FIJISUN USA by Koya Sahab

USA

INSIDE

Vol-20

December-2011

Issue-12

5»

BUSSINESS Pravin Chand Rogger Joins Hayward Honda

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

MANISHA

www.fijisun-usa.com

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510-677-4488

LOCAL NEWS » Radio Fiji Sun pulled out of 1550AM » KOYA MEMORIAL NIGHT

80% of my fans are female Sonam Kapoor 30 » GALLERY Kadirs host Naath at Foster City

You are not left out if you did not make it to Fiji Awards Night T

Senior Superintend of Police S K Mishra and Sergeant M. Kadir receive their AIM Fellowship certificates.

MANISHA CELEBRATE HER 8 BIRTHDAY IN ARIZONA See Page-5

he Fiji Sun will continue to hand out AIM –AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT awards to qualified professionals who could not make to the FIJI AWARDS NIGHT in the interest of justice. Many members of the Fiji American community were nominated and in effect qualified for a number of awards and they were not able to attend. In addition to its own promotion in hosting THE FIJI AWARDS NIGHT, the Fiji Sun USA included AIM professional membership awards for which nominees needed meet the set management criteria developed in keeping with Australian and NZ management institutes. Next AIM ACADEMY AWARDS is planned to be held at the Blackhawk Museum. (Please see page for more AIM news)

TV for families in remote areas

IT was an evening of beautiful dresses for ladies, coat and tie for men with the red carpet rolled out to welcome guests when the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation launched their new television station. The milestone achievement will see viewers around Fiji have more options to TV entertainment programs, news and current affairs from around the world. At the launching broadcasted live on FBC TV, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the new televi-

sion station would ensure connectivity with rural and remote areas. "I know that as I speak people are watching free-to-air TV for the first time in Kadavu, Ovalau, the interior of Naitasiri, the Vaturu Dam area, Yasawas/ Mamanucas and Bua," he said. "I am pleased to welcome you here this evening along with everyone tuning in from their homes to celebrate the launch of FBC television, along with the opening of FBC's refurbished broadcasting house, and new

FIJI COMMUNITY'S TOP CAR SALESMAN JOINS HAYWARD HONDA

Pravin Chand Rogger( seen with coworker Dell Ilyas) See Story on page-5

(Above editor presents Aim Fellowship certificate to S K Mishra) (M. Kadir shows off his AIM Fellowship Certificate)

TV and radio studios". Commodore Bainimarama said FBC was a household name and the oldest broadcaster in the country bringing news, information and entertainment to every corner of Fiji by AM and FM radio. The event, he said marked the rebirth of FBC. "Through one of the largest investments in media technology in Fiji's history, we are reaffirming FBC's place in Fijian society, making it relevant for a new Cont. on page 5

No deadline on Afzal Guru's mercy plea: Govt

NEW DELHI: Government on Wednesday said mercy petitions of 20 death row convicts, including Afzal Guru, are under various stages of consideration and that the Constitution does not specify any time limit within which a decision should be taken. "The cases of the mercy petitions were examined and submitted/resubmitted to the President's secretariat expeditiously. 13 mercy petition cases have been Cont. on page 5

(From L to R) Mr Saiyed Khaiyum (Senior), PM Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and FBC CEO Riyaz Saiyed Khaiyum at the recent FBC TV launch.

Pakistan releases video of Nato air strikes, says apology not enough

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday released video footage to substantiate that the Nato ( North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) air strikes at two military checkposts in the country's north-western tribal region on Saturday were not an accident. The attack had left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead and 13 injured. Foreign minister Hina Rabbani on Wednesday told the senate's standing committee on foreign relations that the attack on the checkposts was not an accident and only an apology was not enough. "Pakistan cannot see its soldiers being killed by allied forces anymore. There is an established mechanism

between Pakistan and allied forces working in Afghanistan regarding movement on the border but Nato authorities didn't inform us about their activity before the incident," Khar said. She said that Pakistan's role in Afghan peace efforts had been accepted by all but not appreciated. She added that the coalition forces had crossed red lines several times. Sharing details of the incident with defence analysts and local TV anchorpersons, the director general of military operations, Major General Ishfaq Nadeem, said that all coordination procedures were violated for carrying out the attacks.

FIJI SUN IS NOW ON FACEBOOK FOR ALL

December 2011 M H Koya (PhD) Editor-Publisher

FIJI SUN.ORG, PO BOX 56491, HAYWARD, CA 94544

PHONE : 510-677-4488 FAX : 510-781-4884

Email: fijisun@gmail.com www.fijisun-usa.com

December 2011

Buy Fijian made products campaign launched

BUSINESS NEWS

FIJIANS have been encouraged to buy locally manufactured products as it will not only boost our economy but will also mean jobs for their fellow citizens. Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Industry and Trade, Attorney-General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum imparted those words when he officially launched the “Buy Fijian Made” campaign this morning. He said the 2012 National Budget announcement that machineries used for manufacturing will enjoy duty free status was not only because Government wanted them to produce more but that there would be a spill on effect for this concession. “In order for that equipment to work they (the manufacturers) have to employ people to make it work and this is how we create jobs and this is how we grow the industry in Fiji,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said. “People really need to understand that if you buy Fiji made products you are in fact securing peo-

ple’s jobs and that’s what we are also concerned about.” Another misconception Mr Sayed-Khaiyum addressed was the feeling some had that Fijian products were more expensive. “They are not always expensive but if, for example, I buy a flip flop

Boosting further confidence in the economy, the Reserve Bank of Fiji today announced that it has further relaxed exchange controls. The bank’s Governor Barry Whiteside highlighted at the postbudget press conference that the increased delegated limits means that’s there is confidence about the outlook on the level of foreign reserves, which is currently around $1.5 billion. “The measures announced would result in improved efficiency for businesses as they will no longer be required to lodge their applications with the RBF,” he said. He said apart from increased delegated limits on a range of transactions, the RBF has also allowed

commercial banks to write more forward contracts for importers as well as re-introduce offshore investments for individuals up to $10,000 per family per annum. When pressed on his thoughts on today’s budget address, Governor Whiteside said that the budget presents an opportunity for the private sector to grow and inject revenue into the economy. The Prime Minister also confirmed today that the Reserve Bank has approved the license application for a European bank to establish operations in the country. Mr Whiteside, while not revealing the details of the bank, said that they are finalising other details before the bank commences operation.

RBF relaxes exchange controls

for 99 cents and it breaks in 3 days but if I buy something for $2 and lasts me for 6 months I am better off buying the $2 product,” Mr SayedKhaiyum said. Beginning with a march starting from the Suva Flea Market and culminating at the Suva Civic car park

at the foreshore, the campaign saw large businesses houses including locally owned companies such as Punjas, Flour Mills of Fiji, Tappoo Group, Tuckers, Foods Pacific Limited and many small and micro enterprises as well as Government ministries and departments actively

Fiji community's top car salesman joins Hayward Honda

Pravin Chand Rogger( seen with coworker Dell Ilyas) is very excited to have joined Hayward Honda corner of Mission Blvd and Orchard Rd. Rogger hails from Sigatoka Fiji where he first started his Sales career with Niranjan's Auto Division. He won several sales award while with them. " I feel very excited at Hayward Honda both for the top products and people are very friendly, supportive and professional, said Rogger. Rogger looks forward to making a rewarding a career at Hayward Honda capitalization on the in-house training all the sales staff receive to achieve their gaols. He also won an AIM award last month and waits to collect his AIM certificate.

CONT. FROM PAGE 1

TV for families...

generation as the national broadcaster". Commodore Bainimarama said FBC would now have radio and television service, and feature national broadcasters throughout the world such as the BBC and ABC. He said that through hard work FBC's Chairman, CEO, and the FBC team have made it possible, not just from a logistical standpoint, but also in terms of finances. "The sheer hard work, enthusiasm and energy they have brought to make FBC profitable, whereas previously it was not, and to maintain transparent operations has established a high level of confidence within and outside the organisation," he said. "They have also proven that FBC is commercially viable". This has allowed government to extend to it the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), contract for the provision of television and radio services. PSB, he said allows for the airing of programs that are not necessarily commercially viable to run. "I also

No deadline on Afzal Guru's ...

understand more people up in the north will be able to access free-to-air TV for the first time. This is important for bringing all of us together as a nation," he said. decided by the President since November 2009," minister of state for home Mullappally Ramachandran informed Rajya Sabha. "The power under Article 72 of the Constitution does not contain any limitation of time in which power shall be exercised," he said in a written reply. The 20 cases include that of Afzal Guru, who was given death sentence for the 2001 Parliament attack case. Two cases were under examination of the home ministry. While in one case some additional information has been sought from Bihar government, in another case, comments from Delhi government have been sought.

December 2011

involved in this initiative. The Buy Fiji Made initiative is a yearlong programme and will concentrate on one type of Fijian product every month. December will be the month for buying locally produced food items, as it is also the festive season hence highly relevant.

MANISHA CELEBRATE HER 8 BIRTHDAY IN ARIZONA

First grand daughter of Annie Koya, Manisha is a second grade student at Lake View Elementary, Phoenix Arizona. A bright and talkative young kids, Manisha is daughter of Mr And Mrs Michael Cavalier.

Incentives to stimulate growth Pravin Chand Rogger( seen with coworker Dell Ilyas)

The various incentives offered by government to business houses in the country should stimulate growth in the economy and at the same time encourage competition. Highlighting the success of exporters at increasing Fiji's share of the global marketplace at this year’s TFL Prime Minister Exporter of the Year Awards, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said that the continued growth of Fiji's export economy is a critical component of Fiji's presence as the hub of trade in the region. "The Fijian Government and the private sector work together in the quest for opportunities to broaden the export market including our

niche products, which take advantage of our pristine environment," he said. Reiterating Government incentives for the resource based sector and exporters such as tax breaks, zero rated tarrifs and accelerated depreciation, the Prime Minister added that these incentives will allow Fijian companies to better compete at the regional and global levels. "Our focus is to grow the economy and create jobs," he said. This year's TFL Prime Minister's Exporter of the Year Award saw 19 awards awarded to Fiji's top exporters. The Winner of the TFL Prime Minister's Exporter of the year awards was thed Biscuit

Company of Fiji Limited. Group Chief Executive Officer for the company, Ram Bajekal said that the award meant recognition of the effort that the biscuit company group has put into strengthening the company and the nation have borne fruit. "We want to continue to grow our exports as we believe that is the only way that we can strengthen Fiji and once Fiji is strengthened it means that more people buy our products and there is progress for everyone," he said. The biscuit company caters a vast variety of biscuits to a wide range of customers within Fiji and across the Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.

China strengthens Fiji: PM

FIJI NEWS

December 2011

Fiji phases out CFC from products

FIJI has been recognised for its efforts in phasing out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from its products sales. The director of the Department of Environment, Jope Davetanivalu was a proud man on Friday night as he related the good news to the Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Colonel Samuela Saumatua. Mr Davetanivalu said two of his officers returned from Kathmandu, Nepal, last month where the Fiji delegation was presented with the Montreal Protocol Certificate of Recognition. "The protocol was presented to us by the United Nations Environment Program after we successfully phased out CFCs last year," the environment director said. Mr Davetanivalu said the efforts against CFCs began in 2003 with environment officers working with the government in trying to curb the sales of products with CFC content. "I am proud of the fact that such a small country like ours has international recognition for such an important issue that affects countries all over the world," he said. He said existing legislations such as the Ozone Depletion Substances Act also contributed to their work against the harmful CFC. Fiji was also honoured by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) two years ago with its 2008 Ozone Layer Protection Award.

Investment and bilateral support from China has been a pillar of strength to Fiji, says Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama. Commodore Bainimarama and his senior officers had a closed door bilateral discussion at Nawailevu on Tuesday with a Chinese delegation during the opening of the Nawailevu Bauxite Mine. He said mining investment by Xinfa China in Bua was another level in strengthening the

relationship between Fiji and China. Commodore Bainimarama said Government appreciated the assistance received from China. The assistance, he said, contributed enormously to the country’s economic development. “Allow me at this point to extend the Government of Fiji’s deep gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China. “Their support of Fiji has been a pillar of

strength and speaks to a yet untapped net of international investment interests,” Commodore Bainimarama said. He said Fiji would continue to explore additional opportunities with China and other nations in moving the country forward through a number of internal development projects. In opening the Nawailevu Bauxite Mine, Commodore Bainimarama said, “I am pleased to note that benefits to landowners are being progressively

Fiji: PFF Condemns Unionist Arrests and Detentions

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS: The arrest and detention of Fiji’s trade union movement leaders Daniel Urai and Felix Anthony continues the harassment and intimidation of citizens by the military regime, regional media freedom monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF. Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) president Daniel Urai was arrested on October 29, 2011 at Nadi International Airport after returning from the Commonwealth Heads of Government events in Australia, a move condemned as politically motivated by Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd. Urai was held incommunicado at an undisclosed location for eight days until he appeared in the Suva Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 7, 2011. He has been charged with “urging political violence” under the regime’s Crimes Decree. Bail was initially refused and he was granted release on bail with curfew and other conditions on Wednesday afternoon Fiji time. “It took more than a week of

being held without charge, with no contact from family members, friends, colleagues, and legal support, for the regime to decide what to do with Urai. This deplorable situation raises obvious questions over charges being concocted out of politically motivated harassment. There just isn’t enough information to suggest a timely process of evidence and investigation has taken place prior to his arrest,” says PFF chair Titi Gabi of Papua New Guinea. “Pacific communities outside of Fiji continue to freely express ideas and opinions which may be critical of their governments, free from the fear of being ‘disappeared’ from their loved ones at a moment’s notice. We urge the regime to cease the arbitrary detention of selected citizens on sham charges, and repeat our call for lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations of April 2009 and the Media Decree which should have replaced the PER when it was introduced last November.” says Gabi. “We are also concerned at news that FTUC

general secretary Felix Anthony has also been made incommunicado and has yet to face charges since being ‘detained’ by the military at his office in Lautoka on Friday, November 4 and taken to Suva under heavy guard the following morning.” “The right to meet in public places, to organise, to share opinions, ideas and express them no matter how critical or unpopular they may be, is the most obvious sign that our Pacific leaders have come of age and accept criticism as an essential part of public life,” says PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa. “As the regime leaders continue to target citizens who express ideas and opinions that do not support their views, a culture of compliance and silence is being manipulated and misrepresented to future generations as the ‘Fijian’ way. The ‘disappearing’ of citizens held without charge or court appearance, rendered incommunicado by the military, is a madness that Pacific leaders must strongly condemn.”

met with the partial release of lease payments, the construction of infrastructure like roads and mobile telecommunications, and ongoing discussions with Aurum Explorations (Fiji) Limited to provide employment and contracts for local trucking and catering businesses.” Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, Huang Yong said China was a good friend to Fiji and they would continue to keep the relationship.

Taxi Union under fire

Taxi Union under pressure 11th November 2011 Taxi drivers in the North are starting to criticise the Fiji Taxi Union saying the increase in fares is killing business. FBC News reporter Apisalome Coka is in Labasa and spoke to some taxi drivers: "The increase in taxi fares has seen a fifty percent drop in business in Labasa. This was revealed to FBC News by Narend Krishna who has spent 25 years in the business. Krishna is based at the Market Taxi Stand and says taxis were a means of transport, but the increase in fares has made it optional. Krishna says the Fiji Taxi Union was wrong in increasing the fare to 10cents per every 100 metres. He says it would have been best to increase the distance drop from 10 cents to 15 cents every 200 metres. Another taxi driver Ravin Mudaliar says the increase has really affected people. Mudaliar says he only manages four to six passengers a day.

Papaya boost for Fiji

THERE has been a major breakthrough for papaya producers and exporters following an agreement yesterday that allows Fiji red papaya to be transported as loose cargo on Boeing 737 aircraft. The deal brokered between Biosecurity Fiji and Australia was achieved after a Bilateral Quarantine Meeting at the Novotel on Monday. Representatives from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Biosecurity Australia and the Department of Agriculture and Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) met and discussed the issue at length, with the Fiji contingent highlighting the success of the country's control methods in preventing pests from entering Australia over the last seven years as proof that papaya could be exported as loose cargo without

risk. BAF chief executive officer Elvis Silvestrini said the agreement was good news for the booming papaya industry. He said the industry was concerned about how it would export papaya to Australia in 737 aircraft as these aircraft did not have provisions for LD containers which was one of the import requirements under our Bilateral Quarantine Agreement (BQA) for papaya exports - to ensure pests are not able to enter containers in transit. "I am pleased to say that Biosecurity Australia agreed to our request to have the papaya shipped to Australia as loose cargo, provided we have sound trace back integrity for each consignment and appropriate measures are taken to prevent re-infestation and we'll work with the industry on that," he said. Mr Silvestrini said the break-

through with his Australian counterparts come as papaya exports for 2011 reached 644 tonnes with 85 per cent going to the Australian market alone. "This is a major

achievement for Fiji's trade in papaya with Australia market. Currently our papaya export to Australia is increasing significantly with total exports to date for 2011 at 644 tonnes with 85 per cent of exports going to the Australian market. This is a marked difference to 2010 when exports to Australia made up only 30 per cent of total exports. There is potential to export 2000 tonnes per year as the popularity of red papaya grows." Mr Silvestrini said BAF would like to see the papaya exports to Australia sustained and further increased and as such would do everything possible to help the industry. Biosecurity Australia has also agreed to allow papaya to be shipped into Australia in newspaper packaging. Fiji is exporting papaya to New Zealand under these conditions and this provides a further option to

exporters to protect the fruit. Mr Silvestrini said the use of recycled newspaper would reduce the cost of packaging compared to foam packing. This is a saving for exporters and has the added advantage of being a more environmentally friendly option. Agriculture permanent secretary Colonel Mason Smith said the meeting was crucial given the importance of biosecurity in facilitating agricultural trade between countries. He said Fiji regarded Australia as a primary market for agricultural produce. And added that with additional meetings, more of Fiji's agricultural products could gain and maintain access to markets in Australia, PHAMA's efforts in helping developing countries like Fiji address market access issues was also acknowledged by the permanent secretary.

FIJI NEWS

December 2011

THE GUNS OF BILO

I WAS taken back in time last week to World War Two and told of how the guns at Bilo lent a degree of comfort to the people in a time of uncertainty and fear as news of the Japanese invasion flashed across the Pacific. The guns once pointed out from the side of Bilo peninsula like twin fingers of death, down to the Bay of Islands in Lami and across Suva harbour to the capital. They were placed there to guard the passage in the reef leading into Suva harbour. There are no guns at Bilo now but the story reminded me of the epic war film The guns of Navarone. The guns at Bilo did not see action as the guns of Navarone did but they were ready for the enemy. They were the biggest guns in the southern hemisphere, they told me, and they played a part in the defence plans of Fiji during World War Two. The Bilo battery had two six-inch cannons supported by two 4.7 inch guns. After the war, the guns were taken away by the Fiji military. There was a time when the Bilo gun site was full of activity, packed with army trucks, soldiers, offices and living quarters. Now, only two gun turrets, lookout post, tunnels, underground cellars and ammunition storage place remain with stories and memories of a place which was once a hive of activity during the war. After the war, the gun site became a drinking spot, lovers' lane and scenic lookout. It was the location for a film shoot but now, it is a tourist attraction. Uraia Naicori related stories of

how Bilo was under the command of New Zealand and American soldiers. Uraia is the turaga ni mataqali Nakaubeqa who own the land where the gun site is. From the site, you have a splendid view of the Bay of Islands, Suva city, the passage in the reef, sea and horizon. It is a vantage point. "Down by the beach they had two lighthouses and a giant lookout tower where they had a huge telescope," said Uraia. "At night, the lighthouse and telescope were the second eyes of the guns on the hill. "Their purpose was to shoot light at any incoming vessel so the people operating the guns could see what they were firing at. "I am just telling you what I know." he added. Passages were cut through soapstone which joined the gun encampment, ammunition and concrete storage rooms. The cellars are damp, dark and dreary but remain a physical reminder of the war. Members of the mataqali Nakaubeqa, in conjunction with Fiji Museum are responsible for keeping the site clean through a project funded by the American Embassy in May last year. History says that the Bilo battery was built in January, 1941 by the New Zealand army which had replaced the Fiji Defence Force. The US army came in later and built their base in and around Suva and pulled out in 1944 to head for the Solomons and Papua New Guinea as the battle continued against the Japanese for the Pacific. Excerpts from Fiji Museum records says the Bilo battery

withstood a deadly and powerful hurricane in February, 1941 which devastated infrastructure in Suva and surrounding areas but any damage to the Bilo battery was quickly fixed and military training and planning continued as if nothing happened. The Bilo battery was a key part of Fiji's defence because it was one of several gun positions guarding entrances in the reef. There were guns at Nasonini and Flagstaff which looked out to Nukulau Island, there was a lookout at Yaqaga Island in Bua and there were the guns at Momi in Nadi which guarded Nacula Passage but the two biggest guns were at Bilo. Uraia said at Bilo the Americans installed a generator which generated power that enabled them to pump water up to a storage well and from there water was distributed all over the gun site. The gun site has also been a haven for Bilo villagers - they sought refuge in the underground rooms during a hurricane. Locals used to refer to it as rai ki Beqa, mate ga because the guns could sink a ship as far as Beqa. "Before they fired the guns, warning would come for the villagers to stay away from the beach or sea." "When the guns fired, our houses and the ground would shake." "My father lived during that time." The Bilo gun site is about eight kilometres out of Suva city on the Queens Road toward Veisari. There is a sign by the road, as you take the turn, travel two kilometres on a gravel road to the gun site. Uraia said the road used by the

soldiers during the war ran down to the beach where the lighthouses stood but it s now overgrown. The ammunition storage room is lit by two solar-powered lanterns hanging from the wall. It is cool inside the underground rooms. Inside one of the rooms are posters with articles from the war and in a glass case are relics from the war including a small empty glass Coke bottle from 1942. "I did not know there was a red light district in Suva during that time," said Uraia as he read the history of the war in the underground room. It said that life in the rural areas and for the majority of Fiji continued essentially unchanged during the height of World War II in the Pacific. Suva and Nadi however, experienced dramatic upheavals. The influx of 50,000 troops severely strained local resources. Many basic items were rationed. The economy ran out of paper money because of the surge in demand. Two leading department stores issued script and the government began printing its markings on New Zealand currency. For over a year, a nightly curfew was imposed from 8pm and there was a mandatory blackout as precaution against a Japanese invasion. The situation was not all dreary, however, because the presence of foreign troops and mobilised Fijians enlivened life in the capital. Dances were organised at the Grand Pacific Hotel for army officers and the Old Town Hall for the enlisted. European and Part-European women living in Suva were avidly courted and

many became war brides. Red light districts emerged at Naiqaqi which is now Carnavon Street and Toorak.There were few restaurants in those days and entrepreneurs began catering to American and New Zealand tastes, for example, selling ice cream and building a roller skating rink. Beer flowed in the drinking establishments which were always filled to capacity but there were not enough mugs, so one had to pay a deposit for a mug to drink beer. Uraia said members of his mataqali clean and maintain the Bilo gun site and act as tour guides for visitors. Tourists who want to visit pay $5 at the gate, locals $3 and children $1. "People who want to have a party can make arrangements or kids who want to have a fun day out, can come out to the gun site and have a good time but the parents pay $5 when they bring their kids. "What we are doing is to help our mataqali." Uraia said for some time after the war, the gun site was under the Fiji Military Forces but the land has been returned to them and he does not want to lease it. If you look across Suva harbour from the seawall, you can see a house at Bilo among the greenery. It is Uraia's house. Although all you will see from the city is a blur of green, if you focus you can see a clearing among the green - that is the gun site. It is a vantage point with a history - it played a part in the defensive plans of Fiji during World War Two and now it is a place to go to and see the sights by day and lights by night.

3rd Annual Program

Legally Asian

Empowering youth to pursue higher education and make a difference in our community

February 25, 2012, 9am-3pm UC Hastings College of the Law 198 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Legally Asian 2012 exposes college and high school students to: the legal profession and career options available with a law degree x current issues that affect the Asian Pacific Islander & South Asian community x

Learn from panelists who work in the public and private sector, and discover career paths outside the traditional practice of law. All attendees will receive a FREE law school admissions packet that includes tips on the LSAT, personal statements, and financial aid.

FREE Admission.

Breakfast & Lunch Provided. Contact: Carmelita Miller (415) 404-9436 | LegallyAsian2012@gmail.com RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/LegallyAsian2012 Walk-ins welcome. Event Sponsored By:

Asian American Bar Association Filipino Bar Association of Northern California Korean American Bar Association of Northern California South Asian American Bar Association UC Hastings Asian Pacific American Law Students Association UC Hastings Pilipino American Law Society UC Hastings South Asian Law Students Association UC Hastings Vietnamese American Law Society UC Berkeley South Asian Law Students Association

INDIA NEWS

Flow of migrants highest to Delhi, not Maharashtra

December 2011

Govt mulls free medicine for all

NEW DELHI: The government is considering rolling out a " freemedicine-to-all" scheme through public hospital and health facilities across the country in a bid to arrest poverty and indebtedness mainly in rural areas. The strategy aims to facilitate state governments to set up autonomous medical supplies corporation, a public sector body, to supply free, quality generic essential medicines to indoor and outdoor patients, who seek healthcare in government hospitals and health facilities. The Planning Commission's working group on health for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017), headed by Union health secretary K Chandramouli, suggested that all state governments should follow the model adopted by Tamil Nadu. In the southern state, the bulk procurement of drugs by medical supply corporation directly from manufacturers through a transparent bidding process substantially reduces the cost of medicines. In many cases, they cost 1/10th to 1/15th less than retail outlets. Medicines account for about 50%-80% of healthcare costs, which often lead to rural indebtedness, the working group has found. The scheme will ensure free government healthcare to the poor and vulnerable.

NEW DELHI: While many of Maharashtra's parochial politicians have made a living out of bashing north Indian immigrants, Mumbai is not the city with the highest influx of migrants. A recent report shows that Delhi receives the largest flow of migrants anywhere in urban India. Delhi as a city, excluding the rest of the NCR, had more migrants than any other state in the country. According to a recent report by the Indian Institute of Human Settlement (IIHS), the two largest streams of migration to urban India are from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and from Bihar to Delhi. Each of these streams consists of over 3 lakh people. IIHS studied the 2001 census, the National Sample Survey (200708), and preliminary data from the 2011 census (migration data for census 2011 has not yet been released). Ironically, Delhi is still not as cosmopolitan as metros such as Mumbai, where less than 50% of the population speaks Marathi and Bangalore, where less than half speak Kannada. IIHS director Aromar Revi attributes the high flow of migrants into Delhi to the fact that it has the highest per capita income and income growth among Indian met-

Pak traders want Indian counterparts to sell their products for mutual benefit

AMRITSAR:Notwithstanding the decision on most favoured nation(MFN) status, Pak businessmen w ant their Indian counterparts to trade their products in the Pakistani market for mutual benefit. Pakistani traders who are here to participate in trade fest are of the view that free trade will not only allow businessmen of both countries to explore untapped markets, but will also pave way for permanent peace in the region. Pakistani trader Amrudeen of Nadeem Enterprise said there must be direct and liberal trade between both the countries. "As in India, there is craze about Pakistani products among people, similarly people in Pakistan are enthusiastic about Indian products," he said. Another trader Ahmed

Khan from Amber Collection said the shared trade relation between both the countries will flourish the mutual understanding too. "We the common people want the liberal exchange between the two countries; all grudges are between the governments of both nations only," he said. Bagam Aiyashaa of "Shehnaz Fashion" said their handmade designer suits of Shiffon and Pashmina was being highly appreciated by the people here. She said though both nations were sharing the same nation, but government policies were creating hindrance in smooth trading. "We get the visa just for 10-15 days and it is also of just one city which is very unfair that we can't go to other cities for trade or for just visiting the place," she lamented.

ros; a huge concentration of wealth, resources, infrastructure and a relatively high quality of urban services. "There are a large number of service sector jobs on offer in Delhi, increasingly in the informal sector" says Revi. Education is a big draw, as also health services when compared with many north Indian states. That a large number of poor, socalled lower-caste migrants head to Delhi in search of a livelihood is obvious. But Mohammad Tarique, assistant professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, puts forth a compelling argument for why

Record number of tourists visit Kashmir in 2011: J&K govt

SRINAGAR: The number of tourists visiting Kashmir Valley so far this year has surpassed the nearly seven lakh mark set before the eruption of militancy in the state in 1990. "In the history of Kashmir, we have not witnessed so many tourists. Even during the pre-militancy years we would receive a maximum of seven lakh tourists. This year we have received a record number of tourists," Tourism minister Nawang Rigzin Jora said at a function to celebrate the birth anniversary of NC founder Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah here. Although Jora did not reveal the exact number of the tourists, according to officials the number had crossed a million. "Tourism is the backbone of our economy. We aim to make this state a prominent tourist destination as it was before the militancy era," the minister said. The tourism industry in the state has suffered a huge setback after eruption of militancy in the state in 1990s.

many "upper-caste" folk migrate to Delhi. "The same caste system that inhibits lower castes from rising up the economic ladder prevents the upper castes from performing menial jobs to earn a living. The anonymity of cities like Delhi allows a Brahmin to work as a rickshawpuller, whereas the caste hierarchy would make it hard for him to do so in his hometown, even if his family is starving," says Tarique. Tarique believes that Delhi, though far from ideal for migrants, is more accommodating than other cities. "In addition to providing a large number of night shelters for

the working homeless, Delhi is more accepting of migrants than cities like Mumbai, which are increasingly intolerant of them." Contrary to perception, migration does not contribute to the increase in India's urban population as much as natural growth (people having children) does, says the IIHS report. While the report says that the net rural to urban migration has marginally increased from 21.2% in 1991-2001 to 24.1% in 2001-11, and there has, simultaneously been a marginal decrease in natural growth over the last decade with people having less children, natural growth continues to contribute the most to the growth in urban population. The elite often view migrants as a burden on the city's overstretched resources. But Unna Govindarajan of Janaagrahaa Bangalore-based organization that works towards improving the quality of life in India's cities-points out that the middle-class and elite depend heavily on poor migrants who provide them with the services needed to maintain their lifestyle. "While the elite need them (migrants) during the day, in the evening, they draw their curtains and forget about the inhuman living conditions of these very same people," she says.

NEW DELHI: The government has decided to hold back FDI in retail till a consensus is reached among political parties. This decision now ends the stand-off between the government and the opposition, which caused a paralysis of Parliament. According to sources, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has told opposition leaders, including Sushma Swaraj and Sitaram Yechury, that the decision on allowing FDI in retail was being put on hold and a final decision will be taken only after consulting all opposition parties. Meanwhile, Pranab Mukherjee has sought Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj's help to end the Parliament logjam. Sushma Swaraj, however, has asked the government that it should issue a statement in the floor of the

house today. "The government is willing to keep the decision in suspension. It will take a final decision only after consultations with all opposition parties and the stakeholders," sources said after Mukherjee spoke to Swaraj, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, and CPI(M) MP Yechury this morning. Swaraj is believed to have told Mukherjee that the government should come out with a statement on the issue, which has created a logjam in Parliamentary for several days now. Yechury is understood to have told the Pranab Mukherjee that an allparty meeting be convened before the next sitting of Parliament on Wednesday during which the parties could be informed about the decision.

FDI reform: Holdback confirmed; Pranab phones Sushma

Snake bites kill 46K in India yearly

CHICAGO: Fatal snake bites have become a major public health concern in India. What's worse, it is vastly under-reported, according to a study presented on Monday. The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene said in India 46,000 people are dying every year from snakebites against the official figure of only 2,000. More than 2.5 lakh cases of snake bites are reported every year. Those who survive the bite on the spot, subsequently die due to delay, unable to reach a hospital within the crucial golden hour or due to lack of treatment, resulting in overdose of anti-venom. The statistics are shocking, considering India is nei-

ther home to the largest number snakes in the world nor is there a shortage of anti-venom in the country. India had finalized a national policy that would ensure fast and effective use of anti-venom, besides making it available to healthcare centres in backward villages. The policy was to help train doctors who had inadequate knowledge on how to deal with the neuro-toxic shock that the patient experiences following a snake bite besides providing guidelines for hospitals conducting research on the subject. However, the Union health ministry is yet to aggressively push its implementation. Ulrich Kuch from Biodiversity and Climate Research

Centre in Frankfurt said snake bite victims often do not go to hospitals because they have to travel too far, anti-venom is scarce in many regions, or the treatment can be too expensive. "People are dying in their villages without bothering the health system. They simply don't show up in the statistics," Dr Kuch said. "In the 21st century, snakebite is the most neglected of all the neglected tropical diseases," said David Warrell from University of Oxford. "The deaths and suffering from venomous snakebites remain largely invisible to the global health community," he added. In the absence of significant global initiatives, scientists and research institu-

tions are taking it upon themselves to develop solutions in Asia. Scientists presented promising data on rapid diagnostic tests being developed to allow physicians to make fast decisions on whether to give anti-venom and which type to use. Now, standard practice is to wait until symptoms of envenomation appear before giving antivenom because it can have serious side-effects and the supply is scarce. However, the venom of certain species irreversibly destroys parts of the nervous system before envenomation becomes clinically apparent, making the resulting lifethreatening paralysis resistant to anti-venom treatment.

Bhanwari Devi case: Rs 5 lakh reward for info on criminal who disposed of Bhanwari's body

NEW DELHI: While the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is planning to move court seeking polygraph test on sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna, agency sources claim that they have identified the gang and its members, who were assigned to get rid of auxiliary nurse-cum- midwife Bhanwari Devi's body. The agency on Monday announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for the whereabouts of Jodhpurbased dreaded criminal Bishna Ram Bishnoi, who allegedly disposed of her body. A source told TOI that "Bishnoi was handed over the body of Bhanwari Devi as disclosed by accused Shahabuddin".

Pakistan to review all accords with US, Nato, UN: Yousuf Gilani

PAKISTAN NEWS

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will review all its agreements with the US and NATO in the aftermath of the November 26 airstrike that left two dozen Pakistan Army soldiers dead, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said. Gilani said in Lahore on Sunday that the government had decided to review the agreements made by then president Pervez Musharraf's government with the US, NATO, UN and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), reported Dawn. The NATO airstrike on two checkposts in Mohmad Agency late last month left 24 Pakistan Army soldiers dead,

US officials say Pakistan leaving liaison centres

ISLAMABAD: U.S. military officials say Islamabad is pulling its troops out of at least two of the three centres meant to coordinate military activity across the PakistanAfghanistan border. The move comes a little over a week after NATO airstrikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers at two army posts along the border. The deadly incident seems to have been caused in part by communication breakdowns. U.S. military officials said late Monday that losing Pakistani liaisons at the border centers is a problem because the whole purpose of the posts is to exchange information about ongoing operations.

sparking outrage in the country. Islamabad promptly stopped NATO supply through the country. Gilani said: "Soon after the NATO attack... we took up this issue very seriously by involving all stakeholders, including military and political leadership." He said the political and military leadership, along with the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC), see the Nov 26 incident as a reason to revise the entire terms of business (ToBs) on all national and international issues such as war on terror and security of the region, made by the Musharraf government with the US, NATO, ISAF and the UN.

December 2011

US starts vacating Shamsi airbase in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: The US on Sunday started pulling out its nationals from Shamsi airbase, reportedly used by CIA- operated drones, on the orders of Pakistan government after a deadly NATO cross-border airsrike killed 24 of its soldiers. An American aircraft arrived in Pakistan to fly out US nationals. After the aircraft landed, the US nationals boarded it amidst strict security, TV news channels reported. Officials from the Federal Investigation Agency were present at the airbase, the reports said. Residents living around Shamsi airbase were told not to leave their homes while the American nation-

Pakistan court seeks information on status of Indian prisoner

LAHORE: A Pakistani court has asked authorities to inform it about the current status of an Indian prisoner being held in a jail in Lahore even though he completed his sentence last year. The Lahore high court on Thursday directed the foreign secretary to inform it of the status of Surjeet Singh, who was convicted for spying in 1985 and initially sentenced to death under the Pakistan Army Act. Subsequently, Singh's death sentence was commuted to life imprison-

ment in 1988. After going through the Lahore Central Jail superintendent's report on Singh, Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik directed the foreign secretary to submit a report on the prisoner by December 20. The jail superintendent submitted a written reply to the court in response to a petition seeking Singh's release and the inclusion of his name in a list of foreign prisoners languishing in Pakistani jails despite having completed their terms.

Two children enjoy their holiday with roller skating at a road in Karachi .

Monkey 'arrested' in Pak for crossing India border

ISLAMABAD: Believe it or not but authorities in Pakistan's Punjab province have "arrested" a monkey after it crossed the border with India, according to a media report today. The monkey was captured by wildlife officials in Bahawalpur, Express News channel reported. Local residents initially tried to capture the monkey after it entered Cholistan area of Bahawalpur district. After the monkey evaded them, the people informed wildlife officials, who captured the animal after a struggle. The monkey was taken to Bahawalpur Zoo, where officials named him Bobby. In May last year, Indian police detained a pigeon and kept it under armed guard after it was caught on an alleged spying mission for Pakistan.

als were being taken to the aircraft. There was no official word on the development from Pakistani or American officials. Pakistan asked the US to vacate the remote airbase in Balochistan within 15 days and blocked routes used to transport supplies to US and allied forces in Afghanistan after a cross-border NATO air strike on two military posts killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on November 26. Reports have said the Shamsi airbase, located about 300 km from Balochistan capital Quetta, has been used by US drone to target militants in Pakistan's restive tribal belt. Pakistan reportedly leased the

base to the United Arab Emirates in 1992, and the US was given access to the facility after the 9/11 terror attacks. This is the third time Pakistan has asked the US to vacate Shamsi airbase. Similar demands were made after CIA contractor Raymond Davis gunned down two men in Lahore in January and after the US military raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May. The Express Tribune quoted a US government source as saying that the Americans had spent months preparing for a possible eviction from Shamsi by building up other drone launching and staging capabilities.

ISLAMABAD: A week after Pakistan-US ties plunged to a new low after a NATO attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, secretary of state Hillary Clinton on Saturday offered her personal condolences to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani but was unable to get Islamabad to reconsider its decision to boycott a crucial meeting on Afghanistan. Clinton telephoned Gilani on Saturday evening and "conveyed her personal condolences on the deaths of Pakistani soldiers", said a

statement issued by the Prime Minister's House. Clinton said the "attack was not intentional" and asked Pakistan to "wait for the outcome of the investigation" into the incident. In a bid to address concerns raised by Islamabad over what Pakistani military officials have described as an "unprovoked act of blatant aggression", Clinton said the US has the "highest regard for Pakistan's sovereignty". She said: "This incident should not be allowed to jeopardise the bilateral relation-

ship. Pakistan and US have common interests". Clinton raised with Gilani the issue of Pakistan's participation in the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan to be held on December 5. Gilani told her that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security had supported the cabinet's decision not to participate in the Bonn Conference. Pakistan had played a positive role for peace and stability in the region and made many sacrifices in fighting terrorism, he said.

lash, as nationalists and Islamists regularly stage rallies against anything they deem an insult to Islam or to the national honor. India and Pakistan have fought three wars, and the Inter-Services Intelligence agency or ISI has been accused of sponsoring terrorist attacks inside India. Malik has broken Pakistani religious and national taboos in the past. She is a target for conservative ire and a heroine to some Pakistani liberals. Conservative cleric Maulana Abdul Qawi declared on Aaj TV on

Saturday that her latest venture into controversy was a "shame for all Muslims." Farzana Naz, interviewed by the same channel on the streets of Lahore, said that the actress had "bowed all us women in shame." Twitter commentator Umair Javed however called on Pakistanis to "make copies of the picture and bury it in your backyard. This way, our grandkids will know there were some amongst us who lived free!" Asked by reporters whether Pakistan would "pursue the matter" legally, the country's Interior

Minister Rehman Malik said Saturday, "First, let us see whether it is real or fake." Malik for her part says that the photo at the root of the current uproar was published in violation of her agreement with FHM India. In an interview with Pakistani Geo television broadcast Saturday, Malik acknowledged having been photographed for a "bold but not nude shot." She said the editor of the magazine had promised that he would cover most of the photo with the ISI initials.

Hillary Clinton talks to Gilani but Pak firm on Bonn boycott decision

Veena Malik's nude photo causes fury in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani actress who posed in the nude for an Indian magazine with the initials of Pakistan's feared and powerful intelligence agency on her arm has triggered fury across this conservative nation. Veena Malik's photo on the website of FHM India, in advance of its publication in the magazine's December issue, has been lighting up social network website Facebook and Twitter since earlier this week. Many here anticipate a back-

PORTLAND - A series of strong winter-type storms expected this week along Oregon's coast has prompted the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to issue a pre-holiday season safety alert for coast visitors. "The mix of high winds and heavy rains will bring storm watchers and beachcombers to the coast this week and throughout the holiday season," said OPRD Beach Safety Education Coordinator Robert Smith. "We want to remind them of a few tips to stay safe. "Sneaker waves, which are always dangerous, are magnified by winter storm surges," Smith said. "Also, our beaches become narrower when sand is eroded away leaving little room to escape at some points. Even the

Kenneth strengthens into Category 4 hurricane in eastern Pacific; No threat to land

MIAMI — Forecasters say Hurricane Kenneth has strengthened even more into a Category 4 storm in the eastern Pacific, although there is no current threat to land. It is the strongest lateseason hurricane in that area on record. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Tuesday that Kenneth has maximum sustained winds near 145 mph (230 kph). The storm was centered about 750 miles (1,210 kilometers) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico, but was moving away from the coast. It is moving west at 13 mph (20 kph). Kenneth is expected to start weakening on Wednesday. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Young Fiji Mother Tops Usp Journalism Awards

PACIFIC NEWS

December 2011

Coastal flooding and high surf advisories prompts warning

most experienced beachcombers can be caught unaware unless they stay alert." Logs and other beach debris in the wake of a storm are always hazards to watch for, he added. "Some logs that were well above the surf line and appeared safe in the summer may be unstable after being moved by high waves. It's especially important now to stay clear of logs." Coastal cliffs also can be hazardous. "The power of the ocean can have a long reach," Smith said. "The rain and wind we're having can cause unstable conditions on cliffs overlooking the ocean. Wandering off trails for a closer look can be a bad idea." "When you visit the beach, respect the ocean and be aware of your surroundings," Smith emphasized.

SUVA (Fiji Times /Wansolwara/ Pacific Media Watch): Outstanding student journalists of the University of the South Pacific have been rewarded for their hard work at their annual media awards. “This is an event that is a priority for the school and we’re sure to have a crop of really good journalists graduating through our programme,” said Professor Sudesh Mishra, head of the School of Language, Arts and Media (SLAM). The dean of the Faculty of Arts and Law, Dr Akanisi Kedrayate, said the event was dedicated to journalism students and the programme for their efforts throughout the year. She said the faculty had plans to develop the programme. “We’re proud to announce that

we’re finishing touch-ups before reopening the Radio Pasifika station with $90,000 spent by the faculty,” Dr Kedrayate said. She also revealed plans to push for the programme to receive international accreditation. Journalism discipline coordinator Dr Marc Edge is also considering plans for broader media awards. A total of 13 students received awards ranging from editor’s certificates for the award-winning programme newspaper Wansolwara to the $1000 Vodafone Prize for the Journalism Student of the Year which was awarded to Jasvin Lala. Followed her dream “This award and cash incentive acts as a motivator that hard work does pay off and stimulates the

mindset of the upcoming graduating students that their effort will not be wasted but appreciated,” she was quoted on the Vodafone website as saying. Born and raised in Suva, Jasvin Lala is a young mother and lives with her husband in Tamavua. Her interest in journalism began in high school and she was inspired by her teachers to pursue a media career. Being the eldest in the family, Lala took on a leading role to help her parents look after her five younger siblings. After leaving high school, her circumstances changed. She got married and a few years later gave birth to her son, yet she never gave up her dream to further her studies at USP and become a journalist.

New Zealand's National Party leader, John Key has held government power since 2008.

Fans of Survivor: South Pacific will be watching a recap episode this Wednesday, November 23 (airing on CBS, channel 5 in Scottsdale). However, viewers are already anxious for Survivor spoilers for the following week, Episode 12 airing on November 30. Dawn, Whitney and Ozzy are at Redemption Island, and Upolu will have to start voting off its own. While Maxx Fisher at TV Fun Spot has all of the details, he is teasing readers a bit by sharing only some of the spoilers in his most recent post from Friday. Some Survivor: South Pacific spoilers from other forums had teased that Dawn Meehan would win at Redemption Island when her turn came. According to Maxx, however, that is not the case. TV Fun Spot shares that in the next new episode of Survivor: South Pacific, airing November 30, Ozzy Lusth again reigns supreme. Ozzy

sends Dawn and Whitney packing, and keeps his winning streak alive. Who gets voted out at Tribal Council? This is one detail that Maxx is holding back for now. He has teased fans that he’ll share the information on Wednesday, so stay tuned for updates. Of course many viewers think that Cochran is the obvious choice to cut next, but Maxx has previously teased that there will be a “bros before hos” mentality with the group at the next vote. If that is true, it appears Sophie or Edna may be on the chopping block. Which castaways will make it to the finale this season? Will the player returning from Redemption Island have any better luck sticking around than Matt did last season? Tune in Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for this week’s recap episode, then the following Wednesday for a brand-new episode.

NZ elections raise questions 'Survivor: South Pacific' spoilers, Episode on foreign labour treatment 12: Who wins at Redemption Island?

New Zealand's Mana Party wants workers from South Pacific nations to have the same access and working rights as Australians. Party candidate, John Minto says New Zealand is treating its Pacific neighbours as a cheap source of unskilled labour to be used and abused. As campaigning comes to an end ahead of Saturday's election, the Mana Party has also called for all New Zealand defence personnel in Afghanistan to be brought back immediately.

ELECTION CLASH

National leader, John Key says he plans to dedicate his last week of campaigning to warning people against voting for what he calls the instability of New Zealand First. TVNZ says the First party, led by Winston Peters, is currently enjoy-

ing growing support in polls Some polls have had New Zealand First gaining as many as six seats in the next Parliament. But Mr Peters says he will back away from supporting any Government, promising toll hold any party in power to account budget by budget if he is successful on Saturday. The National party has also ruled out working with Mr Peters.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Acquire iNova

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario-Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE: VRX and TSX: VRX) announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire iNova, a private pharmaceutical group which sells and distributes a range of prescription and overthe-counter (OTC) products in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and South Africa from Archer Capital, Ironbridge and other minority management shareholders. iNova owns, develops and markets a diversified portfolio of well established and innovative prescription and OTC pharmaceutical products in the Asia Pacific region and South Africa, including leading therapeutic weight management brands such as Duromine, as well as leading OTC brands in the cold and cough area, such as Difflam and Duro Tuss. Valeant will pay iNova shareholders A$625 million upfront and up to an additional A$75 million in potential milestones based on the success of pipeline activities, product registrations and overall revenue. iNova's total 2011 revenues are expected to be approxi-

mately A$200 million and has an operating margin of approximately 40%. Revenues have grown at a rate of approximately 10% per annum over the last four years. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions and post-closing adjustments, and is expected to be immediately accretive. "This transaction not only transforms our operations in the Australian market, but provides us with a beachhead in both Southeast Asia and South Africa," stated J. Michael Pearson, chairman and chief executive officer. "iNova has a talented management team that has created a strong business operation ahead of an intended initial public offering and with the current market softness, Valeant has a unique opportunity to acquire iNova and integrate our Australian operations into the broader iNova Asia Pacific business."

ABOUT VALEAN TPHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE/TSX: VRX) is a multinational spe-

cialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products primarily in the areas of neurology, dermatology and branded generics. More information about Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. can be found at www.valeant.com.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARDLOOKING INFORMATION

To the extent any statements made in this document contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and may be forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the closing of the acquisition of iNova by Valeant, Valeant's expansion into other territories and growth ini-

tiatives, the expected revenue and growth rate of iNova and the expected timing of the acquisition to be accretive. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "continue", "plan", "project", "will", "may", "should", "could", "would", "target", "potential" and other similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things, the closing of the acquisition of iNova by Valeant, factors affecting the operating results and growth initiatives of the iNova business, and the risk factors as detailed from time to time in Valeant's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA").

HEALTH

oga represents a process through which one can learn how to live in the most integrated way. Therefore, it involves the process of identification and then elimination of all that would contribute to disintegration. The term yoga is derived from yugil (Sanskrit), which means unite or integrate. It's a combination of science and arts and a highly

For this purpose, it has three main components. First is the practical discipline (asanas, pranayama and dhyana). Asanas involve the increased awareness of various physical and physiological processes influenced by controlled stretching contraction and relaxation of various muscles, their co-ordination in balancing and during maintenance of posture.

increased awareness, combined with the techniques of dhyana, restores the psycho-physiological functions back to its healthy and balanced state. Second component is the regulation of diet as well as

yoga

An enjoyable journey called

enjoyable journey towards perfection. One can trace the origin of yoga way back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, ie, at least 3,000 years BC. And for the past 5,000 years, it has remained as one of the most important facets of our culture. With the goal of restructuring the society on spiritual values, through revival of ancient yogic discipline, Swami Kuvalayananda established the Kaivalyadhama Yoga institute in 1924, at Lonavla, near Pune. It is one of the oldest yoga institutes in the country and recently played host to the 6th International Conference on Yoga Research & Cultural Synthesis, where over 1,200 delegates participated from the world, including the US, France, Brazil, China, Germany, Canada, Greece, Argentina, Korea and Japan. Yoga represents a process through which one can learn how to live in the most integrated way. Therefore, it involves the process of identification and then elimination of all that would contribute to disintegration. Hence, it becomes a continuous process, requiring constant vigilance, involving all the aspects of life. According to O P Tiwari, one of the most recognised and accomplished masters of yoga and chief administrative officer of Kaivalyadhama, "Yoga, which is a science of personal growth for spiritual experiences, has simultaneously become a science of health and healing. All its techniques and methods are geared for bringing the healing touch to the body and mind, which suffer from illhealth."

Pranayama similarly involves the manipulation of breathing mechanism along with the awareness of the pressure changes inside the chest cavity and abdomen. Dhyana increases the awareness of one's mental processes, including the thoughts, emotions and memory. It can make one aware how the constant restlessness at the level of mind contributes to the feeling of emotional stress, constant fear and insecurity. This

daily habits involving the pattern of sleep, recreational activities and working habits. This helps remove all those irritants, which are responsible for the imbalance in the functioning of body-mind complex. Third are the

December 2011

changes in one's attitude, behaviour and lifestyle, which help induce the feeling of sharing, warmth in friendship and concern, love and respect for the whole world. This acts as an antidote for the feeling of hopelessness, and loneliness. "If you do yoga keeping this spirit in mind and comply with all the instructions given to you, you would find that yoga not only gives you relief from your problems but also opens up a new way of enjoying your life," adds Tiwari.

Is there a best time to

exercise?

Not really, say experts. For most people the best time to do exercise is the best convenient time. If you are doing exercise at a particular time daily then you are more likely to see results. It is often found that those who do exercise in the morning are more disciplined and are unlikely to skip exercise at any cost unlike those who do exercise in the late evening. Though there are researches on exercise they are still limited. So it is difficult to fix the right time to exercise. "Some people can wake up early in the morning and can easily do exercise without fail. But others are lazy to get up early. So for them it is always better to do it according to their convenience," says Bindu S, a fitness expert. But some research shows that you have more endurance in the late afternoon as the body temperature is at its highest and so strength and endurance are greater. "Not many can afford to workout when they feel like due to various family and work commitments. So even if you are doing your workouts at a time you despair, don't feel sorry for your body can easily adapt to any circumstance," says George Joseph, a personal trainer. George says more than the physical aspect missing the exercise routine can have psychological impacts. "The guilt feeling that you could not do the exercise can bring forth many negative emotions. This would affect your productivity the whole day. So, the good news is, whether it is morning or late evening what matters is you do the exercise regularly.

NEW ANSAR LEADER 12

INTERFAITH

December 2011

egarded as one of the best among the Fiji Ahmadis, Yakub Khan, formerly of Seers Automative has been recently elected as what is known as local Zoam of Ansarullah (40 plus male members) of the Oakland Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Khan has previously held other positions in the soundly organized AMC – Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The AMC’s organizational structure consists of three major auxilliaries, the Ansarullah (40 plus male members), the Lajna Imullah and Nasraat (ladies) and Khuddamul Ahamdiyya (below 40 male members). Each auxilliary has its own leader who are also part of the local Aamila (shoorah). As far as the auxilliaries are concerned they are associated with a national body and meet periodically for their shooras and tarbiyyat program. Based on that concept, the local Ansarullah, in the case of the 40 plus male members, create a shadow strcuture from members slecetd by the Zoam to assist in carrying out many duties entrusted to them by the national orgnization. This approach adoped by the New Zealand AMC Anasrullah has proven very successful.

Ansar and Ansarullah

Mohammad Abdus Salam (1926-1996) was his full name, which may add to the knowledge of those who wish he was either not Ahmadi or Pakistani. The man proudly lived and died as both, and much more, as Pakistan disowned him, in life and in death. The government denied him the honour of a state funeral; the media remained absent from the burial ceremony at Rabwah, which has since been renamed not after Abdus Salam but as Chenab Nagar, just to spite its Ahmadi residents. The restyled epitaph at his grave near his native Jhang awkwardly reads: “First —— Nobel Laureate”, from which the word “Muslim” has been deleted under court orders; the court, even in its narrow mindedness could have ordered the replacement of “Muslim” with “Pakistani” but that was not to be. This son of Jhang is less known in his own country today than the terrorist Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, even

Muslim Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, in his wisdom refrenced the 40 plus Ahmadis as Ansarullah in rememberance of the Anasrs of Medina and called upon the group to step up to standard set by them. A significantly high standard, the Anasrullah Ahmadiyya world over compete every year to outstrip one another financial sacrifices and personal efforts in spreading the message of Islam to others in a peaceful way. New local leader Yakub Khan is renonw for his charasmetic leadership and many great traits, his charming and amicable approcah and wideranging contacts among the Fiji American Muslims in the Northern California. Khan strikes as very honest and hardworking, gets along with everyone very well, shows enormous respect to others, is overly helpful, abstains from Fijian social drink called Yagona and observes daily paryers. An elequent recitor of the Holy Quran, Khan often leads Jumah prayers and is a frequent presentor in the local events.

New Ansar leader

auxilliaries are concerned they are associated with a national body and meet periodically for their shooras and tarbiyyat program. Based on that concept, the local Ansarullah, in the case of the 40 plus male members, create a shadow strcuture from members slecetd by the Zoam to assist in carrying out many duties entrusted to them by the national orgnization. This approach adoped by the New Zealand AMC Anasrullah has proven very successful.

Ansar and Ansarullah

fices and personal efforts in spreading the message of Islam to others in a peaceful way. New local leader Yakub Khan is renonw for his charasmetic leadership and many great traits, his charming and amicable approcah and wideranging contacts among the Fiji American Muslims in the Northern California. Khan strikes as very honest and hardworking, gets along with everyone very well, shows enormous respect to others, is overly helpful, abstains from Fijian social drink called Yagona and observes daily paryers. An elequent recitor of the Holy Quran, Khan often leads Jumah prayers and is a frequent presentor in the local events.

New Ansar leader

Regarded as one of the best among the Fiji Ahmadis, Yakub Khan, formerly of Seers Automative has been recently elected as what is known as local Zoam of Ansarullah (40 plus male members) of the Oakland Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Khan has previously held other positions in the soundly organized AMC – Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The AMC’s organizational structure consists of three major auxilliaries, the Ansarullah (40 plus male members), the Lajna Imullah and Nasraat (ladies) and Khuddamul Ahamdiyya (below 40 male members). Each auxilliary has its own leader who are also part of the local Aamila (shoorah). As far as the auxilliaries are concerned they are associated with a national body and meet periodically for their shooras and tarbiyyat program. Based on that concept, the local Ansarullah, in the case of the 40 plus male members, create a shadow strcuture from members slecetd by the Zoam to assist in carrying out many duties entrusted to them by

Salaam Abdus Salam

though he had founded and led an abler lashkar (brigade) of some 500 Pakistani physicists and mathematicians over the years whom he arranged to send to UK and US universities on scholarship for higher studies. He was the guiding spirit and founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme as well as Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). The pygmies who after him headed the two institutes he was allowed to set up in Pakistan in his pre-nonMuslim years have since been credited with laurels, and honoured more, even in their dishonourable conduct, as father of this and that, while the Godfather remains conspicuous by his absence in official records. Dr Salam became the victim of rigid social attitudes and state

discrimination against his community when Z.A. Bhutto through an act of parliament declared the

Ahmadis non-Muslim in 1974. Heartbroken at the humiliation, he left Pakistan in protest to live in Europe where in 1979 he was awarded the Nobel for his groundbreaking research in theoretical physics; soon roads were named after him in Geneva and Trieste, if not in Islamabad or Jhang. The same year, as it happened, Bhutto was hanged by Gen Zia’s kangaroo court, but the Ahmadis’ predicament was Bhutto’s only legacy that Zia embraced wholeheartedly and built on even further. Despite being given the roughshod, Dr Salam from his institute in Italy, continued to patronise bright Pakistani scientists and students through a scholarship programme. His alma mater Government College, Lahore, which has named its mathematics and physics departments after Dr

the national orgnization. This approach adoped by the New Zealand AMC Anasrullah has proven very successful.

Ansar and Ansarullah

The word Ansar is in reference to Medinite Muslims who first earned the distinction when the Holy Prophet immigrated from Meeca to Medina for stafety under the ditection of God. On their account of the welcome attitude and readiness to help, the Holy Prophet lovingly referred to them Ansar and those who immigrated from Median were referred to as Muhajareen (immigrants). Ansarullah is helper of Allah which to a reference in the Holy Quran where Allah asks, " Who among would like to be My helpers ?’ The second Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, in his wisdom refrenced the 40 plus Ahmadis as Ansarullah in rememberance of the Anasrs of Medina and called upon the group to step up to standard set by them. A significantly high standard, the Anasrullah Ahmadiyya world over compete every year to outstrip one another financial sacrifices and personal efforts in spreading the message of Islam to others in a peaceful way. New local leader Yakub Khan is renonw for his charasmetic leadership and many great traits, his charming and amicable approcah and wideranging contacts among the Fiji American Muslims in the Northern California. Khan strikes as very honest and hardworking, gets along with everyone very well, shows enormous respect to others, is overly helpful, abstains from Fijian social drink called Yagona and observes daily paryers. An elequent recitor of the Holy Quran, Khan often leads Jumah prayers and is a frequent presentor in the local events.

Salam, and Pakistan Post, which issued a two-rupee stamp to honour him, remain the only state institutions to have acknowledged him. The nascent rock band aptly named as Beghairat Brigade, of Aalu Anday fame, has hit the nail on the spot with their lyrics of the popular song which rightly laments: aithe Abdus Salm noon puchhdai koi nai (nobody values Abdus Salam here) as they point out that murderers Qadri and Qasab have become our heroes. His birth anniversary, January 29, remains a long shot from being celebrated as Dr Abdus Salam Day, even though we invent anomalies like the Yaum-i-Takbir (atomic detonation day) and Sindhi Culture Day, amongst the myriad others, that are officially marked on our calendar. How truly unworthy is Pakistan of its only Nobel laureate. Rest in peace, Dr Salam. The writer is a member of the staff at Dawn Newspaper.

December 2011

BOLLYWOOD

December 2011

OF MY

fans are female SONAM KAPOOR

he loves to stack her novels from floor to ceiling, wants to be with a man who is politically, socially and culturally aware, and yet, mostly, 26-year-old Sonam Kapoor is first spoken about for her wardrobe, and then for her choice of roles. But after being in the industry for two-and-a-half years, the actress says that she enjoys the tag of being a sartorial icon.

PEOPLE STARTED NOTICING MY CLOTHES ONLY A YEAR AGO

Says Sonam, "I've been in the industry for two-and-ahalf years. When "Saawariya" and "Delhi 6" came, people only spoke about how Indian I looked. The memory of the audience is very short. They forgot about these two years, when all they spoke

about was how Indian my looks were and how I was doing those 'Smita Patil' kind of roles. But suddenly, with "Aisha" and "I Hate Luv Storys", they started identifying me with those characters. But that's also nice as it means I did my job well."

I'M GLAD THAT 80% OF MY FANS ARE FEMALE

Despite the 'fashion icon' classification, Sonam claims she has no specific public image. Says she, "I don't think I have an image in the public space. What I really like about myself in this space is that most of my fans are female. In fact, 80% of my fans are female and I like that because they like the fact that I'm a real girl. They like that I dress up, and that I dress up for real girls. My dressing is aspirational, but I don't wear the 'tight-tight sort of

clothes' that make me look like I'll steal your husband or boyfriend. I like the fact that they like that I read, or that I speak in a certain way or that I'm not scared of people judging me. I speak my mind. And I have women fans because of that. And that is one thing I will never change about myself."

I ONLY GET FLAK FROM THE MEN IN THE INDUSTRY

While Sonam says that women appreciate her for what she is, it is usually the men who give her flak for speaking her mind. She tells us, "My father has always brought me up like a son and he's more ambitious for me and my sister than he is for his son. So I think giving us that freedom, giving us that strength... I have so much self respect for myself because of the way my dad has brought us up... I always speak my mind and I have an opinion and I feel girls get inspired by it, they like it." But Sonam denies that it is something she has cultivated after coming to the industry, and tells us, "It is the way we have been brought up. Yes, it gets me flaks from men (and uncles), but being so

plainspoken has never worked against me because I've never done it with a bad intention... When you don't mean any harm, things don't come and bite you back. So I'm not doing anything to mar someone's image or put someone down when I say something. I am just plainspoken. I say it as it is. For example, I don't have a bad reputation, people don't talk about my affairs, or catfights because I have never had any fights with people and I never had affairs with my heroes. So, there is no reason for people to talk about anything. Even though there are girls who are quite diplomatic about stuff like that, their image is far more tarnished than mine could be. I am plainspoken and I say things in a certain way, but I also lead my life in a way that people can't question what I do or who I am. I feel like I have a responsibility because there are a lot of girls who do look up to me and who see me in the public eye and I am aspirational to them and I have a responsibility to behave in a certain way, to conduct my life in a certain way."

I SUPPORT ANY MOVEMENT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COUNTRY

As someone who people look up to, Sonam says she realises how important it is for known faces to support public campaigns. And the actress is certainly supporting the wave against corruption. Talking about Anna Hazare and the entire campaign, she says, "I do support any movement that is for the betterment of our country or one that causes a lot of people in the country to come together. A lot of people are saying that had become a catfight between various political parties. But people shouldn't just get on with their lives like earlier. There should be some change that happens... I am for every movement that is positive... who does it, who is part of it or who instigating, it is inspiring. Any person who causes that change becomes a symbol." But as far as getting out on the street is concerned, Sonam says that that becomes particularly difficult, adding, "That is something that I don't think I will do. I would love to, but a lot of attention is diverted from the cause when a celebrity comes to the ground. People were asking that " Mausam" was supposed to have its musical launch in London but we cancelled it because of the riots.

SONAM KAPOOR

June 9, 1985

Height: 5' 9 1/2

Hobbies Reading, writing, painting

Father: Anil Kapoor

Mother: Sunita Kapoor Sister: Rhea

Brother: Harshvardhan

Career

Worked as an Assistant of Sanjay Leela Bhansali during the making of the film Black in 2005

Debut film:

Saawariya (2007)

Awards & Nominations Filmfare Best Female Debut Award; Saawariya (2008)

Sony Head N Shoulders Fresh Face of the Year Award; Saawariya (2008)

December 2011

India, US pledge to stay for long-haul in Afghanistan WORLD NEWS

BONN: The West used an Afghanistan meeting on Monday to signal enduring support for Kabul as allied troops go home, but economic downturn in Europe and crises with Pakistan and Iran could stir doubts about Western resolve. The goal is to leave behind an Afghan government strong enough to escape the fate of its Soviet-era predecessor, which collapsed in 1992 in a civil war. The country's allies are preparing increasingly for a scenario in which there is no peace settlement with the Taliban before most foreign combat troops leave in 2014. "The United States intends to stay the course with our friends in Afghanistan," US secretary of state Hillary Clinton told the conference. "We will be there with you as you make the hard decisions that are necessary for your future." Hosts Germany sought to signal Western staying power as the gathering of dozens of foreign ministers opened in the German city of Bonn. "We send a clear message to the people of Afghanistan: We will not leave you on your own. We will not leave you in the lurch," said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. Ten years after a similar conference held to rebuild Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 attacks, Western countries are under pressure to

spend money reviving flagging economies at home rather than propping up a government in Kabul widely criticised for being corrupt and ineffective. Brewing confrontations pitting Washington against Pakistan and Iran, two of Afghanistan's most influential neighbours, have added to despondency over the outlook for the war. Pakistan boycotted the meeting after Nato aircraft killed 24 of its soldiers on the border with Afghanistan in a Nov. 26 attack the alliance called a "tragic" accident. Some in the West are still hoping Pakistan will use its influence to deliver the Afghan

Blow for Putin: Poll fraud claims add to party jolt

Taliban, whose leadership Washington says is based in Pakistan, to peace talks. But foreign governments, while regretting Pakistan's absence, made clear they would press ahead in building up the Kabul government's ability to survive after 2014 even if Islamabad fails to bring insurgents into a political settlement. "It may take a longer time to bring about our objectives but we should not be deterred at all by Taliban reluctance to come to the table," British Foreign Secretary William Hague told the BBC. Embryonic contacts with the

Olympics 2012 to have first ever Saudi female athlete

Moscow: Russian strongman Vladimir Putin on Monday suffered the worst election setback of his career as the majority of his ruling party was scythed back in polls marred by claims of violations . Despite failure of ruling United Russia to win even half the vote, monitors said polls had been slanted in its favour and US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said there were "serious concerns" . While United Russia has managed to keep a much-reduced absolute majority, it appears Putin's once invincible popularity is on the wane ahead of his planned return to the Kremlin in 2012. United Russia obtained 238

seats in the 450-seat State Duma in Sunday's polls, down sharply from the 315 seats it won in the last polls in 2007, election commission chief Vladimir Churov told reporters . "The word 'Putin' has lost its magic force," concluded analyst Yury Korgunyuk of the INDEM research institute . "These elections brought him nothing good." This was the first time that Putin or his party had endured a decline in support in an election. United Russia has also lost the majority of twothirds required to pass any changes to the constitution. The party only managed to win 49.35% of the vote, down sharply from over 64% in 2007.

JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia): Forthcoming Olympics is supposed to have Saudi Arabia's female athlete, first ever in the history, Saudi media reported. The International Olympic Committee's Women and Sports Commission has requested all member countries to send a female representative. Saudi The kingdom is likely to send 18-year old equestrienne Dalma Rushdi Malhas, who won a bronze medal in the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics, marking the first ever Saudi women in an international competition Saudi Arabia is against marginalizing women, as its ruler declared in last September, when he granted women the right to vote and contest for the first time. "Women have the right to submit their candidacy for municipal council membership and have the right to take part in submitting candidates in accordance with Sharia" the ruler King Abdullah had stated.

WASHINGTON: In another step toward finding Earth-like planets that may hold life, NASA said on Monday the Kepler space telescope has confirmed its first-ever planet in a habitable zone outside our solar system. French astronomers earlier this year confirmed the first rocky exoplanet to meet key requirements for sustaining life. But Kepler-22b, initially glimpsed in 2009, is the first the US space agency has been able to confirm. Confirmation means that astronomers have seen it crossing in front of its star three times. But it doesn't mean that astronomers know whether life actually exists there, simply that the conditions are right. Such planets have the right distance from their star to support water, plus a suitable temperature

and atmosphere to support life. "We have now got good planet confirmation with Kepler-22b," said Bill Borucki, Kepler principal investigator at NASA Ames Research Center. "We are certain that it is in the habitable zone and if it has a surface, it ought to have a nice temperature," he told reporters. Spinning around its star some 600 light years away, Kepler-22b is 2.4 times the size of the Earth, putting it in class known as "super-Earths," and orbits its Sun-like star every 290 days. Its near-surface temperature is presumed to be about 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 Celsius). Scientists do not know, however, whether the planet is rocky, gaseous or liquid. The planet's first "transit," or star

crossover, was captured shortly after NASA launched its Kepler spacecraft in March 2009. NASA also announced that Kepler has uncovered 1,094 more potential planets, twice the number it previously had been tracking, according to research being presented at a conference in California this week. Kepler is NASA's first mission in search of Earth-like planets orbiting suns similar to ours, and cost the US space agency about $600 million. It is equipped with the largest camera ever sent into space -- a 95megapixel array of charge-coupled devices -- and is expected to continue sending information back to Earth until at least November 2012. Kepler is searching for planets as small as Earth, including those orbit-

December 2011

Taliban have so far yielded little, and with the government in Kabul unable to provide security and economic development, the risk is that the withdrawal of foreign troops will plunge Afghanistan back into civil war. Renewed strife might also stir more violence over the border in Pakistan, fighting its own Islamist insurgency. Iran's growing confrontation with the West over its nuclear programme could also bleed into the war in Afghanistan. Tehran said on Sunday it shot down a US spy drone in its airspace and threatened to respond. International forces in Kabul said the drone may have been one lost last week while flying over western Afghanistan. Iran has been accused in the past of providing low-level backing to the Taliban insurgency, and diplomats and analysts have suggested Tehran could ratchet up this support if it wanted to put serious pressure on US forces in Afghanistan. Foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Monday reiterated Iran's opposition to the United States keeping some forces in Afghanistan after 2014. "Certain Western countries seek to extend their military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014 by maintaining their military bases there. We deem such an approach to be contradictory to efforts to sus-

tain stability and security in Afghanistan," he told the conference. Foreign governments however were determined to try to dispel at least some of the pessimism seeping into the Afghan project. Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna, whose country became the first to sign a strategic partnership agreement with Afghanistan - much to the irritation of Pakistan - pledged India would keep up its heavy investment in a country whose mineral wealth and trade routes made it "a land of opportunity". In a rare positive development, Clinton said the United States would resume paying into a World Bankadministered trust fund for Afghanistan, a decision that US officials said would allow for the disbursement of roughly $650 million to $700 million in suspended US aid. The United States and other big donors stopped paying into the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund in June, when the International Monetary Fund suspended its programme with Afghanistan because of concerns about Afghanistan's troubled Kabul Bank. The conference is not expected to produce new aid pledges; instead, U.S. officials say they hope it will mark a start to a process outlining future support to be pledged by mid-2012.

MELBOURNE: Strongly favouring Labor Party decision to export uranium to India despite it being a non signatory to the Nuclear Non proliferation Treaty, Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith has said that he did not support the similar treatment towards Pakistan. Smith, who is set to leave for India today, said he did not support uranium exports to Pakistan. Smith said he was a strong supporter of uranium export to India, calling it an exceptional case. "India brought itself under the governance of the international nuclear regulators, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group," Smith said. "That has not

occurred with Pakistan. There has never been a suggestion of (nuclear) proliferation from India," he said adding, "Regrettably, over preceding years, there have been serious concerns about proliferation from Pakistan." He expressed hope that Pakistan would understand the decision and that it would not affect military ties between the two nations. "Pakistan would understand the decision and that it would not affect military ties between the two nations, especially in their cooperation in the war in Afghanistan," he said adding, "I don't see this decision as having an adverse outcome, so far as the Australia-Pakistan relationship is concerned."

ing stars in a warm, habitable zone where liquid water could exist on the surface of the planet. The latest confirmed exoplanet that could support life brings to three the total number confirmed by global astronomers. In addition to French astronomers' confirmed finding of Gliese 581d in May, Swiss astronomers reported in August that another planet, HD 85512 b, about 36 light years away seemed to be in the habitable zone of its star. However, those two planets are "orbiting stars smaller and cooler than our Sun," NASA said in a statement, noting that Kepler-22b "is the smallest yet found to orbit in the middle of the habitable zone of a star similar to our Sun." "The Europeans have also been very active, actively

working on confirming our candidates," said Natalie Batalha, Kepler deputy science team lead at San Jose State University. "They have already confirmed two that are published and they have got another batch that are on the preprint servers so those will be, I'm sure, in the published literature soon," she added. "So we are just thrilled about this. We need all telescopes observing these candidates so we can confirm as many as possible." A total of 48 exoplanets and exomoons are potential habitable candidates, among a total of 2,326 possibilities that Kepler has identified so far. The top rankers are listed in an online catalog that indexes bodies outside our solar system, available online at http://phl.upr.edu.

Australia minister supports uranium sales to India

Kepler 22b: NASA confirms 'super-Earth' that could hold life

Federer wins record sixth ATP World Tour Finals title

SPORTS

December 2011

Toronto Maple Leafs Jay Rosehill (R) controls the puck in front of Anaheim Ducks' Cam Fowler (L) during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Anaheim, California.

Rajyavardhan Rathore equals world record in Asian Shotgun Shooting

BANGALORE: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who gave a silver lining to Indian shooting seven years back at the Athens Olympics, revisited his glory days on Sunday by equalling the world record to win gold in the double trap event at the first Asian Shotgun Shooting Championships in Kuala Lumpur. With the championship offering no berths to the London Olympics, the "dream score" of 148 will give all the Army officer immense confidence as he attempts to win a quota place at the Asian Shooting championship scheduled in Doha in January. Rathore's effort equalled Russian Vitaly Fokeev's

mark set at the World Cup held in Concepcion, Chile in March. Earlier, Ronjan Sodhi, who has already won a quota place for London, equalled the world and Asian record in the qualification round with a score of 147. Rathore

Desisa goes one better in Delhi Half Marathon

NEW DELHI: Last year's runner-up, Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa won the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon in a sizzling 59 minutes and 30 seconds on Sunday. He bettered last year's winning time of 59.38. Desisa was followed by Kenya's Geoffrey Kipsang with 59.31 while his compatriot, Mike Kigen took the third place with 59.58. It was Milton Rotich who led thousands of runners at the 10-km mark in just 28.28. He led the course till Dr Zakir Hussain Marg before a group of 20 similar-looking Kenyans and Ethiopians increased the pace and Rotich fell behind. At India Gate, the tightly knit group began to split. After a point, the group was reduced to six athletes including Desisa, race favourite and fastest man on the list Sammy Kitwara, Philemon Limo, Geofrrey Kipsang and Dino Sefir. While coming towards the finish line, Limo and Sefir couldn't keep up the pace. Kitwara too started to trail with 3 kms to go. "The competition was good, I ran my best time. But I am not very

happy with the time, I had cold, and could have easily run in 58 minutes," Desisa told TOI. Last year, Desisa had clocked 59min and 39sec. Kipsang, who lost by just one second, said: "After 15k I pushed hard, and was at par with others. But Desisa sprinted in last 200m; I chased but couldn't catch him." Race favourite Kitwara was certainly not a happy man finishing fifth with one hour and 9 seconds.Among women, Luch Kabuu of Kenya kept her pre-race promise of winning but missed breaking the meet record by 10 seconds. Kabuu clocked 1:07.04. The record stands at 1:06.54 in the name of Kenya's Mary Keitany which was created in 2009.

missed just two shots in the preliminary round (50, 48, 50). He then shot a 46 in the title round for a final score of 194/200. In the team event, Rathore (148), Yoginder Pal (133) and Mohammed Asab (131) bagged the bronze medal for India. "It is god's gift. I'm really happy that I've achieved this. It's a huge score, a dream one. After the first 10 targets in the last round my mind said that I'm heading for a world record and that was added pressure. So I told my mind to shut up. Having coming so close, you don't want to let go of such a chance," an elated Rathore told TOI from Kuala Lumpur.

LONDON: Roger Federer won a record sixth ATP World Tour Finals title with a 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 victory over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Sunday. Federer came to London's O2 Arena determined to end a frustrating year on a high and he fulfilled that ambition by moving ahead of Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl on the list of Tour Finals champions in the 100th final of his majestic career. The 30-year-old, who retains the title he won 12 months ago, has now won 70 trophies in his career and has also equalled Lendl's record of 39 match wins in the endof-season event. While rivals Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have all faded in the final weeks of a gruelling season, Federer is still going strong and this triumph -which followed back to back titles in Basel and Paris -- will be a major boost to his confidence heading into 2012. Although Federer, who takes home the winners' cheque worth $770,000, ends the season without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2002, talk of his demise seems greatly exaggerated. The 16-time Grand Slam winner has reeled off a 17-match winning streak since the US Open and he will rise back above Murray to third in the world rankings as a result. Tsonga had hoped to become the first Frenchman to win this event in its 41-year history. But the 26-yearold was unable to emulate his famous Wimbledon quarter-final win in June when he became the first player to beat the Swiss star from two sets down in a Grand Slam. Tsonga has served more aces than anyone on the ATP Tour this season

and bashed down his 815th of the year to open his first service game in front an 18,000 crowd including the Duchess of Cambridge and Cristiano Ronaldo. It was an emphatic statement of intent and Tsonga -- who lost just one point in his first three service games -- was able to keep Federer at bay in the early stages of a thrilling encounter. Federer so often produces a piece of inspiration that turns the course of a tight match and that was the case again at 0-30 on Tsonga's serve in the seventh game. When Tsonga forced Federer into a lunging return that took his opponent wide of the tramlines it seemed the point was over, but the Swiss star somehow recovered his balance and swept back across court in time to flick a forehand winner down the line. As Tsonga shook his head in disbelief, Federer pressed home his advantage, converting his first break point and then taking the set on his third set point.

Webber wins season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix

SAO PAULO: Mark Webber won his first race of the year on Sunday when he took advantage of Red Bull teammate and double world champion Sebastian Vettel's gearbox problems to win the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix. Driving with great speed, precision and a near-flawless sense of judgement, the 35-year-old Australian came home 16.9 seconds ahead of his team-mate Vettel to give Red Bull a third one-two of the 2011 season. It was an excellent drive by Webber who delivered his seventh career win to make sure he finished third in the championship behind Vettel and Jenson Button, who came home third for McLaren. Vettel, who had already wrapped up his second title, finished with a final total of 392 points ahead of Button on 270 and Webber on 258. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was fourth on 257. Alonso finished fourth in the race just ahead of team-mate

Felipe Massa, with Adrian Sutil of Force India and Nico Rosberg of Mercedes sixth and seventh respectively. Rookie Paul Di Resta came home eighth for Force India, capping an impressive first season with another good result, ahead of Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber and Vitaly Petrov of Renault. Webber took the lead after 30 laps of the 71-lap contest when Vettel, struggling with gearbox problems from lap five onwards, accepted the team's advice to ease off and nurse his car home to second. "I felt good all weekend. Seb did a great lap for pole.

Today I had the rub of the green. It would have been nice to have a race with Seb all the way through but he had a problem," said Webber. "It's a win you'll take for sure because I've had bad luck or whatever you want to call it. It's an important win for me and the team to finish on a high." The race started in hot conditions with an air temperature of 26 degrees Celsius and a track temperature of 44 degrees. Vettel, from his record 15th pole of the year, made a now-customary smooth departure and established a lead of more than a second on the opening lap ahead of Webber and Button. Behind that trio, Lewis Hamilton was unable to resist the surge from Alonso's Ferrari as he fought past him to take fourth. Massa also progressed a place to sixth. By lap three, Vettel was 2.2 seconds clear but Rubens Barrichello, dreaming of a glorious race in what may have been his final Grand Prix, fell from 12th to 19th off the grid.

'Eighth wonder of the world' found!

TRAVEL

New Zealand's first tourist attraction, dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world" by international travellers in the late 19th century, has been rediscovered 125 years after it was buried by one of the biggest-ever volcanic eruptions. New Zealand and US scientists said they found the Pink and White Terraces, 60 metres below Lake Rotomahana, 30 km from Rotorua in the heart of the North Island's geothermal region. The terraces, described at the time as a delicately-coloured fanlike staircase of rock covered with shades of pink and white silica rising like a giant wedding cake from the shores of the lake, disappeared when nearby Mount Tarawera blew up June 10, 1886. The five-hour eruption split the 1,111-metre-high mountain in two, sending ash and lava over thousands of square kilometres of countryside, completely burying three villages and killing an estimated 153 people. Hundreds fled for their lives as smoke rose 10 km into the air. Lake Rotomahana ("warm lake" in the Maori tongue) was emptied by the blast, only to be enlarged many times when it refilled, with hot springs bubbling up from up its shoreline and steam issuing from its banks, but with no sign of the largest silica terraces in the world. Scientists from the state GNS Science organisation and America's

e have always been taught that honesty is the best policy, and that to lie is a bad thing to do. As we grow older, we realise that in many situations, it is a good idea to keep quiet or better still, be diplomatic and tactfully handle sensitive issues. The dividing line between being honest and being diplomatic is a thin one. We have to be careful in deciding when to be honest and when to be at our diplomatic best. We also have to decide whether we should be absolutely candid, or use the truth as a matter of convenience? Our relationships demand complete honesty, or else, we get

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, said they found the part of the terraces while mapping the floor of the eight-square kilometre lake and investigating its geothermal system. Sonar images taken by two autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) showed a pink-coloured, crescent-shaped, grimy staircase rising 1-2 metres from the lake floor

for about 70 metres. Project leader Cornel de Ronde, of GNS Science, said: "The first sonar image gave a hint of a terraced structure so we scanned the area twice more and we are now 95 per cent certain we are seeing the bottom two tiers of the Pink Terraces." He said there was no sign of the larger White Terraces, which were either destroyed during the erup-

tion, or are still concealed under thick sediment that the side-scan sonar signal could not penetrate. "This discovery puts to rest more than a century of speculation as to whether any part of the Pink and White Terraces survived the eruption," de Ronde said. "Something that's meant to be gone and that nobody's seen in 125 years. Highlights in a science career don't come any better than this."

To be completely honest, you must ask yourself, "Why am I afraid of speaking the truth"? You will find that the answer is obvious. Our Diplomacy is only for our self-protection; it is a self-preservation device. Our egos are too fragile to accept insult and criticism.

Should we be HONEST OR DIPLOMATIC?

into trouble. In a household, for instance, the husband was quite diplomatic in commenting on his wife's unpalatable cooking. Whatever his wife would cook, he would always say the food was 'not bad.' He would avoid criticising his wife's cooking skills. The situation worsened to a point when the wife cooked food that was almost inedible. The husband could

December 2011

not take it anymore and screamed at his wife for serving such bad-tasting food. The wife was taken aback. From that day onwards, everything the husband had diplomatically covered up started to break down. Daily fights and arguments became the order of the day between the husband and wife. One day, both of them decided they could not live

together anymore. This might be a worst case scenario, but it serves as a good example for us to know where our diplomacy or lack of honesty can lead to in our relationships. Before you decide to be totally frank, you must carefully analyse all consequences of your actions. While life needs a good mix of honesty and diplomacy, when to be honest and

when to be diplomatic is a tough individual choice. Whatever we do must make us comfortable, peaceful and happy. An honest person will feel frustrated and restless when forced to be diplomatic against his will, while a diplomatic one will get highly stressed at the thought of speaking the truth. How to react in a situation also depends on what is at stake. If you want to be honest and speak your mind against your boss, you better be prepared to lose your job. If you tell your friend what you hate about him, it might end your friendship.

Historian Margaret McClure told the New Zealand Herald that the terraces and their cascading hot pools were the spark for tourism in the country, which now gets 2.5 million foreign visitors a year. "Back then it was the tourism high point," she said, attracting tourists from all over the world. "People said it was like fairyland, or Aladdin's Cave." News of the find stunned local Maoris, whose ancestors lived near the terraces and died in the eruption. Anaru Rangiheuea, an elder of Te Arawa tribe, told Wellington's Dominion Post newspaper: "For me, it brings back a few tears and a few feelings of my people who were all buried and killed in the aftermath of that eruption." De Ronde said the investigation had revealed a "very, very big" geothermal system under the lake floor, giving rise to speculation that it could be developed for power generation like a nearby field at Wairakei. But to the Maori people, areas where their ancestors died are "tapu" (taboo) and should not be disturbed. "Before we start moving into any economic consideration, we need to get the spiritual aspect of this properly addressed," said Toby Curtis, chairman of Te Arawa Lakes Trust, which owns the lake floor under an agreement with the government.

Once you are ready to accept the consequences, without regret or remorse, then you can be honest. Why do we become diplomatic when we know the obvious truth? Diplomacy is always an escapist trait, which we use to avoid hurting others and ourselves. When the wife asks the husband: "Am I looking fat?" and the husband answers honestly, "Yes, you have put on too much weight," one can well imagine the wife's reactions and the husband's plight. But if the husband speaks his mind and faces his wife's wrath out of genuine affection for her, it is likely that she will enrol herself in some fitness programme and actually lose weight! Diplomacy protects us in the short term, but it is honesty that brings long-term benefits and permanent gains. To be completely honest, you must ask yourself, "Why am I afraid of speaking the truth"? You will find that the answer is obvious. Our Diplomacy is only for our self-protection; it is a self-preservation device. Our egos are too fragile to accept insult and criticism. In our daily lives, few of us want to rock the boat by speaking the truth at work or in our homes. We like to avoid confrontations. The difference between living a superficial life and a rich and meaningful one is eventually determined by whether we are being diplomatic or brutally honest.

US Updates

Hillary Clinton to meet Syrian opUS jobless rate slips to 2.5-yr low position in Switzerland: Officials

December 2011

WASHINGTON: The US unemployment rate tumbled to a 2-1 /2 year low in November , even though the pace of hiring remained too slow to suggest a significant acceleration in the labor market recovery. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 120,000 jobs, the labor department said on Friday, and the jobless rate dropped to 8.6%, the lowest since March 2009, from 9% in October. It was the biggest monthly decline since the month of January. While part of the decrease was due to people leaving the labor force, the household survey from which the department calculates the unemployment rate also showed solid gains in employment.

VILNIUS: US secretary of state Hillary Clinton will meet Syrian dissidents in Switzerland on Tuesday, officials said, as Washington sees Damascus increasingly isolated over its crushing of prodemocracy protests. A State Department official told reporters on condition of anonymity yesterday that Clinton will meet with seven political opponents of President Bashar al-Assad when she visits Geneva following a stop in Vilnius, Lithuania. The official did not identify the group or disclose the agenda of the talks at a time when Washington seeks ways to support the opposition in its bid to oust Assad, whose family has ruled Syria with an iron fist for decades. Clinton met for the first time with members of Syria's disparate opposition in Washington on August 2. The United States, which has called for Assad to step down, welcomes what it sees as the growing isolation of Assad's regime, particularly after the 22-member Arab League and non-Arab Turkey imposed sanctions against it. But, with an increase in armed opposition attacks, the United States and others are concerned that Assad is driving the country to sectarian strife and even civil war because of his deadly suppression of protests. More than 4,000 have died in the Syrian regime's continuing crackdown on dissent and protests which erupted in mid-March, according to the United Nations.

84-year-old woman strip searched at JFK

U.S. President Barack Obama plays table tennis against students with British Prime Minister David Cameron at the Globe Academy in London .

ikh man stabbed at US airport, police rules out hate crime

NEW YORK: An 84-year-old New York grandmother has said she was injured and humiliated when she was strip searched at an airport after she asked to be patted down instead of going through a body scanner. Lenore Zimmerman said she was taken to a private room and made to take off her pants and other clothes after she asked to forgo the screening because she worried it would interfere with her defibrillator. She missed her flight and had to take one two-and-a-half hours later, she said. "I'm hunched over. I'm in a wheelchair. I weigh under 110 pounds (50 kilograms) and I'm going to be 85 in February. Do I

look like a terrorist?" she said from her winter home at a seniors community in Coconut Creek, Florida. "This was the worst experience." Zimmerman went to Kennedy Airport for a 1 pm flight on Tuesday to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on JetBlue. She arrived to the ticket counter around 12:20 pm and headed for security in a wheelchair, her small, metal walker in her lap. In the process of the strip search, as Zimmerman lifted a lightweight walker off her lap, the metal bars banged against her leg giving her a bloody bruise. "My sock was soaked with blood," she said. "I was bleeding like a pig." She said the TSA agents showed no sympathy and instead

pulled down her pants, asking her to raise her arms. "Why are you doing this?" she said she asked the agents, who did not respond. While Zimmerman was given treatment for her injury, the process took so long that she missed her flight and had to catch a later one. Zimmerman's son said his mother was put through "a hell of a day," saying he did not understand why the agents treated her in such a manner. "She looks like a sweet, little old lady," Bruce Zimmerman, 53, said. "She's not a disruptive person or uncooperative." But the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement on late Saturday said no strip search was conducted.

"While we regret that the passenger feels she had an unpleasant screening experience, TSA does not include strip searches as part of our security protocols and one was not conducted in this case," the statement read. A review of closedcircuit television at the airport showed proper procedures were followed, Jonathan Allen, a TSA spokesman, said in a statement. "Private screening was requested by the passenger, it was granted and lasted approximately 11 minutes," the statement read. "TSA screening procedures are conducted in a manner designed to treat all passengers with dignity, respect and courtesy and that occurred in this instance."

WASHINGTON: A Sikh man traveling to India has been stabbed at an airport in California. The police, who subsequently arrested the assailant, have ruled out hate crime. The middle-aged man, whose name has not been released by the police, was treated for a quarter-inch stab wound in the upper torso at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, and chose to continue the first leg of his flight to India, a local newspaper reported yesterday. The assailant, a 26-year-old white man has been taken into custody, said Fresno City Police Department's Lt Don Gross. The victim was standing near the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) terminal with his translator at the time of attack on Sunday.

A defiant Herman Cain suspended his faltering bid for the Republican presidential nomination on Saturday amid a drumbeat of sexual misconduct allegations against him, throwing his staunchly conservative supporters up for grabs with just one month to go before the lead-off caucuses in Iowa. The Georgia businessman condemned the accusations as "false and unproven" but said they had been hurtful to his family, particularly his wife, Gloria, and were drowning out his ability to deliver his message. His wife stood behind

him on the stage, smiling and waving as the crowd chanted her name. "So as of today, with a lot of prayer and soul-searching, I am suspending my presidential campaign because of the continued distractions and the continued hurt caused on me and my family," a tired-looking Cain told about 400 supporters. Cain's announcement provides a new twist in what has already been a volatile Republican race. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has, so far, been the biggest beneficiary of Cain's precipitous slide. Polls show Gingrich and

former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney atop the field in what is shaping up as a two-man race heading into the first nominating contests next month to choose a candidate to challenge President Barack Obama. But others, such as Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, will likely make a strong play for Cain's anti-establishment tea party backing as they look to rise as a viable alternative to Romney, whose conservative credentials are suspect in some Republican circles.

SAN FRANCISCO: Technology bloggers are asking if our cellphones are spying on us after a security researcher said a piece of software hidden on millions of phones was recording almost everything people do with them. Amid a broad outcry, Senator Al Franken is calling for an investigation. A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the software's maker, Carrier IQ Inc of Mountain View, California . The software,

which Carrier IQ says is used on some 150 million mobile devices, appears relatively innocuous . It does watch what owners of Sprint Nextel Corp and AT&T Inc. smartphones do with them, including what people type and the numbers they dial. But it doesn't seem to transmit every key stroke to the company. Instead, it kicks into action when there's a problem, like a call that doesn't go through, and it lets the phone company know.

Cain suspends campaign shifting presidential race

US jobless rate slips to 2.5-yr low

Spy in the mobile? Lawsuit against software maker

Obama regrets killings, but no apology Washington: President Barack Obama on Sunday called Pakistan's president to offer condolences over a Nato air strike that killed 24 Pakistani troops and provoked a crisis in relations between the two countries. Obama told Asif Ali Zardari that the soldiers' deaths were "regrettable" and accidental, according to a White House statement. The comments stopped short of a formal apology but were aimed at soothing Pakistani fury over the November 26 incident. "Earlier on Monday the president

placed a phone call to Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari to personally express his condolences on the tragic loss of twenty-four Pakistani soldiers this past week along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan," the White House statement said. "The president made clear that this regrettable incident was not a deliberate attack on Pakistan and reiterated the US' strong commitment to a full investigation." The Nato air strike has added to strains in relations with Islamabad, whose cooperation Washington views as

crucial to helping to stabilize the region before foreign combat troops leave Afghanistan in 2014. US-Pakistani relations were already frayed after the secret raid in May that killed al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden . Obama's phone call came on the eve of an international conference in Germany on the future of Afghanistan. Pakistan is boycotting the conference because of Nato air strikes. On Saturday, secretary of state Hillary Clinton spoke by phone with Pakistani prime minister Yusaf Raza Gilani to offer condolences.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;US also has right to self-defenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

WASHINGTON: With Pakistan vowing to respond with "full force" to any future aggression in the wake of the deadly Nato strike, the Pentagon has said that Islamabad has right to self-defence and so does the US. It also admitted that the last Saturday air strike has had a "chilling effect" on USPak military relations. "I've seen the comments attributed to General Kayani. I'm certainly not going to speak for him or for the government of Pakistan. But every sovereign nation has the right of selfdefence and the right to order their troops to defend themselves .

STAR AGE ARIES

March-21 to April-20

CANCER

June-22 to July-23

This is an encouraging month for you, in which you will get all â&#x20AC;&#x201C; around success. Persons who have been doing a lot of gadding about over the festive season should try now to spend more time in the company of other embers of the family. During the second half of the month be careful in whom you put your trust. You must be guided by your own intuition while taking final decisions. This is a happy month for many of you. Going on a pilgrimage with parents or kids to a place that you have chosen is on the cards. During the first half of the month, you will start with a good deal of determination and optimism. You will be determined to sort out problems at home. The second half of the month is good for taking long journeys for the sake of change and a break from routine.

This is an exciting month for you. New opportunities will open up and you will volunteer to accept new roles and responsibilities. During the first half of the month you will be raring to go and want to come to the grips with the kind of jobs that can bring you in a lot of extra money. Cataract patients September-24 should avoid visiting a polluted environment as smoke could cause further damage to your eyes. to In the mid month your hurried action would put October-22 your love life in jeopardy.

LIBRA

CAPRICON

December-23 to Januar-20

Emotions and relationships come into focus this month. In the first half of the month you will be very enthusiastic in your place of work. Sharing experiences with colleagues may motivate them and enhance your knowledge. The second half of the month will be marked with mixed emotions that could make you tensed.

TAURUS

April-21 to May-20

LEO

July-24 to August-23

SCORPIO

October-23 to November-22

AQUARIES

January-21 to February-19

This is a helpful month. There will be full support form superiors and understanding from family members. Your desire to enjoy life will keep you fit and in a positive frame of mind in the first half of the month. No doubt some will go at it too hard in an effort to make the most of time available. Major travel can best be undertaken in the second half of the month. This is a buoyant month for many of you. Professionally, this is a good time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. During the first half of the month you need to go for true love relationship instead of physical pleasure. As far as the career is concerned during the second half of the month you will be able to develop a trustworthy relationship with your business partner. Discuss all the pros & cons to expand your business. This month starts with much excitement at home and you can expect the best of times. There will be some slight improvement in your affairs during the first half of the month. There will be opportunities at your place of employment to move forward. This can be a lucky month in many ways for many of you. You enjoy love, companionship and warmth of happy relationship as you share time with friends and family this month. During the first half of the month, if you do have choice, take the more adventurous path in business front. Do not hesitate to ask influential people for their support or financial backing for practical schemes.

December 2011

GEMINI

May-21 to June-21

VIRGO

August-24 to September-23

SAGITTARIUS

November-23 to December-22

PISCES

February-20 to March-20

This is a general month for you. At the same time, you may experience disagreement with someone either at work or domestically. During the first half of the month you would feel like enjoying all golden moments. There are many plans that you would like to put into action now. Influential people will assist you in the mid-month. This is a happy month for you. Overall, you will enjoy good all-round success and your social circle will increase. During the first half of the month an upsurge in confidence is indicated. You will be feeling a good deal happier and more contented about your future career and work prospects. The second half of the month is demanding all the important work should be tackled as early in the third week as possible. This is a normal month for you. Hard work will ultimately pay off and bring rich dividends. During the first half of the month you should be careful about your health. Go for a checkup to. Strictly following the dietary restrictions would be very essential to prevent it from relapsing. During the second half of the month make some serious efforts to keep your love fresh like precious things. This is a changeable month for you. Balance is the key word of you. During the first half of the month your passions will work miraculousas you are successful in getting their cooperation. As far as your health is concerned blind imitation to western lifestyle would bring misery and put you in a state of depression.

Vaastu tip for successful professional life

Vaastu Shastra is not just a set of norms for your home but its tips also help you enhance your professional life. According to Vaastu Shastra, you should place a picture of galloping horses on your computer desktop. It is believed that the keeping galloping horsesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; picture as your wallpaper helps you attain perfection in whatever you do. Horses represent energy, hence they help you stay energetic and stay focused. According to scriptures, a horse never gets tired, it keeps working till it is healthy and fit. Hence, even the place that has a picture of galloping horses also stays energetic. This picture mantains the flow of energy in that region. You can also place a big picture of galloping horses in your office.

Jeddah Club overcomes Wanderers in keen clash 26

FIJI SPORTS

December 2011

DUBAI: Jeddah Rugby Football Club (JRFC) made it through to the semifinals of the Gulf Men's Open championships in Dubai late Friday evening. In a close match that would eliminate one team from the competition levels of commitment were high. Their spirits lifted by their 48-0 win over Damascus Zenobians earlier in the day, Jeddah dug deep and ran out 12-5 winners over Fugro Wanderers, a converted try the margin. Possession is vital in any match and Jeddah grabbed it after turnover early in the first half and retained it for most of the match. Waleed "Gearbox" Yousef played a huge game attacking Fugro's defense and intercepting attacks regularly and solidly. Riyadh Warriors 17-21 Dubai Hurricanes. Friday lunchtime saw them up against the Barrel House Yobs a club tournament regular. Within a few seconds of the start Alan Monkhouse had grabbed the ball and bolted over the line to score the first of two tries. It remained unconverted and three minutes later he literally jogged over the line for a second. It was Barnawi who settled any possible fight back that Barrel House might have mounted with a charging solo effort that he concluded with a touchdown between the posts. Monkhouse converted and Jeddah left the field 17-0 victors. Jeddah ran out into a final for the first time anyone in the team remembered. They encountered Multiples Marauders who had defeated Beirut Select to Be there. It was Beirut that defeated Jeddah 47-0 on Thursday so the prospects did not look healthy. In the event, Jeddah lost 29-0 to a

Rewa on song to retain NZ Fiji FACT title

Defending champions Rewa started their campaign on a high note during the New Zealand Fiji Association of Football Club Inc. (NZ Fiji AFC) organised Fiji FACT 2011 at the Mangere Centre Park Sports Stadium at the weekend. Rewa with the services of former reps Waisake Sabutu,Tabrez Khan, Sameer Ali, Mohammed Nazim (Commando) and Nasinu rep Jalindar Singh defeated last year’s finalist Rakiraki 2-1. Former Ba, Navua and national midfielder Salesh Kumar who featured for the Rakiraki side could not help his side gain the three points in their Pool A match. In the other Pool A fixture Ba defeated a 9-men NZ Navua outfit 8-0.The newly formed NZ Navua team suffered a major setback in the early stages of the match when two of their players were sent off. Nasinu trashed Vatukoula 6-1 in their Pool B fixture to be in contention for the finals. Underdogs Nadogo comprising mostly of Vuci Strikers’ reps in the form of Ashneet Lal, Zaid Azeem, Kartik Kumar, Shaneel Singh, Akash Chandra, Akshay Singh and Iona Lupena upset George Samut and Afroz Kutti’s Savusavu team 2-1. Nadi after defeating Suva 3-0 in their Pool C match lost their points after fielding an unregistered player.

physically bigger, stronger and more experienced team. Jeddah team manager Ahmed Al Bader commented; "All credit to the guys - we got here." He added that Jeddah had played with their hearts and had doe extremely well. "All credit to them for that," he said. Club Captain Matt Jay said that he was ecstatic with what the team had achieved. "They came together as a scratch team with the Saracen players and in a day or two have clicked as a team and brought great credit on themselves, the country and the sport." He commented that the team was bigger than just those on the field. Their strength derives from the community that supports them and Southwind telecom who sponsored the side. It's all simply brilliant!" Marauders showed their experience with carefully controlled moves that on more than one occasion sold Jeddah dummies at critical moments and disrupted their defense. Captain Sou Miyake and

forward Yousef tackled everything that moved and tried to open up a counter attack, literally throwing their bodies on the line. At the final whistle however it was Marauders that triumphed and were magnanimous in victory, immediately embracing members of the Jeddah squad. The other Saudi representative Riyadh Warriors lost out in the semifinals to Dubai Hurricanes III who had been the recipients of Jeddah's 45-5 mauling on Thursday. The final result stood at Riyadh Warriors 1721 Dubai Hurricanes III - a close run thing and a fair comment of a much improved and focused Riyadh side, which at this tournament has shown its potential. The Dubai Seven's traditionally produces a few surprises and few were greater in the tournament than Canada's upset of

Fiji Rugby begins search for XVS coach

The Fiji Rugby Union today began its search for a new Flying Fijian head coach and coaching director. The successful applicant is expected to guide the national side into the 2015 Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom. Applicants are expected to have an IRB Level 2 Coaching Certificate but a Level 3 would be preferred. He is to have experience of coaching and leading a recognised professional senior national or provincial team as well as have a proven record of creating, implementing and sustaining short, medium and long term strategic plans for team preparation, and playing strategies within the context of a professional team environment FRU believes the successful applicant should also have thorough knowledge of rugby in Fiji and its inherent culture Other criteria's for the post includes, the ability to demonstrate an excellent rugby knowledge and understanding of how the modern game is evolving, possess strong personal discipline and the ability to work in challenging environments and within tight budget parameters and possess excellent communication skills and the ability to provide strong leadership and management skills within a team environment. The term of the contract will be four years with an attractive and competitive remuneration package to commensurate with qualifications promised. Applications for the Flying Fijians head coach and coaching director’s position ends on December 16th.

the Samoans. Just over a minute and a half into the game and Canada's Sean white slammed over the Samoan line for an unconverted try. Under three minutes later, Nathan Hirayama followed with a second try, which he converted. A dozen up at half time, Canada continued their attack and 16 seconds after the restart White scored another try to be converted by Hirayama. Samoa finally woke up to the impending defeat after the next try from Canada and bundled in for a converted try half way through the second half. After a quick restart they went in for a second try half a minute later. In the minute after the final whistle but still in play they managed a third but came out 26-17 down against Canada. The surprises came in thick and fast with England defeating New Zealand 10-7 and South Africa being roundly bounced by France 19 to 5. New Zealand seems almost to have given up, the spark and aggression a shadow of former days and never clearer than when later in the day they lost to old rivals Australia 26-12. To cap the list of upsets, World Series Champions Wales lost out to South Africa 22 points to 7. The short road from this point to the finals set up some interesting matches, not least of which was the formidable Fiji against England's emerging talent. On that road yet another surprise

was in store as England right from the whistle took the game to the Fijians. However, the Fijians took the ball from England and Emosi Vucago ran in an unconverted try just 46 seconds into the game. A collective sigh whispered round the packed ground as the game grew in intensity. Fiji attempted to dominate with physical play but England's forward and centers countered with a masterly display of their own form of tough play and just over four minutes into the half Iso Damu scored an unconverted try. To compound the indignity on Fiji, Damu slammed in another and Marcus Watson converted. Fiji racked up the pressure in the second half but England were truly on the rampage. One and a half minutes into the second half, Matt Turner barged over the Fiji line and Marcus Watson converted. Just before the six-minute mark, Fiji's Osea Kolinisau stormed through the English defense to touch down. Vucago converted l and from a rapid restart attempted to score in the dying seconds of the game. Ferocious defense and a football style tackle on a loose ball that sent it to the touchline after the final hooter sealed the game leaving England with a 19 point to a Fiji 12 final score. England faced France, who overturned a popular Argentina 24-5, made the task look relatively easy.

FOOD

he most delicious aspect about a simple chocolate cookie is its taste and appearance. As it bakes, cracks form in the top of the cookie exposing dark chocolate cracks across the surface of the cookie. Sounds yum?

Protein-rich

vegetable pulao

ffice lunches tend to get boring with similar food making its way into our lunch boxes every day. Take a break from the dals, rotis, burgers and sandwiches and try this protein-rich vegetable pulao instead. Not only will you gain crucial protein to replenish and rejuvenate your muscles' wear and tear, but you will also enjoy the light brown rice flavoured with delicious, lightly sauteed vegetables and soya chunks. Portion control becomes important, since this is rice based, even though it is brown rice we're talking about. Try this simple, protein-rich vegetable pulao this weekend, and pack it along for a healthy and different lunch.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup brown rice washed and soaked 2 cups chopped, mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, cauliflower, broccoli) 1 medium onion diced 1/2 cup sprouts 1/2 cup soya chunks - soaked and ready to cook 1'' cinnamon stick 1 tsp cloves 1/2 tsp black peppercorns 2 black cardamoms 1 tsp red chill powder Salt to taste 2 cups water 1 tbs Olive oil

METHOD

Add the oil to a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. After a few seconds, add the onions and stir till the onions become light pink. Add all the whole spices, along with the vegetables (not sprouts and soya). Stir well, and cook (covered, with 1/4 cup water) until the hardest vegetable (in this case carrots) is slightly tender. If you're short on time, skip the carrots. This should take about 5-8 minutes. Add sprouts and soya and stir for 23 minutes. Now, add the drained brown rice, with salt and chilli powder. You can also add any other favourite masalas at this point. Stir till the rice starts forming clumps. Then, add the 2 cups of water and bring the whole pot to a boil. After the boil, simmer and cook covered, till the rice is cooked - usually another 8 minutes. You can serve this simple protein-rich vegetable pulao with some skimmed yogurt, a side salad or some grilled fish. Remember to practise portion control. A good serving size would be approximately 80gms, which is essentially the size of a quarter plate. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups white table sugar 4 eggs, scrambled Melt these two ingredients gently on very low heat so that they don't scald ¼ cup butter 4 ounces (4 squares) baking chocolate 2 cups sifted flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup chopped nuts (you can use almonds) ½ cup confection sugar for the decoration.

PROCEDURE:

Mix the eggs and the white sugar and mix

them well. Then add the melted butter and chocolate after they cool down a little. Later add the flour, baking powder, nuts and salt and stir to combine. Chill the batter for a few hours or overnight, so that it will be easy to handle for the next step. Roll the dough into small balls of 1 to 2 tablespoons of batter each. Then roll each ball of batter across a plate dusted with the confection sugar to cover the entire ball. Place each ball on a greased cookie sheet and bake in a slow oven (300 degrees) for 18-20 minutes. You need to be careful about discolouration of the confection sugar coating. Check out how the cookies expand and crack to give that pretty chocolate design! Serve warm.

Quick December 2011

hocolate ookies

We love: Diet-friendly desserts

hen you're craving a Tiramisu, no chopped fruit will do. But wait there's hope yet. Diet-friendly desserts help us bridge the gap between what our taste-buds want, and what our bodies can accommodate. So buckle up with your pots and pans, and ovens and grills. Today we're giving you five of our most mouth-watering dietfriendly desserts that'll let you forget that you're even eating healthy.

AFFOGATO

Ingredients: A small cup frozen vanilla yogurt, 2 tbsp coffee liqueur (optional), a small shot of espresso, a pinch nutmeg powder (optional). Method: Pour in the espresso and coffee liqueur to the bowl of frozen vanilla yogurt and sprinkle some nutmeg powder on it. Enjoy your easy, low-cal Affogato!

FIGS OR PEARS IN HONEY AND CINNAMON

Ingredients: 500 gms fresh figs, 500 ml dessert wine, 3 tbsp honey, 2 cinnamon

with 1 tbs of lime zest and fresh lime juice. Now take any in-season produce fruits that are readily available. We went for pineapple chunks, kiwi dried and peeled, red grapes and bananas sliced into half inch chunks and threaded them onto the skewer. Serve with fresh lemony dip! In order to prevent

So buckle up with your pots and pans, and ovens and grills. Today we're giving you five of our most mouth-watering diet-friendly desserts that'll let you forget that you're even eating healthy.

sticks, vanilla essence. Method: Lightly toss the figs in a nonstick pan. Add the cinnamon sticks, honey and vanilla essence. Let the mixture cool so that it is just warm, pour the wine and serve with low-cal vanilla ice cream if

ter in a non-stick pan over low-medium heat. Add 2 tablespoon of light brown sugar on the top of banana slices. Cook the bananas and add half cup orange juice or dark rum (whatever is available). Add a pinch of cinnamon to it and cook for 1 minute more turning the side of the bananas. Serve right away with a side portion of frozen yogurt.

DOUBLE APPLE CRUMBLE

desired. You can replace the figs with pears too.

food from browning, dip the fruits in your favourite fruit juice.

Take a small bowl and whisk together 4 ounces of sugar-free, low fat lemon yogurt

Peel and cut 2 medium small-sized bananas into half lengthwise. Melt around half tablespoon of low fat but-

FRESH FRUIT KEBABS WITH TANGY LEMONY DIP

CARAMALIZED BANANAS

Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Take a large bowl and add 3 large cups of finely sliced apples with 1 tablespoon of apple butter. Arrange the mixture in a baking tray coated with 1/4th tablespoon of olive oil. Now combine 1/4th cup of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon and 1/8th tablespoon of salt in a medium bowl. Now take 1 tablespoon of chilled butter and brown sugar mixture and add it to the mixture. Pour this mixture over the apple mixture. Bake it at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until light golden brown.

Radio Fiji Sun pulled out of 1550AM 28

LOCAL NEWS

December 2011

here’s no money or return on the air time wasted on it Now we are on the internet live taking live calls as we do the show. If you extra money or some sort fund or grants then it is Ok to launch your show and it anything you like and fun. Being a new ethnic community channel and in direct competition with KLOK 1170 AM, the listener base is too small. From a few regular callers (some just waiting to jump in as soon as the lines are opened), you cannot judge how big is your listener base. But for us not getting one call for our own business and for the FIJI AWARDS NIGHT, was the biggest wakeup call that the 1550 AM does not have a wide enough

listener-base to generate us any business. Except for one caller, the people who called during our short stay were extremely pleased both for the name of the program the RADION FIJI SUN and its content and Urdu language.

LACK OF A WRITTEN CONTRACT

Although the two owners talked much about the 1150 AM contract, they did not produce one for our benefit. Verbally, though, we were told that it will be unlike its competition KLOK 1170 AM and no possibility of migrating any of their failed hosts. “Koya Ji, you don’t have to worry about anything. We will not take any of them. You are secured as Fiji market is yours. We will not

touch it, if you bring the client we will give your commission that will pay off for your show”, assured the CEO. We were at comfort level then and we decided to launch our program alive on Saturday mornings first 9AM to 10AM then from 10 AM to 11 AM. But we were shocked when right after our lunching Din Mani jumped on board as a marketing guy and cut in our market soliciting my FIJI SUN sponsors for his show. Elusively, the CEO said, “He is just helping us only. He is working with some big Bollywood company for a 5-hour show later.”

Closing scene on new Punjabi movie shot at Moon Indian Cuisine

HAYWARD, CA - In a brief interview a beautiful Ms. Sonia (lead female artist) gave us a peak into this new Punjabi movie. Sonia who sat quietly on the side seats at the small Moon Restaurant midday Sunday Nov 5 as more than 20 people milled around and browsed the touch screen on her smartphone said he met the producer Attorney during her husband’s petition matter. Attorney talked her into doing the role. Given the religious aim of the movie Sonia agreed to do the role but was not clear of her

FAILED PRAVAS VANI SHOW

Soon many of the failed PRASA

Hayward resident Sonia in lead role at the closing scene of the movie

script and what actually she was expected to say or do. She waited patiently for the direction as clock ticked away and she got nervous about

missing a 2.30 PM dental appointment she told the FIJI SUN TV. An articulate and forthright young woman, Sonia got married a Canadian

Punjabi boy just two months ago and laughed when asked about future films. “I am not sure I want to go this route,” she said.

VANI SHOW hosts lined up one after another for” a piece of pie” in the new radio program. Same voices, same stuff and most of it just “jokes” we realized was clearly a new home for the PRAVAS VANI people just the different channel. We did not want to be part of the “failed” PRASVANI group.

INDULGENCE DUIRNG THE LIVE BROADCAST

It was the most uncomfortable and most annoying feeling when the CEO who does not speak the Urdu language stood over my shoulders and started giving directions as to how I should run the show. It was very unprofessional.

Plus, he advised that I should also have female announcer to boost my show. Give me a break! I t’s my show and I decide how I run it. That was the end of the story.

BLOG TALK RADIO AND BLOG TV

Fortunately, internet has wide opened the door for those of us who have the passion for the talk shows. Radio Fiji Sun can now be heard on BLOG TALK RADIO where play your favorite tunes and also take our live calls. See you there. Tune into BLOG TALK RADIO. If you want to interact with us live TV shows then log onto BLOG TV see us on Fiji Sun TV.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all

KOYA MEMORIAL NIGHT

This night dedicated to the memory of the late Hon. S M KOYA is slated for early next year. Everyone is welcome share their thoughts, comments and memories. If you stories and pictures etc., you want to share you are most wel come do so. The man who fulfilled the journey crafted by one of the most learned and seasoned politicians of Fiji the late Hon. Mr. A D Patel. THE KOYA MEMORIAL NIGHT will be dedicated to celebrate the memories of tails of former leader of opposition the Late Hon. S M KOYA

FIJI AMERICAN IDOL SHOW A unique, exciting and professional FIJI AMERICAN IDOL SHOW is in the planning process and due to be launched early next year.

MISSION AUDITION JUDGING

TO LOCATE AND PROMOTE NEW AND BUDDING TALENTS FROM THE FIJI AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

THERE WILL BE AN EARLY AUDITION WITH $10 DINNER CHARGES. WILL BY A PANEL OF SUPERSTARS !

Call: 1-800-757-6619 NO PUBLIC JUDGING AT ALL.

Producer discusses scenes with his team at the Moon Restaurant.

FIJI AMERICAN IDOL SHOW

December 2011

KADIRS HOST NAATH AT FOSTER CITY 30

PHOTO GALLERY

December 2011

The KADIR BROTHERS of Al MADINAH ACADEMY led by Markar (Mark) Kadir, former police sergeant of Central Police Station, Suva, Fiji, held a wonderful NAATH sAT nOV 19, 2011 in Foster City. The event was attended by more than 50 guests most of whom read the NAATH. The Fiji Sun editor was also invited to give a shot presentation by the master of ceremonies Hajji Mohammed Aiyub. The editor read a few couplets from his NAATH in praise of the Holy Prophet of Islam and urged the audience to recite DAROOD event outside such gatherings on their own in abundance. He also urged the audience to invite (as commanded by Allah) others to Islam with wisdom.

PHOTO GALLERY

FIJI DAY 2011

December 2011

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