“Diwali uproar” screamed the CJ Patel Fiji Sun, characteristically throwing more heat than light on the debate about the merits of daytime fireworks intruding on the Christian Sabbath during the Hindu Festival of Lights. Anyone glancing at the government-controlled Sun might have thought that temples were being desecrated or Hindu devotees set upon … [Read more...] about # UNHOLY STORM IN A TEACUP. CUI BONO?
# US AMBASSADOR TO PACK HIS BAGS
The American ambassador to Fiji, Joseph Cella, is destined to become one of the shortest serving US envoys after his patron, Donald Trump, was given his marching orders by the American people in the presidential election. As a political appointment, he will soon be replaced by either another political appointment chosen by the election victor, Joe … [Read more...] about # US AMBASSADOR TO PACK HIS BAGS
#RATTLED BY THE “SNAKE”
The Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, shows every sign of being rattled by Sitiveni Rabuka, judging from his extraordinary attack on him on Monday at the 20th anniversary commemoration of the mutiny at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in November 2000. His description of Rabuka as a “snake” in a speech to the assembled members of the military … [Read more...] about #RATTLED BY THE “SNAKE”
#CHINA’S STRATEGY OF INTIMIDATION IN THE PACIFIC
The recent incident at Taiwan's national day celebration in Suva at which uninvited Chinese diplomats assaulted a Taiwanese official made headlines around the world. Yet even as the incident faded from the news cycle, the strategists whose business it is to keep an eye on China's ambitions in the region have been digesting its importance. Here's an … [Read more...] about #CHINA’S STRATEGY OF INTIMIDATION IN THE PACIFIC
# KISHORE KUMAR: WHO KNEW WHAT AND WHEN?
Everything about Kishore Kumar - the rogue computer science teacher at the centre of a political storm in Fiji - is bizarre. There is his appearance – the darting eyes and crescent beard that seems glued to his chin like a caricature villain in a C grade Bollywood movie. There is the staccato verbal delivery and wild language – the conspiratorial … [Read more...] about # KISHORE KUMAR: WHO KNEW WHAT AND WHEN?
# MORE SHAMELESS SPIN FROM CJ PATEL’S FIJI SUN
It may seem that Grubsheet is spending far too much time on the performance of CJ Patel's Fiji Sun but that is only because the newspaper is so shameless in its propaganda in favour of the man who controls it - the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Once again, the AG's manservant, the white haired Sage from Rewa, Nemani Delaibatiki, spins the … [Read more...] about # MORE SHAMELESS SPIN FROM CJ PATEL’S FIJI SUN