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fortune gems 3 demo apk The End of ESG? Judge Rejects Target's Bid to Toss Shareholder Pride Backlash LawsuitSINGAPORE: It is a battle watched by a ballroom of hundreds, streamed to an audience of millions, and fought by two men representing two nations of billions. One is a young star, an 18-year-old who has shot to prominence. The other is a familiar face about a decade his senior. In a room measuring 10m by 7m by 2.7m, the champion takes on the challenger. Over the next few hours on Tuesday (Nov 26), the contest unfolds. They cross their arms, furrow their brows and shift in their seats. The crowd ebbs and flows but two men pay little heed. “Silence please” urge the placards held by volunteers, not that noise would have much effect anyway. Separated from the crowd by one-way mirror, the duo are oblivious to anything but the pieces in front of them. Welcome to the World Chess Championship. CHESS IN THE "VEINS AND ARTERIES" Taking place between Nov 20 and Dec 15 at Equarius Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa, the tournament is being held in Singapore for the first time. It pits the world champion, China’s 31-year-old grandmaster Ding Liren, against India's 18-year-old grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju. The FIDE World Championship match is held every two years. It features the defending world champion and a challenger, chosen through a qualification process culminating in the Candidates Tournament, which includes eight of the world's top players. Ding and Gukesh, the youngest challenger in championship history, will vie for the crown over a best-of-14 format. The pair have met three times, with Ding beating his Indian opponent twice and drawing once. And it was the Chinese player who took the first game on Monday. It is a contest that has attracted fans from all over the world. Mr Mohit Bhagwati and his family had planned their holiday around the tournament. But after failing to secure tickets for day one, they decided to push back their return flight. “Gukesh is representing our country. He’s the pride of our country. We are rooting for him, so we’ve come all the way to support him,” said the 36-year-old attending the event with his 7-year-old son Nakshatra. “Chess is running in the veins and arteries of all the children in our country right now, thanks to Gukesh and Vishy Anand.” Viswanathan 'Vishy' Anand is an Indian chess grandmaster, and a five-time world champion. "We were heartbroken (by the result on day one)," said Mr Mohit. "We'll only go once he wins!" In Singapore for a quick stopover after a business trip, Malaysian Kenneth Lim took the chance to catch his first international chess meet. "I haven't played (competitively) in more than ten years, so this is mostly opportunistic," he said. "How often do you get the chance to see a (World) Chess Championship, or any form of championship? So this was a good opportunity." A TREAT FOR SOME For local chess aficionados, the multi-day event is an opportunity like no other. “I was quite surprised that they put in a bid but it was a pleasant surprise. It’s good that the Singapore Chess Federation (SCF) has initiated this,” said 48-year-old Martin Lee. “It’s really superb. I’m very proud of Singapore,” said Mr Lee’s wife, Ms Pan Yilin. “It’s a treat for them to come here and it’s a treat for us to have them here as well.” The pair, who purchased tickets for Tuesday and Wednesday, said that they were looking forward to meeting chess legends in the flesh. Although not a chess player himself, Mr Jek Lim bought two tickets for him and his 10-year-old son Evan. Accompanying them were two of his son's classmates and their fathers. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that doesn't happen so often, so it's good to get them immersed in the environment and watch the ... players play," he said. This is only the second time in the championship's 138-year history that it has been held in Southeast Asia, with the first being in Baguio, Philippines, in 1978. SCF chief executive Kelvin Goh said interest in the event had gone "way beyond" his expectations. Some fans arrived four hours ahead of time on the opening day, which experienced a full house of 400, Mr Goh told CNA. "Everyone is excited because nobody knows what to expect. Many chess fans have never attended a World Chess Championship in person ... People wanted to come and see what it was like." "It (day one) was better than I expected ... It was pretty overwhelming, I have to say," International Chess Federation (FIDE) CEO Emil Sutovsky told CNA. "I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people coming. That shows that the choice of the match (location) can have a longer positive impact in the aftermath of the event." Tickets for the weekends, like the opening day, are sold out. For the rest of the days, between 80 to 90 per cent of the tickets have been snapped up, Mr Goh estimated. Aside from the main event, the venue also boasts a fan zone where attendees can watch the match, play chess and interact with various renowned players. "Everyone is just enjoying the game," said Mr Goh. Tuesday's contest petered out into a draw, with Ding and Gukesh shaking hands to end the evening's proceedings. But there are more days to come, more moves to be made, and for ardent chess fans, more to look forward to.

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Spurs’ Chris Paul Suffers Thumb Injury vs Thunder By fans are watching closely after veteran guard appeared to suffer an injury during Tuesday’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Paul has been a vital leader and mentor for the young Spurs, making his health a key concern for the team and its fans. Here’s a closer look at how the injury happened, Paul’s response, and its potential impact on the Spurs this season. How did Chris Paul get injured? Chris Paul sustained an injury during the San Antonio Spurs’ 110-104 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The incident happened in the third quarter when Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got tangled near halfcourt. It was ruled incidental contact, but Paul grimaced in pain and had his thumb taped for the rest of the game. The injury raised concerns due to Paul’s history of hand issues—he has had five surgeries. Despite the pain, he finished the game with 14 points and nine assists. Paul even hit a critical dagger in the final minutes to secure the win. After the game, he downplayed the injury, telling TNT’s Jared Greenberg, “It’ll be alright” (via ). When will Chris Paul return to play? The timeline for Chris Paul’s return remains uncertain, as the severity of his injury has not been disclosed. Paul expressed optimism about recovering quickly, but the Spurs’ medical staff will monitor the situation closely due to his history of hand surgeries. Paul’s availability for Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz depends on how his thumb responds to treatment. Further evaluation will determine if there is any more serious damage. If the injury is minor, Paul could continue playing with his thumb taped, as he did during the Thunder game. However, the Spurs may opt for caution, given his veteran status and key role as both a player and mentor. Vritti Johar, Content Writer at ComingSoon.net, fuses her cinema passion with sharp content creation skills. When she's off-duty, you'll find her exploring the world through art and photography, always feeding her creative side. Share article

In New Zealand there is a way for citizens to kickstart a referendum themselves and it may complicate the already charged debate over Indigenous rights in the country. Like in Australia, the government can decide to put an idea or policy to the country via a referendum. But across the ditch, any New Zealander can bring any issue to parliament and petition for what's called a citizens-initiated referendum. New Zealand regularly performs among the best in the world on global report cards for political and civil liberties. And in the early 1990s it joined countries such as Switzerland and Italy by passing legislation to allow this type of national, citizen-led vote. At the moment, New Zealand is currently debating the future of its founding document, The Treaty of Waitangi. The treaty has been used to inform policies on Maori rights and recognition, and over the course of 50 years a set of treaty principles has been developed to guide that process. Minor party leader and cabinet minister David Seymour has tabled a bill that would rewrite the principles, set them out in legislation and then put the act itself to a referendum. The Treaty Principles Bill was something Mr Seymour won in coalition negotiations a year ago when the new centre-right government was formed. Recently, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon admitted race relations in New Zealand were now "probably worse" than when he came to power. "I think there's more division," he said. "It's a challenging time at the moment ... there's strong feeling on all sides of that debate." Mr Seymour and supporters of the Treaty Principles Bill argue all New Zealanders should have the same rights and privileges and everyone deserves to have a say on the role the Treaty of Waitangi plays in the nation's future. The bill's critics argue there is a danger in putting the rights of a minority in the hands of the majority. Mr Luxon has only promised to support the bill until it reaches its second reading, where it will very likely be voted down and killed, but there are multiple paths to a referendum in New Zealand. A referendum brought by the government would be binding; a citizens-led referendum would not be, but political and legal experts say the politics of a Yes result would make things very complicated either way. What is a citizen's initiated referendum? Direct democracy initiatives such as citizens-led referenda and citizens assemblies are ways for ordinary people to ask parliament and the nation to consider an issue. Switzerland is seen as having a very robust direct democracy, with the nation voting three times on government powers during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Citizen-led initiatives allow people to be empowered," Nyla Grace Prieto from democracy research centre International IDEA said. "It gives them a more active role in decision-making. It allows them to put forward and vote directly on issues and policies that are important to them." Since 1993, New Zealanders have been able to force the government to fund a national vote on a particular question. But as well as the catch that the result will not be binding, there are a few hurdles to clear before a citizens-initiated referendum can get off the ground at all. The first step is pretty easy. New Zealanders apply to the clerk of parliament, pay a fee and have their referendum question considered. It takes about three months for the final wording to be decided on and then the organiser has 12 months to gather enough signatures to force the vote. A citizens-initiated referendum petition must attract signatures of at least 10 per cent of the voting public, which at the moment in New Zealand is about 360,000 people. Organisers cannot rely on electronic signatures. Hitting the 10 per cent threshold requires pounding the pavement to secure signatures on a piece of paper that will then be delivered to parliament and verified as individual voters. There have been five citizen-initiated referendums so far in New Zealand, including one that was dubbed the "anti-smacking" referendum. After then-prime minister Helen Clark's government made corporal punishment a crime, citizens rallied, forced a referendum and were asked: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?" Of the 1.6 million people who turned out for the referendum , 87.4 per cent voted No, but it did not change the government's position and in the Crime Act of today , nothing justifies a parent's "use of force for the purposes of correction". Waikato University professor of law Alexander Gillespie said while the result of a non-binding citizens-led referendum did not have to be considered by government, "it's a bad look in a democracy" when the result was ignored. "If they are avoided, it can create large-scale political problems for the parties that act against them," he said. "And so the way I see it, sometimes it's not even about the topic of the referendum or the merits of the debate, it's about the larger political games that are going on." There are currently two petitions for a citizens-initiated referendum open in New Zealand ; one is about banning the sale of fireworks, the other is about the country's relationship with the World Health Organization. Collecting more than 300,000 signatures in support of an obscure issue is not easy, but of course some issues that lead to a referendum are more mainstream. "A lot of people who have a particular campaigning concern or issue ... will start the process and realise that getting 10 per cent of the voting public to sign a petition is no mean feat and will fall short quite substantially," said New Zealand-based barrister and constitutional law expert Graeme Edgeler. "But for something as big and high profile as the treaty principles process and the treaty principles legislation, I could imagine this would be something where there would be a campaigning organisation which might be able to make a good go at getting the large, large numbers of voters to sign their petition. "It's certainly something that a lot of members of the public are aware exists." New Zealand has many more referendums than Australia, but Dr Gillespie warns there are some risks. "Always, referendums are to be welcomed because democracy is a wonderful thing, but you need to be cautious because in a country like New Zealand ... we don't have a written constitution like you guys have, and we don't have a second chamber like a senate," he said. "And so our legislation is made just by parliament in a one-stop shop and it's fast. Everything ... can just happen with such speed. "Things that should be fundamental could be changed quickly. It's one thing to have a referendum on [the legalisation] of cannabis, on a different design of the flag, it's a different thing to have a referendum on the rights of the minority." Those who want a referendum Former National Party opposition leader and now lobbyist Don Brash has previously pushed for a referendum on the treaty principles. He said if Mr Luxon did not allow one, his group Hobson's Pledge would "work with similar groups to demand a citizens-initiated referendum". "Well, it's certainly in our mind, there's no doubt about that," told the ABC. "We haven't made any decision on this." Brash said it depended on whether the political advantage would be affected. "I've said that I'd be up for helping to organise such a referendum if [the Treaty Principles Bill] is killed at the second reading, but it depends a bit on what Seymour does," he said. "Because if he says, 'Look, this is what I go into the next election on and I will have a referendum on it the following month. It may not be appropriate." Mr Seymour has said he wants New Zealanders to go to a referendum on the Treaty Principles Bill that is binding, and he will not organise a citizens-initiated referendum himself. Asked about it by the ABC's Pacific Beat program last month , he said: "I've ruled that out. Others may do that, but I don't think that's practical." "The problem is they are not actually binding, so generally they get people's hopes up and then they disappoint people so no, I don't favour that approach." New Zealand's national government terms are three years, so the next election is due in 2026. Also part of the coalition agreement was that Mr Seymour would take over as deputy prime minister halfway through the term. That kicks in mid-2025. His Treaty Principles Bill is open for written submissions for another month, with the select committee process expected to take about six months. "That select committee will probably recommend that the bill not pass, but it will also say if you were to take this bill forward, here are some changes we would make to it," Mr Edgeler said. "At that point, there will probably be an updated version of the bill. "The treaty principles that might be rewritten from that bill could be used as part of the question that someone might decide to put to a petition process." New Zealand will still be in the midst of this debate when Waitangi Day — the national day marking the signing of the treaty — happens on February 6. This year's Waitangi Day saw huge crowds and a hikoi, or march, to the hallowed Waitangi Grounds, where those gathered demanded the treaty be honoured. When the Treaty Principles Bill was tabled in parliament, young Maori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clarke made global headlines by tearing the legislation up and starting a haka inside the chamber. Another hikoi protesting against the legislation arrived in Wellington just days later, with police estimating more than 42,000 people took part. Polling on the issue of the Treaty Principles Bill and the government itself has been shifting. Numbers out this week showed approval for Mr Luxon and Mr Seymour has fallen since they came to power a year ago . However, a different survey taken in early October found support for the bill was sitting at 46 per cent nationwide. Dr Gillespie said it was "quite possible" New Zealand would eventually have a national vote of some kind on the issue. "Mr Seymour realises that he's got a topic which is, although very divisive, one which will be very popular for the section of the populous that he appeals to and so he will continue to pursue it ... or it will come from people like Mr Brash or other interested citizens," he said. "I think it'll be a citizens-initiated referendum or else it will be part of a coalition deal. When there's the next election, they would say, 'We will give you our support if we get this referendum,' and that's quite possible." ABCLee University Departmental Alumni of the Year award recipients honored

WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!NoneSchool ends on a high note! The annual awards day and graduation ceremonies concluded the 2024 academic year. Journalists from The Fiji Times were busy travelling around the country taking pictures and reporting success stories from this special day. Ana Madigibuli and her team did a marvellous job as they reported on the prizegiving ceremonies that were carried out. I could imagine the excitement and sheer delight within those who walked away with a prize. Their hard work and struggles ended as they celebrated their success with loved ones. Nabua Secondary rewarded their students on Thursday, and I thank Wanshika Kumar and The Fiji Times for the coverage. The emotions on the faces of the day scholars and Matua students spoke about their struggles and how they brandished them to achieve excellence. The prize getters journey to achieving this feat has been through hard work and perseverance. These students organised and managed their time effectively. Their success demonstrates that with balance, and support, success is achievable. We must encourage young people to sacrifice and struggle to strive for their goals. They must be encouraged to set their priorities right and manage their time wisely. Parental support plays a vital role in the child’s success. With the changing tide and impact of drugs, technology and social media, parents need to step up and spend quality time with their children. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu Yaqona thieves On Taveuni, as with most areas throughout our beloved nation, the place is small enough that the people know more than those who are supposed to know! Just ask the people! They know who the culprits are! And you better start eradicating the freebies now because the words of warning out on social media for the culprits is most certainly not sounding good! On an island where the authorities have lost the plot, and the history of theft amounts to years and millions of dollars in heartbreak and losses, retaliation escalates to a peak where the outcome will most certainly not be pleasing! Noleen Billings Savusavu Bill to protect kids It’s good the parliamentarians have passed new legislation for the care and protection of children in need or at risk and Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is waxing lyrical about it (FT 7/12). But I wonder how many of them had actually read the Juveniles Act, the Probation of Offenders Act and the Adoption of Infants Act which had provided the legal framework for the care and protection of children with their best interest and welfare as paramount? Rajend Naidu B Sydney, Australia Game changer The planned, game-changer $1.5billion tourism development on the Wailoaloa Nadi foreshore augurs well for Fiji’s employment, economy and the country’s inherited debt repayments. This is truly a massive investment. We trust all authorities will rise to the occasion with their vetting and due diligence. I wish to sincerely congratulate the Hong Kong based investors for their confidence in choosing Nadi for their bold initiatives. May every success and good fortune be bestowed upon them, Nadi and Fiji, as a whole. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi The horse has bolted The drug problem has gotten out of hand in the past two years since the election of this government. There appears to be a perception in high places that once a Commissioner of Police is confirmed the drug problem will suddenly disappear. I think these people believe in Santa Claus as well. All the chiefs are talking about making up their own laws about this problem as they go – just like the government has been making up laws as they go. The reality is, while everyone does not want vulagi things permeating the culture in Fiji, they simply cannot stop these things. It is like trying to stop a vulagi religion permeating every aspect of life in Fiji. The horse bolted a long time ago. Jan Nissar Osaka, Japan Supply and demand chain Honourable Naupoto mentions the need for a major Supply and Demand chain check in the country to assist in countering drug activities. This is best addressed by much more intensive investigation into the contents of shipping containers at wharfs, and further checks during unstuffing of containers at the point of delivery, e.g wholesalers, retailers, vehicle importers etc. Anecdotal advice suggests that the port of Suva is used as a major transit hub for precursors, at least one instance has been uncovered. In England, $200million worth of drugs was shipped in over four years hidden in consignments of garlic, onions and ginger which naturally cannot be detected by sniffer dogs. These items are plentiful imports into the country. Are these shipments ever thoroughly checked? Stashing drugs into large electrical items such as fridges, washing machines et cetera, is another favourite method which could be detected when containers are unstuffed at points of destination. It doesn’t need me to tell the authorities how proper checks can be implemented, it can be done but the “secrecy” is always a problem. Allan Loosley Tavua 2013 Constitution So much had been said and heard during the 26th Attorney-General’s Conference at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort at Denarau in Nadi but with very little being accomplished as far as the Changing of the 2013 Constitution is concerned and rightly so because of the major hurdles of requirements of the majority numbers in Parliament and of course the unpredictable public referendum. Digesting the many issues that were the highlights of constitutional and prominent Suva lawyer Jon Apted (F/T 07/12), it is obviously clear and plain that the 2013 Constitution was engineered by its authors with all the intention of permanent subjection of all people of this small, tiny country with autocracy and subserviency control under the covering of ‘democratic’ principles. Now, we must bear in mind that as we currently live under this 2013 documents, we are actually living and conducting all our civil and democratic principles unlawfully since the coup-de tat of 2006 was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court ruling in April 2009 with the Qarase case judgement. Aren’t we conscious of our total illegality? So, the only possible path way forward without too many hurdles is for this country to allow the Court system to decide on that 2009 Supreme Court ruling on the Qarase case and remove this controversial and illegal document and believe me – there is no other way. MELI BOGILEKA Natabua, Lautoka Walking the talk You raise a number of pertinent questions in The Fiji Times editorial on who is responsible and accountable for the “over 8000 illegal immigrants in Fiji” (FT 7/12). One thing for sure is that it’s not the ordinary citizens. Could this have been a post coup phenomenon when democratic governance was weakened because those in power could not be held to standards of transparency, accountability and scrutiny expected? One other very important question we must not shy away from is what part official corruption played in the influx of illegal immigrants in the country? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia Lack of trash bins! I commend the trusted brand and the people’s newspaper for highlighting Fiji’s political, social and environmental issues in an ethical and professional manner. Littering has become a nemesis, an eyesore and an issue affecting our municipal councils and the residents alike. While the municipalities are pointing fingers at the residents for illegal rubbish and white goods dumping, fingers are also pointing at the municipalities for their failure to collect white goods on time and for the lack of trash bins, as pointed out by The Fiji Times (05/12). According to Jake Wise, municipalities across Fiji were grappling with a shortage of rubbish bins, leaving many towns and cities unable to effectively manage the growing waste generated by their growing populations. It’s sad to note that there is a shortage of rubbish bins along footpaths in the Capital City. With rising urban population, the demand for proper waste management systems, including the provision of sufficient rubbish bins, is more urgent than ever. We need to keep our environment clean. It cannot be done by an individual but by everyone! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu Cause and effect Drugs have silently eroded the moral and physical stature of the people of our beloved nation. I note that the second Speaker’s Debate touched on Drugs while the slogan on the banner that late afternoon cried ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’. Sadly, the reality of our solutions are targeted more at fixing the effects of drugs while we tend to shy away from treating the cause which is the heart and heat of the matter! And despite the fact that we have national security planners and are spending ‘every which way’ as us kailoma like to put it, somehow our borders remain open and defenceless to all forms of criminal activity. So how about instead of bringing in the huge boats that get stuck on reefs, we decentralise our Customs Department, set them up on the furthest of our islands in our group of islands including Rotuma, build the right infrastructure on them, equip them with the right communication and surveillance equipment, get them say 40 boats and a bunch of armed policemen and service them with our government barges and island freighters! We can bet our bottom dollar that our weak and vulnerable points has been studied to the letter! Noleen Billings Savusavu English and the vernacular OK, I get it. Children taught in their vernacular, as Prof. Paul Gerahaty (FT 29/11) is suggesting, might help improve some of the academic results attributed to a better comprehension in their own language. But jeez, Prof, how on Earth do you teach a myriad of subjects in the vernacular that require English as a basis of learning and understanding? If we were to take a step back, could the problem be how teachers are conveying the message of the subject so it’s a communication based teaching style issue that needs looking into? Or, could it be a lack of adequate teaching materials and technological support? Could it be a lapse and focus on the part of pupils who’re failing because of the challenges of home life where there are serious financial constraints or even domestic violence issues? Could the problem be related to nutrition where a child is not getting adequate nutrients in their everyday meals because of the financial struggles in the home? Could it be linked to problems with alcohol, drugs, porn and the lure of digitised games on the internet because of plain boredom? Is the curriculum relevant or appropriately structured to meet the needs and standards of the current crop of students? Could some of these students who’re not up to par have learning difficulties? Could some of these students have issues at home where they’re not receiving the love and support of their parents and/or guardians to help them overcome the hurdles and challenges of school life? Could it be because exams favour certain learning styles while they lose a significant proportion of pupils because they didn’t understand or grasp the message, context or concept of what was being taught? There could be a myriad of different reasons why certain children do well while others flop. So there needs to be a holistic approach to understand why so many children are struggling with school work and with their exams. I’m a fan of yours and have great respect for the work that you do. I know your heart’s in the right place. And I understand that you’re trying desperately to find a solution to help improve academic excellence and performance. However, the positive side to all of this is that your suggestion has started a dialogue deluge. And hopefully, there’ll be a host of solutions raining down to help fix the failure rate. So vinaka and good on you for sparking the discussion. Colin Deoki Australia

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Mark Few liked what he saw unfold at San Diego State's Viejas Arena when his No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs made their first foray outside of Spokane, Washington, this season. A double-digit victory in a packed, loud arena. Toughness from a deep, experienced lineup that once again is driven to win an elusive national championship. And, peeking a few seasons ahead, he saw an SDSU team that he views more as a future Pac-12 partner than rival. Behind big man Graham Ike and guard Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga displayed its size, speed and strength in beating Brian Dutcher's young, hobbled squad 80-67 on Monday night. The Bulldogs returned the favor after SDSU won 84-74 last December at The Kennel in Spokane, which ended their 59-game nonconference winning streak. Both teams reached the Sweet Sixteen last season. Gonzaga is the only team in the nation to reach the Sweet Sixteen the last nine seasons as the Bulldogs extended their streak of NCAA Tournament appearances to 25 straight. Back in Spokane on Wednesday night, the Zags improved to 5-0 by routing Long Beach State 84-41, no doubt firing up expectations in the Lilac City and beyond. In a college sports climate dominated by NIL and the transfer portal, the Zags are stacked. Of the 12 possible players who could return from last year, 10 did, including all four starters. They returned 81% of last season's scoring and 71% of their rebounding. Six of its top seven scorers are back, along with 81.4% of minutes played. “We're tougher,” Few said. “We're physically tougher, we're mentally tougher, at least so far in the season. A lot of the same guys from last year. That's what happens when you stick around a couple of years. “You've got to have both to be able to go on the road in a place like this and dig out wins," Few added. "That's one thing San Diego State is going to bring. They're going to bring physicality, they're going to bring great athleticism, they're going to challenge you in every facet of the game.” Hoops powerhouse Gonzaga announced on Oct. 1 that it will move from the West Coast Conference, where it has dominated for most of the last quarter-century, into a Pac-12 conference being rebuilt around football. Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, Gonzaga will become the eighth member along with holdovers Washington State and Oregon State, and fellow newcomers Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State and Colorado State from the Mountain West. While not as dominant as the Zags, the Aztecs have been one of the West Coast's best programs for several years, first under Steve Fisher and then Dutcher, his longtime assistant who is in his eighth season as head coach. “They're just going to be such a great partner, because they value basketball and they support basketball,” said Few, who's in his 26th season as head coach. “They understand, when you have a national program like we both have, it pays unbelievable dividends to the university, to the community, to the city and the state, like the Northwest and down here. They get that. We're looking for other like-minded places to partner with us.” Few said he would often chat with Fisher about the possibility of the Zags and Aztecs playing in the same conference. Fisher watches Aztecs games with his wife, Angie, from the second row above Steve Fisher Court. “We talked about it forever,” Few said. “I'm happy for Dutch. He's doing a great job." San Diego State reached its first Final Four in 2023, when Lamont Butler's thrilling buzzer-beater against Florida Atlantic lifted the Aztecs into the national championship game, where they lost 76-59 to UConn. SDSU was routed again by UConn, 82-52, in last season's Sweet Sixteen, while Gonzaga lost to Purdue. Gonzaga opened this season with a 101-63 win against then-No. 8 Baylor at the Spokane Arena. It was Gonzaga’s biggest victory margin over a top-10 opponent, over a team it lost to in the 2021 national title game in Indianapolis. Nembhard, who had 19 points and 10 assists against the Aztecs, said the Zags “did a really good job, actually,” of handling the pressure of playing at Viejas Arena. "Every time they went on a little run and the crowd got loud, we did a good job staying composed and trusting our offensive sets.” Nembhard will be gone when the Bulldogs and Aztecs are in the Pac-12 together, but thinks "the rivalry will be great. This is a great program. I played them a couple of times at Creighton, and they always gave us a tough game. They have a great fan base, a great coach over there, and they play really hard. I think it’ll be a great rivalry to come.” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball