August 5 2016

$1.00
Big Bula Waterpark A Great
Addition To Denarau Island

Those seeking relief from the summer

heat can find it at a new oasis on Denarau
Island.
The Denarau Shuttle Company, which
owns and operates the famous Bula
Buses on Denarau Island, has opened
its Stage 2 project (Fijian Fall) which is
worth a significant investment.
Denarau Corporation Limited (DCL)
chairperson Nigel Skeggs said: The
expansion of the Waterpark is seen as a
great addition to Denarau Island.
Our goal is to give our guests an
unforgettable time which includes
activities away from the simple flop and
drop market.
The Waterpark is a welcome addition
to the islands inventory and we hope
that it, along with other new land and
water based activities in the region, will
increase the overall satisfaction and the

length of stay of our tourists, particularly

within the family market.
Skyward Industry executive director
Patricia Mallam shared the similar
sentiments.
The completion of the Big Bula
Waterpark is really good for Denarau
Island as it will further strengthen their
image and offerings to international
tourists and locals, especially young
travelers during the school holidays
when the weather gets warmer, Ms
Mallam.
One key element of this activity is water
safety, and a water park is a good avenue
for educating children on the importance
of being safe in the water.
A lot of families from Fijis traditional
markets stopover on Denarau for a day
or two (if not for the whole duration of
their stay); having a new attraction is

going to not only support the company

economically, but also promote health
and wellness for those frequenting the
attraction.
60-year-old Eileen Menzines, a tourist
from New Plymouth, Taranaki, New
Zealand, was among the many that were
enjoying their day out in the sun.
This is amazing and this is very
awesome, a great asset for Fijian
tourism, she said.
A local resident, Janend Ram, 22, said,
First for Fiji and really enjoyed being
there despite the heat it is cool. I would
rather spend my whole day there.
This waterpark is not only open to
tourists but locals as well. The park also
has a cafe serving confectionary and
light snacks including New Zealand
made ice-creams and more space to chill
out.

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Fiji News

Public Not Here To Serve Civil Servants,

Says A-G

The public is not here to serve us, AttorneyGeneral and Minister for Economy Aiyaz
Sayed-Khaiyum has told civil servants.
He adds the public is not here to wait
for us, and the public is not there to be
ill-treated.
He made these comments in response
to the increasing number of complaints
against civil servants.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum were inundated with
complaints during their North visit this week.
As the honourable Prime Minister
had highlighted that this responsibility
of all of us as civil servants, as public
servants, is to ensure that our main
focus remains on the people of Fiji. We
are here to serve all the Fijians and that
indeed should be the ethos of all civil
servants, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He said civil servants needed to have a
level of service, of compassion towards
fellow Fijians.
Fijians in particular who may be at the
bottom end of the socio-economic scale,
who may be on the margins of society,
who do not have the connection, and those
who do not have the wealth. We should go
more out of our way to serve them.
This has also brought home the point
that Civil Service Reform is also very
critical.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said this also
highlighted the fact that Civil Service
Reform was not only about looking at
the size or the aptitude or the capability.
It was looking at how civil servants
needed to have a different mindset.
It also includes a review of salary
structures and we also had the World
Bank consultants come out and look at
that in comparison to the private sector
and how Government is remunerating

From left: Secretary General World Customs Oraganization Kunio Mikuriya

and the Attorney Generl Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum at the opening of the World
Customs Organisation (WCO) Asia Pacific Regional Office
civil servants.
The whole approach of the Government
is that we put in place modern day civil
service that has compassion, service
oriented, has the right technology
available to it that has right skills and
also works very smartly and effectively.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said it was important
that Government agencies understood
the importance of working with other
Government departments.
We think there is an enormous need to
understand how different agencies and
ministries work and should know that they
are interfacing and this will help churn out
and makes our economy more robust.
If we get more people to understand
that, then they will recognise the need to
be more efficient, respond very quickly.

For example we had a gentleman who

had a loan approved by FDB to buy a
cane harvester and he had the funds
saved for the purchase. He also wanted
to mortgage his land which was crown
lease but he said he was waiting for four
to five months for the mortgage to be
approved by the Lands Department.
Due to this the farmer was unable to
get the cane harvester operational on
the ground. Had the mortgage been
approved he would have bought the
harvester which would have benefitted
other farmers as well, he said.
This had a huge impact and this is the
understanding the civil servants need to
have. Civil Servants Reform is not just
about physical change but this is also
about mindset change.

Two Face Drug Charges

Two men appeared in the Suva

Magistrates Court charged with unlawful
possession of illicit drug.
Krishiv Chand, 31, and Abdul
Mohammed Shameem, 47, were alleged
to have been in possession of 1.7 grams
of methamphetamine on July 30.
Magistrate Waleen George granted them
bail in the sum of $200.
Chand was represented by Deepak
Chand of Prena Pritika Lawyers while
Shameem was told to seek Legal Aid.
The court has been adjourned to
September 20 for a plea to be taken.

david@fijitimescanada.com

778.278.4088

Fiji News

Woman To Pay Court Costs

A 29-year-old woman was ordered
to pay prosecution cost for failing to
arrange for a lawyer before her hearing
at the Suva Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage ordered
Zinaz Neha Buksh: You are subject
to pay prosecution a cost of $150
recovered as a fine or I will impose a
default sentence.
You did not arrange for a lawyer apart
from approaching Legal Aid lawyer,
Yunas Singh, just before your case was
called.
Buksh is charged with eight counts
of obtaining financial advantage by
deception.
It is alleged that the incident occurred
between December 18, 2013 and October
22, 2014 while Buksh was the Director
of Star Agencies Global Migration and
Travel Services. It is alleged that Buksh
dishonestly obtained a total of $10,400.

Zinaz Neha Buksh

She promised people that she was in a Police prosecutor Corporal Luke
position to arrange for their work visas Qerewaqa informed the court that he
to Australia but failed to do deliver.
had eight witnesses.

Audit Names Loans

A senior manager of a Fijian Holdings
Limited subsidiary had increased the
valuation of two properties it bought
by over $1 million without proper
independent valuation.
This has been highlighted in the
independent audit report by a chartered
accounting firm which was tasked with
auditing the financial institution.
The report, one of two done, also
highlights a number of discrepancies in
loans given by the subsidiary.
FHL and its subsidiary came under
scrutiny over alleged questionable
practices.
Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs
Naipote Katonitabua wrote to Fijian
Holdings chairman Iowane Naiveli over
what was described as unsatisfactory
performance by some FHL directors.
His letter alleged abuse of power and
raised questions over loans.
Following these allegations, two
chartered accounting firms were hired
to audit the subsidiary and possible
collusion between some FHL directors
and the management of its subsidiary.
The reports highlighted a number of
issues.
Some included:
Two properties in Laucala Bay Road in
Suva were purchased by the subsidiary.

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The purchase price based on independent

valuation was $1.08 million. However,
the senior manager increased the
valuation by $1.03 million.
He did this to account for frontage
view of the properties and access into
Flagstaff in Suva. The subsidiary paid
$2.11million for a property valued
$1.08million. The properties were
bought in April 2016.
It was also noted that for the two
properties, the sellers real estate
agent had initially put up a selling
price of $2.5 million, which was later
brought down to $2.35 million. The
subsidiary had offered $2 million
which was refused by the agent
since his commission from the sale
would be less. The senior manager
then got the FHL Boards approval
to pay the agent for the loss in his
commission. This showed a level
of collusion between the Board and
management.
The subsidiary also bought two more
properties and paid a deposit of $52,268
for each piece of land. The audit report
noted that the deposit was done without
any valuation being given.
It has also been highlighted that
despite having a panel of valuers, the
management engaged the same valuer

for valuations of the three mentioned

properties. It recommended that a
rotation of valuers be appointed from
the panel whenever a new valuation is
obtained.
In terms of loans that the subsidiary
gave over the last 18 months, which
were above $1million, a number of
issues were also highlighted.
In one case, a company was given a
loan despite having a working capital
deficiency of $3.4 million.
This deficiency in working capital was
not picked up because trade facility,
which should have been classified as
current, was instead classified as noncurrent.
The report has been sent to Prime
Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, as chair
of the iTaukei Land Trust Board.
It is likely to be the first case whereby a
company is taken to task under the new
Companies Act.
Government is a majority shareholder
in FHL. Fijian Holdings was set up
to develop iTaukei participation in
business. It has become one of the
countrys biggest companies.
FHL chairman Naiveli and chief
executive officer Nouzab Fareed
declined to comment on the audit
findings.

778.278.4088

Fiji News

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Fiji News

Clinic Saved My Foot From Amputation

Maika Rareba hailed the Foot Care
Clinic at Rakiraki Hospital for saving
his right foot from amputation.
The Togavere resident in Ra said he
received special foot care treatment for
two months.
Now I am the leader of the Togavere
peer group in Ra and our group meets
regularly to discuss healthy living and
how to control it.
The Minister for Health, Jone Usamate
officially opened the Foot Care Clinic.
Mr Rareba demonstrated ways how to
cook healthy meals for diabetic patients
to the minister at the hospital.
Mr Usamate said the foot care clinic
has been established to strengthen foot
care services in the hospital and regular
screening to identify high risk cases.
It is also to appropriate action to address
their needs, inspection of the feet of
every person living with diabetes and
offering the correct advice should be
a priority to the community to avoid
unnecessary amputations.
The service goal is preventing
amputation through early detection of
abnormalities, education of clients and
empowering people living with diabetes
to take more proactive approach to
health and wellness, Mr Usamate said.
The foot care nurse at Rakiraki Hospital,
Jyoti Vijay, said the foot care clinic was
necessary for the patients so that it could
help prevent wounds and amputations as
a result of diabetics.
For the month of July the total number
of wounds healed (wounds reversed)
was of eight diabetic patients at the
hospital. This was through the foot care
clinic. We are happy that we are able to
save patients from amputations.

She said the foot care clinic gave special

care to those diabetic patients who had
wounds in their feet.
She said the results had been good since
the initiation of the programme.
Meanwhile, Diabetes Fiji in line
with Health Ministry NCD (noncommunicable diseases) strategic plan,
has embarked on a four year project
that targets a holistic approach to the
prevention of diabetes with a special
focus on foot care.
One amputation in every eight hours
At the moment the amputation rate in
Fiji for people with diabetes is now one
person in every eight hours, according
to Mr Usamate.
He said it was also shocking to note
that one in three persons in Fiji are now
living with diabetes.
Complications of diabetes have also

increased and the amputation rate now

in Fiji is one in every eight hours instead
of 12.5 hours.
He said this was a clear indication that
there was a need for an alternative measure
to contain this avalanche and has called
on to the people living with diabetes to
take ownership and be actively involved
in the management of health.
One of the many Government strategies
in reducing the rate of NCDs is to
increase the taxation of sugar sweetened
beverages. This is apart from ensuring
NCD medications are always available
and the pharmacy opening hours are
extended, Mr Usamate said.
The Minister said, people must ensure
that people living with or at risk of
diabetes can still have a healthy and
fulfilling life with appropriate actions
and advice.

Togavere Peer Group member Maika Rareba (left), displaying his healthy meal
recipes for the Minister for Health Jone Usamate at Rakiraki Subdivisional
Hospital

170 Graduates From NTPC

Graduates from the Fiji National University

National Training and Productivity
Centre were urged to work hard.
Chief guest NTPC acting director Peni
Taoi reminded the graduates that they
need to fill the gap due to the demand
and supply of skilled workers.
As we all know Fiji is distressed with a
gap between the demand and supply of
skilled workers, Mr Taoi said.
Such training will fill that gap leading
to customers especially in the hotel and
tourism sector to experience a better and
improved service compared to the past
and what it is today.
He reiterated that the training was part

david@fijitimescanada.com

of grooming students into professionals

of the industry.
I am confident your training has also
equipped you with success in your career
path in years to come. This will enable
your families a better living and also
inspire the people you are surrounded
with to go for similar training and follow
your footpath, he said.
NTPC has always been ahead of time in
providing quality training to the work force.
It has produced prestigious apprentices
in different fields of study and has
developed school leavers like you
to embrace the real life situation of
working in an industry.

Deputy Director NTPC Satendra Nair

also said that it has been a journey that
started with tentative steps.
We all came together with a common
purpose in mind-to encourage and
develop lifelong learning in the young
ladies and gentlemen who sit before us
this morning.
Steadfast, resolute and determined we
all kept together.
Day-by-Day we focused on our goal,
keeping together and working together.
We faced some incredible and
memorable moments that we chose to
use as stepping stone as we tenaciously
pursued our common goals.

778.278.4088

Fiji News

VAT Monitoring Device Here Soon

The first batch of 300 Value Added Tax

(VAT) monitoring devices will be here
early next month.
Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority
acting chief executive officer, Visvanath
Das, confirmed this.
The gadget was announced by AttorneyGeneral and Minister for Economy
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during his
Budget address in November last year.
Mr Das said these first sets would be
hooked up to the point of sale or the
main server in shops and supermarkets.
Then what happens is every sale that
goes through picks up a unique number
from the gadget and that gadget then
transmits the data real time to the tax
office, he said.
So when the taxpayers lodge their VAT
returns or per say- financial or sales at
the end of the year, we have the data
already with us to say what the total
sales was that had happened.
Thats how the device records every
transaction.
Mr Das said this was done to stop some
manipulation by businesses in the sales

figures to avoid paying tax.

There has been a manipulation in the
sales figures and of course when you see
the tax reforms and the VAT reforms.
The Government last year took out the
VAT zero rating that existed on some
items because there was an abuse in that
area, he said.
He said the businesses were selling
VATable items and then classifying it as
zero rated.
Mr Das stressed this showed technically
the businesses were collecting VAT from
the consumers but not remitting it to the
state.
Also he said they had a survey in place to
find out as to what devices and versions
of softwares were used by businesses.
The suppliers of these gadgets work
with the cash register companies or the
point of sale providers, so that we can
programme this effectively and then get
this data transmission to FRCA.
Mr Das added these VAT devices
would help consumers in a way that
their consumption taxes would actually
reach Government to help them in

..
.

development works.
It needs to reach the Government to
fund its social programme and economic
development programmes, he said.
I think the way to look at it is that once
the devices are active, every Fijian would
be feeling proud that their contribution
is actually making a difference.
A $5 million allocation for this has
been made in the National Budget. Its
not that its going to cost us $5 million.
Its going to be lesser but we have a
budget for $5 million.

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Fiji News

University Applauds Govts Additional

Grant

The Fiji National University (FNU)

is happy with the Government for
allocating additional capital grant of
$6.5 million in the 2016-2017 national
Budget for the Labasa campus.
FNU chancellor and chairman of the
FNU Council, Ikbal Jannif said the grant
had been increased due to the amount of
work planned for 2016 and 2017.
Government has been supporting the
campus project for a number of years,
Mr Jannif said.
FNU has spent about $3 million on
the project so far, all coming from

government grants over the years.

FNU has engaged an independent
engineer to carrying out a verification of
the compaction works done.
This is a green site, and FNU has to
be very particular and careful that the
compacted area is ready to be built on.
Mr Jannif said while the compaction
work was being verified, construction
plans were being finalised.
We plan to meet with other agencies
soon to discuss the widening and sealing
of the road, provision of footpaths and
street lights, supply of water, electricity

and many more, he said.

A co-ordinated effort is needed.
Mr Jannif added the complex would
include two double storey buildings
and a number of workshops for FNU
and National Training and Productivity
Centre (NTPC) use.
He said work would be done in stage
because of the size of the campus.
Details of what would be done in each
phase, the designs of the building, and
the layout of the campus would be
made public as soon as we are ready to
proceed.

Vision Investment Limited Appoints New

Board Members

The impact that technology has on

our working and everyday life here is
immeasurable.
This was stressed by Amalgamated
Telecom Holdings Limited (ATH)
chairman, Ajith Kodagoda in the
Chairmans report for the year
2015/2016.
Mr Kodagoda said they would lead the
nations connectivity sector in staying
ahead of this wave of development.
In a challenging macroeconomic
climate, we carried on with improving
our business efficiency, preparing
for new major project launches and
securing sustainable returns for our
shareholders.
Our investment programme is
underpinned by a sound balance sheet,
which is strong enough to withstand
volatile currency fluctuations to
maintain our position as Fijis flagship
telecommunications service provider.
He said ATH Group turned in another
year of excellent results following on
last years performance.
The operating companies have
performed well across the board, Mr
Kodagoda said.
As a result, the group achieved
increased revenues and achieved higher
operating profits.
While we continue to reap benefits from
the consolidation and restructure phase
the group implemented previously, we
are still witnessing organic growth to our
top line led by the continuing buoyant
demand for data and Internet services.
He said their recent expansionary

david@fijitimescanada.com

efforts via the acquisitions of Telecom

Services Kiribati Limited (TSKL),
Datec (Fiji) Limited and its subsidiary
company, Datec Australia Pty Limited
were performing to expectations and
also making positive contribution to the
groups operation.
All these were accomplished during
another year of tough competition and
despite continued challenges in our
traditional voice, messaging revenues
and legacy revenues.
Mr Kodagoda said continued growth of
data and Internet services, associated
internet and mobile apps were the prime
drivers of growth and, therefore, the ATH
growth strategy would continue to push
the boundaries of these growth frontiers.
He said according to international
trends, as reported by the ITU,
telecommunications investment would
have to continue to support increasing
coverage and the demand for more
bandwidth and services.
This is particularly true for developing
countries, he said.
While 4G wireless services are
evolving from LTE to LTE Advanced,
offering a boost in speeds, the 5G
wireless technologies are now just
over the horizon and will be deployed
to accommodate the Internet of Things
(IoT) ecosystem.
He said the IoT painted an exciting
future prospect wearable technology,
connected sensors, appliances, homes
and cars leading to smart cities and
smart nations.
Telecommunications operators and

infrastructure providers are in poleposition to act as enablers for IoT

ecosystem.
He said on the backdrop of excellent
market performance across all our
business segments, Group Revenue grew
by 14.6 percent coming in at $356.2
million for the financial year 2016.
Dividends to shareholders
He said in line with the excellent
financial performance delivered by
the Group during financial year 2016
the board of directors has resolved to
recommend, for shareholder approval,
a final dividend amounting to $21.1
million.
The board of directors has resolved to
recommend, for shareholder approval, a
final dividend amounting to $21.1 million.
This is in addition to the interim
dividends of $12.66 million that were
paid, translating to a dividend payout
of 41.2 percent of net profit, and total
dividend per share of 8 cents.

778.278.4088

Regional Talks To Improve Customs Single

Window System

Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority executives/officials and Oceania Customs Organisation representatives with
Regional stakeholders and New High Commission team at the Single Clearance Workshop in Suva
Regional
stakeholders
yesterday
gathered in Suva to discuss ways of
fine tuning and improving the Customs
Single Window System.
The workshop was organised jointly by
the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority
and the Oceania Customs Organisation.
The Single Window system is a new
and innovative approach to border
processing and clearance.
It allows traders to submit all import,
export and transit information required
by regulatory agencies via a single
electronic gateway.
This is as opposed to the previous
practice of submitting and processing
the same information numerous times to
various entities.
FRCA acting chief executive, Visvanath
Das, said: The Single Window
environment aims to expedite and
simplify information flows between
trade and government and bring
meaningful gains to all parties involved
in cross-border trade.
In practical terms a Single Window
environment provides one entrance,
either physical or electronic, for the

david@fijitimescanada.com

submission and handling of all data, and

documents related to the release and
clearance of an international transaction.
This entrance is managed by one
agency, which informs the appropriate
agencies, and/or directs combined
controls.
Mr Das emphasised to participants
that the implementation of a Single
Window does not necessarily imply
the use of high-tech information and
communication technology.
The Single Window concept can be
implemented in a manual environment
with the co-operation of all border
authorities, he said.
However, countries may enjoy fuller
benefits of a Single Window by using
ICT and dataset standards commonly
accepted by the relevant public and
private stakeholders.
Mr Das believed the workshop would
be a tool to identify emerging issues and

address challenges to confidently tailormake and implement it to the respective

administrations.
NZ aid support
Meanwhile, New Zealand High
Commissioner to Fiji, Mark Ramsden,
stressed the importance of trade in
the Pacific for them and an enabler of
growth.
New Zealand recognises the importance
of trade to development, which is why
increasing the economic benefits from
trade, is one of the main investment
priorities for our aid programme, he
said.
In the Pacific, Customs revenue is
often the single most important stream
of government revenue.
Strengthening customs administrations
is therefore critical to ensure Pacific
Countries can fully maximise the
benefits of trade and collect revenue to
sustain government services.

OBizz.com
778.278.4088

Fiji News

10

Mums Wishes Motivate Maharaj

Sidharth Maharaj believes education is
a process that you undergo everyday
which must be stressed to the youths of
today.
The Verata man, 20, aims to share this
message with patrons at the Hibiscus
Festival next week.
Krish Amusement sponsored Mr
Maharaj said education was not just pen
and paper but everything that people
experienced and wanted to explore.
Every day you learn something new.
You become a student at times and also
a teacher giving someone something
new to learn, he said.
We live in a knowledge-based society
and education plays a vital role in the
communities today.
Mr Maharaj plans to use the platform to
remind teachers, parents and guardians to
help youths understand what education
really is and its importance in their lives.
He said there was a need to get youths
involved in creating a better society.
When asked about why he joined the

2016 Hibiscus Festival King Contestant Mr Krish Amusement Sidharth

Maharaj.
Hibiscus Festival, he said: I really
didnt have much thought about being a
contestant of this great event but my mum
always wished to see me as a contestant.

He said by joining the Hibiscus Festival,

he was fulfilling his mothers wishes
and would also use the platform to learn
new things and give it his best shot.

Mill Receives 55% Of Daily Sugarcane:

Chief

Rarawai Mill in Ba is not operating to

its full capacity as it only receives 55
per cent of daily sugarcane required to
operate the mill fully.
This was confirmed by the general
manager Sailasa Waitawa.
However this is better than the 20 per
cent we were receiving in the first week
of the crushing at mill.
Mr Waitawa confirmed the Rarawai
mill has crushed 14,623 tonnes of cane
and produced 723 tonnes of sugar until
Monday.
Our pre-class estimate/forecast for
production was 401,000 tonnes which
included 100,000 tonnes from Rakiraki
district, but our production forecast is
being reviewed and will be finalized this
week.
Meanwhile the President of the Rarawai,
Penang Cane Producers Association,
Girish Kumar, is requesting sugar
industry stakeholders to meet and come
up with an action plan to assist cane
farmers in Ba and Rakiraki.
His request came after the Rarawai Mill
sought several hours of closure everyday
due to the low sugarcane supply.
The mill stops operating for a certain
period of time every day, at least six to

david@fijitimescanada.com

Rarawai Mill in Ba
seven hours due to low cane supply.
revamp camp houses but they dont
He said farmers were also facing have the money to do so.
problems in harvesting cane and high He said there were issues faced by the
farmers which needed to be brought to
rates of cane cutters.
Apart from this the farmers need to light, not only spoken about but to action.

OBizz.com
778.278.4088

Fiji News

11

Over 200 Take Advantage Of Free Medical

Screenings

More than 200 people have been screened

so far by a surgical team from India.
Sahaydri Specialty Hospitals Pacific
(Fiji) Limited director Professor Mannu
Maunibhargav said people needed to
take full advantage of the free screening
services were offering.
Our service is absolutely free and
we are funded by the Government of
India, and we would want as many
Fijians to come to us and get screened
for their own betterment, Professor
Munibhargav said.
Majority of our screenings have been
for cardiology patients wanting to
ensure their heart status, but we want to
ensure the lives of all Fijians.
Minister for Health and Medical
Services Jone Usamate said this was
a great opportunity for all Fijians and
urged everyone to take this chance.
We all want to be healthy and healthy
Fijian means a healthy Fiji,
Being fit does not mean your heart
is fit. I urge everyone to come and get

Cardiologist Dr Anuj Shrivastava scans Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia
Tuitubou for the cardiology screening at CWM hospital
screened once so you know where
youre standing at, Mr Usamate said.
Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia
Tuitubouo and Mr Usamate were among

those screened at the Colonial War

Memorial Hospital on Monday.
Free health screening was also held in
Ba and Lautoka.

FNPF Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Fiji National Provident Fund has
come through its own challenges,
tribulations and will continue to ensure
that it remains relevant and sustainable
for its members.
In celebrating the Funds half century
mark, FNPF chairman Ajith Kodagoda
said the Fund would continue to better
serve its members in the next few years.
The theme for the golden anniversary
celebration is Securing Your Future
50 Years On.
We have come a long way in the last
50 years growing from a $30,000 Fund
in 1966 to a $5 billion institution, Mr
Kodagoda said.
Re-emphasis core purposes
Mr Kodagoda said whilst the legacies
and success stories of the past 50
years were worth celebrating, the Fund
recognised the need to re-emphasize
its core purpose as a progressive social
security provider.
He said the right to progressive social
security was a basic human right
enshrined under section 37 of Fijis
Constitution.
I would also like to extend our
appreciation to former and current staff
and management, respective Board

david@fijitimescanada.com

members and chief executive officers

who have contributed towards the
growth of the Fund, Mr Kodagoda said.
FNPF is what it is today because of
all the contributions both small and big
made by you all.
I would also like to acknowledge
the leadership and support of the
Government of the day who stood by us
during the reforms and modernisation
process that begun in 2009.
If not for some of these reform
decisions, we would not be this strong
and confident to face the next 100 years.
FNPF kick started the celebration on
its birthday by hosting residents of six
selected senior citizens home to morning
tea and/or lunch.
The three months celebrations would
culminate with the opening of the
Funds new Customer Services Offices
at downtown Boulevard, a new mall
in Greig Street in Suva and would
also include various corporate social
responsibility activities.
Also speaking at the Father Law Home,
the Funds, chief operating officer Jaoji
Koroi said the Fund was honoured to
spend the day with senior citizens in
their various homes.

Most of whom have served this

country in different capacities and some
of whom are former FNPF members,
he said.
Mr Koroi paid tribute to the social
organisations and the Government for
their commitment to ensuring senior
citizens were well-looked after.
He said the Fund remains committed to
ensuring that members save for a secure
retirement.
FNFP Establishment
Since its establishment in 1966 as a
retirement savings fund, FNPF has
evolved to provide other services such
a pension and pre-retirement financial
assistance.
Mr Kodagoda said it was now also an
active player in the investment market
as it continued to carry out its primary
objective of securing its members future.
FNPF history includes
The Fiji National Provident Fund is
Fijis largest financial institution.
This is the only superannuation fund
that is mandated by law to collect
compulsory
contributions
from
employees and employers, towards the
retirement savings of all workers in Fiji.
It was founded in 1966 under the FNPF Act.

778.278.4088

World News

12

Coquihalla Crash Involving Multiple

Vehicles Halts Southbound Traffic

One person was airlifted to hospital

with serious injuries following a major
multi-vehicle crash on the Coquihalla
Highway Friday afternoon that closed
the routes southbound lanes.
A commercial transport vehicle
traveling southbound on Highway 5
apparently was unable to stop, and
collided with 13 other vehicles, Const.
Melissa Wutke, spokeswoman for BC
RCMP Traffic Services, said Friday
evening. Fortunately, there have not
been any fatalities. One person has been
airlifted to hospital with serious but not
life threatening injuries.
She said the accident happened at
about 2:30 p.m. and the highway would
remain closed southbound for several
more hours. Motorists should check
for updates on the highways status on
Drive BC.
Earlier, B.C. Emergency Health
Services spokeswoman Pamela Gole
said 11 ambulances attended the scene
and six other people were transported to
hospital, all in stable condition.
Witnesses said a semi-truck appeared to
lose control going down a hill between
Merritt and Hope, with a long line of
cars stopped ahead for roadwork .
There was wrecked vehicles all over,
people all over the road. It was just
a mess, CFJC Today quoted Norm
Draeger as saying.
Courtney Starheim was travelling in the
opposite direction of the crash and said

she could smell the brakes of the truck,

and others inside her vehicle commented
on it.
There was no way that semi would
have been able to safely stop before the
stopped traffic, she said.
The accident happened near Box
Canyon. The Ministry of Transportation
has had southbound lane closures
scheduled all week along nearly 10

kilometres of the highway from the Box

Canyon chain area to Exit 202.
Wed like to thank the motoring public
for their patience and understanding
as getting the injured to hospital
was our first priority, added Wutke,
noting that Ministry of Transportation
and Commercial Vehicle Safety and
Enforcement (CVSE) officers were on the
scene inspecting the commercial vehicle.

B.C. Anti-Tax Crusader Sentenced To 5 Years

A B.C. anti-tax crusader, who tax

authorities say counselled people to be
tax cheats has been sentenced to fiveand-a-half years in prison and fined
$259,482, according to the Canada
Revenue Agency.
Russell Porisky of Chilliwack was
sentenced July 29 in B.C. Supreme
Court, the CRA said in a news release.
It was the second trial for Porisky and
his common-law spouse, Elaine Gould,
who were first tried on tax charges in
2012.
The two were found guilty at their first
trial, but the pair appealed, arguing that
they should have been tried by a jury,
rather than by judge alone.
In 2014, the B.C. Court of Appeal
ordered a new trial in the case, his
former lawyer Martin Peters said.

david@fijitimescanada.com

In July, Porisky was convicted of two

counts of tax evasion and one count of
counselling others to evade taxes, the
CRA statement said.
Gould was sentenced to one day in jail
after she received six months' credit
for time previously served. She was
also fined $38,241 for one count of tax
evasion.
Taught 'natural person' theory
Porisky advocated a theory that centred
around what he described as a "natural
person." He argued the government's
legal definition of a person someone
who votes, owns property, receives
benefits and pays taxes is artificial,
and by merely declaring themselves
"natural" people, his followers could
avoid paying their taxes.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that

Porisky, through his group Paradigm,

taught more than 800 people at paid
seminars about his "natural person"
theory.
Porisky told his followers that his
research of the law showed the average
Canadian didn't have to pay taxes
because each working Canadian is being
taxed as an "artificial person," a category
created by government.
According to Porisky, if one declares
oneself a "natural person," no taxes
need to be paid. He practised what he
preached.
The CRA said Porisky and Gould failed
to report total income of $1.4 million
between 2004 and 2007 and evaded
$231,574 in federal income tax. As
well, Porisky failed to collect and remit
$66,149 in GST between 2004 and 2008.

778.278.4088

World News

13

Clinton Jumps To Big Lead Over Trump

In New National Polls

Corrections and clarifications: An earlier

version of the following story misstated
Donald Trump's poll number in July in
the McClatchy-Marist poll.
Hillary Clinton had a 15-point lead
over Donald Trump in a national poll
out Thursday following the Republican
nominees insults of the parents of a
fallen soldier and otherwise rocky week
in his campaign.
The former secretary of State gained
ground in the McClatchy-Marist poll,
and Trump lost support. Clinton had the
support of 48% of those surveyed, and
Trump had 33%. Last month, Clinton
had 42% while Trump had 39%.
When third-party candidates are
included, Clintons lead held strong.
She had 45%, and Trump had 31%,
Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson
had 10% and Green Party candidate Jill
Stein had 6%.
Clinton made gains with every ethnic
and racial group, including whites
and men, which Trump had led with
previously.
The survey of 1,132 people was
conducted via telephone Aug. 1-3. The
margin of error was plus or minus 3.1
percentage points.

An NBC News/Wall Street Journal

poll released Thursday afternoon also
showed Clinton with a significant lead:
She had 47% and Trump had 38%.
That margin has also grown since their
poll last month, which had Clinton at
46% and Trump at 41%.

In a four-way matchup, Clinton held on to

her lead with 43% while Trump had 34%.
Johnson had 10% and Stein had 5%.
The telephone poll of 800 registered
voters was conducted July 31-Aug. 3. It
had a margin of error of plus or minus
3.5 points.

Police in Pakistan have confirmed that a

woman from Bradford, whose husband
believes she was the victim of an
honour killing, was murdered.
Samia Shahid, 28, died last month in
northern Punjab. Her husband, Syed
Mukhtar Kazam, said he believed his
wife, who was in Pakistan to visit
relatives, was killed because her family
disapproved of their marriage.
Shahids family who deny Kazams
claims initially said the 28-year-old
had died of a heart attack, but Deputy
Inspector General Abu Bakr Khuda
Bux told the BBC that forensic reports
showed she was strangled.
He confirmed that no arrests had been
made in the case, though Shahids father,
Mohammad, and a cousin, Mobeen,
have both been interviewed by police.
Shahids husband claimed she was killed
because she divorced her first husband
a cousin whom she had married in an

arranged service and married Kazam,

moving to Dubai with him in 2014.
Shahid converted from the Sunni to
the Shia school of Islam when the pair
married.
Police initially treated Shahids death
as unsuspicious and a first postmortem
reported there were no marks on her
body, but a murder inquiry was launched
last week and a new team of investigators
put in charge of the case. Photographs of
the body, seen by the media, appear to
show a 19cm-long bruise on her neck.
Kazam has travelled to Pakistan to put
pressure on the authorities to investigate
Shahids death. Naz Shah, the local MP
in Bradford, said he was under 24-hour
police protection after receiving death
threats.
Shah has written to the Pakistani
authorities to demand a proper
investigation into her constituents
death, raising fears that there could be

a cover-up. Kazam has said he fears

Shahids family will use their local
power to hush up the investigation.
More than 1,096 honour killings were
reported in Pakistan last year, though the
actual number of victims is likely to be
far higher.

Alleged 'Honour Killing' Victim Was

Murdered, Pakistani Police Confirm

david@fijitimescanada.com

778.278.4088

World News

14

Welsh Woman Cheats Death, Wins $113

Million In Lottery

The mother in a family who won 61

million on the EuroMillions lottery
told her daughter to buy a ticket after
"cheating death" with surgery on a
tumour.
Sonia Davies, 53, is one of five winners
in the family syndicate, along with her
partner Keith Reynolds, 55, daughters
Stephanie, 23, and Courtney, 19, and
Stephanie's boyfriend Steve Powell, 30.
They will get 12.2m each.
Stephanie purchased six Lucky Dip
tickets on the evening of the draw after
receiving a call from her mother, who
was in Florida after undergoing keyhole
surgery to remove a tumour on her
parathyroid gland.
Ms Davies said: "I had the surgery a
week ago today. Friday was the first
day I felt, wow, I'm cured, I feel good, it
doesn't hurt so much.
"I felt like I had cheated death and felt so
lucky. You just feel like, we're on a roll,
let's buy a lottery ticket because we're so
lucky."
Ms Davies added: "I didn't think we'd
win but, when you feel everything is
shining down on you, you just go for it."
Her daughter bought the tickets from
the Overmonow Garage in Monmouth,
Wales, and was stunned when she
checked the numbers in the early hours
of Sunday morning.
Ms Davies, an admin assistant, and Mr
Reynolds, a company regional director,
were in the US to see his daughter
graduate and for Ms Davies' operation.
She was diagnosed with a tumour on her
parathyroid gland earlier in the year - and
had arranged keyhole surgery at a worldleading treatment centre in Florida.
Sonia said: 'What a rollercoaster of a
week we've had. I had my operation
on Wednesday and until then we didn't
know how serious it was.
"They told me that if it hadn't been
removed it would have been fatal - and at
the very least I would have lost my voice
within a year.
'They managed to give me the all clear
straight after the operation, so as you can
imagine we were on cloud nine.
"Excited we were about to return home
to celebrate our brilliant news, Keith was
scanning his emails and read about the
EuroMillions rollover."
She added: "He was convinced that we
were the luckiest people on the planet
and definitely on a winning streak after
the success of my op.

david@fijitimescanada.com

"So we called up my daughter Courtney

to ask her to go and buy us a ticket.
"She was travelling and wasn't able to
change her plans so we called Stephanie
instead as something told us we needed
to get a ticket - and the rest is history."
Ms Davies was previously widowed aged
just 47 when husband Malcolm died of
leukaemia more than five years ago.
A neighbour at their home near Monmouth
said : "Sonia has been through so much
and she is finally due some happiness.
"Finding the tumour must have been very
frightening for her, especially after going
through what she did with Malcolm.
"She kept news of her health very secret
because we didn't know anything.
"But I'm glad she's got the all clear and
to get win the lottery as well must be the
icing on the cake."
Describing her dash to get the tickets,
daughter Stephanie said: "My car was
blocked in the drive by my boyfriend
Steve's, so to save time I made him drive
me to buy a ticket instead of moving mine."
She and Mr Powell did not check the
tickets until the early hours of Sunday
morning, after spending the evening with
friends.
Mr Powell said: "We were laughing and
joking about the lottery.
"Steph remembered she had bought a
ticket. She said 'if I shout down it means
we've won the lottery and if not, I've
gone to bed'. She came down crying."
Miss Davies had checked the numbers on
her iPad and realised they had all of them
- with one UK ticket holder scooping the
61m prize.
She said: "As soon as I saw that ticket
I had my hands over my eyes, I was
shaking, I was crying.
'I said to Steve "for once in my life I am
not even joking". We checked the ticket
about ten times over.'
She then phoned her mother, who was
waiting to board her delayed flight home.

Mother Sonia said: 'All I could hear was

Steph sobbing down the phone and the
odd muffled word. I thought she'd told
me she'd lost her dog. Then I heard Steve
shouting "we've won 61 million".
'We put them on speaker phone so Keith
and I could both listen, but realised
everyone in the airport could hear so we
huddled round a bin while we checked
the numbers and realised we really had
won.
'I can remember saying "if we don't make
it home just make sure you spend it all".
It was the longest flight of our life.'
Stephanie then phoned up her sister
Courtney, the fifth member of their
syndicate, to break the news at 1.45am.
Describing their conversation, Courtney,
who is studying psychology at the
University of Southampton, said: 'We
kept repeating "oh my God" to each
other, over and over.
'In the end we had to say bye and hang
up as we were so in shock we weren't
actually talking to each other.'
The family - who hail from
Monmouthshire in south east Wales said they were still considering what to
do with their 12,220,488 shares of the
61,102,442 jackpot.
Stephanie and her partner bought their
first home together at Christmas so they
plan to finish decorating the bathroom
and may take a trip to the Caribbean.
Courtney wants to complete her degree
before deciding what to do next but said
she is planning on buying an electric
toothbrush and a new car to replace her
VW Fox, which has wind-up windows
and no air condition.
Her boyfriend Kieran, a student at
Reading University, is hoping she will
get the leak in his car fixed.
Ms Davies and Mr Reynolds will share
their win with family and friends - though
she would like a new oak-framed carport
for their home.

778.278.4088

15

Health

Lowering Cholesterol
Enjoy Margarine
High cholesterol levels can put stress on
any family. The good news is that you
can lower your cholesterol and improve
your heart health by making small
lifestyle changes. Here are five tips to
help get you moving towards a heart
healthier lifestyle:
1. Eat a balanced diet
Canada's Food Guide helps you enjoy
a variety of foods from the four food
groups and specific types of oils and
fats. It provides recommendations on
serving sizes to help meet your needs for
vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients,
while contributing to your overall health
and vitality.
Its easier than you think! Make a stirfry for supper tonight with at least three
different vegetables. Add berries or
sliced fruit to low-fat yogurt, salads,
and whole grain breakfast cereal.
Try swapping white bread and white
pasta for their higher fibre whole grain
versions
2. Include plant sterols in your daily
diet
Small amounts of plant sterols are
naturally found in a wide variety of
vegetable oils, fruits and vegetables, and
are an effective addition to a cholesterollowering diet and lifestyle.

International health experts such as the

American Heart Association, as part
of the National Cholesterol Education
Program, suggest eating 2 grams of
plant sterols a day to enhance an LDLcholesterol-lowering lifestyle and diet.
Becel pro.activ contains plant
sterols, which help to lower cholesterol.
Two teaspoons (10 g) of Becel pro.
activ provides 40% of the daily
amount of plant sterols shown to help
lower cholesterol in adults. Consuming
2-3 servings of plant sterols fortified
food, like Becel pro.activ, helps
lower cholesterol up to 9%. With lower
cholesterol comes better peace of mind
for you and your family.
3. Focus on the healthier fats
Eat less saturated and trans fats (bad fats);
instead, replace them with unsaturated
fats like polyunsaturated omega-3 fats
(good fats). DHA and EPA are two types
of polyunsaturated omega-3 fats, which
are important for the maintenance of
good health and increasingly being
recognized as important for heart health.
To include more polyunsaturated
omega-3 fats in your diet, use canola oil
and products made with canola oil. Look
for foods enriched with DHA and EPA
including some soft non-hydrogenated
margarine, eggs, lower fat milk and

yogurt. Eat salmon, rainbow trout and

other fatty fish, at least twice a week.
4. Keep active
Just 30 minutes of moderate physical
activity on most days of the week can
lead to many health benefits. By being
more physically active, you:
Take positive steps to keep your heart
healthy
Will stay in better shape to look and feel
better
May feel reduced stress levels
May find it easier to fall asleep
Adults should aim for 2 hours of
moderate (e.g. brisk walking or bike
riding) to vigorous (e.g. jogging or
cross-country skiing) physical activity
each week. Short, 10-minute spurts of
activity can be spread throughout the
week to help achieve the weekly goal. .
5. Give up smoking
Stopping smoking is one of the most
important decisions you can make for
your heart, even if youve smoked for
years. As soon as you stop, youll start
to see the benefits. Your circulation will
start to improve, your lungs will benefit,
and in the long term, it will help to keep
your heart healthy.
If you smoke, quit or reduce the amount.
For more information speak with your
doctor.

Meditate As You Walk

Awareness of your body, mind and

soul is often uplifted when you walk. A
meditation done while being in action
is a great way to enhance your mood
and also concentrate on everyday life.
Psychiatrist, Veena Chakravarthy says,
"Meditating while walking not only
exercises your body but also your mind.
Advised to do it on your own, it also
lets you think about your life and take
crucial life decisions."
Ways to practice it
To begin walking meditation, first of all
just stand at one place and try to feel
the ground with the soles of your feet.
This will help you be aware of your
surroundings. Madhuri Waingarkar,
fitness professional says, "Start your
walk gradually and in a normal manner.
Do not brisk walk. The normal pace at
which you walk will keep you balanced
and upright."
When you walk, make sure that the
soles of your feet touch the ground in its

david@fijitimescanada.com

entirety. Place your heel on the ground

first and then the rest of your foot. Lift
your feet and do not drag them when
you are walking. Try to be aware of
all the different sensations that occur
when your feet comes in contact with
the ground, for example, the contact
between your toes, the feeling of the
inside of your shoes, the fabric of your
socks etc. Also make sure to keep your
ankles relaxed when you are walking.
What it does to you
-Creates awareness of your body:
Walking meditation ideally helps you to
be aware of your body and mind. When
the soles of your feet, contacts and
releases the ground, it sends sensations
into your body, which then relaxes you.
When you meditate while you walk, you
realise that you are able to understand
how each of your body part is reacting.
For example, it allows you to understand
how the muscle in your hips, the knee
joints is contracting and releasing as you

take steps.
-Helps you understand your feelings and
emotions: Clinical psychologist, Seema
Hingorrany says, "How often have you
heard people say that they feel the need
to go out on a walk to be able to free their
mind of stress and unwanted tension?
However, one of the many benefits of
walking meditation is that it allows you
to understand and focus on your feelings
and emotions, while you walk. You get
ample time to understand what has been
going right and wrong in your life and
this is also the time when you are able to
take crucial decisions."
-Balances the inner and the outer
experiences: It creates a balance between
your inner and outer experiences.
Hemant Sadhvi, a businessman, says, "I
have tried practising walking meditation
and it instills clarity, stillness and calm."

OBizz.com
778.278.4088

Recipe

16

Honey Mustard Lamb Rack

Ingredients
4 large yellow potatoes
1 large sweet potato
1 Spanish onion
1 whole bulb of garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil for the vegetables
Salt and pepper
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 tablespoon olive oil for the lamb
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon rosemary, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon honey
1 /2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Preparation
Heat oven to 350F.
Cut the potatoes and sweet potatoes into
1-inch-thick pieces. Cut the onion in
half and remove the outer layer of skin.
Place 2 tablespoons olive oil into a
baking tray. Place the vegetables,
including the whole unpeeled 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.
When the vegetables have been baking
for 15 minutes, mix together in a bowl
the 5 cloves chopped garlic, bread

crumbs, 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, salt,

rosemary, honey and mustard Stir well
until it forms a paste.
Spread the paste evenly over the lamb
rack. When the vegetables have been
cooking for 25 minutes, place lamb in

the oven directly over the vegetables.

This will allow for the drippings to
collect with the vegetables..
Roast the vegetables and lamb for 20
more minutes for rare meat or 30 more
minutes for well-done

Cashew Chicken

Chinese Cashew Chicken is a popular

dish that is simple yet delicious.
Ingredients
You will need:
3 chicken breasts, (skinless, boneless)
sliced
1 tsp white sugar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
3 tsp minced garlic
6 oz chicken broth
3 Tbsp peanut oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 cups broccoli
3 oz cashew halves
Preparation
In medium size mixing bowl, mix
together garlic, sugar, and soy sauce.
Add sliced chicken and stir.
In large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons
peanut oil and add red pepper and
broccoli. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add onion and cook an additional 2 to
3 minutes.
Add remaining oil, as well as chicken
and soy sauce mixture. Cook another 6
to 8 minutes until chicken is cooked to

david@fijitimescanada.com

proper temperature.
Add broth to skillet and cook additional
2 minutes.

Remove from heat, stir in cashew halves

and serve.
Variations
Add celery for even more crunch

778.278.4088

17

Ekta Kapoor On A Motivational Front

Ekta Kapoor, who is one of the most
strong and successful women producers
in the industry and has made a name for
herself here, was recently invited by the
Google and Facebook office.
These respectable entities extended
an invite to Ekta Kapoor in order to
have a motivational talk with all their
employees at their headquarters in USA.
Ekta Kapoor has a very interesting and
inspiring journey to talk about, how she
started, how she grew, her vision and
where she has managed to reach today.
She traveled to the USA for the same and
also spoke to them about Indian cinema,
working here and also the challenges
faced and advantages.
The response to the visit and the talk was
that it was very fruitful and enriching.
On the other hand, Ekta Kapoor too had
a great time.
Spokesperson confirms and shares, "It
was a proud moment for the enitre Balaji
team to have Ekta Kapoor invited by
such innovative minds for an interactive
session".

Sanjay Dutt And Madhuri Dixit To

Reunite For A Film Almost After 20 Years

Those who keep a close check on

Bollywood will know that once upon
a time Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit
were very much in love. However
they parted ways. There were reports
that Madhuri decided to break up with
Sanjay due to his legal battle. But today
Sanju baba is free man and he is back
with a bang.
Dutt is all set to make comeback to the
silver screen after two years. Yes! The
actor has signed friend Vidhu Vinod
Chopras film titled Marco Bhau. The
latest buzz is that Madhuri Dixit will be
playing Dutts leading lady in the film.
As per an entertainment portal, Vidhu
Vinod Chopra has approached Madhuri
to play a lead role in the film and
apparently she too is giving a thought.
Well if they reunite they will indeed
ignite the screen almost after a decade.
During 90s Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri
Dixit made a superhit pair. Every
director and producer wanted to sign the

david@fijitimescanada.com

couple. The two delivered on the biggest

hits in the form of Khalnayak. Well, we

are extremely thrilled to see this golden

couple romance once again.

778.278.4088

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Aries
Natives of your sign will be eager to
take initiatives and accept challenges in
the coming days. However, the biggest
stumbling block could be sustaining
interest. You need to be absolutely
focused and strong-willed before making
any commitments. Mars transiting in
own Sign Scorpio through the eighth
House will make you shaky and tentative.
Ganesha advises that you take some
work which you enjoy doing and are
skilled at. Around Tuesday-Wednesday,
you are likely to incur expenses, due
to an urgent domestic requirement.
At the same time, you could also earn
some money. This will neutralize your
finances. Singles will live it up with
their new found love. Married folks will
find life pleasant. Around the weekend,
Mercury changes Signs to enter own
Sign, fond of perfection, Virgo.
Taurus
You shall be keen on giving a new look
to your residence, as the week begins.
This will keep you busy for some time.
Meanwhile, the ruler of your Sign,
Venus, has come out of its combust
state. Positive influence of Venus will
now work at fullest. Businessmen
will sign some lucrative deals with
old customers. This will boost morale
significantly and also uphold your
ethics and beliefs. Those in jobs will be
content with the responsibilities given to
them. Retrograde Saturn has influence
over the 2nd House (from your Sign)
concerned with finances. In view of
this, you should plan your finances with
long term in mind and keep reserves
for contingencies. Ganesha advises that
you spend time with family to remain in
touch with their needs and aspirations.
Gemini
Businessmen,
entrepreneurs
and
professionals will revive old contacts
in the coming days. They are being
helped by Venus which has come out
combusted state now. Renewing links
with former associates is likely to help
push up business and growth. However,
some odds could continue to obstruct
smooth running of routine. There does
not seem a way out for the time being
with Mars transiting through the house,
related to adversity. Retrograde Saturn
is also not supportive of progressive
forces. Youll have to bear and grin at
present, say Ganesha. Singles will be
over the moon on meeting their teenage
crush at some social event. Both seem

david@fijitimescanada.com

keen to revive the friendship. Now, it

is also a good time to tie the knot. With
regards to health, acidity could become
a cause for concern. Regulate your diet
and drink plenty of water.
Cancer
This is going to be a busy week for you.
Thanks to Moon transiting through Aries
that will keep you preoccupied with your
career. Businessmen and professionals
are likely to gain here. Retrograde
Saturn will keep those doing jobs on
their toes. Your boss could be breathing
down your neck to increase your tempo
at work. Around Wednesday-Thursday,
you could have a tiff with someone
close. As of now, you seem to be in no
mood to patch up. Reconciliation will
happen only over the weekend. Natives
of your sign do not hold grudges for
long, informs Ganesha. This is a sign of
a healthy mind. As the week draws to a
close, Mercury changes sign to enter its
own sign, earthly Virgo. If you have any
old health issue, you need to be careful.
Get it treated effectively.
Leo
This week, the planets goad you to rise
and shine. Current planetary position
seems conducive for your ascent.
However, good opportunities yield
results only with the backing of hard work
and diligence, believes Ganesha. Mars in
the fourth House aspects the tenth House
concerned with occupation. Influence
of Mars will present you with more
options, but not all may be viable. Thus
deliberate well, prior to commencing a
new venture. New comers and freshers
should pay heed to this. Those already
employed will get better exposure to
showcase their ability. Businessmen
and professionals could benefit from
favourable planetary position. Financial
prospects will be enhanced. Retrograde
Saturn could revive old health issues.
But dont worry. Influence of Jupiter
over the sixth House may help find the
right medication. Around weekend,
Mercury shifts into own sign Virgo.
Virgo
You will miss some good earning
opportunity at the beginning. This
happens because you were not able
to gauge its importance or long term
benefit and, hence, fail to respond
promptly. From Wednesday on, you
shall become more alert and vigilant
about new prospects and openings.
Ganesha tells you to be prepared on
Wednesday and Thursday as another

new opportunity will come your way.

Make good use of this supportive time.
Businessmen will gain during this
phase. The sixth House is indicative of
health issue. Strong Mars and retrograde
Saturn influence the 6th House from
your Sign not a good placement. This
will have a negative impact on your
health. Remain careful about infections.
If you feel something is nagging you,
start treatment immediately to prevent
further complications.
Libra
Ruler of your Sign, Venus, has now come
out of its combust state. This will pump
you with renewed confidence. However,
Venus still transits through the eleventh
House related to relationship in general.
In view of this, keep a safe distance from
friends with no goals, no direction in life.
They will not only distract, but could be
a bad influence on you. At this point,
managing financial matters effectively
appears difficult due to the presence
of Mars in the second House. Set long
and short term priorities after much
deliberation and keep enough provision
for emergencies, says Ganesha. Jupiter
and malefic Rahu are transiting through
twelfth House, concerned with expenses
in general. You may need to spend here
to help out a relative in urgent need.
Some unexpected health issue may
require you to rest for a few days.
Scorpio
The week opens with a setback. Be alert.
Monday Tuesday are marked for this.
From Wednesday, you will put your nose
to the grind, determined to move ahead.
Influence of strong Mars over exalted
Moon in opposition to its position could
make you confident and careful. You will
be poised and assertive and busy with
routine work, says Ganesha. The transit
of Sun in its own Sign Leo, along with
Venus and Mercury, seems supportive of
businessmen and professionals. It may
help them strike lucrative, long term
deals. In contrast, those in jobs could
be uncomfortable and also stressed,
to some extent. Singles may be left
dreaming about getting up, close and
personal with a special someone.
Sagittarius
Its a smooth opening for you this week.
No major hurdles. No constraints.
Thanks to Moon in initiative-taker, fiery
Sign, Aries, time for action is indicated
now. You will need to work constantly
and remain highly motivated to do your
best. Around midweek, you will be

778.278.4088

19

eager to flaunt your wealth. Influence of

retrograde Saturn could affect smooth
operations of routine activities. Married
folks will be grumpy about the slow,
tardy response of their partner. There is
a likelihood of becoming emotionally
imbalanced due to the unkind conduct of
someone you are emotionally attached,
at the beginning of the week, warns
Ganesha. Effects of slow digestion may
bother. Over weekend, mercury enters
own earthly Sign Virgo. This brings in
a positive breeze with long term gains.
Capricorn
Domestic matters and issues related to
relationships could become your main
concern here. You need to spare time
regularly to be aware about requirements
of the household. As far as relationships
go, you may be stressed. Your insistence
and obstinacy could further complicate
the situation. Singles will be frustrated
by not being able to win over someone
from the opposite sex. Influence of
strong Mars seems to be the cause,
informs Ganesha. Mars in own sign

and retrograde Saturn have aspect over

the sixth House concerned with health
issues. The coming days do not seem
conducive for health. Issues related to
heart, blood pressure, veins and digestion
are indicated. Be careful! Around
weekend, Mercury enters its own Sign,
Virgo, 8th from your Sign. You may be
feeling glum. Try to think positively.
Aquarius
You will take initiatives to draw up a
new strategy for progress in your field.
Moon transiting in a fiery cardinal Sign
Aries could help you. And, there is Mars
in own Sign Scorpio to further facilitate
your diligence, sincerity and success,
says Ganesha. If you intend to change
your job, planetary positions seem
supportive. You may start applying
and wait for some time to get a better
offer. Businessmen and professionals
will need to keep in regular touch with
valuable customers to ensure frequent
deals. No major expenses are forecasted
for you during this phase. On the
contrary, you will save satisfactorily.

You are guaranteed a pink of heath here.

Around weekend, Mercury shifts into
its own sign, earthly Virgo. This will
strengthen you financially.
Pisces
The focus this week will be on managing
your money efficiently. You will increase
budgets for family to keep them happy
and comfortable. Businessmen will be
keen on formulating strategy to score
over competitors and increase their
market share. However, do not cut
corners to achieve desired results. Maybe
you could lower margins to help your
cause for now, suggests Ganesha. Job
holders may have to multitask to fill in
for a colleague on leave. You will have to
work for extended hours to complete the
task. In regard to health, problems related
to digestive system could be a bother.
Avoid overeating or consuming spicy
food at night. Diabetics need to be careful
here. Stick to diet prescribed by your
physician. Around weekend, Mercury
enters its own sign, earthly Virgo, to join
Rahu and Jupiter transiting therein.

Priyanka Chopras Marketing Campaign

For Baywatch Might Give Deepika
Padukone Sleepless Nights!

We have reasons to believe that despite

all that, PC will still have an upperhand
over Deepika Padukone because the
makers of Baywatch have decided to
mount a publicity campaign exclusively
for the actress.
Being featured in Vanity Fair may not be
enough to rival her
There have been a lot of debates and
disputes going on about who is bigger
between Deepika Padukone and
Priyanka Chopra in Hollywood since
both are debuting with their films next
year. Both their teams have become
pretty aggressive in pitching their stars
and making them the next big thing
for Hollywood. We told you how PCs
presence in Hollywood is much stronger
than DP because she already has a hit TV
show like Quantico to flaunt. Everyone
knows her while Deepika is fairly new.
But Vanity Fair featured Deepika in
Hollywoods Generation Next feature
for xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage,
completely ignoring Priyanka Chopra

david@fijitimescanada.com

who will debut with Baywatch in 2017.

Clearly, some strong PR machinery is
on work here. But we have reasons to
believe that despite all that, PC will still
have an upperhand because the makers
of Baywatch have decided to mount a
publicity campaign exclusively for the
actress character of Victoria which will
be similar to what was done for Heath
Ledgers Joker turn in The Dark Knight
Rises.
If you remember, The Dark Knight
Rises campaign for the unveiling of
Ledgers first look as Joker was the
most viral marketing campaign ever.
It won the Cannes Lions Cyber Grand
Prix Award and a Cannes Lions Silver
Cyber Award. The makers had sent
people in a tizzy with so many activities
spanning for a year that the film had a
huge buzz around it upon release. His
look was revealed on a website where
Harvey Kents face can be disfigured
to get the face of joker out. Incredible
campaigning! Something similar is on

the way for PCs character in Baywatch.

We hear her face will be plastered on
every billboard, buses and other places
to give her maximum exposure. She will
take over Hollywood in those days. We
doubt if such activity was done ever for
any actress, Hollywood or Bollywood.
So be prepared for some crazy
promotional activity which will leave
you wanting for more.

778.278.4088

20

TS Times Sports

Fiji Rugby's Simple Secret To Sevens

Success - Rio 2016

They're favorites to win sevens gold at

the Rio Olympics -- and head coach Ben
Ryan wants his Fiji players to showcase
their "mystical" style of rugby as they
pursue a place in the history books.
The Englishman -- who has become
a cult figure in his adopted home,
rejuvenating the team since arriving
in 2013 -- wants the Pacific Islanders
to express themselves and keep things
simple despite the mounting pressure to
succeed.
Ryan has been told by Prime Minister
Frank Bainimarama that only a gold
-- which would be Fiji's first Olympic
medal in any sport -- will do.
"Every single person in the country has
an expectation that, as the best side in
the world, we'll win and we'll deliver,"
Ryan told CNN's World Rugby show.
"We want to play with style. All the stuff
that's gone into Fijian rugby in history
... this is the Everest for us, insofar as
the globe gets to see Fijian rugby."
The Games, he adds, will offer the
players "our chance to really show
people that have never seen Fijian rugby
before just why we're so different, why
we have this mystical feeling about the
way we do things."
Since taking over as coach, Ryan has led
Fiji to consecutive Sevens World Series
titles, taking the island nation back to
the top of a sport which plays such a key
role in its community.
"Everything, preparation-wise, is being
examined," he says. "The newspapers
and the TV have gone into overdrive.
"Sevens mania has hit new heights, and
for me it's just about making sure the
pressure doesn't get too much.
"Without being over the top or edgy,
I've got to make sure I'm seeing the
360-degree picture as much as possible
and avoiding any possible distractions
or obstacles that are going to stop us
from getting to where we want to get
to."
Having previously been based in his
native London, coaching England's
sevens team, Ryan says he has benefited
from the simplicity of island life.
However, there are also downsides -Fiji was hit by a deadly cyclone which
killed 42 people in February, while the
country's rugby union has been best by

david@fijitimescanada.com

financial problems.
"They're probably the (financially)
poorest group of players I've ever
coached, yet they're certainly the
happiest," Ryan says.
"In rugby terms, that's meant they're
really resilient, they're robust -- and
they're very grateful for what they've
got."
After Fiji clinched the world title at
the London finale in May, Ryan led
the players through an intense training
camp that whittled the squad down to
the 12 men who will play in Rio, where
the shortened rugby format makes its
Olympic debut.
"Preparation's been really good, and
I'm delighted with where we are," Ryan
says.
"Even though there's less things to do on
a large scale, it's the fine margins that
are ultimately the difference in sevens
between winning a medal and not.
"I can, hand on heart, say that the team
we're taking to Rio might not win a
gold medal -- but we're not going to get
tripped up by something that we didn't
do, or by a drop in our values."
Ryan is adamant there must be no
distractions in Brazil, having arrived
after a week-long training camp in Chile.
Fijiana -- the country's women's team -starts its competition Saturday, while the
men begin their campaign Tuesday.
Ryan will allow his players to use their
phones to film and share their part in
Friday's opening ceremony -- "that's
the memories, and I'm not going to stop
them doing that" -- before the mobiles
are surrendered, "and then we're on
lockdown."
That, he says, will help keep his players
protected from the media maelstrom that
will surround their adventures in Rio
-- a frenzy that made itself felt almost
as soon as the buildup to the Olympics
began.
A self-styled "44-year-old ginger bloke
with glasses," Ryan has attracted the
attention of Hollywood producers due
to his hero status in Fiji, but he aims to
stay as grounded as his players.
He ended a six-year stint at the helm of
England's sevens team amid frustration
at "over-complication," despite leading
it to a first Rugby World Cup Sevens

final in 20 years, and has no intention

of allowing clutter to derail Fiji's Rio
campaign.
"Because everything is done in
such a simple framework, nothing's
complicated and we don't throw
anything at them that requires too much
complication," he says.
"When you know what's expected
and it's simple, it's easy to maintain
that standard. The boys know what's
expected. They're empowered to do
their thing.
"I want to be authentic and I think,
on and off the field, that wasn't the
philosophy in the UK.
"I wouldn't call it risky, I'd just say I
was a bit cleaner on how I want to do
things and allow the players to make
decisions."
But in the end, pride in Fiji and in their
own skills will be the players' biggest
motivators.
"We've now got to win a tournament,
to win six games -- something we're
entirely capable of doing," Ryan
concludes.
"The favorites tag is with us, so we've
got to play like favorites, but we've also
got to play with humbleness and control.
"None of us wants to lose this
opportunity. We want to show Fijian
rugby, Fijian sevens, and therefore the
island of Fiji, at its very best."

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