Monday, January 15, 2011
Fijians survive flood
Fifteen people were confirmed dead as emergency workers worked through the night to save victim’s belongings in what was termed as the worst floods to come upon Queensland in Australia. When the floodwaters receded leaving behind billions of dollars in damage, Fijians came out resilient and eager to start life afresh. Speaking from Red Hill, near Paddington, former Fiji resident Benjamin Henry said food had run out but they were coping. “It really is vakaloloma (sad),” he said.
Weather phenomenon looms
Fiji should not rule out the possibility of a scenario similar to that of the Queensland floods because two of the three contributing weather phenomenon loom over the country, said meteorology consultant, Neville Koop.
On page 2 of The Fiji Times dated January 15, 2011, he said: “The two phenomenon — La Nina and the Madden Julian Oscillation — a wave of smaller scale phenomenon which influenced the current weather pattern in Australia, could cause extreme floodings, the likes of which was witnessed in January, 2009 in Fiji.”
Town salutes fallen hero
The town of Wooton Bassett paid their tribute to a fallen hero as Private Joseva Vatubua’s body arrived in England on Wednesday (January 12, 2011).
He was the first member of the British armed forces to be killed in Afghanistan in 2011 and repatriated to the UK.
Monday, January 15, 2001
State snubs Gates ruling
THE Government House has decided that peace and order would remain the most important issue in the country even if it means disregarding Justice Anthony Gates’ ruling.
Former permanent secretary in the President’s Office, Luke Ratuvuki said peace was the top priority on the list and they did not want any bloodshed to happen after the events of the 2000 coup crisis.
Kiwis hire our soldiers
THE New Zealand army enlisted four senior Fiji Military Forces officers earmarked for peace keeping services in East Timor. The recruitment caused a stir in NZ as the four men would be posted to the infantry and logistics battalions, commanding kiwi troops in East Timor. NZ Defence Minister Mark Burton said careful checks confirmed the four were not involved in the May 19 coup.
Tuesday, January 15, 1991
Security alert
THE Fiji Cabinet postponed all its public meetings as the Fiji Government moves in response to the worsening Gulf crisis. This after the UN and the United States of America gave an ultimatum to Iraq to pull out of Kuwait after invading it or war would break out. Police protective security were also stepped up at foreign embassies whose governments were directly involved in the Gulf controversy.
January 15, 1981
Arthur hits
Western Viti Levu went through a power blackout after 50 to 60 knots winds from Cyclone Arthur tore through main powerlines, forcing the Fiji Electricity Authority to cut the power off to avoid mishaps. About 24 homes were destroyed at Saweni, near Lautoka while several homes were reported damaged.
Fiji is receptive oil refinery
Fiji’s first Minister of State for Energy, Bill Clark laid out his plan to reel in an oil refinery as one way of cutting the cost of refined petroleum fuels. The Fiji Times on page 3 quoted Mr Clark’s plan to launch an ethanol production so that it could be blended with imported petrol.
