Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
com
Phone: 604.909.4088
RANJAN SHARMA
AMEX
Owner/Broker
FRASERIDGE REALTY
Requests that for unsurpassed service and proven results phone my realtors. You will be glad you did!
Ph: 604-322-3272
The Bainimarama Government has been putting in place targeted assistance and policies to allow Fijians establish their own business, says the Attorney General and Minister for Industry and
December 7, 2012
Lavenia Ranadi from Nakabuta Village in Sigatoka with a variety of potteries for sale at the Craft Fair
M. Khan & Company
Immigration Counsellors Ltd.
We are an experienced and fully qualified team of Immigration experts. Immigration consultant you can trust Trusted in the community for almost 20 years
@mkcoca
$1080
Mumtaz Khan
SURREY 604.584.1411
Fijian campaign, Minister Sayed-Khaiyum said that exhibitions like these raise the profile of goods and services in the country and allows vendors and merchants to effectively brand their products. Half a million dollars has been allocated (in the 2013 national budget) towards educating the public about the needs and benefits of buying Fijians made products, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum told the participants and the supportive family members at the exhibition. He said the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) will be launching the branding of the Buy Fijian made for Fijian arts and craft but reminded participants that the quality and consistency must be maintained with the introduction once this branding starts. This exercise will see the Ministry advocating authentic Fijian craft that is made in Fiji through raw materials sourced from within Fiji. If we are to further promote Fijian made handicraft, we have to be sure of quality and consistency and thats very important, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said. He said there have been cases whereby once the products are being promoted, people become greedy and shortcut on materials besides the time required in manufacturing that product. The Fiji Arts Council organized Western Craft Exhibit, with similar programmes in the other divisions, provides an opportunity for participants, who are mostly women, involved in the handicraft business to showcase and their products. Fiji Craft Society president Mrs Niqa Mataceva said marketing was an important area that those involved in this sector have struggled with in the yesteryears. And we look forward to your portfolio Ministries to move these businesses forward especially with the Fijian Made products, she told the Minister. Mrs Mataceva said the council will continue to collaborate with MIT in licensing the genuine handicrafts products. The Fijian Made and Buy Fijian campaign that amongst other things provides the brand name to locally manufactured products was launched last year and is also envisaged to help with import substitution.
www.fijitimescanada.com
BC CUtoFF: January 4th 2013 alta CUtoFF: January 3rd 2013 Eta: February 10th 2013
We pick up: 10% discount You deliver to our office: 20% discount
Dont miss this opportunity. Limited time offer.
Special offer
Calgary
Edmonton (780) 292 0701 (Prakash) VanCoUVEr (778) 995 7418 (Kanta)
Office: 15695 80A Ave., Surrey BC PhOne:
KAMLESH RAM
www.fijifreight.ca
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
Graduates of the Confucius Centre celebrate their achievements at the Vine Yard Palace restaurant in Suva
Women around the country will now have access to better health services for the treatment of cervical cancer. AusAID through the Fiji Health sector Support Program donated a Diathermy machine that will assist health workers detect early stages of cervical cancer. AusAID Acting Senior Program Manager and Bilateral Health officer Margaret Vuiyasawa highlighted the significance of this donation in detecting and treating cervical cancer. At least 120 women develop cervical cancer and at least 60 die from the disease every year, Mrs Vuiyasawa said. Mrs Vuiyasawa said that, this equipment will complement the services of the ministry of health and will provide services to about 800 women with a continuous pap smear tests and community outreach. Acting Consultant Obstetrician Doctor Romanu Turaganiwai said, every month the Oxfam clinic receives reports 2-3cases of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is serious disease
which women die from at a young age however with the availability of the machines we are able to have, functional screening to detect the disease and treatment will be available, Dr. Turaganiwai said. He adds cervical cancer has become a burden for the ministry, social burden for families because children lose their mothers but the onus are on women to visit their clinics for Pap smear tests for early treatment if the disease is detected. Meanwhile the Health ministry will introduce the HPV vaccine in collaboration with AusAID at the first term of 2013 for children in their last year of primary school to be immunized. Dr Turaganiwai adds with the implementation of this vaccine, Health authorities are adamant in reducing 99 percent of cervical cancer. The total cost of equipment donated is worth $160,000 with the remaining equipment expected to arrive in the country later in the year.
www.fijitimescanada.com
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
3 Year Fixed
Cabinet Approved the Maritime ships within Fijis national waters, Transport Decree (MTD) and Ships prevention and management of Registration Decree (SRD) at its maritime pollution, salvage operations, Please change: Cabinet Sitting. liability issues relating to ships and The enabling legislation, MTD and SRD5 year Fixed rate @ 3.09%duty of care on their owners, and the provide the maritime administration5 year Variable rate @ 2.65%, Primeships carrying passengers. Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji0.35% better reflect Fijis position as To (MSAF) with relevant powersPlsafwd the PDF hub, changes. Shipping regional after the new for the purposes of administering Registration decree will regulate the and implementing Fijis maritime registration and licensing of ships. ear fixed rate @ 3.09% regulations and our international The two decrees will enhance For Details the Insured only- Condition apply Call ear Variable rate @ 2.65%, International strategic vision and provide the impetus obligations under the Maritime delete the required by the Ministry of Works, ime-0.35 (please Organisation (IMO). The conventional rds- regularMaritime Transport Decree deals Transport and Public Utilities and with the meet the obligations ortgage-- & our registration and qualifications the MSAF to the maritime industry of of ensure 5 years safety of ships Government, seafarers, in written)construction, safe movement of all Fiji and our international obligations.
1.Insured Mortgages only (when you pay less than 20% down) 2.Fixed maturity date- September 1, 2017 3.Regular mortgage with all features 4.120 days rate commitment 5. RENEW your mortgage provided you bought with less than 20% down.
Pleas
2.99%
(Prime-0.35%).
5 yrsVariable Mortgage
2.65%
Variable Mortgage
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Transport signs the condolence book at the Indian High Commissioner Government officials paid tribute to the condolence book at the India High Indias former Prime Minister Mr Inder Commission in Suva. Kumar Gujral who recently passed Officials from the Fijian government joined away at the age of 92. members of the diplomatic corps in Suva The Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as other officials in paying their acting Minister Mr Timoci Natuva respects at the Indian High Commission. and the Ministrys acting Permanent Prime Minister Gujral was Indias 12th Secretary Mr Josefa Sania both signed Prime Minister.
Fijis Ministry of Healths proposal Dr Sharma said that part of the to progress on a Memorandum of agreement was for the contractor to Agreement between the ministry and provide a 24 hour service every day the awardee of the contract for the and also to employ three existing outsourcing of the Mortuary Services morgue staff of the ministry. at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital Also was for the contractor to refurbish (CWMH) has been endorsed by the existing facility and introduce Cabinet. a modernize facility with improved Cabinet earlier this year on services and also the autopsy room, October endorsed the progress and replacing the autopsy tables and developments undertaken on the appropriate embalming facility with outsourcing of the morgue services, new instruments and also provide said health minister Dr Neil Sharma. necessary training for embalming to In October, the Major Tender Board the Ministry of Health staff. awarded the contract to Suva Funeral The agreement according to the Directories after the tender was called minister also stipulated that all facilities on July this year. and equipment will be handed over to The contract was awarded for two the health ministry once the contract years subject to renewal The Best on expires. The MOA will be signed in the To Get based Valuenext few days. For Your Dollar performance, Dr Sharma added.
Advertise In
The controlling authorities in schools must place more emphasis and concern on the nutritional diets of school students as this contributes greatly to individual performance, says the Ministry of Education permanent secretary Dr Brij Lal. Dr Lal stressed the importance of the need to change eating habits and understand nutritional requirements and added that consuming more healthy food will reduce the deleterious effects in the form of diseases and cancers from modern food. School canteens need to be monitoring the sale of junk food and review the policies to support healthy food contributing to a healthy nation, Dr. Lal said.
Fiji News
www.fijitimescanada.com
David LINGAM
Publisher
All materials used in this paper is the property of Sun-Times Media Group (2010) Ltd and cannot be copied or used in part or whole, without the written consent of SunTimes Media Group (2010) Ltd. Sun-Times Media Group (2010) Ltd will not be responsible for any material supplied by the advertiser(s) for errors. In the case of any errors caused by the publisher, Sun - Times Media Group (2010) is limited to the advertising cost for the issue. It is entirely the choice of the consumer to do business with the advertisier and Sun_times Media Group (2010) Ltd is not responsible for any loss or damages caused by the advertiser to the consumer.
fundamental changes will be to the fiduciary duties of director through the companies and this will bring it in step with the international best practice. We are also looking at the registering of the companies, the need to get away from the requirement of minimum two members etcetera and the distinction between public and private companies, he said. A fiduciary duty is best described as the highest standard of care at either equity or law. Private sector organisations have
welcomed the changes with Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation chief executive officer Nesbitt Hazelman saying that the new decree takes away a lot of red tape. He said that it is a good move in terms of modernising Fiji and has a more professional approach on handling companies in Fiji. Ministry of Justice acting permanent secretary Mere Rakuita said the previous Companies Act was quite archaic that needed major changes and the review has brought it on par with international laws.
Surrey BC
Tel: 604-909-4088
Fax: 1-888-528-(FIJI) 3454
A $15million allocation has been set aside by the Fiji government for the construction of a 4-lane road along Nasinu and Nausori next year. Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Colonel Samuela Saumatua said the project will be from the Naulu junction to Davuilevu
reduce congestion at peak periods, reducing travel times for freight, cars, busses and taxis. He also said the additional $4m for the Nadaro to Korovou road under the third Fiji road upgrading project for 2013 is likely to improve connectivity between Korovou, Nausori and Suva as well as spur economic activity for Nausori town.
BC Reg. #22736
604.599.9518
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
In yet another boost to Fijis global standing, the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has been elected Chairman of the International Sugar Council. The Council is the peak body of 86 countries representing 97 per cent of the worlds sugar production that are members of the International Sugar Organisation ( ISO). At the 42nd session of the ISC in London, the Prime Minister was proposed as Chairman by Brazil and seconded by India. In his acceptance speech, Prime Minister Bainimarama thanked the delegates and underlined Fijis commitment towards advancing the work of the global sugar body. This is a great honour for our country. I pledge that Fiji will do everything possible to advance the cause of this global industry and the millions of ordinary people the world over who
commitment to host the 2013 meeting of the International Sugar Council. I especially look forward to welcoming you to Fiji in June next year for the 43rd Session of the International Sugar Council. Our people are renowned for their hospitality. But I can assure you that the welcome that awaits you all in Fiji in 2013 will be especially sweet. The Prime Minister added that the ISC chairmanship underlined Fijis commitment to serve the international community. Whether it is with the International Sugar Organisation, our current chairmanship of the G77 plus China or our peacekeeping operations for the United Nations, Fiji takes its international obligations very seriously. It is a privilege, not a burden, to serve. Fijis chairmanship comes at a crucial juncture as the ISO council is expected to appoint the new Executive Director who takes over from the current Executive Director, Dr. Peter Baron from January 1st 2014. Also, during these meetings Jamaica was elected Vice Chairman for 2013.
Some overseas media outlets are now misleading people by claiming that Commodore Voreqe Bainimaramas face will replace the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on Fijis banknotes and coins. The reporter has already established that these claims by the media outlets are fabricated and baseless. Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Barry Whiteside earlier said members of the British Royal Family have featured
on our currency since 1934 and the country is grateful to have had the privilege of this association over the past 78 years. New flora and fauna designs will feature on our new banknotes and coins from January 2nd next year. Whiteside said while it is sad to see the transition taking place, it is time to move forward and promote Fijis unique national treasure and the biodiversity that lies around us.
kI kI kI kI kI
quhwfw vwl-vwl krzy ivc fuibAw hoieAw hY? quhwfy swry krYift kwrf Bry hoey hn? quhwfI rwqW dI nINd Aqy idn dw cYn hrwm hY? quhwnMU fr hY ik ikqy sB kuJ ivk nw jwvy? quhwfI smJ ivc nhI Aw irhw ik kI kIqw jwvy?
AsI quhwfw A`Dy qoN ijAwdw krzw muAwP krvw skdy hW Aqy bkwieAw rkm CotIAW-CotIAW Interest Free ikSqW ivc bdl dyvWgy[ quhwfy ibzns, kwr zW Gr nUM koeI Creditor h`Q nhI pwvygw[
Surrey Office
Suite #205, 12033 92A Ave. Surrey, BC V3V 4B8
qW GbrwE nhI
Calgary Office
Suite #212, 3132 26th St. NE Calgary, Alberta T1Y 6Z1
905-789-8984
Fax: 416-898-9367
604-951-8984
Fax: 604-951-8983
403-714-8984
Fax: 403-714-8983
www.bscc.ca
Fiji News
www.fijitimescanada.com
APPLY NOW.
Part-time program starts February 5.
Speak with an ADVISER today.
Contact David Lee at (604) 899-0803 or email dlee@ashtoncollege.com.
Lasenia Qarase
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
A stay application made by suspended prominent Fiji lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry was refused by the Independent Legal Service Commission. The application was made after Chaudhry was suspended from practice until March 2017, he be reprimanded in public, to pay $1000 to the Commission, he be allowed to stay in practice for 21 days in order to wind up his affairs and to undertake a five hour legal ethics training before recertification. Chaudhry had asked that these orders be stayed pending appeal and awaiting sentence. In his oral submissions Chaudhry said he has a family and retinue of staffs to support with mortgage repayments. He also submitted that his personal
life and the lives of his staff would be affected if he was not permitted to remain in practice. In responding to Chaudhrys submissions the Chief Registrar submitted that the grounds raised by Chaudhry had not been raised at mitigation and that his refusal to appreciate the nature of his wrong doing is itself evidence that he is unfit to practice law. Commissioner Paul Madigan said the grounds of appeal that attack the tribunal did not carry much weight and Chaudhrys personal misfortune and that of his staff is a situation to be faced by any practitioner in default by the regulators. He then ruled that there are no exceptional circumstances to stay the decision.
Mrs Vavioni Qalubau pointing at the construction site for the new house for the women of Bua in Nabouwalu Women from the province of Bua in She said the women of Bua are Vanua Levu will soon have access renowned for their skills in mat or kuta to a new centre that will promote weaving but they do not have anywhere their handicrafts and small business to sell their handicraft apart from the products. Bua showcase. To be promoted for locals and visitors Apart from the Bua showcase, our to the province, the new centre is being women usually sell their business constructed in Nabouwalu by villagers products and handicrafts in their themselves, many of whom were own community and sometimes chosen for their carpentry skills. relatives from Suva give orders for Buas designated government mats but having a house of our own representative Mr Rupeni Kunaturage said in Nabouwalu next to the provincial that the construction which is funded by meeting house will really help the the Bua Provincial Council for $10,000 is women of the province, Mrs Qalubau part of their commitment towards women said. empowerment in the province. Mrs Qalubau said apart from mat Women are the strong pillars of weaving, the women of Bua also any community and they are good at engage in other small business ventures money management when it comes like chicken farming, running small to business, so we are giving this canteens, Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) support to increase their productivity productions, sewing business, food in handicraft making and other small selling at the Nabouwalu market and at business products, Mr Kunaturage the wharf for people coming and going said. out of Bua while some are helping out Bua Womens Association treasurer in honey production. Mrs Vavioni Qalubau commended The Bua Womens Association the Bua Provincial Council for the Treasurer also commended assistance. Government for the Nabouwalu/ There are nine womens groups in the Dreketi road upgrading which will province and each group represents commence next year. each district in the province. The women are also happy because They do not have any place to sell and the tar sealing of the Nabouwalu/ display their handicrafts and products Dreketi road next year will mean easier and I must therefore commend the Bua access to and from Labasa. It will Provincial Council for their foresight enhance and open up more business and their wisdom in this venture, Ms opportunities for the women of Bua, Qalubau said. Mrs Qalubau said.
SCC Approves Extension To Business Hours Good news for retailers in Suva this operating hours did not apply to
festive season. The Suva City Council (SCC) has approved the extension of business operating hours to 9pm daily. Confirming this, council special administrator Chandu Umaria said the extended operating hours was inclusive of all Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays until the New Year. "This will allow retailers to serve the thousands of customers who will be shopping during the festive season," Mr Umaria said. However, he said the extended
restaurants, nightclubs and pubs. "They should operate as per the hours approved in their operating licence," Mr Umaria said. He said this festive season; the council was also not charging fees from retailers applying for permission to operate extended hours. In addition, the special administrator requested all retailers to follow fair retail practice and not to sell defective goods. The festive season usually sees people flock to town for some last-minute shopping.
R A G Driving School
$25 Per H our
Contract Basis (12 hour lessons includes car for road test)
$350
$150
Former High School Teacher Driver Training Since 1985 THEORY & PRACTICAL
A L I - 6 0 4 . 61 8 . 2 5 6 7
10
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
Lotto Winner
For the past 10 long years, every time he came to Suva, Sivaniolo Nairabe, would drop by the Tattslotto agency at Classic Stationery in Suva City. He would buy a one dollar Pacific Instant Lottery Fiji scratch ticket. The dream of being a major winner in the scratch-n-win lottery was realised last Thursday after Mr Nairabe scratched one of four $30,000 Fiji Only Glittering Rainbow ticket. The 51-year-old single man from Navunivi Village, Nakorotubu, in the province of Ra could not believe his luck. I am so happy and thankful to God for giving me a chance to win, Mr Nairabe said during the official handover at Classic Stationery Tattslotto agency in Suva. I plan to buy a taxi and start a business service. I also want to do an extension to the family house in the village, give my family some money for Christmas and bank some for future investment. He is currently looking for employment having completed a trade certificate in welding from the Fiji National University. Flanked by family while accepting the cheque, Mr Nairabe said the money would help sustain him for the unforeseeable future. Fiji Tattslotto executive director, Graeme Brown, said: There are four more $30,000 major prize tickets to be won and you could be the winner prior to the New Year. The Mega draw of AU$30 million (FJ$55.85 million) will also be drawn this month.
The grief-stricken family of a school leaver who died during a schoolies party in Nadi has flown to Fiji to try to claim their son's body. Harrison Kadell, 17, was the vicecaptain of the St Thomas More Catholic College in Brisbane. Principal Peter Elsome says he was a popular student who did well in his final year, an outstanding athlete and a role model. 'He was well prepared for the next stage in life,' said Mr Elsome. Harrison was on Plantation Island, off Nadi, celebrating his graduation with about 500 other schoolies this week. The revelers were holding nightly parties
between 7pm and 5am local time. It is still unclear what happened, but Harrison was found floating in the resort swimming pool about 4 am on Tuesday. 'All I know is that he went into the pool and didn't come out ... he drowned,' a Fiji police spokesman told the reporter. Mr Elsome began contacting the teenager's classmates on Tuesday to tell them what happened. 'We've had a wonderful year and Harrison was a big part of that year, so it really is a terrible tragedy for all,' he said. Harrison's mother, a former student, was chair of the school board, his older sister had been school captain and his younger brother is a year 10 student.
MULTI CULTURE
Your Travel Agency for Western Canada Flying Anywhere Call us first for the
TRAVEL
$1040 CDN
Vancouver - Sydney
Return + Taxes
Specializes in all South Pacific destinations - Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and many more
$950 CDN
Vancouver - Nadi
Return + Taxes
Vancouver - Auckland
Return + Taxes
$1040 CDN
SPECIAL FARE
NEW ZEALAND
AGENT FOR: AIR CANADA, AIR INDIA, LUFTHANSA, SINGAPORE AIRLINES, MALAYSIAN AIRLINES, CATHAY PACIFIC, EMIRATES AIRLINES, GULF AIRLINE, SRI LANKAN AIRLINES, QANTAS, AIR PACIFIC, AIR NEW ZEALAND
CONTACT: SALOSHNA
SERVING YOU IN FOLLOWING LANGUAGES: ENGLISH HINDI GUJRATI MALAYALAM PUNJABI URDU BHANGLA
(604) 580-1311
email: mctrvl@shaw.ca
Vancouver - Surrey 9476 - 120 Street (Scott Road) Toll Free: 1-800-311-1404 Calgary: (403) 263-8500 Edmonton: (780) 448-1191
www.multiculturetravel.ca
(604) 580-1311
email: mctrvl@shaw.ca
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
11
Fiji's government is doing its best to protect intellectual property and copyright owners, says Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority on copyright laws in Suva, Sayed-Khaiyum said this move is taken in order to protect intellectual property and at the same time to ensure government gets the right revenue. Today is a combination of discussions that has been going on for sometime and there is certain expertise which exists between the two respective agencies and we want to share the knowledge of information to ensure
The Bainimarama government continues to emphasize the importance of technology in enhancing service delivery to the public. This was shared at the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Public Service Commission, Vodafone Fiji Limited and NewNet Limited. Designed to improve access to the PSCs services and facilities, todays signing demonstrates the growing relations between Government and the public sector. The Commissions permanent secretary Mr Parmesh Chand also launched the PSC Short codes and Subscription Channels at Berkley Crescent following the signing of the MOA. Mr Chand said the mobile short-codes are unique 4 digit mobile numbers that Vodafone and Inkk users can dial and
that the whole system works well, said Sayed-Khaiyum. He said there are people who try to breach the law and they will be trying their best to address the laws regarding intellectual property. FRCA chief executive Jitoko Tikolevu said this is an important exercise and they will build on what they have at the moment. With almost nothing in terms of capacity, through exchange of information we would be able to build the capacity internally and to be able to detect at the boarder if these things come through, said Tikolevu. He also said thru intelligent they would be able to build up their capacity in both entities.
W e K n oW i m m i g r at i o n m at t e r s!
s u p e r V i s a
Provincial Nominee programs for all Provinces British Columbia Sasketchewan Manitoba Family Class Sponsorship; Temporary Status(Super Visa, Work, Student and Visitor Visa); AEO/LMO Applications IRB Hearings, Refugee, Sponsorship and admissibility Appeals; Skilled Workers; Applications including entrepreneur and Investor classes
get connected directly to PSC at mobile to mobile rates. Todays achievement is a milestone in a PSC working ground, Mr Chand said. He explained the four mobile shortcodes which will be located to its respective headquarters: PSC HQ (5406), PSC Training Short Code (5407), Multi Ethnic Short Code (5408) and Scholarships Short Code (5409). A total of 700,000 Vodafone and Inkk mobile registered users will be able to access to the PSC, he said. The other service that is now available is the PSC Subscription Channel that will be used internally to get messages direct to officers within PSC. Our officers will receive information quicker and be able to act faster on the decisions thus enhance service delivery to the general public, Chand said.
@mkcoca
Phone: 604-591-5824
www.mkco.ca
12
www.fijitimescanada.com
1.
Legal Services in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu in the following areas: Immigration Law
Sponsorship of Family Members Refugee Claims Provincial Nominee Programs Skilled Workers Applications Business Class Applications Student Visa & Work Permits Visitor Visa / Super Visa Citizenship Appeals
SA LAW OFFICE
2.
Family Matters
-
Prenuptial Agreement Marriage Agreement Separation Agreement Cohabitation Agreement Divorce Support & Property Disputes Court Process
SAEED AKHTAR
Barrister & Solicitor Tel: (778) 919-7471
#248 - 8138 128th Street Payal Business Centre Surrey BC V3W 1R1 Call for free Consultation
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Small Claims / Debt Collections ICBC Claims Property and Business Purchase / Sales / Mortgage Contracts / Leases Wills and Estates Notary Public Services .
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
13
Just mates ... the Australian Reptile Park's Fijian banded iguanas (the male is on the left) are believed to be the only unrelated specimens in Australia. They have not mated despite the efforts of keepers. THEY may be the only couple of mate the pair and repopulate Australian unrelated Fijian banded iguanas in zoos. The male is believed to be the captivity in Australia, but the threat only male iguana in an Australian zoo of extinction is not enough to turn the which is not directly related to the bobbing into babies. female. Unlike the royals' recent success at Age could also weary them. Iguanas are carrying on the Windsor line, a pair of known to live between 20 and 25 years, Fijian banded iguanas the Australian and the male and female are more than Reptile Park has been trying to breed 20 years of age. ''We presume they're for two seasons don't seem to have it getting old, and that they're running in them. The supervisor of reptiles and out of time. It's not like they're spring spiders at the park, Julie Mendezona, chickens,'' she said. said the couple had shown some The zoo will continue to encourage the limited signs of interest. reptiles to mate next season, around The male had bobbed his head up and September next year. Ms Mendezona down, the standard courtship move, said if that failed they will consider and the female had bobbed hers in trying to mate the female with a related response. The male even mounted the male, which she admitted was less than female iguana, but failed to follow ideal. through. Even when everything seemed perfect, ''The male is a fizzer, there's just mating animals in captivity is never no action,'' she said. The zoo had guaranteed. A Taronga Zoo spokesman tried everything to set the mood, said sometimes genetic compatibility including mimicking the humidity, the was no guarantee of breeding success temperature and the day and night cycle although skilled animal husbandry of Fiji where these highly endangered could sometimes overcome that iguanas live in trees. problem. ''We've done everything except play The Fijian government has banned all Barry White,'' Ms Mendezona joked. exports of the Fijian banded iguanas. It The reptile park acquired the male claims most iguanas in zoos around the iguana from the Currumbin Wildlife world were either obtained illegally or Sanctuary in the hopes of trying to descended from smuggled animals.
His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau led a procession through Suva City to commemorate World AIDS Day. President Nailatikau who is also Fijis Ambassador for HIV/AIDS highlighted various measures for achieving zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. We still need to upscale what we see is working and bring in new innovative ideas that we know can work. The thing about HIV advocacy is that we already know what works and what does not work. The statistics reveal that we in Fiji must strengthen our campaign towards zero new HIV infections, a challenging goal that demands smart thinking, strategic planning including the up-scaling of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) services and preventative measures, and most definitely an increase in funding, among others, Ratu Epeli said. Despite the increasing cases, results show that more people are more open
towards HIV/AIDS testing which demonstrates the positive outcomes of campaigns and awareness programmes. Highlighting Fijis international obligations such as the Millennium Development Goals and the 2015 targets for the Un Declaration on HIV and Aids, His Excellency today called on all Fijians to be more responsive towards HIV/AIDS. The nation as a whole must own the response to HIV and Aids. This is paramount, His Excellency told participants and guests at todays event. Fijis Minister for Health, Dr Neil Sharma joined the President to show their support to the program and also joined the UNAIDS office in Suva in launching the nations third Strategic Development Plan on HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, for the years 2012 to 2015. The 4 key priority areas in the National Strategic Plan include; the prevention of HIV and STI transmission, continuation of care, governance and co-ordination and monitoring, evaluation and research.
Housing Authority of Fiji is considering partially outsourcing some technical services in the New Year intending to double up on the housing projects that are in the pipeline. HA spokesman Dwain Qalovaki said they had housing projects like the Waila City and Tacirua East Stage 2 that had started and they were looking to engage a whole gambit of technical consultants and firms to look into different facets of upcoming projects. "This including Wainibuku and Nepani in the Central Division, Matavolivoli Stage 2, Nadi and Koroisalusalu, Tavua as well as Naqere, Savusavu," Mr Qalovaki said. He said the main reason behind hiring those skilled persons was to form their panel of consultants. "This is to ensure that we
Outsourcing Plan
are also able to begin initial designing and further technical work in the New Year for other housing projects earmarked outside the main centers of business development and include housing and mixed developed projects in the outer islands like Levuka in Ovalau, Vunisea on Kadavu and Nabouwalu in Bua," he said. HA has visited the mataqali (landowning units) in those areas to discuss the development projects and subsequently, they have applied for development leases to the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB). "HA is looking at the panel as a group that will supplement our work and we anticipate that all the contractors will be hired from the local workforce," Mr Qalovaki said.
14
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has reaffirmed the Pacific ACP's [PACP] independence from the Pacific Islands Forum after a Special Leaders Meeting held in Port Moresby last month. The Prime Minister expressed Fiji's belief that the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has misrepresented a key decision made at this meeting regarding the relationship between it and the PACP. The outcomes document released by the Forum Secretariat reported that Papua New Guinea [PNG] will host a secretariat for PACP Leaders meetings only, and that the Forum Secretariat will continue its duties for other PACP activities and meetings. The Prime Minister said that it is Fiji's position that this is a misreporting of the decision taken at last month's Special Leaders Meeting. "It is our understanding that the PACP Leaders decided that there would be a complete separation between the Forum Secretariat and the PACP," the Prime Minister said. "PNG offered to host and fund a full PACP Secretariat, until 2014, which will be responsible for all PACP related matters and activities." The Prime Minister added that this decision was made in large part to
facilitate Fiji's full and regularised participation in PACP meetings, at all levels. "In their capacity as the secretariat for the PACP, the Forum Secretariat had the responsibility to equally serve all PACP members. By refusing to include Fiji in meetings that we were fully entitled to attend, the Forum Secretariat was not only violating Fiji's rights, but was also upholding an increasingly irrelevant policy of isolation." "Last month, Fiji successfully chaired the ACP Ministerial Trade Committee Meeting and co-chaired the EU-ACP Joint-Ministerial Trade Committee Meeting, held in Brussels. And in 2013, Fiji will act as chair of both the G77 plus China at the United Nations, as well as the chair of the International Sugar Council. We take our international obligations very seriously, and are honoured by the trust and support the international community, including the members of the PACP, have shown Fiji." The Prime Minister has written to the current Chair of the PACP, Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, and also to the host of the new PACP Secretariat, PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, to request that the Forum Secretariat correct this misrepresentation in the Leaders outcomes document.
Namada Youth group with the Minister for Youth and Sports Commander Viliame Naupoto While children around the country are enjoying their school holidays, the youth of Namada village in Nadroga will be undergoing a week long training on how to preserve iTaukei culture and learn to become better leaders in their communities. Minister for Youth and Sports Viliame Naupoto challenged the youth of Namada to become agents of change and to aspire to be kind and helpful citizens of Fiji. Speaking at the opening of the Christian Youth Development Association, Minister Naupoto said Fiji needs honest and committed leaders. To become agents of change we need to be educated and to be good learner you need to have self discipline and keep in mind that learning is journey, the Minister said. The youth program which is in its its fourth year, focuses on cultural and heritage preservation and at the same time, acts as a breeding ground for good leaders. A vibrant, energetic and creative youth group reflects good leadership role these group displays and I commend the organizers for such initiative shown today, the Minster said. Minister Naupoto reminded the youth groups of governments commitment to up skill youths in the various development programs to be productive citizens. Namada Village Committee Chairman Sanaila Saukawa commended government on their commitment towards the development of youth in the rural villages. In Namada village a lot of youths have dropped out of high school and have not successfully completed tertiary so this program is very helpful to their personal development and to be become good leaders for the future, Mr. Saukawa said. Mr Saukawa adds that the committee has identified a few areas that need more attention which is the development of education in the tourism industry. The village depends on tourism as source of income so we need to develop our youths to meet the demand in the job market, Mr Saukawa said. He added next year the program is aiming to reach out to neighboring villages along the coast with the clear message that youths are the future leaders.
Invest In Spices
FIJI should keep the momentum of investing in the spices industry. And the authorities should equally work with spice farmers like other crop farmers in Fiji. "Spices were introduced way back in Fiji by the Agriculture Ministry, brought into (the then) Naduruloulou Research Station and why didn't we keep the momentum?" Spices of Fiji operations manager George Hazelman asked. He said Fiji was producing 5000 tonnes of vanilla, which today, "we are lucky if we get 200kg". "And now, we are trying to play catch up," he said. "We need to have a fraction of the money that is given to other commodities in order to succeed." Spices, he said was different from other crops. "For the spices, you plant once and you harvest for the next 10 to 15 years. Secondly, it grows above the ground. You don't have to worry much about the grass, less work."
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
15
Acting Prime Minister And AG VAT Refund For Home Owners In Updates Fiji Australia Business Forum 2013
Fijians who build their own homes in 2013 will earn refunds, thanks to a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund programme announced by Fijis Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. The VAT refund scheme is hoped to encourage Fijians to own their own homes and also foster the growth of the local housing construction industry. The scheme is however conditional in that house owners must reside in their newly-built homes which should be worth no more than $120,000 to be eligible for the refund. Through the programme, a Fijian in 2013 who builds a house worth $50,000 for the purpose of living in it would be able to claim a VAT refund of approximately $6,500. Similarly
if a house was built to the value of $100,000 the refund would equate to $13,000. Housing Authoritys chief executive, Alipate Naiorosui said that the scheme is timely as the lots at Tacirua East Stage 2, Wainibuku and Waila city are scheduled to be ready in 2013. This refund scheme will provide the impetus to encourage the construction of new houses as well as create employment in the construction industry, Naiorosui said. This positive incentive has never been introduced before and at this level to encourage those that are currently renting or staying with family to own a home and also obtain low interest rates available in the market.
Fijis Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum provided an update to the Australia Fiji Business Forum on Fijis 2013 Budget. Held at the Coral Coast in Sigatoka, Minister Sayed-Khaiyum pointed out various incentives factored in the 2013 budget that would stimulate local and foreign investment. The Prime Minister in his address to the nation about the 2013 budget has revealed that there has been taxation initiatives put in place to attract foreign investors to come to Fiji, he said. The 2013 budget builds upon the previous two budgets and the rationale behind it is that we want consistency and honesty and we want to build upon the major foundations that have been made. For example the corporate tax rates have been reduced and will remain at 20%, he said. Further than that, in respect to the actual budget announcement, we have put in place a number of incentives for the private sectors with regards to taxation; we have made it easier for foreign investors to come to Fiji without having the need to pay $250,000.00 for an initial investment. So those areas will be removed to allow foreign
Remand prisoner Deshwar Dutt who escaped from the Suva Corrections Centre last Sunday was recaptured by the Fiji Police Force's recap team in Lautoka. Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said Dutt was recaptured at Marine Drive in the Sugar City and is now in custody at the Lautoka police station. Dutt is alleged to be involved in the Samabula BSP robbery which occurred last September. Meanwhile, three others who also tried to escape with Dutt have been each charged with damaging property and escaping from lawful custody.
investment in Fiji, Minister SayedKhaiyum said. The business forum also provided an opportunity for the Minister to highlight budgetary allocations for the 2014 general elections. We have also allocated one million dollars to the constituent assembly which will debate the draft constitution before finalization and adoption, the latest by March of 2013. In order to have the constituent assembly, we will need Political parties, NGOs, employer and employee groups. So the government is doing this in preparation for the elections of 2014. We have allocated a million dollars for the refurbishment of parliament and funding for Hansard reporters to be brought back from other government departments and for others who may need to be trained. He said Investors were also advised on other incentives including the declaration of tax free zones from Korovou to Tavua as well as corporate tax incentives. Also present at the event was the Ministry of Finance permanent secretary Mr Filimoni Waqabaca and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority chief executive officer Mr Jitoko Tikolevu.
The trio includes Kunal Prasad, Vimlesh Dayal and Viliame Vunisiga Investigation files are now compiled for Prosecution purpose in order to obtain a court date and a Production Order for the men to appear in court.
The Fiji Police Force recorded a total of 80 rape and attempted rape cases in the month of October and November this year. Statistics released by Police also reveals 38 cases of defilement of girls between the ages of 13 to 16 year-old and three cases of defilement of girls who fall under the age group of 13. The Eastern division recorded 21 cases of rape and attempted rape, 16 in the Northern division, 15 in the South,
three in Totogo and 25 in the Western division. For defilement of young girls between the ages of 13 to 16 the Eastern division recorded five cases, 17 cases in the North, six cases in the South, one in Totogo and nine cases in the West. Compared to last year between October and November 92 cases of rape and attempted rape were recorded and 36 cases of defilement of girls between the ages of 13 to 16 year-old.
16
www.fijitimescanada.com
Surrey
Vancouver
www.fijitimescanada.com
Fiji News
17
Fiji's Reserve Bank has announced plans to replace the Queen with images of Fijian flora and fauna. A decision to remove images of the be made unilaterally without a reason Queen from Fiji's currency has been being given. met with outrage from the country's Former Opposition Leader Mick Beddoes is also opposed to the change. chiefs. Fiji's Reserve Bank has announced He says the real problem is that the plans to replace the monarch with unelected government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama has no right to make images of Fijian flora and fauna. The chiefs say the British Royals were such decisions about national symbols. given the chiefly title of Tui Viti, and "Why now, given that we are Queen Elizabeth is the Queen of Fiji, not operating in a democratic environment?" he said. not just of Britain. Adi Litia Qioniaravi has told the media "These kinds of decisions - especially that the royals are still loved by most the fact that it is a symbolic matter of the Queen, and by association our Fijians. "It has been met with great shock and chiefs and the people of Fiji - this I much sadness as the royal family is would have imagined is a matter for the held in very high regard and passion by elected representatives of the people. "This is certainly not a matter that an Fijians," she said. "I don't think that the significance of unelected regime...and the institutions the Royal household of Windsor to the that are currently operating under its original Fijians is clearly understood now. control, to make such decisions - I "I'm saying this because our high chiefs don't believe that they have a right, and had given the highest position of chief frankly they don't have a mandate." of Fiji - the head chief of Fiji - to the The man who led Fiji's first coup in 1987, General Sitiveni Rabuka, says the royal household." One of Fiji's paramount chiefs, Ro move is an attempt to deny an important Teimumu Kepa, who heads the part of Fiji's historical identity. Burebasaga Confederacy, said in a "It is a childish way of trying to forget statement that she is very disappointed our historical connections with those that there was no consultation over the that were responsible for founding this nation," he said. decision. She says the Queen's image on "In 1970 we became independent, but banknotes and coins have been part Australia, New Zealand and Canada of Fiji since the island was ceded to were independent before us and they still Queen Victoria in 1874, and even in use the Queen's head on their currency. the wake of independence, the Queen "We have forgotten the colonial past - we is still held in the highest regard by the are now moving to the future, but there are certain things we cannot change - we people of Fiji. Ro Teimumu Kepa says it's can remove the Queen's head but that disappointing that such changes can doesn't me we erase our history."
The recent budget announcement by the Prime Minister now sets the pace for further growth and development across the nation. Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that the 2013 National Budget is a building bloc from the 2012 National Budget. Speaking to participants at the 2012 Business Forum, Minister SayedKhaiyum pointed out how both the 2012 and 2013 budget targets ordinary Fijians. With the theme to Learn, Grow and Move Your Business to the next level, participants were encouraged to rediscover their purposes and be strategic in planning to move the nation forward. There has been in the past three years or so a consistency in the policies announced by the Prime Minister, in 2012 for example 90.1% of all tax payer received a tax cuts, those tax cuts have improved by increasing the tax thresh holds. Fiji is a very fantastic marketing base, because the people are more educated, it is culturally located, it has incentives for FRCA and also zero tolerated duties. Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted that Government is in the business of creating an environment conducive
for business to thrive, and what it is doing now is building for the future of all Fijians. He also reminded the participants that whenever they talked about Business reforms, they needed to understand the social aspects of it. We should think about Domestic Violence in society and its impact on society, on tourism and on business. We should identify the connectivity between the welfare of the people and business growth he said. He also revealed that plans are underway for Fiji to go Digital and he highlighted the example 4G networks where access to internet data will be more efficient. Government will launch 7 more telecentres around Fiji. Mr Pyara Singh President Lautoka Chamber of Commerce & Industry supported the theme of the forum by asking the business community in Lautoka what they could do to move Fiji Forward. We need to work side by side to move Fiji Forward, he says. Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority chief executive officer Mr Jitoko Tikolevu pointed out to participants that Fiji has one of the lowest tax regimes in this part of the world. We should not over tax the people and also we want businesses to thrive in Fiji, and we do not intend to increase tax now or in the near future, he said.
A school caretaker who is facing several rape charges was granted bail by the Magistrates Court in Suva. Iowane Senilolokula, 37, was released on a $1000 surety bail by Magistrate Chaitanya Latchman and his case will be transferred to the High Court because of the seriousness of the offence committed. Police prosecution Pauliasi Lutunauga objected to Senilolokulas bail application however bail was granted
on the grounds that Senilolokula report to the Valelevu police station every Saturday between 6am and 6pm. Magistrate Latchman also considered the fact that Senilolokula was a first offender. Senilolokula is alleged to have raped the 17-year-old student on several occasions in April this year at the school hostel. The case has been adjourned to January 18 for plea.
18
www.fijitimescanada.com
Chai Time
Aries - It's rare when a Ram can't get her motor started, but this could be one of those days. This week is for dreaming, sleeping late, and letting your imagination do the work. Can't stay in bed all time? Then cancel your appointments and steal as much time for yourself as you can. Being alone is not being lonely. In the quiet moments of apparent inactivity, inspiration rises and carries you towards the next adventure. Taurus - Friends with unusual ideas begin to make sense to you now. Your usual resistance to new concepts softens as you discover the practical side of spirituality. Going with the flow can earn you group support. Alternative sources of income may arise for you today. Consider turning a hobby into a moneymaking venture. If it's inspiring, you'll profit. If you're just after the bucks, you're not likely to get the big prize. Gemini - No one is more adaptable than you, dear Gem, and you'll need all the stretch you can find now. On the one hand, you're a regular god or goddess this week. Lovely Venus entering your sign has anointed you as gorgeous. Men and women alike appreciate your charms. On the other hand, you could feel like a slave at work. It's as if you're a non person - no name, no face, just a production unit. Use your imagination to bridge the gap, and you'll find beauty everywhere. Cancer - It's time for the skeptics to
find out how right you are. You see, all they want are the facts, but you've got instincts that come closer to the truth. You acquire leadership without even trying for it. Friends can be working on your behalf without your knowledge. Trust your intuition now. Answers appear as if by magic. You're in the know. If you go for a stroll or a drive, you may discover wonders in the most unexpected places. Leo - A trusted woman could be disappointing to you in this week. Your usual generosity may be tested in the face of deception. It would be better to meet the truth head-on than to continue investing in a meaningless fantasy. Don't let your generous nature lead you to pay more than your fair share. Confidence is a wonderful thing, but one person does not a relationship make. Count on a friend to give you an objective point of view and help clear up confusion. Virgo - OK, so you may not be at your coolest. Your usual sharp reasoning may not prove convincing to an emotional partner or colleague. Stretch yourself so that you're not limited to logic. Use imagination to see the other person's point of view. A little faith can go a long way in overcoming your critical nature. If you must vent, the evenings are good time to clear the air. Sometimes we need the pressure to build so that we can finally make the big changes.
Libra - A message from a distant friend is full of interesting news. It stimulates your urge to travel. This is not an easy time to stand still. Your Libran charms allow you to help others in a most gracious manner. You seem to ask for little now, but are ready to give so much. It is truly a week to be of service, but try not to exhaust yourself in the process. Just make sure to match your compassion for others with an equal level of care for yourself. Scorpio - It's your week to be a movie star, Scorpio, but not necessarily a villain or a vamp. You can be the gentle little lamb in this week. It's time for romance, but not the hot and heavy kind. This is more like puppy love, wide open and innocent. That's because this is more a story of play than one of commitment. It's only fiction. You're free of reality, free to imagine yourself just as you like. Even if you're dressed for business, underneath you're all silk and lace. Enjoy the feeling. Sagittarius - Jeez, you tell a little joke, a playful little story, and everyone takes it so personally. Come on people, this is not serious. Skins are just too thin for your humour this week. You may need to temper your truths with subtlety. We know you love to go all out, but restraint is a key to the week. Evenings spent looking at family photos, or calling old friends, can bring tenderness. You could use that right now.
you can get done when everyone else is running around in a state of confusion. You may have to put up with many distractions this week. So many people are pulling at you with their little needs and demands. Fortunately, you've got the stuff to stay firm in the shakiest of situations. It probably would be best to listen more than you speak. Your silence will likely be interpreted as real caring and understanding. Aquarius - We know you don't like to think about money very much. It's necessary, of course, but so far below your high ideals and aspirations. This week, however, is a time to consider your resources, both material and emotional. The big surprise is that your greatest gift might well be your imagination. Let the facts go, let the philosophy go, and see what you feel. A dream is waiting. It wants to come out, wrap you in its arms, and carry you to the stars. Pisces - The Moon, the planet of emotion, is in your sign this week. Your usual sensitivity may be even stronger. Fortunately, everything you feel is not about you. You don't have to react to every sensation and thought. You are full of impressions and images. Breathe them in and collect them. They'll sort themselves out in the days and weeks ahead. If you open your mind and your heart in a safe place, the inspirational muse may come for a visit.
2 lb of fresh spinach. 1 cups of hot milk. 1 cup of cheddar cheese, grated. 2 tablespoons of butter. 2 tablespoons of flour. 1 teaspoon of salt. Pinch of pepper. Pinch of nutmeg.
Ingredients:
Preparation Instructions:
Trim and wash 2 lb of fresh spinach. Place in a suitably-sized pot with water still on the leaves. Cover; then cook only until wilted.
Allow to cool, then squeeze out the excess water. In a saucepan, melt the butter; then add the flour. Whisk and gently cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the milk; then bring to a boil. Add the salt and a pinch of pepper and nutmeg. Cook for about 5-6 minutes. Combine the sauce with the spinach and cup of grated cheese. Spoon into a baking dish, then top with the other cup of grated cheddar. Bake at 375F (190C) for 20 minutes.
500g lamb mince 1 tbsp canola or sunflower oil 1 onion, peeled and chopped 2 tbsp tomato pure 400g can tomatoes in juice 1 tsp mixed herbs 4-6 medium sized potatoes cup cheese, grated
Ingredients
Baked Potato
Heat the oil in a frying pan, and cook the onion gently for 5-6 minutes, until tender. Add the mince lamb, breaking
Method
up with the back of a spoon to form small pieces until cooked thoroughly and no longer pink. Stir in tomato pure, canned tomatoes and herbs. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 30 minutes until reduced and thick, but still moist. Bake or microwave 4-6 medium sized potatoes. Combine the mince mixture with the flesh of each potato, reserving the cooked skin. Fill the potato shells with the mince and potato mixture. Sprinkle with grated cheese and serve with your favourite vegetables.
www.fijitimescanada.com
World News
19
Prince William and his wife Kate are expecting their first baby, destined to be Britain's future monarch.
St James's Palace says the Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to a London hospital with acute morning sickness. "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," it said in a statement. Kate, 30, is thought to be less than 12 weeks pregnant. The palace says she is likely to stay in hospital for several days, with her husband at her side. Kate and William were married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, and both the royal family and the Duchess's family, the Middletons, say they are delighted by the pregnancy news. British Prime Minister David Cameron says he is delighted by the "absolutely wonderful news". "I'm sure they'll make absolutely brilliant parents and I'm sure everyone around the country will be celebrating with them tonight," he said. Prime Minister Julia Gillard also sent her congratulations to the couple. "This is delightful news," she said. "It's going to bring joy to them and to their family and I think it's going to bring joy to many around the world. "Clearly it's a time of joy, it can also be a time of challenge and I'm sure many will be thinking of Kate as she deals with morning sickness and is in hospital." US president Barack Obama also sent his congratulations to the royal couple. "On behalf of everyone here in the White House, beginning with the president and the first lady, we extend our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the welcome news this morning out of London that they are expecting their first child," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. The Obamas met the royal couple, who were then newlyweds, during a state visit to Britain last year. "I know they both feel that having a child is one of the most wonderful parts of their lives, so I'm sure that will be the same for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge," Mr Carney said. Heir to the throne The royal baby will be born third in line to the throne, after Prince Charles and Prince William. If the baby is a girl, she will be Britain's next queen, regardless of any brothers she might have. Last year Britain and other Commonwealth countries which have the Queen as their monarch agreed to change the rules of royal succession so that males would no longer have precedence as heir, regardless of age. The agreement also means an end to a ban on a future monarch marrying a Catholic, a stipulation dating back about 300 years. He or she will one day be head of the British armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England and head of state of 16 Commonwealth countries.
20
www.fijitimescanada.com
World News
Japanese rescue crews have now confirmed that at least nine people died when a highway tunnel collapsed west of Tokyo last Sunday. A 50-metre section of the tunnel's concrete ceiling gave way on Sunday morning, crushing at least two vehicles. Witnesses spoke of terrifying scenes as a van burst into flames, sending out clouds of blinding, acrid smoke. Authorities say the death toll has now risen to nine. Five charred bodies were found in the burnt-out van. Another victim, a truck driver, had called for help using his mobile phone after become trapped in his cab, but was dead by the time search crews reached him. Two more bodies were found in a car that was crushed by the falling concrete and authorities later confirmed the death of another person. "These slabs of concrete that have fallen from the ceiling are quite large and well and truly big enough to cover a car," North Asia correspondent Mark Willacy told the reporter. "I do believe the rescue teams believe they've got most of the bodies out, if not all of them." Emergency crews who rushed to the
five-kilometer Sasago tunnel had been hampered by the thick smoke billowing from the entrance. Dozens of people abandoned their vehicles on the Tokyo-bound section of carriageway and ran for one of the emergency exits or for the mouth, where they huddled in bitter winter weather. Emergency workers equipped with
breathing apparatus battled around a third of the way into the tunnel before engineers warned the structure could be unstable and more debris could fall. Rescuers were forced to halt their work for several hours as a team of experts assessed the danger. It was during this inspection that accompanying police officers confirmed the first deaths inside the
van. "What we found resembled bodies inside a vehicle, they were blackened," one official said. One man who fled the tunnel told Jiji Press he had watched in horror as concrete crashed down onto a vehicle in front of him, leaving little more than a mound of dust and debris. Voices cried out "Help" and "Anyone please help" from the pile before a young woman emerged with her clothes torn, he was reported as saying. She could not stop trembling, he told the agency, as he asked her how many had been inside the vehicle. "She said: 'All of my friends and my boyfriend...Please help them,'" said the man, adding the flames were too strong. Footage from security cameras in the late afternoon showed large concrete panels in a V shape, apparently having collapsed from the middle, with teams of men in protective gear scrambling over them. The tunnel is one of the longest in Japan, and connects Tokyo to the country's central and western regions. Experts speculate that vibrations from earthquakes and passing vehicles may have loosened the concrete ceiling.
Workers clear a road with a fallen tree after Typhoon Bopha hit the city of Tagum, Davao del Norter province on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines on December 4, 2012. Floods and landslides have been 220-kilometer-peak winds of the typhoon. reported in areas in the south-eastern The civil defense office says more Philippines, after Typhoon Bopha than 41,000 people have crammed made landfall on the southern province into nearly 100 shelters to escape the of Davao. storm's onslaught. Bopha, also known as Pablo, made Aviation and shipping have been landfall on Mindanao's east coast at dawn, suspended, with 80 flights grounded uprooting trees and blowing off roofs. and thousands of ferry passengers There have been no immediate reports stranded as the coastguard ordered of casualties or serious damage but the vessels to stay in port. island is in lockdown, with residents of The commercial centre of Cagayan de coastal and flood-prone areas moving Oro, one of Mindanao's largest cities, into shelters as floods hit some areas. was hit by flooding as rivers overflowed Local officials in Davao province have following heavy rain. reported waist-deep floods following Schools were shut in Mindanao and across typhoon Bopha's onslaught. large areas of the central Philippines. At least four provinces in the southeast President Benigno Aquino led calls for - Davao, Surigao, Agusan and evacuations on Monday, saying: "(Bopha's) Compostela Valley - are without power. destructive potential is no laughing matter. Disaster management officials have It is expected to be the strongest typhoon to started receiving reports of damaged hit our country in 2012." houses, roads and bridges. Gwendolyn Pang, the Red Cross They say the damage could be extensive, spokeswoman for the Philippines, considering the intense rain and told the media that they have been preparing their equipment and staff since last Saturday.
Strong 6.4 Magnitude Quake Hits Flight Attendants Call For CarryOn Baggage Standards Off Vanuatu A strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake has Australian flight attendants are demanding Jo-Ann Davidson, from the Flight
struck off the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, last Sunday, but no tsunami warning was issued. Seismologists say the quake had a relatively shallow depth of 34 kilometers. The quake struck just before midday local time, and was centered 108 kilometers northwest of the capital, Port Vila, the United States Geological Survey said. There have been no immediate reports of damage or injury. Vanuatu lies on the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire", a zone of frequent seismic activity caused by friction between shifting tectonic plates. It has been rocked by several large quakes in recent years, averaging about three magnitude 7.0 or above incidents every year without any major damage.
changes to airline carry-on luggage regulations. A number of airlines now charge for luggage to be checked in, meaning passengers are increasingly opting for heavy carry-on luggage. Cabin crews claim they are suffering injuries from trying to lift heavy bags and there are delays as staff run around at the last minute trying to stow bags that do not fit in the overhead lockers.
Attendants Association, says there should be an industry-wide standard. "It's becoming a real problem for cabin crew, both in terms of injury and also for other passengers as well," she said. "We want to look at standardizing the actual rules and regulations that apply so that there isn't a competitive advantage, or it's not commercially-driven, because safety shouldn't be commercially driven."
www.fijitimescanada.com
World News
21
Food has arrived at a remote boarding school in the northern Pacific, three weeks after it ran out of supplies to feed nearly 300 students. Weipat High School on Onoun, one of the remote outer islands of the Federated States of Micronesia state of Chuuk, provides education and accommodation to around 270 students from all the islands around the region. Three weeks ago the school was forced to close its doors and send students to live with the community after provisions ran out. Supplies were promised by the Department of Education, but storms
and a lack of transport delayed its arrival. A boat arrived from the regional capital Chuuk, bringing in 40 bags of rice provided by the Chuuk Education Department. The Ayuda Foundation, an NGO group based in Guam, has also sent 20 boxes of ready-to-eat meals. School authorities say they now have enough food to feed them for at least another month. Students and staff had been forced to rely on the local community for meals, raising concerns that they may also run out.
Japan is threatening to shoot down a North Korean rocket that Pyongyang says it could launch next week. Kim Jong-un's regime insists the rocket, which it says will fly south over the Philippines and Australia and into orbit, is carrying a communications satellite. But the United States, South Korea and Japan all say that the launch is really a ballistic missile test, with North Korea trying to master the technology to fire long-range missiles capable of one day carrying a nuclear warhead. The last North Korean rocket launch ended in ignominy in April, when the rocket broke up and splashed into the Yellow Sea just a minute or so after take-off. After that debacle, there were rumours throughout Pyongyang that a couple of rocket scientists had disappeared. Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is threatening to shoot down the next rocket if it manages to stay airborne and threaten Japanese territory. "The defence minister issued orders to prepare for the interception and
defence against ballistic missiles," he said. "If they do indeed go ahead with the launch, then it is indeed very regrettable. "Not only must our country, but the entire international community take strong measures to deal with this." The launch window runs for 12 days from next Monday - a period in which South Korean voters will be going to the polls to elect a new president. Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr says North Korea's plans are provocative. Senator Carr has condemned North Korea's plan and says that message will be passed on to North Korea's ambassador. "That won't surprise the government. They've heard it from us before when they've undertaken provocative action in respect of a commitment to nuclear tests and ballistic missile testing," he said. "It is important that we register this because its a mark of our solidarity with our friends South Korea and Japan."
39-year-old Yao Defen was 7 feet 7 inches The world's tallest woman has died in pituitary gland. She was too ill to eastern China at age 39. be measured again. Chinese state media say Yao Defen The local Xin'an Evening News did died on Nov. 13 at her home in the not give the cause of death, but said province of Anhui. in a report that Yao suffered from Guinness World Records in gigantism, with a tumour on her January 2010 had certified her as pituitary gland disrupting her levels the world's tallest living woman, of growth hormone. A government at seven-foot-seven. Yao may still official in her county who gave only have been growing due to a portion his surname, Liu, confirmed Yao's of a tumour remaining on her death on Wednesday.
The woman who was listed as the there about 2 p.m., Cooper said. world's oldest person died Tuesday in a Georgia nursing home at age 116. Besse Cooper died peacefully Tuesday afternoon in Monroe, according to her son Sidney Cooper. Monroe is about 45 miles east of Atlanta. Cooper said his mother had been ill recently with a stomach virus, then felt better on Monday. On Tuesday he said she had her hair set and watched a Christmas video, but later had trouble breathing. She For Your Dollar To Get The Best Value was put on oxygen in her room and died
Advertise In
22
www.fijitimescanada.com
World News
Citigroup says it is cutting 11,000 jobs worldwide in an efficiency drive, with most of the jobs being lost in its consumer banking division. The bank says the move, which will see its global staff shrink by 4 per cent, will cost about $1 billion. New chief executive Michael Corbat said Citigroup would "significantly" scale back operations in Pakistan, Turkey, Paraguay, Uruguay and Romania. Other markets affected by the cuts include the United States, Brazil, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Hungary. Investors welcomed the news, with shares gaining 6.5 per cent to $36.50 in early afternoon trade Thursday. Mr Corbat said about 6,200 of the job losses will be in the consumer banking division as Citigroup pushes a strategy of focusing on the 150 cities around the world "that have the highest growth potential in consumer banking". "While we are committed to and our strategy continues to leverage our unparalleled global network and footprint, we have identified areas and products where our scale does not
provide for meaningful returns," Mr Corbat said. "And we will further increase our operating efficiency by reducing excess capacity and expenses, whether they centre on technology, real estate or simplifying our operations." Shock sacking The actions come seven weeks after Mr Corbat - a Citigroup veteran - was named to run the bank following the shock sacking of Vikram Pandit and Dr Pandit's top aide in an unexpected board move. There has been no official explanation for the sacking, which came after Dr Pandit led the bank for five years through the global financial crisis. But it followed a long run of shareholder disappointments and a sluggish recovery compared with other banks. Geographically, 4,600 of the job losses will be in North America, 3,800 in the Europe-Middle East-Africa division, 2,100 in Latin America and 750 in Asia, according to a Citigroup spokesman. The timeframe is not yet clear.
The series of tornadoes which struck west Auckland Thursday afternoon is the second fatal twister incident to hit Auckland in the past two years. Three people have been confirmed killed after severe weather and an apparent tornado struck Hobsonville, tearing down trees and ripping panels from the motorway. It comes after the devastating twister of May 3 last year which tore through a shopping centre in the north Auckland suburb of Albany. Father of two Benedict Dacayan, 37, died after the tornado ripped through his work site, picking up the portable office he was working in and hurling it into a wall. Another twister touched down in west Auckland on September last year, damaging at least 13 properties. Earlier this year, a waterspout estimated at least half a kilometre tall and 50m wide travelled up the Waitemata
Harbour and past the Auckland central business district. About 20 to 30 tornadoes touch down in New Zealand each year but fatalities are rare. According to MetService, tornadoes in New Zealand differ from those in the midwest of the US, which generally take place in the warm part of the year. Tornado occurrence in New Zealand is largely a 'cold season' phenomenon. New Zealand's worst tornado was in August 1948, when three people were killed, 80 injured and about 150 buildings destroyed in Hamilton. Damage was estimated at more than $70 million (modern equivalent). Albany was also struck by a tornado back in May 1991, when a man was killed after being struck by flying debris. Two people were killed in Taranaki in August 2004 when a tornado demolished a farmhouse.
Sweden's main airport was paralyzed on Wednesday due to a snow storm in the country's capital, just as winners of this year's Nobel prizes were to arrive to receive their awards. Around 30 cm of snow fell overnight in the Stockholm area between Tuesday and Wednesday and the weather office warned another 20 cm was on the way. "There are a limited number of flights out of Arlanda (the main airport) but no arrivals. There are no departures or arrivals from Bromma (a smaller airport closer to the city centre)," said
a spokeswoman for airport operator Swedavia. Arlanda's airport's website itself was so busy due to worried travellers trying to check the traffic situation that people were put in a queue to view it. The foundation which oversees the 8 million crown ($1.21 million) Nobel prizes said several laureates were due to arrive in Stockholm on Wednesday. This week sees a series of news conferences and lectures, in the run up to the formal handing over of the prizes and a gala banquet on Monday.
A man convicted of killing a newlywed on her honeymoon in South Africa two years ago has been sentenced to life in prison by a Cape Town court. Judge Robert Henney said Xolile Mngeni, 25, had "committed an act of premeditated murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances". Mngeni was found guilty of firing the shot that killed Anni Dewani, a Swede of Indian origin who had been married for just two weeks when she was murdered in November 2010, in what prosecutors say was a faked hijacking. "In the case of murder this court is obliged to impose a sentence of life imprisonment," said Judge Henney. "In the case of robbery with aggravating circumstances, this court is obliged to impose a sentence of 15 years' imprisonment." Mngeni, a suspected small-time drug dealer, was found guilty of plotting with two co-accused to carry out the premeditated murder for 15,000 rand (now $1,700).
Ms Dewani's father, Vinod Hindocha, stared at Judge Henney with a blank expression as the judgment was read out. Judge Henney said he had taken into account that Mngeni, who lived in a slum and had only a primary school education, came from a poor background and he had been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Mngeni has undergone chemotherapy, but there is a high chance the tumour will recur in the future. But Judge Henney said it would be unfair and unjust to show leniency to "a merciless and evil person, who has consistently shown no remorse". On Monday, a British court ruled that Ms Dewani's husband, Shrien Dewani, who has been implicated by those involved in the plot to kill his wife, was not yet fit to face extradition. Mr Dewani is now a "husk" of a man who suffers flashbacks of the night his bride was killed, a British judge heard as he set the suspect's extradition hearing for July.
www.fijitimescanada.com
23
ICBC Cases
Barinder S. Sanghera B.Comm., LL.B. Amandeep S. Sanghera B.A., LL.B. Puneet P.K. Sandhar B.A. (Hons.), LL.B.
After my accident I had constant neck and back pains. I felt sad most of the time and became very anxious about
CM
MY
the future. ICBC said I was overreacting and offered $17,000. My case settled for $400,000 at mediation. MR. S. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ The damage to my car was only $700. ICBC said I could not have been injured: but I was. My lawyer finalized my claim for $28,000 plus expenses. MISS M. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
CY
CMY
ICBC offered me $32,000 to finish my case. I was off work for 6 monthsand saw a specialist because of my jaw injury. I couldnt mop the floor or clean our bathroom without help from my children. I received $200,000 through my lawyers efforts. Mrs. S ___________________________________________________________________________________________ The damage to my vehicle was about $1,700. ICBC said this was a Low Velocity Impact (LVI) and refused to pay me for my injuries and physio costs. My lawyer obtained more than $45,000 for me. Mrs. B ___________________________________________________________________________________________ A car hit me as I walked across the street. ICBC blamed me because of the color of my clothing. My lawyer worked hard and obtained necessary evidence. My case settled for over $300,000. MRS.C. *Past cases are not necessarily indicative of future results and amounts recovered may vary according to the facts in each case.
www.slglawyers.com
Newton Crossing 203 7134 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC, V3W 5A3 T 604.543.8484 F 604.543.8584 1.877.778.8484
24
www.fijitimescanada.com
Classic Cheesecake
Ingredients:
For the Pistachio Graham Cracker Crust: 1/4 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and vanilla paste or seeds on medium-high speed, scraping down the bowl several times, until the mixture is completely smooth, about 5 minutes. 4. Turn the mixer to low and beat in the eggs one at a time, until blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Beat in the sour cream until blended. 5. Place the cake pan in a roasting pan. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the cake pan it will come all of the way to the top of the pan. Place the roasting pan in the oven and pour in the boiling water to come about 1/2-inch up the sides of the cake pan. Bake until the filling is set but still jiggles slightly in the center, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. Remove from the water bath and let cool to room temperature. Chill for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight, in the pan. 6. To finish, heat the bottom of the pan over a flame or an electric element to loosen the crust. Invert the pan onto a 9-inch cake round or large plate. Remove the pan from the cake and invert once more onto a 9-inch round or large plate so the crust is on the bottom. In a small saucepan, warm the strained jam over low heat until liquid. Strain through a fine strainer. Brush the top and sides of the cheesecake with the strained jam. Cover the top of the cake with a single layer of raspberries. Holding the cake with one hand under the bottom, and working over a sheet pan to catch the excess, gently press the ground pistachios all around the side of the cake. Dust with confectioners sugar, if desired.
2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature for at least 6 hours 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 tablespoon vanilla paste 5 large eggs, at room temperature 2/3 cup sour cream 1/2 cup apricot jam 1/2 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios, pulsed in a food processor until coarsely ground 3 (1/2-pint) containers raspberries Confectioners sugar, for dusting (optional)
Serves 6 to 8 cup firmly packed brown sugar Juice of 6 limes 3 tablespoons freshly grated ginger 2 green onions, chopped cup fresh chopped cilantro or mint 4 medium mangos, peeled and flesh pured Salt and freshly ground pepper 4 pounds chicken wings, wing tips cut off and discarded Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepot and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook for 5 minutes to melt the sugar. Remove from the heat and let cool. Preheat the oven to 450F. Toss the
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Bring water to a boil for a water bath. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9 by 2-inch cake pan; set aside. 2. To make the crust: In a food processor, pulse the pistachios with the sugar and the salt until coarsely ground. Transfer to a large bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs and butter, and mix to combine. Press the graham cracker mixture over the bottom of the buttered pan. Set aside. 3. To make the filling: In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese,
wings with salt and pepper. Line a large casserole dish with aluminum foil and spread the wings in a single layer in the pan. Roast the wings for 20 to 25 minutes or until cooked through. Remove the wings from the oven and preheat the broiler to high. Pour half of the prepared sauce into the pan and toss the wings to coat. Broil the wings for 3 minutes or until golden brown, then turn the wings over and broil 2 minutes more. Brush the wings with additional sauce again before serving and serve remaining sauce alongside for dipping. Be sure to bring the marinade to a full rolling boil for one minute before serving it as a dipping sauce.
Coconut Cupcake
Ingredients:
50g Desiccated coconut 200g All-purpose (plain) flour 175g Confectioners (icing) sugar 115g Melted butter 3 tbsp Ground almonds (or hazelnuts) 1 tsp Baking powder 6 Egg whites 12 Raspberries Line a 12 cupcake pan with cupcake papers. In a bowl, mix coconut, flour, sugar, baking powder and almond. Add melted butter to the above and stir. Add egg whites and mix well. Pour the mixture equally into the cupcake papers Top each cake with a raspberry. Now bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Allow it to cool before serving.
Procedure:
www.fijitimescanada.com
25
604 606-2890
Agency Operator (Richmond) Cell No. 604.220.0383
Aseem Khan
y We tr r. e hard
1-800-879-2847 avis.ca
*Variety of vehicles from subcompacts, SUVs, Trucks and more TM *where2 GPS with Bluetooth capability available to rent with any vehicle* *100% smoke - free fleet *Small Business rates available *Insurance replacement, association, monthly & mini lease rates *Enroll in Avis Weekender Club to earn weekend rental rewards *Earn Aeroplan miles
major credit card required
*Available at participating locations for an additional fees. C 2010 Aviscar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. C Avis is a registered trademark licenced to Aviscar, Inc for use in Canada. Aeroplan is a registered trademark of Aeroplan Canada Inc.
FRASERVIEW MEATS
Retailer & Wholesaler of Best Quality Meat & Poultry We Also Carry Cooked Chicken Oldest Name In Meat Business since 1993 T: 604.592.2900
Stewing Hen New Zealand Lamb Leg NZ Goat New Zealand Lamb Shank
Fiji Ocean
$1.39lb
4 for $9.49
$3.99lb $2.69lb $4.39lb #102 - 12047 - 80th Ave, Surrey With The Purchase Of $60 Worth Of Marinated Chicken, Receive 5% Discount Coupon On Your Next Purchase (Next To Mega Fruiticana) (No Discount On Sale Items) T: 604.592.2900 (80th & Scott Rd)
$3.49lb
26
www.fijitimescanada.com
www.fijitimescanada.com
27
1) Which two fundamental freedoms are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? A. Aboriginal peoples' rights and to volunteer. B. Basic living rights and obey laws. C. Freedom of belief and freedom of religion. D. Equal employment rights and opportunities. 2) What form of transportation did Aboriginal peoples and fur traders use? A. Roads. B. Highway.
A. The joining of provinces to become a new country. B. The combination of neighborhood to build a larger community. C. The merger of colonies to form a province. D. The United States Confederate army came to settle in Canada. 10) Who are the Aboriginal peoples in Canada? A. United Empire Loyalists and Mtis. B. The first inhabitants of Canada. C. Early Australian immigrants. D. Refugees from the American Revolution. ANSWERS
1C 6A
2D 7C
3C 8A
4D 9A
5C 10B
1. After reading the guide "Discover information in the test paper as frequent Canada", take some practice as it changes. For example, suppose questions. the MP in a district has changed, and 2. Usually, you can always focus there is a citizenship test the next day. on general knowledge of Canada Do you think CIC has enough time to and spend less time on provincial update the question? or municipal knowledge. Although So, remember only two names: the PM the study guide "Discover Canada" and the Governor General of Canada. suggests you know about the province (If you don't know them, I don't think and local city you live in, the actual test you are qualified as a Canadian. almost contains NO questions specific 4. In the test, if you see choices like to a province or a local city. "Canadian Citizens", 95% this will be Reason: It is obvious that the exam the correct answer. paper is generally designed for the Reason: Don't forget the name of country-wide purpose, CIC does not the test you are taking. Below is an have enough resource to localize the example: test questions. 3. No need to memorize officers' names Q: Who has the right to enter and other than the PM and the Governor leave Canada at will? General of Canada. a. Visitors. Reason: The local government Best Value Forb. British subjects. officers To Get The Your Dollar such as MPs, MLAs are changing c. Landed immigrants. Advertise In d. Canadian citizens. quite often, it is hard to update this
Immigration to Canada
Continued From Last Week
Bilingualism in Canada
There are two official languages in Canada: English and French. Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms assures the protection of both languages and is required by law to recognize, preserve, and support the equality of both languages in Canadian society. All of the services offered by the Federal Government are available
in both languages and almost every product sold in the country has English and French labeling and packaging. Quebec is Canada's only French province and New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in the country. The city of Montreal, Quebec, is recognized as the world's largest French-speaking metropolis outside of France. Outside the borders of Quebec, most people speak English with about 18 percent of all Canadians being fluently bilingual.
Direct Line: (W) (604) 996-6862 Direct Line: (W) (403) 700-7172 Direct Line: (E) (416) 660-1010 Direct Line: (W) (780) 394-7511
28
www.fijitimescanada.com
Canada News
The lawyer, who helped a B.C. woman win her divorce settlement, is now foreclosing on his client's home because she cannot afford the $180,000 in legal fees he says she owes her.
B.C. Woman May Lose Her Home Immigrants Granted Permanent Residency Due To Computer Glitch To Her Own Divorce Lawyer
does not have his client's best interest at heart. Then when you consider that the case dragged out for years and now he's going after his own client's home because she can't afford to pay him for all the time he took, his true motivation is pretty clear. Lawyers are privy to what's going on in their clients' personal finances. So, Dubas knew what Fotsch could and could not pay. With fees like that, he should never have taken on her case. Yes, Fotsch should have gone to a cheaper lawyer, but she wasn't aware that right in the middle of her case, Dubas would refuse to continue unless she secured him a $100,000 mortgage. At that point, she had already paid him thousands of dollars, so for him to give her that kind of burdensome ultimatum was pretty shameless. After all, he was the one who led her to that point. Dubas should also have been honest with his client about the fact that her ex could declare bankruptcy, leaving her liable for everything. People declare bankruptcy all the time, and the fact that it didn't even cross Fotsch's mind that this was a possibility shows that she was getting some bad legal council. It's also quite "perverse" that he could use the very asset he's disputing as his own collateral. How is that not a conflict of interest? Dubas, who ironically refuses to comment because Fotsch is still a client of his, says he deserves to be paid. And although he does deserve to be paid for his work, we will never really know whether or not he was truly working efficiently. It's more than unfortunate that Fotsch is the one who ultimately pays the price for the entire ordeal, and that we have a system in place that doesn't protect clients from the greed of their own lawyers. by Monica Bugajski Approximately 150 new Canadian Permanent Residents were allowed to stay in Canada even though their visas had been issued by mistake. A computer glitch resulted in the individuals receiving Permanent Resident visas even though their applications were scheduled to be terminated due to a new rule issued in the most recent budget. Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced that he would use his ministerial powers to allow the individuals to keep their Permanent Residency. 'It was an administrative error on the part of my ministry," Kenney said.
Ten years ago, Dale Fotsch broke up with her common law husband, Leigh Wilson, and has been dealing with the nightmarish financial consequences ever since. When her ex went after her home and its 12 hectares of land, Fotsch hired a lawyer to fight back, a decision she says she wholeheartedly regrets. After three weeks of trial and after already having paid thousands of dollars in legal fees, Fotsch's lawyer, Jonas Dubas, said he wouldn't continue with the case unless she secured him a $100,000 mortgage against her property with an 18 per cent interest per year. Fotsch finally won in 2010, and by the time the B.C. Court of Appeal ordered her ex to pay her court costs, he had declared bankruptcy. Since her ex weaseled his way out of paying a dime, Fotsch was solely responsible for the $180,000 in legal fees. And since the woman, who works two jobs and lives with her disabled son, cannot afford to pay, Dubas is now moving to foreclose on Fotsch's home. Fotsch is making a public appeal in hopes that Dubas will accept part of her property as a settlement. She says she understands she's responsible for the bill, but doesn't understand a system that could allow her to win her case and then let her own lawyer take away her home. Though Dubas didn't technically do anything wrong, his actions are morally reprehensible. When you look at the fact that he's charging $300 an hour, $148.40 to leave voicemails, and $88 a day in interest, it seems that the man
We make over two million decisions a year, about 7,000 a day. We are making a major IT change so I think its understandable that a small error of this nature would be made. All individuals who received visas have passed security screenings and been deemed admissible to the country. Among those who were caught up in the error was a Moroccan family who arrived in Canada, only to be informed at the airport that their visas were not valid. Despite the initial confusion, they and the other immigrants affected by the glitch can now move on to starting their new lives in Canada.
The B.C. government and TransLink have signed a contract with Bombardier Transportation to supply 28 SkyTrain cars for the new Evergreen Line as well as the existing Expo and Millennium Lines. The B.C. government and TransLink worked together to procure the cars, which will be operated by TransLink once construction of the Evergreen Line is complete. The cost of the cars is $90.7 million. Construction cost for the Evergreen Line is estimated to be $1.4 billion. Funding is being provided by the government of B.C., the Government of Canada and TransLink. The B.C. government is contributing $583 million and will also oversee construction. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $417 million. TransLink is contributing $400 million and will operate the Evergreen
Line when it is complete. The Evergreen Line will link Burnaby, Port Moody and Coquitlam with an 11-kilometre advanced light rapid transit line between Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby and Douglas College in Coquitlam. The project will fully integrate into the existing SkyTrain system, linking directly to the Millennium Line, with connections to the Expo Line, Canada Line, the West Coast Express and regional bus networks. Bombardier was selected to supply the cars after successfully responding to a Request for Expressions of Interest in February 2012. SNC-Lavalin Inc. has been selected as the preferred proponent to work with the B.C. government to finalize the agreement to design, build and finance the Evergreen Line project.
As the busy holiday shopping season opportunist, seeking to make some approaches, Vancouver Police are money for drugs," said Det. Phil Ens. advising drivers to be extra vigilant in During the holiday season, police make an extra effort to make sure parking preventing theft from their vehicles. The number of smash-and-grab auto thefts lots are safer, but they also have tips has increased compared to last year, but for the public. overall crime stats show they have been in Police are advising drivers to lock items in the trunk, not to leave any decline over the past five to 10 years. This year there have been 7,498 possessions visible and to avoid reported thefts from vehicles in making multiple trips to the car to drop Vancouver, 600 more thefts compared off new items. Disabling the trunk latch so it cannot to the same period in 2011. "Thieves are going to walk around and be opened from inside the car will also if they see you leave something behind, help prevent thefts, police said and they'll take it. There are organized report suspicious people to police. To Get The tourist For Your urge anyone who notices any people but they look for moreBest ValuePolice alsoDollar Advertise In areas. The majority of our thefts are suspicious activity to call authorities.
www.fijitimescanada.com
Canada News
29
A White Rock senior held liable for more than $4,000 in charges on her credit card after her wallet was stolen says her bank didn't do enough to protect her. Reta Herman, 91, was robbed while trying to help strangers in the Surrey Walmart parking lot. A couple of scam artists posing as lost tourists spread a large map over her purse while pretending to look for directions. She noticed her wallet was missing when she got home. Herman immediately called police and reported her credit card missing to the Bank of Montreal. But she was shocked to see thousands of dollars worth of fraudulent charges on her MasterCard bill when it arrived, including four cash withdrawals of $500 each. At first BMO told Herman not to worry, then it claimed she must have given the crooks her Personal Identification Number, or written the number down in her wallet, therefore she was on the hook for the charges. "I felt insulted," she said. "I thought, you know, everybody's innocent till proven guilty. They're trying to say I'm guilty and I have to prove that I'm innocent. And that's not fair." Herman was so upset that she had trouble sleeping or eating, but BMO insisted the senior was liable for the charges because she somehow compromised her personal information. The bank says its MasterCards, which
use Chip technology, provide greater security for customers because the encrypted microchips are difficult to counterfeit, and customers must enter their PIN for all transactions. CTV's Steele on Your Side contacted the Bank of Montreal about Herman's case. Officials refused to do an interview, or explain how thieves could use the card without the PIN. But within 24 hours, the charges were reversed. In an email to CTV News, Laurie Grant of Bank of Montreal said: "We appreciate the fact that Steele on Your Side brought this incident to our attention." "We always see these issues as a way of acknowledging how we can 'do better' and we will use this case as a coaching opportunity for our staff." Herman is thrilled, and says even RCMP are now taking a second look at her case. "It's a big relief," she said. When it comes to stolen or lost MasterCards, you will not be liable if: Herman maintains she followed all of the MasterCard rules and still doesn't understand why the bank would make her responsible for the fraudulent transactions. "I always had faith in MasterCard because of their advertised guarantee that if all requirements were met in regard to using the card, I would be protected," she said. "I guess that's just not the case."
An emergency room doctor told Alberta's queue-jumping inquiry Wednesday of a request to move a VIP to the front of the line.
Dr. Paul Parks was testifying at the inquiry looking into whether some prominent Albertans were allowed to get preferential treatment in the health-care system "The executive on call called down to our waiting room, staff were trying to the triage nurse and essentially indicated move into the emergency department, that there was a VIP in the waiting room " Parks said. and that VIP should be moved into an Parks says there was consensus among emergency department bed immediately the emergency group that they could and taken care of," he told the inquiry. not entertain requests for preferential The VIP was examined by a nurse and a access and must see patients based on waiting-room physician at the request of the medical need. "executive on call," or senior administrator, The executive on call had previously and put back into the queue, Parks said. shown no understanding of how On the day in question in November overcrowded the emergency department 2007, the ER was overcrowded with was, how dangerously unsafe it was, patients, some who had been waiting nor the processes of trying to find beds up to four or five hours, he said. in the hospital, Parks said. "We had a lot of very sick patients in The inquiry continues.
The B.C. government is appointing nine new provincial court judges and working with the judiciary to address court backlogs through two projects, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond announced Tuesday. The announcement delivers on recommendations made in Geoffrey Cowpers report, A Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century, and the subsequent action plan announced in the first part of the white paper on justice reform. Chief judge Thomas Crabtree will assign the nine judges to courts in communities throughout the province. The new judges are all distinguished lawyers who bring to the bench a wide range of legal expertise. The B.C. government and the Office of the Chief Judge have also signed a protocol agreement to work together on two backlog reduction projects. As part of the agreement, the chief judge will assign the equivalent of one full-
time judge to the projects over the next year. One of the projects will start in spring 2013 and focus on reducing pending child protection cases in selected courthouse locations. A second backlog reduction project will begin later in 2013 and focus on reducing the criminal case backlog. With these new appointees, B.C. now has 132 full-time-equivalent judges. It costs the Province close to $1.6 million annually to support a judge, including the judges salary and costs for court administration staff, sheriffs, prosecution services and judicial support. As recommended in the Cowper report, the B.C. government is consulting with the provincial court judiciary to establish a method for determining a set judicial complement. It is anticipated that this new approach will use evidence-based information to both identify possible efficiencies and better align judicial resources to workload and other demands.
More than four million Canadians belong to Aeroplan and make purchasing decisions based on the ability to earn free travel but sometimes those miles expire before consumers can use them. Cris Nannarone had 42,000 miles in his Aeroplan account and was saving them to go to Italy. When he tried to book he was told all 42,000 miles had expired since he hadn't earned or redeemed any miles for over 12 months. "What? I didn't buy milk! How do they expire, explain that to me. They said they expired, it's your fault. It's up to you to keep track of your account," said Nannarone. Aeroplan told him he could buy the miles back for around $500. "And that's when I lost it, I said, you guys are double ending. I've already paid for these, I've earned these through your program," said Nannarone. Aeroplan's expiration policies are not new. The company announced its 12 month inactivity expiration policy as well as its "any mile not used seven years from the date it is earned expires" policy in 2006. Aeroplan started as Air Canada's frequent flyer program but now it's a for profit company owned by International
Loyalty Program Operator Aimia. Here's how it works: Our consumer specialist Lea WilliamsDoherty says that Aeroplan makes money on the spread between what it sells miles to its business partners for and what it costs Aeroplan to buy the seats for you. That means any miles earned but not redeemed, because the miles have expired for example, are pure profit for Aeroplan. Lea asked Aeroplan why it instituted the expiration polices in the first place and was told that "Expiry policies are very common in the loyalty and frequent flyer industries, they...remind members to stay active. Engaged members are what brings value to a program." When she asked what percent of Aeroplan miles are earned, but never redeemed, she was told, we don't report this number". In 2009 Merchant Law Group filed a class action lawsuit alleging Aeroplan's mileage expiration policies are unfair. Aeroplan told Lea it has strong arguments against the class action and will vigorously defend against it. Those who have lost miles to Aeroplan's expiration policies can join the class action through Merchant Law's website.
30 www.fijitimescanada.com
Canada News
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled several kinds of nuts stocked by Loblaws and other affiliated stores. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency There have been no reported illnesses, and Loblaw are warning the public not the food inspection agency said. to eat certain pre-packaged and bulk The products may not look or smell in-shell mixed nuts because they may spoiled, but these bacteria may cause be contaminated by salmonella. salmonellosis, a food-borne illness. The warning, first issued Dec. 2, was In young children and the elderly and people expanded later in the day to include with weak immune systems, salmonellosis hazelnuts. may cause serious and sometimes deadly The warning covers the 454 gram size infections, the food agency said. of mixed nuts bearing the UPC 6 28721 Short-term symptoms in otherwise 20678 7 and the 1.3 kilogram package health people may include high fever, with the UPC 0 33383 70401 2. severe headache, vomiting, nausea, These products were made in the abdominal pain and diarrhea. United States. Long-term complications may include These products were distributed severe arthritis. nationally in Loblaw banners - Real Loblaw has recalled the affected Canadian Super Store, Fortinos, products, and the Canadian Food Freshmart, Loblaws, No Frills, Valu- Inspection Agency is monitoring the Mart, Your Independent Grocer, effectiveness of the recall. Zehrs, Dominion, Red & White, Save For more information, consumers Easy, Cash and Carry, Real Canadian and industry can contact Loblaw Wholesale Club, Maxi & Cie, Maxi, customer relations at 1-800-296-2332 Presto, Club Entrept, Provigo, or customerservice@presidentschoice. Extra Foods, Shop Easy, Super Valu, ca; or the CFIC at 1-800-442-2342 / Westfair, Affiliated Independents and TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Quick Mart. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).
The departure area at the Ottawa International Airport A man with "award-winning" calves faces a minimum of three years in prison after he was convicted Tuesday of trying to board a plane at the Ottawa airport with a handgun in his checked baggage. It didn't help that John Laponsee, 48, was a terrible liar. "During some of the more obvious untruth he actually blushed," Judge Robert Selkirk wrote in his decision. Laponsee tried to board a WestJet flight to Calgary on Apr. 11, 2011, but was nabbed by airport screeners. They found the unloaded .22-caliber Smith and Wesson, an empty clip and a box of bullets wrapped in tin foil and sandwiched between two vintage license plates. Laponsee denied hoping the aluminum paper would "foil" the scanners. Laponsee told cops that a Cornwall police officer told him it would be "legit" to transport the gun like that. He then pulled up a pant leg to show a female officer his "award-winning" calves. The man's mother testified that she had stashed the gun in his bag when she packed his stuff. "I reject that his mother, who did not present as a stupid or naive person, would put a handgun and its ammunition in her son's suitcase and not even mention it in passing," Selkirk said. Laponsee was convicted of various weapons offences, including possessing a prohibited or restricted weapon with ammunition, which carries a mandatory minimum. He will be sentenced in the new year.
The usual Canadian winter will return after record-high temperatures last year, but there will be slightly abovenormal temperatures in the eastern half of the country, Environment Canada predicts in its seasonal outlook. Canadians preparing for chillier weather, or already in the thick of it, should not expect a repeat of last winter - what many were calling the winter that wasn't. "It will feel tougher, but it won't be the winter of our youth," David Phillips, Environment Canada's senior climatologist, said about the agency's seasonal outlook for December to February. Those in the eastern half of the country can look forward to slightly abovenormal temperatures, particularly this month, but it will still be colder than it was over the same period last winter. Ontario and eastward will be milder because of warmer bodies of water influencing temperatures. People in the western half of Canada can also expect cooler conditions compared to last winter, with
Romanian Nationals Suspected To Harsh Winter Ahead For Canada Be Part Of Human Smuggling Ring
temperatures close to normal levels. Below-normal temperatures are in the forecast for northern Alberta, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Most Canadians should notice a shift from last winter. "Environment Canada is pegging precipitation amounts at around normal, but considering last year and the lack of winter that we saw, it will feel much cooler," CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland said. "There were several things about last year that were quite remarkable nationally," Phillips said. Overall in Canada, it was the third warmest winter in 65 years of recordkeeping and the second driest, he said. "Last year was quite remarkable, nationally." Wintry conditions have already hit parts of the West, even though the season doesn't officially begin until Dec. 21. Phillips said that over three weeks in November, Saskatchewan already had more snow than all of last winter. Similar conditions have hit the Calgary region. Five groups of recently arrived Romanian nationals are suspected by Canadian border officials of being part of a human smuggling ring. Fifty adults and 35 children who came to Canada since February have now been classified as irregular arrivals. Forty have been found and 30 arrested under newly enacted immigration laws that allow for the mandatory detention of those suspected to have arrived in Canada via smugglers. Some were not detained because they were too young or arrived prior to the mandatory detention provisions of the law came into effect. Officials continue to search for those not yet apprehended. The designation of irregular arrival means that the individuals cant apply for permanent residence status for at least five years or sponsor their families to come to Canada during that time.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says the measures send a strong signal to those who seek to illegally immigrate to Canada: dont even try. He says the arrival of the Romanians in Quebec via the United States was suspected to be facilitated by smugglers who are part of the group now under investigation. We open our arms to true immigrants and true refugees who follow the rules and who wait for their turn in line, Kenney said at a news conference in Stanstead, Que., a town that borders the United States. We will not tolerate those who are abusing our generosity or who are tricking their way in. The groups of Romanian nationals came into Canada on five different dates beginning in February, and are believed to have made their way to Canada via Mexico and then the U.S.
www.fijitimescanada.com
31
Learning Problems
Continued Next Week Having a learning disability doesn't mean you can't learn. But you'll need some help and you'll need to work extra hard. If you have a learning disability, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia (serious trouble with math), remember that you are not slow or dumb. Learning disabilities happen because of the way a person's brain takes in and processes information. As a result, people learn differently. The trick will be figuring out how you learn best. There are people who know how to do just that. Your parents and teachers can help you and they can find you a learning specialist or a school psychologist. These professionals can help figure out what a kid's learning problem is and come up with ideas for how to make it better. What Are Learning Disabilities? Learning disabilities aren't contagious, but they can be genetic. That means they can be passed down in families through the genes, like many other traits we get from our parents and grandparents. Someone with a learning disability probably has other family members who have had some learning troubles, too. Kids with learning problems are sometimes surprised to find out that one of their parents had similar troubles when he or she was in school. But kids today have an advantage over their parents. Learning experts now know a lot more about the brain and how learning works and it's easier for kids to get the help they need. Dyslexia (say: dis-lek-see-uh) is a learning disability that means a kid has a lot of trouble reading and writing. Kids who have trouble with math may have dyscalculia (say: diskal-kyoo-lee-uh). And people who have trouble forming letters when they write may have dysgraphia (say: dis-graf-ee-uh). Other kids may have language disorders, meaning they have trouble understanding language and understanding what they read. It can be confusing, though. What qualifies as "trouble" enough to be diagnosed as a learning disability? Reading, doing math, and writing letters may be tough for lots of kids at first. But when those early troubles don't fade away, and it's really difficult to make any progress, it's possible the kid has a learning disability. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is sometimes thought of as a learning disability but it's not usually considered one. Why? Because most kids with ADHD can learn in school without special assistance, even though they may be easily distracted or have trouble sitting still in class. Although ADHD itself isn't a learning disability, researchers believe
kids with ADHD may be more likely to have learning disabilities. How Do I Know if I Have a Learning Disability? It's very hard for a kid to know if he or she has a learning disability. But kids don't have to figure all this out on their own. What a kid needs to do is tell someone. Start with your teacher and your mom or dad. Even if you feel a little shy about it, tell them what kinds of problems you're having in school. Maybe you read a chapter for homework and then can't remember anything you read. Or in class, maybe everyone else seems to follow along easily, but you get stuck and don't know what page everyone is on. You might open your book to do an assignment and have no idea where to start. Kids with a learning disability might also answer "yes" to many of these questions: Do you struggle in school? Do you think you should be doing better than you are in school? Is reading harder for you than it should be? Does your head think one thing but your hand writes something else? Is writing slow and really hard for you? Do you make spelling and other errors when you write? Are you having difficulty with math? Is it hard for you to keep your notebooks and papers organized? Do you end up losing or forgetting them? But even if you say "yes" to some of these questions, you won't know for sure until you visit a school psychologist or a learning specialist. They can give you some tests to spot any learning problems you might have. They'll also be able to identify what your strengths are in other words, what you're good at! Once a psychologist or learning specialist figures out what your learning problem is, you both can start working on solutions. A kid might work with a tutor or specialist or even go to a special class. But often, kids with learning disabilities can continue in their regular classrooms and there's no reason they can't do normal stuff, like participate in school activities and sports. Though some kids might feel shy about having a learning disability, it can be a relief to finally know what the problem is. Then, the kid doesn't have to feel as worried and upset about school because he or she is learning how to learn in new ways. The psychologist or learning specialist might even give you a learning plan then you can see what the strategy is for helping you learn. They can even offer help with organizational skills. If you're not organized, it's hard to get any schoolwork done.
Coloring
32
www.fijitimescanada.com
Your Health
LDL Cholesterol
It's probably safe to say that no one really likes giving a urine sample. But the fact is that few tests can match the routine urine analysis for telling your doctor about what's going on inside your body. The bladder can hold almost 2 cups of urine for two to five hours comfortably, and excretes about 2 quarts of waste products and additional water daily. And just as you use a dipstick to check your car's engine oil, doctors rely on a specially treated "dipstick," a plastic stick that has segments imbedded with different chemical indicators on it, to test urine. Unusual amounts of certain substances in your urine can indicate conditions ranging from minor urinary tract infections to diabetes and other more serious conditions. One portion of the dipstick, for instance, measures the specific gravity (a measure of the amount of substances dissolved in the urine). The higher the specific gravity, the more concentrated the urine is. Using a numerical scale, the dipstick shows whether you're drinking enough fluids and how well your kidneys are filtering wastes from your body. Very concentrated urine suggests you are probably not drinking enough fluids, making it harder for your body to flush wastes. Urine is normally darker--more concentrated-in the morning, because your body's been storing wastes all night. The dipstick registers the presence of a variety of chemicals that the kidneys filter, such as glucose (sugar)
or minerals. Healthy people generally don't excrete sugar in their urine. Its presence may mean that you have diabetes or another condition that prevents your body from efficiently converting blood sugar into energy. The urine test also can indicate infections by measuring nitrites and leukocytes. Bacteria produce an enzyme that converts nitrates, which are normally present in urine to nitrites. Leukocytes are the white blood cells that fight infection. The presence of either indicates that your body may be fighting an infection in the bladder or somewhere else along the urinary tract. They also can indicate something even more serious, such as a tumor, but further tests are needed to confirm these findings. The dipstick gauges protein and pH levels. Urine shouldn't contain much, if any, protein, although some perfectly normal people do excrete tiny amounts. Urine pH, or acidity, normally ranges between 4.5 and 8, with most people's urine falling between 5.5 and 6.5. Significantly high protein or pH levels can suggest kidney or other renal dysfunction. Ketones can be detected by dipsticks. They are substances produced when fat is used by the body for energy. They are eliminated from the body in the urine. Large amounts of urinary ketones indicate a diet low in carbohydrates, starvation, or, in a person with diabetes, a dangerous condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
This information is provided for knowledge and educational purposes only. Individuals should visit their physicians for more information on their health.
www.fijitimescanada.com
Your Health
33
Post-menopausal women, treated with epidural steroid shots for relief from backache, suffered significant bone density loss in their hip, say a study. Bone density loss after six months was six times greater when compared to the typical bone density loss seen in a year in a post-menopausal woman who doesn't receive steroid injection, according to researchers. An epidural shot involves the passage of painkilling drugs into the small of your back via a fine tube, numbing the concerned part and providing you with effective pain relief, the journal Spine reported. Shlomo Mandel, a Henry Ford Hospital orthopedic physician, who led study, says physicians should exercise caution prescribing an epidural steroid for select patients, suggesting that
multiple injections may compromise bone strength, according to a Henry Ford statement. "The findings of our study suggest that epidural steroid injections for back pain relief should be approached cautiously in patients at risk for bone fragility," Mandel said. Backache is one of the most common medical conditions, affecting eight out of 10 people at some point of their lives. As people age, their spine ages with them, causing degenerative changes in the spine. Patients are typically treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy. If symptoms persist, an epidural steroid is often prescribed to alleviate pain and improve function. However, steroid use has been linked to diminished bone quality.
A new study has revealed that the essential oils which form the basis of aromatherapy for stress relief also have a beneficial effect on heart rate and blood pressure following short-term exposure - and may therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, those beneficial effects were reversed when exposure to essential oils lasted more than an hour, it said. The study was performed in men and women working in various spa centers in the city of Taipei in Taiwan, where the traditions of ancient Chinese civilizations are maintained in religious ceremonies and healing therapies. Aromatherapy, as practiced today, is still presented as natural healing with essential oils extracted by infusion from aromatic plants. One hundred young, healthy nonsmoking spa workers taking part in the study visited the study centre on three occasions (about once a week), when each volunteer was exposed to vapours of essential oils released from an ultrasonic ioniser for two hours. During this time and on each visit three repeated measurements resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were taken from each spa worker in the study room, a small space measuring 4 meters in height by 3.5 m in length and 3.2 m in width. Before each participant entered the study room, 100 percent pure bergamot essential oil was vaporised for 1 hour. Essential oils are volatile organic
Short-Term Exposure To Aromatic Essential Oils Cuts Blood Pressure And Heart Rate
compounds (VOCs) composed of hundreds of aromatic chemicals, and VOC levels in the room were also measured throughout the study period. Results showed (after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, day of the week, and visit order) that the room's VOC level was significantly associated with reduced blood pressure and heart rate for between 15 and 60 minutes after the start of exposure. These associations were statistically significant. For example, after 45 minutes exposure 15-minute SBP had reduced by a mean of 2.10 mmHg and heart rate by 2.21 beats per minute. However, after exposure for more than 1 hour - from 75 to 120 minutes after the start of exposure - VOC levels became associated with an increased 15-minute mean blood pressure and heart rate. After 120 minutes, for example, mean SBP had risen from baseline by 2.19 mmHg, and heart rate by 1.70 beats per minutes. Thus, the researchers said that, "prolonged exposure for longer than 1 hour to essential oils may be harmful to cardiovascular health in young, healthy subjects". "Our results suggest that exposure to essential oil for 1 hour would be effective in reducing heart rate and blood pressure. However, the most interesting finding of our study is that exposure to essential oil for over an hour was associated with elevated blood pressure and heart rate," said investigator Dr Kai-Jen Chuang from Taipei Medical University in Taiwan.
Bad Back, Neck Pain And Headaches Among Perils Of Wearing An Ill Fitting Bra
Poor fitting bras are a common source of mid back pain, or pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders, often accompanied by headaches. Six in 10 women suffering back pain, stiffness in the neck and even headaches because of a lack of support, the British Osteopathic Association warned. Tight belts are also commonly responsible for numbness and a burning sensation along the outer thigh, leading to hypersensitivity to heat in the shower or bath. Natasha Hatwell, from Bravissimo, said women needed to check their bra size regularly. "The most common mistakes are wearing a cup size which is too small with a back size that's too big," the Daily Mail quoted her as saying. "This means the weight is taken by the shoulders that lead to back pain." She added that part of the problem was that most women assumed they were one size and kept buying the same bra, "but boobs change for all sorts of reasons". Other items of clothing found to take a toll on the body included thongs and G-strings, which caused a fifth of women friction burns, and flip-flops, which can lead to an ugly-sounding condition called claw toe.
A lifetime of tea drinking can significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in old age, a study has found. Health experts carried out a two-year study of 1,000 women with an average age of 59. Half were diagnosed with ovarian cancer while 500 were free of the disease. The researchers discovered that those women without cancer were more likely to be tea drinkers from an earlier age than those diagnosed with the
illness, as reported. Flavonoids, powerful compounds with strong disease-fighting properties, were found in black tea in particular, according to the study at the School of Public Health, Curtin University in Perth, Australia. "Tea consumption should be encouraged because of the potential benefit in preventing this common and deadly disease," study co-author Dr Andy Lee said.
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
Sanjay Dutt got teary-eyed, recalling the death of his mother, Nargis Dutt, on Wednesday, when he announced the collaboration between the Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation and Britain-based NGO Healing Little Hearts, in Mumbai. Sanjay along with his sisters Priya and Namrata attended the launch. In the year 1981, when my mother came back from Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, she had a liver failure and she was taken to a hospital. I dont want to name the hospital, Sanjay recalled.
A teary eyed Sanjay added, The team of doctors who took care of her for oneand-a-half to two years flew down to India the doctors, nurses, everybody who took care of her and they were not allowed to enter the hospital, and we lost our mom the next day. They came to save a life. Nargis passed away due to cancer in a South Mumbai hospital in 1981. A year after in 1982, the Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation was found in her loving memory. The sad part is that, Nargis was not by Sanjays side when his debut film Rocky released in 1981
2012 has been an eventful year for Akshay Kumar in personal as well as professional front. His all releases this year fared well at the box-office and now the actor is looking forward to his next release Khiladi 786. His two films, Housefull 2 and Rowdy Rathore entered 100 crore club and his own production OMG!Oh My God also turned out to be huge success. The film earned 82 crore at the boxoffice. He is back to Khiladi title after 12 years and the actor is keeping his fingers crossed for the film's success. Personally also Akshay is content as he and Twinkle was blessed with a baby girl named, Nitara. Akki is overjoyed with the arrival of a baby girl and feels that his family is complete now. Describing Twinkle happiness, the actor said that she is over the moon.
When he was asked how is the feeling of becoming a father after 10 years. He replied, 'Surprisingly easier', chuckles Akshay, 'I seem to have remembered all the little techniques that make a baby go gaga gugu when I enter the room. So far everything has just been so smooth. My wife is over the moon and in her elements right now. A baby girl is exactly what our home needed.' Meanwhile, his bonding with son Aarav is strengthening more. 'Now me and my son are going to stick together to fight for male pride in the house. Or least fight for our Sunday cricket matches and that's about it. The rest of the time we are more than happy to live for all the women in our family,'' smiles Akshay before signing off.
www.fijitimescanada.com
35
Shekhar Kapoor had many a times made it public about his most ambitious project that has now been titled Paani. Hrithik Roshan has been selected to play the lead role in this film. He seems to be very excited about this new development as he was seen willingly discussing about this project with others who were present at Marrakech Film Festival that has been rolling at Morocco. According to an insider, Hrithik is excited to get the project. Ranbir was also in the buzz as being considered for the role. Guess his packed diary didnt permit him free dates to say yes to Shekhar. This film seems to have a lot of potential as Yash Raj Films have joined forces with Shekhar Kapoor to fund this film. The film will be made with a budget of $30 million. The director has tremendous talent and credibility as he proved it in yesteryear films like Mr. India, Bandit Queen, and Masoom. He has labeled this film as a mission. He tweeted recently saying, 'Paani' is a film, but much more. 'Paani' is a passion, but much more. 'Paani' is a mission. The film has quite an innovative and original plot. The storyline zooms into the future revolving around times
when there will be wars over water. In the movie, it will be depicted that water is possessed by International Corporations, who then will use thirstiness as a weapon of authority over human population. The film will also project a budding love story that will disrupt all the rules and subsequently the war which will later result in the water flowing back to its general public. This project had been in the limelight long back, (read: twelve years back), but sadly had no takers who would willingly fund it, with Yash Raj Films agreeing to produce the film, the project finally saw the light of day. An insider revealed Now that Shekhar (Kapur) has finally found a producer in Aditya Chopra, looks like things are falling into place. Earlier, the director was often rebuked as to who would want to see a project like Paani! Paani is claimed to be going on floors next year during 2013. The film will be shot abroad and in India. A. R Rahman has been welcomed on board to compose the music of this film. The film first had been announced with Vivek Oberoi who would play the lead, however with changing times and with Viveks popularity going downhill, Hrithik Roshan is a good choice.
So, Dabangg 2 is nearing its release and Salman Khan fans just cant wait to get their eyes on Chulbul Pandeys funny antiques once again. And with that, Salman Khan returns to do what hes best at, he plays a larger than life hero once again, but will he live up to the expectations this time? Will Salmans character be as good as the one we saw in Dabangg or will it be the same repetitive role weve seen Salman playing in his movies for quite some time now? Lets see what the director of Dabangg 2 and Salman Khans older brother Arbaaz Khan have to say about his upcoming flick! Arbaaz said: We are true to that character. However what I can say is that Salman Khan wont look like someone who was seen in READY, BODYGUARD or EK THA TIGER. In DABANGG 2, he is Chulbul Pandey and thats the way things are going to be. Yes, from setting
perspective it is a new scenario which means a new approach has to be drafted towards presenting Chulbul in this situation. Now that by itself is challenging because you have to keep the sanctity of the character right and still not give to audience what may seem like a repeat of what they have already seen. He also promises that Dabangg 2 will have grittier action and see Salman at his best with his larger than life image. There is everything in the film that audience would expect from their Dabangg hero. The film by itself has a larger than life setting while Salman too would be seen as a larger than life character. You would see heroism and all that is Chulbul Pandeys trait. How could I not give that to audience, Arbaaz added. Of course Arbaaz, that would indeed be a minimum expectation from DABANGG 2 and Salman Khan.
It is known to all that Akshay Kumar, who is an actor and producer now, was a martial artist before. Even after making his debut Akshay has always been passionate about martial arts, which shows in his fitness and stunts. And the passion for martial arts saw
a huge success. The actor will also be seen next in another action-masala flick Khiladi 786, and later on in an action drama Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2 opposite Sonakshi Sinha. Once Upon A Time in Mumbai starred Ajay Devgan and Emran Haashmi in the main lead.
36
www.fijitimescanada.com
Manisha Koirala has been a great asset to the Hindi film Industry. She is a skilled actress and has numerous numbers of good films to her credit. She started her journey into films with a Nepali film. She comes from a renowned political family of Nepal. She has done films in various languages but has been most prominently recognized in the Hindi film industry. Her first ventured into Bollywood films was in the year 1991, which was titled Saudagar that proved to be the biggest film of the year. She is associated with some of the most critically acclaimed films, like Akele Hum Akele Tum, 1942: A Love Story, Bombay,
Khamoshi, Dil se, Mann and Kachche Dhaage. Her latest has been Ram Gopal Vermas Bhoot Returns. The actress recently has been in the news for a very perturbing development. She has been diagnosed with cancer of late. She had been admitted to a nursing home in Mumbai named Jaslok Hospital. She got discharged last Friday after a three-day stay there, and will be heading to the USA for her treatment. She had been admitted to the nursing home after she fell unconscious. The actresss sister-in-law declared in the media We are planning to go to the United States. We haven't decided on the hospital yet. The family is still trying to figure things out. However, she refused to divulge any further information on the kind of illness Manisha has been suffering from. At the Jaslok Hospital Manisha has had to undergo a number of medical tests and examinations that later detected her with cancer. But the officials of the hospital have refused to divulge any news on her ailment. Her treatment at the nursing home was conducted by Dr Suresh Advani, who is the director of medical Oncology. She was seen in public for the last time at the premiere of the film Life of Pi and at the 14th Mumbai Film Festival. However, as these reports have been doing the rounds with full force Manisha has not broken her silence on it. A source who is a family member of the actress revealed, There are no confirmations about the reports circulating about Manishas health.
A Perfectionist but not a handson father Aamir Khan as he says is enjoying fatherhood to the fullest but work commitments did not allow him to spend enough time with his son but speaking about his wife Kiran, Aamir said that Kiran is a hands-on mom and enjoying her motherhood to the fullest which she always desires. "I am not a hands-on dad on a daily basis. My responsibilities towards work dont allow me to do that. But I really like to spend time with him. He is a real joy. He is a very happy child and good natured," Aamir said. "Kiran is a hands-on mother. She is enjoying motherhood and that's what she wants to do. Once in a while I do try and give her a break but she brushes it aside," he said. On December 1st, Aamir and Kirans first child Azad celebrated his first
birthday and Aamir threw a small birthday party with family members. Due to some medical complications, Kiran could not carry her child and the baby was born through IVF to a surrogate mother. Aamir said about Azads first birthday, "On his birthday we plan to be at home with him along with close family members." Meanwhile, Aamir says when it comes to films he does not discuss with wife Kiran as he likes to keep it a surprise for her. "No, I don't consult her. When I am not sure I like to ask her. I like to keep it as a surprise. This she and I both consciously do. So when she watches the first cut, she is a fresh audience, she doesn't know about the script, she doesn't know what to expect. Sometimes I ask her to sit in for a narration," he said.
Limo Service Now Available at Reasonable Rate! For Weddings, Parties Graduations, Birthdays ETC
www.fijitimescanada.com
37
At The Movies
Seven Psychopaths (14A) * * *
Death comes happily in Seven Psychopaths, a wild and flambouyant film from Alliance Films. Still going strong at the International Village Cinema this sharp and witty violent tale has lots of wit and is reminiscent of the audacity of the Quentin Tarrantino school of filmmaking. Set in sunny California, Seven Psychopaths features an all star cast anchored by Colin Farrell as a down on his luck author who keeps company with definitely the wrong crowd. Friend number one is a real jerk though nice guy able performed by Sam Rockwell. The latter makes his living doing dog thefts aided and abetted by Christopher Walken (A View to a Kill). These two crime kingpins make the mistake of snatching the pooch of a truly evil gangster played with suitable aplomb by Woody Harrelson (Cheers). Somehow all these people converge and the results are utter chaos. Chalk full of campy dialogue, comic strip violence and over the top characters, Seven Psychopaths is a surprisingly good action drama bolstered by top level acting. Solid pacing and a high degree of unpredictability make Seven Psychopaths a fun and dangerous night at the movies.
Writers Block!
Abhinav Kashyaps next flick, titled Besharam will see Rishi Kapoor, his wife Neetu Kapoor and their son Ranbir Kapoor, play pivotal roles. We had earlier reported that, in the film, Rishi and Neetu Kapoor will be playing Ranbirs parents. However, latest developments are that the veteran couple will portray Haryanvi cops. While Rishi will be a soft spoken cop, Neetu on the other hand will be loud, aggressive and the wild one. If sources are to be believed, Abhinav wasnt sure about Neetu Kapoor and
had plans to cast her only later, after he was sure the role was meaty enough to offer her. Recently, he narrated the script to her and she was delighted to be part of the film. Ranbir is very excited since this will be the first time he will share screen space with his mother, whom he is extremely close to, the source said. It is learnt that the filmmakers always wanted Ranbir and Rishi Kapoor in his film. Neetu Kapoor was the icing on the cake. Ranbir will start shooting very soon, while his parents will join him later.
December 3, 2012 marked the first death this will immortalize Dev Saab forever. anniversary of the legendary actor, Dev And I am more than happy to have the Anand and UTV STARS, paid him a privilege of unveiling his statue." tribute by installing his brass statue Commenting on the tribute to his father, at the Bandra Bandstand Promenade Dev Anand, at the Walk of the Stars, immortalizing his invaluable Suneil Anand, son of Dev Anand, said, contributions to the Indian Cinema. "My father has to his name a wonderful Dev Anand's life size statue was line up of movies and has contributed unveiled by none other yesteryear immensely to Indian & World great, Waheeda Rehman and son Suneil Cinema. He continues to be a source Anand. Waheeda Rehman made her of inspiration to millions of youth the debut with Dev Anand and the two of world over. He was passionate about them acted together in seven movies, his work and was always forward which is the highest for any actress looking. And for him to receive such with him. an iconic tribute as recognition of his Commenting on the tribute to Dev body of work is truly heartwarming. Anand, at the Walk of the Stars, Nikhil This is a momentous occasion for me Gandhi, Business Head, UTV STARS, and my family--Dev Anand is with us said, "Walk of the Stars is a way of and will live forever." honoring the invaluable contribution UTV STARS Walk of the Stars is a of the biggest superstars of Indian premium property that encompasses Cinema. Dev Saab is one such pillar renowned celebrities' handprints on a of Hindi Cinema and will always be customized slab and specially designed remembered as the 'Evergreen Hero'. brass statues of iconic legendary actors. With the launch of his statue at Walk of The prestigious property was launched the Stars today, we hope to keep Dev early this year with the felicitation of Saab, his wonderful movies and his the legendary 'Kapoor Khandaan'. immense contribution to Bollywood Prithiviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, 'evergreen' for all his fans and many Shashi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu more generations to come." Kapoor, Karishma Kapoor and Commenting on unveiling Dev Saab's Kareena Kapoor's tiles bearing their statue and paying him a tribute at the respective hand prints, were installed Walk of the Stars, Yesteryear actress, at the Bandra Bandstand Promenade, Waheeda Rehman said, "I made my Mumbai. And as a special honor, brass acting debut with Dev Saab and then statues on a bench of the great Raj went on to do 6 more films with him. Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor were also He was extremely passionate about installed. Dev Anand's statue will be his work and we shared a wonderful installed alongside Raj Kapoor and working relationship. While he Shammi Kapoor's statues. The UTV will always be remembered for his STARS Walk of the Stars is open to For Your Dollar wonderful movies, To tribute such Valuepublic on all days, free of cost. a Get The Best as Advertise In
38
www.fijitimescanada.com
Toasting
Toasting to love, friendship, health, wealth, and happiness has been practiced by almost every culture from the beginning of recorded history.
Traditionally, the host or hostess offers the first toast, the more informal the occasion, however, the less this "rule" applies. Around a dinner table with friends, a guest can propose the first toast (and often does), usually as a way of thanking the host for bringing everyone together. The only real guideline is to make sure that all the glasses are filled before toasting. The glasses don't have to hold champagne or wine or any other alcoholic beverage; it's perfectly fine for nondrinkers to toast with water, juice, or a soft drink. Even an empty glass is better than nothing. The "host toasts first" rule does still apply at receptions and other large functions (though the best man usually leads the toasting at a wedding reception).
The host must attract the crowd's attention before making his toast, which he does by standing and raising his glass-not by banging on a glass with a utensil. No matter how large and noisy the crowd, repeating "May I have your attention" as often as necessary is the more courteous option.
do what comes naturally. If toasts are made over pre-dinner drinks in the living room, the toaster may want to stand. At the dinner table, the toaster may remain seated if the group is fairly small. A table of a dozen or more usually requires the toaster to stand so that people will be able to hear. Although the host often stands as he delivers his toast, everyone elseincluding the person or persons being toasted-remains seated. The exception is when the toaster asks everyone assembled to "rise and drink to the happy couple" or "stand and raise your glasses to our esteemed leader." The guests respond by taking a sip of their drinks, not by draining the glass; the idea is to save enough of the beverage for any toasts that follow. On ceremonial occasions, a toastmaster or the chairman of the committee often takes charge, sandwiching the necessary toasts between the end of the meal and before any speeches. Toasters are usually expected to stand on such formal occasions.
as when someone raises his glass and offers good wishes or congratulations to his companions.
Replying to a Toast
When toasted, the "toastee" does not stand, nor does she drink to herself. All the recipient need do is sit and smile appreciatively. Once the toast is finished, she simply acknowledges the toast with a "thank you." She may then stand and raise her own glass to propose a toast to the host or anyone else she wants to honor. The same procedure is followed by a group of people who have just been toasted.
effortless in that it can be both brief and generic: "To Stan-God bless him!" Should you draw a blank when you're suddenly asked to offer a toast, just remind yourself that a few sincere and complimentary words are all you need: "To Stan, a terrific guy and a friend to us all!" It's easier still when you can tie the toast to the occasion (what a good toaster should do in any event), whether you're at a dinner party or barbecue, an office party or a gathering of your high school classmates.
Prepared Toasts
When to Toast
Sit or Stand
If a toast is to be offered at a meal, the first usually comes at the very beginning. Traditionally, the first toast is offered by the host as a welcome to guests. Toasts offered by others start during the dessert course. Toasting isn't confined to a meal or special event. Spontaneous toasts are in order whenever they seem appropriate,
Make sure to keep your toast short and on point (don't try to steal the show). If the toast the primary toast of the evening, a short speech should be prepared. You can use notes if you like when giving your toast. Including a few personal remarks-a reminiscence, praise, or a relevant story or joke-is all to the good, but they should be in keeping with the occasion. Toasts at a wedding should tend toward the sentimental, those in honor of a retiring employee toward nostalgia, and so forth. And a touch of humor is rarely out of place.
Joining in a group toast is blessedly easy, with glasses raised and shouts of "Cheers!" "To your health!" or "To Stan!" ringing out. Similarly, a spontaneous toast is relatively
www.fijitimescanada.com
Travel
Vanua Levu Vacation and Travel Guide
39
Vacationing In Fiji
Vanua Levu, or great land of the people, is the second largest of the Fiji islands. Although not as many visit this island as they visit the largest island of Viti Levu, there is still much to do and see, plus you can get away from the tourist crowds. Vanua Levu is home to around 20% of Fijis population and is largely used for growing sugarcane. A few sights you can see here are lush tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, and, within its beautiful seas, rich coral reef systems and other various forms of marine life. Vanua Levu also has a good transportation system, so it is quite easy to get around and explore the island. The majority of the population on Vanua Levu is centered around the towns of Savusavu and Labasa. The island is home to numerous rivers, including the Wailevu, Labasa and Qawa. Vanua Levu is an excellent area to visit if you want to see great places and lovely sights without the crowds. Savusavu Savusavu is a scenic town where you can see copra plantations, white-sand beaches and the gorgeous Savusavu Bay. It is world-renowned for its diving because of its rich marine life and is the most popular of the areas on Vanua Levu among tourists. Besides diving, it is also a great area for snorkeling, sailing and fishing. In addition, it is a popular transit point for ferries and flights to other islands, so this town is a great location for those seeking to explore other remote areas in Fiji as
well. Labasa Labasa is the largest city on Vanua Levu and is a major area for Fijis sugar industry. It is a lovely countryside town covered with rolling hills and sugarcane. The population of this city is largely Indian in origin, consisting of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. The Wasavula Ceremonial Site is the main tourist attraction in Labasa, located in the southern part of the town. Mamanuca Islands Vacation and Travel Guide The Mamanuca Islands are a volcanic archipelago consisting of approximately 20 islands. They are located west of Nadi and south of the Yasawa Islands. Tropical white sandy beaches are found on all of the islands, plus they are also a popular tourist attraction for snorkeling, scuba diving and other water activities because of
their warm turquoise waters, fringing coral reefs and various other forms of marine life. Numerous island resorts are situated around these islands that overlook beautiful ocean and beach scenery. With some, you are even able to rent out the entire island during your stay, so you can enjoy all the privacy possible and live in true paradise. Malolo Lailai The island of Malolo Lailai is the second largest island in the Mamanucas and is the center of the islands tourism industry. Along with three lovely resorts, you can find a variety of other facilities, such as a dive shop, a grocery, a caf and a restaurant near its airport. The lagoon near one of the islands resorts, the Musket Cove Resort, is also a haven for visiting yachts from all over the world. Vomo Island
Vomo Island is located about 30 km (19 mi) west of Nadi International Airport and lies just below the Yasawa Islands. On this island, you can enjoy lovely accomodation and delicious dining. You can also participate in various land and water activities, such as golf, tennis, hiking, snorkeling, sailing and kayaking. Wadigi Island The island of Wadigi is a tiny but beautiful and private place. It is 2-3 km (1.2-1.8 mi) in size, and you have the choice of booking a room or even renting out the entire island. The island has also been listed in Conde Nast Travelers Top Thirty Private Villas in the World. Malolo Island Malolo is a volcanic island that is a popular tourist destination in the Mamanucas. It offers various resorts, as well as other beautiful vacation spots. A few of the activities offered here are sailing, snorkeling and sightseeing. Tokoriki Island On the western end of Tokoriki Island is Liku Beach, which appropriately translates to Sunset Beach as it overlooks the view of the islands gorgeous sunset. Tokorikis island resort is also located here. Monuriki Island Monuriki Island is a beautiful secluded island that is surrounded by clear blue waters, which are home to reefs that are excellent for snorkeling. The island is famous for being the location of the popular film, Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks.
Yes, youve got a TSA approved lock on your bag because youre a savvy traveler. So how can you avoid luggage theft? Common sense Keep an eye on your luggage at all times. It only takes a few seconds for a busy traveler to get distracted, which becomes a moment of opportunity for any thief to simply walk away with a nice bundle of valuables that packed and ready on a set of wheels. If youre travelling with a partner, make sure one person is watching the luggage at all times. If youre travelling solo, take your bags with you wherever you go, even to the washroom (most washroom stalls are big enough to accommodate a carry-on suitcase). Keep a sharp watch as you go through
How a thief can use a pen to break into your luggage, even if its locked
security As your carry-on luggage disappears into the scanner; keep an eye on the conveyor belt on the other side as your stuff comes back out. Also keep a watch on the person in line in front of you. If you get distracted, someone can easily walk away with your laptop or jewellery as they pick up their own things ahead of you. Extra protection Keep putting that TSA lock on your bags, but as added protection, secure your bags with plastic strips or cable ties. TSA can easily cut through them if they need to, but the added layer a thief has to get through to access your valuables will become a deterrent. Shrink-wrapping your bags is another option. Not only does it deter thieves, it also protects your luggage from getting damaged while being handled at the airport. Use a hard shell suitcase A clam-shell" style suitcase that has a latch closure is a better option because there is no zipper that can be broken into. The hard casing also cant be slashed open by a blade and thus provides added security. Dont blend in with the crowd Pick a vibrant colour or pattern that is easily recognizable from a distance. In case someone walks away with your bag, youll be able to spot it from a distance. Pack smart Avoid taking valuables with you while travelling. Pack items that are easily replaceable. If you dont need it, dont
bring it. If you are going to carry an item of value, put it in your carry-on bag and keep it with you at your seat while youre on the plane. Hide it Wrap a camera inside a sweater or put jewellery in a shaving kit when you put it in your suitcase. If someone were to quickly rummage through your bag, theyll likely miss these hidden items. Keep an inventory If items from your luggage happen to go missing while being handled by airport staff, an item inventory will help you report the theft right away. Get baggage insurance It may seem like an added expense, but if you want to travel with the peace of mind, an extra few dollars will be well worth the investment.
Autos
shoe styling only wears thin at the front, where the skinny grille and gaping air inlets need to find some common ground and call a truce. The cockpit has its fair share of grey glossy plastic and tangential styling themes; on the balance, it's exciting, not chaotic. The Escape's larger than before, but passenger space isn't changed much. An inch of room in front is now granted to the folks in back. The seats are slimmed down and firmed up, which may not be everyone's taste; we're in their camp, fans of the long-distance support they offer. The cargo hold's larger, and the back seat folds and flips down its own headrests for better storage space--and the new hands-free tailgate option opens and closes the hatch at the swing of a foot. Other available features include an improved but still complex MyFord Touch; a navigation system; HD and satellite radio; Bluetooth with audio streaming; pushbutton start; leather seating; all-wheel drive, with or without a 3,500-pound-rated towing package; and a panoramic sunroof. With Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), as well as four-star overall ratings (with five stars for side impact) from the federal government, the 2013 Escape has impressive safety-although it's not quite class-leading, if you read directly from test results. The Honda CR-V, for instance, manages Top Safety Pick status plus five-star federal results. Prices range from $23,295 for the Escape S to $31,195 for the Escape Titanium. In that respect, the 2013 Ford Escape isn't all that different from the model that came before it. In every other way, it's an Escape in name only for all the right reasons.
This weeks study from B.C. Coroners Service serves as a strong reminder to us all about the importance of wearing a seatbelt. On average, 1,200 injuries and 90 fatalities are observed by police every year in B.C. where a driver or passenger was not properly restrained. This represents 30 per cent of all drivers and passengers killed on B.C. roads every year.* We can all do our part to help prevent such tragedies it takes two simple things: buckle up every time you get into a vehicle and make sure others do too, said ICBCs Fiona Temple, director of road safety. Remember that by wearing your seatbelt, youre also helping to keep your passengers safer if youre involved in a crash without your seatbelt on, you could strike other occupants, the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from the vehicle, said Temple. As a driver, youre also required by law to make sure that passengers under 16 years old are properly restrained. Here are some important facts you should know about seatbelts: No. 1 Best protection. Seatbelts continue to be the single most effective protective device in your vehicle. An unbuckled 68 kg (150 lbs) adult involved in a 50 km/h frontal crash with a stationary object will strike other occupants, the interior of the vehicle or be ejected with the equivalent force of a 3.5 ton truck. If you are ejected, you are 25 times morelikely to be killed or injured. Even in vehicles equipped with airbags, seatbelts are still a necessity. Airbags were designed to work in conjunction with seatbelts, not replace them. No. 2 Take notice. Even drivers who are buckled up have five times the risk
New Study Reminds Us That Buckling Up Helps Prevent Lives From Needlessly Being Lost
of dying in a crash if their rear seat passengers are not wearing seatbelts, according to a Japanese research paper. Always remind those in the vehicle to buckle up it could save your life. Eighty per cent of the deaths from these types of crashes could have been eliminated if the rear seat passengers had been buckled up. No. 3 Keep kids safe. A correctly used child seat reduces the risk of being killed in a crash by 71 per cent and the risk of serious injury by 67 per cent. In B.C., all children over 18kg (40lbs.) must be in booster seats until they are 1.45 metres (49) tall or age nine. Be a role model for your children by always wearing your seatbelt and reminding older children to buckle up every time they get into a vehicle. No. 4 Never double buckle. Always use a seatbelt for its intended use never restrain multiple passengers with one belt. The force of a crash will throw both passengers violently together as their bodies attempt to occupy the same space. No. 5 Lock it up. All unrestrained objects pets included are a hazard in the event of a crash. If you need to transport your pet, use an animal carrier and if possible, restrain the carrier. Never leave unrestrained objects in your vehicle as they can become projectiles in a crash. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $167. To learn how to properly wear a seatbelt, watch ICBCs video tip here. For more information on seatbelts, visit icbc.com/road-safety/safer-drivers/. * Annual average in British Columbia over a five-year period based on 2006 to 2010 data. A restraint includes a seatbelt, child restraint system or booster seat.
Suspension Repair Tune Ups Brakes Air Conditioning Electrical Transmission Service Oil Change Wheel Balancing Tires Air Care Repairs New Vehicle Maintenance Mufflers Clutches Towing Available
Across from Fleetwood Islamic Center
604-597-9466
www.fijitimescanada.com
Lifestyle
41
8. Cinnamon
6. Oats
Blueberries have more antioxidants those magical molecules that can help prevent a host of maladiesthan 40 other common fruits and vegetables tested. The antioxidant plant pigments that make blueberries blue guard against heart disease, cancer and age-related blindness and memory loss. Theyre also tops when it comes to preventing urinary tract infections, thanks to antioxidant epicatechins, which keep bacteria from sticking to bladder walls. How much? 1/2 cup (125 mL) of blueberries equals one fruit and vegetable serving per day. Tip: Sprinkle blueberries on your pancakes at the last minutecooking the berries destroys valuable vitamin C.
4. Broccoli
2. Garlic
Garlic has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Most of its diseasefighting potential comes from its sulfur compounds, which act as antioxidants, providing many of its cardiovascular benefits. Just six or more cloves of garlic a week can slash your risk of colorectal, stomach and prostate cancer in half compared to eating one clove a week or less. How much? Incorporate at least one garlic clove into your diet every day. Tip: Chop or crush your garlic, then let it stand for 10 minutes to fully release its healing potential.
Consider broccoli your number one cancer fighter, thanks to its sulfur compounds, such as sulforaphane, which you can smell as broccoli cooks. These compounds signal our genes to boost production of enzymes that detoxify potentially cancer-causing compounds. Eat more broccoli and you could slash your risk of everything from breast and lung cancer to stomach and colon cancer. How much? 125 mL (1/2 cup) of cooked broccoli is one fruit and vegetable serving. Tip: Steam broccoli for 3 to 4 minutes until its crisp-tender to free up more of its sulforaphane
Oats cholesterol and blood pressurelowering powers come from betaglucan, a type of soluble fibre. One cup (250 mL) a day of cooked oat bran, 1 cups (375 mL) of cooked oatmeal or thee packets of instant oatmeal provide enough beta-glucan to lower blood cholesterol by about five percent and heart attack risk by about 10 percent. How much? Aim for 10 grams of soluble fibre each day. Cooked oats contain 2 to 3 grams per serving. Tip: Buy the type of oatmeal youll eat. It doesnt matter if its steel-cut or instant.
Cinnamon is one of the most powerful healing spices. Its become most famous for its ability to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. The apple pie spice can help prevent blood clots and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown to conquer E. coli, among other types of bacteria. How much? As little as to teaspoon of (1 to 2 mL) a day could cut triglycerides and total cholesterol by 12 to 30 percent. Tip: Sprinkle some cinnamon on your daily coffee to reap the benefits of this super-spice.
9. Tea
7. Flaxseeds
5. Yogurt
3. Olive oil
Yogurt is a great source of bonebuilding calcium, but its real strength lies in live beneficial bacteria, know as probiotics, that keep down the growth of harmful bacteria in your gut. Eating more yogurt could help with inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, urinary tract infections and vaginal
A tablespoon of ground flaxseed sprinkled over cereal or yogurt provides an easy 2.3 grams of fiber, often more than whats in the cereal itself. But flaxseed is most revered for its lingans. These act like estrogen in the body, blocking estrogen receptors on cells and contributing to reduced rates of certain hormone-related cancers, such as breast cancer. Their anti-inflammatory power may also help keep conditions from acne to asthma at bay. How much? Sneak 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 25 mL) of ground flaxseed into your diet daily. Tip: Make sure your flax is ground; otherwise, the seeds will come out the
Tea is one of the most potent sources of antioxidants in nature (more potent than any fruit or vegetable). Teas antioxidants offer protection from heart disease, stroke and cancer. They appear to protect against heart disease by slowing the breakdown of bad LDL cholesterol, preventing blood clots and improving blood vessel function. People who drink a cup or two of tea a day have a 46 percent lower risk of developing narrowed arteries. How much? Brew up two to five cups daily. Tip: Drink most of your tea between meals since the tannins interfere with the absorption of iron from food.
This information is provided for knowledge and educational purposes only. Individuals should visit their physicians for more information on their health.
42
www.fijitimescanada.com
For Women
inner edge of your brow should start. To determine the highest point of your arch, place the pencil parallel to the outside corner of your iris. To find out where your brows should end, just hold the pencil diagonally from your nostril to the outside corner of your eye. You can also just look in the mirror and find the highest point of your brow. From there, you can tweeze right underneath the high point to maximize the arch. Step 3 Using a brow pencil, mark the spots you just found and begin tweezing accordingly. Be sure to remove no more than 2 rows of hair so your brows still maintain a natural shape and look. You may need to remove just a few hairs from the top of the brows to make them look neat and shaped.
Going to get your eyebrows done on a regular basis can empty out your wallet pretty fast, but if you know how to do them right, why spend a fortune and get them done by someone else? Heres how you can do your own eyebrows in just a few simple steps. No money, no fuss, no pain! Step 1 Start by brushing your brows upwards using a brow brush. Then snip off the long ends of any hairs that might stick out using a pair of brow scissors and continue brushing downwards. Doing this will ensure that you trim off the bulk of the hair, plus will reveal your natural brow shape. Step 2 Hold a pencil parallel to the side of the bridge of your nose: thats where the
Abusers are able to control their behaviorthey do it all the time. Abusers pick and choose whom to abuse. They dont insult, threaten, or assault everyone in their life who gives them grief. Usually, they save their abuse for the people closest to them, the ones they claim to love. Abusers carefully choose when and where to abuse. They control themselves until no one else is around to see their abusive behavior. They may act like everything is fine in public, but lash out instantly as soon as youre alone. Abusers are able to stop their abusive behavior when it benefits them. Most abusers are not out of control. In fact, theyre able to immediately stop their abusive behavior when its to their advantage to do so (for example, when the police show up or their boss calls). Violent abusers usually direct their blows where they wont show. Rather than acting out in a mindless rage, many physically violent abusers carefully aim their kicks and punches where the bruises and marks wont show.
The cycle of violence in domestic abuse Domestic abuse falls into a common pattern, or cycle of violence: Abuse Your abusive partner lashes out with aggressive, belittling, or violent behavior. The abuse is a power play designed to show you "who is boss." Guilt After abusing you, your partner feels guilt, but not over what he's done. Hes more worried about the possibility of being caught and facing consequences for his abusive behavior. Excuses Your abuser rationalizes what he or she has done. The person may come up with a string of excuses or blame you for the abusive behavioranything to avoid taking responsibility. "Normal" behavior The abuser does everything he can to regain control and keep the victim in the relationship. He may act as if nothing has happened, or he may turn on the charm. This peaceful honeymoon phase may give the victim hope that the abuser has really changed this time. Fantasy and planning Your abuser begins to fantasize about abusing you again. He spends a lot of time thinking about what youve
www.fijitimescanada.com
43
ROAST TURKEY
Ingredients
1 turkey, approx. 15 lbs Juice of a lemon Salt and pepper Olive oil or melted butter 1/2 yellow onion, peeled and quartered Tops and bottoms of a bunch of celery 2 carrots Parsley Sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme Need help figuring out how big a turkey to get? Butterball has a turkey calculator that helps you figure out just how many pounds you need. In general, plan for: 12-15 lb turkey for 10-12 people 15-18 lb turkey for 14-16 people 18-22 lb turkey for 20-22 people that the breast is on top, and put it in a 500F oven or under the broiler for 4-5 minutes, just enough to brown the breast. Note that if you do this, you will have a higher risk of overcooking the turkey breast. Start taking temperature readings with a meat thermometer, inserted deep into the thickest part of the turkey breast and thigh, an hour before the turkey should be done. You want a resulting temperature of 175F for the dark meat (thighs and legs) and 165F for the white meat (breast). The temperature of the bird will continue to rise once you take it out of the oven, so take it out when the temperature reading for the thigh is 170F, and for the breast 160F. If you don't have a meat thermometer, spear the breast with a knife. The turkey juices should be clear, not pink. 9 Once you remove the turkey from the oven, let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Turn the turkey breast side up to carve it.
Method
1 To start, if the turkey has been refrigerated, bring it to room temperature before cooking. Keep it in its plastic wrapping until you are ready to cook it. While in the refrigerator, and or while you are bringing it to room temp, have the bird resting in a pan, so that if the plastic covering leaks for any reason, you are confining the juices to the pan. If you get a frozen turkey, you will need to defrost it in the refrigerator for several days first. Allow approximately 5 hours of defrosting for every pound. So, if you have a 15 pound turkey, it will take about 75 hours to defrost it in the refrigerator, or around 3 days. Handle a raw turkey with the same amount of caution as when you handle raw chicken - use a separate cutting board and utensils to avoid contaminating other foods. Wash you hands with soap before touching anything else in the kitchen. Use paper towels to clean up. Remove the neck and giblets (heart, gizzard, liver). Use the heart and gizzard for making stock for the stuffing. The neck can be cooked along side the turkey or saved for turkey soup. Or all of the giblets can be used for making giblet gravy. Note that if your turkey comes with a plastic piece holding the legs together, check the instructions on the turkey's package. Most likely you do not need to remove those plastic ties for cooking (unless you plan to cook your turkey at a very high temperature). If you remove the plastic ties, you will need to use kitchen string to tie the legs together. 2 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
3 Wash out the turkey with water. Pull out any remaining feather stubs in the turkey skin. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Lather the inside of the cavity with the juice of half a lemon. Take a small handful of salt and rub all over the inside of the turkey. 4 In this method of cooking a turkey, we don't make the stuffing in the turkey because doing so adds too much to the cooking time. For flavor, put in inside the turkey a half a yellow onion, peeled and quartered, a bunch of parsley, a couple of carrots, and some tops and bottoms of celery. You may need to cap the body cavity with some aluminum foil so that the stuffing doesn't easily fall out. Close up the turkey cavity with either string (not nylon string!) or metal skewers. Make sure that the turkey's legs are tied together, held close to the body, and tie a string around the turkey body to hold the wings in close. The neck cavity can be stuffed with parsley and tied closed with thin skewers and string. 5 Rub either melted butter or olive oil all over the outside of the turkey. Sprinkle salt generously all over the outside of the turkey (or have had it soaking in salt-water brine before starting this process). Sprinkle pepper over the turkey. 6 Place turkey BREAST DOWN on the bottom of a rack over a sturdy roasting pan big enough to catch all the drippings. This is the main difference between the way mom makes turkey and everyone else. Cooking the turkey breast down means the skin over the breast will not get so brown. However, all of the juices from the cooking
turkey will fall down into the breast while cooking. And the resulting bird will have the most succulent turkey breast imaginable. Add several sprigs of fresh (if possible) thyme and rosemary to the outside of the turkey. 7 Chop up the turkey giblets (gizzard, heart). Put into a small saucepan, cover with water and add salt. Bring to simmer for an hour or so to help make stock for the stuffing. 8 Put the turkey in the oven. Check the cooking directions on the turkey packaging. Gourmet turkeys often don't take as long to cook. With the turkeys mom gets, she recommends cooking time of about 15 minutes for every pound. For the 15 lb turkey, start the cooking at 400 F for the first 1/2 hour. Then reduce the heat to 350 F for the next 2 hours. Then reduce the heat further to 225 F for the next hour to hour and a half. If you want the breast to be browned as well, you can turn the bird over so
Scrape all the drippings off of the bottom of the roasting pan. Pour drippings into a smaller skillet. Take off excess fat with a gravy spoon and save for possible use later. In a separate small bowl take a quarter cup of corn starch and add just enough water to dissolve the corn starch. Beat cornstarch with a spoon to remove lumps. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture to the drippings, stirring constantly. You may not end up using all of the cornstarch mixture. Only add as much as you need to get the desired thickness. Allow time for the cornstarch to thicken the gravy. Add salt, pepper, sage, thyme, or other seasonings to taste. Save Bones for Stock When you are finished with your turkey, save the bones from the carcass to make a delicious turkey soup.
13629 - 108 Avenue, Surrey BC V3T 2K4 778- 395-0903 Now Accepting Membership Applications For Details Phone Kash Dosangh 604.430.1358 or Surendra Prasad 604.572.8817
19 years of age or older, a descendant of a Citizen of Fiji F-C-A-S-B Gathering Schedule
44
www.fijitimescanada.com
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
604.274.7906
1pm Sundays
(Hindi & English)
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.
14455 - 104th Ave., Surrey, Bc Phone: 604.592.9001 Cell: 778.938.2734 Email: lesi1968@yahoo.ca
REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED Come and experience a time of Prayer and Bible based answers to lifes difficult questions.
Service Sundays 2:00pm Bible Study (Hindi & English) Wednesdays 7:30pm
Prayer, counselling & visitations Available
HOSANNA TABERNACLE
6075 Inverness Street, Vancouver Sunday Services in Hindi/English 2:00pm Pastor Silas Naidu 604 352 1232 silas.naidu@gmail.com
467 E 11th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5T 2C8 Phone: 604-874-0175 shreemahalakshmi@gmail.com www.shreemahalakshmitemple.ca
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. Contact Shobha Rae 604.874.9856 Hindi Classes Sunday 12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m. Contact Madhu Varsney 604.222.1444 Hall rental also availabale. Contact Kushwakant Singh 604.328.5454
Madhu Varsney, President 604.222.1444, Jack Sundar, Secretary 604.541.9359 Kushwaha Kant Singh, Treasurer 604.328.5454
Program Shree Lakshmi Vinayaka Japa Gita Jayanti, Vaikunth Ekadashi Shree Mahalashmi Japa Hanuman Japa
www.fijitimescanada.com
45
With Dominick Cruz sidelined indefinitely, it could be time to drop the interim label and name Renan Barao the official UFC bantamweight champion. As originally reported Cruz was forced to undergo a second major knee operation to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Doctors had to go in a second time after Cruz's body rejected the original cadaver ACL used in his June surgery. Eric Del Fierro, Cruz's trainer, estimates the second operation setting the UFC champ back another six or nine months, which could ultimately create a two- or three-year gap between his last defense against Demetrious Johnson in October 2011. UFC President Dana White should be commended for always sticking with his original champions. Still, the question must be asked. How long is too long? Cruz has been a model champion and a great ambassador for the sport, but the time seems right for the UFC
TImes
TImes sporTs
to move on with Barao as its official bantamweight champ. ACL injuries are among the most devastating injuries in sports. People tend to underestimate Georges StPierre's successful return after blowing out his knee back in October 2011. If they manage to return, most athletes are never the same after tearing an ACL. This is unfortunate for the 27-year-old Cruz, who is in the prime of his career. The bantamweight division needs a champion, not a meaningless interim plate of gold. Barao is more than capable of carrying the load until Cruz returns. Upon his return, Cruz could decide whether he wants to take an immediate UFC title shot or tiptoe back into the bantamweight mix with a warm-up fight. Injuries are a part of sports, and it's especially devastating to see a young athlete go down at the apex of his career. Sadly, the show must go on.
Kasandra Perkins (left) and Jovan Belcher Kansas City Chiefs American football Kasandra Perkins. player Jovan Belcher killed himself The couple had a three-month-old outside the team's main stadium. daughter who was believed to have Police said the 25-year-old first-team been in a nearby room at the time of linebacker shot his girlfriend dead a the shooting. Belcher's mother had also few miles away, before driving to a been in the house and had called police. training facility at Arrowhead Stadium. According to local TV station, a friend He then shot himself in the car park in of Kasandra Perkins said the couple front of team officials. had squabbled about an incident the The club confirmed the incident in previous night but there had been a statement, adding: "We are co- no evidence of any other problems operating with authorities in their between them. investigation." Police were then called to the training Kansas City police spokesman Darin facility, where they saw the player in Snapp told the news agency that a car holding a handgun to his head, authorities were told early last Saturday talking to two Chiefs officials. They that a woman had been shot five miles then heard a gunshot. away from the Arrowhead complex. He had thanked the team's general The victim was later identified as manager and coach before shooting Belcher's 22-year-old girlfriend, himself, police said.
THE Ba soccer side is expected to miss a few top players for the opening match of the Pillay Garments Champion versus Champion series against Suva in Lautoka this Sunday. Midfielders Rinal Prasad and Kiniviliame Naika are both injured. The duo sustained the injuries during the Pacific Cup in New Zealand last month. Manueli Kalou and Alvin Singh have opted out of the match because of personal commitments. A cloud of doubt surrounds the availability of Osea Vakatalesau. The lanky striker copped a red card during the final of the Pacific Cup against Nadi. Ba Football Association president
Rishi Kumar said the match against Suva would be interesting as it would be played on a neutral venue. He said the first match would be the decider. "There are a few injury concerns in the team," Kumar said. "The players picked up the injuries in New Zealand. Abbu Zahid has recovered. Osea just came back to train on Tuesday. "The match against Suva will be tough. We have had very short time to prepare the team. After a long time a CVC match will be played at a neutral venue." Ba holds the record in the CVC winning the title 16 times.
46 www.fijitimescanada.com
TImes
TImes sporTs
David Beckham is weighing up two offers that could see him become the owner of an emerging Major League Soccer club. Franchises in Miami and New York have approached the 37-year-old, who asked for the option to own an MLS club when he joined Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. Both clubs are hopeful they will become MLS members before 2016, and both are keen for Beckham to play a major role. But the former England captain intends to play on for at least one more season with a number of clubs in the running. Beckham played his final game in the MLS last Saturday, leading Galaxy to a second successive Cup final victory . Paris St Germain and AS Monaco are understood to be among the clubs battling for his services, with Beckham keen for one final challenge before ending his illustrious playing career. The prospect of an ownership role is something Beckham has been keen to explore since moving to the US and while taking up a stake in the Galaxy
remains an option, it is two other offers that are understood to be more attractive to Beckham. A number of investment groups in the Middle East have expressed an interest in backing Beckham's potential ownership of an MLS franchise, as the likes of Qatar and Abu Dhabi explore the possibility of extending their global reach in football to the United States. All parties can see the prospect of harnessing the marketing phenomenon that is Beckham , in one of the most lucrative and high-profile developing markets in world football, as an opportunity not to be missed. MLS sees Florida is a key untapped market, with no team in the southeast of America and a large following already in place. Given the area's high Latin population, Miami is viewed as an ideal city in which to expand the MLS. The city had a MLS outfit, the Miami Fusion, but the club was removed from the league in 2001. Another option is New York, with MLS commissioner Don Garber wanting a rival in the city to the Red Bulls.
Vancouver Canucks stars play road hockey Locked-out Vancouver Canucks stars the pouring rain. Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa staged Kesler, whos still healing from a spontaneous road hockey game in shoulder surgery, stepped in as the downtown Vancouver Wednesday, referee. attracting hundreds of fans who caught The only way Im going to hurt myself wind of the event on social media. is if I throw my hand up too fast for a Road hockey today at 3:30 [p.m. PT] penalty. So hopefully its a good clean at the basketball court under the Cambie game out there today. Kesler said. Street Bridge. Bieksa isnt ready, The small crowd also was treated Kesler tweeted earlier in the day. before the game to a rendition of O, Bieksa replied in a tweet, saying, Canada by singer Mark Donnelly Bring your sticks, Vancouver, and who was also on hand and who belts your bad attitudes. out the anthem before most Canucks Hundreds of fans picked up on the home games when NHL hockey is invitation and a few dozen got into a bit actually played there. of pickup play with their heroes. The The 70-day NHL lockout continued Canucks had a good time, too. Wednesday with some growing This is something we wanted to do, to optimism there might be some have some fun, said Bieksa during a movement in negotiations. break in the action. Every time weve The players association and the league been talking hockey lately its been are reported to have cleared their serious Were just goingThe Bestour schedules Dollar To Get back to Value For Your for the next few days to roots with a fun road hockey game in allow talks to continue. Advertise In
14 nt Hawaii 7nt Mexico Cruise 4 nt Las Vegas Cruise January 16 Van Departure From Bellingham
$898 + Tax
WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE WE SPECIALIZE IN ALL SOUTH PACIFIC DESTINATIONS FIJI - AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND AND MANY MORE NEW ZEALAND SPECIAL FARE
Vancouver - Auckland
Return + Taxes
$698 + Tax
Vancouver London
FIJI
$1040CDN
$1040CDN
$1040CDN
FIJI - AUSTRALIA - NZ But 2 or more tickets & get SPECIAL DISCOUNT on your additional tickets
WALK IN SPECIAL
email:bobibrahim@letstalktraveltour.com
Fax: 604.629.2944
www.fijitimescanada.com
47
604.808.6595
AMEX DIAMOND AWARD WINNER MAS
PRADIP ANAND
MASTER MEDALLION CLUB MEMBER AMEX GOLD AWARD WINNER
ph. 604.322.3272
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Corner lot w/ great view of Richmond. 3 level west side style layout with crown moulding, quartz countertops, designer tiles, central AC & radiant heating, HRV, built in vac, security camera, alarm & built in speakers. Extra potlights, big concrete patio off kitchen & family room. 2 car garage and extra workshop space in garage w/ landscape & fencing. Basement w/ 1 extra bed & bath, theatre room, bar & rec room, additional unathorized suite. Stainless steel appls, 4 bdrm ensuites on top floor. 2 5-10 warranty built by licensed builder. 9ft ceilings top & main floor. 2 Laundry rooms on top floor & in suite. Choose colors & flooring now.
$1,698,000
$7
$388,000
$898,000
3 level, 3 bdrms on top floor. View of Fraser River and mountains. Central AC and air cleaner system. Bsmt potential for suite. Double garage.
Spacious 2 level home on corner lot in prime Killarney area. Like new. 7 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms; 3 bedrooms up and 2 separate unauthorized 2 bedroom suites downstairs. Big lot with fully fenced backyard. Walk to Champlain Mall and elementary school. GREAT LOCATION, GREAT PRICE GREAT BUY!!!
LD
LD
LD
SO
LD
SO
SO
SO
SO
LD
$1 9,0 ,09
$1,515,000
$1,050,000
$1,259,000
$998,000
www.fijitimescanada.com
AL MANSOOR VIDEO
We carry all kinds of Hindi & Pakistani Dramas/ Movies/ Audio
604.321.2442
4 IN 1 MOVIES DVDS
Regular $7.99 SPECIAL $3.99
MP 3 CD New Songs
Ph: 604.327.1724
Lamb Shoulder
PMU