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Marvel settles with four artists in superhero copyright fight
(Reuters) – Disney’s Marvel has agreed to end its court battles with four artists who attempted to reclaim copyright interests in superheroes they co-created including Iron Man, Ant-Man and Captain Marvel, according to federal court...
Canadian province changes LGBT policy in schools to ‘recognise role of parents’
TORONTO (Reuters) – Ruling conservatives in the Canadian province of New Brunswick this week made changes to rules for schools as they sought to “recognise the role of parents” in questions around gender identity, but have faced pushback from within their own party. The former policy, which dated from 2020, said teachers must respect all...
Natural evolution: Record Galapagos deal sparks clamour for eco-friendly debt swaps
LONDON (Reuters) – The record $1.1 billion debt-for-nature swap Ecuador just pulled off to protect its unique Galapagos Islands is creating a clamour among other nature-rich but cash-poor countries eager to follow suit. While a number of governments already had plans in the pipeline before Ecuador’s success, those who put these types of deals together...
Evidence grows of explosion at collapsed Ukraine dam
KYIV (Reuters) -Evidence was growing on Friday that there was an explosion at the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine around the time it collapsed, according to Ukrainian and U.S. intelligence reports and seismic data from Norway. Ukraine’s security service said it had intercepted a telephone call proving a Russian “sabotage group” blew up the Kakhovka...
First U.S. youth climate change trial kicks off in Montana
(Reuters) – One of the first climate change trials in U.S. history is set to kick off on Monday in Helena, Montana, where 16 young people are seeking to hold the state accountable for fossil fuel-friendly policies that they say have exacerbated global warming and dimmed their futures. Lawyers for the young plaintiffs will argue...
World Court to weigh opinion of 32 nations in Ukraine genocide case
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will allow 32 states to submit written opinions in a case in which Ukraine accused Russia of falsely applying genocide law to justify its invasion of its neighbour. The U.N.’s top court in a statement released on Friday said countries had until July 5 to give...
Rwandan genocide suspect faces 54 fraud, immigration charges in S.Africa
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – South African prosecutors on Friday significantly increased the number of charges they are bringing against Rwandan ex-police officer Fulgence Kayishema, who is wanted internationally for suspected participation in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. On the run for two decades, Kayishema was arrested on May 24 under a false name on a grape farm...
Julian Assange loses US extradition challenge, will renew appeal next week
LONDON (Reuters) – WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange has lost his latest attempt to fight extradition from Britain to the United States where he is wanted on criminal charges, though he will renew his appeal next week. Assange, 51, is wanted by U.S. authorities on 18 charges relating to WikiLeaks’ release of vast troves of confidential...
Tech use in business
Last week I looked at expansion and growth. A big thank you to those who gave me feedback on their experiences. I want to share one piece of feedback from an entrepreneur and coach in Vanuatu: “Thank you for the latest article in the current series about Expansion and Growth. I personally think that it...
Little ocean warriors
Champions of sustainability, Nanuku Resort celebrated World Ocean Day by introducing students of the Pacific Harbour Multicultural School to their on-site coral and mangrove planting initiatives in the hopes of encouraging the next generation of ocean warriors and environmental activists. Fourteen year 7 and 8 students from the school, accompanied by their principal, visited the...
Temo stands by transfer decision
Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo says his reasons for transferring former Social Democratic Liberal Party MP Simione Rasova’s matter by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption back to the Magistrate’s Court yesterday was based on the jurisdictional demarcation of the Magistrate’s and High Courts to maintain and manage the hearing of criminal cases under the...
Training highlights need for SMEs to keep proper records
A local company that was established to provide advisory services, trainings and easily accessible funding options for small and micro traders has noticed the need to upgrade traders’ knowledge of preparing proper financial records and business reports. Business Assistance Fiji general manager Ramesh Chand shared they noticed the need to conduct training on proper record...
Top policy priority
ANZ International Economist Dr Kishti Sen predicts that the solution to Fiji’s debt issues lies in the empowerment of the private sector. ANZ Research believes that the reduction of red-tape and regulation in order to attract business investment should be the top policy priority for the upcoming national budget. “The good news is that Fiji...
Extradition matter
THE State has been told to withdraw an application to extradite Joshua Rahman, the New Zealander sentenced to 23 years imprisonment for being in possession of 39.5 kilograms of cocaine, if it was not willing to go through with it. Rahman’s lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, said this when the extradition matter, filed by the Director of...
The psychology of luxury consumption
IN a world brimming with opulence and exclusivity, the allure of luxury goods and extravagant purchases continues to captivate the human imagination. High-end fashion, luxury brands, exquisite accessories, and lavish vacations embody a realm of excess that entices consumers across Fiji. As a consumer advocacy body, the Consumer Council of Fiji delves into the motivations...
‘Governments try and do the best they can’
“THERE’S always a lot said before a budget, but the fact remains that governments don’t have a magic wand. With limited resources and competing priorities, governments try and do the best they can.” This was a sentiment expressed by Dr Kishti Sen, International Economist, ANZ. Dr Sen said, through ANZ Research, that there was reason...
Farmer in remand
A 29-YEAR-OLD farmer who allegedly poured hot water on his 52-year-old father and struck him with a stick has been remanded by the Savusavu Magistrate’s Court until June 19. A police statement highlighted the man was brought in for a case of intent to cause grievous bodily harm after he allegedly attacked his father following...
Russian citizen killed in shark attack in Egypt
(Reuters) -A Russian citizen was killed in a shark attack near a beach at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada, Russia’s Consulate General in the city and two Egyptian security sources said on Thursday. Egypt’s Environment Ministry said in a statement posted on Facebook that a tiger shark was responsible for the death of...
Access to travel insurance service made easier
Accessing insurance plans as easily as sending a few text messages will soon be a reality thanks to FijiCare Insurance Ltd. At a product launch event for their newest offerings, the Comprehensive Travel Insurance Cover and VuvaleCare, an online platform for bundled microinsurance, FijiCare announced that travellers to Fiji may be able to engage with...
Come help save lives
FIJI’S leading entertainment outfit Pasifika Prima Voce will perform at a fundraiser for the St John’s Association of Fiji on Saturday June 17 at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. In a statement, St John Association of Fiji marketing and charity events planning officer Darlene Underwood said St John was a distinguished international order with...
Change in venue for Sugar Festival
THE Sugar Festival is returning this year but for the first time in 62 years, it will not be held at the Churchill Park carnival grounds. The festival, which returns after a lapse of three years, will be held at the Lautoka Club grounds which organisers say is a cheaper option. Sugar Festival Foundation Fiji...
Like a pandemic: Empower Pacific CEO says mental health, psychosocial support services neglected for long
MENTAL health and psychosocial support services have for long been neglected or not taken into account and is becoming like a pandemic now, says Empower Pacific CEO Patrick Morgam. The Lautoka-based NGO says it has requested Government to look at increasing funding allocations in this area when the 2023-2024 National Budget is announced at the...
Standing in solidarity | Students campaign for protecting the environment
There was a huge turnout today as more than hundred students, parents and community members gathered for the Pacific Recycling Foundation’s Roadside campaign at the Koronivia junction in Nausori. Armed with placards, the campaigners sang songs and had special messages for motorists and commuters who were on their way to do their Saturday shopping. Pacific...
Vendor: reduce market fees
MARKET vendor Ambika Nand hopes the 2023-2024 National Budget will address market fee charges which vendors have not been paying since 2020. “If they bring back the stall fees it will not be good for us,” he said. “If they increase it, we will have to increase the prices of the vegetables. “Keep the market...
Two giant rubber ducks debut in Hong Kong in bid to drive “double happiness”
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A pair of Rubber Ducks made a splash in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour on Friday, part of an art installation dubbed “Double Ducks” by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, who says he hopes the ducks will bring happiness to the city. The inflatable yellow ducks, 18 metres (59 feet) high, will sail...
Gounder: It is now up to the State
RECOMMENDATIONS made by the Fiscal Review Committee were done through consultation and dialogue, and not influenced by the Government or any other entity. This, according to prominent economist Dr Neelesh Gounder, who was also part of the committee. “I think the Government is very serious about consulting experts and stakeholders,” he said in an interview...
‘Debt accumulation faster in past decade’
FIJI’S debt accumulation has been faster in the last decade compared with any other time in the country’s history, claims University of the South Pacific (USP) senior lecturer in economics Dr Neelesh Gounder. During an interview on The Fiji Times online news portal The Lens@177, he also shot down the previous government’s definition of “smart...
FijiFirst party complies with Act
FIJIFIRST party has complied with the Political Parties Act and its suspension has been lifted by the Fijian Elections Office. Acting Registrar of Political Parties Ana Mataiciwa while confirming this on Thursday evening when she received submissions from the party. She said the New Generation Party’s accounts did not meet the requirements of the law...
Worry over women on boards
WOMEN’s participation on state boards and commissions has slightly worsened despite promises by the Coalition Government to strongly promote women’s rights. Fiji Women’s Rights Movement board chair Makereta Waqavonovono made this claim in a statement which said the movement obtained updated data on 27 out of 38 state-owned enterprises that were covered in its 2020...
International help rolls in to fight persistent Canadian wildfires
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Allies around the world have promised to increase their help to Canada in its fight against hundreds of blazes that have swept through the country in its worst-ever start to wildfire season. Forest fires that have gathered strength over the last month have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes...
