The Fiji Times » Opinion

Editorial comment – Creating awareness for our children

New Zealand High Commission First Secretary Christine Conway made a powerful statement the other day when she said we all have the power to make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. She spoke at the launch of the Walk On Walk Strong (WOWS) Kids Fiji childhood cancer awareness month at the Tanoa...

Letters to the Editor – Thursday, August 11, 2022

Curtain falls in Birmingham THE 2022 Commonwealth Games has concluded in Birmingham, England. Hats off to the entire sports team of The Fiji Times for the extensive coverage on this year’s games. Editor-in-chief Fred Wesley penned a superb editorial, summing up the events perfectly. (FT 10/08) Special thanks to your sports reporter –”man on the...

Editorial comment – Fire safety matters

Every time someone dies in a house fire, there is great concern. People want to know what caused the fire. They will want to know who died, and how it happened. It tugs at the heart strings. It raises concern, and causes friction in some affected families. There are many questions asked, and there is...

Letters to the Editor – Wednesday, August 10, 2022

A firm believer of hard work Selina Uluibau shared her inspirational journey with our journalist Viliame Ravai via the People column (FT 09/08). Her advice was touching, “Remember, hard work always gets you through in this day and age – it’s an essential tool to get you through tough times.” The 58-year-old Macuata native shared...

Editorial comment – When the curtains fall

As the curtains closed on the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in England, sporting enthusiasts will look back with mixed emotions. We have been competing at the event for decades. We prepare well, and we come off with many fond memories. This time, as the hosts turned up the beat, and lit up the sky,...

Letters to the Editor – Tuesday, August 9, 2022

All Blacks Boks-ed in Rugby Championship AS an All Blacks 15s fan, I’m shocked with the string of losses that the giants of rugby have suffered. The All Blacks, who lost back-to-back matches against Ireland at home for the first time, were taught a rugby lesson by the Springboks at the Mbombela Stadium. Just as...

Editorial comment – When giants fall

After winger Kurt-Lee Arendse scored his first international try, he was red carded as South Africa thumped the New Zealand All Blacks with a comfortable 26-10 victory in their Rugby Championship opener at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. It was the story of the night, at least the part about tries that is. The Springboks...

China’s healthcare reforms – A tool for domestic political elites

In 2009, the Chinese government unveiled its ambitious, complex healthcare reforms, pledging to provide affordable, equitable and effective health services for all by 2020. Integral to the reforms was strengthening the primary care system — that is, healthcare provided outside of a hospital — through stronger central directives on infrastructure standards and resource allocation. China’s...

Letters to the Editor – Monday, August 8, 2022

Time to strategise for 2026! This year’s Commonwealth Games competition ended for Fiji without any gold medal. We had placed our bets on the men’s 7s team to end the losing jinx in the 7s competition, but the side was blown apart by Neil Powell’s green machine. We ended the All Blacks winning run in...

Editorial comment – The alternative

Award-winning political sociologist and global interdisciplinary scholar Professor Steven Ratuva made sense when he spoke about criminal activities and options for vulnerable youth. Unless there is an alternative, criminal activities may not be the option which vulnerable youth would grab, he said. Prof Ratuva spoke at the inaugural Pacific Regional Law Enforcement Conference in Nadi....

Behind the News: A call for needed change – Call made to ‘scrap’ or ‘reform’ media laws in Fiji

There was a call made this week to “scrap” or “reform” media laws in Fiji. This call was one of the recommendations of the “National Media Reporting Of The 2018 Fijian General Elections” report launched by Dialogue Fiji in Suva yesterday. During its launch, co-author and University of the South Pacific Journalism coordinator Dr Shailendra...

Letters to the Editor – Sunday, August 7, 2022

Supply chain IS there a plan in case there is a war in the South China Sea which will severely disrupt our critical supply chain infrastructures. From medicine, fuel, wheat to soy bean oil, supply will be disrupted if the Dragon decides to stamp out that pesky fly at that southern neighbouring island. Maybe we...

Editorial comment – Safety matters

Recent COVID-19 deaths are supposed to ensure we are proactive. At least that’s the line the Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong seems to be leaning towards. The recent three deaths, he said, demonstrated the recurring theme that vulnerable persons need close oversight and early hospital intervention. Dr Fong said the first COVID-19 death...

UNs declaration a huge boost for Fiji

The United Nations General Assembly’s declaration that access to clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a universal human right is historic and comes at a critical juncture in terms of climate change and its impact on our country and on the planet. The declaration calls upon States, international organisations, and business enterprises to scale up...

Pet corner: Some dogs require more attention

Some dogs require more care and attention to skin and hair than others. Take the Maltese for example. If you have one of this breed or are planning to get one, keep in mind the requirement for consistent and regular grooming. https://www.petmaltese.com/maltese-grooming is one of the dozens of sites dedicated to helping people keep their...

Letters to the Editor – Saturday, August 6, 2022

Election date CAN the learned Elections Minister please lock in the election date so that fervent voters can opportunely usher in the new government. Why the unbearable delay and secrecy in the announcement? What are you afraid of? The fact of the matter is, I am tired of your “fact of the matter” nonsensical responses...

China’s provocative military action; Taiwan steadfast

With the official arrival of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China announced that the People’s Liberation Army will conduct three days of live fire exercises in six areas adjacent to Taiwan’s main island from Thursday to Sunday. Judging from the scope of military exercises announced by China, it will conduct exercises in...

Bri-Eileen-ant – Fiji’s strongest woman

This has to be the moment in sport to date! How brilliant was Ovalau lass, Eileen Cikamatana on the National Exhibition Centre platform in Marston Green in Birmingham earlier this week? The only thing sour about the biggest moment in sport where a Fijian has been involved was that she wore the Aussie green and...

Editorial comment – The issue of transnational crime

The revelation that the Pacific region remains susceptible to transnational organised crimes must be placed on a very high plane. Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Henry Puna, while closing the inaugural Pacific Regional Law Enforcement Conference in Nadi this week, said geopolitical competition, COVID-19 and the ongoing unrest in Ukraine continued to exacerbate the region’s economic...

Opinion

Letters to the Editor – Friday, August 12, 2022