The Fiji Times » Opinion

FEATURE | Bullying, body shaming: Counselling makes woman mentally strong

BULLYING and body shaming may not be a common occurrence in schools in Fiji but they are known to happen. Some students are able to either fight off the bullies or tell their teachers, parents or someone else about them. But, there are others who tend to keep things bottled up thus resulting in them...

OPINION | Across the divide: school experiences – Part 5

THE last article in this series on Crossing the Divide focused on the reunion at Holy Cross College that I had the good fortune of attending on the chiefly island of Taveuni in August this year. There were many snippets in that article that I could not expand on because of the space constraints involved...

Power in cooperation

AT the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) summit in Jakarta, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo pleaded with the world’s big powers to “strengthen cooperation, not sharpen rivalries”. “I don’t know how many words of peace and stability we utter at every meeting… peace and stability are key to achieving prosperity,” he said at...

Letters to the Editor | Saturday, September 30, 2023

Let’s go boys! Let’s go boys, with a bonus point win and cement a place in quarters. All the best, and my bet on Fiji to win by 57-12. A whitewash. Fiji has named a strong side, let the boys do the talking on their own on the field against mighty Georgians. Our prayers and...

Editorial Comment | Respect!

After that thriller at Saint Etienne, when we defeated the Australian Wallabies, Flying Fijians fans are now anticipating big things when we take on the might of Georgia early tomorrow morning at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux in France. This is it! The big one if there ever was one! Early tomorrow morning, fans will...

Our ocean, our home

The new chapter of the law of the sea, which opened in June with the adoption of the Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) is now ready to be written. Today, it officially opens for signature and what a delight that the first country...

Letters to the Editor | Friday, September 29, 2023

‘Stay humble’ Fiji Water Flying Fijians rugged forward Albert Tuisue, who has 22 Tests in Fiji’s colours under his belt, had a time message for his teammates, “The aim now is not to underestimate them (Georgia) because they are a team that can bring surprises with their attacks. That’s why we need to stay humble,...

Editorial comment | Shifting the smoke

The revelation by Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa that major health hazards caused by fires at the Vunato Dump Site would soon be a thing of the past is encouraging. In fact, people of Lautoka who have suffered over the years will greet this news with great anticipation. It’s something they want to hear. It...

Pacific climate warrior | Calls fuel industry out

Pacific youth climate champion Suluafi Brianna Fruean has likened her first time in the United Nations building to primary school. “It was my first time being in the (UN) General Assembly space,” Suluafi said. “I sat there and I was watching everyone and it kind of reminded me of a mock UN we did when...

Editorial comment | Positive outcome

It is encouraging to know that Fiji’s financial system remains sound and stable and the Reserve Bank of Fiji continues to keep a close eye on the financial sector stability. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad said this after the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) submitted its 2022-2023 audited financial statements...

Letters to the Editor | Thursday, September 28, 2023

Improved discipline in RWC I agree with Rodney Duthie that the Fiji Water Flying Fijians have vastly improved their discipline in France (FT 26/09). Poor discipline, which had been an Achilles heel for past Fiji teams, resulted in losses in crucial matches. This year, there’s no doubt that the coaching panel has worked hard to...

What’s happening today!

Bula vinaka everyone. Here is another edition of some basic information you may need to know for today. First, here is your weather forecast for today: Weather A trough of low pressure remains slow moving over the Associated cloud and rain are expected to affect most parts of the group till later today. Occasional rain,...

Cyber security in Fiji

Defence forces from around the world are in a sudden rush to buy long-range strike missiles. Japan flagged a need for them in its recent National Security Strategy. The US is upping production of its long-range precision strike arsenal. Australia has announced a plan to build its own. The Missile Age, as some have dubbed...

Letters to the Editor | Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Crucial match for Fiji FANS are eagerly waiting for the FIJI Water Flying Fijians match against Georgia. The last time Fiji and Georgia met in the RWC pool match was in 2019 at the Hanazono Stadium in Tokyo. The Flying Fijians thrashed the Lelos 45-10. Our seven tries were scored by Wise Nayacalevu, Frank Lomani,...

Editorial comment | To the rescue

There is so much to be grateful for, and so much to reflect on when a joint rescue mission between the Fiji Navy search and rescue (SAR) and the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) Fiji resulted in the rescue of two sailors aboard a stricken yacht southwest of Viti Levu. The Fiji Navy confirmed three people...

Letters to the Editor

Lautoka Hospital PARAS Naidu of Lautoka describes in detail a pathetic condition of Lautoka Hospital (FT 25/9). On another page of the same edition, we learn about a visit to the same hospital by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad. One would assume the minister had noticed the deteriorating conditions...

Global warming to global boiling

Movers and shakers in the fight against climate change are gathering for the United Nation’s Climate Ambition Summit in New York Wednesday September 20, while climate scientists and Pacific activists call on Australia to ramp up its own ambitions. The summit comes as the Australia Institute has published a full-page ad in the New York...

Letters to the Editor | Monday, September 25, 2023

Grand come back The Cambridge Farm Nadroga side counted its lucky stars as it came from 3-15 down to hold FMF Suva 15-all and retain the prestigious Inkk Farebrother trophy in the third challenge match at Lawaqa Park. A fired-up second-half spectacular fightback saw Nadroga defend the trophy, that means so much to the Vanua,...

Editorial comment | Finally! About time too!

What a relief it must be for people of Ba to listen to the latest developments over Govind Park. After years of frustration, and waiting, it may have felt like a breath of fresh air when Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad highlighted upgrade works on the park. Not many people around the country may have...

Tonga’s rusting iron avenue | 30,000 abandoned cars

The Kingdom of Tonga looks like paradise, but its lush coconut palms nurse a hidden problem that threatens the health of its people. Thousands of cars are imported here every year, but, due to the cost of removing them, they never leave. When a car comes to the end of its life, it’s usually abandoned....

By the sweat of our brows

Many years ago on at least two separate occasions I drove with some friends from Sydney to Somersby on the Central Coast of New South Wales to visit an open air museum and theme park known then as Old Sydney Town, before it was converted into a movie location in 2003. The set up was...

Maui fire | Fiji man hailed a hero in Lahaina

Part 1 Man from Savusavu, Cakaudrove has been hailed a hero in the United States for the part he played in providing assistance during the recent Lahaina wildfire on Maui, Hawaii. On August 8, wildfires swept across Maui and killed at least 97 people, making it one of the America’s deadliest disasters. For weeks, the...

Good fats, bad fats, salt and cholesterol

Fats, oils, salt and cholesterol are all factors that have a significant bearing on our health, particularly in middle to later life. How often do we hear of an untimely death of a close friend or relative from some sort of heart-related incident. A closer look at the factors in our diets may help us...

Care for your mind, body, and spirit

Bula Fiji! Thank you for taking time out to read Bula Vakasaama, a column dedicated dicated to enlightening readers about practical strategies for optimal mental health and mind wellness. Today, I’d like to invite you to appreciate the importance of self-care. Society has conditioned us to put others’ needs before our own, however, it is...

Letters to the Editor | Sunday, September 24, 2023

Rugby World Cup I have a good feeling that the Flying Fijians can go all the way to the top in this Rugby World Cup. The fitness and skills are already there, I believe combined with that, they can “think” their way to the top with the right mental attitude and discipline. Now I have...

Editorial comment | Our meth challenge

The fact that Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew is saying methamphetamine is being produced in Fiji through prescribed medicines that could be obtained from pharmacies should be a concern. While this is known, meth or ice, he said, was not only found in Suva but is also in Vanua Levu now. “So, there...

Opinion

Opinion | Global financial system … The impact on Fiji and Pacific islands