With his i’Taukei mother and Indo-Fijian father, Ben Padarath ought to be a poster boy for the new multiracial Fiji. Yet instead of being a standard bearer for greatness, Ben has grown up the classic naughty boy - a 42-year old still behaving like a juvenile delinquent and every parent’s nightmare. Each opportunity he gets he seems to blow, whether … [Read more...] about #116 THE TROUBLE WITH BEN
#115 COMING IN FROM THE COLD
The thaw in relations between Fiji and New Zealand continues with the announcement of a $2-million contribution towards preparations for the 2014 election. While the precise allocation has yet to be finalised, $500,000 will go the Constitutional Commission and the balance towards the process of voter registration and education. The thaw has … [Read more...] about #115 COMING IN FROM THE COLD
#114 STATE OF THE NATION
"Significant progress but could do a lot better". That's the overall conclusion of one of Fiji's most prominent social activists - Father Kevin Barr - in a review of the country's performance over the past two years. Father Barr is an Australian-born Roman Catholic priest and the Chair of Fiji's Wages Council, which determines minimum standards of … [Read more...] about #114 STATE OF THE NATION
#113 A REAL-LIFE SPY THRILLER
“New Zealand Acts To Protect Fijian PM”. Excuse me, but are my eyes deceiving me? Well, no, they’re not and haven’t times changed. It wasn’t so long ago when such a headline would have been inconceivable. Yet protecting Frank Bainimarama was precisely the motive when agents of the NZ Security and Intelligence Service (SIS) raided addresses in … [Read more...] about #113 A REAL-LIFE SPY THRILLER
# ASSASSINS AT COUP 4.5
First we headlined the "Racists at Coup 4.5". Then the "Bombers at Coup 4.5". Now we have the "Assassins at Coup 4.5". Yes, folks, incredibly the principal anti-regime blog is now advocating the killing of what one contributor describes as “the Muslim terrorist” - Fiji’s Attorney General and second most senior figure in the government, Aiyaz Sayed … [Read more...] about # ASSASSINS AT COUP 4.5
#111 WHEREVER THREE ARE GATHERED (UPDATED)
STOP PRESS WEDNESDAY JULY 18th: Cabinet has announced that no permits will be required for any group of any size to meet until the draft constitution is submitted to the President. The exceptions are meetings held on roads, in parks or in sports arenas: With close to 100,000 voters now registered for the 2014 Fiji election and discussions on a … [Read more...] about #111 WHEREVER THREE ARE GATHERED (UPDATED)