I strongly support the Minister for Agriculture on his comments on shooting wild dogs.

He is spot on, for wild dogs are no one’s friends.

They are simply a huge nuisance to farmers rearing animals. In packs they can be a dangerous & menacing lot to be reckoned
with.

I am a farmer’s son and have seen & experienced the vicious side of wild dogs: the pain, the frustration and the economic loss they can inflict.

Those who talk so glibly about animal rights and cruelty to animals should be exposed to wild dogs and left to fend for themselves.

They will forget all these fancy talk and cower for safety.

Therefore, Mr Minister, I am of the opinion that the farmers should be armed with guns to shoot wild dogs to protect their commercial interest .

We have to learn to separate facts from fiction, realism from idealism.

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The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, more commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day, is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.

This will be celebrated on December 5, 2023.

Through the years, International Volunteer Day has been used strategically and many countries have focused on volunteers’ contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of time-bound targets to combat poverty, hunger, disease, health, environmental and natural disaster response.

There are many such groups in Fiji, and many participated during the pandemic that provided relieve in various ways.

One such group take has embarked in the pillar of the concept is the Fiji Red Cross which forms the world’s largest humanitarian network.

In Fiji, it covers the entire group through a network of 16 Branches and 3 Divisional Red Cross Centre’s.

The young group of the people volunteer their time in service of others and are the first ones on the ground instantly should the need arises and can be away from home for many days.

They are passionate, energetic, and willing to help without any rewards and are always there.

Thank you and happy world volunteer day to all.

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On November 12, 2023 the roof of Silkyara Bendon Barkot tunnel in Uttrakhand, North India, caved in trapping forty-one workers.

It sent shock waves across the nation.

Immediate frantic efforts were made to rescue them.

National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Police and tunnel engineers swung into action.

Heavy machinery was used to remove the fallen debris.

But this effort failed as debris kept falling in.

Army engineers were also called in to drill a passage horizontally to reach the trapped workers.

This drill broke as steel girders from the roof of the tunnel blocked it.

The drill repairs were time consuming.

Therefore, American auger drill was flown in to start vertical drilling to reach the trapped workers.

The difficult terrain slowed down the work as crowds gathered in support and protest.

Vertical drilling ran into a snag as it met an underground stream.

Fear gripped as Australian experts advised that it might flood the tunnel where the trapped workers were.

It had to be abandoned.

The engineers decided to drill to make space for a four-inch pipe so that communication could be established and oxygen could be provided.

This worked. Subsequently, bigger pipes were drilled in to send food, water, cameras and medicines.

The workers had lived eight days without food and water.

One can well imagine their trauma. Finally, space was made for a two-and-a-half feet pipe so that the workers could crawl out of this.

But this too ran into a snag.

Army engineers had to use gas torches to cut through the steel.

The last eight meters of the debris had to be removed manually.

For this RAT-HOLE miners were used. They worked frantically for 18 hours to clear the passage.

All 41 workers were rescued.

Outside the tunnel the rescue teams and the crowd was jubilant.

41 ambulances were ready to whisk the workers to the nearest hospital for medical checkup.

Euphoria erupted as people celebrated the rescue operation.

There were tears of joy and prayers for the workers’ rescue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked all those who were involved in this massive rescue operation.

Yes, disasters, natural or manmade can happen and it tests the endurance, tenacity and determination of humanity to survive.

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Elon Musk the eccentric inventor and one of the brilliant genius still alive in the world immortalised words that put a middle finger to dictatorial edicts and their disciples during a The New York Times Q&A.

He also swore to globalists and those who try to undermine any individual person and nation states’ sovereignty over their own god given rights and inalienable freedoms.

This is apart from the boring and the over used accusations of anti-Semitism.

Anti-Semitism charges is being used to demonise any person who questions any official narrative being pushed by Israel in its military and occupational force conducts towards Palestinians Arabs.

But aren’t Arabs also Semites? So the actions of the Israelis should also be called Anti-Semitic attacks as they are also attacking other Semitic groups.

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter) hosts divergent views from all walks of life even some sections of society labelled as extreme points whether to the far left or far right.

He believes in that ideal, most human beings are rational, good and just people.

They will call out and condemn views that are racists, dictatorial or woke ideologies.

When that principle of free speech absolutism is being attacked Elon Musk pushed back.

This is when big companies like Disney, Apple etc pulled their advertisements from Twitter/X in recent weeks which seems in Musk’s eyes as an attack and a blackmail attempt to compromise on his principle of Free Speech Absolutism.

In order for new inventions to be made which benefit and advance societies, enquiries need to be made against the dogmas of the day.

That is what Elon Musk believes in and he has already explained it.

Advanced societies especially, the United States of America, became the greatest country of the world mainly due to its scientific and industrial advancements made by enquiring minds who challenged the status quo.

These challenges to the status quo delivered us telephone, electricity, assembly line manufacturing which drives down cost of goods and made things affordable to the common man.

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COP28 or the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties are still trying to strengthen its efforts to achieve shared climate goals.

For almost three decades now they are still trying to forge a global response to the climate emergency.

What they have achieved in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

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Wind turbines going through Fisheries and Forestry ministries?

The EFL and relevant environment and energy are the line ministry/department
Plaut, animals on land and fishes and marine species in the oceans, do not renson things

They do not plead with humans when they are going to be slaughtered or killed.

They don’t reason things. A bit ironic!

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There is a serious conflict of interest when parliamentarians are appointed in the independent parliamentary emoluments committee, to decide their own salaries, allowances, perks and other be11efits.

Emoluments committee is not independent, and it is unethical for members to decide their own remuneration.

The committee should have been made up of qualified and experienced persons from outside parliament.

There is 110 shortage of qualified people in Fiji.

All those in power and authority tend to get corrupt when ‘saqamoli’ matters are concerned.

There was a need to sort out ministerial remuneration in January 2028. What is the reason for the delay tactics?

While the parliamentary remuneration is being sorted out the ministers continue to draw exorbitant daily allowances of $3000 on top of their salaries and perks when travelling overseas.

Anyways, it is time to make hay while the sun still shines

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I hope the government will make the call to release Ratu Suliano, Salote Radrodro and others whom the previous government wrongfully (in my opinion) put them behind bars. Those matters could have been solved amicably.

After all, their cases were not as serious as some still roaming around in public.

It was politically motivated.

Now since Niko is out, the rest should come out without delay. It will be a beautiful Christmas and New Year with their loved ones.

On the same note, please consider releasing George Speight.

This man has been there way too long, and I am sure he has paid more than enough time for his crime. Please release them.

It’s true that no one is born bad; most don’t die bad either. Most change for the better in the interim.

So, release them, please. That will be true and real national reconciliation.

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At approximately 3pm yesterday, parts of Martintar, Nadi, had an annoying EFL power outage, lasting almost an hour.

In this extreme heat, for senior citizens in the 70-plus category, life become most unbearable, laced with much discomfort.

Humans are truly spoilt.

The comforts electricity provide cannot be overstated. Almost all appliances function with electricity.

Not everyone can afford their own generators in their twilight years.

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In the rules of engagement in wars, civilian lives must be protected.

No ifs or buts! As an ordinary layman, I do not see this happening.

In this Israeli-Hamas war, both parties are guilty of war crimes, at the very outset.

Hamas slaughtered some 1400 innocent Israeli civilians.

Similarly, in the target of their Hamas foes, Israel continues to systematically mass slaughter ten times more than 1400 innocent Israelis killed – 15,000 Palestinian civilians – women, children and infants continue to be killed – and counting each hour.

Several big nations continue to support Israeli defence.

In my view, they are now clearly complicit of war crimes too.

Just telling Israel to preserve innocent Palestinian civilians is not acceptable.

These are empty and very hollow words which have no real meaning.

The evil that men do will live on after them.

I used to have enormous respect for United States President Biden.

No more now.

This senseless ongoing war in destroying immense Palestinian infrastructure is not on.

Violence begets violence.

Hamas is only an ideology and a hard-right movement. In my view, 15,000 innocent civilian Palestinian lives lost, is a matter for the International Criminal Courts.

History will judge the offenders with true justice.

Justice will come.

Time will tell.

This senseless Israeli act with impunity must cease forthwith.

Two wrongs do not make one right.

The daily images of wholesale destruction in the Gaza and occupied West Bank is heartbreaking.

The death sentences of so many thousands of innocent Palestinian children, at Israeli hands, cannot go on. Israeli prime minister has dams of innocent Palestinian women, children and infant blood in his hands.

Meanwhile, the Americans, British and Germans, watch intently.

They are being dishonest.

I get the strong opinion, the indiscriminate use by Israel of artificial intelligence, will come back to reveal itself to the whole world.

Israel listens to no one now – not even the US. Netanyahu is judge, jury and executioner.

His belief Hamas will be destroyed is merely a myth.

They have gone under-ground.

PM Netanyahu, in my view, is irrational.

His allies watch with intent.

Heavenly Father, please intervene, in Jesus’ Holy Name.

I am begging and praying this modern-day mass execution and genocide must end.

The horrendous war injuries inflicted on thousands of Palestinian children by occupying Israeli forces’ supreme fire power must cease today.

This is my prayer for some 16,500 innocent souls – both Israeli and Palestinian.

Rest in God’s eternal peace.

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There have been many complaints about taxi services.

But what about the safety and interests of taxi service providers?

The recent alleged murder of a taxi driver in Ba is an indication of how that business has many risks.

With the high incidences of robberies committed against taxi drivers then this alleged murder will lead to more taxi drivers not driving at night.

Then, we will have more pirates who do not go through Public Service driving education or pay for Public Service vehicles fees and requirements at LTA.

These will compromise public safety even more as there will be a breakdown in law and order as the safety of taxi operators are not promoted and ensured.

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Some tend to think that the Great Council of Chiefs was established under Section 116 of the 1997 constitution.

Wrong! Two years after Fiji was ceded to the United Kingdom, the British colonial rulers established the Council of Chiefs as an advisory body in 1876.

I wonder what they did for the common people that was so relevant and noteworthy to require adding the term “Great” sometime later in the twentieth century.

Now they are tasked with looking after iTaukei interests and safeguarding matters for all Fijians. Will they?

The council, now seen by many as insignificant, was once viewed as the living embodiment of a unified iTaukei people!

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With the already high cost of living, the latest four per cent increase on price of flour might just dampen the spirit of Christmas.

And some unfortunate children will not be able to eat their favourite Christmas fruit cake.

But it is intriguing how fast bakeries increase their product price straight after a price increase is announced.

Obviously, bakeries stock large volumes of raw materials, including flour, which were bought before a price increase.

So, are they not making double profit selling products on increased price with flour bought from the old price?

I am not sure how the consumer council keeps control of malpractice businesses.

At the end of the day, it’s the consumers who suffer the most.

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The former Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Chief of Staff, James Sanday, who was removed from his office during the 1987 coup staged by none other than the current Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, will now lead an independent review of Fiji’s National Security and defence undertaken by the three-legged government?

How ironic!

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has made a remarkable move in getting their youth members involved in spiritual
building by focusing on mental health.

The Church initiated a five-day conference investing up to $500,000.

It’s got together teenagers between the ages of 14 and above to be part of the inaugural FSY FIJI 2023 – For The Strength of Youth Conference in Suva.

The Church must be commended for this move for we cannot underestimate the power of mental health in this day and age.

Given the rise in social issues such as substance abuse among teenagers, teenage pregnancy; dropping out of school, sexually-related crimes among juveniles and more, it all has to do with the state of mental wellbeing.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

To address these social ills and the burgeoning influence of the internet, in particular social media, adult materials etc, the church has brought these set of youths together and aligned their talks through the Gospel.

Bringing these youth groups together is by no mistake as it widely known that this age group is often known as the experimental age.

It is the age of exploring where children want to try out new and daring things.

Therefore, it is critical that intervention takes place, and in this case, divine intervention before our children succumb to peer pressures.

The meeting themed: For Strength of Youth Fiji Conference, is held at two venues, at The Church College Fiji and The University of the South Pacific.

Perhaps we can say that like the divine intervention that the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma did for inmates at the Fiji Corrections Services, it is aimed at teaching children right from wrong primarily focused on their state of mind.

But unlike the above, it is not too late for these children to redeem themselves and still have time to make the right choices empowered through Biblical learnings.

The conference has brought together not only LDS Church youth groups from all over the country; but also from the Pacific.

On its Facebook page, one of the testaments from the youth from Tuvalu, Miliama Fusiopou said she hopes to continue with the habits she’s developed when she returns home to Tuvalu.

Early morning devotionals, scripture study and daily prayers are newfound habits she’s learned at the FSY Fiji conference at the University of the South Pacific.

These are exactly the kinds of teachings that all Christian parents and guardians want their children to exemplify.

Not the rise in numbers of teenagers admitted at the psychiatric hospital resulting from substance abuse.

The conference ends tomorrow.

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We are absolutely united behind our PM Rabuka was Tabuya’s comments amid internal rifts that have surfaced in the PA hierarchy as to who will be the next PM, should something happen to Mr Rabuka.

Obviously, in terms of seniority, maturity and experience Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica ticks all the criteria in the box whereas the boisterous Lynda Tabuya is an actress with too much drama.

In this instance, what happens if our PM dies?

Is it a hung parliament? Or is it a Caretaker government? And who’s call, is it? 1 guess it’s our Chief Justice and President.

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A big change is required for our Fiji men’s 7s team for the next leg.

And going to a new venue in Australia, we have doubts in travelling to Perth from Sydney to watch the games.

The recent performance has raised conconcerns.

What comes next is very much in the minds of all Fijians in Australia.

The performances of our men’s 7s team was not up to par. Despite people were talking about individual play; fitness and discipline were the main talking points of this team.

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My family’s favourite sardines are of the BRUNSWICK variety; especially the “in Soya Oil” product.

But recently, we have noticed that the colour of the tins is of a different shade and the product itself is quite dry.

Could Motibhai please investigate if we are being sold an inferior product by some supermarkets.

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The Fiji Police traffic officers, together with LTA officials, must maintain vigilance to rid our roads of all “un-wanted” irresponsible
drivers.

The ll00 traffic offences recorded in a single week is a good indication of bad drivers on our roads.

Deterrent penalties must be enforced.

Repeat offenders need to show cause.

Three strikes must translate into suspension of license for minimum 90 days.

Offenders, hopefully will then learn. Cases should be expeditiously disposed of.

Special traffic courts are one way forward.

To conclude, my sincere thanks must go to all our traffic officers for their good work pulling up ll00 offenders. Good job!

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What in the world is the coalition Government doing?

I mean, a private to be used by Pacific leaders, managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs?

I am no diplomat, but when the United States President offered the private jet to Fiji’s Prime Minister, a sound mind would have declined the offer diplomatically and requested a grant/aid towards Fiji’s infrastructure, assistance to rebuild CWM and our ailing health sector or even development of low-cost housing.

Having a jet parked will not solve our national issues let along form any sort of capacity building.

Fiji has a very valuable asset at the forefront, Fiji Airways.

The notion given now is regional leaders including our globetrotting ministers will now be travelling privately.

We should be promoting our national airline.

The appropriate answer to the US offer would have been, “pardon me Mr President, but we have a very capable airline which services the pacific region admirably.”

This situation reminds me of the expression “the emperor’s new clothes.”

Betting has started on which of our very own minister will be the first to travel in style in the new jet.

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