And details on Google and Meta's Echo cable system is set to be installed in Q3 of 2025 and be operational by Q1 2026 According to a LinkedIn post from industry observer Philippe Devaux Google's Tabua system will have 16 fiber pairs with a minimum design capacity of 17 Tbps each In an application filed with the Federal Communications Commission operating under the name Starfish Infrastructure The transpacific trunk runs between Los Angeles The remaining four segments will connect three islands in Fiji and Hawaii and Queensland in Australia to branching units on the transpacific trunk Detailed locations of cable landing stations are expected to be shared no later than 90 days before construction begins Plans for the cable were announced in November last year as part of Google’s South Pacific Connect initiative Fiji is currently the landing point for six cables Most connect the nation to other islands in the region but Fiji is a landing point for both the South Cross and Southern Cross Next cables linking Australia and New Zealand to the US The OPT NC-owned Gondwana/Picot-2 cable from 2022 links Fjij to New Caledonia Interchange’s ICN1 cable from 2014 links the island nation to Vanau and the Tonga government – connects Fiji to Tonga owned by the Samoa Submarine Cable Company and deployed in 2018 Details for Google and Meta’s 50-50 owned Echo cable The subsea cable is the first to directly connect the US to Singapore Echo's subsea system will connect California According to a blogpost from industry expert Robert Beck the cable is expected to be ready-for-service in 2025 Google and Meta had previously estimated completion for this year Beck said the cable has a design capacity of 144 Tbps adding it is likely the cable will be upgraded to reach 180 Tbps In January this year Telstra said it had partnered with Trans Pacific Network (TPN) on the Echo subsea cable XL Axiata is landing the cable in Indonesia and will partner with Telstra to deliver services into Indonesia Telstra has also purchased four fiber pairs on the cable Data Centre Dynamics Ltd (DCD), 32-38 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH Email. [email protected]DCD is a subsidiary of InfraXmedia Play Duration: 53 minutes 55 seconds53m Presented by Representing both Australia and her motherland of Fiji on the same Suva footy ground where her Mum and Grandfather played was an emotional moment for Tabua Tuinakauvadra. We hear about the momentous Wallaroos match in Fiji, what it was like growing up in country NSW a long way from the Nadroga-Navosa Province her parents are from and why her Dad wasn't super keen at first on his daughters playing rugby. Plus, Sam is pumped with the double victories for Moana and Drua and Tinirau gives us the best moments from his time at Magic Round in Brisbane. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (far right) with some teammates in the sheds after the Wallaroos win over Fijiana.(Rugby Australia) Published: 28 Apr 2025Mon 28 Apr 2025 at 6:00am Published: 14 Apr 2025Mon 14 Apr 2025 at 4:15am Published: 11 Apr 2025Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 4:00am FooterABCABC PacificABC Pacific is the trusted voice in the Pacific Wallaroos 15s forward Tabua Tuinakauvadra is set to make his debut for the Wallaroos this Saturday when they take on the Vodafone Fijiana XVs at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva Tuinakauvadra says they are aiming for an exciting match while keeping a tight defensive line adding that they don’t want to let anyone through who also plays for the ACT Brumbies and hails from Nadroga will take the field with pride as she represents Australia on Fijian soil Tuinakauvadra says the opportunity to play at home is incredibly special especially with her family expected to be in the stands She adds that expectations within the Wallaroos camp are high as the team gears up for a physical encounter against a passionate Fijian side Tuinakauvadra says rugby fans can expect a spectacle as the Wallaroos look to showcase an exciting brand of rugby The Wallaroos vs Fijiana XVs match kicks off at 5pm this Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations Copyright © 2025 Communications Fiji Limited FM96 Legend FM Viti FM Navtarang Radio Sargam PNG Haus Bung Yumi FM Nau FM Legend FM Facebook TikTok Instagram X YouTube Threads Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker 1 nominees for Champion Chevrolet RGJ High School Athlete of the Week which recognizes top performances among Northern Nevada's high school athletes Send the names and stats for any outstanding performance by a Northern Nevada high school athlete for consideration for Champion Chevrolet RGJ High School Athletes of the Week list and vote for your favorite nominee in the poll below McQueen: Tabua rushed 19 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns in the Lancers' 47-14 win over Foothill (Sacramento) in football on Aug Spanish Springs: McNeil completed 12 of 15 passes with one touchdown as the Cougars beat Clayton Valley Charter 17-0 in high school football on Aug Douglas: Priou had an interception late in the game to help the Tigers hold off Spring Creek 27-22 in football on Aug North Valleys: Almond was 13-for-14 passing for 196 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers' 47-20 win over Lowry in football on Aug Sparks: Hendrix completed 7 of 10 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns in the Railroaders' 45-0 win over Hug in football on Aug Truckee: Arata caught five passes for 90 yards and a TD in the Wolverines' 42-0 win over Union Mine in football on Aug Bishop Manogue: Hallert scored two goals in a 3-0 win over McQueen in girls soccer on Aug She scored three goals and had two assists in an 8-0 win over Hug on Aug Galena: The left-footed Hensley scored four goals in a 5-3 win over Reed in girls soccer on Aug She is a team captain and has been on the Grizzlies varsity since her freshman season Reed: Rios rushed 16 times for 248 yards and three touchdowns in the Raiders' 39-36 loss to Twelve Bridges in football on Aug Elko: Carsrud rushed 10 times for 139 yards and four TDs in the Indians' 44-0 win over Melba (Idaho) in football on Aug Fernley: McCullar carried four times for 115 yards and two TDs in the Vaqueros' 67-0 win over Wooster in football on Aug seven digs and three blocks in the Miners' 3-0 win over Douglas in volleyball on Aug The album literally and figuratively saw Jorge Ben combine his many interests into one of Brazilian music’s most beloved LPs Jorge Ben never quite fit any of the Brazilian music trends of the 1960s and 1970s though: Ben was a celebrated guest on Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil’s avant-garde TV show Divino Maravilhoso presented by Elis Regina and Jair Rodrigues which catered to a more MPB-oriented audience Ben literally and figuratively combined all of his interests into one of Brazilian music’s most beloved albums Heavily influenced by the new wave of mysticism that was taking Brazilian music by storm (Raul Seixas’ Krig-Ha A Tábua de Esmeralda drew inspiration from the world of hermeticism and alchemy specifically the work of Nicolas Flamel: “I have much respect for the work of an alchemist,” Ben declared at the time of the album’s release “because he dedicates his life to studying and researching with unparalleled faith and perseverance.” Though Ben would later confess that his attempts at deciphering ancient texts might have resulted in less than accurate interpretations his fascination with this universe can be observed not only in the album’s lyrics but also in its cover which was assembled from images found in a book by Flamel Listen to Jorge Ben’s A Tábua de Esmeralda now. Jorge Ben’s flirting with the esoteric isn’t the album’s sole theme which had already taken center-stage in many of his previous compositions (“Negro É Lindo,” “Cassius Marcello Clay,” “Crioula”) is also represented in A Tábua de Esmeralda notably through the song “Zumbi.” A direct reference to settlement leader Zumbi dos Palmares the song features numerous allusions to colonialism and slavery employing strong visual motifs (“white cotton” picked by “black hands”) and geographical name-dropping (“Angola Benguela”) to construct a vivid picture a movement often regarded as the Brazilian response to Black Power Ranking sixth on Rolling Stone Brazil‘s list of the Best Brazilian Albums of All Time A Tábua de Esmeralda‘s enduring legacy and pioneering contribution to Brazilian music are perhaps best summarized by Aramis Millarch’s 1974 review of the album: “Very few artists managed not to follow any pop music trend [This record] demonstrates the extent and the integrity that Jorge Ben has managed to achieve with his work.” Or as journalist Maris Clara Silva once put it this album is forty minutes of “peace Josefa Kurucake believes it is time to highlight the use of fake tabua (whale’s tooth) in traditional events Concerns have been raised that some have substituted tabua with cow’s horns and noni (also known as morinda citrifolia) branches Turaga ni yavusa (clan leader) o Digilo from Dratabu Village in Nadi Mr Kurucake said for 24 years serving in his traditional role (spokesperson) identify the fake kamunaga (tabua) “The cow’s horns are light whereas the whale’s tooth is heavy that is how we can differentiate “There is another kamunaga made from the Noni branch how it is made and being properly polished we cannot tell that is made from the noni branch,” Mr Kurucake said He stressed that the tabua hold a high traditional value and is regarded sacred “Hence the name “tabu-a” (tabu means sacred) We will know if somebody conducts a presentation with a fake tabua during a traditional event everything he or she presents is inaccurate or confusing “I once told the mata ni vanua to check and find out who came during the event and gave the traditional presentation They identified those who presented that fake tabua I told them to go and advise them that we are accepting the tabua because it was fake.” “They were shocked when they were told that it was fake I think they were not aware when they had brought it.” They bring fake ones so that they may get the real whale’s tooth in return People are doing these things deceitfully or to gain money “It is time to highlight this because a good number of fake tabua is circulating here in the Ba province,” he added Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj By entering your email address you're giving us permission to send you news and offers The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is advising that a permit is needed to take a whales tooth (tabua) out of Fiji or bring one into Fiji The Ministry states citizens are to fill a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Permit This permit can only be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change offices A fine of $10,000 is liable on citizens who don’t fill the form Powered by PageSuite Running the ball seems to a main theme this season in football in the Class 5A-North with multiple teams boasting more than one runner among the league leaders Douglas has two runners — Zachary Jackson and Evan Youmans — and McQueen has three — Lorenzo Tabua North Valleys also has three — Hector Nunez Bryce Kaiser and Hayden Lewis; Galena has two — Erick Rodriguez and Colson Kermode The McQueen runners attribute their success to a strong bond among the team the O-line and running backs were headed out to dinner together McQueen coach Matt Marner has several sets of brothers cousins and uncles on the Lancers roster and coaching staff senior has a more mental approach to running the ball he rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns straight-ahead style runner had 100 yards and two TDs "It makes it hard for other teams to go against us because it's two completely different playing styles," Rodriguez said "(Tabua) uses his brain a lot more than me." Rodriguez suffered a shoulder injury and missed a lot of his sophomore season but he recovered and was called up to the varsity for the playoffs and scored a touchdown against Reno in the Lancers quarterfinal win last year Former McQueen (and Damonte Ranch) running back Ashton Hayes led the state in rushing his senior season He now plays for Nevada and his younger brother Ashton still goes by the Lancers practices and games to offer up any suggestions or advice he can for the current McQueen backs Note: Some schools have not submitted stats as of Thursday The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment to strengthen the enforcement of Fiji’s regulatory framework concerning the export and import of tabua The Ministry says to take tabua overseas or bring one into Fiji individuals must obtain an approval letter from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs They say the next step is to obtain an export/import permit from the Ministry of Environment an individual will not be allowed to take the tabua overseas or bring it into the country the Ministry says it is important to note that tabua export/import is prohibited in the United States and as such the Ministry will not issue any approval letters The Ministry adds they will strictly enforce the monthly quota (16 per month) for the export of tabua They say there is no quota for the import of tabua but individuals must meet all requirements including securing the necessary permits from the country of origin and import permits from Fiji’s Ministry of Environment They also say approval letters and permits are issued on a first-come and they are urging members of the public to plan ahead if they intend to take a tabua overseas as last-minute requests often coincide with the quota already being fully utilised The Ministry says all members of the public are urged to comply with the regulatory framework under the Customs Regulation and CITES Act to ensure adherence to national and international conservation efforts The Bulikula and Tabua subsea cables have landed in Vatuwaqa The cables are being laid as part of the Pacific Connect initiative Google and other partners to increase the reliability and resilience of digital connectivity in Fiji and the Pacific Small and Medium Enterprises and Communication four new cable connections will land in Fiji – two in Suva and two in Natadola “The infrastructure will enhance international connectivity linking Fiji directly to the United States and South America via subsea cables,” he said “These subsea cable systems are set to transform Fiji into a growing hub for digital connectivity in the Pacific.” Google broke ground on its ICT facility in Natadola which will host terrestrial infrastructure to support the Bulikula and Tabua subsea cable systems “The landing of these new cables represents a significant moment for Fiji This infrastructure will not only connect us more deeply with the world but will empower our people with the tools needed to thrive in a digital age.” Google Cloud said the arrival of the Bulikula and Tabua subsea cables is an exciting and significant effort at the start of 2025 “These subsea cable systems are the product of close collaboration among several partners including the Fiji Government and FINTEL and will help bridge the digital divide by providing improved connectivity for Fiji to the United States Japan and Chile and other countries in the Pacific region.” more reliable internet and improved digital services as the Bulikula and Tabua subsea cables landed in Vatuwaqa Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication Manoa Kamikamica says the cables will directly connect Fiji to major global locations two more connections will be established in Natadola in the coming days completing a total of four new subsea cable connections part of the Pacific Connect initiative—a collaboration involving Fiji Google and other partners will enhance the reliability and resilience of digital connectivity in Fiji and across the Pacific region He further says these advanced subsea cable systems are expected to boost opportunities for education healthcare and innovation by improving internet speed and lowering costs for digital services The Deputy Prime Minister says they also strengthen Fiji’s ability to attract global investment and support the growth of local industries providing long-term benefits for individuals and communities throughout the nation He says the Government’s focus on digital transformation is poised to uplift lives and empower Fijians to thrive in a connected world He adds this is not just an achievement in technology but a step toward building a stronger Only sixteen pieces of tabua will be allowed to be taken out of the country per month The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs states it will work with Ministry of Environment to strengthen enforcement of Fiji’s regulatory framework concerning the export and import of tabua “To take a tabua overseas or bring one into Fiji “The next step is to obtain an export/import permit from the Ministry of Environment you will not be allowed to take a tabua overseas or bring it into Fiji.” “The Ministry will strictly enforce the monthly quota (16 per month) for the export of tabua.” “There is no quota for the import of tabua but individuals must meet all regulatory requirements including securing the necessary permits from the country of origin and an import permit from Fiji’s Ministry of Environment.” The Ministry adds approval letters and permits are issued on a first come first served basis as last-minute requests often coincide with the quota already being fully utilised The public is reminded tabua export and import is prohibited in the United States the Ministry will not issue any approval letters for such cases I find it really awesome that Jorg Ben Jor successfully sued Rod Stewart for stealing the melody of his song “Taj Mahal” for the “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” chorus (He also allegedly changed his surname from Ben to “Ben Jor” after American smooth R&B king George Benson started receiving the Brazilian singer’s royalty checks.) Ben Jor is one of Brazil’s most prolific musical legends having released over 30 albums in the last 50 years Aside from being a musician with an immensely talented sense for melodies and soul-infused grooves Jorge Ben Jor fascinates me because he doesn’t fit the mold of the Tropicália musicians that have been recently exported so seamlessly into the arms of American independent culture Ben Jor predated the psychedelic modus operandi of Tropicália by a few years gaining more exposure because he was actually allowed to play concerts His less overtly political lyrics didn’t warrant as much censorship from the dictatorship at the time he distanced himself from bands within the youth-based Joven Guarda genre because they often dismissed the Brazilian aspect of their music (samba/bossa nova roots) in favor of borrowing too much from Western rock ‘n’ roll He became a figurehead in MPB (musica popularra de Brasil) he headed further and further from traditional samba into the territory of African soul/funk samba fusion Jorge Ben Jor - Os Alquimistas Estão Chegando Part of what I find really charming about Jorge Ben Jor is that he seems comfortable existing inside and outside genre While he writes songs influenced by dense mystical texts he’s perfectly okay writing songs about soccer teams he doesn’t shy away from political messages during standout track “Zumbi,” honoring Zumbi dos Palmares leader of a runaway slave colony in 17th-century Brazil Another album track “Errare Humanum Est” talks of space He has an understated style with a commitment to his complex identity And the production is lively and the music is beautiful too Fusing personality with an amalgam of musical styles A Tábua de Esméralda is a great entry point into Jorge Ben Jor’s alchemy and artistry There’s a lot of good music out there and it’s not all being released this year we aim to rediscover overlooked artists and genres to listen to music historically and contextually our focus will be on music that’s not being pushed by a PR firm Website Feedback OnlyPlease leave your website feedback comments below kindly provide the steps you took so we can replicate the issue For general council inquiries, please see Council Contact page You can use CTR+V to paste a screenshot from your clipboard directly into the textarea above Otherwise you can upload a file from your computer below NEXTDC and Google will partner on developing a new landing point in Australia In a major win for connectivity and economic growth Sunshine Coast Council will partner with Google reliability and resilience of digital connectivity in Australia and the Indo-Pacific Australia Connect will deliver new subsea cable systems and build on the Pacific Connect initiative NEXTDC and Google will partner on developing a new landing point in Australia for the Tabua trans-Pacific subsea cable that will connect the United States and Australia to Fiji This is predicted to land at NEXTDC’s SC1 data centre in Maroochydore and will offer enhanced cable connectivity with faster more resilient internet infrastructure for businesses in previously unconnected markets Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the initiative was an outstanding win for the region and the benefits extended far beyond just improved connectivity “Australia’s entire digital landscape is changing thanks to the vision of the Sunshine Coast community,” Mayor Natoli said “Creating a point of difference by investing in digital infrastructure is helping to develop a thriving “We are excited to partner with Google and NEXTDC on this project to help improve digital resilience across the country and the new Pacific “The additional cable complements a range of existing technology capabilities including WIFI 6 and will be strategically located in the 100 per cent uptime Tier III facility owned and operated by NEXTDC “This project builds on the significant progress being made to establish Maroochydore City Centre as one of Australia’s fastest growing innovation hubs.” Mayor Natoli said Maroochydore City Centre was an ideal investment destination for both international and Australian-based businesses “It offers excellent domestic and international connectivity through both the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane airports and premium A-grade offices being delivered as part of Sunshine Coast Council’s $2.5 billion agreement with Walker Corporation,” Mayor Natoli said “Maroochydore City Centre also offers a highly skilled workforce in key targeted economies such as the digital economy an enviable lifestyle and a Council committed to partnering with businesses to grow the regional economy “The initiative also cements the Sunshine Coast’s position as a prime location for technology-related investments in Australia following Council’s multiple Gold awards received from the International Economic Development Council in the United States “The Tabua subsea cable system will enhance our region’s already enviable digital infrastructure making it even more attractive to international businesses and investors who are already viewing the region with interest.” Mayor Natoli said the system was a welcome addition to the existing Sunshine Coast’s International Broadband Network which provides the fastest international connection point from Australia’s East Coast to Asia “For the Sunshine Coast to be chosen for this investment is clear evidence that we have a reputation as a leading player in the Asia-Pacific technology environment,” she said “The Tabua subsea cable system will play a crucial role in continuing to shape the Sunshine Coast’s future ensuring the region is a burgeoning investment destination of choice for technological connectivity NEXTDC Managing Director and CEO Craig Scroggie said NEXTDC was proud to be a longstanding partner with Sunshine Coast Council and Google collaborating to establish key cable landing facilities within our Sunshine Coast Data Centre and across Australia’s digital infrastructure “We’re thrilled to expand this strategic partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and Google in support of the Australia Connect initiative enhancing Australia’s internet connectivity and delivering faster more secure and reliable digital services,” Mr Scroggie said “This initiative strengthens the Sunshine Coast’s position as a hub for investment and further fortifies Australia’s digital economy.” Google Cloud Global Network Infrastructure Vice-President Brian Quigley said Google was pleased to collaborate with Sunshine Coast Council to bring a new landing for the Tabua subsea cable in Eastern Australia “This project will help increase the reliability and resilience of digital connectivity in the Indo-Pacific by improving reliability adding capacity and reducing latency,” Mr Quigley said Experience Sunshine Coast Living and community Environment Business Development Council Pay and apply © Sunshine Coast Regional Council 2008–2025 THE Bulikula and Tabua undersea telecommunications cables by Google have landed at the Fiji International Telecommunications Ltd’s (FINTEL) landing facility in Vatuwaqa opening Fiji up to unprecedented regional and international connectivity and significant opportunities in domestic economic growth MSME and Communications Manoa Kamikamica said they represent “a significant moment for Fiji” as the infrastructure will not only connect Fiji more deeply with the world but will empower Fijians with the tools needed to thrive in a digital age and we will continue to support current and new investors as we work towards strengthening and diversifying our economy,” he said The cables are part of Google’s Pacific Connect project announced over 2023 and 2024 which will see the delivery of six new cables; Honomoana and Tabua cables under its South Pacific Connect initiative Bulikula and Halaihai under its Central Pacific Connect initiative and Proa and Taihei cables connecting the Northern Pacific to Japan the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) and Amalgamated Telecom Holdings are local partners in the project FINTEL’s chief executive officer George Samisoni said FINTEL will be providing the required facilities utilities and management of the cable systems in Vatuwaqa while discussions are in progress for FINTEL to provide the same at Google’s new state-of-the-art landing station in Natadola where two more Google cables are expected to land soon “This Google Pacific Connect is designed to have cable landings to most PICs and territories,” Mr Samisoni said “(There are) Six cables in total,creating North Google’s South Pacific Connect initiative will connect Fiji and French Polynesia to both the United States and Australia and its local partners are FINTEL in Fiji Office of Posts and Telecommunications of French Polynesia APTelecom in the US and Australia’s Vocus Group Japan and Chile and other countries in the Pacific region.” NOTE: This article was first published in the print edition of the Fiji Times dated January 28 FIJI Airways will be revising its subscription-based program Tabua Club tailored for loyal members and customers effective January next year This was revealed by chief executive officer Andre Viljoen during the announcement of its inaugural non-stop flights to Dallas United States of America starting December 10 Mr Viljoen said the new Tabua Club program will be more affordable (lower price) and will include unlimited access to the award-winning Fiji Airways Premier Lounge at Nadi airport “As well as provide four international lounge passes dedicated reservations and support and exclusive member only deals and offers,” Mr Viljoen said current Tabua Club members joining the new Tabua Club program will receive a status upgrade to Gold Platinum and Platinum Pro on the AAdvantage Program depending on their Tabua Club travel history and existing points balance TORIKA Tabua does not let the confines of her office limit her ability to tend to patients who visit ZENS Medical Health Centre in Nadi As team leader of the organisation’s communications department Ms Tabua won the award for patient journey champion at the centre’s 25th anniversary celebration at Nadi’s Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau last month The 45-year-old Nawaka villager has grown accustomed to juggling her role as a mother-of-three in the three years she’s worked for the company we also do bookings for our doctors,” Ms Tabua said “We do referrals and all those things I come out of the room and assist with customer service.” This can involve taking patients to their relevant departments if they need urgent assistance “The communications department is like a hub for ZENS Medical so when they need assistance through an email we make sure we attend to them by transferring calls or queries to the right department “We do not always want to transfer calls because patients get confused or frustrated so we make sure we know the products and also the cost of the products we provide.” Ms Tabua said dealing with frustrated customers was a norm in her field of work “Sometimes they call and say they’re still waiting for their blood tests or for their results so we try and deal with these concerns there and then rather than transfering their call “We’ve been through training on patients’ journeys and all that and some of the things that come up include dealing with frustrated patients.” Ms Tabua said her previous work experience at the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has proven to be instrumental in addressing agitated customers “My advice would be to just be yourself “And because it is a patient’s journey we have all those qualities like being compassionate and caring.Our priority should be your patient.” ZENS Medical Centre Pte Limited has provided general practitioner its branches expanding from Nadi to Namaka Since the company’s inception in the early 2000s Australia faces Ireland in Belfast late on Saturday night (September 14) AEST It will be just the fifth time the two nations have met despite Australia and Ireland playing women's international rugby since 1994 and 1993 respectively Tuinakauvadra made the move south to Victoria to play for Melbourne Rebels in Super W in 2022 before linking up with ACT Brumbies in a year later, now sharing the field with fellow Orange product Lily Bone. She made her Wallaroos debut in 2023 against Fiji in Sydney and hasn't looked back. Sisters Milika and Tabua Tuinakauvadra after Tuggeranong Vikings' ACT Premier 15s grand final win over the Uni-Norths Owls. Picture by Sitthixay DitthavongAustralia plays matches in Ireland and Wales in the lead-up to the WXV2 tournament in South Africa where they will face Wales, South Africa and Scotland. Tuinakauvadra's inclusion in the back row is just one of a raft of changes brought on by coach Jo Yapp. Siokapesi Palu skippers the side in place of Michaela Leonard and Alapeta Ngauamo, Tiarah Minns and Lucy Dinnen could all make their debuts from the bench. Yapp said it was a chance four emerging players to show what they can do on the biggest stage. Tabua Tuinakauvadra playing for ACT Brumbies Womens against Queensland Reds Womens at GIO Stadium in 2022. Picture by Keegan Carroll"We're all really excited to be here in Belfast and I've been pleased with how the players have settled in and responded with the travel and being away from home," Yapp said in a statement. "We want to put in a good performance on Saturday and build on what we've been working on in recent camps. "It's a new-look side selected and it's important with a few injuries to build depth in key areas and give players an opportunity. "Alapeta, Lucy and Tiarah are all deserving of their first Test caps this weekend and we're looking forward to watching them play." Newsletters & AlertsView allDaily Today's top stories curated by our news team Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords Tuinakauvadra starred despite the last-minute loss in Newport crossing for her first try in a performance that included five tackle busts two line breaks and team-high metres (80m) and post-contact metres (59m) The 21-year-old has slowly built throughout the season after a strong year for the Brumbies as the young backrower fills the void left by the injured Piper Duck, set for another opportunity in Saturday (AEST) WXV 2's opener against the Welsh. “Definitely a lot more confidence in myself that I can play good footy for 80 minutes and really back myself with how we want to play for the duration of the match," she told reporters. “The try was just a little reward but being able to consistently push myself for the whole game is something that I really wanted to work towards and to be able to walk off the field feeling that I put myself on the line for my team is something that I was really proud of.” Tuinakauvadra is sharing her rise alongside fellow Brumbies young star Faitala Moleka, who started both of the pre-WXV Tests against Ireland and the Welsh. As the duo take on further responsibility in the squad, they were trying to find their voice and assert themselves within the team environment. “We talk about our roles a lot and what we bring to the table when we do have these opportunities," she explained. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wallaroos (@wallaroosrugby) “(Faitala's) definitely got a lot more to show for it with how she trains and her knowledge and the type of player that she is. I think she has the IQ and the knowledge to really steer the team around the park. It's just a matter of her experience of putting her foot down. “We’ve been telling each other that we're going to be a bit more firm in what we say and how we carry ourselves in the training sessions. “The quote of the week has been no more Mr Nice Guy so as soon as we get on the field, we saw what we want and then as soon as we’re off, we’re having a little giggle. “I think around our Brumbies teammates we’re a bit more comfortable in showing our emotions and telling people how it is so it’s about transferring it across to this team. There’s no emotion, just the message so it’s about believing in ourselves that we’re delivering the right message.” Tuinakauvadra will carry further load after fellow backrower Leilani Nathan was ruled out for the rest of the competition with a knee injury. Australia A standout Ruby Anderson will join the squad after a strong outing against Samoa. Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication.  Four of the 146 tabua returned to Fiji by DOC Tabua are an important cultural item in Fiji They can't be moved across international borders without permission because they come from sperm whales which are an internationally protected species Sperm whales are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) This is a legally binding agreement between more than 180 countries The aim of CITES is to ensure international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival Around 6000 species of endangered animals and 30,000 species of endangered plants are protected under CITES The illegal trade in endangered species is worth billions of dollars a year New Zealand joined CITES in 1989 and passed the Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989 The legislation requires anyone bringing an item made from a protected species - like a tabua - into New Zealand from overseas people travelling from Fiji have arrived at the New Zealand border with a tabua but without the CITES permit needed to bring it into the country This has meant they've had to hand over the tabua to DOC We've kept the seized tabua in secure storage," says DOC Director-General Lou Sanson "Following discussions with the Fiji Department of Environment we've now returned 146 tabua to Fiji Tabua are a significant taonga in Fiji and we're pleased to be able to return them to their rightful home," says Lou Sanson Tabua are considered by Fijians as a kavakaturanga or a 'chiefly thing' They're not worn but are presented at important ceremonies Fiji Department of Environment Permanent Secretary Joshua Wycliffe delightfully welcomes the return of the tabua "This is a significant event for Fiji as tabua play a very significant role in traditional Fijian society They hold a ceremonial role in our country This is because in modern times we can only obtain these teeth when a sperm whale dies after stranding on our coast," says Joshua Wycliffe for instance when we engage with communities as part of our conservation work the return of these tabua will help us when we're developing new conservation projects." "My Ministry manages the CITES system in Fiji when we engage with communities we remind them they need to have the correct CITES permit if they're taking their tabua to another country," says Joshua Wycliffe Government agencies manage the CITES permit system in more than 180 countries It enables these agencies to regulate legal and sustainable wildlife trade and to catch and prosecute people attempting to illegally buy and sell items made from protected animal and plant species "The use of the tabua in Fiji for cultural purposes the survival of the sperm whale in the wild and CITES are all compatible," says CITES Secretary-General John Scanlon "By working together with a sense of common purpose people and wildlife converge in a way that lifts our spirits." "We applaud the efforts of the CITES Management Authorities of Fiji and New Zealand to deal with these issues fully in accordance with CITES and in such a culturally sensitive manner," says John Scanlon New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Mark Ramsden handed the tabua Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama at a ceremony in Nadi on Monday May 29 The handover will be followed by a workshop involving CITES personnel from 16 countries in the Oceania region which will be opened by the CITES Secretary-General John Scanlon Email: media@doc.govt.nz Investigative stories and local news updates Coverage of the Hawaiʻi State legislature in 2025 Award winning in-depth reports and featured on-going series Get the week’s news delivered straight to your inbox The Pacific Connect Initiative will create new fiber links between Hawaii and other Pacific regions Sylvia Luke says a new $1 billion trans-Pacific fiber optic cable project is essential to keep Hawaii connected to the rest of the world at a time when two of the state’s three existing trans-Pacific fiber cable links are nearing the end of their operational lives “Just how we need multiple roads to get in and out of different areas we need these pathways to ensure that everyone can get online stay online and thrive,” Luke said at a press conference Tuesday Google on April 10 announced its plans for the Taihei cable directly linking Hawaii to Japan, and also announced new plans to include Hawaii in its Tabua project linking the United States to Australia to Fiji The Tabua extension will add an entirely new undersea link between Hawaii and the rest of the U.S “This will ensure that thousands of our families, businesses, institutions that depend on reliable, high-speed internet will not get left behind,” Luke told an audience at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Kakaako Luke is leading the state’s Connect Kākou initiative to expand high-speed internet access on Hawaii director of Asia Pacific network planning and acquisition for Google said the project means “Hawaii now becomes a key digital hub in the Pacific.” “Submarine cables are the backbone of the internet Human connectivity today depends on them more than any other kind of infrastructure and you should be proud that Hawaii is now a center of that connectivity,” Robinson said parts of which could be completed as early as 2026 will also provide new links to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam A major benefit of the new cable project is increasing redundancy in Hawaii’s connections to the rest of the world to guard against system failures if cables are damaged or disabled “We know bad days will happen,” Robinson said “Hurricanes and typhoons cause power outages We can use technology to rapidly recover and reroute and restore services when these events occur.” Robinson said in most places it will be roughly the size of a garden hose Apart from the Google project, Hawaii is about to receive an unprecedented injection of more than $320 million in federal funds to expand broadband access and provide related support over the next five years That money will be used to improve connectivity and expand broadband access on Hawaiian homelands and in other rural parts of the state. State projects that are in the works include plans to develop new submarine fiber cables between the islands. Public information sessions for the Connect Kakou initiative are continuing across the islands. Updates and information about those sessions is available at ConnectKakou.org Unfortunately, being named a finalist for a Pulitzer prize doesn’t make us immune to financial pressures. The fact is, our revenue hasn’t kept pace with our need to grow, and we need your help Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in Hawaiʻi. We’re looking to build a more resilient, diverse and deeply impactful media landscape, and we hope you’ll help by supporting our essential journalism Kevin Dayton is a reporter for Civil Beat. You can reach him by email at kdayton@civilbeat.org Civil Beat has been named the best overall news site in Hawaii for the 14th year in a row by the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter At (around 5 pm) there was another landslide and rock collapse on the western slope of Tabua – where the expressway tunnel between Tabua and Lugar de Baixo is located the existing pebble beach ‘disappeared’ and is now covered by a significant pile of earth and stones See here the sequence of images captured at this second event by Beatriz Abrunhosa From Diário Notícias Is this related to the Moroccan earthquake I know we’ve had rain but … I wonder if connected to the terrible earthquake across the pond in Morocco Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email That's the view of coach Jo Yapp, who believes her squad has come along in leaps and bounds following an intensive training camp that culminated in Saturday's Possibles v Probables hit-out. Wallaroos teammates went hammer and tongs at the Australian Institute of Sport in their bid to earn selection in the July Test series against Fiji and New Zealand. Yapp says it's just the preparation needed ahead of a physical battle with Fijiana this weekend. "We looked at the GPS numbers and it was like a Test match hit-out for the players," Yapp told reporters at the Wallabies x Wallaroos Fan Day in Sydney. "Obviously having not played for a few weeks and Fiji coming in off the back of a couple of games, it was important we had that hit-out. "It's a credit to the girls and it was such a good week. The girls really stepped up, there was massive competition for places and it shows that, as a group, we're moving forward in creating more depth." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wallaroos (@wallaroosrugby) Another 2024 debut looms in Saturday's double-header with uncapped Queenslander Nat Wright included as one of just two halfbacks in Yapp's revised 30-woman squad. A former Australian Sevens squad member, Wright impressed with a try during the internal trial and is short odds to don the 21 jersey as Layne Morgan's replacement this weekend. Force duo Tamika Jones and Alapeta Ngauamo have also been called into the national set-up and could earn their first cap this month while star utility Ash Marsters is a wildcard to return from an ankle injury sustained during the Pacific Four Series. "(Ash) is doing really well. She's worked exceptionally hard with that injury and that rehab and she's in a good place as the moment," Yapp said. "(Saturday's double header) is a great opportunity, isn't it, to get people along to the game and maybe a few who haven't watched the Wallaroos before … to come down early and get behind the girls as well." Yapp is expected to name her Wallaroos matchday squad on Thursday July 4. When Dali Jobson arrived at Auckland Airport in January on a flight from Fiji she was carrying a cultural heirloom highly regarded by many in Fiji: a polished whale tooth which was gifted to her 9-year-old daughter Under New Zealand's Trade in Endangered Species Act artefacts like tabua need an export permit to be brought into the country she's warning others in the Pacific to be more aware of the need for permits before bringing cultural heirlooms into New Zealand that there was such a thing you needed to do before," said Ms Jobson who said her family had declared tabua twice before with no problem "I wouldn't risk bringing in an item as precious as that ignoring any notice of needing things like that So I found it quite surprising and frustrating really fore-warnings or signs or posters at the Fiji airport." The Trade in Endangered Species Act was introduced in 1989 after New Zealand became one of 183 countries to sign the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species The treaty covers more than 34,000 species and monitors and regulates their trade through a system of permits and certificates "I had to actually tell my family that this heirloom had been seized and I've forwarded to them some of what is required in order to bring these things through but it's not worth the risk," said Ms Jobson "They're passing [the information] on but none of them were aware." The National Compliance Manager for the Department of Conservation (DoC) said more than 100 tabua had been seized at New Zealand's border in the past 15 years because passengers did not have the required permits "Sperm whales under the Convention for Trade and Endangered Species are given the highest degree of protection and they're in the same league as those iconic species and animals like rhino and elephants," said Mr Lew He added that hundreds of items from the Pacific were seized at the border each year for similar reasons and while tabua and turtle shells were often forfeited to the crown the most seized or surrendered items that we intercept particularly at Auckland International Airport is coral and shells from the Pacific Islands," he said "Coral is a listed endangered species - the majority of the coral is and many of the shells So my advice to New Zealand families and the kids is don't break the coral off the reefs it's not allowed to be brought back into the country and you'll save yourself the hassle at the airport through the customs." Passengers who declare items will not be penalised but there are serious consequences for those who do not "There are some sanctions and even up to prosecutions that can be taken if you don't declare those things particularly for those people that are wilfully concealing them" he explained "But I would add that in the first instance it may be a biosecurity matter with the Ministry of Primary Industries at the border." To bring tabua into New Zealand, a person needs a permit from the country of origin. So, in Ms Jobson's case, she would have had to apply with the Fiji authorities for an export permit before she left the country a process she said was not well publicised But he said staff had started working to raise more awareness in Fiji advertisements and even for the travellers there on Fiji Airways - sometimes they play advertisements showing all those requirements what is required of passengers when they want to buy certain products as such," he said "The Ministry of Information in Fiji is engaged in creating awareness on such items probably with the imports and exports as well." Darryl Lew said DoC had received invitations from around the region to help with training and the department was active in supporting Pacific countries in raising awareness More than 90 percent of the endangered species specimens seized at New Zealand's border was destroyed He said that under the repatriation terms of the treaty DoC was preparing to return its collection of more than 100 tabua to Fiji "I'm very pleased to say that we have an agreement between both management authorities of Fiji and New Zealand that we're going to be repatriating the tabua later this year The Department of Conservation would like to hope that it's some reasonable formal event and a cultural exchange to hand over the tabua," he said "The details of that are not confirmed yet but certainly from New Zealand government's point of view the intention would be for New Zealand staff both from possibly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Conservation New Zealand's Department of Conservation is encouraging customs authorities around the region to continue raising awareness about export permits for cultural items New Zealand's Department of Conservation will repatriate more than 100 Fijian cultural items seized over the last 15 years A Fijian woman has warned others to be more aware of the export permits needed to bring cultural items from the Pacific into New Zealand Pacific RSS Follow RNZ News It was in this state that the Tabua tunnel remained after the fall of a collapse that fell on the road without causing victims It would have been a tremendous impact in the face of visible damage and that motivated the closure of the section for protection Via Expresso closed the road on the side of Tabua and since the work being carried out on the escarpment overlooking the Ponta do Sol tunnel is controlled and does not present imminent danger Lugar de Baixo is accessible from the Rotunda da Ponta do Sol Sol and then users have to take the alternative route on the ER222 ” Makes you wonder about the quality of the concrete used. Was it of the correct spec? That comment does not make any sense. We’re looking at several tonns rock on a 100 meter drop. No way the concrete structure is able to withstand that ammount of energy. “A source from the Regional Secretariat for Equipment and Infrastructures notes that the first collapse, which occurred this morning, did not actually penetrate the tunnel, however, it gave a warning signal that there was a need to intervene urgently. Some sources are quoting the rockfall as being responsible for the dramatic photos, which were only taken after workmen intervened to secure the scene.” I´m afraid you got lost in translation… There was a first rockfall in the early hours in the morning which did not cause substantial damage to the tunnel structure. The road was closed by authorities and every time there is this sort of collapse they send specialized technicians which evaluate the integrity of the rock to check if there are still loose rocks. It was when this work was performed that the remaining huge blocks fell and collapsed the tunnel and led to the photos you see in this article. They say will be open by Saturday, do you think it will. Tobi, it should be noted that it was not the tunnel itself that collapsed, it was the 50 meter extension that runs out of the mountain that collapsed. These are called “fake tunnels” because they are there just as a safety “cover” from the rockfall. Of course, they are not designed to sustain the high energy impact of several tonns of rocks coming from the top of the mountain. Provided the integrity of the rock is reassured then there is no reason for not opening the road for traffic. Oh OK so the Escape Tunnel, that would run out towards the sea.? Not the escape tunnel, if you look at the site on Google Maps you can see the tunnel extends 50 meters away from the cliff. Provided that cliff is checked for loose rocks, it´s all about cleaning the debris. The integrity of the tunnel itself is not affected. Lucky there wasn’t any cars about. How sad. As an egineer I can tell you with no fear of contravention that this was impact damage, from what height is the only question. Concrete is a very weak substance if not reinforced, this can be done using many methods (including wool, as a fibre as the Romans 2000 years ago, or fibreglass strands as for some applications today) but with this application it would be steel reinforced rebar, looking at these photos close up, leads me to believe it will be the reinforcement that comes under close scrutiny. You’ve only got to see all the concrete constructions in Madeira to see that they are not reinforced adequately and concrete lacking in substance.Like Italy in the 50’s and 60’s …. Are you seriously suggesting that every single reinforced concrete bridge, tunnel and building in Madeira is defective? Maybe who knows? I’m no expert but observations confirm my opinion. It’s called an opinion,just like yours !! Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Don't worry, I also hate spam. The iconic rugby song "World in Union" could well have been written about Ilivasi Tabua. The Fijian-born Australian rugby international is in Vanuatu helping the Solomon Islands to victory over Niue. "Rugby has always been a part of me," he says. "Not only have I seen the world, but it has given me a lot and I want to give back." Now 53, the former hard-tackling Wallaby flanker and Fijian national coach and player is doing precisely that by volunteering with the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation, sharing a lifetime of wisdom with the emerging rugby nation. The Solomon Islands are considered the dark horse of Pacific rugby. "Soccer has always been the game but it doesn't mean rugby can't actually excel," Tabua says. "You have the Polynesian island group and you have the Melanesian island group and the Micronesian - it's a great mix but how can we harness that and put a pathway system in place." The Solomon's men's team went within one try of securing a place in the 2018 Rugby Sevens World Cup. Solomon's National Development Manager and Sevens coach Alivereti Mocelutu, himself a former elite player, has worked closely with Tabua. "He's got a lot of knowledge," he says. "We want to bring that experience so we've been doing a lot of work and we can see the progress," Aliverti explains. While the side is starting to command respect in world rugby, self-respect is what has driven Tabua to the Solomon Islands. The rugby program is supported by the Australian aid-funded Pacific Sports Partnerships and Tabua is true believer in sport as a development tool. "It's not glamorous but to see a young man achieve his goals, to see a community get behind the youths and to see them moving forward into a positive lifestyle engaging with the principles of sport is very rewarding" he says. "There's integrity, there's discipline, there's communication, there is honesty, there is trust and these are the values you need to be successful in any field. "This is how you can best educate," Tabua says. When Tabua walks the streets of Honiara, where the round ball is still king, few recognise the dual international. But inside the Solomon Islands' national rugby stadium, he is a beacon to young men and women. "They see me and think 'If he could do it, we could do it as well'," he says. "I want to actually see these young people achieve, and take on those values and principles because it is more than a game, it is about life." And what if he is successful and, one day in the future, the Solomon Islands challenge Fiji or the Wallabies for a place in the final of the Rugby World Cup? "No matter who wins, if they've given their best and taken on board the game, the principles and the values to be stronger men and stronger leaders of tomorrow, I'm happy and fulfilled with that," Tabua says. Happy and fulfilled, because we'd be one step closer to a world in union. This story was produced by ABC International Development as part of the Pacific Sports Partnerships funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page WHEN a government minister enters a village on an official visit mats and garlands that are offered as gifts This was the submission made by Nadi resident Abel Camillo during the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights public consultation yesterday Mr Camillo said government representatives were paid to do their work “They are there for something and they are causing a burden to the community being visited,” he said “I plead with villagers not to prepare any magiti (feast) or traditional ceremonies because the government minister is being paid to perform his duty we treat you like kings because we have everything there It’s an urban area and people are suffering but they still give the best of themselves The tabua is a very expensive item and yaqona is expensive too the code of conduct is termed as bribery if you enter an area and they give you mats they give you a tabua or cash for a request for you to install a water meter or a tank in the village.” the long-awaited Code of Conduct Bill will establish clear standards for public office holders and strengthen Fiji’s governance frameworks The Bill proposes to impose strict penalties on public office holders who do not comply with regulations around asset declarations Portugal was shocked by the story of Maria Isabel Quaresma Dos Santos a 9-year-old girl who had spent her entire childhood in a chicken coop deprived of any human interaction and affection Because of the effects growing up with chickens had on her behavior Isabel became known as “Chicken Girl” According to an article published by the Diário de Notícias newspapers in 1980 Maria Isabel Quaresma Dos Santos was born on July 6 who doctors would later diagnose with severe mental problems because she didn’t consider her as part of the family Maria Isabel would spent the next 8 years of her life in this place surrounded only by chickens and surviving on the same food as the birds – grains cabbage leaves and whatever leftovers the family would feed them Maria Isabel’s older brothers did not share her fate went to school and interacted with other children from the local community It was later revealed that everyone in Tábua knew about the girl growing up in the Dos Santos’ chicken coop but no one ever denounced the family to the authorities or try to help her in any way Tábua was a small rural community in those times and people focused on working in the fields instead of getting mixed up in the affairs of their neighbors Photo: KoillokDoido/Wikimedia Commons Although the story of the “Chicken Girl” – as newspapers referred to Isabel at the time – only broke out in January of 1980 the girl had an opportunity to escape her inhuman prison four years before one of her aunts filed a complaint against her parents and tried to get her examined by doctors She was diagnosed with severe disability by doctors in Coimbra who added that she needed to be hospitalized for rehabilitation there were no institutions that would take her in so after being rejected by several hospitals and mental facilities the aunt had no choice but to take her back to her family a radiology technician at Torres Vedras Hospital exposed the girl’s case to the media that things actually started moving in the right direction Bichão had been made aware of Maria Isabel’s situation by other nurses at the hospital and wanted to help but soon realized that she needed professional help so she contacted journalists from the Portuguese capital about the conditions she had been living in and the effects this had had on her physical and mental state “It’s hard to imagine that anyone can survive in the conditions that this child has lived in for years But even more shocking is that her case had been denounced four years ago without any institution taking the necessary steps to resolve it,” wrote Maria Catarina arranging for Isabel to be taken to a rehabilitation center in Lisbon Doctors there were shocked by her animal-like behavior and severe mental disability I can say that this is a child suffering from an intellectual insufficiency most likely caused by affective and social abandonment Isabel’s behavior is at an elementary biological level primary reactions of an animal or human being,” João dos Santos director of the Center for Child Mental Hygiene in Lisbon told the” O Jornal ” newspaper in February 1980 Portuguese newspaper Expresso reported that despite being “profoundly sad” and afraid because “crying is the first form of communication between human beings” and she had had almost no contact with humans during most of her childhood Even more shocking were the reports about the way Maria Isabel mimicked chicken behavior She took small steps and constantly moved her arms She did not speak and only emitted cackles to express herself Because she had only been fed chicken food her brain had stagnated to the level of a two year old’s Maria Isabel Quaresma Dos Santos still exhibited gestures and behavior characteristic of the place she had grown up in quick steps and flapping her arms remained one of the main ways she expressed herself she was able to move by herself on flat surfaces and had become less aggressive and has adapted very well to her environment She knows how to show what she wants and what she does not want,” Cristina Conceição Maria Isabel Quaresma Dos Santos has been living in a medical facility in Fatima for the last 16 years, and without revealing too many details, to preserve “the dignity of the patient”, the Expresso newspaper reports that she is “well” The story of Portugal’s Chicken Girl has been retold for nearly four decades an investigation by the Expresso revealed that the newspapers of the 1980s may have exaggerated their reporting It was true that Maria Isabel had been living in a chicken coop who had suffered brain damage due to meningitis would leave her there unattended while working in the fields Isabel’s chicken mimicking was apparently all made up by the newspapers to sell more copies She did indeed suffer from severe mental deficiencies due to lack of human contact and affection but her behavior apparently had nothing to do with imitating birds Caretakers at the institution Isabel has been living in for the last 22 years have always been very protective of her and even denying requests from Portuguese and foreign scientists wanting to study her She apparently has the cognitive level of a 4-year-old Sources: Instituto de Educacao, Expresso, Expresso 2 Despite the hardships brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic floriculturist Asinate Tabua continues to thrive and was almost unaffected by its impact The Korotogo villager in the district of Conua in Nadroga runs a floriculture business that supplies to a nearby hotel She explained that she did not feel the economic impact of COVID-19 despite the closure of hotels as the churches continued to provide her with business her former employer continued to engage her services due to the demand for tropical flowers for the wedding market by tourists who opted to exchange their vows at that resort She thanked the Agriculture Ministry for their timely assistance in providing her with a greenhouse that has allowed her to expand her business She is encouraging women who were not in full-time employment to take up floriculture as a means to earn income Tabua is urging women to plan ahead and work hard so they could look after themselves instead of relying on others The Korotogo villager plans to build another nursery following the success of her current one which was provided under the Ministry’s Women in Agriculture program The program supports women and women’s groups for active participation in agriculture development through its first objective of commercializing floriculture for cut flowers The Ministry of Fijian Affairs was preparing laws to ban the sale of tabua because of an acute shortage of the whales’ teeth according to an article published in The Fiji Times on January 12 The tabua was a vital part of Fijian ceremonies and culture but the supply situation was becoming critical most Fijians were living without one in the household Many Fijians in urban areas had to spend their savings or borrow to buy tabua from pawn shops and Chinese shops when they needed them for special occasions where once large tabua were offered at a ceremony often a small one was used because of its scarcity and cost Mr Waqa said the problem was caused first by a drain on Fiji’s stock of tabua as they were given away to VIPs expatriates and people taking out of Fiji as souvenirs the supply of tabua was drying up as the world curbed whaling in particular the sperm whale which provided tabua Many tabua were lying on shop shelves after being sold or pawned by Fijians who were in financial distress This trend was like Fijians were selling their whole culture the tabua is held in high esteem and it is very wrong for Fijians to sell them,” he added A ministry’s legal officer was working on legislation to ban the sale of tabua and this draft was to go to the Crown Law Office for final drafting The aim was to stop the trade and the exploiting of Fijians’ need for tabua People would need a licence in order to take a tabua out of Fiji legally Fijians would be urged to either ceremonially present tabua but tell the recipients they should not take them away or they should substitute items such as a tanoa or a lali An example of this sort was a case he saw in a newspaper where a Fiji Boxing Council official presented a tanoa instead of a tabua to a visiting overseas official four consignments of tabua had been brought into Fiji since 1950 the Customs Department in Lautoka seized a large consignment of tabua illegally imported by merchants The ministry itself received two consignments in 1979 through the Fiji High Commission in Canberra and had been selling the tabua at reasonable prices to those who needed them But these tabua were running out and the High Commission said it would be difficult to get any more Tabua are kept by Fijians for use in marriages welcoming ceremonies and reconciliation in dispute It could not be replaced by yaqona or other Fijian gifts on special occasions Google will be investing about $200 million into Fiji through the South Pacific Connect initiative or the Tabua Cable connection and by the year 2030 its annual economic output over 7 years would be around USD$295 million in total and it has the potential to support almost 3,600 jobs This has been highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica in his ministerial statement in parliament where he says under this initiative Google will establish and lay new subsea cables that will link the United States He says Google will lay the Tabua Cable which will connect the United States Australia and Fiji and a second subsea cable dubbed the “Honomoana cable” will be laid that will connect the United States to French Polynesia and onward to Australia The Deputy Prime Minister says Google will also construct a diverse cable landing station and ICT facility in Fiji which will create the first Tier III data centre in the Pacific improving reliability adding capacity and reducing latency for users in the Pacific and around the world He says this has the potential to turbo-charge Your browser does not support the audio element Kamikamica says the improved network infrastructure will support new and emerging technologies including frontier technology such as Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing and will have the potential to make the greatest progress in areas such as education manufacturing and combating climate change He says this investment will greatly support Fiji’s BPO and outsource sector by not only offering greater network infrastructure The Deputy Prime Minister says the BPO sector has the potential to provide 25,000 jobs and contribute greatly to Fiji’s GDP He further says Google is collaborating with key stakeholders including FINTEL and the FNPF which will strengthen Fiji and FINTEL’s telecommunications hub status and provide the much needed reliable and resilient connectivity between the people of the Pacific and the rest of the world Kamikamica adds they also believe Fiji’s institutional investors such as FNPF Fijian Holdings Limited and BSP Life may have an opportunity to invest in the Tabua Cable While responding to Kamikamica’s statement Viliame Naupoto says connectivity is good for development and modernisation but we should not forget the downside of it Naupoto says the Budapest Convention on cybercrime was brought to the parliament dealt with in a parliamentary committee and the Attorney General was supposed to move a motion in parliament that Fiji ratify this convention He says they are still waiting for the motion to come to parliament so that Fiji can partner with those countries that are at the forefront of fighting cybercrime Fiji Airways Business Class guests and Tabua Club members flying from Hong Kong to Fiji will enjoy a new lounge from the 1st of next month Fiji Airways says they have selected the Hong Kong Airlines VIP Lounge - Club Bauhinia located at Hong Kong International Airport’s Departure Terminal 1 near gate 23 for its premium guests A private VIP room is also available through advanced bookings Fiji Airways guests will also enjoy an excellent selection of food and beverage which will be complemented by an extensive range of wines liquors and soft drinks from the Lounge bars Sitiveni Rabuka had accepted a tabua presented by the party's youth on behalf of Party President The tabua was presented by the Vice President of the SODELPA Youth asking Rabuka traditionally to give his blessings and support to the party Meanwhile Viliame Gavoka has been accepted as Party Leader and Filimoni Vosarogo has been endorsed as the new Deputy Leader in the party AGM in Lami today 21 members of the Management Board voted for Gavoka to be the Party Leader while 20 voted for Caretaker Leader yesterday Legend FM also received confirmation that 21 board members voted for Vosarogo while 20 voted for Lynda Tabuya Ratu Epenisa Cakobau did not cast a vote and oversaw the elections Salote Radrodro and Jese Saukuru who were present during the meeting yesterday did not like the outcome of the appointment They had questioned why they needed a new leader when Rabuka had brought in more votes than anyone else in the party in the 2018 general elections Other MPs like Mikaele Leawere and Aseri Radrodro say it's time for a change and they believe in the new appointment Ratu Epenisa Cakobau has also made it clear that they will support the people who will be officially announced as Leader and Deputy Leader today Film and TV reviewer Laumata Lauano joins Kathryn to talk about Duckrockers (TVNZ+) the prequel series to the film Sione's Wedding She'll also look at the new series of Heartbreak High (Netflix) which is set at the same high school 20 years later and Uraia Tabua is a vlogger who documents life in Fiji (YouTube) See terms of use for easy access to all your favourite programmes In a bid to address over-pricing and increase accessibility the iTaukei Trust Fund Board set up the Tabua Shop last December TTFB communications specialist Naina Ragigia said the facility was a one-stop shop where anyone could buy the highly regarded traditional item at a price they could afford “The tabua are readily available at the iTaukei Trust Fund Board (TTFB) office located at the Veivueti House “They can also be viewed on our website www.itaukeitrustfund.com.fj with sizes and prices also outlined “Once people are satisfied with what they see and wish to purchase they are physically required to present themselves at the TTFB office The form is then vetted on site by our staff and then the tabua is released to them Ms Ragigia said the shop had a quota of 15 tabua a month and once that is sold it is closed and restocked for the next month “The sale is strictly on a “first come first served” basis and there are no reservations “The prices ranges from as low as $170 and go up to $860 The logic behind the price range is to make the tabua accessible to the public at prices that are affordable and this also allows the tabua to circulate within our iTaukei settings “We know that the prices elsewhere are exorbitant and many have been downplayed by such traders therefore we do not want to turn away any customer by trading at skyrocketing prices.” When asked if there was a method used to calculate prices “First we conduct a test to gauge if the tabua is genuine and then there is a special formula that we use which takes into account the size and probable market value “We use the same formula when we purchase tabua from individuals “If we find out that a tabua is fake we simply do not engage in any further transactions with whoever is selling it “We do not take people to task as we are not a law enforcement agency their details are entered into our database through a form which is provided to them the moment they walk into our premises.” Ms Ragigia said it was important to note that the Tabua Shop was not established to gain financially from the trading of tabua “We simply want to widely circulate the use of tabua to all levels of the community knowing that people are in need but often cannot afford them due to the expensive prices.”