When I give my general opinion also on relationships, people misinterpret it. So I have stopped talking about these things. It is very important to guard your life and relationship because if you won't people will keep misinterpreting them. Katrina is very close to Salmans sister Alvira. Talking about her relation with Salmans sister, Katrina said, Salman Khan's sister Alvira was among the first few friends I had in this industry. Malaika's son is a very shy boy but

among the female guests, who visited Salman's home, I was the only one he would come to. Well, it seems that shy boy fell for beauty as well. Recently Salman hosted an award function. In that function, he dummied Karan Johars popular chat show and called it Sharbat With Salman. He invited Karan on stage and in a rapid fire round, asked him to rate Bollywood heroines on the meter of honesty. Karan placed Katrina at the bottom. Salman intervened him and asked him to keep Kat a little higher on honesty meter. Later when Kat was asked about it, she said, If Salman has said that then it is a very important thing. We should always respect what Salman says. Well, compliments never hurt. But is Ranbir affected by increasing affinity between the ex lovers? Well, Ranbir was seen partying hard on Valentines night with a bunch of male friends at a posh night club. He was spotted there till the wee hours of the morning. That simply tells that on Valentines night he chose to spend time with friends and not his alleged girl friend Katrina Kaif. Is everything right between Ranbir-Kat love story or are they headed for a split?

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The One By Two actors much awaited film may not release anytime soon Actor Abhay Deol is disheartened that I have no clue about it, said Abhay. It his film Rock the Shaadi is not getting is a brilliant film; it is one of the funniest released, but hopes it hits the silver films I have ever done, he added. screen someday. Rock the Shaadi, Abhay hopes producer Ekta Kapoor which was touted to be Indias first would pick up the film again. I have zombie comedy film, is directed by known Ekta Kapoor (producer) since Navdeep Singh and stars Abhay Deol many years, she is a sweetheart It and Genelia in the lead roles. was my first collaboration with her. It is frustratingI was angry for What has happened is tragic. I still hope sometime. Both I and Navdeep Singh that Ekta would pick it up again, which (director) had put in months of hard work I think she can, he said. There were and energy. It was very sad when it did also reports that Abhay would be doing not happen. Then all sort of stories started the remake of Baaton Baaton Mein. I floating around, it is not directors fault, dont know, I havent heard about the I was around. I have no idea where the film. I have read about myself doing it project stands, if it is a legal issue or not, in papers, he said.

Is Abhay Deol upset with Ekta Kapoor

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Friday February 21, 2014

Govinda Excited About Playing Ranbir Kapoors Dad In Jagga Jasoos And Dancing With Ranveer Singh In Kill Dil!
Govinda grateful to younger actors who copy his style
Ranveer Singh is an unabashed fan of senior actor Govinda in Bollywood, he has often copied his style for songs and performances. Govinda says he is grateful to such young talents who feel his inimitable dancing style is worth being imitated. Ranveer is getting a chance to match steps with Govinda in Shaad Alis Kill Dil. In fact, Ranveer even paid a tribute to Govindas dancing skills in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, as well as at an awards function. Showering praise on the younger talent, Govinda said: Yes, I saw Ranveer in the song Ishqyaun dhishqyaun in Ram-Leela. He was in full form. I am grateful to the younger actors who think my style is worthy of being copied. The duo is said to be sharing a great bonding on the set of the Shaad Ali film. Shaad now plans to incorporate a full-on GovindaRanveer dance number where the fan will try to match steps with his idol, said a source associated with Kill Dill. Meanwhile, Govinda has lately lost a lot of weight to look convincing as Ranbir Kapoors father in Anurag Basus Jagga Jasoos. The versatile actor is excited about his first villains role in Kill Dil. Its my first fullfledged negative role. I had played a negative part in N. Chandras Shikari years ago. Times have now changed. Back then there was a past history for my characters dark deeds. Now in Kill Dil, my character is the way he is because he chooses to be.

The tiff at the Bachchan household was reported earlier and now we got to see the increasing distance between the Bachchan bahurani Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and veteran actress and mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan. At the recently held event, we can clearly see how Aishwarya is maintaining a safe distance from Jaya Bachchan. At the birthday bash of Kokilaben Ambani, Ash and Jaya totally avoided each other. While Aishwarya stuck by husband Abhisheks side throughout, Jaya was seen mingling with other guests. On looking at the duo, it seems they do not exist for one another. They totally ignored each other and even avoided eye to eye contact. Not only at the Ambanis party, the distance between the two Bachchan ladies was also seen at Ahana Deols wedding reception. At that event too, Ash remained connected to her hubby and Jaya stick to Amitabhs side. The two ladies stepped out together in public last year at filmmaker Subhash Ghais party. For quite some time, tiff between Ash and veteran actress Jaya Bachchan was doing the rounds. It is heard that Ash is not happy with Jaya who keeps a tab on her every activity either it is professional or personal. Jaya Bachchan wants her bahurani to

Aishwarya Avoids Mother-In-Law John Abraham To Act In A Film Jaya Bachchan Based On Nanavati Murder Case
keep her updated on every professional activity she takes. Jayas interference on every matter did not impress Ash said she wants to live independently with her daughter Aaradhya and husband Abhishek Bachchan. She has no problem with her father-in-law and megastar Amitabh Bachchan and also with Abhishek as they give her full freedom to lead her life according to her own and give her ample space but constant interference of Jaya Bachchan is irritating her. It is not yet confirmed how far the report is true but the latest images suggests that all is not well at the Bachchan household. There seems a dispute between Ash and Jaya. After marriage, Aishwarya has been living with her in-laws at Jalsa. During the last karva chauth, she was spotted performing the karva chauth ritual with Jaya Bachchan. So far, publicly, Jaya proves to be a very protective mother-in-law. Couple of times, she has picked up fights with media when they addressed Ash wrongly. It is also heard that Ash has been adjusting over these years but now water is going over her head and she wants to move separately with child and hubby. Well, we hope things settle between them before it turns too ugly. The latest buzz, John will not play the lead but will also produce the film which will be inspired by the infamous murder case John Abraham is all set to reprise the role of naval officer KM Nanavati on the big screen. We hear the talented actor will produce the film as well. In fact, Vipul K Rawal, who has written the script of this film, did a thorough research of the subject. Interestingly, Rawal himself comes from a naval background. In that case, we are sure it must have certainly helped him in understanding this murder case better. While talking to a tabloid, a source said, John is kicked about the films story and he wants to play the naval officer, KM Nanavati. Apparently, the Madras Caf actor was approached for a film on the similar lines by another producer. But since John wasnt too happy with the remuneration being offered, he turned down the project. A little birdie tells us that the B-town hunk has now bought the rights of the film as he really liked the script and wanted to produce it too. However, rumours are rife that Anurag Kashyap and Soni Razdan are also making a film on this subject. Though there has been no confirmation about the same, looks like Nanavati murder case has caught many filmmakers attention, no?

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Friday February 21, 2014

37

Amitabh Bachchan And Shah Rukh Khan To Share Screen Space After 8 Years
The two will finally be seen in the same film. So its happening again. Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, who were seen in Bhoothnath, are coming back together after eight years for its sequel. Yes, you read that right! If the recent reports are anything to go by then SRK will apparently do a cameo in the sequel of the supernatural comedy. Those who have watched Bhoothnath must have noticed that although Big B and SRK were in the film, they were never in one frame as they didnt share the screen space in the film. The last time they shared the silver screen was in the year 2006 in the film, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, which was directed by Karan Johar. So now that the Chennai Express actor is doing a cameo in Bhoothnath Returns, will he share the screen space with Sr Bachchan or will it be same like Bhoothnath, you ask? Well, as far as we know, the two of them will definitely share the screen space in the sequel. Technically, they havent worked together since Karans film. Even though Shah Rukh is doing just a special appearance in this sequel, he will be seen alongside Mr Bachchan. The scenes will be shot either on March 6 or 7. SRKs appearance connects the two movies, an insider was quoted by a daily. Now this is something, isnt it? The two superstars coming together on the silver screen after eight long years, who wouldnt want to watch them together?

Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan To Share Screen Space

Despite a legal notice from Warner Brothers claiming copyright infringement director Prabhudheva and his producer Gordhan Tanwani are in no mood to budge from the title Action Jackson. We hear the producers Tips are geared for a legal battle with the American studio.And the film's leading man Ajay Devgan has pitched his might with the movie's makers. It is now revealed that there is a very special reason why the film is called what it is. The leading man Ajay Devgan who is known to his friends as 'AJ' gave the film is title. Says Prabhudheva, `We named the film Action Jackson because our hero Ajay Devgan is known as 'AJ' and we thought it would be a good idea to use the initials and extend it into the title

'We Are Not Budging, We Named The Film After Ajay Devgan,' Says Prabhudheva

Amitabh Bachchan has ruled Hindi cinema with impunity for the last three decades while Irrfan Khan has not only received critical acclaim for his acting but has also won the national award for his film, Lunchbox. Now, these two highly talented actors are all set to share screen space. Doubtless it will be a film worth waiting and watching for. The film in question is titled Piku by Soojit Sarcar. Irrfan confirmed the news saying, Yes, I am doing Shoojits film with Amitabh Bachchan, and we should start shooting sometime this year as the dates are being worked out. The actor is at present, shooting for an as yet untitled film that he is coproducing. The shooting is occurring in Shimla and is directed by Nishikant Kamat. Irrfan is reported to be excited and elated at this chance of working with Amitabh. "I have signed the deal to work in Shoojit's next 'Piku'. The film also stars Amitabhji in it. Apart from him and me there is also one actress in it. We will soon begin the shoot," he said. The 47 year old actor added, "Amitabhji has his own style of acting. Working with him will be a learning experience. During his time, he has

influenced audience with his films for 10 years. I have a full respect for him as an actor," Irrfan added. However, at the same time Irrfan admits that co-stars do not matter to him when he chooses a project. "I have never decided on any project thinking about my co-star. Rather, I have always given importance to a film's story and how would I mould myself according to the character. I have my own style of acting." Meanwhile, speculation is running high regarding the actress who will be starring in the movie. Reportedly, Parineeti Chopra had to cancel due to clash of dates and now Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone are being considered for the part. Sarcar said, Piku is a character-driven father-daughter story. Thats the film I am directing next before I go on to my football film 1911 with John Abraham. My writer Juhi Trivedi who wrote Vicky Donor with me, has written Piku. There are essentially three characters in the film of the father, daughter and another man played by Irrfan. I've Bachchan saabs dates and very frankly, all the other actors dates would have to fall in line with Bachchan Saabs schedule.

Action Jackson as Ajay is doing both action and dancing in the film.` The director says they aren't changing the title. `It isn't like Rambo Rajkumar where Rambo was a patented name by the Hollywood studio. How can anyone claim copyright over the words 'action' and 'Jackson'? And since the word 'Jackson' is in my title for the dancing we might have Michael Jackson's family claiming copyright violation.We can't just keep giving in like this for every title.` As for the title belonging to a Hollywood film Prabhu defends his title, `I had never heard of a Hollywood film entitled Action Jackson. Didn't it come 25 years ago? So many films are titled Romeo & Juliet. Should Shakespeare's family sue?`

38 www.fijitimescanada.com

Friday February 21, 2014

FIJI AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND & SOUTHWEST PACIFIC DESTINATIONS

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Tour Packages, Cruises to all destinations now available at : www.sohivacations.com INDIA - PAKISTAN - EUROPE EAST ASIA - MIDDLE EAST

Destination Weddings
Sunil Sharma Dilbag (Dale) Sohi #152 - 12899 80th Avenue, Surrey BC V3W 0E6 info@sohivacations.com

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Sports Places of Worship


Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 10am to 3pm 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 8pm 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 9pm 1pm to 7pm 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 8pm 10am to 1pm, 5pm to 9pm 10am to 1pm

Friday February 21, 2014

SUBRAMANIYA SWAMY TEMPLE OF BC


8840 No. 5 Road, Richmond, BC 604.274.7906
Temple Hours

SANATAN DHARM CULTURAL SOCIETY


SHIV MANDIR 5600 DORSET STREET, BURNABY BC PH: 604 -254 -2624
HOURS OF OPER ATION Monday 5:30pm9:00pm Tuesday 7:00pm9:00pm Sunday 10:00am12 noon
Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam Educational and Cultural Society, BC, Canada (EST. 1982 Incorporated S176969)

39

For Pooja Booking Contact: Aiyaar Shivachariyar Sada Shiva

604.274.7906

COLEBROOK UNITED CHURCH


5441 - 125A St, Surrey B.C.
Affiliated with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

GOOD NEWS ASSEMBLY FOR JESUS


Service Time

SRI VENKATESHWARA MAHA VISHNU TEMPLE


Temple hours Monday to Sunday Daily Aarthi Ramayan Katha

9326 - 116th Street, Delta, BC


Morning 8:00am10:00am Evening 6:00pm8:00pm 7:00pm Friday 6:00pm10:00pm Pooja/Special Prayer Sessions/Temple/Hall PT. Shiu Madri 604.582.4899 PUJARI Soma Sundaran 604.363.7180 Maathar Sangam Activities & Volunteers Shakuntala Naidu 604.576.4529
Treasurer: Muniappa Naidu 604.576.4529

1pm Sundays
(Hindi & English)

James Kumar 604-581-3191 (res) 604-599-9518 (work) Cecil Labon 604-572-4854

President: H.C. Gopal 604.290.1114

Secretary: Ganesh Murti 604.315.3166

HINDI PUNJABI FRASERVIEW GOSpEL ChApEL


Sunday Service 10:30 am12:00 noon 6:30PM - 7:30PM Service in Hindustani & Punjabi Sunday School for Children

14630-107A Avenue Surrey BC V3R 1V1 Serving the community since 1972

If youre looking for a place to belong or have been searching for answers to lifes questions or healing, come to our services or contact us. Allow us to introduce you to Jesus Christ and help you come into a full relationship with him.

ABHISHEK PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY


Sunday School/Worship Service: 1pm 11601-82nd Ave, Delta BC (604) 590-8836 samuel_k@telus.net www.abhiskhekassembly.com Services are in Hindi and English Senior Pastor Rev. Samuel Krishna

Pastor Santosh Raj 604-582-2650 chital06@hotmail.com

ASIAN CHRIST CHURCH OF CANADA


Rev. Emmanuel Cheema 778-241-9066 asianchristchurch@yahoo.ca
Sunday Service @ 5.30 p.m. (Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi & English)
We pray for sickness, demon possessed & family problems. We have testimonies, come and see Gods great work.
You are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5: 11)

15964 88th Ave. Surrey, B.C. V4N IH5

Fiji Seniors Society Of Canada Social Gathering at 1pm - last Sunday of each month
Bhan Mati Raj 604.581.9859 James Kumar 604.599.9518 Chand Lakhan 604.599.0361 Satya Nand 604.590.5303 Bhan Pratap 604.839.5106 Thakur K.Singh 604.587.5439 Bindi Lal 778.707.1015

Progressive Cultural Centre 126 - 7536 130th Street, Surrey BC

HINDI CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP


#4-6468 King George Blvd, Surrey BC

Sunday Service @ 2:00PM


Uplifting Worship | Prayer for healing | Music (CD) Available

Shailendra (Shal) Singh 604-596-7353 or 604-323-6506 | hindichristianfellowship@yahoo.ca

2nd Tuesday

GLOBAL FIJIAN ASSEMBLIES


Pastor Isimeli Lesi Korobasaga
Affiliated with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

Every Sunday 25PM @ Peoples Full Gospel

14455 - 104th Ave., Surrey, BC Phone: 604.592.9001 Cell: 778.938.2734 Email: lesi1968@yahoo.ca

HOSANNA TABERNACLE
Pastor Silas Naidu 604.352.1232
silas.naidu@gmail.com

NAYA JEEWAN CHURCH


38868 - 128th Street, Surrey BC

Affiliated with Pentecoastal Assemblies of Canada 6075 Inverness Street, Vancouver Sunday Services in Hindi/English 2:00pm
Shree Mahalakshmi Temple 467 E 11th Ave Vancouver B.C V5T 2C8 604 874 0175shreemahalakshmi@gmail.com

Service Sundays 2:00pm Bible Study (Hindi & English) Wednesdays 7:30pm
Prayer, Counselling & Visitations Available

Pastor Eileen Reddy 604.543-8339

F I JIAN METHODIST UNI T E D C H U R C H

Programs in February 2014

Ph: 604.593.5663 Pastor Sakaraia & Rev. Ema Karoi


ARYA SAMAJ SOCIETY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
(Registered under the Society Act Of BC. Registered Charity # 891336349)

12371 96 Avenue Surrey BC Sunday Service @ 6:00PM

Date 03 Monday 04 Tuesday 14 Friday 22 Saturday 27 Thursday

Time 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 6:00 pm 7:30 pm

Program Shree Lakshmi Vinayaka Japa Temple Inaugural day function Shree Mahalakshmi Japa Shree Hanuman Japa Maha Shivaratri

Join for Hawan, Pravachan and Satsangh followed by Preetibhoj Every Sunday 10:00 a.m.12:00 noon Yoga, Pranayam & Meditation classes every Wednesday 7:00 p.m - 8:30 p.m.

Arya Samaj Centre, 6884 Jubilee Ave., Burnaby, B.C.


Read the Fiji Times Canada online www.fijitimescanada.com

Madhu Varsney, President 604.222.1444,

40 www.fijitimescanada.com

Friday February 21, 2014

Robo Cop (PG)*** Lone Gun!


Tread carefully when taking on a classic. Hollywood studios take calculated risks whenever they try to redo a movie. Lucky for Columbia Pictures and MGM Studios that they came up with the right story for RoboCop. Settle in for a rollicking time at Cineplex arenas across B.C. Crime gets a bad name big time in modern(?) Detroit. Corruption is rife and law enforcement seems at a standstill. All around good guy Officer Alex Murphy gets caught up in the carnage, winds up left for dead, and is miraculously brought back to life by the mysterious weapons producing OmniCorp. Cast as Murphy, the man who will become a robotized cop extraordinaire, is little known Joel Kinnaman who surprisingly rises to the occasion. Inspired by the classic 1987 Peter Weller/Nancy Allen version this smart modern update is highly entertaining and thrilling. Though it lacks a bit of the originality and menace from the first hit movie it more than makes up for this with a dazzling array of performances. Led off by Samuel L. Jackson's over the top portrayal of a conservative zealot who makes Rush Limbaugh look like a liberal director Jose Padilha succeeds in creating a terrific atmosphere if campy corruption done up well by he presence of former Cape Crusader Michael Keaton (Batman) as a corporate titan determined to win at all costs. Full of action tinged with science fiction RoboCop also benefits greatly by he polished presence of Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight) as a mad scientist out to build the ultimate crime fighting crusader. Add to the entourage strong back-up support from Canadian Jay Baruchel, Abbie Cornish and Jackie Earle Haley and you have a funfilled 108 minute escapade. Look for RoboCop to rightly clean up at the box office largely due to it's theme

by Robert Waldman

and tongue in cheek nature. Plans will be made for a follow-up outing as this

fil will find an audience and it's a whole lot of fun.

George Clooney Denies 'Big Fight' With Leonardo Dicaprio

Charlie Sheen Wants Kids With Brett Rossi

George Clooney has revealed that he has no problems with Leonardo DiCaprio. The 52-year-old American actor said that someone made it like there was a big fight but he has known the 'Titanic' star for a long time and denied that they had a fall out, the Mirror reported. 'The Monuments Men' star had dissed the 'Wolf of Wall Street' star during an interview last year.

Actor Charlie Sheen says he wants to have children with his fiancee, adultfilm star girlfriend Brett Rossi. The 48-year-old, who already has fiancee, but not just yet, reports daughter Cassandra with former tmz.com. girlfriend Paula Profitt, daughters He further said: "I'm having way too Sam and Lola with second wife much fun with her right now. So much Denise Richards and twin sons fun it should be illegal." Bob and Max, four with former Sheen also said that Rossi has spent spouse Brooke Mueller, is "open" time with his sons and she loves them to having kids with his 24-year-old as much as they adore her.

www.fijitimescanada.com

Friday February 21, 2014

41

Jerk Chicken
Ingredients 2 teaspoons allspice, ground 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground 1 onion, large, cut into eighths 4 scallions, cut into fourths 1 Scotch bonnet chile, seeded 1/2 teaspoon dark rum 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 8 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless Preparation Preheat the oven to 375F. Combine the allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, onion, scallions, chile, rum, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Process until the mixture forms a thick salsa-like mixture. Rub the mixture on each chicken breast and place the chicken in a zipper-lock plastic bag. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Spray the rack of a roasting pan with non-stick spray and place in the pan. Arrange the chicken on the rack, and bake for 12 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook another 15 minutes until cooked through. Serve warm. (Jamaican Dish)

Honey Mustard Lamb Rack

Fish Fillets With Caesar Sauce


Ingredients CAESAR SAUCE: 2 tbsp Crisco Vegetable or Canola Oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp Robin Hood All Purpose Flour 1 1/2 cups Carnation Regular, 2% or Fat Free Evaporated Milk 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp anchovy paste 2 tbsp lemon juice 1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce salt and pepper TOPPING: 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup breadcrumbs FISH: 6 fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, halibut, salmon), about 6 oz (175 g) each 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley Preparation For the Caesar sauce, heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until softened, but not coloured. Add flour and cook 2 minutes. Whisk in evaporated milk. Bring to a gentle boil; reduce heat and cook, stirring constantly for 4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, lemon juice, pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Cool slightly. Meanwhile, for the topping, in a bowl, combine cheese and breadcrumbs. In a greased 13- by 9-inch (3 L) baking dish, arrange fish fillets in a single layer. Spoon over Caesar sauce and sprinkle with topping. Bake in a preheated 400 F (200C) oven for 14 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork (the thicker the fish, the longer the baking time). Garnish with chopped parsley.

Ingredients: 1 pound lamb rack 5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil for the lamb 1 /2 Tbsp of honey 1 /2 Tbsp of Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp of sea salt 1/2 tsp of rosemary, finely chopped 4 large yellow potatoes 1 large sweet potato 1 Spanish onion 1 bulb of garlic 2 Tbsp of olive oil for the vegetables Preparation: 1. Heat the oven to 350F. 2. Cut the potatoes and sweet potatoes into 1 inch thick pieces. Cut the onion in half and remove the outer layer of skin. 3. Place 2 Tbsp of olive oil into a baking

tray. Place the vegetables including the garlic bulb in the tray and coat them in the oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake the vegetables on the bottom oven rack for 45 minutes. 4. When the vegetables have been baking for 15 minutes add the chopped garlic, breadcrumbs, 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil, rosemary, salt, honey and mustard into a mixing bowl. Stir well until it forms a paste. 5. Spread the paste evenly over the lamb rack. Place lamb in the oven directly on the grill over the vegetables. This will allow for the drippings to collect with the vegetables. By now the vegetables should have been cooking for 25 minutes. 6. Roast the lamb for 20 minutes for rare meat or 30 minutes for well-done.

Fiji-Sun Times Canada


604.909.4088

To Get The Best Value For Your Dollar Advertise In

42 www.fijitimescanada.com

For Women/ Relationship

Friday February 21, 2014

Overnight Beauty Fixes


For Bright Puff-Free Eyes

Relationships
A good nights sleep affects the way a person looks and performs the next day. This happens because when you sleep, your body undergoes repair and detoxification. To accelerate and maximise this effect of your beauty sleep, try these overnight beauty fixes.

Types Of Women Men Should Avoid


Here is a list of women guys should stay away from...
Puffy swollen eyes are also a common condition when you wake up in the morning. To avoid this, try an overnight routine to brighten up your eyes. Storing your eye cream in your fridge and then applying it before you sleep will help de-puff your eyes. You can also try avocado or sweet almond oil under your eyes before bed as this will leave your eyes nourished and rejuvenated in the morning. Women are always quick to state what they hate about men, trying to prove that it's them who should work towards keeping the relationship going. However, it's not always men who are to be blamed. Let's face it, as there are things women hate about men, there are also quite a few things that men hate about women. Here are few kinds of women that men tend to stay away from: the ones men tend to feel threatened by and to an extent it holds true. Actually, men are not threatened by successful women, but are of the opinion that successful women do not need them. A lot of women often say that they do not need a man to make them happy, as they earn good money, own a house, and have a wonderful social life. Such women do not depend on men and this is what puts them off the list. Definitely men do not want a woman who is totally dependent on them, but when a confident woman allows herself to depend on them, man get flattered.

For Soft And Smooth Hands And Feet

For Longer Eyelashes

Miss clingy

If you want to wake up with incredibly soft hands and feet, try this easy beauty routine before bed. Apply moisturiser or some petroleum jelly on your feet and hands. Then put on a pair of cotton socks and hand gloves to lock the moisture in. Throughout the night, the skin will absorb the moisture and leave it soft and smooth in the morning.

Believed to be every man's worst fear, this type of woman frequently verbalizes how desperate she is to get married. Clinginess is a big mix of insecurity, possessiveness, and other self-esteem issues. Men generally end up identifying such women only when they can are well into a relationship. Though such women initially appear to be independent, once they are in a relationship and feel safe, her neediness begins to manifest.

Miss chatter-box

Miss I, me, myself


If youve desired longer lashes, try this overnight beauty tip. Gently brush some castor oil on you lashes every night and rinse them with warm water in the morning. Castor oil has hydrating omega-6 fatty acids that will moisturise and prevent breakage of your lashes. Try this routine for a few weeks for longer eyelashes.

For Luscious Lips

For Smoother And Nourished Hair

Unlike other women, these are the ones most men will give chance and try to win over, simply because these women are a challenge. Because of the strength these women possess most men tend to avoid commitment with them. However, they are captivated by this strength and view winning them over as conquest. These women have both, the competitiveness of a man and the sensitivity of a woman. In an instant, they can switch from being seductive to emotionally distant. In fact, they use their hatred for men as a shield to avoid being hurt.

For a man, a talkative woman is neither good nor bad. Most women are accused of being too talkative when, in reality, they are speaking more simply because they are discussing a subject that is of great interest to them and not just because women talk more. In a woman's world, everyone speaks together. In the world of men, it is considered rude to speak out of turn and one is not to be interrupted by the other until he's done. Therefore, when a woman asks a man a question and he proceeds to answer her - and then she begins to interject her opinions for the next 10 minutes - he'll just quit trying.

Miss read my mind

Miss I'm the best

It is believed that successful women are

For some reason, a woman expects her man to know exactly what she's thinking at all times. As a result, she constantly tests him, using his responses to gauge his level of love. This type of behaviour should be avoided, as very few men are interested in dealing with the constant guessing games.

Many of us often wake up with chapped lips in the morning. To reverse this unpleasant situation and wake up with luscious lips, you need to exfoliate your lips before going to bed. Try this easy yet effective lip scrub made of olive oil and sugar. Gently massage it on your lips in circular motion and then rise it off with warm water. When youre done, apply some lip balm and then head to bed. The lip balm will effectively moisturise your freshly exfoliated lips while you sleep and you will wake up with softer lips in the morning.

To nourish and rejuvenate your hair overnight, apply some leave-in hair conditioner on washed or damp hair. Make sure you only apply it only on the ends and leave it overnight. In the morning, you will wake up with smoother and shinier hair.

www.fijitimescanada.com

Lifestyle

Friday February 21, 2014

43

Top Home Remedies To Cure Acidity


Are you worried as you have over eaten your favourite chicken tikka at a friends party and you might have to face that unpleasant burning sensation in your stomach? Here are simple and effective home remedies that can help reduce the intensity of acidity. Cloves Jaggery Basil leaves are popular for their medicinal properties. Chewing say around 5-6 basil leaves relieves acidity to a lot of extent. One can also make a blend of crushed basil leaves and dried leaves which can be consumed with water or tea or simply be swallowed. Butter-milk Ginger is considered as a cure-all herb as it helps in treating so many different kinds of conditions. Consume just the right amount of ginger about half an hour before each meal and feel the difference. Milk

If you are suffering from gastritis, then clove acts as the wonder drug to get you rid of this sensation. Just chew say about two cloves and slightly bite them so that juices keep oozing out. Soon, the problem will vanish. Cumin seeds

Jaggery can help a lot in treating heartburn and acidity. Consume a small lump and allow it to get dissolved in your mouth to get relief from acidity. But, this remedy should not be tried by people who have diabetes. Raita

A yet another simple and most easy homemade remedy to treat acidity is consuming butter-milk mixed with a little say about teaspoon of black pepper powder. Mint

Milk is a drink that consists of a large amount of calcium which helps in preventing build-up of stomach acid. So, drink a glass of milk after your meal to soothe your stomach after having a spicy meal. Vanilla ice cream

Raita prepared with curd and added with ingredients like grated cucumber and coriander will surely aid in digestion and help eliminate acidity. Basil leaves Take about a teaspoon of cumin seeds and then roast them. After roasting, coarse crush them (not powder). Now, add this to a glass of water and have it with every meal you take. It does wonders.

It is also a good idea to drink fresh mint juice or chew raw mint leaves after meals everyday to keep acidity and indigestion away from you. Ginger

Yes, gorging a cup of your favourite vanilla ice cream not just savours your sweet tooth but also helps combat gastritis. This is an easy home remedy to fight acidity.

Soon after lunch, people experience afternoon slump. Citrus fruits or dark chocolates can help you in being more productive at work.
Chips from the vending machine or cookies your co-worker baked are not what your brain needs. Below is a list of food items to keep you alert: Dark chocolate: When you eat dark chocolate, compounds in cocoa called flavanols produce a surge in blood flow to the brain. That helps you feel awake and alert. Citrus fruits: Just sniffing them can stimulate alertness. Eat an orange, and you also benefit from vitamin C. Water: Just about every system in the body suffers when we're dehydrated, including the brain. So, keep a reusable bottle or cup on your desk to remind you to drink. Coffee or tea: Caffeine keeps you alert and also boosts cognitive performance, concentration and focus.

Top Four Foods To Stay Alert At Work

Read the Fiji Times Canada online www.fijitimescanada.com

44

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Friday February 21, 2014

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Goalie In Doubt, Jese Out Of Suva Clash

TIMES

TIMES SPORTS
The Suva football side has further extended their lead in the 2014 Fiji Sun/Skipper Tuna National Football League. The capital side defeated Nadroga 1-0 via a 45 minute Samuela Drudru goal last Sunday at the ANZ Stadium. After their fifth straight victory Suva remains on top with 15 points. Suva coach Gurjit Singh says they have worked hard to maintain their top spot. We came prepared for this match and happy with another three points. We missed a lot of chances and we will have to work on those areas for the next round, he told SunSports. Defending champions Ba played to a 0-0 draw with Rewa at home while Nadi defeated Labasa 1-0 at Subrail Park. Fiji Sun Skipper Tuna National Football League 2014 Round 5

Friday February 21, 2014

45

Suva Looks Unstoppable


Fulltime: Labasa 0 Nadi 1 Nadi Caution: Ilimotama Jese (38), Vuniuci Tikomaimereke (41) Labasa Caution: Posiano Kalisito (66) Nadi Goal: Rusiate Matarerega (56) Subrail Park,Labasa Fulltime: Ba 0 Rewa 0 Ba Caution: Josefata Neibuli, Marika Madigi Rewa Cauton: Ratu Luke Lomasalato, Lorima Dau, Epeli Saukuru Rewa Sent-off: Ratu Luke Lomasalato Govind Park, Ba Fulltime: Suva 1 Nadroga 0 Suva Caution: Sakraia Naisua (13), Samuela Drudru (66) Nadroga Caution: Ronald Lawrence (55), Shivneel Sharma (71), Ranjit Singh (82) Suva Goal: Samuela Drudru (45) ANZ Stadium, Suva

Nadi has suffered a setback ahead of its important National Football League clash against leaders Suva. Inspirational defender Ilimotama Jese has been ruled out of the encounter as he has two yellow cards to his name and needs to miss a match while top goalie Benaminio Mateinaqara has an injured finger and looks in doubt. Bringing some good news to the Jetsetters camp is midfielder Munit Krishna who has recovered from an injury and looks all set to take on the Whites. Nadi boss Navneeda Goundar said the rainy weather currently experienced in the Western Division is affecting their preparation and the full team will get

together from tomorrow. He said Suva will give them a tough match and Nadi fans should come out in numbers to support the team. "This will be a big match for both the teams as we both are unbeaten in the competition so far and surely this match will determine which team is better." "We are keeping our fingers crossed and are hoping Ben will recover before the match. Medically he has been ruled out for at least a month but we are using traditional techniques of healing and are praying for his quick recovery." The all exciting Fiji Sun/Skipper Tuna National Football League clash commences at 4pm on Saturday

Only Locals For Champs League: Ba


Fijis champion football club, Ba, have confirmed they will field only local talent for the upcoming OFC Champions League. After numerous calls, district president Rishi Kumar, told the media the decision was unanimously agreed to by clubs affiliated to Ba FA after having recognised local talent as the best choice to carry the district and the nations hopes. A lot of rumours have been circulating that Ba have approached some players and there are talks that some players have approached Ba, let it be known that Ba will be using local talent for O-League, Kumar said. The reason we want local talent is because we are not a franchise club, but a district club proud and honoured to represent the district and the people of Ba as well as one that believes in promoting local Fijian talent on the regional and the world stage. In fact we were only able to secure the spot through our local talents, so want to give them the chance to play. We know that in their hearts they will give their all for the district, fans and the country." Kumar expects the news to attract objections from some fans and Ba critics. However he insists the decision is for the best not only for the present time but for the future as well. If we had opted for overseas players, itd be like just going out of the way and buying the referee and even buying the trophy," he said. We dont believe in that. We know that this decision wont be digested well by some of our fans, we feel sorry for them, but it does not change our decision to use local talent. This being the districts sixth time in the competition, the Ba boss is hopeful of a better outcome. We have faith in our boys to do us proud when it matters. They are the ones playing for Ba. The Men-in-Black begin their preparations for the OFC Champs League proper next week when they hold their first camp on March 2. If we had opted for overseas players,

itd be like just going out of the way and buying the referee and even buying the trophy," he said. Ba are grouped with Hekari United, AS

Read the Fiji Times Canada online www.fijitimescanada.com

Magenta and Tafea FC in Group C of the OFC Champs League. They open their account against AS Magenta at 4pm on March 7 at Govind Park

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The town of Curitiba looks set to be pulled from the schedule of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, after Brazilian media reported it would no longer host a game following a raft of construction issues. A number of local newspapers wrote the Arena de Baixada, where the Socceroos are set to face off against champions Spain on June 23, will be withdrawn from the World Cup after construction problems. Football Federation Australia (FFA) said it had not been informed of any change of venue for the third clash of the Socceroos' Cup campaign. Last week Reginaldo Cordeiro, Curitiba's World Cup secretary, denied claims by prominent Sau Paulo paper, Folha de S.Paulo that the stadium would not be ready for the June 13 start. FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke was not as emphatic saying they "are seeking and finding solutions to help them catch up and hopefully make sure" the stadium will be ready in time. The World Cup has been regularly

Arena De Baixada Reportedly Set To Be Removed From World Cup Program After Construction Issues
plagued by claims the construction of several marquee venues is running well behind schedule less than four months away from kick-off. On top of that, organisers have faced accusations of slavery and inhumane working conditions, particularly in regards to their use of overseas builders on stadiums. FIFA is expected to make an official announcement regarding Curitiba's future as a World Cup venue. Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says the possibility of having to change venues does not faze him in the slightest. "I've put absolutely zero thought into that. I've got more important things to worry about," Postecoglou said on Monday. "We'll play in the car park if we have to; we've just got to be ready to play. "When I was there in December, the stadium was almost complete so I'm really surprised that they're still having some issues."

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