http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/fiji/ en-us Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:59:43 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2005428/posts Fiji jewellery box find stuns archeologists 22 APR 2008 Archeologists have discovered a 3000-year-old pot in Fiji containing jewellery believed to have been made by the South Pacific’s original settlers – the Lapita people. The discovery was made by an excavation party from the Fiji-based University of the South Pacific and the Fiji Museum at Bourewa in Natadola on the Coral Coast. The dig at Bourewa, which is the earliest human settlement in Fiji, unearthed the pot and a thick piece of “exquisitely decorated pottery”. The Lapita people were the first colonists of Pacific Island groups, including the eastern Solomon... Fiji Live http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2005428/posts#comment Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:59:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993494/posts The police force is committed to make its presence felt when Fiji observes Earth Hour from 8-9pm tonight. Corporate Communications Officer Ema Mua says the force wants to ensure that no one takes advantage of the Earth Hour Initiative to break the law. Mua says the National Operations Command Centre has designated senior officers to look into areas especially towns where criminal activities are likely to occur. “A big number will be patrolling on foot and those who will be on motor vehicle. “We also have the National Operations Command Centre on high alert for that one hour and all... Fijo Broadcasting Corporation Limited http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993494/posts#comment Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:01:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936884/posts The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: An earthquake occurred 345 km (215 miles) N of Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands; 600 km (370 miles) SSW of NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga; 1395 km (870 miles) NE of Auckland, New Zealand; 1830 km (1130 miles) NNE of WELLINGTON, New Zealand at 12:28 AM MST, Dec 9, 2007 (7:28 PM local time in .). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. This earthquake is located in a remote area and no damage or casualties are expected. usgs.gov http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936884/posts#comment Sun, 9 Dec 2007 09:10:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1919875/posts U.S. to Offer Turkey Help on PKK The U.S. is to offer Turkey a package of measures to dissuade Ankara from mounting a large-scale military incursion into Iraq to attack PKK Kurdish guerrillas, who have killed scores of Turkish soldiers in recent weeks. Ahead of a meeting in Washington on Monday between President George W. Bush and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, U.S. officials said Ankara would have to get concrete American help to combat the PKK, which has bases in northern Iraq from where it frequently launches attacks into Turkey. “Erdogan has to go back with the... Previous Thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1919875/posts#comment Fri, 2 Nov 2007 03:43:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920990/posts Police in Fiji have arrested 16 people in the past two days, after uncovering an alleged plot against the country's military leader, Frank Bainimarama. Businessmen, politicians and former soldiers were among those detained, and will be charged, police say, on Monday. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said one of those arrested, a New Zealander, had been badly beaten. Mr Bainimarama came to power after a bloodless coup in December 2006, but has promised elections in early 2009. He has pledged to abide by the results. Fiji has seen four coups in the past two decades. Military help No concrete... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920990/posts#comment Mon, 5 Nov 2007 03:11:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1900603/posts LOS ANGELES — A man accused of stealing three endangered iguanas from a nature preserve in Fiji and smuggling them into the United States in his prosthetic leg has been indicted. Jereme James, 33, of Long Beach, faces a single count of smuggling, according to a federal indictment returned Friday in Los Angeles. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Prosecutors say James stole the Fiji Island banded iguanas while visiting the South Pacific island in September 2002. He then brought the reptiles to the U.S. by hiding them in a special compartment he had constructed... Houston Chronicle via Ass. Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1900603/posts#comment Sat, 22 Sep 2007 14:18:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1840816/posts NRI entrepreneur flays NYT over 'smear campaign Vinod 'Vin' Gupta, 60, the multi-millionaire chairman and CEO of infoUSA and focus of a major article in the New York Times in the Washington Post on May 26 regarding a lawsuit that brands his using the company's private jet to fly former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on personal, business and campaign trips as a 'waste of corporate assets,' has said it's all an effort to embarrass Hillary Clinton's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. infoUSA is one of America's leading marketing information companies that provide electronic, print... rediff.com (India) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1840816/posts#comment Mon, 28 May 2007 08:50:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1768819/posts Premiering Thursday, February 8 at 8pm et/pt SURVIVOR PING ! ! ! (Above photo courtesy of Survivor Phoenix) Stranded on the Fiji Islands in the heart of the South Pacific, 19 strangers must live together and compete for the million-dollar prize. Who will outwit, outplay, and outlast all others? My fertile brain. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1768819/posts#comment Wed, 17 Jan 2007 13:08:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748928/posts Fiji likely to be suspended from Commonwealth after coup UPDATE (Updates with further details) LONDON (AFX) - The Commonwealth is likely to suspend Fiji's membership later this week after its latest coup, the grouping's secretary general Don McKinnon said, condemning the military takeover. Foreign ministers from nine Commonwealth countries will meet in London on Friday to discuss the situation after Fiji's military commander seized control of the country -- the former British colony's fourth coup in two decades. 'The likelihood of Fiji being suspended is very high,' McKinnon told reporters, adding that the Commonwealth 'unreservedly condemns any military action against... Forbes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748928/posts#comment Tue, 5 Dec 2006 22:01:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748909/posts Friday December 1, 11:29 AM Fiji military chief to watch rugby before coup SUVA (Reuters) - Fiji's military chief maintained his threat on Friday to stage a coup if the government failed to meet his demands, but added he would not act until after the annual military versus police rugby game in Suva later in the day. Military Commander Frank Bainimarama gave Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase a 24-hour ultimatum on Thursday to clean up his government or face a coup, despite winning a series of concessions from the prime minister. "I maintain my demands and the deadline still stands and... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748909/posts#comment Tue, 5 Dec 2006 21:18:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748625/posts Update 10.40pm: The Fiji Times Limited has suspended publication after the Fiji military ordered the paper not to publish any "propaganda" against the new political leadership. Armed soldiers came to the Victoria Parade officers at 7.30pm, and asked for "assistance". After a brief discussion outside, the soldiers entered the building for a discussion in the papers newsroom. When questioned, spokesperson Sergeant Talei Tora told Managing Director Tony Yianni and Editor Samisoni Kakaivalu they could not publish anything from the "deposed" Qarase Government. She said of particular concern was any material that might incite trouble. Mr Yianni and Mr Kakaivalu... FijiTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748625/posts#comment Tue, 5 Dec 2006 12:18:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748575/posts Army commander Commander Voreqe has taken over as head of state Bainimarama announced a short while ago that he was doing this to end the impasse. Dr Jona Senilagakali will be caretaker Prime Minister until an interim administration is appointed. Bainimarama said he had no intention of arresting the Prime Minister or other ministers. He said the 1997 Constitution was intact except for parts relating to the emergency powers. FijiLive.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748575/posts#comment Tue, 5 Dec 2006 06:41:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1747990/posts WELLINGTON, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Soldiers in Suva have surrounded Monday building of Fiji's police tactical response unit as tension rises in the capital, local television reported. The television report said police had been locked out of their premises but no shots were fired. But Acting Fiji Police Commissioner Moses Driver later denied the police unit had been taken over. Tensions in Fiji have been high since Fiji's military chief, Commander Vorege Bainimarama threatened a month ago to remove Prime Minister Qarase from office. Fiji, a South Pacific nation of about 900,000 people, consists of 800-plus volcanic and coral islands.... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1747990/posts#comment Mon, 4 Dec 2006 01:33:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1747724/posts SUVA (Reuters) - Fiji's military is likely to force the embattled government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to step aside on Monday, military chief Commander Frank Bainimarama said. ADVERTISEMENT "Transition is expected to take place tomorrow as a deadline," Bainimarama told Fijian-language television on Sunday. Yahoo News (via Reuters) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1747724/posts#comment Sun, 3 Dec 2006 05:40:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1733059/posts AUSTRALIA and New Zealand railed against Fiji's military today, denying its claim they had smuggled police into the Pacific country to intervene in its political crisis. Fiji's land forces commander Lieutenant Colonel Pita Driti yesterday said Australian and New Zealand police had been flown into Fiji in what he called a "gross breach of sovereignty". Lt Col. Driti suggested the action was part of an intervention in Fiji's affairs by foreign forces, and suggested a 400kg shipment that arrived with the Australians may be a haul of weapons. "We will not accept any foreign intervention," he said. Australia today said... news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1733059/posts#comment Mon, 6 Nov 2006 09:13:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1730567/posts THE Australian Government has despatched a second warship to stand by near Fiji in case a mass evacuation is necessary following fears of a coup. Announcing the deployment of amphibious support ship, HMAS Kanimbla, from Townsville, Defence Minister Brendan Nelson tonight would not rule out military assistance from Australia if the Fijian Government asks for help. Australia sent the frigate, HMAS Newcastle, to waters near Fiji yesterday. The Government also revised its travel advisory to Fiji tonight, warning Australians to exercise "a high degree of caution" ... because of increased tensions between the Fiji government and military, and the possibility... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1730567/posts#comment Thu, 2 Nov 2006 10:59:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1730564/posts TWO Australian naval ships, with troops and helicopters, are heading to international waters outside Fiji while extra police have been offered to South Pacific island nation as threat of a military coup escalates. The amphibious warship, HMAS Kanimbla, with an undisclosed number of fighters, left port this evening in the wake of the HMAS Newcastle, which left sometime earlier. Defence Minister Brendan Nelson last night said the the Australian Government was very concerned about the event, while Foreign Minister Alexander Downer conceded a coup was a "reasonable chance". Dr Nelson called on the Fijian defence chief Frank Bainimarama to respect... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1730564/posts#comment Thu, 2 Nov 2006 10:57:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1729558/posts THE Australian Defence Force (ADF) was making "sensible" preparations to ensure the safety of Australians on Fiji if there was a military coup, defence head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said today. Air Chief Marshal Houston said the situation remained quiet and there was no suggestion any of the estimated 7000 Australians now in Fiji faced any threat. But, Air Chief Marshal Houston said, the ADF remained concerned about the situation and would play its part if called upon. “Essentially, we are doing sensible contingency planning and we haven't had any requests (to intervene) at this point,” he told a... news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1729558/posts#comment Wed, 1 Nov 2006 01:21:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1685126/posts PASSENGERS on an international flight have been evacuated from a plane at Sydney Airport after a threat was made against the aircraft. "A Pacific Blue flight from Nadi, Fiji, which landed at approximately 5.45pm (AEST) today has had a threat made against it," Sydney Airport Corporation spokesman Peter Vickary said. "That aircraft has been parked away from the terminal, the passengers have been evacuated and the NSW police are now investigating." The Seven Network says the threat against the 737 aircraft was made from the Philippines .. while the plane was en route from Fiji. The east-west runway at Sydney... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1685126/posts#comment Thu, 17 Aug 2006 10:03:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1685122/posts 10 minutes ago SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian police said on Thursday they were investigating reports that a suspicious device may have been found on board a flight that landed at Sydney airport from Fiji. A police spokesman said the reports were unconfirmed. Passengers and crew were evacuated from the plane, which has been parked away from the main terminal buildings while it is being searched, the spokesman said. No further details were available. yahoo/reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1685122/posts#comment Thu, 17 Aug 2006 09:50:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1626021/posts 8.0 USGS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1626021/posts#comment Wed, 3 May 2006 16:07:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1626049/posts Magnitude 8.1 earthquake near Island of Tonga in South Pacific more to follow Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1626049/posts#comment Wed, 3 May 2006 16:50:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1609353/posts The Queen has approved the appointment of Judge Anand Satyanand to succeed Dame Silvia Cartwright as Governor-General of New Zealand. Prime Minister Helen Clark had high praise for the Judge and welcomed his appointment. "Judge Satyanand will bring many personal strengths to the role of Governor-General, including a broad knowledge of the workings of government and the law, as well as a deep appreciation of the different groups and communities which make up contemporary New Zealand. "Judge Satyanand has had a multi-faceted career as a lawyer, a judge, and an ombudsman. Throughout his working life Judge Satyanand has made a... National Business review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1609353/posts#comment Wed, 5 Apr 2006 03:18:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1604070/posts TOKYO, March 27 (UPI) -- China's insatiable appetite for energy and natural resources, and its desire to secure the sea lanes through which such resources are transported, are propelling the country's outreach to even the smallest of the Pacific Islands, leaders from the island nations heard last week at a convention in Tokyo. China's determination to undermine Taiwan's influence in the South Pacific is prompting generous assistance in infrastructure projects, such as building sports complexes in Fiji and Kiribati, and providing cargo ships to Vanuatu. Representatives from 22 island nations gathered in Tokyo at the Asia-Pacific Island Nations Summit from... UPI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1604070/posts#comment Mon, 27 Mar 2006 18:50:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1555169/posts Fiji military chief threatens new coup Fiji is once again on the brink of a military coup after its belligerent armed forces chief threatened to remove the Government, accusing it of imposing racist policies in the ethnically divided country. Commodore Frank Bainimarama issued a statement on Sunday night saying the military was prepared to take power in what would be the Pacific nation's fourth coup in 19 years. He also warned the Government it would be naive to underestimate him. His outburst came in response to a comment by a Fijian official describing as petty the military boss's latest feud... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1555169/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jan 2006 08:51:54 GMT