REUTERS – The political action committee funded by billionaire Elon Musk to help re-elect former U.S. President Donald Trump is struggling in some swing states to meet doorknocking goals and is investigating claims that some canvassers lied about the number of voters they have contacted, according to people involved in the group’s efforts. The difficulties, in pivotal battleground states including Wisconsin and Nevada, come as the group, America PAC, races to enlist voters behind the Republican candidate in the final two weeks before the Nov. 5 election. Four people involved in the group’s outreach told Reuters that managers warned canvassers they are missing targets and needed to raise the number of would-be voters they contact. Alysia McMillan, who canvassed for the PAC in Wisconsin, said field organizers recently told campaigners there they weren’t reaching daily objectives and were on track to miss an ultimate goal of contacting 450,000 voters by...

In the last editions, we looked into the historical period that saw the arrival of the first inhabitants of Deuba Village and their background information — which spiritual being they worship, and its totemic history. This week we will go back to a time where bloodshed and war were highly sought for, to establish dominance or to drive out unwanted parties. Like any other village at the time, Deuba was subjected to war and rivalry, and since it was newly established, they found it hard to defend themselves from oncoming threats. This week’s edition will take us back to the historical period through William Robert Gedde’s book Deuba: A Study of a Fijian Village as elder and traditional priest, Tu Vio Cokanasiga recalls the numerous difficulties faced by the new inhabitants. The Yavusa Dravuni and the Yavusa Deuba then dwelt together at the old village where they inter married each...

ATLANTA/PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) – With the U.S. presidential election little more than two weeks away, Democrat Kamala Harris visited two churches on Sunday while her Republican rival, Donald Trump, visited another kind of American temple: a McDonald’s. Both candidates were scrambling for votes in the most competitive states, with Harris appealing to early voters in Georgia and Trump campaigning in Pennsylvania ahead of the Nov. 5 election. At a McDonald’s in suburban Philadelphia, Trump removed his suit jacket, put on a black and yellow apron and proceeded to cook batches of french fries, something he said he had wanted to do “all my life.” He dipped wire baskets of potatoes in sizzling oil before salting them and handing them out to customers through the restaurant’s drive-through window. Thousands of people lined the street opposite the restaurant to watch. “I like this job,” said Trump, whose adoration for fast food has been...

On a day featuring showers of blessings and intermittent sunshine, former students, teachers, pastors and school officials of Nelson Palmer SDA Memorial Primary School gathered in Salaiba, Navosa to celebrate the institution’s 100th birthday. While the province of Nadroga/Navosa is synonymous with tourism and the famous Coral Coast, Navosa remains feral, with the region significantly less developed than the villages on the coast. The best way to absorb the wonders of Navosa is by taking a bus ride or guided safari tour up Sigatoka Valley Road. Here you will marvel at the fertile riverbanks and the variegated commercial crops in the fields that have fed communities and families for generations and influenced the name “Salad Bowl”. Navosa is an area of where emerald vegetation, cascading rivers, deep gorges and rugged slopes abound, providing contrasting geographical features that tickle and elevate the senses. The rugged and mist-crowned mountainous in the north...

Extra Supermarket Labasa FC has booked their spot in the 2024 FMF Inter District Championship Super Premier final after defeating Mahijibhai Builders/Calgary Nadi FC by 4-1 in the first semi-final yesterday. The Babasiga Lions looked to be a more organised team from the start, as they displayed a brilliant attacking football led by in-form striker Christopher Wasasala. The Jetsetters could not keep up with the pace and intensity of Labasa as they were soon made to pay for their lackluster defence with Molea Tigi putting the Babasiga Lions ahead by one-nil, going into the half-time break. The Raj Dayal-coached Nadi team looked to have run out of firepower against a more superior Babasiga Lions outfit as two quick goals by Wasasala put Labasa on a comfortable three-nil lead. Labasa head coach Ravneel Pratap said the boys had the faith to win. “There is a lot of team work behind the...

FIJI’S vibrant environmental advocate, Ashlin Alveena Prasad, is set to take centre stage at the prestigious Miss Earth 2024 pageant, to be held in Okada, Manila, Philippines. Officially recognised as Fiji’s delegate by Carousel Productions Inc, the organisation behind Miss Earth, Ms Prasad will not only represent her country’s cultural richness, but also its commitment to environmental sustainability. The grand finals, scheduled for November 9, 2024, will be broadcasted globally the following day, allowing viewers from around the world to witness this extraordinary event. At just 18 years old, Ms Prasad has made remarkable strides in advocating for sustainable environmental practices, particularly focusing on soil regeneration. This passion stems from her upbringing, where a deep connection to the land fostered her desire to create meaningful change for future generations. Her advocacy work has seen her lead numerous environmental initiatives in Fiji, including beach clean-up campaigns and community programs that emphasise...

While the nation was gripped with the Flying Fijians v England quarter-final match at the Rugby World Cup between October 13 and 15, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka sat in his office to write a letter of assurance to the players of the Fiji team. He was undertaking to pay the $20,000 bonus per player soon after they play England at the Stade de Marseille on Sunday, October 15. And why was the Prime Minister doing so? The audit by I.Naiveli & Co Chartered Accountants found all entitlements under the player contracts were paid out in full and in accordance with the fixed-term player contracts signed by all 43 members of the extended squad and the Rugby World Cup 2023 Flying Fijians team to France. It noted the delay in the processing of payments was largely attributed to regulatory procedures with the banks, and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service and...

The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Certificate III in Early Childhood Care and Education program has received re-accreditation from the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) for the next five years. Offered through the Pacific Technical and Further Education (Pacific TAFE), the program provides students with the skills and knowledge required to effectively work with infants and toddlers. Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Education), Professor Jito Vanualailai said the accreditation highlighted the relevance and credibility of the course. “It also underscores our commitment to providing quality and exceptional education and training in early childhood care and I commend everyone involved in the accreditation process,” he said. “Our students will greatly benefit from this accreditation as they undertake an internationally recognised program.” PTAFE Director, Susan Sela added that the centre had invested in the program being placed on the ACECQA list of accredited qualifications. “Our team has done a...

STORES in Suva shut their doors at 3:35pm on Tuesday, July 19, 1977, as about 3000 people took to the streets to protest against foreign interference in Fiji’s internal affairs during the dock strike crisis. A placard-waving crowd took part in the march organised by Liebling Marlow and a committee of 13. According to the article published by The Fiji Times on Wednesday, July 20, 1977, the protesting crowd was led by Mrs Marlow and one of the founders of the trade union movement in Fiji, BD Lakshman, in a wheelchair. Outside the Phoenix Theatre, a singing but serious crowd gathered with children and placards. Most of the marchers were women, including nuns, housewives, store employees and politicians’ wives. There were also ex-servicemen wearing their medals who carried the Fiji flag, school children and community leaders. Among those at the start of the march were the minister of Finance Charles...

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The killing of Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces dealt a fatal blow to Hamas, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Thursday, adding that a page must now be turned to work towards peace in Gaza and the wider region. “It’s a fatal blow that has been struck on Hamas, a terrorist group, which was guilty of an anti-Semitic massacre and many attacks, terrorist attacks,” Barrot told LCI television, adding diplomacy alone would enable Israel to have security in the long-term. “It’s a page that is turning, it’s a page that has to be turned for the war in Gaza .. and a page that must turn for the region in its path to peace.”   (Reporting by John Irish, editing by Tassilo Hummel) RPT